THE LITTLE SCHOOL THAT COULD

The sunny tourist mecca of Penticton, British Columbia, has something to brag about.  Princess Margaret Secondary, a small but distinguished high school, located at the south end of the little town did not win the Boys' AAA Basketball finals, nor did it send a team into the final championship for debating and it did not end up having the top marks for provincial scholarships.  What made this school of 750 students stand out among the rest?  Inclusion.

At a time where national headlines are bombarded with stories about physical, social, verbal and cyber bullying and even in extreme cases - suicide, there seems to be something different happening in the halls of "Maggie."  Students have a name where each individual is known by administration, staff and student body alike.  Jake*, a soft spoken grade eleven student says, "When I walk through the doors in the morning, the principal greets me by name."  Kayla* adds "that the vice principal found my student card on the floor and took the time to return it personally during Socials class.  They care about us as people."  Efforts are continually being made to personalize the high school experience.  Assemblies take place, not only as a whole school, but also for each individual grade, nine through twelve.  This way information is given in a more informal, relaxed and welcoming setting so that each student can feel as though they really matter.  Parent, staff and student committees work in unison to provide a positive and enthusiastic learning environment.  Anti bullying day, multicultural day, Western week, recycling groups, noon hour jeopardy, muscular dystrophy walk, 10,000 To-night, Dry Grad, Aboriginal celebrations.... the list goes on and on with activities that work at involving and including ALL students.

Bullying needs to be dealt with directly.  To stop hurtful behavior students, staff and parents need to respond when it occurs and take steps to prevent it.   It seems that Princess Margaret could give us all a lesson on how to work together as a unit in order to provide each young person the right to feel safe at home, at school and in the community. 
*Names have been changed

I am infallible.  I apprenticed the accomplished Sherlock Holmes and tutored Albert Einstein.  While eating a croissant I scaled the Eiffel tower in less than 2 minutes.  My invention of electricity made Thomas Edison famous.  I ended world hunger.  Rafail Nadal and Roger Federer can not return my serve.  The Mona Lisa smiles for me.  I can speak more words in a minute than the infamous Mrs. Sutherland.  On Fridays I train Navy Seals to swim, on Saturdays  monitor the security of North America for NORAD and on Sundays practice yoga .  I can bake a cheese soufflé.  

Occasionally, I ski barefoot while driving the boat.  I can wrestle Mr. Van Camp to the ground until he begs for mercy.  Looking for sunglasses in the River Channel is my weekend hobby.  I dug the Mariana Trench and utilized the dirt to construct Mount Chomolungma in the Himalayas.  I defeated a serpent-like chthonic beast called the Hydra and cut off Van Gogh's lower left earlobe.  I like to walk.   Digging the Panama Canal with a plastic shovel took me only thirty six hours.

For fun, I traverse the circumference of the globe in less than 80 days. One weekend I wrote the English dictionary and then translated it into French and German.  I don't watch TV.  I shot the arrow that punctured Achilles' tendon and I own a cat.  While still in the womb I was able to speak and I ventured behind the "staff only" sign at Wal-Mart.  My escape from Alcatraz while swimming the breaststroke was simply for fun.  I can use a stapler with one hand.  I invented Pythagoras Theorem, I invented time travel, I invented the atomic accelerator, and I invented the Arabic alphabet.  I sleep once a week and taught Mr. Gibson guitar in under an hour.  I breed prize winning bulls but I eat no meat.  I engineered the Golden Gate Bridge while traveling in Europe.  My memory is photographic.

My sincere desire is that these experiences and accomplishments will enable me to be considered for enrollment in your distinguished center of enlightenment.

Prison Break

For over two thousand, one hundred and sixty days we have been confined to this extremely harsh routine. Wake up early , restricted lunch hours, dinner, work until exhaustion sets in, bedtime and then repeat.  We are forced to sit in groups, of not more than thirty, on cold, hard, metal seats found in plain, square, bleak rooms with one window and one door. Upon a signal we march at the exact same time into the next square, meaningless room.  Strict, authoritative wardens, who are trained in various disciplines, deliver a never ending monologue which is often uninteresting and unstimulating. No running, no hats, and no chewing gum are permitted at any time in the hallways of this distressing institution. Each morning we are forced to watch broadcasts that attempt to brain wash us and control our thoughts. Permission is required to use the washroom facilities and drinking fountains at all times of the day. Any attempted contact with the outside world results in the confiscation of all cell phones which are returned only at the end of the day. Appropriate dress is required, language is carefully regulated, punctuality is a must and lateness is duly recorded. All personal belongings are stored in locked metal compartments on the wall and these small storage units must be shared between two or more people. Throughout the day we are required to listen, pay attention and refrain from friendly conversation in order not to fall behind. Sickness must be reported to the head office where consent to miss a day may or may not be given at a moment's notice.  Fees are required at the beginning of the year or else privileges will be withheld. If all goes as planned we will escape from this relentless schedule of drudgery…. Grade 12 Graduation will soon be here.