Letter from the Director of Education

Letter from the Director of Education
Posted on 09/07/2022

September 6, 2022 - Director of Education, Katherin MacIver, welcomes students back for the 2022-2023 school year in the following letter sent to families this afternoon.  

To All Families and Students:

Welcome to the first day of the 2022-2023 school year!

Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board is happy to see students return to school, ready and excited for learning!  While we know COVID-19 has not disappeared, this September, we find ourselves returning to normal schedules and routines, ready to participate and enjoy all that schools have to offer.

Our schools are in top condition thanks to the diligent work of our custodial, facilities and information technology staff.  Educators, administrators and support staff have been in schools preparing for students to arrive.  Please join me in expressing gratitude for the staff and their support for an excellent start to the school year.

This year we will be focused on ensuring students have the skills, knowledge and understanding to be successful wherever they are.  This means we will be digging deeply into key reading and math skills, and to the equitable opportunities and outcomes for all students in elementary and high school.  Despite our best efforts through the pandemic, learning was disrupted.  Be assured that we have support at the ready, including tutoring and supports for mental health and well-being.

COVID-19 is still a concern and I encourage everyone to take precautions, including making a personal choice about wearing a mask.  It is important that we respect individual choices to ensure students, staff and families are comfortable, no matter their choice.  I encourage all families to use the school screener prior to going to school and urge everyone to stay home while ill.  Schools will have masks for students and staff to use and will also have rapid antigen tests for distribution and home use.  We will continue to clean high touch areas, support personal hygiene etiquette, and use portable HEPA units in classrooms.  Our ventilation systems continue to be upgraded.  Read more about what HPEDSB is doing to improve air flow and our Ventilation Report.

As always, our schools and staff are here to offer support.  Please ensure you are communicating with classroom educators about your child's learning.

I wish you a terrific school year!

Sincerely,

Katherine MacIver

Director of Education.