Speech to Retirees
I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak to you tonight and
what a wonderful occasion to do so. It’s an opportunity that doesn’t
come around too often, so I want to make the most of it.
The number of years of service to the Bluewater Board represented in
this room is quite amazing. I’m sure the number would be astronomical
and could probably compete with Tim Hudak’s version of number of
jobs. And the variations of that service are amazing too. While teachers
are the largest in number, the many other positions represented are no
less important and we couldn’t do without any one of them. And what’s
more, all of you are doing your part in ensuring that our students get
the best possible education, not only academically, but also physically,
emotionally, and spiritually. And by spiritually I mean the deeper
meanings and dimensions of life – many of which our students
encounter as they marvel at the miracle of a butterfly emerging from its
chrysalis, are enthralled viewing the teaming life to be seen under
water, or are awed observing a sky ablaze with billions of stars.
Our students, from Junior Kindergarten to Grade Twelve are the centre
of why we are all here. You have spent countless hours attending to
their needs, learning how to do even more for them, and maybe even
sleepless nights worrying about them, whether directly or indirectly. If
only they really knew what all of you do for them! In our education
centre our payroll clerks make sure all employees get their welldeserved compensation so they are able to get to work or feed their
families; our admin assistants make sure our superintendents get to
their meetings or school visits to offer support to frazzled principals or
teachers; our custodians, who know what’s really going on in their
schools, keep them safe and clean for the students, to say nothing of
occasionally lending a sympathetic ear to a confused student; our IT
technicians answer the frantic call of a teacher whose laptop has
malfunctioned just when students are expecting their marks; and our
office professionals keep tabs not only on the whereabouts of all their
students but also their principal, the overseer of the whole school. We
know you do all of these things and more every day – and we are so
grateful that you do. All these many people doing so many different
things make up this whole system called the Bluewater District School
Board and all are engaged in helping ensure our students’ achievement
and well-being. Our thanks are boundless!
What a wonderful avocation in the service of our youth – and you all do
it so well, with such dedication, with such perseverance, and with such
caring – caring for the young people who will one day take their places
in the community and maybe do a better job of making a better world
than we have. Much of what they will become is because of all the
people around them as they made the journey through their schools –
because of you. We acknowledge you, we appreciate you, and we
thank you so much for all you do.
To those who have already spent 20, 25, 30 or more years with
Bluewater, we thank you for all your hard work and your willingness to
carry on and keep on giving in the service of our kids. To those who are
retiring, you have given some of the best times of your lives, and now
you are ready to move on, to find other ways of giving to your
communities – like maybe running for a school board trustee......... after
a few years of vacation have lost their sheen.
Some of you I have met or have known for some time, perhaps from
before my time on the Bluewater board; some I have got to know on
various committees or as administrators at my schools, and some I just
recognize as persons I have met before; others I do not know but wish I
did. I hear good things about so many of you, and I’m sorry we are
saying goodbye to those who are leaving us – to such talented and
knowledgeable people. I feel all these wonderful people around me and
feel honoured to be part of this learning organization, part of this
massive body of people learning so much themselves and making this
board better all the time.
I know working for a school board has its ups and downs, but hopefully
the ups have been more memorable than the downs; and maybe we
learn something from the downs in the end. But giving so much for the
sake of our kids I hope provides enough satisfaction to last a long time.
And I hope I can give you some sense of how much you are
appreciated, not just during education week but all year long. I know I
cannot say thank you with all the gratitude I feel, with enough gratitude
to make you feel truly appreciated. But know that I have tried.
Congratulations to all of you for achieving such impressive milestones. I
wish you all the very best in the coming year, whether still on the job or
whether lounging around your pool or on the golf course. May your
days be rewarding and your nights refreshing. May all your problems
be small ones and those you love be near you. And I hope I see you
again sometime.