Friendly Joyful Attentive Students at St. Bernadette’s Elementary School Today
Shortly after arriving at St. Bernadette Elementary School, I met Ms. Ragozzino, Principal. She was very pleased to meet me. She escorted us to the library, where I would be presenting to the grade five, six, seven and eight students this afternoon.
Before Ms. Ragozzino left the library, she kindly ensured the library’s convenient smart board, and accompanying desktop were working well.
When it was time to call the students to the library, Ms. Ragozzino did, over the public announcement system. The library filled up in no time. Ms. Ragozzino gave me a heartfelt eloquent introduction to all the students, which I appreciated very much. The students were enthusiastically attentive during my public speaking presentation, it truly made me extra happy and joyful.
Following my presentation, inquisitive students had wonderful questions. I loved responding to their questions.
To conclude, Ms. Ragozzino sincerely thanked me, while poignantly highlighting takeaways from my presentation to all the students.
Many students approached me afterwards. They were happy to meet me. They too thanked me for my presentation. Pictures were taken and a lot of genuine heartfelt smiles were shared amongst everyone.
Before students left the library with their teachers, they completed their Exit Tickets. Here are a few excerpts from some of these:
Today I heard/saw… “I saw someone who was confident in herself and a person who doesn’t let negative things affect her.”
This made me think… “how important it is to accept others if they have a disability or not.”
Now, I wonder… “If I can be as confident in myself, and to be a person who doesn’t let negative things affect me.”
Today I heard/saw… “Giselle speak about positivity and acceptance.”
This made me think… “that if she can take on everyday with a smile, so can I.”
Now, I wonder… “What kind of book will Giselle write? ? ”
Today I heard/saw… “that you are able to go through school and life like everyone else but in a slightly different way, with help from many different people.”
This made me think… “About how much people with disabilities need, and how they need our help too.”
Now, I wonder… “How / What I can do to help people with disabilities is create a more inclusive community for them, and to make school easier for them. About how I can become more comfortable around people with disabilities.”
Today I heard/saw… “I heard that she try many challenges in her life.”
This made me think… “That we need to be more confident in ourselves and believe in God.”
Now, I wonder… “that we need to try our best like she did in her life and be confident.”
Today I heard/saw… “I saw Giselle smile -Music and that God made all of us differently -we are not mistakes”
This made me think… “Why anyone judges people if we all have our own looks and different lifestyles.”
Now, I wonder… “if bullying and the world will change in the future because of Giselle.”
Today I heard/saw… “that you can be anything”
This made me think… “if she can do anything can I?”
Now, I wonder… “I should be more social”
Today I heard/saw… “A challenged person inspires me to be a better person.”
This made me think… “That I can be a better person and that I should face my challenges.”
Now, I wonder… “If I can change the world and make it a better place and to face my challenges. -WOW -peace -God -Be kind first -change the world -Believe in yourself -Love -With God”
Today I heard/saw… “None of us are alone. Our challenges cannot stop us.”
This made me think… “What is it like to face these challenges? What can I do to change my attitude?”
Now, I wonder… “How I can Help others in need ask other for help!”
Today I heard/saw… “Today I saw someone brave and confident in her doings and does not let negativity get to her”
This made me think… “To learn to accept, because people go through so much that may not be visible to us but still hard for them.”
Now, I wonder… “If I can be as brave as she is and not let things like hate and negativity to get to me. ?”
Today I heard/saw… “Today I heard about Giselle’s story. It really taught me to be more positive about life.”
This made me think… “This made me think that life is not as bad as it seems. When you fall down, get back up.”
Now, I wonder… “I’m wondering about my future.”
Today I heard/saw… “I heard to always be yourself and a smile changes everyone’s day.”
This made me think… “How can I be as positive towards others?”
Now, I wonder… “how can I make the world a better place?”
Today I heard/saw… “Giselle is a speaker and went to a lot of schools.”
This made me think… “of Nicolas because Giselle has disabilities.”
Now, I wonder… “to not be nervous when I present, just like Giselle”
Today I heard/saw… “today I heard Giselle’s story”
This made me think… “I can overcome most of the obstacles in my life”
Now, I wonder… “How can I make a difference.”
Today I heard/saw… “about the life of Giselle Gaylie”
This made me think… “that the challenges you face only make you stronger as an individual”
Now, I wonder… “how I can help those with special needs.”
Today I heard/saw… “*How a smile can change someone’s day *what she enjoyed *How Giselle doesn’t care what people think”
This made me think… “I should treat people with disabilities better”
Now, I wonder… “How do people treat people like Giselle”
Today I heard/saw… “everyone can overcome any challenges. Have hope and never give up!”
This made me think… “about the challenges that are faced. That anything is possible.”
Now, I wonder… “How I can contribute in helping or donating for people with special needs?”
Today I heard/saw… “About Giselle talk about overcoming her challenges.”
This made me think… “How motivational she is. And how fortunate I am. & that I take a lot for granted.”
Now, I wonder… “How has people who are mean to you, effected you. And how have you pushed all the haters away.”
Today I heard/saw… “Giselle, she helped me to learn to be positive when overcoming obstacles.”
This made me think… “That all people around me can also help, I’m not alone.”
Now, I wonder… “What obstacles come next, and I hope I can be positive and remember the lesson through them.”
Today I heard/saw… “That she was very confident, and I think it’s amazing that she does.”
This made me think… “That anyone can do anything and just to believe in yourself always.”
Now, I wonder… “What did her challenges include?”
Today I heard/saw… “Giselle taught me that I am who I am and that I should seek help if needed.”
This made me think… “That I’m not alone. I have family and friends around me.”
Now, I wonder… “What were her biggest challenges -What’s her favourite colour?”
Today I heard/saw… “Giselle talk about her struggle and about how she had her friends & family with her.”
This made me think… “About how privileged I am and how I should never take things for granted.”
Now, I wonder… “how hard it is for disabled people to do basic things.”
Today I heard/saw… “Giselle speak to us about her life and about being yourself”
This made me think… “I liked how she said that you don’t need to invent something to make a difference”
Now, I wonder… “How I can apply this to my everyday life.”
Before leaving this beautiful school, with its’ glorious paintings of St Bernadette painted within the high walls of the school’s foyer, a few additional pictures were taken with Ms. Ragozzino and with some new found friends too.
To be amongst so many friendly staff and joyful attentive students today, certainly made it a blessed afternoon at St. Bernadette in every way.
