Final day of classes a time to reflect at McDermid School

With students itching to get their holidays started, there usually isn’t much writing or arithmetic happening during the countdown to summer.

However, that doesn’t mean the final days of school go to waste.

Kim Engel is vice-principal of McDermid Community School and also teaches French. She said this time of year is used to bid farewell to graduating and departing students. It also gives kids a sense of closure.

“We give them opportunities to write notes to their next-year teacher (and) what they want them to know about them,” Engel said on The Greg Morgan Morning Show on Thursday. “They can reflect on the year and we just have fun together. It’s a time of lots of hugs and giggles.”

Parents will also participate in the year-end ritual, bearing gifts for teachers.

Engel’s favourites are those that students have created. One that sticks out is a woodburning picture a student had made of their school. That picture has been hanging in Engel’s office for 20 years.

Another time, a student made a book of well wishes.

“They listed all their wishes for me, complete with illustrations and my favourite was that if I won the lottery, that would be wonderful but please keep on teaching,” she said.

It’s a nice reminder of the best part of the job.

“That’s what keeps you going, making a difference in a person’s life,” Engel said. “(It’s) the toughest job in the world but (it’s gratifying) when you make a difference in a little person’s life and you run into them with their families … and they remember you because of how you made them feel.”