Blog Posts

As many of you know I will be retiring in the summer. I am excited and humbled by the upcoming experience. I would first of all like the thank all Superintendents over the 35 years I have been in the Abbotsford School District. Their support, mentorship, and challenges have made me the principal and person I am today. Next up are the teachers and support staff, I can honestly say I have never worked with anyone that was not hard-working and child-centered.

This month we have been fortunate enough to be able to host some normal events at school. Small gatherings like assemblies, special presentations, small tournaments, and guest speakers, along with our Vasaikhi Mehla last week. What I've found as a whole is the overwhelming gratitude of the students, staff, and later the parents. Our students have always enjoyed being together to celebrate and learn but the number of thank yous and student cards of gratitude has been overwhelming. Even a simple field trip has students bubbling with joy and happiness.

With all the deserved recognition of our health providers and essential service personnel, it's easy to overlook the role of the teachers and support staff in schools over the last two years. Our HSE staff along with other staff across the district and province have kept schools open and students learning. They have flexed and changed their routines and practice so students can come to school safely and learn. I would like to pay a special thank you to our HSE Staff. They have been outstanding professionals during these pandemic times.

What makes the season special? Some highlights include pending time with loved ones, having time off to sleep in, the crisp air and the signs of winter, gathering with others to share a meal and hearing familiar Christmas carols being played around town. Many of us can relate to the joys that are upon us with this time of year. This is my first year at Harry Sayers Elementary. As December dawned on us, our school participated in the “Annual Food Drive.” Seeing an outpouring of generosity has touched me.

What makes the season special? Some highlights include spending time with loved ones, having time off to sleep in, the crisp air and the signs of winter, gathering with others to share a meal and hearing familiar Christmas carols being played around town. Many of us can relate to the joys that are upon us with this time of year. This is my first year at Harry Sayers Elementary. As December dawned on us, our school participated in the “Annual Food Drive.” Seeing the outpouring of generosity has touched me.

The end of the term is drawing to a close and as I look back upon the first part of the school year I can be nothing but very pleased and proud of our staff and students. Not only have we navigated the public health orders of the new school year, but our students have also settled into a routine of learning, playing, and socializing. The need for students to be together learning has never been so great. Their learning takes place everywhere as we return to field trips, buddy classes, and intraschool sports and activities.

The start of the school year went off without a hitch. Thank you to staff and parents for a smooth start-up. As the month has progressed we have settled into more normal routines for all. At first, it seemed a little busy on our playground as all the children were out at the same time unsure of where to play. But as the month draws to a close, we can see them settling into games of hopscotch, 4 Square, tetherball, and basketball. It's refreshing and joyful.

Dear Harry Sayers School Community

I would like to start off with a message of gratitude towards staff, parents, and students for their trust as Mrs. Stapleton and I led them through a challenging year of school. It is looking hopeful that the startup for school in the Fall of 2021 will be normal. For parents and students, I hope you are ready for a normal schedule with an 840- 233 school day.

April Blog 

March Madness?

It has been a delight and a gift to have warmer sunnier weather. Our students are thriving at school in their academics, their play, and their health. Our staff is feeling similar except they are ready for Spring Break just like the students. The second term has been a time of concentrated learning and recovery for many students. We are starting to make our normal gains. Our work at home and school is not done. As a community, we know you value school and us as educators. We need to continue to work together promoting reading and writing.