One of the best parts of June is attending all of the graduation ceremonies in our schools. There is such a great energy and these events are full of nostalgia and excitement. I have used this space several times before to share some of the messages I have left with students as I got to address the grad classes. And I want to wrap-up this school year by doing that again.
In all the talk of schools being slow to change, I am struck how students are driving change around two key social issues of our time – that of Indigenous Education and Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. As adults move slowly, students just move and seem almost confused about why we are waiting.
The other topic I come back to this year is the positive choice so many families are making for public education. In a community where families have more options than in most other places in the country our families overwhelmingly choose public education. They see what their children get from a public school education, and equally important what they contribute to the system through their participation.
Taking out some of the school specific notes and other pleasantries, here are some of my key notes from this year’s grad speeches I have given:
I began doing the job of Superintendent when this year’s graduates were in grade 4. And while you may know me best as the person responsible for not giving you any snow days during this period of time, I have had the chance to see our schools really change.
Your graduation looks very different from when I spoke to graduates in 2011.
I want to highlight two key social areas, really where you and your fellow students have shown the way for the adults.
The first area is Indigenous Education. During your time in our schools we have moved from Indigenous Education being something that is studied in grade 4 and 11 to something that is integrated in all of our work. We started with cultural projects, but moved to real human connections. We were guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Report in our country, and students, like you, have led the way. We are on the way to Reconciliation because of your leadership – helping guide the adults. I am a Social Studies teacher, and 20 years ago, never mentioned Residential Schools in my classes, we all know now its place as part of our history.
The other area I want to highlight is another issue of social importance, the work around sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI). When you started school, there were arguments in British Columbia around books in schools which showed a range of different families. We have come a long way and again students like you have led the way. Conversations from washrooms, to gay-straight alliance clubs to curriculum that teaches our diversity have at times seemed hard for the adults, but again not for the students. When I am told that young people don’t have a huge impact on our values – I see the SOGI work and know they are wrong. You have made our schools more open, more tolerant and more loving than they were even a decade ago.
And your steadfast commitments going forward will ensure the few loud voices around us who want to move us backwards will not win the day.
So, some things have changed – but others haven’t. We are so deeply proud of our public schools in our community.
I know families have choices they can make on school – and my thanks to all of you for choosing public schools. Whether you are going to work, for a gap year or off to college or university we hope you are academically prepared and more importantly prepared to be citizens for our world.
It is cliché, but it takes a community. In West Vancouver, which is really like a small town, it takes the outstanding staff, committed and supportive parents, and dedicated students to make this system flourish.
My thanks to all of you for doing your parts.
It is a great honour to serve as Superintendent in West Vancouver. We have the reputation as the finest education system in the country. And each day I see it come alive in our schools – from academics, to athletics to the arts. Thank you all for your contributions to this reputation and to our community.
Thanks again for reading, engaging and challenging this year here on Culture of Yes. I will likely drop in for a post or two in the summer and back at full capacity in September.
Happy Summer.
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