The formation of the BICS PAC in 2005, the development of a new Joint Use Agreement with the municipality for the community school, the first Community Playground at BICS and the turf field project are just a few tangible examples of the diplomatic legacy of Bowen’s Jane Kellett, retired School Trustee, District 45. Jane served 4 terms as Trustee and in that time worked with four different Boards, two superintendents, various district leadership team members, dozens of principals and vice-principals and supported every school in the district as a trustee liaison.
On Thursday night, the Community School Association (CSA) and the Parent Advisory Council (PAC) invited friends, family and colleagues of Jane to gather at Tunstall Bay Clubhouse on the occasion of Jane’s retirement. They celebrated her career in education and her huge contribution to the community through her work in many volunteer capacities. The night culminated in Jane receiving the Spirit of Community Award, 2014 from the CSA in acknowledgement of 25 years of hard work.
Superintendent of School District 45, Chris Kennedy talked about how Kellett came to be a trustee, her love of innovation and education, her ability to put Bowen on the map whilst supporting all other schools in the district, and the very significant legacy she has left especially when it comes to her advocacy for BICS and the Bowen community.
“Jane Kellett is well know to those who have worked with her as someone who has consistently been able to make a positive impact,” said retired BICS principal Jennifer Pardee. “She is a woman of integrity who was always solutions-oriented and engaged in discussions and issues with passion, empathy, respect and intelligence. While she is an excellent listener and always seeks to understand first, she is also courageous and strong and, without exception, always made and supported decisions that were in the best interest of students and learning.”
Kristin Jarvis, CSA Chair and MC for the evening observed that, “In addition to her professional work, Jane has walked many many miles in her volunteer shoes. Jane got involved with the Community School Association in 1991 when her son started school at BICS. It’s people like Jane, part of certain breed of Bowen women that quietly and always inclusively build community, that inspire me to continue to lace up my volunteer shoes.”
Sarah Haxby, Community School Co-ordinator wrote this about Jane: “As a school trustee, Jane was known as the voice of Bowen and she inspired confidence in us that we were being represented by someone who not only understood how the community works, and what its needs are, but who also is passionate about advocating for the island. In her role as trustee, Jane didn’t look upon the “only on Bowen” moniker as a negative, but as something to recognize and value. She championed our community’s unique needs with a clear voice and truly made a positive difference...”
The PAC and the CSA would like to extend their gratitude on behalf of the school community for her significant contribution to education on Bowen and beyond, and wish Jane a wonderful next chapter.
