Superintendent’s Update
September 23, 2024
Dear Parents/Caregivers,
It has been a pleasure and a joy to welcome students back into our schools for the 2024-25 school year. Now that students have settled into school routines and the busyness of school startup has slowed, we would like to take this opportunity to provide parents/caregivers with an important Student Services announcement and a few annual reminders.
Family Liaison Workers
Hanover School Division is excited to announce the addition of Family Liaison Workers to our Student Services support team. These dedicated staff will work closely with families to connect them with community resources, collaborate with school care teams, and support personalized support plans for students. Their efforts aim to reduce barriers to school attendance, provide targeted support, and implement strategies that enhance students’ overall school experience.
Daily School Attendance
A reminder that good attendance habits are best developed in the early years; otherwise, absenteeism becomes greater by middle years and high school, academic achievement is lower, and the likelihood of school dropout increases. Students who attend school regularly are more engaged in learning, have a greater sense of belonging to the community and are more likely to obtain a high school diploma. Please visit the school attendance page on our website for more information regarding attendance policies.
Positive Problem Solving
Parents, educators, and community members share a common goal of providing the best possible education for our students. By working together, we strive to create a safe, positive, and respectful learning environment for every child. However, there may be times when differences in opinion or concerns arise. Hanover School Division is committed to a collaborative approach to addressing these concerns. Please review the Positive Problem-Solving Steps outlined on our website to understand how we can work together to resolve any issues.
Assessment of Risk to Others – Fair Notice
Hanover School Division adheres to an Assessment of Risk to Others (ARTO) protocol in our schools. The ARTO protocol is proactive and provides fair notice to students and their parents/caregivers that the Division will actively investigate threats to self-harm or harm others. All students and staff have a right to safety, and any behaviour by individuals that threaten this safety will be dealt with seriously. Safety in schools is fundamental to the learning and well-being of students. We ask all parents/caregivers to review the HSD Assessment of Risk to Others fair notice document.
On behalf of the HSD team, I want to express our gratitude for your support and partnership. We look forward to the year ahead with optimism and a shared commitment to supporting our students. As we embrace the warmth and rich colours of the harvest season, let’s continue to work together to make this school year a memorable and fulfilling experience for all.
Joe Thiessen, Superintendent-CEO
Hanover School Division