Abby Zaitley

Hello, Ward 4 Community,

As we approach the end of the school year, I hope this message finds you well and looking forward to a well-deserved summer break. June is a meaningful time to celebrate the achievements we’ve shared as a community and to reflect on all that we’ve accomplished together.

As we navigate changes such as Bill 33 and Bill 101, Putting Student Achievement First Act, 2026, the role of Trustees continues to evolve. While governance is shifting across the province, my commitment to proudly serve the Ward 4 community in Hamilton remains unchanged.

Trustees play a key role as a bridge between families, students, and the education system — listening, advocating, and ensuring local voices are heard. While the landscape may change, our purpose remains clear: to be strong, responsive advocates for public education and for the students and families we are proud to serve.

Thank you to the many families who shared their input and feedback throughout the development of HWDSB’s new Board website and 93 school sites. Your insights were invaluable in helping shape a platform that better reflects the voices, needs, and experiences of communities across our system. The result is a more accessible, responsive, and user-friendly space designed to keep you informed and connected. You can subscribe to both your school website and the Board website to receive timely, daily updates from HWDSB.  If you have not yet subscribed, we encourage you to sign up and stay informed on important news, resources, and opportunities to engage. Your voice continues to make a difference, and we look forward to hearing from you as we move forward together.

I’m also pleased to share the June edition of From the Director’s Desk. This monthly newsletter from Chief Executive Officer, Sheryl Robinson Petrazzini highlights key topics that support the progress of HWDSB’s Multi-Year Strategic Plan and Board Improvement Plan. You can read recent editions from April and May here.

I also encourage you to explore May’s edition of Be.Connected@HWDSB, which features important system updates to support families as the 2025–2026 school year ends. Stay tuned for the June edition, which will be published in the coming weeks.

To stay connected year-round regarding Ward 4 specific inquiries please contact me at [email protected]. For broader board updates please follow HWDSB on Facebook and Instagram. If you aren’t already connected, visit our Parent Communication Tools page for ways to receive updates directly from your child’s school and the Board.

Locally within our Ward 4 community, the installation of a new elevator addition and universal washroom at AM Cunningham Elementary School will commence in summer 2026. While construction is underway at Parkdale Elementary School for their new elevator, stairlift and universal washroom.

Our next Board Meeting takes place on Monday, June 22, 2026. Closer to the date, you can find virtual log in details by clicking here. Board Meetings are an important space for discussion, decision-making, and community voice, where trustees advocate for students and schools both locally and system wide. 

I remain committed to serving my ward with professionalism and care, continuing to represent our community with integrity, and a strong focus on its ongoing success. I look forward to continuing to serve our community and building on this momentum as we prepare for another successful year at HWDSB.

During the summer months, board meetings are not held but I remain available to the community at [email protected]. With this additional available time, I will be out in the community more often, working on initiatives and exploring ideas for the next school year. My motions from this year, including exploring the feasibility of an AI policy to better protect and prepare our students for a fast-changing future, and my motion regarding safety on school streets will remain top of mind.

I look forward to seeing many of you in the coming weeks at commencements, as we celebrate the next chapter for so many of our students. 

Thank you for everything you contribute to HWDSB. Your support strengthens our community and enriches the lives of every student.

Have a safe and enjoyable summer. 

Warm regards,

Abby Zaitley 
Trustee, Ward 4 
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board