September 9, 2022

Dear UA Parents,

Thank you to everyone – students, parents, and staff – for a wonderful first week back at school. It was so nice to have the energy of the students back in the building; their excitement for the year ahead was palpable. The absence of construction cranes, fences and closed-off spaces was refreshing, and allowed students and staff to spread out unlike in the last couple of years. It really was a great week and I know our Junior & Middle School teachers are looking forward to meeting many parents at the Meet the Teacher evenings next week (details below).

I also need to commend the parents/guardians for your diligence in re-establishing our drop-off and pick-up routines. Considering it is the first week, things have been quite smooth.  It is really important that we all work together to keep the roads around the school safe for pedestrians and drivers alike.

In the weeks ahead we are planning some changes to the Weekly Update. We will be revamping the layout, as well as having more variety in our contributors to the opening message. Next week you can anticipate hearing from our new Principal, Ms. Ball, instead of me. You can also expect contributions from our new Associate Principal, Ms. Dadar and our Director of Development, Ms. Kennedy in the weeks to come.

Finally, I would like to recognize the passing of Queen Elizabeth II with an amazing 70-year run as a global leader. I would imagine that none of us in the UA community have lived through a change in Monarchs. Canada is a Constitutional Monarchy which means the passing of the Queen will trigger a number of events, ceremonies and rituals that we have never experienced. With Canada’s direct governmental connection to the Monarchy, we too will participate in some of the rituals such as lowering our school flags to half-mast. I know that there are mixed feelings about the monarchy and its role in colonialism and in current-day Canadian society. I hope that the transition of Monarchs starts meaningful conversations that will help our country to continue to move forward in understanding and reconciling our past in order to create a better future for all.

Yours in education,

Mr. Slinger