A Day of Joy and Connection at St. Peter CES
There are days that leave an imprint on the heart, and our visit to St. Peter Catholic Elementary School in Orangeville was one of them. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with warmth and kindness that set the tone for everything that followed. I had the honour of being invited by Ms. Spiteri, the school principal, as a Guest Speaker for Anti-Bullying Spirit Week—an occasion dedicated to celebrating kindness, respect, and the understanding that every person matters.
With that spirit of kindness already surrounding me, I was soon greeted by Ms. Roberts at the front office, her smile carrying the ease of someone who wears many hats. Later, seeing her driving a bus perfectly captured the dedication and versatility that seemed to define the school community. While we were there, Ms. Carey, a Grade 3 and 4 teacher, joyfully recognized my name—she too had attended Christ the King in Mississauga, a few grades ahead of me. That shared history sparked excitement, and she expressed how much she was looking forward to the presentation.
Soon after, Ms. Spiteri, the principal, welcomed us warmly. She shared her anticipation for the presentation and personally guided us to the gymnasium, where students from JK to Grade 8 would gather.
Mr. Doyle, the Grade 8 teacher, and some of his students prepared the space. With professionalism and ease, Mr. Doyle facilitated the setup, ensuring the technology was in proper order, while his students helped to arrange chairs. Their teamwork made everything ready for the afternoon.
When the students filled the gymnasium, their energy was palpable yet respectfully focused. As I began, I was struck by their attentiveness—their eyes wide with curiosity, their hearts open.
During the Q&A, Ms. Spiteri facilitated with grace. Many students asked if they could be my friend—an innocent, heartfelt gesture that revealed the openness of their spirits. I loved making new friends today! Their thoughtful questions showed genuine interest and engagement. Kindness among students and staff radiated throughout the room.
Before closing, I donated my recently published book to the school library. Ms. Spiteri accepted it with heartfelt thanks.
Once the presentation ended, teachers approached me with words of gratitude and encouraging smiles, and several shared how uplifting they found the presentation. Ms. Coombes, a teacher and parent, expressed her appreciation. Ms. Dale, a retired teacher substituting that day, thanked me warmly. And once again, Mr. Doyle, after helping to put away the technology, offered his thanks for the presentation too.
Walking through the hallway afterward, Ms. Carnovale, the school’s social worker, stopped to share how much she enjoyed the presentation, telling me she found it both terrific and inspirational. Then came one of the sweetest moments of the day: a young girl named Janelle quietly handed me a post‑it note that read, “I’m proud of you!” Such a simple act, yet profoundly moving—it is a memory I will carry with me forever.
Behind the scenes, Ms. Lamoureux, the administrative assistant, ensured smooth logistics. Her announcements over the PA system helped classes return their exit tickets—a small but vital detail handled with care and community spirit.
Before leaving, I said goodbye to Ms. Spiteri, who wholeheartedly thanked me and posed for photos to mark the occasion. As dismissal approached, the foyer filled with children awaiting their buses. Smiles, waves, and lingering conversations filled the air—an atmosphere alive with joy, love, and connection. Even as I walked out, more students waved and smiled, a testament to the positive impact of the day.
Before I left St. Peter CES, many students handed in their Exit Tickets. These short reflections captured their immediate thoughts and feelings after hearing my story. I want to share just some of the Exit Tickets returned to me that day, because their words speak volumes about the impact of the presentation.
Today, I heard / saw … “- Giselle’s favourite colours. -she can stand”
This made me think … ” – feel bad but she is being nice and kind and she has friends.”
Now, I wonder … ” – If she will be my best friend.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” talking about kindness”
This made me think … ” about kindness”
Today, I heard / saw … “I saw a disability girl”
This made me think … ” that she is a respectful person”
This made me think … ” She might walk well”
Now, I wonder … ” When did you start walking?”
Today, I heard / saw … ” That we can change all the ….”
This made me think … ” we are all different in a good way.”
Now, I wonder … ” if I am capable of changing the world.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” She couldn’t walk but she was still brave.”
This made me think … ” this made me think she was a kind person.”
Now, I wonder … ” I want this made me think she was the nicest person.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I see her life.”
This made me think … ” everybody matters”
Now, I wonder … ” what it will be like to ….”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I heard a speech”
This made me think … ” to not judge a books”
Now, I wonder … ” to don’t judge”
Today, I heard / saw … ” A computer and heard it”
This made me think … ” cool technology”
Now, I wonder … ” what is it like to have cool technology”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I saw the little girl.”
This made me think … ” why did the little girl have no legs. (She has legs. She wears a brace over her legs.)”
Now, I wonder … ” Can we be friends.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” a person with a disability.”
This made me think … ” why people bully.”
Now, I wonder … ” how her disease affects her daily life”
Today, I heard / saw … ” So much thing about kindness.”
This made me think … ” how … is she”
Now, I wonder … ” she so … of doing so much thing.”
Today, I heard / saw … “I heard she was kind – I saw she was brave “
This made me think … ” That she was brave and she’s a good person.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I heard saw a girl that had a bad leg and share her life”
This made me think … ” of someone last year”
Now, I wonder … ” that if she will have a better life”
Today, I heard / saw … ” heard a speech. “
This made me think … ” not judge a book by its cover”
Now, I wonder … ” how she do that”
Today, I heard / saw … ” nice think to her”
This made me think … ” that we can be better.”
Now, I wonder … ” If we can stop bullying”
Today, I heard / saw … ” A beautiful girl”
This made me think … ” to be kind”
Now, I wonder … ” to never judge a book by its cover”
Today, I heard / saw … ” how much Giselle is able to do.”
This made me think … ” That Giselle can do anything.”
Now, I wonder … ” what her favorite food is.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” To not judge people by how they look”
This made me think … ” to not judge a book by a cover”
Now, I wonder … ” I wonder how you walk with those legs.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I saw a beautiful girl.”
This made me think … ” If it was hard for her.”
Now, I wonder … ” Is she OK.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle – About all the challenges”
This made me think … ” Why did she pick public speaking as a career?”
Today, I heard / saw … ” – Excitement – some badness. “
This made me think … ” that there is hope and happiness for everyone. “
Now, I wonder … ” if people like Giselle will make the whole world a kinder place.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I saw Giselle walked without help.”
This made me think … ” that I can do anything with my mind to it.”
Now, I wonder … ” how much she struggled in life”
Today, I heard / saw … ” That I should never give up.”
This made me think … ” That I should be grateful of the life I have”
Now, I wonder … ” How it must feel to be in her shoes.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Ms Giselle”
This made me think … ” she a very nice person.”
Now, I wonder … ” what’s her favorite season”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I saw that you were smiling at everyone”
Now, I wonder … ” that you are a nice girl to your mom and dad and everybody else”
Now, I wonder … ” if you can walk again?”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I saw Giselle”
This made me think … ” never bully someone”
Now, I wonder … ” to all the out there we love”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Today I saw Giselle.”
This made me think … ” that Giselle is a wonderful girl”
Now, I wonder … ” does she have and elder”
Today, I heard / saw … ” her.”
This made me think … ” very sad.”
Now, I wonder … ” how does she eat”
Today, I heard / saw … ” today I saw a guy being kind”
This made me think … ” that the guy is being nice.”
Now, I wonder … ” if kindness come back.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle Gaylie.”
This made me think … ” how was she in her everyday life”
Now, I wonder … ” how did she make a book”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Someone going up in front of everyone and being brave.”
This made me think … ” People are sometimes really kind.”
Now, I wonder … ” How do people be so brave in front of an audience.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I saw and heard kindness.”
This made me think … ” We can do anything”
Now, I wonder … ” it doesn’t matter what others think about you.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” You will never be alone.”
This made me think … ” everyone is right beside me.”
Now, I wonder … ” I should be there for someone”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Photos of Giselle”
This made me think … ” How did she go through all of this”
Now, I wonder … “what does she do every day”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I saw an inspirational speech.”
This made me think … ” How hard her life was as a kid.”
Now, I wonder … ” if my life can change someone elses”
Today, I heard / saw … ” pictures and videos from Giselle’s childhood.”
This made me think … ” What would it be like to be in her position.”
Now, I wonder … ” how she felt going through life.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” that there is still good in the world”
This made me think … ” about the victims of bullying”
Now, I wonder … ” who suffers from bullying every day”
Today, I heard / saw … ” photos of Giselle.”
This made me think … ” helpfulness/ kindness.”
Now, I wonder … ” How it feels”
Today, I heard / saw … ” someone who asked to be someone’s friend.”
This made me think … ” Being a friend is an act of kindness”
Now, I wonder … ” would someone be happy or would someone not care.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” kindness”
This made me think … ” be nice. “
Now, I wonder … ” if she will come back”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I heard someone say you are so pretty”
This made me think … ” I am smarter”
Now, I wonder … ” I wonder if I am a good friend”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle Gaylie presenting.”
This made me think … ” She is awesome!”
Now, I wonder … ” Does she go to all the schools in Dufferin-peel?”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I saw how hard it is to get bullied, and take it in”
This made me think … ” I should be grateful for the things I have”
Now, I wonder … ” What can I do to be more kind?”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I saw/ heard Giselle and wonderful things.”
This made me think … ” About all the people who was kind to me.
Now, I wonder … That I can be kind to the people who was kind to me.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Someone that kept on going even when they were getting bullied”
This made me think … ” Why do people bully.”
Now, I wonder … ” Will I be more nice to people.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” The happiest girl.”
This made me think … ” I can be the best.”
Now, I wonder … ” How kind she is. I am.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” kindness”
This made me think … ” happy”
Now, I wonder … ” how her … go to the computer”
Today, I heard / saw … ” She had a hard life and it was harder than others.”
This made me think … ” This made me think that we should be grateful for what we have.”
Now, I wonder … ” How does that computer coordinate to her brain”
Today, I heard / saw … ” A presentation about to accept people the way they are”
This made me think … ” how was it growing up”
Now, I wonder … ” talking how does it work”
Today, I heard / saw … ” She was using a computer to talk.”
This made me think … ” if she was bullied a lot in school”
Now, I wonder … ” how her computer connects to her brain.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I heard today that Giselle has a hard life.”
This made me think … ” How many people are like Giselle.”
Now, I wonder … ” How hard her life really is.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” A non-verbal girl named Giselle.”
This made me think … ” That you should never give up.”
Now, I wonder … ” How did she type?”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I saw her past life in school.”
This made me think … ” How does the her thoughts go in the computer”
Now, I wonder … ” where those shoe things come from.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” that Giselle has gone through a lot of changes growing up.”
This made me think … ” Giselle is a very kind girl and it’s cool that she has a thought speaking computer.”
Now, I wonder … ” How does her computer work?”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I saw she had a hard life growing up.”
This made me think … ” This made me think that she stayed strong and encouraged.”
Now, I wonder … ” I wonder who her friend were and why she liked them.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I saw you.”
This made me think … ” how was you live”
Now, I wonder … ” how do you use the computer.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I saw that she was working hard to do the stuff that she wanted to.”
This made me think … ” I think that was worth it and helpful for me!”
Now, I wonder … ” I wonder that if she was happy to be in her life”
Today, I heard / saw … ” She had a very hard life but she never gave up.”
This made me think … ” Never give up too late.”
Now, I wonder … ” was it hard to walk being a kid”
Today, I heard / saw … ” She can walk without help.”
This made me think … ” She is learning and growing every day with her family.”
Now, I wonder … ” I wonder if one day she will walk on her own or talk.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” That this girl used the computer to talk”
This made me think … ” that it must be hard but she never gave up”
Now, I wonder … ” What she’s doing right now.”
Today, I heard / saw … “ Heard Giselle’s life … And how she lived.”
This made me think … ” That what would my life be?”
Now, I wonder … ” How did she do her answer?”
Today, I heard / saw … ” That some people are not the same”
Now, I wonder … ” That everyone is different.”
Now, I wonder … ” how other people are.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Someone have struggled but never gave up”
This made me think … ” What she needed to go … through?”
Now, I wonder … ” How do your ideas get to the computer?”
Today, I heard / saw … ” How she cannot walk or talk.”
This made me think … ” I should not give up.”
Now, I wonder … ” How does she know what to say?”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle had a special computer to communicate, and it is helpful.”
This made me think … ” All of us are different, which is wonderful!.”
Now, I wonder … ” How hard it was for Giselle and all of the people who had a disability”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I saw that Giselle uses a computer as communication “
This made me think … ” This made me think that I should never give up.”
Now, I wonder … ” How does a computer know what she thinking?”
Today, I heard / saw … ” She does not give up”
This made me think … ” we all have to not give up”
Now, I wonder … ” how can it know what she thinks”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle.”
This made me think … ” How lucky we are.”
Now, I wonder … ” How they do all of it”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle”
This made me think … ” about life”
Now, I wonder … ” what challenges she has faced”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle.”
This made me think … ” how her life is.”
Now, I wonder … ” if there would or is every …”
This made me think … ” How her computer works”
Now, I wonder … ” how she is.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” An amazing person get through hard challenges.”
This made me think … ” This made me think that it’s good to ask for help.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Today I saw Giselle.”
This made me think … ” About the challenges she might face.”
Now, I wonder … ” Was she experienced.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle.’”
This made me think … ” how strong people are.”
Now, I wonder … ” how her day was”
Today, I heard / saw … “Giselle a person that speaks through a computer.”
This made me think … ” it was cool that she can speak through a computer”
Now, I wonder … ” how she can do the stuff she can do”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle”
This made me think … ” about myself”
Now, I wonder … ” how it is for her”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I saw her walk.”
This made me think … ” This made me think how many people she inspires.”
Now, I wonder … ” Now, I wonder how many disabled people are there in the world.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I saw that she is nice to people”
This made me think … ” that she can do anything”
Now, I wonder … ” How she is doing”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle”
This made me think … ” how does her computer work.”
Now, I wonder … ” how do … … those computer.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle’s wonderful story.”
This made me think … ” How Giselle’s computer thing worked”
Now, I wonder … ” What school will Giselle go to next”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Giselle talked to us about her life.”
This made me think … ” how precious life is and how we can’t take it for granted”
Now, I wonder … ” what it would be like to live her life”
Today, I heard / saw … ” Christ the King Elementary.”
This made me think … ” If I saw her before”
Now, I wonder … ” How old she is”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I heard how her tech works.”
This made me think … ” How did term and she is.”
Now, I wonder … ” How she dances.”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I heard a public speaker give a presentation in the gym.”
This made me think … ” What made Giselle get into public speaking?”
This made me think … ” How long has she been presenting to people?”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I saw how much control Giselle had over herself”
This made me think … ” of how much control I have over my arms”
Now, I wonder … ” What else is going on around me that I’m just… used to?”
Today, I heard / saw … ” I heard Giselle speak talk about her school life and challenges.”
This made me think … ” How strong she is for overcoming these challenges.”
Now, I wonder … ” What her role model was and what made her become a public speaker.”
Reading through these Exit Tickets reminded me once again that the true power of sharing my journey lies in the way it touches hearts and sparks empathy. The students’ words—filled with kindness, curiosity, and hope—showed me that they not only listened but carried the message forward in their own way. Their reflections affirmed the strength of community and the importance of kindness in everyday life. As I left Orangeville, I carried their voices with me, grateful for the resilience of the students and the unwavering support of the staff. It was a day that reminded me that schools are not just places of learning, but living communities where every role matters and every gesture of kindness can ripple outward.
