Message to Grand Erie Students and Families

MONDAY, OCT. 31, 2022

We want to advise you of ongoing labour negotiations and a possible withdrawal of services by education workers on Friday, November 4.

On Monday, October 31, as part of ongoing central negotiations between the province and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), the Ontario government tabled legislation titled Keeping Students in Class Act. 

In Grand Erie, CUPE education workers make up 920 members of our staff including Educational Assistants, Communicative Disorder Assistants, Food Technicians, Clerical (school and central board staff), Library Technicians, Information Technology staff and Custodial and Maintenance staff. 

We acknowledge the impact this uncertainty has on families. The situation continues to evolve, and we will provide further updates as information becomes available.

Happy “new year”! I hope everyone had a pleasant summer holiday. It’s been nice to talk to students and parents this week about all the things you’ve done over the past two months. I’ve heard lots of stories of fun trips and relaxation. I’ve also heard a few about some more stressful experiences that life seems to always present. Whatever the past 2 months brought for you, I’m looking forward to working together again as a Boston School Family to support each other. September brings the opportunity for fresh starts and lots of reason for optimism. Each and every student is full of potential, and on a pathway that is their own unique success story (always in progress)!

This year you’ll notice that the staff is mostly the same with a few exceptions. Mrs. Huffman is off this year with her new baby. We would like to welcome Ms. Agius, who has joined us to teach the 3/4 class. We are excited to have her back as part of the Boston team! We would also like to welcome Mrs. Trembley as our new custodian. We are all in good hands with her making sure the building is in good shape!

On the first day, we had a Welcome-Back Assembly in which we committed to two very simple things this year: 1) We will always do our best

2) We will always be kind

I believe those two simple statements can guide every decision we make every day, and I’ve asked every Blazer to consider them when they are making choices.

Once again, welcome to a new school year. It’s good to be back!