Year-End Letter for Parents, Guardians & Caregivers

Dear Parents, Guardians and Caregivers,

As this school year comes to a close, I want to acknowledge and sincerely thank you for the role you played in supporting students on their K-12 learning journey. Whether you supported your own child's learning, volunteered at a school event or on a parent council, or engaged with educators and the broader school community, your contributions made a meaningful difference. I have seen firsthand how our education system is stronger when families and communities are part of it.

As a parent myself, I understand how significant this time of year can feel. The end of a school year often brings celebration, reflection, and anticipation as one chapter closes, and another begins. I hope you are able to take time with the students in your life to celebrate their hard work, achievements and growth, some of which may not always show up on a report card but means so much to their development.

As Minister of Education and Child Care, it has been an honour to serve you and your family this school year and to engage with you about the important issues young people are facing. From mental health and safety to early learning supports, these priorities are at the heart of my work to build a strong circle of care, safety, and support around every child.

This year, we continued to strengthen that circle through initiatives such as bringing back protected zones around schools, because every family should feel safe going to and from school. If you had a child in Grade 10 this year, you may have heard them talking about learning CPR, now a mandatory part of their education. It is a lifesaving skill that extends beyond the classroom and into everyday life.

We took important steps to support early learners by introducing literacy screening for kindergarten students this year, with tens of thousands of students now screened. This fall, we will be expanding screening up to Grade 3 so more students can receive support when they need it, recognizing that early intervention is so crucial to building up their confidence and keeping them on track in their learning.

One message I continue to hear from you is the need for more before- and after-school care, and it is why we are working directly with school districts on how to bring more child care onto school grounds. My vision is for schools to serve communities in more ways, easing the transition for kids entering kindergarten and helping families better balance work, school and home life.

There is still much more to do and I look forward to continuing that work. We are focused on driving educational excellence for all students and building the child care centres, playgrounds and schools they need to thrive. No matter what each school year brings, our government's promise to you is that we will always stand up for a strong and supported education system.

For families with students who are graduating, this is a special moment. Whether they are heading to post-secondary education, entering the workforce, or taking time to explore their passions, I wish the 2026 graduating class the best as they embark on this next chapter.

I hope you enjoy a restful and joyful summer, filled with time together.

With gratitude and best wishes,

Lisa Beare
Minister