Students gone/Teacher cleans up classroom

I have taught my last class in Salluit... this time. We had our party this morning, then report cards, then gifts to them, then good-bye. This has been a very good class. I had tuaght the Gr.6's for two years so students like Tunu and Miss P are very dear to me. There was a hhigh drop out rate in the Gr. 6's this year. I don't think it was my teaching but that the older girls are less and less interested in school. The dropout rate here is 89% and those numbers start early.

After our party I sent the class to the hall and then called them back one by one for a chat and to give them their gift from me. I only had 11 of the 18 in for the morning. I encourged them to continue to think of themselves as very special. It was a tad painful to say good-bye to Tunu... he is such a great kid but the north is hard on boys like him. We have lost a great many fine young men.

I tired the patience of my fellow teachers this morning. I opened each door and threw in handsful of candies . That got all their students up out of their seats and running around. I was able to do it very quickly so many did not know who the scamp was, but my laugh gave me away.

My boxes have left for the south. My little house is now rather empty. Man oh man I live in clutter. Now to start a new pattern... I don't believe I will have much success as 2806 is full to the rafters now.. and I just shipped 16 cartons back. Sara will not be happy.

The ice is gone from the bay. It started to break up on Friday and by Sat the ice was gone. The high tides and strong currents stripped the bay of it's ice in no time at all. I was taking pictures every few hours... that meant that I was charging up the hill to get the perfect view. I took the last photos at 11pm.. a beautiful pink and blue sunset reflected, along with the mountains on the other side of the bay, in the open water. I am on my 2nd digital card of 512 pictures. Printing these off will be a fun time... a bit expensive as well.

There are several flowers in bloom in Sallluit. They start the process long before the snow is gone. I was down on hands and knees getting "the perfect shot" most of Saturday. I even saw a bumblebee. The blueberry plants are in bloom as well as many flowers that I don't know the names . I was recharging my batteries ( for the camera) twice a day. Twice when I was in a great spot people came by that I knew so they could take photos of me amongst the flowers. This was no Chelsea Flower show but it was exciting.

I will be packing up the classroom for the next two days. Then a bit of camping out of town. Most of the teachers are leaving on Friday but I am staying on for a few extra days.

I will write more of the last days at school tomorrow.