I'm Joanne Pitman, Calgary Board of Education's Chief Superintendent of Schools, and I'm so excited to begin this new year with you.

The start of a new school year is filled with possibilities, and no matter where a student is in their learning journey, this year will bring opportunities to learn, grow, make connections, and achieve new goals.

This year, hundreds more teachers educational assistants and other staff have joined CBE schools, strengthening the supports available to students and school communities.

I love that public education brings people together with different experiences and ideas from all backgrounds. What unites us is our commitment to students and our belief in the power of learning, human connection and community.

That shared commitment also asks something of each of us. We need to work together.

The only way we can do that is making sure we treat one another with respect, work through differences constructively, and help create the safe, welcoming environments where students can thrive.

Speaking of learning environments, we are also so excited to open a new middle school in the community of Evanston with many more new schools under construction across our growing city. We look forward to welcoming students and staff into these beautiful new places of learning in the coming years.

Whether you're new to the CBE or returning, welcome.

We're ready for another incredible year and I look forward to all we'll accomplish together.