The following is a message from the Chairperson of the Greater Essex County District School Board, Alicia Higgison.
Chair's Message
Welcome back to school for the 2021/ 2022 school year!
We've all adjusted and readjusted to changes. We have spent the last 19+ months pushing through our limitations and discovering that our capabilities were far beyond what we thought possible. Education has a way of presenting new paths. The inspiration we find in teaching and learning has united us through this Covid-19 pandemic, in whatever version of classroom we find ourselves in. Within our virtual or in person classes, and out into the classroom of life, our connections are realized through our opportunities to reach each other and to reach for our own potential. Thank you, to staff, to parents, guardians, and grandparents, to each of you who hold space for our students to experience and feel everything that has come with this challenging time.
What has been laid bare is an opportunity to break down barriers, to better understand the lived experiences of those around us, and to step outside what is comfortable to really do the work that shifts us positively in a new direction. To embrace productive failure as a way to learn about what works and what is calling for change. We have been called upon to do just that. As a Board, as employees and students, as parents and guardians, and as members of our Windsor Essex community. Our work continues toward anti-racism, toward equity and inclusion, and in active support of the diverse communities that make up the fabric of our Board. Those efforts include all of us, and there is a role for us each to take on.
Our Board passed our new Strategic Priorities in June 2021. We welcome the challenges that will put our values into practice. Creating confident learners by focusing on learning environments that are supportive, trusting, and truly mean something to our students. Demonstrating ethical stewardship by allocating each of and all of our resources through a thoughtful and intentional lens. Engaging our communities in reflective ways that respect and honour the diversity we hold with pride at Greater Essex. Never losing sight of the reason we are all here, centering our decisions around the well-being and success of our students, whatever their version of supported success looks like.
There is no doubt we will be further challenged this year. We will be asked to do hard things. We will feel discomfort. We will make mistakes, and we will have tough moments to wade through. Through it all we have an opportunity to grow, to push each other and push ourselves to do the thing that seems just out of reach. We have committed to building tomorrow together. A tomorrow that is unknown, using tools we're learning about as we go. I am grateful to be doing this hard work alongside you, with your voices, with your expertise, with your heart, and with your commitment.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees for the Greater Essex County District School Board, I hope that your restful, safe, and enjoyable summer break was the exact right lead in to this new school year adventure. We wish you all the very best and are looking forward to continuing to be #GECDSBProud