Faywood PS inspires with character building

My address to the parents, students and staff at Faywood PS on December 15, 2008.

Thank you Principal Trajkovski for this exciting invitation.


Good evening parents, students, friends. I also offer a special thanks to Ms. Uribe and Ms. Mandelbaum for putting this celebration together.

I have heard about the Toronto Police-Values Influences Peers program and it truly is remarkable. It not only gives young Canadians a foundation in life skills it gives everyone of us the example of what being a model citizen is all about.

Tonight is the celebration of an idea. A reaffirmation that character building is essential for student success and being a contributing part of our community.


When the world looks at Canada they see us as an example. At the Toronto District School Board we look to the students who fill this room tonight with a sense of pride.

Our great responsibility as educators is that when students leave our schools they take with them the understanding that the value of time in school is not only measured by a grade point average but by the strength of their heart.

Because the strength of our heart leads us to make smart choices.

And smart choices lead to restraint and restraint leads to civility. And civility leads to tolerance.

I don’t normally quote hockey players, but it was Wayne Gretzky who once said, “You can’t score from the penalty box.” And in the real world getting out in 2 minutes is just not going to happen.

It is pride that brings communities together; but it is hubris that tears us apart.

The world is just a healthier and safer because of the way we approach defeat; respect diversity of opinion; and knowing when to turn the other cheek.

Parents: students who attend this school and participated in this program will make smart choices and that you need not have a hand on a telephone waiting for a call from a son or daughter in trouble.

I conclude by once again congratulating students and their teachers and Toronto police services who helped with this program. There is a reason why I have lived in this area for over 20 years. It’s because of students like you.

To all who are here this evening, I want to wish you a safe and happy holiday season and New Year and I look forward to connecting with you in 2009.