Recognizing Parents/Guardians, Trustees, Volunteers, Bus Drivers & Community Members
The theme for Catholic Education Week 2022, Rebuild, Restore, Renew Together, reminds us that publicly funded Catholic education is a call to service. Regardless of our position or our responsibilities, it is a calling to bring the message of Jesus Christ into the lives of those who we are privileged to serve in the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board.
There will be many opportunities this year as we celebrate Catholic Education Week in person, as well as virtually, to recognize the many blessings that the gift of Catholic education affords each of us. During this week, it is fitting to express my thanks and gratitude to the people who work collaboratively and collectively to provide our staff and students with a strong, vibrant workplace and faith-based education in a safe and caring environment.
Each day this week, I am honoured to express my appreciation in the form of “thanks” to all those who play an integral role in the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board family.
We understand the enormous responsibility and challenges that another challenging year has placed on parents and guardians as they had to create time, space, routine, and support for their child’s learning at home or transition back to face-to-face learning. In addition to student learning, students have many other needs, especially their mental health and well-being. Thank you for your support, care and guidance, as a partner in Catholic education, as we collectively navigated through our learning journey this year.
Our Board of Trustees have continued to provide strong leadership throughout these challenging times through the approval of our Board’s Strategic Plan. The updated strategic priorities have been developed in response to the ever-changing needs of our system and will offer a renewed vision for excellence in Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board.
Our Catholic School Community Council members, our Special Education Advisory Committee members and our Catholic Parent Involvement Committee members have played a vital role in supporting our school communities “virtually” in a variety of innovative ways this year. In addition, our External Audit Committee members have offered sound corporate guidance relative to business and financial matters. SMCDSB is blessed to have such dedicated partners in our midst to assist, guide and support us with the realization of our mission and vision throughout the year.
Through the hard work of the transportation consortium and our school bus drivers, we continue to provide students with a safe and reliable way to get to and from school during the many types of weather conditions we experience throughout our diverse geographic boundaries. When problems and concerns presented themselves to us we continued to come to the table to brainstorm a sustainable solution that met the needs of our families and students.
Celebratory and personal wishes of good health and much happiness are extended to our retirees, whose years of service, dedication and valuable contributions to Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board have made our Catholic education system the great workplace that it is known to be. We look forward to celebrating you, in person, in the very near future.
God bless you for the work you do every day. “The Lord your God…Will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love.” (Zeph. 3:17) It is such an honour to be on this journey with each of you. May we always rejoice in recognizing the blessings our lives hold.