Celebrating students, educators in a difficult year
Advertisement
Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/06/2021 (724 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
As we wrap up another school year, I applaud the persistent hard work of teachers, administrators, students and staff who continued to adapt and work together through incredible circumstances to complete another school year.
The 2020-2021 school year was completely adapted and adjusted to deliver flexible education, community and support for our children when they needed it most.
Again, I thank our teachers and staff. You have been absolutely amazing. Thank you. Thank you for your continued front-line work, sacrifice and dedication to our children. It is difficult to express my true admiration and gratitude for continuing to make remote learning possible and continuing to lead our kids through these times, building resilience and showing hope for the future. I literally see it every day in my own home with my two children.
To the kids — you have been absolutely amazing. Wearing masks, sitting apart from your friends, adjusting to smaller cohorts of friends and remote learning, again. Your entire school year looked very different, without field trips, holiday concerts or graduation celebrations. Your ability to adapt is truly remarkable.
To the graduates of 2021 — congratulations! The class of ’21 showed tremendous resilience and adaptability. This time and place of your lives will be forever shaped by COVID-19. I hope there can be safe celebrations of some kind in the not-too-distant future to mark your achievement.
Every year, I am honoured to celebrate and honour our leaders of tomorrow with the Point Douglas Citizenship Award.
This year, these awards feel very special. So many students have gone above and beyond to make connections to uplift their communities during these challenging times.
It’s so important to shine a light and champion the leaders of tomorrow who continue to make positive impacts in the neighbourhoods of the Point Douglas ward, so this month I am honouring 36 students from grades 6, 8 and 12 — representing the many schools within our ward — and recognizing their ongoing community contributions.
These students are volunteers in their school and community, helping others, and offering support during a challenging time. They are mentors to younger students and they cook meals and provide child care in their communities. They are patrols out on our streets, helping younger students walk safely to and from school. They are also community volunteers, dedicating their time to Harvest Manitoba, providing food to our community.
They lift the morale in their classrooms, offering support to their fellow students and teachers on hard days. And they are leaders, reaching out to everyone in their classrooms ensuring that everyone is seen and heard. Many of these kids have persevered through difficult home circumstances and have found self-worth and purpose through school, many have worked hard in their studies and are headed to university, technical schools or colleges to continue their education in the fall.
These kids represent the spark and energy of the future. They lead with compassion, empathy and hard work. I am truly honoured to champion their leadership.
I congratulate all 2021 Point Douglas Citizenship Award winners. Though we cannot celebrate in person, please know I am cheering and clapping so loud for you.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for being leaders in our community — your impact is monumental.
Vivian Santos
Point Douglas ward report
Vivian Santos is city councillor for Point Douglas.