Farewell to the Class of 2017

Twelve years ago, Windsor School kindergarten teacher Doris Gietz bid farewell to the Class of 2017.Today, Free Press readers get their chance to say goodbye to that same remarkable group of kids, a single class of students whose progress we’ve been tracking from snack time in kindergarten to graduation gowns in Grade 12.

It’s been a memorable journey — and Free Press readers have been along for the ride as, year after year, we’ve watched these young scholars move from pigtails and toothless grins to timetables, tests and gender dynamics.

Over the last 13 years, our readers have enjoyed front-row seats as the class has endured the roller-coaster ride of kindergarten, elementary school, junior high and, finally, the packed halls of Glenlawn Collegiate Institute, one of the biggest high schools in the province.

They have experienced exam stress, bullying, making and losing friends. There were victories and defeats in hockey arenas and gymnasiums.

Class of 2017 through the years

The class of 2017 prepares for life after graduation

It’s the burning issue in Canadian schools — stressed-out students struggling with anxiety and depression.

Earlier this month, in Woodstock, Ont., hundreds of students made national headlines when they walked out of class to demand more help amid a teen-suicide crisis that has seen five young people take their own lives in the last four months.

Closer to home, the Class of 2017, whose progress the Free Press is tracking from snack time at Windsor School to graduation gowns at Glenlawn Collegiate Institute, has not been immune to this burgeoning crisis.

When the Free Press dropped in to see how this special group of kids had fared in Grade 11, their third year at Glenlawn, 16-year-old Naomi, traditionally one of the softest-spoken members of the class, courageously shared her personal battle.

Class of 2017 gains confidence, finds niches and grapples with death

It’s one of the hardest knocks life throws at anyone.

For the Class of 2017 — whose progress the Free Press is tracking from snack time in kindergarten to graduation in Grade 12 — it was a devastating lesson.

For this special group of kids, just wrapping up Grade 10, their second year at Glenlawn Collegiate Institute in St. Vital, it was the first time they’ve had to deal with the death of someone their own age.

On Jan. 9, at the age of 14, Grade 9 student Camryn Guenther lost her courageous battle with cancer.

Class of 2017 not only survived, but thrived in first year of high school

Doug Speirs catches up with the Class of 2017 -- students the Winnipeg Free Press has been following, year-by-year, since kindergarten -- as they finish their first year of high school.

Our fourth-graders learn it can be hard to say goodbye

"Why can't we get all the people together in the world that we really like and then just stay together? I guess that wouldn't work. Someone would leave. Someone always leaves. Then we would have to say goodbye. I hate goodbyes. I know what I need. I need more hellos."

-- Snoopy

The wise old beagle was right. We can't hold on to all the people we really like - even the ones who had us at "hello."

Just ask Sarah, a lifelong Winnipegger who met her best friend in kindergarten, "basically in the first five minutes."

Checking in, halfway through Grade 4

Meet some of Winnipeg's busiest citizens. They're currently involved in a long-term development project at one of the city's most important institutions.

In addition to all the reading, writing, decision-making and problem-solving that entails, they've also been learning French, singing in choirs and performing in theatrical productions.

Although their workday officially ends at 3:30 p.m., the busy-ness continues well into the evening -- at swimming pools, hockey arenas, scout halls, music schools, dance studios...

When your full-time job is to develop the cognitive, social and behavioural skills needed for adult life, there's bound to be overtime.