A Full Circle Moment: Bringing Past and Current Students Together

I looked around the room, and for a moment, time seemed to blur. Students who first joined us in Grade 6 were now towering over me, their laughter filling the space as they reconnected with old friends and welcomed new faces. I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by the sheer nostalgia of it all. 

On Tuesday, March 11th, we gathered at Big Brothers Big Sisters Toronto, one of our amazing community partners, for the Park Street Student Workshop—more than just an event, it was a testament to the journey we’ve all taken together. Past and present students came together to reflect on their experiences, share their insights, and help shape the future of Park Street. 

Park Street: A Place to Feel at Home 

From the very start, the energy in the room was electric. One of the most touching moments came early on when students were asked to describe what Park Street means to them in just three words. As post-it notes began covering the board, a theme quickly emerged: 

💙 Home 

💡 Safe 

🤝 Belonging 

🎓 Supported 

✨ Inspired 

Hearing students articulate how much Park Street has meant to them was an incredibly moving experience. One student later summed it up perfectly, saying: 

"Lessons at Park Street were like a safe bubble – nothing else has come close." 

Hearing that filled me with tremendous pride and affection. This is why we do what we do and we have so much more we want to do! 

Shaping the Future: Student Vision for Park Street 

Beyond nostalgia, there was purpose. Students engaged in three interactive workshops, tackling big questions about what learning could look like in the future. Their ideas were nothing short of brilliant. 

They envisioned a curriculum that went beyond traditional subjects—exploring history from a global perspective, diving into the theories of drama and scriptwriting, integrating video game history and coding, and offering astronomy as an alternative to traditional science. They wanted more focus on technology, artificial intelligence, and its impact on careers, as well as hands-on experiences like an invention class where students would learn how to take an idea from concept to creation. Many emphasized the importance of real-world applications, imagining a career-focused approach where each class could introduce students to different professions. 

Looking Ahead 

As the event came to a close, I was left with a profound sense of pride and gratitude. Seeing former students mentoring younger ones, watching friendships form between different generations of Park Street learners—it reminded me why we do this. 

These students are the future. And if Tuesday was anything to go by, the future looks bright.  

A Huge Thank You 

This workshop would not have been possible without the incredible students who joined us. Their enthusiasm, honesty, and creativity made this event so special. 

A heartfelt thank you to Big Brothers Big Sisters Toronto for welcoming us into their space. Our partnership means the world, and we are forever grateful for the opportunity to host such meaningful gatherings. 

And of course, a big thank you to Pizza Pizza for their generous gift vouchers—keeping us full and fuelled for the event! 🍕 

Until next time, 

Sam Leach