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From the General
Secretary
by Shaun MacCormac
DEAR
SANTA
Hi Santa. I hope you’ve had a
great year. Things have been busy here in Prince Edward Island and
all those involved in education have been pretty nice this year, so
I’ll be asking for lots of stuff on their behalf. The list is a bit
long, Santa, so let me begin.
Like I say each year, my requests are all with good intent, Santa, I
know that all of these people work hard and do the best that they
can for the children of this province.
I’ll start, as usual, with the staff here at Federation House. The
people here are awesome Santa, so feel free to give them so much
more than what I ask for.
President Gilles Arsenault: A helicopter, Santa, to transport him
back and forth from the office every day. It’s a bit of a trip by
car. He’ll also need it to go back and forth to all the hockey games
his three boys play too, Santa. Now that I think about it, you might
want to throw in a gas card as well. Leave him a gold star too,
Santa. He is off to a great start here at Federation House. He is
doing a great job at representing the teachers of this province.
Michel Plamondon: A bigger house. The girls are gone, Santa, but
they keep coming back and now have children in tow. Throw in a table
for twenty, so they can all come at the same time. He’s a calm and
peaceful man, Santa; he can take the periodic uproar.
Bob MacRae: Frommer’s Travel Guides to everywhere, Santa. I’m sure
Bob and Diane will be doing lots of travel once he retires this
school year. He has worked hard and long for the Federation Santa.
We all wish him a long, healthy and happy retirement.
Sheila, Marion and Lisa: Our favorite people around here, Santa.
It’s always tough to find the right gift for them. For Sheila, a
limousine and driver, and a pair of heated long johns. Her daughter
plays hockey from one end of the Island to the other, Santa. For
Marion, the world’s best coffee maker and a year’s supply of the
world’s best coffee. She loves her coffee, Santa, and she deserves
the best. For Lisa, a fairytale castle to live in, Santa. She has
two little girls who would love being princesses all day. Throw in a
maid or two Santa. I want her to be able to enjoy it as well.
For the Provincial Government:
Robert Ghiz: Some time to enjoy his girls, Santa. I’m sure his job
takes him away from them much more than he likes. A gold star would
be appropriate here too, Santa. He has continued to be supportive of
teachers and continues to work towards a better educational system
in PEI. He will have a lot to consider during this school year,
Santa. Both the Teacher Workload and Teacher Allocation Committee
and the Education Governance Committee report to government, Santa.
He will have a lot to consider and some major decisions to make. We
look forward to many positive changes.
Alan McIsaac: A relaxing December, Santa. His portfolio will get
even busier in the New Year. He will have many recommendations to
consider, and although he is not a teacher, we know he is a very
capable person with lots of experience in many areas. He also has
many educators in his family, Santa. I’m sure they will keep him
grounded in his very important role.
Wes Sheridan: Speaking of educators in the family, I’m sure that the
Provincial Treasurer is constantly aware of the on-going issues in
education in PEI. May that awareness help keep education at the top
of the spending list in this province. There are many great reasons
for this to occur – the future of Island students being at the top.
The Official Opposition: More elected members was a start, Santa. A
strong opposition is rarely a bad thing. Provide them with lots of
information to protect our education system, Santa, and help them
keep the government accountable for the decision they make.
The Department of Education:
Dr. Sandy MacDonald: An office with lots of wall space, Santa. There
are going to be so many proposed changes to our system, Santa, that
the Deputy Minister will needs lots of charts, diagrams and notes
for him to look at and consider. Provide him with the proverbial
“wisdom of Solomon” to help him guide the Department and government
to a better system of education in this province.
The Staff: Seat belts and helmets, Santa. It’s going to be a wild
ride as changes are discussed and eventually implemented. Of course,
education is always a bit of a wild ride, so they may already have
these things, Santa. If that is the case, how about a restful and
relaxing holiday season. I am sure they deserve it.
School Boards:
Ricky Hood: Remember a couple of Christmas’ ago I asked for Ricky to
have a long, happy and healthy retirement? I’m not sure if you
aren’t giving him this because he has been naughty rather than nice,
but we all do appreciate his commitment to education in this
province. He continues to lead the Eastern School District, Santa,
in a positive way and we certainly are not in any rush to see him
go. Hats off to Patsy MacLean, too Santa! She has done a phenomenal
job in very tough circumstances and has proven to be a wise choice
as the appointed trustee of this board.
Jane McMillan: You already gave her a great gift, Santa; she is now
on PEI full time. We offer her a warm welcome, Santa, and we are
looking forward to working with her. I still don’t know a lot about
her Santa, so I’m not sure what to ask for. I think a restful and
relaxing holiday season would probably be appreciated.
Gilles Benoit: More resources, Santa. He manages a small board with
many challenges. Like the other superintendents, a restful and
relaxing holiday is very deserved.
Teachers:
The best for last, Santa. This list could take up another whole
article. I think simply a well-deserved holiday full of friends,
family, laughter and joy, Santa. The job that teachers and
administrators do is amazing. It does sap your energy sometimes
though, Santa, so help them re-charge their batteries for January to
June.
Remind them Santa that although it isn’t always apparent, students,
parents and the public are very thankful for the effort and caring
that they put into their jobs. They should be proud of what they do.
Have a restful and happy holiday. Be good to yourselves, your
students, and your fellow teachers. |
