As your new president, it is my sincere hope that you had a chance this past summer to get some well-earned rest, and took the opportunity to recharge your batteries for a return to the vital and important work of running your schools.
As school leaders, for the past two-years, we have lived with evolving health & safety protocols, continuous development of the Public Health Communicable Disease Guidance for K-12 Schools, and mask mandates – recommended, and then required! Although the pandemic is not over, after these two years we know more, and we have more tools in our toolbox. We can do this!
Following two summers where the focus seemed to be on everything ‘pandemic’, the tone of this summer has felt quite different. That shift has become apparent in a variety of ways, as many of us have been able to enjoy travel and events in the past months. Our Board of Directors and senior staff were grateful to meet together for three days in Victoria last week, and we were pleased to spend some time with both the Honourable Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education and Child Care, and the Honourable Katrina Chen, Minister of State for Child Care. Minister Whiteside and Minister Chen, along with other Ministry representatives who joined us, each offered acknowledgement and genuine appreciation of the exhausting work performed by Principals & Vice-Principals to keep schools open and operating during the pandemic, while we continued to support student learning in so many ways.
It is important to note that BC was the leading educational jurisdiction in North America – and even, perhaps, the world – in keeping schools open, and supporting students face-to-face as we navigated the pandemic. BC’s public school leaders made that happen: kudos to you all!
For me, a highlight of the summer was participating in the 2022 Foundations for New School Leaders (formerly Short Course) at UBC. The energy and enthusiasm of our newest Principals & Vice-Principals was inspiring. As these dedicated leaders move into their new roles, they will need and seek out our support. Your experience and wisdom will be invaluable to them as they transition into their new leadership roles.
In my new role, I look forward to connecting with our members in the days, weeks, and months ahead. I want to hear about your successes, your challenges, and how the Association can support you in the vital work you do.
As you prepare your schools for the return of staff and students, I wish you all the very best for a positive start-up, and an exciting new year ahead, and I encourage you to seek some life-work balance. The energy, enthusiasm, wisdom, and guidance you bring to your school is vitally important, but remember the importance of keeping some time for yourself.