News from Vanier - April 20-24

​Dear Vanier Students and Families:
 
Draw us forth…
Draw us forth, God of all creation.
Draw us forward and away from limited certainty
into the immense world of your love.
Give us the capacity to even for a moment
taste the richness of the feast you give us.
Give us the peace to live with uncertainty,
with questions,
with doubts.
Help us to experience the resurrection anew
with open wonder and an increasing ability
to see you in the people of Easter.
Amen.
 
We hope everyone enjoyed the lovely weather this past weekend – the crocuses appearing and the trees starting to bud is such an exciting sign of rebirth and renewal!  It is no coincidence that the early Christians chose to mark Jesus’ death and resurrection during this season.
 
Our first few days of learning from home with most students participating online have been quite smooth from our perspective.  If your reality has not been the same, please let us know so we can try and help!  We would much rather help sort out any issues early on before a student starts to feel behind.
 
Here are few bits of information to share this week:
 

• Later this week, we’ll be rolling out our “Virtual Skills Room” – details will be in a future email and posted on the school website – www.vcss.ca – as an option for students to get extra help, assignment reading and/or scribing online, etc.
• If portal passwords need to be reset, please call the school at 667-5901 or email [email protected]
• If you require a pick up or delivery of school materials or assignments, please call the school at 667-5901 or use this link to request one.
• We still have locker contents to distribute – please feel free to call the school at 667-5901 before you come to pick them up or use the link above to request a delivery.
• Books are available from the Learning Commons – simply email [email protected] with your requests and to make arrangements for pickup or delivery.
• You can always email teachers using the email convention [email protected] – please don’t hesitate to contact teachers or the school if you have any questions or concerns.  Again, earlier is better!

 
I just want to repeat a few suggestions for students to help set the best conditions for learning at home:
 

1. Think about where you are going to work.  If possible, find a quiet place that you use for studying only.
2. Have a regular routine.  Set a schedule and study at the same time each day.  Consider scheduling your classwork in a specific order.
3. Plan out your study time to include regular breaks.
4. Keep pace with your schoolwork and don’t wait until the last minute to complete tasks.
5. Keep your learning area tidy and organized and with minimal distractions – this includes your online environments – put your phone on “do not disturb”, shut off your notifications, close multiple browser tabs, etc.

Let’s keep in touch!  Our Instagram account (vcssyukon) is a great way to stay connected.  We’ll have more opportunities as the days progress.
 
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
 
Happy Easter!
 
Sincerely,
 
Ryan Sikkes, principal and Jeanette Gallant, vice-principal