Happy Holidays

Dear Students, Parents, Caregivers, Staff and the New Westminster community,

As we head into the Winter Break and bring this calendar year to a close, we do so with appreciation for all that we’ve managed to achieve together.

It has been a year full of some extremes – from the heat to the rain, through a pandemic – all while we keep students learning, growing and supported. It’s not an easy task, but it’s one that’s been made possible by the shared commitment of the people in our school community. For that, we are so thankful.

Our staff have worked exceptionally hard to keep students engaged, to collaborate and to provide all the vital supports within our schools. Our students have shared creativity and passion that’s been inspiring to witness: from our youngest students repeating the “try like Terry” mantra before running the fields and sidewalks around their schools, to our middle school learners who so passionately delved into Orange Shirt Week and other learning opportunities, and on to our secondary school students who are experiencing all that the new school has to offer, while continuing to showcase their continued Hyack spirt in their powerful performances, the return to athletics, and in the engaging and collaborative lessons that can now spill into shared learning spaces between classrooms. And the parents and caregivers in New Westminster have shown such profound compassion and commitment as we continue to work together to keep kids learning, in safe and welcoming ways.  

So much has been accomplished already this school year, and there’s much to look forward to as we cast ahead to the winter and spring months.

First though, a brief break. So, whether the Winter holiday is a celebration of family for you, an opportunity for spiritual or religious reflection, or a window of time that just allows for a pause and some relaxation, we send our best wishes this season to you all.

Thank you for all you do to make this community a better place to live, learn, work and play in.

With warm wishes,
Gurveen Dhaliwal, Board Chair
and Karim Hachlaf, Superintendent of Schools

 

PDF: Holiday message from Chair Dhaliwal and Superintendent Hachlaf