Media Releases

Monday, June 9, 2008

Good Things Are Happening
CELEBRATION OF STUDENT SUCCESS

Edmonton Public Schools is proud to recognize three special groups of students who are completing Grade 12 this year. These three ceremonies honour the outstanding achievement of some of our unique students. Following is a brief description of the events

Refugee Students
One June 9 at 5 p.m., 20 refugee students will be honoured at Queen Elizabeth School for their achievement of completing high school. This special ceremony has been sponsored by the Rotary Club of Edmonton and includes representatives from the Edmonton Mennonite for Newcomers and the Multicultural Liaison from the City of Edmonton. The students being recognized are from Kurdish, Afghani, Somalian, Ethiopian and Iranian, backgrounds.

Aboriginal Students
The first celebration honouring First Nations, Métis and Inuit graduates will take place on June 12 at Jasper Place School. The honouring ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. The students and their families from across the District will gather to share a pipe ceremony, dinner and the honouring ceremony. The students, Elders and cultural leaders will be led in the auditorium by an honour guard of the RCMP and city police. There are over 150 self-identified students that will be graduating this year. The pipe ceremony takes place at 4 p.m. followed by the dinner.

Outreach Students
Twenty-five students from the District's seven Outreach Programs were recognized at a special graduation ceremony on June 5. This is the first time this specific group of students has been recognized at such an event. The Learning Store High School Outreach Program is designed to fit the lifestyles and learning styles of students who are returning to school, upgrading or who need flexibility in their schedules.

For further information, contact:
Jane Farrell
Communications
(780) 429-8290