For me, the start of a new school year is always full of excitement and nervous anticipation. The ‘butterflies in the stomach’ time of year is here again. These butterflies are a great indication that one is on the right path and doing the right thing. This year is no exception. I can feel the butterflies. Can you? No matter what your role is within the education sector - whether it be student, parent, guardian, caregiver, teacher, educational assistant, bus driver, secretary, custodian, clinician, social worker, knowledge keeper, substitute employee, maintenance worker or community member - I hope that all of you are feeling these start-of-the-year butterflies.
In Mountain View School Division, our teachers continue to focus on intervention strategies and instructional practices that promote acceleration and learning recovery for our students. We are committed to a plan and a pathway where every student is valued, nurtured, and enabled to realize their full potential. I am encouraged by the optimism that is present within our Administration Council at Mountain View School Division. At our recent initial meeting of the year, I was able to hear our leaders share that they are looking forward to the opportunities that a new year brings, and that they are excited and energized as they head into another school year. This same optimism is present throughout all of the other respective roles within our school division and I have been encouraged as I have had conversations with our MVSD team members at the start of this year. The role of any particular individual within the MVSD family is equally as important as the other and we could not do our work without everyone doing their part.
As the Superintendent/CEO for Mountain View School Division, I am proud to serve and provide leadership to this dedicated team of individuals. This work cannot occur without a strong connection to our families and community partners. Mountain View School Division spans seven different communities and is spread over a geographical area similar to the size of PEI. This is a great challenge and a terrific opportunity as we can interact meaningfully with our communities through their local schools.
I am also encouraged by the continued work that Mountain View School Division is doing with the Umbay Nagamon (Come Sing with Me) Project, where we are seeking to bring understanding, healing and reconciliation to our schools and communities through self-reflection and education. This continues to be ground-breaking work, and it is occurring right here in our school division. I am also encouraged that we are continuing to expand the Leader in Me Program within our schools as we develop leadership skills in our students and staff based on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
Our focus at Mountain View School Division is to cultivate relationships and create the best possible public education experience for the children in our care. I have great confidence in the future of Mountain View School Division, where we value the support, involvement, and partnerships with our communities.
In closing, I would like to wish all our students, parents, caregivers, staff, and knowledge keepers a great and successful school year full of excitement and yes, butterflies in the stomach! Make it a great year everyone!