The Director of Education and CEO of the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board says there will be a heightened emphasis on two key areas this year at local schools.
Katherine MacIver says there is still a major focus on the “foundational skills around reading, writing, mathematics; those stay year to year. This year, we’re taking a special interest in financial literacy, so we’ll be talking about that across all grades”.
MacIver says “Certainly, (this is) an interest area for students and for families. We’re also looking deeply at citizenship. What does it mean to be a citizen? Whether it’s part of a classroom community, a school community, or a greater community as a whole, (it’s a) very important piece that we’re going to elevate out of our curriculum and talk more about this year”.
MacIver says they key lessons for members of the public on Wednesday (and moving forward) are about safety and awareness. “We have students in our schools and on our streets and on our buses. So, we might have to plan for some delays as we move through our communities, just to make sure that we’re doing it safely and that our students are supported as they make their way to school.”
MacIver says the excitement has been steadily building, and everyone is ready to welcome students. “it’s like our New Year’s. So we’re celebrating the return of students and staff”.
She closed by saying that the “message for everyone is about how valuable our public education system is. It is what makes us strong and unique as Canadians and in Ontario. The support of families, friends, staff members, and our community for our public education makes us even stronger. Strong communities lead to strong schools, and strong schools lead to strong communities”.
