News from Vanier - April 14-17

Dear Vanier students and families:


Halleluiah, He has risen!  Truly, He has risen!


On behalf of all staff of Vanier Catholic Secondary, I bring you warm Easter greetings.  Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection remind us that all things are possible through God. We hope that these warm, lengthening days inspire a sense of rebirth and renewal. 


We hope that your long weekend was joyous, despite the lack of being able to gather as we usually do with family and friends.  Thank you for making those sacrifices for the sake of our collective health.
This week will see the commencement of learning from home on Thursday.  Tomorrow, all students will receive emails from their teachers outlining what the remainder of the year’s learning standards will be, along with details about how students will interact with teachers going forward.


As a reminder, the expectation is that all Grade 8 and 9 students will have a total of 10 hours per week of teaching and work time.  Grade 10-12 students will have 3 hours per week per class for teaching and work. Student and family well-being are our top priority, so please communicate with teachers if adjustments are necessary.


At this time, we still do not have approved protocols for the handling of materials (e.g. locker contents, technology items, assignments and learning materials).  We have been advised that these will be in place tomorrow afternoon and we can begin making arrangements for pick ups or deliveries as soon as we verify our processes will be safe and hygienic.  When pick ups or deliveries of materials is ready to begin, we will send out another email to everyone.  Thank you for your continued patience.


However, we are now in a position to begin arranging for the loan of technology.  We have a very limited number of laptops, iPads, and keyboards that we can loan.  These are our priorities (in order):

1. Grade 12 students who do not have access within their home to a suitable device for up to 12 hours per week.
2. Students who require technology as outlined in a Student Learning Plan or Individual Education Plan.
3. Other students who have no access to suitable technology within their household.
4. Other students who may have trouble accessing a suitable device within their household for the required time each week.

​We understand that, for many families, it will be convenient to have an additional device in the household.  We simply cannot provide enough devices to meet those who desire them for convenience’s sake.  Please keep the following in mind when assessing whether you need an additional device:

1. Most online activities will not be done according to a prescribed schedule, so families can expect that online work can be done throughout the day, not just at particular times.
2. Most scheduled activities will be Zoom conferences which can easily be done using a smart phone or tablet.
3. Most smartphones are more than capable of showing videos, using Zoom, and using Google classroom.  We have a number of wired keyboards (Lightning connectors for Apple phones or iPads) that make typing easier which may be all your child needs to fully participate using their phone.

To request a device, please follow this link or call the school at 667-5901.


We have heard some anxieties with regard to assessment, grading, and report cards.  Here are some key messages from us:

• All students are expected to make the best of these upcoming learning opportunities;
• Students who were passing their courses at the end of spring break are expected to pass, but grades may go up or down based on performance between now and June 12.
• Students who were not passing at the end of spring break must complete prior work as evidence of that learning.  Students in this position will be contacted by each applicable teacher to demonstrate the required learning in order to improve their performance and pass the course.
• Students will not have final, summative exams in June.
• Each teacher will determine the best way to ensure students have demonstrated the required learning and provide a final report card with detailed comments about next steps.

As always, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have further questions or concerns.


​​Sincerely,
Ryan Sikkes, principal and Jeanette Gallant, vice-principal