This week, my girly headed to a new
school. Actually, it is high school that is now upon her. She was filled with
excitement, anticipation and a little bit of nervousness for a new and
wonderful time in her life and I hope that her dreams are fulfilled.
Because we live on a farm in a rural
area that does not house a senior high, my children are bussed to another town for high school. Not
too many years ago, we almost didn’t have an elementary or junior high school.
Sixteen years ago, when we moved to
my husband’s family farm, I was expecting Jillian and received a call from a
principal from a neighbouring school, informing me that my community school was
about to be closed due to decreasing enrolment. He asked me if I was interested
in coming to a meeting about it. My son Max was a preschooler and with a baby
on the way, I could no more imagine school for them than much else that has
come their way, but I chose to go to the meeting.
With a lot of hard work,
determination and perseverance, the school closed for one day and was reopened
the next, through another district. Each year, no one knew whether it would
stay open or not but we chose, as a community, to offer as much support
financially and otherwise to save and keep it. I am in awe that we have created an amazing little country,
family oriented school.
I had no idea that my children, now
in grade 10 and 12, would be able to attend their local community school for
the entire time that they needed to, but it happened and I am grateful.
Now, it is time to move in a
different circle and support a new school as much as I supported my children’s
early years school.
Thank you Mother Teresa School and the community of
Halkirk for all of these fabulous years!  |
| Mother Teresa School in Halkirk |
