Well, it was recently Grade eight graduation time and annually I have a wonderful opportunity to meet with these students and share in their celebrations. I only wish I could have assisted at all three ceremonies.
This year Sydenham Community School had its first Grade eight graduation class in 38 years. For some time it was a K-6 school and had no Grade eight students. This year was different and they planned and executed a great celebration of success for these students. I was honoured to be part of it.
It did mean that sadly, I missed the Meaford Community School graduation since both were on the same evening. I dearly would have like to have been there with the MCS Grads! It’s the first MCS Grade eight graduation I have missed in five years either as a presenter or Trustee. Sorry!
To the MCS grads, well done and all the best for the future. Mrs Bowles and Mrs Fawcett assure me that you are a great group; it was a fun year; and, they will miss you.
Beaver Valley Community School likewise had a wonderful graduation ceremony for their Grade eight students and I was pleased to be part of that ceremony. What a great evening!
At each Grade eight graduation I would have liked to have given my half-time speech … you know, the speech the coach gives to the team at half time. This is the speech where the coach encourages the team members to be winners. He wants them to think like winners, talk like winners and act like winners. Be a different team in the second half. Redefine yourself to be the best you can be.
Moving on to High School gives the students this exact opportunity. It’s a clean slate, a new environment … someplace you can blaze a new trail. The reputation you had at elementary school is just a lingering rumour. This is a new game and the best “you” that you can be is the one you can bring to the game. Be a winner!
From what I heard from the staff at all three elementary schools, this will be a special group of new high school students. I look forward to their accomplishments in high school over the next four years.
A final word for all of our students … keep well, keep safe and have a great summer. I expect you all safely back in the fall!
I stepped in to become your Trustee last year at a point where the Board’s fortunes were at a low ebb. I felt I could make a positive contribution towards moving us out of the doldrums and I believe I have. There has been a lot of flak and I expected it; however, I believe we have turned a corner and are making many positive changes to revitalize the Board and its operations, including greater openness, visibility and responsiveness. This group of Trustees make a great team and I am pleased to be part of it.
It truly has been a hard road, but what has made it bearable is the fact that I do have opportunities to visit schools and attend school activities where the students show their stuff. I attended the Arts Assemblies at the three elementary schools including one at BVCS in June. WOW!! There is a lot of talent out there; and after all, it is always about the students and their success.
The opportunity to visit schools plus attend functions such as Arts Assemblies, Heritage Fairs, Science Fairs, etc., is one of the best parts of this job and it played a large role in my decision to run for Trustee in this election … actually I filed my papers about three months ago.
I also feel there is much more work to be done … I feel my job is unfinished and I want the opportunity to finish some of the positive initiatives which have been started in order to address many of the complaints leveled at the Board. For me, it’s a work in progress and a challenge I am asking you to allow me to take on over the next four years.
I’ll be meeting with as many of you as I can between now and the election. I will answer questions to the best of my ability and I look forward to your opinions and comments. Please, if you email me questions, I will attempt to answer them to the best of my ability in this column.
Thank you.
Paul
Trustee for the Municipality of Meaford and The Blue Mountains This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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