Students on Staff Appreciation Week

Voices of Gratitude: Students Reflect on Staff Appreciation Week

by Marilyn Santucci

For Staff Appreciation Week, we sat down with students from Edgewater Elementary and St. John Fisher Elementary Jr. to hear what makes their teachers, school staff, and school so special.

Angele, Grade 5, Edgewater Elementary

What makes learning at your school special and fun?

I love how they always encourage us to do our best no matter what. It feels like a family at my school. They motivate us and make learning fun. The best part is having your friends learn with you.

What is your favourite part of the school day?

The morning when we all come together! In my English class we all sit in a circle and talk about what our day will look like. The teachers always start the day with a happy message that motivates us.

Aiden, Grade 2, St. John Fisher Jr.

How does that staff help you at school?

They help us whenever we have trouble. Every time we get hurt, they are always there for us. I like how they are really gentle when they speak to me and they are really kind and important to the school because if we didn’t have teachers, it wouldn’t be a school! Everyone is super kind to me.

What is something you have accomplished that makes you proud?

I like doing math and our teachers are really kind when we are having trouble. I like French because every day I am learning something new and I am really proud of that.

Harlow, K-5, St John Fisher Jr.

What is your favourite part of the school day?

I love playing outside! I enjoy shoveling and looking for dinosaur bones. I haven’t found any yet, but I know I will. I also love art so much. We made polar bears with tissue paper and other stuff and we paint them all by ourselves.

What is your favourite thing that your teacher does for you?

Read stories to me and I love it. I can actually read a story on my own, its called “La grenouille”. My teacher helped me learn how to read and speak in French and I am so proud!

Delilah, Grade 5, Edgewater Elementary

What or who makes your school feel like a safe space?

The caretaker always makes sure out school is clean and safe. They clean the snow for us, put salt when it’s icy so we don’t slip and hurt ourselves and that makes me feel safe.

The staff and teachers at school make the environment safe for us by helping us whenever we need help, being there for us in times to need and always listening to us when we need someone to listen.

Riley, Grade 2, St, John Fisher Jr.

What is your favourite part of the school day?

My favourite part of the day is going math and playing outside! I love math because we keep doing it until we understand it and get better. I like playing with my friends. We play soccer and hide and go seek. My teachers are always there for me when I need help.

Runi, K-5, St. John Fisher Jr.

What is your favourite thing to do at school?

I like when we go skating and we have outdoor play! I love reaching books. I like reading “If you give a mouse a cookie”, “If you take a mouse to school”, “If you give a dog a donut” and “If you give a pig a party”.

What is your favourite subject in school?

I like doing art and when we have to find letters and words. We also cook with our teacher and its so fun. We made lemonade, rice crispies, cookies, gingerbread, and chicken noodle soup!

Patrick, Grade 5, Edgewater Elementary

What or who makes your school feel welcoming?

The resource staff help children with disabilities and help them progress. I work with one of the English Language aids and they help me with writing. I also like all my friends and they are always there to support me. My school lets us play soccer at recess and we have tournaments.

Lucy, Grade 2, St. John Fisher Jr.

What do you love about your school?

I like recess a lot! I always have fun in the snow with Riley. I also love doing digital literacy because we get to work on Canva. I like making stuff. Everyone is super kind and the teachers are really nice.

What is something you have accomplished that makes you feel proud?

When I am having trouble with a math question and then I figure it out, it makes me proud because I worked hard and figured it out on my own!

Anthony, Grade 5, Edgewater Elementary

What do you love most about your school?

I like all my classes. Gym because it’s fun, math because I am good at it, and science and b because I learn something new every day. I also love playing soccer with my friends during recess and how our school has tournaments.

Nate, Grade 2, St. John Fisher Jr.

What is your favourite subject in school?

Math and physical education but I really enjoy learning French. It’s another language and it’s really fun to learn. I am really proud that if someone is French and they don’t know English, I can speak with them. I am also really proud of myself because I never give up!