Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! Although most people start thinking about back to school in August, in the school board universe the new school year begins for us on July 1st. People are hard at work during the summer to ensure that several important tasks get done – marks get transmitted to the ministry, summer school and supplemental exams take place, renovation projects jump into high gear, and planning continues for school registration, transportation, and welcoming new staff. There is a slight break in the action when we close down the entire system during the construction holiday, but otherwise we are working all year long to organize and deliver services to our students and support our staff in carrying out their work. We are a busy beehive at Lester B. Pearson!

I wish to say a very big thank you to all of our personnel who carry out these important summer tasks. Our departments work in support of our schools and centres. Together, we seek to create optimal environments that are welcoming, safe, and engaging for all. Now, the bulk of our summer building projects are winding down, schools and centres have been extensively cleaned, staff is in place, and we are ready to welcome our elementary and secondary students back to classes as of August 29th. In our continuing education department, our classes continue during the summer months, but we are also preparing to welcome new groups of students who may be taking adult education courses or beginning a vocational training program.

The energy created by back-to-school is fueled by a mixture of emotions – excitement, happiness, anticipation, and nervousness. A new school year is a fresh start – a time of growth and an opportunity for flourishing. New situations, new friends, new courses, and new surroundings create an aura of possibility. This is true as much for adults as it is for students. We all want to make the school year as positive as possible. To achieve that goal, we must come together and work in concert. In essence, every year, we return to or form new communities.

At our welcome back meeting of the entire Lester B. Pearson leadership team on August 16th, I made a case for viewing belonging as a key driver in the collective work we do. Learning is enhanced when students feel encouraged and empowered. The need to belong is fundamental to the human experience, and we form a community all the time – whether that be as part of a circle of friends, among classmates, or as team members. Staff are more productive when they feel an affective tie to their organization and are connected to their colleagues. I argue this point with confidence because it is not only borne out in the scientific literature, but this has been revealed to me time and time again in my twenty-five years of working in education. A culture of caring and belonging facilitates trust and that sense of community in turn cultivates confidence and growth.

We all have a role to play in strengthening community. Let us greet colleagues and learners with an optimism and enthusiasm anchored in the belief that we will be on a fun and stimulating learning journey together this year. Remember to offer a kind word to a student or coworker who may be new and looking for some guidance. When challenges present themselves, let us resolve to work toward reassurance and resolution in a spirit of togetherness.

It is my belief that cultivating a culture of belonging will enable the Lester B. Pearson school board community to deepen and strengthen. I invite all members of our community – students, staff, parents – to come together as we work to make this school year a memorable and exceptional one.

I want to wish everyone a wonderful start to the school year, and I look forward to another year of learning and thriving together.