Dedham Middle School Holds Final Honor Roll Recognition Ceremony of Year …

 For a brief moment, DMS Principal, Debra Gately, stood alone on the stage in an empty auditorium. There was almost a sense of calm, as she took a deep breath and reviewed her notes. Better than anyone, Ms. Gately was aware of just how hectic things are in school this time of year.

 Her students are taking their MCAS tests, finishing class projects, and counting down to the 180th day of school. Her teachers are working feverishly to complete assignments and keep interest and involvement going in their classrooms.

 It`s funny, how almost overnight, everyone`s mindset has changed, and focus now moves on to what is ahead.

 The sixth grade students have all but completed their first year at the school and are almost no longer “the new kids.” Boys and girls in grade seven have lost that “middle child” feeling. Soon they will be the upper classmen in the school. As for the students in grade eight, this is the last few weeks that they will all “be together.” It`s off to various High Schools, after spending two-thirds of their lives with one another.

 Ironically, it`s as if we saw all of this in Ms. Gately`s pause, just before her last Honor Roll Recognition Ceremony of the year.

 Moments later, the morning bell rang, and parents began filing in to the room, followed by well over 200 sixth grade students and their teachers. Outside in the hallway, teachers were leading their 8th grade students to the gym for their panoramic class photo. Back in their classrooms, the 7th grade students waited for their turn to be recognized for making the Honor Roll or High Honors.

 Ms. Gately`s message was almost the same to each class, but it certainly came from the heart. She “congratulated” the students for working so hard and making the Honor Roll. She explained that “as the year has progressed, so has the difficulty of their work.”

 After reading the names of the students to be recognized for their achievement, Principal Gately shared her thoughts with all in the room.

 “I never want you to think, that the Honor Roll and High Honors lists are just numbers to me. I know that there are over 600 students here in school, but each term I go over each list, in each grade, and see how you are doing.” Ms. Gately continued, “I have come to know almost all of you this year, and am so proud to see so many new names on the list this term.”

 In all – 77 Honor Roll, 63 High Honors for grade 6 – 78 Honor Roll, 29 High Honors for grade 7 – 66 Honor Roll, 24 High Honors for grade 8. There was a round of applause for all.

 As the bell rang out again, students and teachers filed out returning to their classrooms, parents went off to work or returned home, and for another “brief moment”, Dedham Middle School Principal Debra Gately stood alone on the stage, in an empty auditorium – her mission complete once again!

Story and Photo by: Joe Kilroy