Be patient, be kind.
One year of living and working with the Covid-19 safety protocols, and following the advice of Dr. Heather Morrison to be patient and kind, continues to be important within our schools across P.E.I.
The P.E.I. Home and School Federation, which is honoured to present Extra Mile Awards across PEI each February, sees how important kind words of appreciation and thanks can mean within local schools.
With the province in this most recent circuit breaker and students and staff face additional challenges and stress, take time to appreciate the staff, teachers and students.
Write a note and include something specific that makes them stand out. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or fancy, just a nice way to show they are appreciated.
For encouragement, here are a few quotes from the 2021 Extra Mile Award citations:
“Melissa MacKinnon (Mt. Stewart Consolidated) has helped me change my life and shown me that the world is not so bad; there are opportunities that are waiting for me; she has motivated me to be the best student I could be; she told me that I believe in you and she told me the sky’s a limit and she changed my life.”
“Sharon Gordon (Southern Kings Consolidated) has been at this school for several years and takes pride in her daily routines, wanting to ensure the school is welcoming to community members, parents and students. People feel better about coming to work and learn in this school because one person actively engages in creating a loving, caring space at Southern Kings Consolidated”
“Robert Holmes (Gulf Shore Consolidated) is a team player, always ready and willing to help anyone in our school, staff or student, no matter the need. He is the first to notice when a student is having an “off” day, and it is not an uncommon sight to see him pull a student aside for a chat, not afraid to put the academics aside for the moment to help them through a problem.”
“Shelley Tremere (Kinkora High) helps behind the scenes to improve the high school experience for all students at KRHS, such as sending sympathy and get-well cards, proofreading students’ scholarship applications, and helping students prepare resumes.”
“John Doucette (East Wiltshire) is a champion for the underdog and the overachiever and spends time ensuring everyone gets a chance to shine and put their best foot forward. This man has given so much more than constitutes his job!”
Each year at the annual meeting and Convention, a Home and School volunteer is recognized for volunteer efforts in their local school with the Steve McQuaid Volunteer of the Year. Life Membership is considered annually, but recognition will not necessarily be made every year. Home and Schools are to review award criteria and submit nominations by March 19. Access nomination information online at: https://peihsf.ca/agm
Contact the Federation office at: 620-3186 / 1-800-916-0664 / peihsf@edu.pe.ca if you have questions about the content of this column.