A Message from CEO Dr. JoAnna Roberto: October 2026

Friday, Oct 30, 2026

Photo of CEO JoAnna Roberto with the Grand Erie and We Lead Forward logo and a multi-colour background.

Grand Erie Families,

The first two months of school are now complete, commencement season at many Grand Erie secondary schools is taking place. Congratulations to all students graduating!

We are hosting our annual Grand Pathway events to help students and families explore secondary school programs, career opportunities and post-secondary pathways. On November 5, the final event will be hosted at Simcoe Composite. Also, check out the Grand Pathways Guide.

Your grand adventure starts here. If you or someone you know has a child born in 2023, they can start Kindergarten in September 2027 and registration is now open. In the spring, we will host Kick-Start to Kindergarten events for registered families to help with the transition to school for the first time.

Until November 27, at all secondary schools, we continue to offer Flexible Periods to provide students an additional opportunity to demonstrate their learning based on the course material covered to date.

November 3 and 10, annual meetings for Six Nations Advisory Committee and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nations will be held. This is an opportunity to bring families and community members together and provide an update on programs, services, student supports, and enrolment.

Did you know that 19 absences equal 10 per cent of the school year? Research shows that academic success in school is directly related to student attendance. The Grand Erie Attendance Strategy will increase parent and caregiver awareness and engagement in supporting and promoting attendance, and support robust, inclusive and collaborative strategies to address complex barriers to student attendance.

Each year, we set ambitious goals in Learning, Well-Being, and Belonging. To support operational effectiveness and the 2026-30 strategic plan, We Lead Forward, the 2026-27 Annual Learning and Operating Plan has been launched to guide our work over the next year.

Grand Erie is taking a proactive stance to ensure the safe, effective and responsible use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in the classroom. As parents and caregivers, you may be wondering how Grand Erie is incorporating Generative Artificial Intelligence into the classroom. We have taken a proactive stance AI to ensure the safe, effective and responsible use of GenAI. We have put together an AI Guide for families to learn more.

Over the last month, there have been several accomplishments to highlight:

While it’s not officially winter, the colder weather is here. When hazardous winter weather hits, there can be school and bus cancellations following our Inclement Weather Procedure. 

At Grand Erie, our focus is to support and enhance numeracy and literacy learning in the classroom and at home through a variety of engaging, interactive tools. Each month, we have compiled math resources and literacy resources to foster your child’s learning and support their growth.

Each month, I highlight resources from School Mental Health Ontario. Recently, we rolled out Wellness Carts for elementary schools and kits for secondary schools to provide accessible tools and strategies that help students reduce stress, practice coping skills, and regulate their emotions when needed.

Dr. JoAnna Roberto
Chief Executive Officer/Chief Education Officer

Important Upcoming Dates

View a full list of days of significance and Grand Erie events.

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A Message from CEO Dr. JoAnna Roberto: October 2026
Friday, Oct 30, 2026
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Thursday, Oct 29, 2026
Meeting for the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation
Wednesday, Oct 28, 2026