The end of the school year is a time for celebration and reflection on the learning and achievements of the past year.
On behalf of Bluewater District School Board, I want to congratulate all our 2023 graduates. We wish you the best as you move forward in pursuit of your personal successes and aspirations. It is my sincere hope that your time spent learning and growing with us has provided many rewards and treasured memories that will serve you well as you navigate your post-secondary and/or career pathways.
To every other student, have a wonderful and well-deserved summer break. We very much look forward to your return to school in September. Thank you to your parents/guardians and families, who have supported you along the way.
Special accolades and gratitude are owed to this year’s staff retirees. We recently honoured those departing our system, along with staff marking significant career milestones, at our annual
Long Service and Retirement Recognition Reception. Through your varied and unique roles across our system, you have made lasting contributions to the students and families we serve. Congratulations and thank you!
At our final board meeting of 2022 – 2023 on June 20, we recognized community members who make outstanding contributions to our schools through our
Awards of Excellence program. Beyond these admirable examples of dedication and generosity, there are countless volunteers and other contributors to excellence in our system who deserve our thanks.
As Director of Education, I want to acknowledge our trustees, who provide leadership, advocacy, and support for our system through careful decision-making that serves the best interests of our students. Earlier this month, the Board of Trustees approved a balanced
budget for 2023 – 2024 with many of our stakeholders helping to inform next year’s priorities through a public consultation survey.
Recapping some of our key successes of the past year, our work has focused on reading and writing skills, mathematics learning, diversity, equity, and inclusive education, Indigenous learning, and strengthening supports for mental health and wellness. As we look ahead to September, we are committed to ensuring our efforts in these vital areas are maintained and further developed.
I want to close by acknowledging every employee of Bluewater District School Board and our education partners for all that has been accomplished in 2022 – 2023. It takes all parts working and moving together in the same direction to keep our organization thriving. Recognizing that summer is an especially busy time for some of our departments, I hope everyone gets a chance to relax and take a break at some point.
Have a safe, rejuvenating, and enjoyable summer.
Lori Wilder
Director of Education