Year-End Message

Thank you to everyone who joined us (virtually) for Celebration Day last Thursday, and congratulations again to all of our students on their accomplishments during this unique year. We were also happy to be able to celebrate our Class of 2021 in person on Friday, June 18 through either small ceremonies at the school or “doorstep graduations” at home. Our Grade 12 students did a remarkable job as leaders this year and we are excited to see where life takes them after Greenwood.

 

Tomorrow, you will receive an email containing all the details we have at this time about the coming school year, as well as when you can expect further information. This communication will address items including:

We look forward to sharing our full reopening plans with you in mid-August when we have received guidelines from the Ministry of Education and Toronto Public Health.

 

As you know, COVID-19 has led people across Canada to examine what is most important to them and how they want our lives to look moving forward. In previous communications, we announced that some staff members are retiring, moving out of the city or starting a new chapter. Johanna Liburd and Laura Webster will also depart Greenwood at the end of the year; Johanna has accepted a teaching position closer to her home, while Laura and her family are moving from Toronto. We sincerely thank both of them for their many contributions to Greenwood over their many years at the school, and wish them all the best in their new adventures.

 

I am also pleased to announce some exciting promotions at the school. Heather Thomas will take on the role of Vice-Principal, Deputy Head of School starting in September 2021. Over Heather’s 17 years at the school, she has taken on more and more oversight of the academic program, always with a focus on personalized learning. Heather has shown forward-thinking and creative leadership over the last year while keeping a focus on student needs and the importance of community. She guides teachers with a clear vision of ongoing growth, supporting both teacher development and student learning; she is also a skilled administrator, as evidenced by the many intricate timetables she has created over the years. I am confident that Herather will bring her dedication to Greenwood’s mission and values to her new role.

 

Student programs will be overseen by two long-standing staff members: Anthony Costa and Sam Clark. Anthony will become Greenwood’s Dean of Students in the Fall. Since Anthony joined the school in 2006, he has been an Adviser at every grade level, led the Health and Physical Education department and mentored colleagues as an Expert Teacher. Last year, he was the Director of the Grade 7-8 Program; he also recently earned his Principal’s Qualifications. In his new role, Anthony will oversee student behaviour and progressive discipline in Grades 9-12 and support the Director, Grade 7-8 Program in the management of student behaviour and discipline. Anthony will also lead and coach colleagues in restorative practices and ensure effective parent liaison and communication spanning a range of activities and issues. 

 

Sam Clark will step into the role of Senior Director, Programs and Risk Management. Sam has been with Greenwood for nine years. In that time, he has been both the Coordinator and Director for Athletics, as well as Kilcoo Coordinator and a multi-sport coach. He is also working towards his Master of Science in Athletic Administration. Sam will work with administration and school staff to ensure all school programs support the school’s mission, core values and strategic objectives; he will also oversee the risk management and logistics of those programs and of large events, and ensure that both existing and new programs follow COVID-19 safety protocols. Sam will continue on in the role of Director, Athletics.

 

Finally, Rachael Brownell-Swain has been promoted to Director, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Outreach. A member of Greenwood’s community since 2014, Rachael has been Service Learning Coordinator for the last six years; she has become increasingly involved in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, taking on the role of DEI Staff Liaison in 2020-2021. She is also completing her Master of Education. In her new role, Rachael will train and develop staff and students in anti-oppression, anti-racist and inclusive community building. She will also coach and mentor key teams in the school to develop inclusive and diverse curriculum, programs and policies. Her appointment aligns with Greenwood’s commitment to building greater diversity, equity and inclusion moving forward.

 

We are thrilled to have these four talented staff members taking on these important roles in the 2021-2022 school year. Please join me in congratulating them.

 

The news surrounding COVID-19 has been extremely positive of late - case counts and hospitalizations are declining, people are receiving vaccinations in record numbers and Ontario is on the road to reopening. I am hopeful that this summer will bring a return to many of the activities we have been missing, and that the coming school year will bring even more good news and exciting opportunities. On behalf of all of us at Greenwood, I wish you a relaxing, fun and safe summer.