The 2007-08 school year is drawing to a close. Exams are almost over, lockers are cleaned out, students are looking toward the summer activities, parents are thinking about what to do, and teachers are almost done for this year.

It’s been an eventful year in Vancouver with the facilities review we have experienced. It’s been a sobering experience. We started with a shocking plan to close a school. The District Management Team and trustees said this was the only way to solve the problem we were facing. But then after a strong fight-back from QEA parents saying no combined with a slow to respond but eventually equally strong push back from U Hill parents everythign seemed to change. Now we are told that the annex doens’t have to be sold, a secret special solution is on the way, and U Hill schools will be rebuilt (though they are so far into the future that many of us felt that it’s a deal that amounts to the status quo).

It will be nice to take a break from all of this.

My best wishes for a well deserved break to all of the people on the front lines who really make a difference -to the teachers, the support staff, the administrators. Have a great summer!