Welcome letter to students and families from Director of Education Peter Sovran
September 1, 2021
To Upper Grand students, families and community members,
On this, my first official day as the Director of Education with the Upper Grand District School Board, I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and express my appreciation to all of you. I am honoured to be working in the Upper Grand communities in service of students and families. My sincere thanks to the Board of Trustees for this tremendous opportunity.
As I enter my 28th year in public education, most recently as an Associate Director of Education with the Hamilton-Wentworth DSB, I look forward to continuing the tradition of service excellence in the Upper Grand.
Since early May, as part of my transition plan, I have been meeting with many individuals that make-up the broader UGDSB community. Throughout these discussions I have heard about the dedication of Upper Grand staff, the board-wide focus on student learning and well-being, and I have started to get to know the communities in which your families live and learn.
These continue to be challenging times and I want to acknowledge the range of emotions that we are all experiencing as classes resume this fall.
Here at the Upper Grand our top priority is to maintain safe environments that are supportive, accepting and inclusive of everyone. Our board will continue to work closely with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, taking their guidance on our health and safety protocols while implementing additional safety measures, including in our masking requirements and ventilation enhancements. We will also build on our existing supports for mentally healthy classrooms and work spaces for students and staff.
This school year I invite all of you to join us as we Re-Engage, Re-Fresh and Re-Imagine learning and working in UGDSB, informed by data and rooted in equity and inclusion, and our commitment to truth and reconciliation.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Martha Rogers for welcoming me and supporting my transition to the board. I, like so many in public education, have been the beneficiary of Dr. Rogers’ leadership and decades of service.
I thank everyone for the warm welcome I have received and look forward to getting to know the Upper Grand communities better.
Sincerely,
Peter Sovran
Director of Education
Upper Grand District School Board
Categories: News