Dear Urban Academy Community,
I am writing to you today as Urban Academy Board Chair and I hope this message finds you well. I am thrilled to introduce the culmination of months of collaborative effort—the unveiling of our new 5-year strategic plan.
As you will see in the plan, at the heart of our vision is a commitment that Urban Academy is “Educating for Tomorrow.” We aspire to equip our students with the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary to thrive in an ever-evolving world. Our mission, “Connected through Learning, Inspired by Community, Empowered to Contribute,” encapsulates the essence of our philosophy. We believe in the power of high quality education, the strength that comes with connectivity and the opportunity for every member of our community to make a meaningful contribution.
As we chart our course for the future, our values will be our guiding stars. Future-focused education, a commitment to fostering belonging, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a dedication to changemaking will shape every aspect of school – both educationally and organizationally.
I want to express my gratitude to the families and staff who have contributed to this process. Your insights and feedback, shared through surveys and working groups, have been invaluable in shaping a plan that truly reflects the aspirations and needs of our community. Your commitment to excellence and passion for our students’ success have been instrumental in crafting a strategic plan that sets the stage for a bright future.
To share the details of our strategic plan, we invite you to join us for the Community Annual General Meeting (AGM) on November 16 at 7 pm, conducted on Zoom as a webinar. This is an opportunity to review our past year, and hear more about the strategic plan and how it will shape the educational experience for our students. In a separate email, you will receive the annual report, strategic plan, and financial statements for your perusal prior to the AGM.
I would also like to take this opportunity to share some changes on the UA Board Executive. As Karim Merali steps down from his Vice Chair position, Steve Chen who has served as our Treasurer has now taken on the Vice Chair position on the board. Hui Chye Gregoire who served as a Member at Large, has now stepped into the Treasurer position. Thank you to Karim for your long standing service, and also to Steve and Hui Chye for taking on these executive roles and extra responsibilities. Thank you also to Joanne Ward, who continues to ably serve as Secretary. The board and community are fortunate to have your leadership and skills in these important positions.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us. We are looking forward to connecting with many of you on Zoom at the AGM on November 16.
Kate Begent-Connors
UA Board Chair
