The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

15 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,D ecem ber 17,2020 theifp.ca Real Estate Centre In., Brokerage Independently Owned and Operated Please visitwww.mcqwin.com to see our Listings and Open Houses Or contact us at info@mcqwinteam.com Janet McKeown 905-866-3258 23 Mountainview Rd S, Georgetown L7G 4J7 Independently Owned and Operated New hours Mon-Wed 7-3 • Thurs 7-7 • Fri-Sat 7-8 • Sun 8-4 154 Guelph Street, Georgetown Our Staff specialize in making you smile! Hope to see you soon! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram GeorGevIew open KItchen OpeN KiTcheN ReSTauRaNT available FOR TaKeOuT aNd cuRbSide SeRvice aS Well aS liMiTed diNe-iNaS Well aS liMiTed diNe-iN YOu'll lOve OuR hOMeMade bReaKFaST, luNch aNd diNNeR. We make all of your favourites! (905) 877-2511 Open for Dinner Thursday thru Sunday Ask about our fabulous specials. We Wish You a Safe and JoyousSafe and Joyous Holiday Season! From virtual learning to face mask protocols, it's been a "wild ride in educa- tion" over the past year, said the Halton District School Board's newly ac- claimed chair in her Dec. 2 inaugural address. "The past nine months have tested us all. March 13, 2020, will be a date to re- member in education in Ontario. That is the day that everything changed. Those next couple of months were a struggle for everyone," said Andrea Grebenc. In the midst of fluid and uncertain times, there were worries about learn- ing and wellness gaps among students and staff, and anxiety and fear about the learning environment from families as summer turned to fall. "I am sure there have never been stakes so high for a successful September reopening in the Halton District School Board, the environment being truly unpredictable and ever- changing. Funding was unsure, but staff budgeted as best they could. Man- dates for learning environ- ments were unclear, but staff used their years of wisdom, experience and public health advice to try to create the best and saf- est learning environment possible." There are no words to adequately express how impressive the accom- plishments of the staff have been across the board this year, said Grebenc. Goals shifted, with last- minute changes from the Ministry of Education, and staff took it in stride, revamping the entire sec- ondary model in mere days, she said. "But through challenge and adversity, opportuni- ties do come forth." It was a time of building stronger relationships with politicians at both the provincial and local levels, as well as advocating for the needs of students, staff and communities, she said. "The new high school in Milton is taking shape and we have secured funding for much-needed new schools in both Milton and Oakville, though we still have acute accommoda- tion pressures in Oakville that desperately need ad- dressing." Although "the role of the trustee felt a bit lost in these initial months of the pandemic," HDSB trustees ensured their voices were heard at the ministry and beyond. "We tried to educate about the adverse effects learning models would have on marginalized and struggling families with young children. We advo- cated for clearer ministry messaging and for remov- ing barriers to easily ac- cessible and efficient CO- VID testing in the region." The HDSB "did what needed to be done" during this unprecedented year, commented Tracey Ehl Harrison, acclaimed vice- chair of the HDSB, in her remarks. "Gratefully received in- formation which re- presented thousands of hours of work from dedi- cated and innovative staff, asked tough questions, heard very difficult truths, contributed expertise and voiced the apprehension, anger and gratitude of the community. "At the heart of it all is our collective motivation to honour diverse student experience and voices, and do the right thing by each and every student," said Harrison. NEWS PUBLIC BOARD CHAIR RECOUNTS 'WILD RIDE IN EDUCATION' KATHY YANCHUS kyanchus@metroland.com Andrea Grebenc is the chair of the Halton District School Board. HDSB photo "I am sure there have never been stakes so high for a successful September reopening." - HDSB chair Andrea Grebenc