You may already be aware that November is my final month as Superintendent of the Peace River School Division. I would like to tell you from the bottom of my heart - thank you for all your contributions to public education and the collaboration that we have shared over the last 13 years.

Let me start out this month’s message by introducing my trusted colleague and successor, Dr. Jeff Thompson. Dr. Thompson is an existing member of the PRSD team with whom I have worked closely since 2017. Effective November 16, he will be the Division’s new Acting Superintendent.

I have come to know Dr. Thompson as not only an exceptional system leader, but as someone who is driven to make sure all students find success. He brings to the role more than three decades of experience in fine-tuning student assessment practices and routines. I have no doubt that Dr. Thompson’s expertise will tremendously benefit the PRSD during this time of transition.

The Peace River School Division continues to make significant and positive strides toward recovery following the biggest disruption to learning this generation has experienced. Adding to that, we are also experiencing a province wide teacher shortage.

What does this mean for student achievement?

More than ever, I am convinced we must stay the course. As a Division, we are in the first year of our new five-year education plan. This plan caries forward the same goals we had in our previous three-year plan: that all students are literate, all students are numerate, and that all students are successful through inclusionary practices. To be able to achieve these goals, our students have to attend school regularly.

Through our division-wide assessment practices, we are noticing positive indicators with our youngest students that will translate into positive routines, like regular school attendance, strong literacy skills and numeracy skills. All three of these things will be instrumental in our students being successful in all core subjects as they continue their journey to graduation.

Another positive trend that PRSD is experiencing is the continued trend toward closing the achievement gap between our Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. Both our local report card data and provincial achievement data show the efforts we have put in to provide school environments that allow all of our students to thrive and feel welcomed and successful.