In many cities and towns students who are going into high school from junior high are going to a new school as well.

Memories from junior high are many and year books are filled with comments from students who are saying goodbye to each other as they go off to different schools.

I attended grad ceremonies last Friday for my grade 9 student and 129 students were presented with their graduation certificates. Most students found that a bit boring but were looking forward to the dance which started after dinner that evening. The awards which were given out after the grad certificates were received by the students were interesting and many students were honored. Certificates were handed out to the honor students as well. The girls were extremely well dressed and most of the boys were too. The dance was a great success and fun for the students. It was organized for the students by the parents and no teachers were in attendance, which was by design. My son arrived home about midnight, tired but happy.

Now on to his new high school. It is a science and technology oriented high school with about 1,500 kids from grade 10 to grade 12. It also has the Advanced Placement (AP) Program and the Focus in Research, Science and Technology Program.
The open house at the school was very impressive. The students and teachers showed a real pride in their school and all classes and programs were well represented. The school: WP Wagner School in Edmonton.

Many classmates from the junior high school are going to the same high school as well, so it won't be an "alone" experience. Although I got the impression that the high school students I met at the open house would make the new students very welcome.

That's all for today.

Good teaching - good listening...

Cheers - Mike