By Rachael Orford
Happy Canada Day everyone!
Not only is it the last day of June today, but it is also the last day of school! A whole year of school has passed. I don’t know where the time went.
Speaking of where time went, the Grade 8s had their graduation last Friday, June 23. The ceremony started at 7 pm and a dance followed until 11 pm. There are 18 graduates this year. The graduates include: Michael Bailey, Rory Dearing, Lexxie Fawcett, Kyle Greenman, Austin Hayden, Chase Hester, Jacob Kennedy, Malia Leighton, Dylan Lockhart, Lauren MacKay, Gwenyth McLeod, Ayriell Nodecker, Macy Pearson, Nick Purvis, Nathan Temple, Kyle Wood, Sylena Wright and Bailey Yaschuk-Middaugh. Awards handed out on Friday included the Citizenship, Participation, Academic, and the Mark Ford Memorial Award. Malia Leighton gave the Valedictorian speech, and Ayriell Nodecker’s grandmother made a cake with all of the graduates’ names on it! A video recapping the graduating students’ years at C.C. McLean was also played. Most of the students in Grade 8, started at C.C. McLean in J.K. Good Luck to everyone in High School!
Now, for the students that still have a few more years of elementary school left. Primary Track and Field was held on June 20. Despite the few quick rain showers throughout the day, the students, teachers, and volunteers had a great day. Not only students from C.C. McLean participated, but students from Sheshegwaning. In the six-year-old girls’ division, Bronze went to Bella Beckett; Silver, Brynn Best; and Gold, Joey Ruyter. Six-year-old boys, Bronze, Jack Hartin; Silver, Michael Harper, and Gold, Ronan Bentley. Seven-year-old girls, Bronze, Shae Dickson; Silver, Niomi Tomaselli; and Gold, Tegan Oliver. Seven-year-old boys, Bronze, Tristin Cyr; Silver, Jeffery Harper; and Gold, Lucas Laquerre. Eight-year-old girls, Bronze, Naiema Joseph; Silver, Lily Cunningham; and Gold, Fia Flanagan. Eight-year-old boys, Bronze, Landon Seifried; Silver, Kyle Nodecker; and a tie for Gold, Ethan Witty and Jackson Chevrette.
For the last few weeks, students in the Art Club that is run by Mrs. Runnalls have been working on a mural for the school. The art club has partnered up with 4elements from Kagawong. Mira Jones from 4elements came to help and guide the art club through the process of making this mural to promote inclusion and equity at our school. After weeks of discussion, planning and painting. The mural is finished! The mural is a birch tree looking over a lake and hills. The mural also has night and day aspects. Each student and staff member made their own leaf to be attached to the tree. Artists include Mrs. Runnalls, Mira Jones, Bella Jefkins, Rachael Orford, Jenna Shank, Caleigh Quinlan, Mary Hore, Jordan Bailey, Gwenyth McLeod, Cassandra Temple, Logan Sampson, Lia Laquerre and Caden McFarlane.
Speaking of a painting…
Artist 1: Have you heard about the old painting that died?
Artist 2: No.
Artist 1: It had too many strokes.
This past week has been busy with cleaning and school trips. The Grade 8s headed off to Collingwood for a three-day trip from Tuesday to Thursday. Also on Tuesday, the Grades 6 and 7, went to Sudbury for the Tango Tower at Laurentian University, and swimming. Then they went to Science North for a movie in the IMAX Theatre.
Now that everyone is settled back in after all the class trips, students gathered in the gym for the Awards Day ceremony, today, June 30. Certificates and awards were given out to students. Bus patrols were also recognized. The video that was shown at the Grade 8 graduation was replayed for the whole school.
Report cards also are going home today! Parents: please make sure your kid(s) give you their final report card. They have the whole summer to explain their marks!
In September, there will be many staff changes. Ms. Burlein is retiring, and long time secretary, Mrs. Wright, is retiring after 33 years at C.C. McLean. Mrs. Jefkins, Mr. Lindsay and Mr. Hachey will be teaching at other schools next year. We will miss all of you!
Just to put on your calendar: (Not sure if you kids will inform you)
The first day of school will be on Wednesday, September 6.
After starting this column in February, I have received many cards and compliments, and if I haven’t had a chance to thank you face-to-face, thank you! Thank you to all my readers, supporters and thank you to all the people that have made this possible. And don’t worry, to all my readers, I hope to continue writing this column starting again in September.
Final jokes of the week: Why didn’t the sun go to college? Because it already had a million degrees!
What did one tide pool say to the other tide pool? Show me your mussels.
Have a safe and happy summer vacation everyone! Until September, “Dream and Believe. Learn and Achieve!”
