Director of Education January 2025

A Message from the Director of Education, January 2025
Posted on 01/29/2025
A message to families from Katherine MacIver, Director of Education

Hello Families:

In the last week of January, we can look back on a busy first few weeks of 2025! Our secondary students are completing exams this week and are completing their Semester 1 credits and in our elementary schools we are nearing the first formal report card.

HPEDSB is also in the final stages of consultation for the multi-year strategic plan. A ThoughtExchange link has been sent to you requesting your input for the priorities of the school board for the next five years. What is it that we need to focus on to make sure students are ready for a bright future? What
is the lens that we should look through? More technology? Skilled trades? Innovative programs? Have your say by accessing the ThoughtExchange here. The survey will close on Friday evening.

In addition to supporting the development of the strategic plan, we also want your regular involvement in our schools. Your involvement in your child’s education, at any age, makes the difference! Instead of asking “What happened at school today?” consider asking “What was the best or most challenging or exciting part of your day today?” Chances are you will get an answer beyond “nothing” and gain some insight into what your child enjoyed. Your positive reinforcement of the importance of learning and education leaves a lasting impression on your child and is more apt to lead to regular attendance, good behaviour and great results in the classroom. Always feel free to connect with your child’s teacher. Remember, teachers have many children in their classroom and a great deal to teach so initiating the contact is helpful to them and your child. More tips about how to be involved in your child’s education can be found on the Ministry of Education website.

The last half of the 2024-2025 school year promises to be very exciting! As part of revising our budget, we have added more educational assistants, more dollars to renew technology in the classrooms and have embarked on an exciting partnership with the HPE Learning Foundation to equip every primary
classroom with a soundfield. Soundfields amplify the educator’s voice to improve audibility, which promotes improved attention and comprehension. They will support our work on phonics and reading and will allow all students in the classroom to hear the teacher clearly. Soundfields are a welcome
addition to student learning!

Thank you for your support of HPEDSB!
Warm regards,

Katherine MacIver
Director of Education

Family Letter, January 2025 PDF