The Power of Community continues to Inspire

As Superintendent, I take great pride in the accomplishments of our students and in leading an outstanding staff. What else inspires me? The incredible relationships we've formed with community organizations in all corners of our city. These partnerships continue to lift our students up and open doors to achievement and progress. This fact shines through in our 2009 Report to the Community, which highlights some of the initiatives our collaborations have allowed us to undertake.

The Report details key elements of the work we're doing to reach out to Bands and Elders to help connect Aboriginal students to their culture and heritage, while supporting them academically. It describes how we're assisting newcomers to Canada transition into our education system and adjust to their new country and new home, and it illustrates just how significant a role our partnerships play in allowing youth to access vital resources outside the classroom - resources that nurture them in body, mind and spirit.

I hope you will find time to read the report on our district's website at www.epsb.ca. I also encourage you to watch a set of video interviews we conducted with some very dynamic people. We met with professionals working in our District and in partner organizations, who provide good insight on different aspects of the report. What I'm sure will strike a chord with you, just as it did me, was how eloquently and passionately these individuals speak about the goals of their work and what collaboration has meant to their ability to give hope to so many students and their families.

Their expertise and experience are clearly evident, but so too is their humility. We are fortunate to have these quiet heroes involved in projects that are grounded in a set of shared values and beliefs. Together, we're building resiliency in our learners - helping them to believe in themselves and in their gifts and talents. Every day, we're demonstrating the power our partnerships have in changing the very course of a young person's life. Quite simply, these relationships strengthen the character of our school district. They continue to help us shape our ambitions and the bright futures of our students. It's difficult to fully express how meaningful these co-operative efforts really are, but this sentiment comes close: When the spirit of people is strong, focused and vibrant, wonderful things happen.

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