✅ Mike Foley: To My Friends and Neighbours in Wasaga Beach & Collingwood
Four years ago, you elected me to serve as your SCDSB Public School Trustee, and I am deeply grateful for the trust you placed in me. From the beginning, I worked as a part of the board alongside community partners, including the OPP, Family Connexions, school staff, Service organizations, students, and mental health agencies, to better understand local needs and support positive change in our schools and across the system.
One of the most important parts of this role has been seeing community partnerships in action. I want to thank Constable Christine Dineen, Collingwood School Resource Officer, and Pastor Jane at Hope Chapel for their outstanding work.
Officer Dineen has become the go-to person for students in crisis and continues to build bridges with our students, ironing out problems when needed.
Hope Chapel has become a valuable community resource, supporting thousands of students each month. On average, it serves 1,200 to 1,400 students each week by providing food, a safe place to eat or talk, and access to needed seasonal clothing. Their commitment has made a lasting difference for students and families.
There is much to be proud of. Working with Wasaga Beach parents and students, our petition and letter-writing campaigns helped move the new Wasaga Beach public high school to the front of the line. Shovels will soon be in the ground, and the school is scheduled to open in September 2029, ending long bus rides for many students.
This is a strong example of what can be achieved when a community works together.
Members of the Wasaga Beach Chamber of Commerce also contributed by providing us a booth at the Farmers’ Market, allowing us ( Shawn Cooper separate board Trustee and I) to promote the event, and by helping raise funds through a Yuk Yuk’s comedy night that supported breakfast programs for all of our Wasaga elementary schools. Together, these efforts raised $4,500, which was shared among the 4 elementary schools.
After careful consideration, I have decided not to seek another term as your Public School Trustee.
I will miss the school visits, graduations, fun days, concerts, plays, sporting events, and the many opportunities to connect with students, parents, staff, and community members.
Serving this community has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. Together, we strengthened partnerships, supported students and families, and helped lay the foundation for lasting improvements that will continue to benefit our schools for years to come. As my current term ends on October 26, I want to thank you sincerely for your trust, friendship, and support over the past four years. Please continue to stay involved, attend school and community events, and keep building on the strong spirit of collaboration that makes Collingwood and Wasaga Beach such special places. I would be honoured to stay connected, and I look forward to seeing the good work our community will continue to accomplish together.
Thank you – I’ve added some of my favourite moments as a trustee in pictures –
Trustee SCDSB Mike Foley
