ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS HONOR THEIR GRADS

It was a busy last weekend of the school year for both of our elementary schools. Both schools had year ending BBQ’s where local luminaries and teachers’ spouses took the grills and served up summer delights with students and parents attending in a spirit of camaraderie.

It was also time for both schools to honor their graduating students with a grad ceremony at Beurling Academy, where most of them will be attending next September followed by an evening at their respective schools.

First at Verdun Elementary on the 19th, it was an evening also filled with songs by the Grade 6er’s and the national anthem played on flute by former student Amanda Pidlisny, now a star soloist at the BA Music Dept. and one of BA’s superstar students.

During the evening, a special gift DVD to the students was played on screen for the crowd which included highlights of the school year. The usual special and subject awards were also handed out to the delight of those receiving them.

It was also a bittersweet evening for Principal Joanne Brady-Merola, getting emotional at times, highlighted all the events of the school year and also mentioned that VE has been approved for the Club des Petits Dejeuner du Quebec. Mrs. Merola also received a beautiful floral bouquet later in the evening from VP Sylvie Martin. The end of the evening saw the students being driven in style by a white stretch limo back to the school.

Over at Riverview on the 22nd, also at BA, to accommodate the fairly large turnout, it was the first Grad for Principal Deborah Gross, who expressed an enthusiastic good luck to the over 50 or so departing students as they enter another phase in their young lives.

Valedictorians Amanda Ghandhi and Sera Anne Onofrio were excellent in their departing words to their fellow students. The Grad Committee also took the opportunity to distribute flowers and gifts of appreciation to admin and the teachers who supported them through the year. Student Shawn Jourdain-Bukowsky this year was the recipient of the Principal’s award and for good reason. “Shawn represents a student on the verge of going to high school - he is responsible, mature, respectful, helpful and grown up. He is also still a kid - easy to tears, easily frustrated. A wonderful young adult to be,” said Principal Miss Gross. Following all the usual special and subject awards, the evening ended with a dinner-dance back at Riverview School.

So as we await Major School Change decision on December 21st, it’s time to stay cool, stay out of the summer heat, keep rockin and have a safe and happy summer and see you in September, and before I forget, the first day back is Monday, August 31st.

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