News from Vanier - March 9-13

March 9th, 2020

Dear Vanier families and friends,

We are sad that our school will not be hosting two sporting events, accommodations, and food services for athletes next week during the now-cancelled Arctic Winter Games.  We very much understand how difficult it was to make this decision out of an abundance of caution for the safety and well-being of all the participants and volunteers.  We recognize how many hours of training and planning went into this event and wish to remain focused on the commitment of the athletes, coaches, and volunteers.  We hope that these efforts will pay off in other ways even though it will be disappointing to miss the games experience.

As we head into spring break at the end of this week, we will be encouraging students to clean out their lockers before the end of Friday.  Gym strip, especially, should be taken home to be laundered.

This will be the last email until school resumes on March 30 – enjoy the break!

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

Upcoming Important Dates

• Wednesday, March 11, 11:09 am, X block is period 3
• March 16 - 27 – Spring Break – Have a relaxing couple of weeks.
• April 3-4 – THINKfast – THINKfast is an interactive learning experience designed for youth.  Students can choose from a collection of activities and reflections that will help them and their group experience the challenges of poverty and injustice in concrete ways.  By participating in this 25-hour educational and fundraising fast you stand in solidarity with those in the Global South who need our support, both through financial support to projects they are leading and through a greater understanding of the structures that perpetuate poverty and injustice.  In one day, you take a stand against oppression and directly support programs in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East that bring about peace, justice, and development.  Registration forms will be distributed after spring break.
• Wednesday, April 8, 11:09am – Easter Liturgy
• Friday, April 10 – Good Friday, No School.
• Monday, April 13 – Easter Monday, No School.
• April 14-17 – Numeracy Assessment window for all Grade 10s.

Smart phone concerns
Smart phones can be wonderful tools for communications and for learning.  We do, however, have some concerns with some of the choices that our students are making with their phones and wish to encourage parents/guardians to discuss smart phone use.

1. Usage late at night – many of our students are exhausted at school while reporting that they stay up late at night playing games or communicating.  Please consider asking your child to charge their phones in the kitchen or a parents’/guardians’ bedroom
2. Inappropriate content – we receive reports of students who are viewing and sharing inappropriate content – mostly videos, including pornography.  While our school’s wifi is filtered, cellular data is not.
3. Intimate images – the possession and transmission of intimate images of subjects under 18 years is a criminal offence.  Some students believe that sending intimate images to romantic partners is an exception to this law – it is not.

It is our school’s opinion that parents/guardians have the responsibility to access your child’s smart phone periodically to monitor usage and safety.
If you have any questions or concerns or wish some support in engaging with your child on this issue, please feel free to contact the administration or a counsellor for advice.

Food for Learning
The Yukon Food for Learning Association (YFFLA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the nutritional needs of school students in the Yukon.  Their vision is a Yukon where every student has access to nutritious healthy food while at school.
Here at Vanier we have been using our funding from the YFFLA to ensure we always have healthy food on hand that is accessible to all students. 
Students are encouraged to stop by the office where they can be directed to supplies to make healthy sandwiches, paired with fruit and granola bars, if they are hungry or have no food.

Class of 2020 Fundraisers
The Graduation class of 2020 is currently accepting donations towards their Raven Recyling fundraiser.  When returning recyclables to Raven Recycling, just quote “Vanier Grad Class of 2020”, they will then put the refund towards the grad account.  They provide refunds on all ready to drink beverage containers sold in Yukon.  This includes all beer, wine, liquor, pop, juice and milk containers.  Any and all donations are greatly appreciated.
On Saturday, April 18, The Leesiders (Whitehorse’s premiere Celtic dance band) will be playing a down east kitchen party at the Coast High Country Inn as a Class of 2020 fundraiser!  Tickets will be on sale starting March 30 at the school - $25 each.  No minors; 19 years and older only.
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Service Learning Hours
If your child received an “I” 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