Looking Ahead to the Future
Dear SJK Community,
As we complete our sixth week of remote learning, our thoughts as a leadership team have been turning towards the future. As Ontario slowly begins to open up for business, we know that the day will come when we will be able to return to campus. While I suspect that we all long for a “return to normal”, it is likely that when schools reopen they will look different from the schools we left.
But looking different isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The reality of physical distancing has become an ongoing challenge and we imagine some components of this safety precaution will remain in effect for a while. However, when you look beyond that, we can see some positives emerging too.
The most successful schools in the world have a strong school culture. Our culture at SJK is very unique, special and very strong. Ours is a culture of collaboration, connection, compassion, empathy and respect for individuals. It empowers teachers and students to do their best each and every day. Our culture became even stronger as we moved to a remote learning format, and will be essential as we chart the course for the future.
We also know that we have excellent teachers at SJK and they will approach the return to the classroom in the same way they have embraced our remote learning program. Care and empathy are the hallmarks of their teaching practice. Once they are back in the classroom we are sure that they will take the best of what they have learned while we have been at a distance and apply that to our new situation. Our pedagogy and practice will be stronger than ever.
SJK belongs to a network of the best independent schools in Canada and there is no doubt that our network has been strengthened by this experience. During this period of uncertainty, connecting and collaborating with each other has allowed us to share best practice and learn from others to ensure that we continue to stay ahead of the curve. As we look toward the day we return to campus, our strong connection to our national network will ensure that we are well positioned to offer our students the best and safest experience when they are back in the classroom.
So while we wait for the day our campus will reopen, we are confident that our strong school culture, excellent teachers and our national independent school network will position us well for the future. We will emerge from this period in history stronger and better than ever.
Thank you for the way you have continued to support our students, our teachers and our school. It was Teacher Appreciation Week and I know many of you sent supportive messages to our teachers. Thank you for this. Our national association, the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools wanted to pass on a message of thanks to our families. I echo their words. We are fortunate to have such wonderful families supporting our school.
Best wishes,
As we complete our sixth week of remote learning, our thoughts as a leadership team have been turning towards the future. As Ontario slowly begins to open up for business, we know that the day will come when we will be able to return to campus. While I suspect that we all long for a “return to normal”, it is likely that when schools reopen they will look different from the schools we left.
But looking different isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The reality of physical distancing has become an ongoing challenge and we imagine some components of this safety precaution will remain in effect for a while. However, when you look beyond that, we can see some positives emerging too.
The most successful schools in the world have a strong school culture. Our culture at SJK is very unique, special and very strong. Ours is a culture of collaboration, connection, compassion, empathy and respect for individuals. It empowers teachers and students to do their best each and every day. Our culture became even stronger as we moved to a remote learning format, and will be essential as we chart the course for the future.
We also know that we have excellent teachers at SJK and they will approach the return to the classroom in the same way they have embraced our remote learning program. Care and empathy are the hallmarks of their teaching practice. Once they are back in the classroom we are sure that they will take the best of what they have learned while we have been at a distance and apply that to our new situation. Our pedagogy and practice will be stronger than ever.
SJK belongs to a network of the best independent schools in Canada and there is no doubt that our network has been strengthened by this experience. During this period of uncertainty, connecting and collaborating with each other has allowed us to share best practice and learn from others to ensure that we continue to stay ahead of the curve. As we look toward the day we return to campus, our strong connection to our national network will ensure that we are well positioned to offer our students the best and safest experience when they are back in the classroom.
So while we wait for the day our campus will reopen, we are confident that our strong school culture, excellent teachers and our national independent school network will position us well for the future. We will emerge from this period in history stronger and better than ever.
Thank you for the way you have continued to support our students, our teachers and our school. It was Teacher Appreciation Week and I know many of you sent supportive messages to our teachers. Thank you for this. Our national association, the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools wanted to pass on a message of thanks to our families. I echo their words. We are fortunate to have such wonderful families supporting our school.
Best wishes,
Ms. Cheryl Boughton
Head of School
St. John's Kilmarnock School
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