Tis the season of celebration in Cree School Board communities, as graduates of Secondary V finish one stage of their education, even as dozens of new students begin theirs.
Ceremonies will be held in the communities for the 94 students graduating from Secondary V.
"That's about a 42 per cent success rate," said Director of School Operations (Youth) Kimberly Quinn. "We are moving in the right direction!" Last year, the graduation rate was 41 per cent.
"What is most remarkable is that each of those 94 students now has an incredible set of possibilities ahead; they can choose to go to post-secondary school where we will further support them, or they can take vocational training, again through the Cree School Board. There is so much promise when a student graduates high school," she added.
Graduation ceremonies were held in Oujé-Bougoumou, Mistissini, Waswanipi and Waskaganish; they will continue over the next few weeks in Chisasibi (Sept. 14), Whapmagoostui (Aug. 31), Wemindji (Aug. 24), Nemaska (Aug. 24), and Eastmain (Sept. 14).
Director General Abraham Jolly will attend the graduation of students at Luke Mettaweskum School in Nemaska.
"I applaud the hard work these students have put in to reach this stage in their educational journey," he said. "Even more than that, I commend the families who supported their children to reach this success; without each family's support, we cannot achieve these standards."
Just as the graduates don their caps and gowns to mark their achievements, the Cree School Board this month welcomed about 250 new pupils to Pre-Kindergarten programs across Eeyou/Eenou Istchee.
"We continue to work very hard to ensure that every one of these young students will have the very best support from now through their graduation," Jolly added. "It is by educating our children for success that we will can - and will - shape our own future in the Cree Nation."
List of 2017-18 Graduates to Aug. 31, 2018 by Community
- Chisasibi - 24 + 4 (Work-oriented Training Path)
- Eastmain - 15 + 3 (Work-oriented Training Path)
- Mistissini - 11
- Nemaska - 4
- Oujé-Bougoumou - 2
- Waskaganish - 11
- Waswanipi - 16 + 4 (Work-oriented Training Path)
- Wemindji - 8
- Whapmagoostui - 3 + 1 (Work-oriented Training Path)
