A Year in Review

James Bay Community School Society

By Darcy Topinka

Community School Coordinator

The James Bay Community School Society hosted its AGM on Monday, November 14, 2011. I would like to thank all those who came out and participated in the evening. The Society acknowledges the chartered accountants and business advisors from the firm, Flader, Hale and Hughesman, for their support in the audit and assisting our staff in presenting the financials for the 2010-11 financial year.

I am pleased to report that once again the school and centre have successfully demonstrated in their programming and service provision that we connect and engage with our fellow citizens.  We do this by offering support and enhancing learning through community use of school and facilities. Our strength and resilience in the community is elevated by our integrated relationships with other service providers, and by an engaged and active community. Consumers of our services and programs may benefit in a wide range of ways: from family support initiatives, to continuing education opportunities. Recreation pursuits, lifelong learning opportunities, after school and summer programs are also highly regarded methods of connecting to our community.

I am often asked by various not-for-profit organizations to explain the success of the James Bay Community School and Centre.  My simplified answer amounts to this: when cooperative people come together with cooperative values there is very little they can't do.

Over the past 35 years the JBCS Society has had the good fortune to have attracted dedicated staff, and involved diverse board members. Add to this a community whose members give of their time and share their resources, the end product is an organization poised for success. The recipe for our success is directly linked to the coordinated efforts of volunteers, the neighborhood champions, former and present teachers, community school coordinators, child care workers, administration staff and all who walk through the door to take a program.

I am very much looking forward to the year ahead, maintaining and building partnerships in the community.  I would like to congratulate our volunteers, staff and board directors on another successful year. 

To find detailed information on our programs and services our web site will guide you in connecting with your community school.  The month of December is a very busy time at the school and centre.  Join us in celebrating the spirit of Christmas at the annual Dickens Craft Fair held on Saturday December 3^rd from 3 to 9 pm.  We hope to see you at one of our two special holiday dinners; Chef Matthew Glynn will be preparing a traditional turkey dinner. All the best to you and yours over the holidays.