Message From Director Lucia Reese

The 2014-2015 school year will undoubtedly be remembered as the year that collective bargaining changed in the province of Ontario.

 

Although there were some bumps, pauses and stops along the way this year, one thing really resonated with me and that was … that learning never stops.

 

In ADSB, our focus is on learning, instruction and continuous improvement. While our context this year presented us with some limitations, there was evidence, every day, of our commitment to students and learning, through our Board priorities of Achievement, Well-being and Engagement. Our staff kept learning and instruction remained at the forefront both in classrooms and behind the scenes.

 

Together, as learners in the Algoma District School Board, we remain committed to providing programs that meet the needs of all learners. I continue to be very proud of our dedicated personnel and our Board of Trustees who keep students at the centre of everything we do. We can all be proud that although we experienced some difficult labour landscapes across the province this year, good instruction, professional learning, reflection and growth remained evident.

 

Throughout the year, at the system level, we were able to revisit our strategic priorities and look for opportunities to plan next steps and take stock of what we have accomplished and what still needs to be done. Through that learning, we are preparing to again move forward with our priorities and will be renewing our focus on: integrating technology, implementing a balanced mathematics program, developing cultural sensitivity, providing mental health supports to students, engaging parents and the community and implementing strategies to promote well-being and physical activity across the district. We continue to learn how best to integrate and connect our strategic priorities to reach our ultimate goal of improved student learning, achievement and well-being.

 

They say that every cloud has a silver lining. This year, in a cloud of provincial labour changes, our silver lining was learning. I hope you will take some to review the stories and information included in this report, as we share our work to develop “confident learners and caring citizens” and to maintain our core focus on learning. Learning never stops … yet another reason why we are … Proud to be … ADSB!