The Grads looked resplendent in their burgundy grad hats and robes as they walked in the auditorium behind the assembled invited guests, presenters, and teachers, with parents and relatives applauding their entrance.
Following the welcome by VP Dona Bianchi, the singing of O Canada by student Susan Young, and invocation by spiritual animator William Grant, Principal Chris Cyr, in her first BA Grad ceremony, addressed the students on this special evening recognizing their years of hard work and a wish of good luck for their future.
Following her address, Miss Cyr announced the special awards for the evening, which included a special award from the Messenger to Cassandra Wakefield, which I had the privilege of presenting, in recognition of her charitable efforts after a devastating fire last year. A special laminated version of the article we ran in July was presented to her.
Recent retiree, gym teacher Bill Morris, was a hit as the special speaker for the evening recalling a time when he got dunked into the pool. Following the many grad and subject awards and the Grad Certificates, all present were invited to the cafeteria for a reception and the cool jazzy sounds of music teacher Gary Lindner and Friends in the background.
The annual open house will be taking place a little earlier this year and it’s this coming Thursday evening at 7 p.m. for those parents looking at BA as an educational option for their children next year. Parents and students are invited to tour the school to take in the various programs and tour the facilities, including the new Cycle 2 science lab. The good folks of Home and School will also be on hand to serve refreshments.
The first annual Pep Rally was recently held last week in the back of the school and it was a smashing success. The whole student body got a chance to show their school spirit and cheer on the school’s various sports teams, along with the school mascot Beurling Bobcat, in their quest to at least tie last year’s success with 7 city Sports Titles. The event was coordinated by teacher Miss Alarie, and kudos for a job well done!
In 1980, Terry Fox challenged a nation in his Marathon of Hope, and the staff and students at Verdun Elementary have answered that call for the last 25 years raising over $50,000 in the process through the years towards a cure for cancer. Last week was the 25th run, and with invited guests from the school and municipal scene, and a ribbon cutting by the junior students in the morning, they were off and running around the school always keeping the memory of Terry alive.
RiverviewWanna pick a pumpkin? The good folks at Home and School have just the spot for you. Riverview is inviting the community to their very own pumpkin patch in the park next to the school on Friday, October 26th from 3 to 7:30. Enjoy the family experience of picking your very own pumpkin and they will have all sizes from the humungous to those for little hands. So you’re all invited. See ya at the patch! The Special Friends Literacy Program, run by Hilda Williamson, is still looking for volunteers to read to the students during the daytime, which can’t be held without adult readers. So if you have 1-2 hours per week of spare time you can call Hilda at the school at 514-761-4524.
