WOW!  What an amazing spread there was today at the Staff Appreciation Lunch.  Thank you to all the families who brought in all the delicious food.  We all filled our bellies, more than we should have perhaps, but we enjoyed every last bite.  Most of us packed up a plate to put in the fridge for our lunches tomorrow.  Also thank you to the parents who took time out of their day to set up and clean up after the lunch. The door prizes were also a nice treat and the staff who picked a winning candy flower will enjoy their prizes.

This afternoon we enjoyed a year end music performance by our Grade 6 and 7 students, led by our Music Teacher Mr. Wiens, as well as the School Choir, led by Mrs. Skinner.  Congratulations to all the students on your dedication throughout the year as you worked to improve your musical ability.

Friday, June 14th was another successful Sports Day. Thanks to the Grade 7 students for their hard work preparing and organizing the morning stations. The new Tug-O-War rope added some extra fun and suspense to the afternoon. Thank you to all the staff for their enthusiasm which helped to make the day a success. I would also like to say a big thank you to the PAC and all the volunteers who worked at the concession keeping us all fed and hydrated. The day was another example of the Gray community working together to provide a fun event for our students and their families. I consider myself lucky to have been a part of this great school community over the past year and I will leave with fond memories of everyone.

On Friday, June 21st at 9:15 a.m., we will be honouring our Grade Seven students. At this time, The Gray Award will be given to those students receiving recognition for their contributions to the school and the work that they have done in their studies. It is also the time for us to acknowledge the end of elementary school for the Grade Sevens as they move on to high school. This is a bittersweet day as we are happy to see our senior students transition into the wider world but we are also sad to say goodbye to them.  I would like to acknowledge the Grade 7 Year End Planning Committee for all their hard work making this day a special one for the students and their parents.

On behalf of the entire staff, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the members of the PAC Executive. Their hard work and dedication to the school has helped to build the strong sense of community we have here at Gray. Because of their commitment, coupled with the support of the entire parent community, the students will be enjoying a brand new reading space in our Library. Through their fundraising efforts they have also enriched the learning of our students by funding field trips, art performances and much more.

The last day of school for students is Thursday, June 27th. Students will be dismissed at 10:30 a.m.
We will have an assembly at 9:15 a.m. at which time a short video highlighting the year’s activities will be shown. Parents are welcome to attend the assembly. Following the assembly, students will return to their classrooms to receive their report cards and say their goodbyes.

I am not the only staff member to be saying goodbye to the Gray Community this year. There are other staff members that will not be returning to Gray next year. We say goodbye to the following staff members and wish them luck in their new assignments next year.

Ms. Li                     Education Assistant
Ms. H. Randhawa  Education Assistant
Mrs. K. Silverwood Education Assistant
Mrs. Bradley          Counsellor
Ms. Ackerman       Learning Support Teacher
Ms. Bhalhru           Grade 2 Teacher
Ms. Guloien           Kindergarten Teacher
Ms. Hodgins          Grade 3 Teacher
Ms. Minci               Grade 4 Teacher
Ms. Olak                Grade 4 Teacher
Ms. Zlotnik             Grade 5/6 Teacher
Mrs. Vogel             Grade 6 Teacher – Congratulations on her assignment to Vice Principal at MCloskey
I would also like to congratulate Mr. Klassen on his appointment to Principal.

School will begin again on Tuesday, September 3, 2019. Students will attend 9:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m. that day. School Supply Lists have been posted to the homepage of our website. If you ordered your school supplies through Pharmasave, the orders will be delivered to the school in September and will be given to your child within the first few days of school.

On behalf of the entire staff, I would like to thank all of our families for the support this year. We wish you all a safe, relaxing and enjoyable summer break.

Warren Zerbe
Principal