It has been my honour and privilege to serve the students and families of York Region as trustee for the past eight years, including the last four as Chair of the Board. As this board’s term comes to conclusion, I want to express my deepest gratitude to my fellow trustees and to the entire York Region District School Board community.
Every day, families send their children to our schools trusting us to keep them safe, ensure they feel welcome and valued, support their well-being, and provide the learning and opportunities they need to achieve their goals and realize their potential. That trust is both a great responsibility and privilege.
Throughout my time as trustee, I have been continually inspired by the students, families and staff who make up our school communities.
One of the greatest joys of the role has been spending time in schools and hearing directly from students. The young people in YRDSB are not only the leaders of tomorrow, but are leaders today, already developing innovative ideas to complex challenges, and working to create a better future for their communities. Students, your curiosity, resilience, creativity and determination give me confidence for the future. It has been an honour to see your achievements and celebrate your successes.
To families, thank you for the trust you place in our public education system. Your partnership, advocacy and support are essential to student success and strengthen our school communities and our system. From the annual school council forums and regional symposia, school events and the many families across the school board who connected with me and my colleagues over the years, I want to express my gratitude to you for sharing your input, ideas and feedback. Your input enables us to ensure our system meets the needs of students and families.
To staff, thank you for your extraordinary dedication to students. Throughout my time as trustee, I have seen firsthand the professionalism, passion and commitment you bring to work each day. You create welcoming, supportive learning environments where students can thrive, and continue to put the supports and opportunities in place that enable all students to be successful.
Over the past eight years, we have achieved a great deal together, guided by the priorities of the Multi-Year Strategic Plan. These accomplishments reflect the collective efforts of students, families, staff, trustees and community partners working toward a shared vision for student success.
Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my fellow trustees. It has been a privilege to serve alongside individuals who care deeply about public education and are committed to supporting students and families across York Region. I am grateful for your collaboration, counsel and leadership throughout my time on the Board.
I will always be proud of my years of service as trustee and chair of the York Region District School Board. Thank you for the opportunity to serve this remarkable community. It has been an honour, and a time I will always look back on with pride and fondness. In the next few weeks, we will work to ensure we are setting the incoming Board up for a successful transition. I wish the incoming Board every success as they continue this important work on behalf of students and families.
Ron Lynn
Chair, YRDSB