200+ Surrey Schools employees honoured for 25 and 50 years of service!

Leah Christensen, District Principal of Early Learning and Child Care, was one of more than 200 employees recognized Thursday at this year's Long Service Awards, celebrating staff with 25 years of service with Surrey Schools. (Photos by Jacob Zinn)

More than 200 district employees are celebrating 25 years of service with Surrey Schools this year – and two employees are celebrating 50 years!

The Surrey Board of Education hosts a Long Service Recognition evening annually to honour employees who have reached 25 years with the district. This year, we have 201 employees who have reached the quarter-century mark, as well as two who have worked in the district for five decades.

“Year after year, we are amazed to see so many of our staff who have spent much, if not all, of their careers in our district,” said Laurie Larsen, Chair of the Surrey Board of Education. “Their ongoing dedication and commitment to public education speaks to the character of each of our employees and the invaluable contributions they make to support student learning each and every day.”

A reception was held Thursday at the Resource Education Centre and featured messages from Larsen, Supt. Mark Pearmain, Surrey Teachers’ Association president Jatinder Bir, Surrey Principals’ & Vice-Principals’ Association president Sue Beyer, CUPE 728 president Tammy Murphy and Student Advisory Council representative Sukhman Kambo. The event also featured music by the École Salish Secondary Senior Jazz Combo.

As a gift in recognition of their time with the district, employees received a gift card for a local restaurant.

Congratulations to all of our Long Service Award recipients, and thank you for your many inspiring years of dedication and commitment to the district!