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CommUnity » CommUnity - April 2026

CommUnity - April 2026

The Heart of our
CommUnity

Welcome to the inaugural edition of CommUnity. This name reflects our commitment to Communication and the strength of our Community. Unity reminds us to act as one cohesive body, inspired by our faith, to serve our students.

As your Director, my role is to orchestrate the vision and strategy of our board. However, leadership in a Catholic system is an act of stewardship, not a solo performance. The impact you see in these stories is the result of the tireless work of our Superintendents, Principals / Vice-Principals, staff, and volunteers who turn our strategic goals into lived experiences.

Transparency as a Path to Excellence
I believe I have a responsibility to report back to you on the impact of the work we are orchestrating. This newsletter is a transparent window into how we are delivering on our Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) and how that alignment translates into student success. By opening these channels, we are seeking your constructive feedback as we strive to be "Better Together." Thank you for being the heart of our CommUnity.

Karyn Bruneel
Director of Education

Navigating the Connections

Sidebars labeled "Strategic Alignment" provide transparency and show exactly how our local initiatives connect back to our Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) and provincial Ministry requirements.

THE LEARNING JOURNEY: Mapping Success

Strategic Alignment

Measurable Gains: 24% literacy surge proves the commitment to academic growth.

Reconciliation: Partnering with Saugeen and Nawash advances our Board Action Plan for Indigenous Education.

Our Board Student Achievement Plan (BSAP) is our living roadmap. This year, we have sharpened our focus on foundational Literacy and Math mastery.

 
Literacy Impact: By integrating Lexia across all K–8 classrooms, we have seen a 24% increase in students working at or above grade level since September.
 
Numeracy & the MAAP: Our Math Achievement Action Plan (MAAP) focuses on evidence-based practices like explicit instruction and retrieval practice to help all students grasp complex concepts. By integrating SpringMath as a screener and intervention program across K-9 classrooms, we are seeing increased growth in Math fluency over last year. 
 
Professional Development: Our Coaches and Consultant work "shoulder-to-shoulder" with staff, enriched by our First Nations partners from Saugeen First Nation and the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. This ensures Indigenous perspectives are woven authentically into the curriculum as we walk the path of Reconciliation.
 

STEWARDSHIP & SPACES: Mission Hubs

Strategic Alignment

Fiscal Responsibility: Co-locating services optimizes our assets and reduces overhead for partners.

Responsive Leadership: The initiative grew directly form community feedback for "one-stop" family support.

We are reimagining our schools as "Mission Hubs": vibrant spaces where education, faith, and community support intersect.

The Hub Concept: By co-locating services like childcare, family workshops, and parish outreach, we make it easier for families to get help in a place they already trust.
 
Collaborative Effort: Our Community Hub Team and Executive Superintendent Lantz are currently auditing spaces to turn hallways into "bridges" for community partners or newcomer resource centers.
 
Radical Stewardship: We are introducing more childcare options, including PD Day and March Break camps, ensuring our buildings serve the common good 365 days a year.

 

OUR HEART & HOME: Faith & Belonging

Strategic Alignment

Nurturing Faith: "Conversations in the Spirit" provide evidence of nurturing communities of faith.

Culture of Dignity: System-wide Human Rights training ensures a workplace grounded in equity.

Leadership at our Board extends beyond the classroom. We use our Pastoral Plan as a compass for how we live the Gospel and develop our Catholic identity.

 
Stewardship of the Person: Our students lead the way through social justice and ecological advocacy, such as the "40 Days of Giving" challenge. These projects are often supported by our dedicated school volunteers and parish partners.
 
Conversations in the Spirit: I have partnered with the Deanery and the Hamilton Diocese to facilitate synodal meetings between Principals and Parish Priests. This has led to new school-parish activities that bring our families and parishioners closer together.
 
Accompaniment over Judgment: Following our fall Unconscious Bias training and winter Ontario Human Rights Commission modules for all staff, we are focused on Christ’s model of accompaniment: walking alongside our students and staff with grace rather than judgment.

CIRCLE OF CARE: The FI Roadshow

Strategic Alignment

Visible Leadership: The Director’s presence at local meetings ensures leadership is available and responsive.

Transparency: Reporting back on consultations builds trust in decisions-making process.

Education is at its best when it is a conversation. Starting this February, Superintendent Bilodeau and I embarked on a "Roadshow" across our French Immersion sites.

 
Collective Wisdom: We sat with Parent Councils and staff to listen to hopes and questions regarding FI programming, specifically around Kindergarten and Math instruction.
 
Transparent Dialogue: This approach ensures that our program structures aren't top-down decisions, but a shared vision. I will be sharing a summary report of "What We Heard" with the Board of Trustees and Parent Councils this spring.

 

VISION IN ACTION: Human-Centred AI

Strategic Alignment

Ethical Oversight: Grounding our AI approach  in Catholic Social Teaching ensures technology respects the dignity and privacy of every person.

Transparency: Conducting a system-wide survey before implementation demonstrates a commitment to community trust and proactive leadership.

Complex Leadership: Proactively managing the introduction of AI shows the boards ability to lead effectively in modern, evolving environments.

I believe innovation must be guided by the Dignity of the Human Person. We recently launched a system-wide AI Vision Survey to gather feedback from staff, students, and families to ensure technology remains a tool for our mission, not a replacement for it.

 
Masters of Technology: We are building a framework that prioritizes human connection and critical thinking over automation. We want to ensure AI tools never replace the vital relationship between a teacher and a student.
 
Innovation with Integrity: Feedback from our community has highlighted a shared desire for transparency and data privacy. We are leading this change with caution, care, and a clear moral compass.
 
What’s Next? Our leadership team is currently analyzing survey data to draft our "Foundations for AI in Education" document, which will be shared with staff and Advisory Councils for further refinement.

ACCOUNTABILITY CORNER

  • Reporting to Trustees: My recent briefings to the Board include the mobilization of the $36.1M Owen Sound high school and the endorsement of the MAAP.
  • Fiscal Health: One of our more recent reports identified a $2.1M surplus, demonstrating effective management of our 2025-2026 budget.
  • Faith Partners: I work closely with His Excellency Bishop Joseph Dabrowski and the Hamilton Diocese team as well as participating in our local Deanery meetings.
  • Mandates: Our team is finalizing mid-year reviews for our Special Education and Indigenous Education Action Plans, ensuring full provincial compliance.

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: Faith & Community in Action

In March, our schools embraced the virtue of Empathy as we entered the Lenten season. From solemn prayer to joyful community service, here is how our "Unity" is coming to life across the board.

  • Faith & Well-Being: On February 2, students tuned in to the historic installation of Bishop Joseph Dabrowski. We also strengthened our community ties through the "Open Table" meal at St. Mary’s and supported families with the Pine River Institute webinar on school avoidance.
  • Giving Back: Our schools are transforming Lent into a season of service. Teeswater Sacred Heart is creating "Meals to Go" for the unhoused through their "40 Days of Giving" challenge, while St. Peter & St. Paul (Durham) raised funds for school activities through Pre-Lenten Candy Grams.
  • Community Presence: Our students are visible ambassadors for our board. The Holy Family (Hanover) choir performed at "Hockey for Hospice," and the St. Basil (Owen Sound) choir sang the National Anthem at the Attack game.
  • Celebrating Brilliance: Across all sites, we celebrated Black History Month with the theme "Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations," while students stay active through CWOSSA sports and outdoor "Frazzlefest" celebrations.