We are enjoying having the grade 5 students at the middle school! They have been at our campus for almost two months now and feel right at home. Even though the COVID-19 restrictions allow limited interaction with the grade 5 students and teachers, we are so glad they are here! So, we want to share [...]
BY KIRSI ANTUNES, SCHOOL COUNSELLOR The beginning of the new school year started with excitement and trepidation. I am excited about beginning my position as the new school counsellor at ACS, something I had not imagined happening even though I had been a parent in the community for five years. Many unexpected turns in the [...]
My final blog of the year, and the end of my first year as principal…what do I want to share? One simple word. Thanks! Everyone I talk to seem to pity me to some degree: “Wow! This is an intense first year!” “I bet you didn’t anticipate being a principal during COVID-19!” “How are you [...]
BY THE MIDDLE SCHOOL STAFF What a year! It felt like a brand new school year began in April. We all stretched ourselves in many ways! Thinking of an entirely new way of doing school, connecting with our students virtually, and discovering that we are more flexible and gracious than we ever thought we could [...]
Celebrate first. That’s the motto to live by. But it goes against my nature to celebrate when the hand dryers are blasting 150dB of noise in 10-second spurts between explosions of chatter from the seemingly thousands of children who use those bathrooms and dryers right when I need to try and write a blog. Instead [...]
After a six hour drive from our home near Toronto to Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, my dad let me out of the car. This was the beginning of a significant new chapter in my life—I was leaving home and going to college! After a few hugs and “go-get-em’s,” I headed off to my [...]
Being in the middle school is an opportunity to see students grow and change almost daily. My favourite memory this school year was sailing with one of the grade 8 classes. I was witness again, to students growing confidence and a willingness to try something new and difficult. Some students climbed higher in the shrouds [...]
As I see the runway steadily approaching and becoming clearer in the distance, I find myself contemplating the landing less and less. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve been asked, “So how are you feeling about your retirement?” or something similar. This is a very difficult question and one, truthfully, that bears [...]
On the first day of vacation, my children brought to me; a tree that is slowly leaning On the second day of vacation, my children brought to me; two found report cards On the third day of vacation, my children brought to me; three half-full lunch kits On the fourth day of vacation, my children [...]
This week we find ourselves saying a lot of good-byes. While we can't wait for that final bell to ring, signalling the end of another year and the start of the lazy days of summer, it's bittersweet. Because every year we grow attached to another set of amazing teachers. They've guided our kids, gone above [...]
