School’s out for students and teachers from Pickering to Clarington

It was a trying year on many fronts for educators at Durham Region schools.

At the school board level trustees were forced to restrict and even close meetings to the public after public delegates spreading hateful message about Pride activities got out of hand; one Oshawa trustee for the Durham District School Board, Linda Stone, was censored numerous times during the year and has been banned from meetings for 2023 for her rhetoric.

Transportation was a huge problem for students and parents at all four school boards serving Durham as a bus driver shortage cancelled routes throughout the school year and generally caused chaos with the transportation system.

If this is a career that interests you, by the way, there are plenty of jobs available in the field.

The good news? The school year is done in Clarington for students at both the Kawartha Pine Ridge and Peterborough Victoria Northumberland Clarington school boards, giving teachers, staff, trustees, parents and students time to take stock and re-set for next year.

High school students in the rest of Durham are off as well, with Wednesday being the last day of exams for students in the Durham District and Durham Catholic District boards. Elementary students are at school today (Thursday) before an early dismissal sends them home to enjoy a life of leisure (one would hope) until school is back in September.

More good news? There are no school bus route cancellations today and zero delays as well.

If you’re at all interested, 2023-24 school calendars are available now.

But let’s enjoy the summer first.

Credit: Disney and ‘Recess’

Thank you for another successful school year! Our final update includes our 2023 Community Report Card featuring the incredible achievements of students, staff & schools, and a video message from our Chairperson & Director. Have a safe & enjoyable summer! https://t.co/DarpgdEiV0 pic.twitter.com/9onlZ6dmxe

— KPRDSB (@kprschools) June 28, 2023

Congratulations and best wishes to all DDSB graduates🎓

We hope you have a wonderful summer ☀️
Best of luck on your new beginnings! 😊 pic.twitter.com/nXtZvmgTZ4

— Durham District School Board (DDSB) (@DDSBSchools) June 27, 2023

Congratulations DCDSB graduates! We wish every student graduating this week all the best and that you take the sense of community, commitment to service, and everything you have learned in elementary and secondary school with you throughout your post-secondary years and beyond. pic.twitter.com/YpeyrYVQ9E

— Durham Catholic District School Board (@DurhamCatholic) June 28, 2023

School's out for the summer! ☀️ It’s the last day of the school year, and what you achieved this year is nothing short of remarkable.

Stay safe and healthy this summer – we will see you in September with great new memories of adventures and stories to share with classmates. pic.twitter.com/Glv8yFY2W0

— PVNCCDSB (@PVNCCDSB) June 28, 2023

For those so inclined, Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce shares a message for students at school year end:

Alice Cooper has a message for students as well, and this 1972 message (re-mastered in 2002) still resonates: