Peg Gratitude: Day 18 – Schools

I am so grateful to live in a city where parents don’t have camp out overnight to get a spot in French immersion, or take part in a lottery to get a spot in their catchment school. Coming from BC where this seemed to be the norm, I never take it for granted that our kids are able to go to a Francophone school with terrific teachers and staff, with no hoops to jump through!

I know several people who work in the education system, and from what I understand, it is not an easy place to work, with ever-present budget constraints, large classes and inadequate resources to meet student needs. In this stressful and challenging environment, the hard work and dedication of the personnel never ceases to amaze me. Teachers and elementary school staff are the unsung heroes of society and I’m extremely grateful to the staff at École Taché!

Because it is not our neighbourhood school and a little far for everyday biking (in great part due to a lack of infrastructure, not necessarily distance), we have (free!) school bus service and have always had terrific bus drivers who do unexpected, thoughtful things like give the students Christmas gifts or make donations in their name. I’m very grateful for this, as well.

And although my kids don’t go to the neighbourhood school, Glenelm School, I am also grateful to have this institution in our neighbourhood. It’s a special little community-minded school that is beloved by its students’ families. From welcoming a fledgling pickleball league, to participating in our GeNA tree planting ceremony, to hosting an epic community BBQ every June, this school is a huge asset to our corner of the world. I am lucky to consider myself part of the extended Glenelm School family!