Energy is high as local schools prepare for last day before summer break

Many students and teachers across Ontario are celebrating as Thursday is the last day of school before summer break.

As teachers prepare for the last day of school, it’s debatable who’s more excited for the summer — the teachers or the students.

While the energy on school campuses runs high, the last day of school can also be a little bittersweet.

“It’s exciting, a little bit bittersweet, because we spent the whole year building relationships with students, and for some students graduating Grade 8 this year, that’s been 10 years of relationship building at the school,” said Julie White, the Superintendent of Education at the Grand Erie District School Board. “Connections with their teachers, connections with their peers, saying goodbye to that, or it coming to an end can be a little bit bittersweet, but also really exciting because it’s a milestone for students as they finish each Grade, and exciting going into summer.”

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“Today’s just a great opportunity to reflect on a school year that’s wrapping up today, and celebrate the accomplishments that both staff and students have made all year long,” said Senior Manager of Communications for the Grand Erie District School Board Ryan Strang. “I think centrally we’re hearing a lot of success, a lot of happiness, a lot of celebration across the Grand Erie district.”

Of course, while educators want students to fully enjoy the summer, they suggest finding activities that keep them busy and to learn new things.

“We do want students to relax,” said White. “We want them to have a little bit of a break, time to connect with family and friends outside the school setting, whatever their summer brings for them, but also find different ways to learn over the summer — any new experiences they can engage in, I would definitely encourage that.”

Students can look forward to around 73 days of summer, before class restarts again Sept. 8, after Labour Day.

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