Newsletter Feb 7 – 11

Greetings,

Sunday’s gospel reading from Luke 5: 1-11 tells of the time Jesus told the fledgling disciplines to throw their nets over into the lake once more.  Despite catching nothing all night, the fisherman found their nets tearing with the weight of the catch and were in danger of swamping their boat.  This early miracle of Christ was likely necessary to establish the uncanny divinity of a man.  As the fish were caught, so, too, were the disciples.  “They left everything and followed him.”  With the man and miracle standing before you, I don’t think anyone could resist.  However, we don’t have the miracle, and the man is often eclipsed by the shadows of our prideful hearts.  Lord, grant us the strength to follow you.  Help us to see you.

This Week

The absences likely related to COVID continue.  Students and parents may use their Outlook email to communicate with teachers away from the prying eyes of the group chats.  The email address are the same as before [email protected]

Our school messenger is back up and running so that we may send automated phone calls home to parents to give notice of unexcused absences at first period and the end of the day.  If you know your student will not be at school, please call in with the excuse.

We still have lots of COVID rapid tests available for parent pick-up.

Grade 8s will begin their course selection for next year on Tuesday.  The choice is for those options courses like Home Ec., Industrial Arts, Music, Art, etc.

There has been some talk around the activities of the Vanier Gay/Straight Alliance-Gender & Sexuality Club.  Please know that Vanier remains committed to upholding the rights of those students to operate at the school. 

The Catholic Education Association of Yukon (CEAY) is having a ZOOM meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 9 at 7:00.  Here is the link. Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84027158226?pwd=b1M4ZU1Jb1RweGRIS08xb01wNEVvdz09
Meeting ID: 840 2715 8226      Passcode: 274319

Also, the CEAY is looking for an Executive Director.  They are looking for a two-year contract with compensation at $1250/month.  If this interests you, please email chair@[email protected] and visit the website for more information. https://www.ceayukon.ca/

The Explore Program offers opportunities for students to learn French in another part of Canada.  Applicants must be 16 or older, and the sessions last 31-33 days.  There is a version for younger students, 13- to 15-year olds, which is 21 days.  Go to https://englishfrench.ca/explore/?land=en and contact our French teacher Ms. Hamel at [email protected]

Finally,
Spring is really on its way.  We’ve only a month left before the Spring Break.  Given the amount of snow, we may well be wading our way to school soon.  Weather reminds us that we are at the mercy of forces greater than ourselves.  There is a lesson in there somewhere. 

Blessings,
​
Kyle Janzen, Principal VCSS