Director's Update from the DDSB - September 2023
Dear Families,
Welcome to a brand-new school year! We hope this letter finds you well and that you had a relaxing and enjoyable summer filled with special moments and opportunities for reflection. As we kick off a new year, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all our returning families and a heartfelt greeting to those who are joining the DDSB for the first time.
A new school year brings with it a sense of renewed energy and excitement. It is a time to set new goals, embrace fresh opportunities, and create wonderful memories together. We are eager to build upon the successes of the previous school year and continue our journey toward providing the best educational experience for all our students.
Our commitment to creating safe, equitable, inclusive, accessible, respectful, and welcoming learning and working environments remains steadfast. Upholding all aspects of the Ontario Human Rights Code and centring the student as part of decision-making is at the core of our mission. It is critical that we continue to foster a welcoming environment and we are dedicated to ensuring that everyone, whether a familiar face or a new arrival, feels supported and valued within our school community.
Throughout the year, we will continue to engage with our communities, providing opportunities for you to connect with the experiences happening in our classrooms. Our Parent Engagement Speaker Series and involvement through School Community Councils are important venues for families who wish to become more involved in our educational community.
We are also embarking on the creation of a new Multi-Year Strategic Plan and your input is helping us identify priorities, shape our direction, and define our measures of success. Student achievement is a leading priority, and we will continue to focus on the development of skills in reading, writing, and mathematics – including with the creation of a dedicated math lead for the DDSB who will be responsible for curriculum implementation, training, and leading of Board-wide math initiatives to work toward improved math outcomes for students. We also encourage our students to grow, achieve, and create memorable moments through a focus on engagement and well-being.
As we embark on this new school year, there are many significant events ahead, including Terry Fox National School Run Day and Orange Shirt Day & National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, among others. These moments provide opportunities for reflection, learning, and coming together as a community.
We are thrilled to begin this new year. We believe in the potential of each student, and together, we will work toward their growth, success, and well-being – keeping them at the centre of all that we do. Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s education. We look forward to a year filled with learning, laughter, and shared achievements.
Warm regards,
Camille Williams-Taylor
Director of Education
Durham District School Board
Back to Search 