Well, 2019-2020 certainly has
been a year to remember!
Looking back, September seems
like it was a hundred years ago. When we embarked on this year, we did so with
the usual enthusiasm and diligence as we begin every school year. We would like
to take this opportunity to thank our many volunteers and school council, who give
freely of their time to support student learning and school governance in order
to make James Robinson a great place to be. Thank you to the staff who ran
clubs, homework groups, sports, assemblies, and other student groups, even
within the confines of increasing job action restrictions.
Celebrating the moment, while it
seems difficult, we need to rejoice in what the last few months have taught us
about our ability to be resilient, innovative, patient, and resourceful. We are
particularly proud of our students. We are proud of their capacity to be strong
in the face of a rapidly changing world in which much of what they know has
shifted to something completely different. We are grateful for parents who have
supported the students and teachers with their patience while we navigated
something brand new, and for their willingness to juggle their own work with
helping their children, despite the fact that some days probably ended in
tears, tantrums, or with you having to YouTube how to do long division as a
personal refresher.
Our educators deserve so much
appreciation for the work and dedication to the school as they adapted to an
on-line platform that was 100% new, created whole new lessons, units, ways of
teaching, ways of assessing, ways of communicating, ways of reporting ~ all
while most of you had to parent/teach your own children simultaneously. Special
thanks to our caretaking team who adapted to an empty building, to working
alone, to taking care of the school and keeping us safe. And of course, our
amazing office staff who managed the office from home, working through school
tasks in a dark and sterile office, empty of the usual chatter and hustle
bustle of students and parents in need.
Through the school closures
this year, despite the physical distance between us, we can celebrate the
strengthening of the relationships between home and school, parent and child,
and student and teacher. The incredible outreach between and among our staff,
students, and parents throughout this shut-down has bonded us all in ways
“business as usual” could not possibly have.
During the school shut down,
we welcomed some new staff and said goodbye to some existing staff members. Ms.
Drinkle, Mrs. Suyat, and Mrs. Keirstead left to new adventures in the board and
Mrs. Lum left to new adventures in parenthood – congratulations! We welcomed
Ms. Capone, Mrs. Franklin, Ms. Silverberg, and Mrs. Taylor to James Robinson
P.S. over the course of the school closure.
Looking forward we have no choice
but to be optimistic that the summer will be a time to rest and relax, and that
the fall will be filled with new possibilities that will make all of us and our
children stronger, more innovative, and resilient. We don’t know what fresh
hope or challenges the fall will bring, but whatever they may be, we will be
ready. We will be ready together.
While we look towards the new
school year, we need to say goodbye to some of our dear teachers. Mrs. Lock and
Mrs. Edlin have announced that they will be retiring at the end of the summer. Both
Mrs. Lock and Mrs. Edlin have been integral members of the JRPS staff for many
years, shaping countless young minds and spirits, while sharing their personal
milestones with our staff. We wish you both the best in the weeks, months, and
years to come. We also will say goodbye to Mrs. Taylor who has transferred to
Barbara Reid P.S.. We are sorry to see her go, and know that BRPS will soon
know how lucky they are to have landed such a talented and reflective
practitioner. Mrs. Shervington will be leaving us for a short while as she
embarks on the next chapter in her life: motherhood! Congratulations Mrs.
Shervington, we can’t wait to meet your new little one. Mr. Rivard and Ms.
Capone will continue their work within the board, and perhaps our paths will cross
again in the fall, but if not, we wish them all the best and a soft place to
land in September. We will miss all of you as you continue on your new
journeys, wear your Raven feathers proudly wherever you are.
We will be welcoming two new
teaching staff in the fall. Mr. Lee and Ms. McMartin will join our team, both
with a wealth of experience as elementary educators. Welcome to the Raven’s
Nest!
As you move into 'summer
mode' soon, please remember to take the time to read, write, celebrate the
arts, dabble in science, and do math with your children. This will help
your children retain all of the gains they have accomplished this school
year…and of course, remember to have FUN!
We wish you a safe, happy,
healthy summer.
