A Holiday Message from the Superintendent's Office

2021 has been a difficult year for our community and many have faced challenges and loss.  My thoughts are with those families who have experienced adversity this past year.  However, as we approach this holiday season, my thoughts turn to thankfulness and resolve.

I am thankful for the opportunity for our students to return to school.

I am thankful that our students have the ability to once again experience and participate in the other parts of school such as extra-curricular and co-curricular activities.

I am thankful for the parents who trust us on a daily basis to educate their children during a pandemic.

I am thankful for my colleagues: our teachers, support staff, administrators and divisional staff who work tirelessly in keeping our schools safe while supporting the education of our students.

I am thankful for our Board of Trustees that provides resources and support to our division and schools while navigating the pandemic.

I am thankful for our city, regional, and provincial partners and organizations who work alongside us to provide safe environments for our students and staff, especially Public Health and Manitoba Education.

I am thankful for the messages of support and kindness from parents and staff over the last 12 months.

And most of all I am thankful for the students who remind us on a daily basis of why education is important.  They remind us through their joy, curiosity, tears, laughter, and hard work.

As the calendar turns from 2021 to 2022, the tradition of New Year’s Resolutions also comes to mind.  My resolution for Brandon School Division is to continue to learn and to adapt our pandemic measures to continue to provide a safe learning environment for students and staff.  I resolve to not let the pandemic define the education of our students but instead, to define the education of our students by the collective dedication, resilience and hope we see every day in our school communities. 

On behalf of the Brandon School Division Superintendent team, we would like to thank our students, families and staff for all of their hard work over the past year.  We wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season.  Stay safe everyone.

Mr. Mathew Gustafson, Superintendent / Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Jon Zilkey, Assistant Superintendent – Curriculum & Continuous Improvement
Ms. Susan Gilleshammer, Assistant Superintendent – Student Achievement Support Services