Graduation and Farewell!!

Grad is mere days away and I couldn't be more excited, proud and curious.

I am so excited to see the great outfits! And I'm especially excited to celebrate with you, the graduates, on your special day.

Graduates, you have accomplished so much. I am so proud of all of you! For some of you, the accomplishments include amazing marks and great financial scholarships. Well Done! For some of you, the accomplishments were in the arts - whether music, drama or painting and drawing. Well Done! For some of you, the accomplishments were in athletics - personal bests, team bests, team banner, personal medals. Well Done! For some, the accomplishments include vocational triumphs including Skills Manitoba and Skills Canada. For others your accomplishment was getting it done, sticking it out, persevering through tough times and getting it done. Graduating! Well done!! I am especially proud of you!

Lastly, I'm curious. I'm curious to see and hear all the amazing things you go on to do. I look forward to bumping into you in 5, 10 or 15 years and learning about your lives. I've been doing this teaching thing almost 30 years now and the best part of my job (or at least one of them) is bumping into former students and hearing about their lives, families, jobs, travels etc.

This is such an exciting time. Enjoy it. Make the most of it. Play safely. And then go out and conquer your dreams. Make the world a better place!

And if you happen to be around... let me know what's going on in your life. Personally, I won't be at the SRSS next year. I'm taking the year off to travel. However, I will be in the area off and on throughout the year. Hopefully, we will see each other in Steinbach... If not, I expect to be back at SRSS in a year's time. So come back and let me know how things are going. I also hope to bump into you in 5, 10 and/or 15 years and hear what you've done with your life!!

Farewell Grads! It has been such a pleasure being a small part of your school lives. You will be missed. I wish you all the best in your life. I hope that you will experience many joys, that your sorrows will help you to grow and develop as a person, and that your journeys will take you to unexpected, but wonderful places.

Sincerely,
Ms Thiessen.

PS... if you are following this blog - note that there will be no posts over the year I am gone.

Objects in Mirror are Closer Than They Appear: AKA Grad is Just Around the Corner

I went for a walk around the SRSS the other day. The telltale signs of grad are upon us. The grad bulletin board, grad portraits being taken, Cinderella's Closet, and the sign on Mr. Gibson's office door counting down the days until grad.

Maybe like me, you are shocked to find out that there are less than 60 school days left. I think I stood there amazed to see that sign. Time sure flies when you are having fun... or maybe the saying should be "Time sure flies when you are working hard."



So this blog is the pep talk,  specifically for grade 12 students, but really applying to all of you.

Tips for the last push:

1. Commit to finishing strong. 
2. Attend classes every day.
3. Hand in assignments.
4. Ask questions.
5. Listen to announcements.
6. Read emails. They contain important information
7. Attend grad meetings (okay - this one is just for grade 12 students)
8. Talk to your teachers. If you are going through something and need a little extra support tell your teacher - they  CANNOT read your mind. 
9. Touch base with your guidance counsellor. Make sure you understand what you need to get done. 
10. Have fun while doing the above. You only do school once. You only graduate once. 

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