This February, my word of the month is APPRECIATION. I say this because the major events that mark this month have to do with recognizing and celebrating members of our school board community and beyond.

February is known throughout North America as Black History month. In recent years, our commitment to EDDI has resulted in a deeper and louder celebration of Black culture. According to Heritage Canada, this year’s theme for Black History Month is: “Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build”. Resources and suggestions from Heritage Canada’s toolkit were shared with schools, and we have welcomed many guests to help us celebrate the past and build the future. Again this year, we are flying the Pan African flag here at Head Office, and last week I was fortunate to participate in a professional learning activity with our principals and vice principals that focused on leadership and EDDI. Examples of activities taking place in our schools and centres include opportunities to learn more about African and Caribbean culture through song, dance, and food. I invite everyone to read our latest edition of the Pearson News to learn more how, in the words of our contributing writer Kemba Mitchell, “we are empowering narratives and inspiring change”.

I wish to thank our staff and students, many of whom work through EDDI school-level committees for organizing the displays, meals, presentations, and assemblies in recognition of Black History month. We are very much trying to live true to the quote by the Honourable Jean Augustine, former Canadian MP and educator, that “Black History is not just for Black people. Black History is Canadian History”.

February is also when we celebrate Staff Appreciation at the Lester B. Pearson School Board. It has been a long-standing tradition to designate a week in February, usually around Valentine’s day, to shower our staff with appreciation and admiration for the work they do in service of our students. We take extra care during this week to thank everyone for their dedication and remind them that they are a vital element in a student’s learning journey.

No matter the role one plays in education, our students are impacted by the adults who contribute to our school board – we can never underestimate the power of a learning moment, a helping hand, or a smile. I know how hard our staff work, and I try to say thank you as often as I can. In addition to my message of gratitude and media ads, we personalize things by asking our students to share messages of appreciation which we have compiled into a video that you can find on our social media. We also invite parents and the larger community to tell us why they appreciate our staff so much. These written testimonials are then shared directly with our staff so they can see the positive impact they have in the lives of students and their families. I call these our annual love letters to staff, and I know they are treasured by all who read them. I also wish to thank the Home and School Associations in our schools for showing their appreciation with the breakfasts and other goodies they prepared for our teachers, support staff, professionals, caretakers, and administrators during Staff Appreciation Week.

Another time-honoured tradition that we appreciate and anticipate as we finish off February is March Break. Often it signals that spring is just around the corner and is a little pause in the action to allow us all to rest a little and prepare for the final term of the school year. I want to wish everyone a health, restful, and wonderful March break.