As co-chairs of the school council at Nokiidaa Public School, we are writing on behalf of our council and the community to express our concern and opposition to the assignment of Principal Carolyn Brndiar from our school to Franklin Street Public School. We urge you to carefully consider the invaluable contributions Principal Brndiar has made to our community and ask that you retain her current position at Nokiidaa Public School. 

As you are aware, the four pillars of YRDSB’s Multi-Year Strategic plan are to foster well-being and mental health, build collaborative relationships, champion equity and inclusivity, and empower ethical leadership to ensure student success. Ms. Carolyn Brndiar has demonstrated these pillars in our school community and has advocated for and delivered these values to our students over the past four years. 

The impact of the pandemic has been detrimental to the well-being of our students and community. More than ever, we need to build an environment where our students feel a sense of safety and stability. Ms. Brndiar is consistently committed to creating a positive and inclusive learning space for all students and has helped the community navigate the unprecedented challenges that arose during and after the pandemic. She continues to do this every day and the continuity of her leadership and support is critical for the success of our students and staff. 

As mentioned in the greeting from the Trustee, this is the first year since 2018-2019 that has not been interrupted by closures as a result of COVID-19. We only now are beginning to feel a sense of normalcy post-pandemic and being able to connect and learn together with students, staff, and families. The reassignment of Ms. Brndiar away from our school will cause a great disruption of the positive momentum we have worked so hard to achieve over the past few years. 

In addition to the pandemic, our school has already experienced several changes that have disrupted student learning - the renaming of the school from 2021 – 2022, and the reassignment of several staff including the move of Principal Greig Black to Franklin Street Public School in the middle of the 2016-2017 school year. Another change now will create yet another disruption to the school and community. 

Ms. Brndiar’s leadership skills and her ability to collaborate and engage with students, teachers, families and community members has helped build a cohesive educational community where every child has the opportunity to thrive. Her dedication to the success of the students is evident through her approachability and availability to address concerns, support parents and facilitate partnerships with families. She has cultivated a sense of trust and collaboration between the school and the community. 

Considering the contributions of Principal Carolyn Brndiar in our school and the importance of continuity after several years of uncertainty, we strongly believe that Ms. Brndiar’s continued leadership is vital for the growth and success of our students. We, the undersigned parents, teachers, and concerned community members respectfully request that you reconsider the decision to reassign Principal Carolyn Brndiar away from Nokiidaa Public School. 

Please accept this petition as an expression of our collective voice, reflecting the sentiments of those who have directly experienced the positive impact of Principal Carolyn Brndiar's contributions. We thank you for your attention and consideration. We trust that you will make a decision that prioritizes the best interests of our students where every voice matters and is heard.