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!

It is hard to believe we have reached year end. And yet, here we are beginning our final week. I always laugh when those outside of education say, “Oh things must be winding down.” It is obvious they have never worked within a school. As we all know, things wind up in June, not down. They only wind down when the last student has left the building for summer.

And although most students look forward to summer vacation, there are also those who dread it. Those who worry about not getting enough food to eat, those who do not want to spend more time with their families, and those who will miss the security of the school day.

I spent considerable time with a few of those students last week. I suspect this week will be the same. And although most of us look forward to the break and all that comes with it, I pray that these students find peace and security. I can help provide food, I can provide emergency numbers and I can reassure them as best I can. And yet, I still have to see them off for the summer and hope that their days are not as bad as they dread.

Let’s make these last five days enjoyable ones for all!

 

This weekend was certainly a time to celebrate! It was father’s day, yes. But in our family we also had another reason to celebrate: one-year-post-bone-marrow-transplant for my sister-in-law! It was truly a day of joy.

The kids enjoyed running and jumping and playing with their cousins. There were games, water fights, food and cake. And the adults… the adults felt a joy deeper than words can express… A joy to spite what might have been… A joy at seeing someone determined to beat this thing… A joy acknowledging each precious day of life.

Albert Camus once wrote, “In the midst of winter, I found there was within me an invincible summer.” With my sister-in-law as inspiration, I am reminded of the power of positive thinking. Summer has arrived and the cold days of winter seem to be behind us.

Recently I reprimanded a young adult for his inappropriate language. Typically, I am fairly liberal in my acceptance of language. I was therefore somewhat surprised when I was truly offended by the language of a worker outside my home. It got me thinking…

Why am I not bothered when it comes to language in movies or the occasional curse of a family member or friend? What was different about this incident? What moved me to speak up about his cursing?

After reflecting, I believe the difference was circumstance. His language was excessive and untimely; he was representing a company; he was within earshot of several homes with no regard for who might be inside; his cursing was not a result of being upset or hurt but simply a case of showboating to his coworkers.

After I spoke up, he seemed truly apologetic. Had he not considered where he was and how he represented himself? Do we have to teach our young to be deliberate about the language they use? *#&$>! yes.

Last week the theme of ritual surfaced time and again. I attended both a retirement party and a funeral; I completed the MS walk; I also heard Father Mike talk about ritual within the church setting.

Why do we have rituals? To celebrate holidays and events. To alleviate anxiety. To cope with difficult circumstance. To grieve. To signify a rite of passage. To honour a life. To gather as family.

Whichever culture we are from, whatever religion we belong to, ritual is present. The elements of the ritual might differ, but the need for ritual remains.

As I walked the MS Walk today for the 25th time, surrounded by others affected by the disease, I felt a closeness with my father. Although he died almost 13 years ago, being part of this event is my way to honour him, to pay tribute to all he did despite the disease. I cannot bring him back, I can no longer visit him, but I can bring him to life through this yearly ritual.

Here’s to you, Dad!