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Image Credit: CFJC Today / Jill Sperling
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

School’s out for Kamloops-Thompson students

Jun 27, 2019 | 4:40 PM

KAMLOOPS — With their last classes finishing today, elementary students in School District 73 have started to enjoy their summer vacation.

For many, the next year means a new classroom, and for Grade 7 students, a new secondary school experience.

Image Credit: CFJC Today / Jill Sperling

However, that bittersweet feeling of leaving the year behind doesn’t last for long, with summer vacation plans on the horizon.

Students speaking with CFJC Today at Pacific Way Elementary this morning had similar experiences they were looking forward to.

“Well I’m going camping, leaving today, then my birthday party is July 17=, then we go to Europe,” Grade Four student, Nathan Turner explained.

Meanwhile, Grade 5 student, Tayo Jackson, had a laid-back approach to his vacation.

“Just relaxing for the summer. Might go camping a couple of times. That’s about it.”

Maya Swan kept her plans between Grades Four and Five simple.

“Camping. A lot of camping.”

And fourth-grader Melia Robinson said her summer relaxation will be mostly local.

“Going to our cabin, going to my aunt’s house. That’s really all.”

Image Credit: CFJC Today / Jill Sperling

Watching students take home their final report cards and head out the door often gives educators like Pacific Way Elementary Principal Anthoney Rempel new energy for the fall.

“Knowing that you’re going to miss them, knowing that you’ve put your heart and soul into spending time with them, and helping them to grow,” Rempel explains, “so there’s that satisfaction. But there’s also a sense of relief. Like yeah, we get a little bit of a break now before we re-tool again for September.”

Coming full circle, Rempel says the seats of the 44 Grade 7 students honoured on their way out today will eventually be filled by younger minds.

Image Credit: CFJC Today / Jill Sperling

“So kindergarten students, we have 47 signed up for September.”

After months of hard work and learning, today teachers and students alike breathed a sigh of relief.

School District 73 students get a little over two months away from the classroom, arriving back to a new year September 3.