News from Vanier - January 27-31

January 27th, 2020

Dear Vanier families and friends,

Semester 2 is well under way and students seem to have settled into their new class routines.  Semester 1 report cards will be mailed this week – please contact teachers directly if you have any questions or concerns about what is in the report card for a particular class.  Teachers all have the same email format: [email protected] and parents/guardians are always welcome to contact teachers directly.

​Course selection season is just around the corner!  More information will be coming over the next weeks to help students and families develop requests for next year’s classes. Stay tuned!

Sincerely,
Ryan Sikkes, principal


Dates to Note:

• Tuesday, January 28: The 1st annual Jim Giczi Memorial Dodgeball Game – Class of 2020 vs RCMP – 12.20pm $2 to watch.

• Wednesday, January 29 – Christian Unity Liturgy – 11:05 am in small gym

• Thursday, January 30 – Class Photos will be taken by Mr. Wilson in the morning.  Grads, please wear your hoodies that day!

• Thursday, January 30 – Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Vaccine Catch up visit (see below)

 
Tutoring Program
With the start of a new semester, Grade 10-12 students may find themselves in classes where some additional assistance may help them achieve their best.  Grade 8 and 9 students may find, halfway through the year, in a similar position!

All Vanier students can receive tutoring from other students for assistance in course work, assignments or organizational skills.  The students requesting tutors are self-identified or identified by parents or teachers.
To receive tutoring the student simply needs to fill in an application in the Skills Room (Room 3).

Students in Grade 10, 11, or 12 can apply to be a tutor. Tutors can either earn service learning hours or an hourly wage.   Peer tutors are paid on a graduated scale, which increases with grade level and number of hours tutored. Potential tutors need to come in person to the Skills room and fill in an application. Students will be matched one on one by the Department Head of Student Support Services. 

Service Learning Hours
If your child received an “I” or "In Progress" on their report card for Religion and had a comment saying they need to get their Service Learning Hours completed, please encourage them to see Mr. Gillard regarding this matter.  They may also have hours not completed in previous years that is affecting credits on their transcripts.  Please keep in mind, if a student did not complete hours in one year, they do carry over to the next. 

Please visit the website for more details: https://www.vcssreligion.com/service-learning

2019-2020 MMR CatchUp Campaign
 
On Thursday, January 30, 2020, Whitehorse Health Centre staff will be back at Vanier for the 2019-2020 Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) CatchUp Campaign (all grades) for all students that require that vaccine.
 
Please direct any questions or concerns about the immunization program or the consent process to the Whitehorse Health Center at 667-8864.

Sleep Hygiene – Installment #2

Teens typically need about 8-10 hours of sleep per night, but it is common for the average teen to get 7 hours or less per night.
​
What are some factors that prevent teens from getting enough sleep?

• Shifting of the biological clock. After puberty, a teen’s internal clock shifts about 2 hours. For example, if a teen fell asleep by 9 pm before, he/she typically is not tired until after 11 pm. This also means that he/she naturally will want to sleep 2 hours later the following morning.
• Having a busy social life. Most teens partake in afterschool activities such as clubs, sports, part-time jobs, or household chores, on top of the homework that’s assigned daily and must be completed each evening. Socializing also continues through phone and computer use, which can keep them up even later.

What is affected by not getting enough sleep?

• Mood. Not getting enough sleep can cause teens to be irritable and moody all day. Controlling their moods can be an issue, and they can find themselves frustrated or upset more easily.
• Behavior. Teens who are not getting enough sleep are more prone to risk-taking behaviors such as drinking alcohol and driving recklessly.
• Thinking. Sleep deprivation can result in attention problems, memory problems, lead to bad decision-making, slow down reaction time and stunt creativity. These are all important for academic success.
• Academic performance. Teens who are sleep deprived are more likely to do poorly in school, fall asleep during class, have multiple school absences or be consistently tardy.
• Athletic performance. Sleep deprived teens are more likely to perform poorly in after-school sports due to slower reaction times.
• Driving. Teens are the most prone to fall asleep while behind the wheel. This can be highly dangerous, especially combined with other negative eff ects such as slower reaction times and being easily distracted.

What can I do?

• Keep track of sleep patterns and schedules.
• Maintain a regular sleep schedule.
• Teens should be going to bed and waking up at around the same time every day, including non-school nights. Try to keep the difference in sleep and wake times within one hour.
• Be consistent on weekends. Although teens can stay up a little longer, they should not sleep in to catch up on sleep they missed during the week. It will make it harder to get back on track for their regular schedule.
• Create a sleep-friendly physical environment.
• The bedroom should be comfortable, cool, quiet, and dark. A bedroom that is warmer than 22 degrees can make it harder to fall and stay asleep.
• The bed should only be used for sleeping. Try not to do homework, read a book, or listen to music in bed.
• Keep a consistent bedtime routine. Try to “wind down” by doing less stimulating activities such as reading or listening to calm music. Do not use this time to watch television, cram in more studying, use the computer, talk on the phone, or exercise.

Here are some additional important tips: Try to:

• Incorporate exercise into your daily routine. It may help you fall asleep more easily and sleep more deeply.
• Take a break and go outside for some time every day, especially in the morning. Getting sun exposure helps your body keep its internal clock on track.
• Eat meals regularly, and avoid going to bed on an empty stomach. However, do not eat a full meal an hour before bed, and try to opt for a light snack instead.