The Superintendent's Bulletin

Friday June 27, 2008

Reflections on Grade 12 Convocations

I have had the opportunity to attend several Grade 12 Convocations this week. High school graduation is an important time in the life of a young person because it marks the end of one "life chapter" and the beginning of another.

As I witnessed these wonderful celebrations of successful learning, I had the opportunity to reflect on the comments made by and about our Grade 12 graduates. At each convocation, speakers shared significant messages about the considerable impact of teachers, other school staff members, and parents.

When I was a teacher of students in early years, I often wondered about the futures my young students would have when they grew up. Some of them seemed to have so many needs and would often follow me around the classroom, wanting to be beside me all the time. I would watch them as they progressed through the grades but often wondered what happened to them after they left our elementary school.

When I was a teacher of students in the middle years, I was always amazed at the turbulence of adolescence and the energy they had available for everything and anything...sometimes, for things less related to school, and more related to their “social” education. I watched my students as they explored who they were going to “become.” I attempted to guide them to know how to make the right choices in the right way, or at least what I thought was the right way. I often wondered how some would fare later in life—watching students in their adolescence can raise so many questions about their ability to cope with life’s future challenges.

As a high school teacher, I watched students grow and mature during their final years in the public education system. When they arrived in Grade 9 (I referred to them fondly as the "new batch") they seemed to be so unsure of how to proceed with the tasks of preparing to fit in socially and for the time that would help to define their future educational and career choices. However, as they made their way to Grade 12, I had the pleasure of watching them become fine young people, and, for the most part, individuals who understood the importance of becoming good citizens contributing to our society and our small world.

This week reminded me that each of us has a role to play in the education of children and young people in the LRSD. Each of us plays a special part in a student’s total experience from Kindergarten to Grade 12. LRSD staff and parents play their roles to support the growth and development of our students. Each year, another group arrives in Kindergarten and we welcome our newest and youngest students to our Division. Each year, another group graduates and we celebrate their success and wish them farewell.

Trustees, staff, parents, and guardians...remember, we have all “graduated” again this year. We have all played important parts in the education of our students. That's what it is all about in a professional learning community...making sure that our Vision and Mission are realized in that short period of thirteen years that our students are with us in our schools.

Congratulations to the Class of 2008!

Have a happy summer vacation!

Terry Borys
Superintendent of Schools & CEO