On behalf of the Board of Trustees and senior leadership team, congratulations to our Bluewater District School Board students, staff, and families on the successful completion of the 2025-2026 school year!
A very special round of applause is dedicated to the graduating class of 2026. To our graduates – No matter what your chosen path ahead looks like, we encourage you to carry forward with confidence and resolve the best of your Bluewater experience in all you pursue and have yet to become. We also think of our other graduates who are turning an important corner along their learning pathway, including our Grade 8 and kindergarten students, and those finishing other specialized programs. Congratulations to all of you on reaching an incredible milestone!
To all our elementary and secondary students – As you reflect on the past 10 months, we hope you feel a strong sense of pride in all you have accomplished, both academically and personally. You have earned the right to a restful, rewarding, and stress-free summer. On that note, we are pleased to share this
summer wellness tipsheet developed specifically for students by a member of our Bluewater Mental Health Team.
To our parents/guardians and families – We appreciate your partnership and the ways in which your guidance and role modeling at home have continually been reflected in our classrooms through kind, caring, and responsible students who come to school eager to learn and grow.
To our staff – Thank you for the countless ways in which you have supported and positively impacted our students over the course of this school year. Every role across our system serves a vital function, directly and indirectly, in shaping the student experience and contributing to growth, achievement, and well-being across all grade levels.
There is often a misconception that school boards only operate from September to June. This could not be further from the truth. From capital and renewal projects, facilities maintenance, and necessary technology upgrades, to summer learning programs, staff support, and busy administrative prep work for September, many of our employees work 12 months of the year. We are thankful for all they do and hope that the summer offers up some moments for them to pause as well.
June is also synonymous with a number of staff retirements. Bluewater’s annual
Long Service and Retirement Reception on June 18 allowed us an opportunity to formally thank, recognize, and bid farewell to some of these colleagues and friends.
We have many community and education partners who contribute expert advice and resources throughout the school year to enhance student learning and outcomes. This extends to our volunteers who show up in multiple ways through participation in school councils, nutrition programs, field trips, events, fundraisers, and learning programs. At our final board meeting of the school year, we celebrated our annual
Awards of Excellence highlighting a few outstanding examples of volunteerism in Bluewater.
On a sad note, it is important for us to acknowledge that this school year also brought loss and tragedy to some of our Bluewater communities. We will continue to honour and treasure the memories of those we have lost, while keeping their families and close connections in our thoughts and hearts.
As we conclude the 2025-2026 school year and look ahead to what comes next, we are aware that certain challenges and uncertainties remain for public education across Ontario. However, we want to provide reassurance that our recently passed
balanced budget for 2026-2027 puts Bluewater on firm footing with targeted student-focused investments that will ensure stability and sustainability in the year to come. As always, our schools will be in top condition with wonderful staff waiting to welcome our students in September.
Have a safe, productive, and enjoyable summer!
Jane Thomson
Chair of the Board
AJ Keene
CEO