Blog Posts

One of the things I love most about this time of year is seeing the many ways we celebrate the season.  Visit any one of our schools and you’ll see snowflakes and Christmas trees and happy faces all around. If you are lucky, you might even catch sight of Santa and his elves. And it’s not just in schools and classrooms. The Abbotsford School Board Office is a veritable winter wonderland thanks to the goodwill and creative energy of our folks here. 

I spoke with an elementary student recently. He was a hockey fan and could easily recite NHL players' names. He knew their jersey numbers, the positions they played, and sometimes the number of goals and assists they scored. I suspect you might know a sports fan like this, too.

Most of us understand that time is a precious commodity. There is no going back when a moment, a week, or a year has passed. So how we spend our time ought to be a key consideration. What is more, the demands of life and career are such that it can often feel as if there is not enough time to do the things we want or need to do. Time pressure is real, and I am certainly not immune.

Many years ago, as I trained for my first marathon, one of my mentors—a seasoned runner with countless marathons behind him—shared invaluable wisdom about the importance of finishing strong. He emphasized the need to maintain enough energy to cross the finish line with a smile and a strong pace, regardless of how the race began.

I can still recall his words echoing in my mind: “Remember, it’s not about how you start the marathon; it’s about how you finish. Finish strong.”

Direct Digital Controls (DDC) automate the operation of building Mechanical systems like heating, cooling, water consumption, security/fire systems, and lighting based on present schedules and occupancy patterns. By adjusting settings according to occupancy and time of day, DDC systems ensure that energy is used only when necessary, reducing waste and optimizing energy consumption for maximum efficiency.  The purpose of DDC is to help save energy through efficient scheduling.

I think it is important for a Superintendent to try and stay connected to what is happening across the district and the broader community. While there are never enough hours in the week, I do my best to make regular rounds and to take in community events. And wherever possible, I like to share the good things I see.

The Abbotsford School District bus fleet provides transportation to approximately 2900 students daily. This service also allows schools to book field trips and sporting events.  

The Transportation Department has student safety ‘top of mind,’ and we have two certified commercial technicians dedicated to working on the buses daily. Our staff follow a top-notch preventative maintenance program covering vital inspections that align with Federal Safety Standards and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement (CVSE), which meets all safety requirements.  

There are no guarantees in life, but wherever you want to go or can imagine going, education is probably the best way there. How does a child in Kindergarten one day become an architect? How does a grade nine student become an arthroscopic surgeon or an agriculturist? How does one become an electrician or a chef? You guessed it - education. This is why I often describe education as the bridge to anywhere.

Preparation for the winter season begins in the summer by servicing all snow and ice equipment. Salt bins are loaded, ice melt is ordered and delivered to all sites, and spreaders and shovels are replenished at each site. Staff call-out lists for snow removal are finalized, and then training on equipment begins. Manpower is assigned to machines and tasks. Maps of each site are updated to identify drain locations and designated areas to pile snow. Tenders for winter contractors are awarded. Meetings are held with crews.