With the holiday season now upon us, I would like to acknowledge and extend greetings to our many Bluewater District School Board students, staff, families, partners, and communities.

Recognizing that some choose to observe and celebrate different practices and traditions at this time of year, it is my hope that the holidays are safe, happy, and peaceful with opportunities for everyone to connect with family and friends. Even if some of those connections are virtual this year, I trust that you will find creative ways to spend time and engage meaningfully with others.

This past year has been unlike any other in recent memory. As Director of Education, and on behalf of our trustees and my senior team colleagues, there are simply not enough expressions of thanks that could be said for the amazing efforts, teamwork, and perseverance demonstrated by everyone. Despite a steep curve to climb in pivoting to all virtual learning following the provincial Ministerial Order to close schools in March, and our physical return to school in September, we somehow conquered 2020 thanks to all of you!

In reflecting on the past 12 months, we have many noteworthy accomplishments and successes despite the challenging reality of a global pandemic. At the Initial Meeting of the Board on December 15th, I shared the Director’s Annual Report for 2020, which includes examples from this year of student and staff excellence, and the ways in which Bluewater District School Board adapted to COVID-19. If you have not done so already, I encourage you to view the report on our board website by visiting www.bwdsb.on.ca/about_us/board_reports/annual_report. Many thanks and kudos are owed to Jessica Hatt, a Specialist High Skills Major Design student at Grey Highlands Secondary School, who stepped up to the task with her skills and talent to design this year’s report.

As we acknowledge the hard work, creativity, and adaptability of our stakeholders that saw us through the unique circumstances of the past year, we also take this opportunity to embrace what is yet to come. I look forward to our continued collaboration, new successes, and a hopeful path forward in 2021. May the new year bring you and those closest to you the brightest of days, good health, happiness, and prosperity.

Season’s greetings!

Lori Wilder
Director of Education