What an amazing few months we have had to end the school year. I want to begin by congratulating our Graduating students. They have shown remarkable leadership and have been a fine example of academic excellence, school service, and citizenship. This past month I had the opportunity to attend the Langley School District’s "Evening of Inspiration" where we recognized the top 10 Grade 12 students who demonstrate the core values of the Langley School District. Poppy’s students were very talented with many averages above 92% in highly intense academic loads, involvement in arts, athletics, school and community service and various other activities.
On Wednesday, June 11 we recognized our scholarship and bursary winners at the Langley Golf Centre. We are thankful to our sponsors and donors for supporting our graduates who are moving on to Post Secondary School. A list of our donors and winners is attached.
Our Graduates were also celebrated at the recent Graduation Ceremonies on June 17 at Chandos Pattison Pavillion and then at the Ramada Inn in Abbotsford this past Saturday, June 20. They all looked beautiful in their finery. Our thanks to Mr. Harrison, Ms. Murray, Mr. Tener, Ms. Mallinson, Mr. Penner and Mr. Yu for their fine organization as Graduation Sponsors, and for being the main organizers for the Graduation activities.
Our Graduates were also celebrated at the recent Graduation Ceremonies on June 17 at Chandos Pattison Pavillion and then at the Ramada Inn in Abbotsford this past Saturday, June 20. They all looked beautiful in their finery. Our thanks to Mr. Harrison, Ms. Murray, Mr. Tener, Ms. Mallinson, Mr. Penner and Mr. Yu for their fine organization as Graduation Sponsors, and for being the main organizers for the Graduation activities.
Our Musical Theatre Program is gaining huge momentum. We are excited that over 80 Secondary students have shown interest and this includes a male contingent of over 25 students. In addition to this, we will be welcoming Grade 8 students into the program at the beginning of our next school year.
Unfortunately, June is the time of year when we have to say good-bye to a few staff members. Some have moved on due to retirements, others have taken on new roles and some of them are in term positions.
Mr. Chomik- Mr. Chomik was a highly respected staff member at DW Poppy Secondary. He retires as an exceptional International Students’ Coordinator for the school and he was a leader in the district for his advocacy for foreign students and ESL programs. Trevor will be mostly missed because of what he represents. Integrity, kindness, compassion and professionalism are words that often describe Trevor as an educator and as a person. His ethical decision making, quiet and compassionate manner and advocacy for students will be dearly missed.
Mrs. Cuthbert- DW Poppy loses one of our most talented and dedicated teachers as a result of Ms. Cuthbert’s Retirement. In the past two years Ms. Cuthbert has worked to create a Transitions 8 program for students who suffer from extreme anxiety. She has done a brilliant job at this. Before this she was long standing “master elementary teacher” and then Humanities Teacher at DWP. Ms. Cuthbert is a consummate professional and we will miss her dearly.
Mr. Gill- Mr. Gill was a passionate, caring and dedicated member of the DW Poppy Community. It is rare to have a Teaching Assistant with such talent to assist in all areas of our Trades Programs. His support of students with Special Needs to complete Wood Work, Metal Work and Automotive Projects will be greatly missed. More so, the staff will miss his dedication and “extra support” that he gives to the school. Mr. Gill was very often the “last one standing” to help with clean up and take down of various Poppy events. Good luck in your retirement Mr. Gill.
We also say good bye to Mrs. Forbes and Ms. Graham who taught Humanities, English 9 and English 10. Ms. Forbes has been a long standing and dedicated staff member at DW Poppy. She will move to Dorothy Peacock as an Elementary PE teacher. This is another passion of Ms. Forbes' and she will also get to be in the same school as her triplet daughters. Good luck Ms. Forbes.
Ms. Graham was in a job share with Ms. Graham for over seven years. She was a tireless worker at DWP and very dedicated to her students. Losing Ms. Graham means that we lose a kind, compassionate and caring staff member. We wish her well in her future teaching roles.
We have a number of support staff members who are impacted at this time of year as well. While many of these staff members were on term contracts, they made a big impact on our school. Ms. Lalli and Ms. Dennison were both exceptional SEA's that we would love to have back at DW Poppy. Ms. Virgo did a fantastic job as our Career Advisor, and we are hopeful that the Langley School District will retain her in this role. Ms. McNeil has spent the last three months in our Library as the Library Tech. She did an amazing job, and we are certainly hopeful that she returns to us.
In the last two months I observed our Senior Boys' Rugby team defeat Mountain Secondary for top nine in the BC, attended the athletic awards, helped with “Operation Track Shoes” in Victoria, and viewed the Poppy Art Show which filled our entire gymnasium. We also celebrated “Relay for Life” to support the Canadian Cancer Society, Drama Shows and the School Awards where we celebrated the achievement of our students. On Tuesday we welcomed many of our incoming students from our catchment schools and out of district. You are joining a highly invested school and we look forward to your contributions incoming Grade 8's!!
Unfortunately, June is the time of year when we have to say good-bye to a few staff members. Some have moved on due to retirements, others have taken on new roles and some of them are in term positions.
Mr. Chomik- Mr. Chomik was a highly respected staff member at DW Poppy Secondary. He retires as an exceptional International Students’ Coordinator for the school and he was a leader in the district for his advocacy for foreign students and ESL programs. Trevor will be mostly missed because of what he represents. Integrity, kindness, compassion and professionalism are words that often describe Trevor as an educator and as a person. His ethical decision making, quiet and compassionate manner and advocacy for students will be dearly missed.
Mrs. Cuthbert- DW Poppy loses one of our most talented and dedicated teachers as a result of Ms. Cuthbert’s Retirement. In the past two years Ms. Cuthbert has worked to create a Transitions 8 program for students who suffer from extreme anxiety. She has done a brilliant job at this. Before this she was long standing “master elementary teacher” and then Humanities Teacher at DWP. Ms. Cuthbert is a consummate professional and we will miss her dearly.
Mr. Gill- Mr. Gill was a passionate, caring and dedicated member of the DW Poppy Community. It is rare to have a Teaching Assistant with such talent to assist in all areas of our Trades Programs. His support of students with Special Needs to complete Wood Work, Metal Work and Automotive Projects will be greatly missed. More so, the staff will miss his dedication and “extra support” that he gives to the school. Mr. Gill was very often the “last one standing” to help with clean up and take down of various Poppy events. Good luck in your retirement Mr. Gill.
We also say good bye to Mrs. Forbes and Ms. Graham who taught Humanities, English 9 and English 10. Ms. Forbes has been a long standing and dedicated staff member at DW Poppy. She will move to Dorothy Peacock as an Elementary PE teacher. This is another passion of Ms. Forbes' and she will also get to be in the same school as her triplet daughters. Good luck Ms. Forbes.
Ms. Graham was in a job share with Ms. Graham for over seven years. She was a tireless worker at DWP and very dedicated to her students. Losing Ms. Graham means that we lose a kind, compassionate and caring staff member. We wish her well in her future teaching roles.
We have a number of support staff members who are impacted at this time of year as well. While many of these staff members were on term contracts, they made a big impact on our school. Ms. Lalli and Ms. Dennison were both exceptional SEA's that we would love to have back at DW Poppy. Ms. Virgo did a fantastic job as our Career Advisor, and we are hopeful that the Langley School District will retain her in this role. Ms. McNeil has spent the last three months in our Library as the Library Tech. She did an amazing job, and we are certainly hopeful that she returns to us.
In the last two months I observed our Senior Boys' Rugby team defeat Mountain Secondary for top nine in the BC, attended the athletic awards, helped with “Operation Track Shoes” in Victoria, and viewed the Poppy Art Show which filled our entire gymnasium. We also celebrated “Relay for Life” to support the Canadian Cancer Society, Drama Shows and the School Awards where we celebrated the achievement of our students. On Tuesday we welcomed many of our incoming students from our catchment schools and out of district. You are joining a highly invested school and we look forward to your contributions incoming Grade 8's!!
On behalf of the staff of DW Poppy Secondary School we would like to wish you a safe, relaxing and enjoyable summer.