Bluewater District School Board staff who are retiring and those celebrating milestones for their length of service were honoured and recognized on Thursday, June 22, 2023 as part of an annual tradition. Stone Tree in Owen Sound was near capacity as staff, trustees, family members, and other supporters joined together to celebrate this year’s honourees at the Long Service and Retirement Recognition Reception.
Following social time, Superintendent of Education Andrea Tang provided a reflection prior to dinner for all in attendance. The formal portion of the evening began with words of welcome from Director of Education, and the evening’s emcee, Lori Wilder, followed by greetings from the board by Chair Jane Thomson.
During the presentations, a trustee and superintendent of education were called to the gift table to provide tokens of appreciation, handshakes, and hugs as long service recipients received recognition for 25, 30, 35, and even 55 years of service. Retirees were next to approach the podium for accolades and photos.
A special highlight of the evening involved a combination of the heartfelt and the humourous as guest speakers Kim Darroch-Hopkins (long service) and Val Lauckner-Morano (retirees) shared personal anecdotes and messages of appreciation with the audience. View their speeches at the links below:
Kim Darroch-Hopkins – Long Service Speech
Val Lauckner-Morano – Retirees Speech
Bluewater District School Board congratulates this year’s long service recipients on their amazing milestones and retiring staff who have dedicated years of service to our students and families. We thank them for their many contributions to public education and wish them every success as they move forward in their careers or post-careers.