This will be the last post of the 2014-2015 school year. What a year. Time went by faster than I could have ever imagined. This is due in no small part to the awesome students I had the pleasure of working with this year. It was a great experience working with every new GCHS Grade 9 in Visual Arts, helping students improve their English and literacy skills, and expanding cultural knowledge in Aboriginal Studies. After months of hard work, followed by culminating activities and exams, it’s now time to enjoy summer. However, summer doesn’t mean you should stop learning.

• Maintain a blog or website. Keep writing. It could be poetry, your thoughts and reflections, short stories, song lyrics – whatever, as long as you play with words.
• Take some time to enjoy art. Your smartphone is also a powerful camera. We live among some pretty amazing scenery. Take pictures and tell stories with them.
• Practice art. Find a cheap set of watercolour paints or pencil crayons. Take some time over the summer to expand your techniques and develop your own style.
• Find a good book. The Greenstone Public Library has branches throughout our communities and have all kinds of great titles – and they can order ones for you, too!

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone in September. For those of you moving off to college, university, or the world of work, I wish you the best of luck in your endeavours. Come back and visit. Otherwise, enjoy your summer, be safe, keep learning, and have fun.