I realize I have been again neglecting is blog. I haven’t deliberately stopped blogging. As the term has progressed, however, I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to use this vehicle to communicate with people.

All the open school board committee of the whole meetings and monthly board meetings are now available online. The main Youtube page for the school district is here. Near the top right hand corner is a subscribe button. You can also click on the ‘playlists’ tab, which is across the top.  After doing so, you’ll see one called “Board Meetings.” which has links to all the meetings, going back to August 2016, which, I think, is when we began recording them.

One of the things that I know I’ve worked on, as a new trustee, is finding the appropriate balance between how & when to express my personal views, vs simply clarifying what the majority decided. I know this topic is one we, as group, have discussed at length. The conclusion I’ve come to is that I can certainly clarify anything I’ve said which is a matter of public record; it’s not, however, appropriate to say things that attack or undermine my peers, even if I disagree with them… and I have a responsibility to respect decisions made by the majority even if I don’t agree with the final result.

To end on a lighter, more fun note: It was my great honour to attend the Grade 7 festivities at Park Avenue school this evening. We had an amazing potluck dinner, followed by presentations of certificates & a photo to the outgoing students. I know some wonder about referring to the end of grade 7 as a ‘graduation,’ and I do understand that feeling. That said, I think it’s also really important to mark transitions. So I felt very privileged to be part of the formal presentations this evening. It was made even more special for me because one of the boys who is heading to high school next year is the son of a friend. I remember holding him when he was a baby, so it was a very proud moment for me to give him his certificate. Thanks to Mr Dhillon & Mr. Snowden for organizing and MCing these festivities!