Dear Students and Parents,
Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a restful and joy filled holiday break.
As we look back on 2020, we see that it was an eventful, and for most of us, difficult year. It was a year that changed and challenged many aspects of our lives. We know change is often difficult, but hopefully we have learned and gained strength from these changes. One thing I have noticed in our Vanier community is the greater sense of care and concern that staff and students show for each other. Compassion for others usually grows through difficult experiences, and no one escapes difficult experiences in life. Let us always be mindful of the compassion needed with each other as we continue to make our way through a most unusual school year.
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Week-at-a-Glance
Monday January 4th
We are back in full swing at school. This week is review week and next week is exam week from Monday Jan 11-14. January 15 is a professional development day and Monday January 18 starts the new term for all students.
Junior School News
Next week is exam week. Students in grades 8 and 9 will have exams in the mornings and are asked to go home at mid-day if possible. We have checked with the transportation coordinator and we were told that grade 8 and 9 students can take the school bus home after their exams if they are already registered for that bus. There will still be distancing requirements, so it is a first come, first served situation for school busses. Of course, any student who has a city bus pass may use the city bus that day to leave after their exams.
Senior School News
Regarding our schedule for the new semester: as you may know, the decision to stay on the morning/afternoon shift for Semester 2 was made quite some time ago. This decision was not made at an individual school level. I have heard from a few parents who are frustrated with the shift system and would love to see their children be able to be in instructional classes all day. Currently, there is no option for full day classes at any of the Whitehorse high schools. We understand your concerns. We will continue to support students in the best way possible. Thank you for your continuing patience.
Several students have asked about their timetable for next semester. For courses changes senior students can talk to Ms. Segriff, Ms. Campbell, or Ms. Brogdon. A waitlist has been created for students requesting a change for their scheduled shift time. This is not a simple request as we have many factors to consider. We should be able to let students know about shift change requests at the end of exam week.
Help in the Senior skills room is available every day for students in grades 10-12. There will be an additional math/science specialist in the Senior Skills room on Tuesday and Wednesday this week for students who may need last minute help in these areas.
The exam schedule for grades 10-12 is in the final stages of revision. We heard from several students about conflicts in their exam times and are working hard to revise the schedule so that there are fewer conflicts. The final schedule should be complete by tomorrow afternoon.
Regarding the new semester and the Covid-19 vaccine: we will not be changing any operations of the school based on the vaccine. As mentioned above, senior students will still be in morning or afternoon shifts.
As always, please contact us with any questions or concerns. Have a wonderful week!
Katrina Brogdon, Principal and Alethea Wallace, Vice-Principal
Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a restful and joy filled holiday break.
As we look back on 2020, we see that it was an eventful, and for most of us, difficult year. It was a year that changed and challenged many aspects of our lives. We know change is often difficult, but hopefully we have learned and gained strength from these changes. One thing I have noticed in our Vanier community is the greater sense of care and concern that staff and students show for each other. Compassion for others usually grows through difficult experiences, and no one escapes difficult experiences in life. Let us always be mindful of the compassion needed with each other as we continue to make our way through a most unusual school year.
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Week-at-a-Glance
Monday January 4th
- Senior School Day 1
- Jr. Social Justice Club @12:15 pm in LC
- Senior School Day 2
- Board Games Club @ 12:15 pm in LC
- Senior School Day 1
- Sr. Social Justice Club @11:30 am in LC
- Alpha @ 12:15 pm in Room 26
- PLC @ 2:15 pm: Early Dismissal for Junior School students who are caught up on all work
- Senior School Day 2
- Board Games Club @ 12:15 pm in LC
- Senior School Day 1
- Exams for Junior and Senior School
We are back in full swing at school. This week is review week and next week is exam week from Monday Jan 11-14. January 15 is a professional development day and Monday January 18 starts the new term for all students.
Junior School News
Next week is exam week. Students in grades 8 and 9 will have exams in the mornings and are asked to go home at mid-day if possible. We have checked with the transportation coordinator and we were told that grade 8 and 9 students can take the school bus home after their exams if they are already registered for that bus. There will still be distancing requirements, so it is a first come, first served situation for school busses. Of course, any student who has a city bus pass may use the city bus that day to leave after their exams.
Senior School News
Regarding our schedule for the new semester: as you may know, the decision to stay on the morning/afternoon shift for Semester 2 was made quite some time ago. This decision was not made at an individual school level. I have heard from a few parents who are frustrated with the shift system and would love to see their children be able to be in instructional classes all day. Currently, there is no option for full day classes at any of the Whitehorse high schools. We understand your concerns. We will continue to support students in the best way possible. Thank you for your continuing patience.
Several students have asked about their timetable for next semester. For courses changes senior students can talk to Ms. Segriff, Ms. Campbell, or Ms. Brogdon. A waitlist has been created for students requesting a change for their scheduled shift time. This is not a simple request as we have many factors to consider. We should be able to let students know about shift change requests at the end of exam week.
Help in the Senior skills room is available every day for students in grades 10-12. There will be an additional math/science specialist in the Senior Skills room on Tuesday and Wednesday this week for students who may need last minute help in these areas.
The exam schedule for grades 10-12 is in the final stages of revision. We heard from several students about conflicts in their exam times and are working hard to revise the schedule so that there are fewer conflicts. The final schedule should be complete by tomorrow afternoon.
Regarding the new semester and the Covid-19 vaccine: we will not be changing any operations of the school based on the vaccine. As mentioned above, senior students will still be in morning or afternoon shifts.
As always, please contact us with any questions or concerns. Have a wonderful week!
Katrina Brogdon, Principal and Alethea Wallace, Vice-Principal
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