Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to send my greetings to the people of Range Lake and to report to them on the activities I have been involved in during our time away from the House.

Mr. Speaker, one of the things I have been able to do was to job shadow a special education assistant in Mrs. Auge's kindergarten class at Range Lake North School. I spent a morning with Ms. Hayley Morris, one of four special education assistants in the school. I must say I still find it hard to believe that I was with her and the children for only two-and-a-half hours, because we went through about 11 different activities listed on the board, including a snack time and time with big buddies from Mrs. Tricoteux's class.

It was very meaningful and a great learning experience for me, Mr. Speaker, to see first-hand a special education assistant at work. They are so important, not only to the students in special need, but for the teacher and the rest of the children in the class, and not to mention the parents and our school system as a whole.

It was also very obvious to me that Ms. Morris is a very dedicated professional who loves doing what she does. By the way, her student Kelton performed in the classroom, who seemed to me is a well-adjusted and integral part of the class. It was also heart-warming to see how the rest of the children in the class gravitated towards him.

I would also like to acknowledge the important role the parents play in our school system which was particularly evident that morning. Kelton's mom was there and so were mothers and fathers of about four other children in the class. Apparently it was just an ordinary day. They took the time to come and read to their children's class and that is saying a lot about the health and value we place in our schools. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

-- Applause