Dear Vanier students and families:
Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you. Psalm 86:4
Dear Lord, may your perfect will be done in my life and in the lives of my loved ones. May you bring joy and rejoicing into our homes. I believe in your goodness and I am proud to be a child of God. Amen.
Things are starting to pull together and we feel that we are starting to get a sense of rhythm and routine to our days. However, there are still lots of little things that we are still trying to pin down once we see how things develop. I often think of the recommended approach to building a new park or public space: Instead of paving pathways right away, it’s better to leave it and see where people walk naturally and then install the pavement there!
So it goes at Vanier with things like computer carts, getting students logged in, use of textbooks/workbooks, etc. We are waiting a bit to see where/how some things might best be organized before we formalize the plans and will communicate them to students/parents/guardians when things have been confirmed.
Thank you for your patience as these things develop - if you do have specific questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact teachers directly through their email (firstname.lastname@yesnet.yk.ca), reply to this email, or email our general school mailbox: vcss@gov.yk.ca
A hearty, “Congratulations, best wishes, and God bless!” to our Class of 2020 who were recognized in a very scaled down version of their Cap and Gown ceremony that took place last week. Now, we turn our focus to the Class of 2021 and planning to ensure we have a safe and meaningful recognition of their academic accomplishments. Grade 12s, stay tuned for more information from Ms. Giczi, Mr. Gillard, and Mr. Gray.
Sincerely,
Ryan Sikkes, principal and Alethea Wallace, vice-principal
Week at-a-glance
Monday, August 31st
Attendance
We take attendance every period every day. Now that students’ timetables have settled, we are starting to make attendance calls (either in-person or automated) for students who are absent but who have not been excused by a parent/guardian.
We ask that parents/guardians call (667-5901) or email (vcss@gov.yk.ca) each day that a student is excused to prevent these notifications from being made home.
Visits to/from other schools
In normal times, we allow for limited visitations of students between FHC and Vanier during our lunch periods. However, this year we cannot allow these visits to occur and remind Vanier students they are not permitted to visit FH Collins at any point during the school day. We appreciate our students understanding of the need for this change for safety reasons.
Our students should also not be visiting Christ the King Elementary students over the lunch hour either.
Mask use in schools
The use of non-medical masks in schools has been recommended by Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health for students aged 10 and above in situations where physical distancing is not possible. These could include:
Reusable masks have been ordered and will be provided to students upon arrival. In the meantime, we have disposable masks available for any student or staff member who requires one to meet the recommendations.
“The big three” of the safe six
Our public health officials in Yukon have been constantly repeating the “safe six” precautions for addressing the Covid 19 pandemic. You can see our operational plans here: https://www.vcss.ca/covid-19.html
At Vanier, we have been focusing heavily on the first three of these:
1.Maintain physical distancing – keep 2 metres (6 feet) away from everyone who’s not a member of your social bubble.
In situations where physical distancing is not possible, masks are highly recommended. We will eventually be supplying each student with reusable masks. Until then, we have disposable masks available in many classrooms or in the front office.
2.Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Hand sanitizing stations are located in many areas of the school and we require students to wash or sanitize their hands every time they move to a new room.
3.Stay home if you're feeling sick.
Here is a bit more information about the symptoms of Covid-19 to watch for. There are places you can turn to for advice on whether to attend school or when to return after feeling sick:
Cafeteria is open!
Our cafeteria operators from last year – the Cruz family – are back and open for business. Students may sit at a physically distanced seat inside the cafeteria or request a take-out container (for a small additional charge).
The cafeteria is open during the morning break between 9:51 and 10:01 for the Junior School and 10:05-10:15 for the Senior School. Lunch is served between 11:25 am and 1:02 pm to allow for the morning and afternoon Senior School students to purchase food as well as our Junior students over their lunch break.
The cafeteria accepts cash or debit.
Blended Learning – Advice for Parents
COVID-19 protocols in Yukon schools may mean that opportunities for teaching approaches that involve close physical contact may need to be limited/modified in the face to face setting.
Also, as Grades 10-12 students are in school with their teachers and classmates for a half day, they may be required to engage in digital activities with technology and online tools when not in school.
Blended learning strategies, working in concert with other experiential / place-based, service-learning activities, enable teachers to maintain student-centred learning approaches and meet curriculum requirements amidst social distancing requirements.
While not in class, teachers may be asking students to:
Skills Room and Tutoring Program
The Skills Room is up and running and available for help and support!
It opens at 8 am every morning and EA assistance is available until 8:30 am. It is open again for the Junior School lunch hour (12:12 to 1:02) with support and again after school from 3:15 until 4:15.
Within the Skills Room, we also offer a peer tutoring program where senior students can sign up to be tutors (with 4 hours of tutor training provided) and any other Vanier student can sign up to be tutored. The tutors can either work off their time as volunteer hours, or be paid. Tutoring is free of charge for tutees. Don't let yourself fall behind, get the help you need!!
Anyone interested in becoming a tutor, getting a tutor, please see Ms. Cann or email Amanda.Cann@yesnet.yk.ca
Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you. Psalm 86:4
Dear Lord, may your perfect will be done in my life and in the lives of my loved ones. May you bring joy and rejoicing into our homes. I believe in your goodness and I am proud to be a child of God. Amen.
Things are starting to pull together and we feel that we are starting to get a sense of rhythm and routine to our days. However, there are still lots of little things that we are still trying to pin down once we see how things develop. I often think of the recommended approach to building a new park or public space: Instead of paving pathways right away, it’s better to leave it and see where people walk naturally and then install the pavement there!
So it goes at Vanier with things like computer carts, getting students logged in, use of textbooks/workbooks, etc. We are waiting a bit to see where/how some things might best be organized before we formalize the plans and will communicate them to students/parents/guardians when things have been confirmed.
Thank you for your patience as these things develop - if you do have specific questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact teachers directly through their email (firstname.lastname@yesnet.yk.ca), reply to this email, or email our general school mailbox: vcss@gov.yk.ca
A hearty, “Congratulations, best wishes, and God bless!” to our Class of 2020 who were recognized in a very scaled down version of their Cap and Gown ceremony that took place last week. Now, we turn our focus to the Class of 2021 and planning to ensure we have a safe and meaningful recognition of their academic accomplishments. Grade 12s, stay tuned for more information from Ms. Giczi, Mr. Gillard, and Mr. Gray.
Sincerely,
Ryan Sikkes, principal and Alethea Wallace, vice-principal
Week at-a-glance
Monday, August 31st
- Senior School - Day 2
- Senior School - Day 1
- Whitehorse Transit – will bring a bus and safety message for students at the front of the school @ 11:25-1:00 pm
- Senior School - Day 2
- Social Justice Club – First meeting of the year! Meeting will start at 11:35 for Senior School, Junior School may join in at 12:12. Location will be announced – outside if the weather is nice, inside if not.
- Fire and Evacuation Drill @ 1:45 pm
- Junior School – early dismissal – 2:05 pm (unless assigned to study hall for completion of missed work)
- Senior School - Day 1
- Senior School - Day 2
- Labour Day – No school
- Senior School - Day 1
Attendance
We take attendance every period every day. Now that students’ timetables have settled, we are starting to make attendance calls (either in-person or automated) for students who are absent but who have not been excused by a parent/guardian.
We ask that parents/guardians call (667-5901) or email (vcss@gov.yk.ca) each day that a student is excused to prevent these notifications from being made home.
Visits to/from other schools
In normal times, we allow for limited visitations of students between FHC and Vanier during our lunch periods. However, this year we cannot allow these visits to occur and remind Vanier students they are not permitted to visit FH Collins at any point during the school day. We appreciate our students understanding of the need for this change for safety reasons.
Our students should also not be visiting Christ the King Elementary students over the lunch hour either.
Mask use in schools
The use of non-medical masks in schools has been recommended by Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health for students aged 10 and above in situations where physical distancing is not possible. These could include:
- Riding or lining up for the school bus
- Walking in hallways and corridors during busy times
- Other situations when in close contact with other students or staff
Reusable masks have been ordered and will be provided to students upon arrival. In the meantime, we have disposable masks available for any student or staff member who requires one to meet the recommendations.
“The big three” of the safe six
Our public health officials in Yukon have been constantly repeating the “safe six” precautions for addressing the Covid 19 pandemic. You can see our operational plans here: https://www.vcss.ca/covid-19.html
At Vanier, we have been focusing heavily on the first three of these:
1.Maintain physical distancing – keep 2 metres (6 feet) away from everyone who’s not a member of your social bubble.
In situations where physical distancing is not possible, masks are highly recommended. We will eventually be supplying each student with reusable masks. Until then, we have disposable masks available in many classrooms or in the front office.
2.Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Hand sanitizing stations are located in many areas of the school and we require students to wash or sanitize their hands every time they move to a new room.
3.Stay home if you're feeling sick.
Here is a bit more information about the symptoms of Covid-19 to watch for. There are places you can turn to for advice on whether to attend school or when to return after feeling sick:
- Yukon.ca has an online assessment tool.
- Calling 8-1-1 will connect you to a medical professional.
- Call your family physician for advice.
- Phone the Respiratory Assessment Centre at 393-3083
Cafeteria is open!
Our cafeteria operators from last year – the Cruz family – are back and open for business. Students may sit at a physically distanced seat inside the cafeteria or request a take-out container (for a small additional charge).
The cafeteria is open during the morning break between 9:51 and 10:01 for the Junior School and 10:05-10:15 for the Senior School. Lunch is served between 11:25 am and 1:02 pm to allow for the morning and afternoon Senior School students to purchase food as well as our Junior students over their lunch break.
The cafeteria accepts cash or debit.
Blended Learning – Advice for Parents
COVID-19 protocols in Yukon schools may mean that opportunities for teaching approaches that involve close physical contact may need to be limited/modified in the face to face setting.
Also, as Grades 10-12 students are in school with their teachers and classmates for a half day, they may be required to engage in digital activities with technology and online tools when not in school.
Blended learning strategies, working in concert with other experiential / place-based, service-learning activities, enable teachers to maintain student-centred learning approaches and meet curriculum requirements amidst social distancing requirements.
While not in class, teachers may be asking students to:
- Engage in paper-based tasks (e.g. worksheets, textbooks, or workbooks)
- Participate/contribute to discussions in online course forum.
- Post evidence (photo, comment, quote, questions) in course forum to show they are engaging in course material.
- Collaborate on assignments with other students using digital tools including Microsoft Word / Powerpoint, etc.
- Submit assignments through an online platform (Microsoft Teams).
- Access course content (video, text, slides, or podcast) that a teacher posts in the class forum.
- Letting the teacher and/or school administration know if your child is having difficulties accessing the online platforms.
- Checking in with your child regarding their comfort level with digital requirements and forwarding any concerns to the teacher.
- Keep in contact with teachers about your child’s learning progress during the year.
Skills Room and Tutoring Program
The Skills Room is up and running and available for help and support!
It opens at 8 am every morning and EA assistance is available until 8:30 am. It is open again for the Junior School lunch hour (12:12 to 1:02) with support and again after school from 3:15 until 4:15.
Within the Skills Room, we also offer a peer tutoring program where senior students can sign up to be tutors (with 4 hours of tutor training provided) and any other Vanier student can sign up to be tutored. The tutors can either work off their time as volunteer hours, or be paid. Tutoring is free of charge for tutees. Don't let yourself fall behind, get the help you need!!
Anyone interested in becoming a tutor, getting a tutor, please see Ms. Cann or email Amanda.Cann@yesnet.yk.ca
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