Another year is over and a new one is in the making. Our buses have completed their routes and have safely transported our students home, one final time for 2018-2019. The last few weeks of the school year were filled with final assessments, end-of-year celebrations, reflecting, giving thanks, saying good-bye, and preparing for the new school year.
At the closing of a school year, many celebrations and festivities were held across the division. Students participated in educational field trips and enjoyed the opportunity of experiencing a variety of learnings that occur outside the school walls. They highlighted their musical and theatrical skills through band concerts and school celebrations. At awards ceremonies, students, individually and collectively, were recognized for their academic skills, athletic skills, leadership, citizenship and community service. Schools and classrooms held end-of-year celebrations to recognize accomplishments and to celebrate the anticipated promotion from one level to another, such as elementary to middle school, middle school to high school, or Kindergarten to grade one. At six separate memorable graduation ceremonies, we bid farewell to 179 seniors, who were recognized for their academic and personal achievements. It may only be the students who walked across the stage to receive a diploma, but they most certainly did not reach that goal without the work and support of others. Each of these events was a great chance for students, staff, and families to reflect and celebrate the accomplishments earned.
At year-end celebrations, we not only recognize students who are moving on, we also take time to honour and recognize retiring staff. At the Division Retirement Dinner, twenty-two retiring staff were recognized for their years of service. The Division wished retirees all the best, as they entered the next chapter of their life. Their knowledge, skills and contributions to student learning will be missed.
The last few days of school is a time for reflection and looking back at everything that has been achieved over the past ten months. As staff and students reflected back over the school year, they referred to their goals – academic, athletic or personal goals. They pondered the question, “Were they achieved?” As our staff and students reflected back on the year spent with MVSD, our hope is that they recognize the academic gains that have been made, the life lessons that have been learned, and the progress that they have made toward achieving their goals. We believe that the students’ and staff’s hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence made it possible for each to reach their goals.
Year-end is also a time to give thanks - thanks to our students, staff, parents, volunteers and community. The Division is grateful for our staff members who do their best for students every day, for the parents who collaborate with us on their child’s education, for the volunteers who give of their time to assist with educational experiences and for all our community members for their support. The students’ accomplishments are proof of the dedication of our parents, staff and community. Thank you for your efforts and your positive energy, and thank you to our students for inspiring us each day.
As the year ended, teachers and staff were hard at work preparing for the upcoming school year, exploring ways to challenge students with knowledge and to inspire them to be the best that they can be. They were, and still are, getting ready to welcome their new students, and the newest members to MVSD, our incoming Kindergarteners, Class of 2031!
On a personal note, this year marks the end of my time with MVSD. It is my distinct pleasure to extend my thanks to the entire staff in MVSD, the students, the parents, the community, and the Trustees for your support and for the opportunity to lead and serve this division. As I move into the next chapter in my life, I am taking with me many fond memories. Have an enjoyable summer.