Claire and I have been in Thunder Bay for a couple of days to visit the high school featured in the Fifth Estate documentary from before Christmas. An opportunity for us to visit the school arose in November and was intended for us to connect with the teachers and get a feel for the procedures and expectations some of our students will soon face. We had an excellent day and are glad for little time spent at the school. We had the chance to see the five students from last year who are now attending the high school. Their reception of us was quite surprising, given some of their histories towards us.
The high school is pretty small. The enrollment in September was 156 and is now down to 100. The principal, in a meeting with us, said that they had told 25 students to not come back after the Christmas break. Many of the 56 students that are no longer at DFC were removed for 'health and safety reasons.' The principal showed us a cache of needles (at least 75), small propane tanks, and several other contraband items that were taken from a student just before Christmas.
During the day the school had a short assembly to go over expectations and help motivate the students for the second semester. What a job the principal did! Claire and I sat back and felt like we were at the movies watching a Hollywood scene where the coach is rallying the troops. The principal stood up at the front and told it like it was. He started by explaining that there was a noticeable difference in that 25 people were missing. He then congratulated the students who had any success last semester. One student had received all four credits, his first time in 6 years. Another student is on pace to graduate this May, after 7 years at the school. The principal then went into a speech about how they are looked down upon by the outside and how they are different. He noted the successes the teams have had the past year. Earning a 4th place finish of 20 schools in a boat race and a 6th place finish of 12 schools in a city-wide Science Fair. One student was going to Minneapolis to compete in a large Judo tournament. The assembly was short, only 20 minutes, but he had managed to get the blood pumping in at least two audience members.
It was refreshing to see a school where the leader is competent. Our principal had accompanied us for the trip, even though there was nothing for him to do. We had not received any information regarding the start time for school so we decided to go for 8:45 am. When we arrived and our contact finally showed up he had asked if Johnson had given the agenda he had faxed up last week. Of course Johnson knew nothing about it.
The school was quite unique. With the advantage of only having 100 students, there was a sense of community that would not be present in a larger high school. After only 1 day, Claire and I had already connected with most of the students and staff. In the assembly there was a sense of pride among the students. They clapped for each other and seemed to care for the little achievements.
We were thankful for the opportunity and chance to see first0hand the next step for our students. On a separate note, Deer Lake had a day off because the water was not working during the morning. Figures...the one day we are out of the community, the school is cancelled.
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