When I think about synergy and collaboration, I think about our school. There are good things happening within. I am proud to say that we do not sit by and become stagnant. We do not stay rooted in tradition ignoring the change occurring around us. Not at all.

At our school we push the status quo. We test and try, assess and reassess. We reflect on what we’re doing and strive for greatness. We work for the best interest of each child entrusted to our care.

Students today are different than students of the past. If we don’t change along with them, we are doing them a disservice. We provide opportunities for learning and leadership, we forgive mistakes and we continue to learn ourselves to ensure the best learning for our students.

Are we perfect? We can’t be. Will there be missteps along the way? We wouldn’t be human if there weren’t.

We entered this profession to change lives. To inspire and uplift. To educate and motivate. What a privilege!

The other day I watched a TedTalk by David Steindl-Rast about gratitude: how living with gratitude leads to greater happiness. It got me thinking about this whole business of ‘home.’

I was once of the mindset that my house should be bigger, newer and fancier than it currently is. Upon reflection though, I wonder why I ever thought this. It is not because I don’t like my home. I do. It is certainly not because I need a bigger home. What would I do with more space, after all? So why then? Our society conditions us that bigger, newer and fancier is also better. As if that bigger, newer, fancier house will lead to greater happiness.

And yet (despite the size of my home), on this Thanksgiving weekend, I find it effortless to create a list of things I am thankful for… 

I am thankful for staff members who go above and beyond for our students. I am thankful for our dedicated parent volunteers. I am thankful for the innocence and honesty of children. I am thankful for the sunshine. I am thankful for the tree across the street with vibrant orange leaves.  I am thankful for the opportunity to write. I am thankful for the time with my family, especially the wee ones and those getting on in years. And yes, I am thankful for my home and those within it.

I just finished reading The Invention of Wings. It is fiction, yet fiction rooted in truth about an American woman striving for the abolition of slaves in the early 1800s. Because of her beliefs – vastly different from the societal norm at the time – she alienates herself from her family and puts her safety at risk. Her story is juxtaposed by the story of one of the slaves working for the family. Both women’s stories are heartbreaking and yet hopeful, too.

This book got me thinking about courage. And I wonder… how many people questioned or even abhorred the use of slaves but stayed silent? How many in our society today have the courage to speak their minds against the status quo?

I think of a sign in my office (passed down from a principal I admire greatly) that says, “Stand up for what you believe in, even if you’re standing alone.”

I would like to think that I have the courage to stand up for what I believe in. I would hope that I inspire children to do the same. I strive to be a person of integrity who means what she says and says what she means. Someone who values individuals: their stories, their backgrounds, their distinctiveness. Someone who stands up for what is right, even if I happen to be standing alone.

I am, most definitely, a work in progress.

During this last week I noticed a change in nature’s palette: the cool greens have become vibrant yellows and sultry reds. The boulevards catch my eye while I’m walking and while I’m driving.

Though much of life is unpredictable, I take comfort in the predictability of nature. Knowing that the seasons will turn as expected each year. The birds will sing as the rain subsides. The geese return each spring without fail. 

When life itself presents uncertainties, rest assured the sun will rise tomorrow.

Working with kids provides its own rewards. We announced the birth of a staff member’s baby last week at assembly. To be more precise, a grade six student announced it. Reading what was projected on the screen, he announced that the baby was seven ‘libs’ and ten ounces! (Pounds was written lbs.)

That same day, a little one had fallen off the monkey bars at the park. He ended up with a mouthful of sand and quite a sore head. His words: “My brain hurts.” When I asked about phoning his mom, in all seriousness he replied, “Hers not at home. Hers working in Calgary.”

And finally, one morning out on supervision, a grade two student, fairly new to Canada with English as her second language, wrapped her arms around me and said, “You’re the best officer in the school!” I’m still not sure exactly what she was thinking… because I work in the office or because I was supervising as an officer might… regardless, she made me smile!

 

 

While I was supervising last Monday morning, a little one rounded the corner, slid through the snow dusting the ground and announced, “this is awesome!” Despite the shivering I was doing, I couldn’t help but smile. 

The smiles and the laughter spilled into our halls last week! I noticed a productive, uplifting atmosphere pervading the building. The learning was present but so was the fun. Practical jokes seem to be finding their way into our school: lighthearted, harmless fun. Therefore the laughter of our staff has been noticeable too! 

Curriculum, productivity and results are all critical but the relationships surrounding those things are key. This week, the snow has disappeared, the sun is shining, people are smiling and my mood is elevated.

What a week! I was tired, sure. But it was so good to be back: to see the students, hear their excited stories about summer and their anticipation of the new year. The building is abuzz once again.

Yet as I listened to the news this week I was reminded of the students and teachers in BC, still not back at school due to labour negotiations. Internationally, school is overshadowed by the reality of war and instability in places such as Ukraine and Russia, Syria and Israel.

As the leaves turn colour and the forecasts already containing the word ‘snow’, it can be easy to wonder why we live here! And yet, how lucky we are.

Family. This word surfaced time and again this past week. Most significantly, at mass last Thursday, Father Mike shared how we are part of a larger family supporting him through his difficult journey. We are fortunate to come together not only as a district family, but also a school family.

I look forward to seeing our family reunited tomorrow morning. We will gather in the field as staff, students and parents sharing memories of summer and anticipation of the year to come. Some members join our family for the first time and others gather on this day as on many days before. Regardless, we come together with a common purpose: to begin a satisfying, meaningful school year.

Throughout the year, we will provide support and inspiration, encouragement and care. We will rally together when any one member of our family is in need. And like any family, there will be times of disagreement, disappointment, sorrow and pain. Through it all though, hope stems from the unity and strength of our relationships.

Desmond Tutu once said, “You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to you, as you are to them.” As we unite tomorrow, discover the gift.

The morning air is cool and crisp… my school dreams have returned… the back-to-school commercials started weeks ago… the school supplies have been on the store shelves for at least as long. And as much as I try to divert my eyes and ignore the implications, I know our precious summer time is flitting away.

The week ahead is a busy one: parent meetings, finalizing class lists, welcoming new registrations, moving classrooms to accommodate more students, preparing for opening staff meetings. The week following is even busier as the students walk through the doors once again.

Although I enjoy our summer break, there is always a part of me ready to go back: to do what I love to do, to see the people that inspire me to do my job (both colleagues and kids), to welcome the hugs as the students run across the field into my arms. My arms will be wide and welcoming: I look forward to the year ahead!

 

On Friday afternoon, I stopped at the grocery store before heading to a staff member’s house to celebrate the end of the year. In line ahead of me were a mother and her two daughters. The mother exclaimed, “That’s it. I’ve had enough. Time for the two of you to return to school.”

The cashier looked hesitantly at me and then turned to the mother and said, “Didn’t they just get out of school?”

“Yes, at noon today.” Evidently, it will be a long summer for some.

As summer holidays begin, I thank you on behalf of students and parents.

• Thank you for spending countless hours – both inside and outside of school – writing report cards, planning, researching, creating and marking.
• Thank you for taking the time to approach the curriculum creatively to ensure optimal student engagement.
• Thank you for treating your students as individuals, understanding that fair is not always equal.
• Thank you for your passion and persistence sometimes in the face of resistance and negativity.
• Thank you for devoting yourself to this noble profession.

Enjoy a well-earned summer break!