​May 31, 2022

Dear North Vancouver School District Students, Staff and Families,

I am pleased to have had the opportunity and privilege to work in this school district as Acting Superintendent while the Board of Education completed their search for the new Superintendent/CEO.

Tomorrow, June 1, Dr. Pius Ryan will assume the role of Superintendent. Dr. Ryan brings strong leadership experience and a deep appreciation for this wonderful school district, which are both needed in this time of change and possibilities in public education.

During my few months in the school district, I have enjoyed working with the Board of Education, rights holders, educational partner groups, district staff, various committees, and Dr. Ryan. I remain impressed with the deep sense of social responsibility and social justice driving and enriching the curriculum and informing the work of the school district. Structures are in place that create lively and forward-looking dialogue and action plans related to anti-racism, Indigenous principles of learning, and in support of students with disabilities and diverse abilities. These are only three aspects of the diversity of this school district that I have both enjoyed learning about and appreciated being a part of.

The North Vancouver School District offers students rich programming options. Programs, including those offered through Cheakamus Centre and Artists for Kids, and the depth of experience and talent of staff who design programming that is responsive to all learners have impressed me. Such programming has come and gone in many other school districts, and yet it has been sustained and grown here with such positive intention over decades. This speaks to the shared value and commitment to outstanding public education in the school district and the community.

During my time in this role, the annual budget has been passed, which will continue to develop district programming, but most importantly, provide stability for all. As with all other aspects of the school district, I saw persistence, patience, good skills and a clear vision of what is needed behind how the budget has been allocated.

With a few weeks remaining in the school year, I am pleased we can celebrate the graduating classes in person, with students, their families, and staff. I know everyone looks forward to the school year-end festivities, and I extend gratitude to staff for

supporting and honouring students after such an intense and often worrisome experience during the pandemic. I would like to express my appreciation to all staff in the school district for their perseverance and faithful service to students, to each other, and to the wider school community during this school year.

It has been a pleasure to have had the opportunity to see the work of this school district in such depth. I would like to thank the Board of Education, staff, educational partner groups and the North Vancouver School District community for your support. I wish you all the very best as the school year comes to close.

With appreciation,

Sylvia Russell

Acting Superintendent