Recognition & Celebration

June 1 was a day of recognition & celebration at Inuujaq School.  The perfect way to start the month. 

The day began with staff arriving in the early morning to prepare food in the Home Ec Room and setup the gym for the first assembly.  Staff cut & prepared large assortments of fruits, vegetables, meats, and hardboiled eggs, and then carried them to the gym.  I helped in the gym, setting up tables, plates, sound system, chairs, and garbage cans.  Several teachers taped large posters on the gym walls.  The food was divided amongst the paper plates.  This would make distribution easier & faster.  Everything was ready to go before the ringing of the first bell.

The morning assembly was dedicated to recognizing & celebrating the 43-year educational career of Morty, highlighting her many achievements, and to wish her a happy retirement.

The assembly began at 10:00am.  Parents, guardians, and community members were invited to attend.  The principal welcomed everyone, and the high school Inuktitut teacher led everyone in a short prayer.  Morty was given a comfortable red chair to sit, giving her a front row seat to the festivities in her honour.

A group of students performed a square dance.  The routine was energetic, fun, and lasted for about 10 minutes.  It’s quite impressive to see young kids able to dance that long without a break.  I was told some routines last much longer.  Morty and the audience clapped along to the music while the dancers showed off their skills.

The principal continued the assembly with a prepared congratulatory speech to Morty for her many years of dedication and hard work in Inuit education.  An Inuit staff member translated the words into Inuktitut for the unilingual audience members.  (Morty is bilingual).  The principal led everyone in giving Morty a standing ovation at the end of his speech.

Former students of Morty, many of whom are on school staff, did a short celebratory dance with Morty.  The dance was spontaneous, but she appreciated it.

The head of the local District Education Authority (DEA) did short congratulatory speech and rewarded Morty with several gifts.  The Grade 2 class continued the assembly by singing a few songs in Inuktitut and playing the Inuit drum.

Inuujaq School staff posed with Morty for group photograph.  Staff were also invited to say a few words about their time working with Morty and if they wanted to publicly wish her a wonderful retirement.  This invitation was also extended to community members in attendance.

Morty was given the opportunity to address everyone in the gym.  She thanked everyone for coming to the assembly, supporting her through the years, and was glad to see her former students succeed.  She also stated she was glad to have chosen a career in education.

The assembly finished with a breakfast meal.  Well, it was more of a brunch based on the time the plates were handed out.  The food still tasted good.

The second assembly was Kindergarten Graduation.  The students and their parents/guardians & teacher were excited.  Everyone assembled in the gym in the afternoon.  A row of 10 red chairs were placed at the front of the gym for the graduates.  The kindergarteners were led into the gym wearing their blue graduation gowns.  They took their seats while the audience applauded.

Congratulatory speeches were made by principal, vice-principal, and the kindergarten teacher.  They also wished the kindergarteners all the best in Grade 1 and beyond.  The teacher called her students individually to receive a certificate and have their picture taken with her in front of a large poster.  I took the individual and group photographs.  The audience gave the kindergarteners a standing ovation.