The past four years as a Public School Board Trustee have been both challenging a rewarding. I have learned how to initiate positive change within a large, cumbersome organization. This is best accomplished by building bridges between administration, employee groups and parents. Nothing can be accomplished alone and I am grateful for all of the hard working, caring people in and outside of the Board that have engaged with me on a multitude of initiatives.
The work is never done, but in four years, we have accomplished many good things to bring more equitable learning to Ward 3.
To name a few:
- Adelaide Hoodless School received some badly needed new windows. Other upgrades to the heating and cooling system, washrooms and playground have also occurred. Adelaide will celebrate its centennial in 2011, so I know there is still plenty of work to do to keep the school relevant for the twenty-first century.
- Prince of Wales and Cathy Weaver schools are two new schools built for the inner city. The facilities are state-of-the-art which brings resources to children who may not have the same luxuries at home. Cathy Weaver is paired with Pinky Lewis Recreation Centre in a way that creates a quintessential community hub for the area. Prince of Wales is working well to make a similar experience that includes native programs.
- Memorial (city) has been rededicated as a World War I memorial and commemorates the 2200 Hamiltonians that lost their lives in the Great War. It is essential that the Board maintains this school in a manner that illustrates to children the significance of country and the importance of remembering the past. The school has received many upgrades including new washroom facilities, heating and cooling upgrades and an elevator. More improvements are scheduled for this year and next: new playground, painting, floor refinishing and ceiling repairs.
- King George School needs partnerships to meet children’s needs during school and afterschool. I am grateful for the volunteers from Bethany Gospel Chapel who has dedicated their time with children’s literacy and the snack program. Also, the Bank of Montreal has helped to fund the Wesley Urban Ministries’ after school program. The last few years have seen many extra resources go into King George in an effort to bring a stronger focus to children’s literacy as well as creating a more positive school environment.
- Parkview Secondary School is a vocational school that still needs big changes. Firstly, we are now providing extra resources to help the students with their reading and literacy skills. We need to make sure that all of our students are competent readers by the time they graduate. Secondly, as part of Secondary School review, we are beginning to look at the future of vocational schools in Hamilton. What are the best programs? What makes the best facility? How can we help our students achieve more? I will be forefront in this review as it moves forward.