TORONTO, May 3 – The Ontario Public School Boards’ Association (OPSBA) is marking Education Week in the province by highlighting the incredible job all those within our system have done over the past year, especially with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Through hard work, innovation, and the passion to educate our youth, our public education system continues to navigate successfully through the pandemic to keep students learning,” says OPSBA President Cathy Abraham.
This year’s theme for Education Week is #StrongerTogether, which best describes how the system works. From teachers to caretakers to trustees to everyone who plays a part in our system, COVID-19 has altered our work in significant ways, but we’ve adjusted to ensure strong public education continues. Whether it’s through navigating the sudden thrust into extensive online learning or taking care of enhanced cleaning and screening measures, this week, we thank the teachers, caretakers, principals, administrators, and all education workers for their dedication.
Our education system is world-renowned and we have a remarkable record of successful outcomes for all students, with amazing things happening each and every day in public schools across the province. Our students are learning about Canadian history and culture, including Indigenous peoples, participating in robotics competitions, understanding the implications of multiplication and geometry, dissecting worms, painting masterpieces, creating original music, analyzing powerful novels, strengthening their independent and group work skills, and, once we get back to normal, realizing personal and team bests in sports events, getting critical on-the-job training via co-operative education and apprenticeships and so much more.
This week is also a time to highlight the great work of our students. They have missed out on valuable time with their friends and teachers and have had to deal with disruptions we’ve never seen before. We are inspired by their work as well.
With the stress the pandemic has caused the students and their families, we can also be proud that our education workers have gone above and beyond to maintain a safe, welcoming, equitable and innovative learning environment. We also call on the public to continue to make education a key priority for this government and future ones, to ensure our students have a special place to learn and grow for years to come.
About Education Week
Education Week is recognized every year during the first full week in May in Ontario. It is a time for students, teachers and parents to celebrate teaching excellence, as well as student achievement.
About OPSBA
The Ontario Public School Boards’ Association represents English public district school boards and public school authorities across Ontario, which together serve more than 1.3 million public elementary and secondary students. The Association advocates on behalf of the best interests and needs of the public school system in Ontario. OPSBA is seen as the credible voice of public education in Ontario and is routinely called on by the provincial government for input and advice on legislation and the impact of government policy directions.
-30-
For more information, please contact:
Shane Gonsalves
Managing Director, Government and Public Affairs
sgonsalves@opsba.org
T.J. Goertz
Senior Communications and Policy Officer
TGoertz@opsba.org
