Dear Fellow Members of the ESA Community
As I am sure you will have seen from the emails and posts on ESAInfo, that it has been a turbulent few weeks for our community.
Despite the challenges our community has encountered, I have been inspired by the passion and commitment shown to ensure that improvements are made for both the Students and the School as a whole.
I do not wish to go into detail on what has happened, in this post. However, given that ESA is in need of a new Principal, we do have some significant things that we as a community need to achieve over the next few months, and I have been in continued discussion with Superintendent Hayhurst to ensure that we as a community have the opportunity to contribute to the process of finding a new Principal for ESA.
The key task that we must fulfill is to formulate our ideas for the School Statement of Needs. The School Statement of Needs is a document, which contains contributions from a number of sources, including the school community, and is used by the TDSB as a tool in their search for a new Principal. There is a responsibility for School Council to consolidate ideas from the community into the School Statement of Needs.
What is going to be done to prepare our contribution to the Statement of Needs?
1. School Council has already received some ideas from the community (a big thank you to those who have already sent in points for consideration), and we encourage all of you to send in your ideas to us (esacouncil@gmail.com) for what you believe are the success factors for a Principal joining the Etobicoke Schools of the Arts.
2. I will be meeting with both Superintendent Hayhurst and Trustee Gough to discuss initial input from the community prior to 20th July, so please send us your initial input as soon as you can, preferably before July 15th.
3. If you are able to contribute some time over the summer months, School Council would appreciate your assistance in the consolidation of ideas, i.e. preparing a consolidated list for discussion at the next School Council meeting.
4. The next School Council Meeting (7pm Tuesday 11th September, in the School Library) will have time devoted for the consolidated list of ideas to be presented, discussed and expanded on. We will also accept additional contributions at the meeting, such that School Council can submit our community contribution to the School Statement of Needs. NB: Superintendent Hayhurst will be attendance, to offer her support and assist with any questions that may arise.
Superintendent Hayhurst has reassured me that a Principal will be in place for the start of the next academic year. However, it is important to ensure that we get the best person for the role. Therefore, the Principal in place at the start of the academic year may or may not be the permanent Principal.
Please feel free to forward any questions you may have to us at esacouncil@gmail.com and we will do our best to get an answer to you in a timely manner. You are also welcome to forward any questions or concerns you may have directly to Superintendent Hayhurst at the TDSB.
Let us work together to make ESA stronger!
We look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks for you help and support.
Kind Regards
Simon Wild
Co-chair ESA School Council