Dear Vanier students and families:

I hope this finds everyone well.  A few information items before the weekend:

• Student timetables and information letters are in the mail and you should receive them next week.
• As I mentioned in a previous email, our school information system software goes down for its annual maintenance starting tonight until August 17.  We will not be able to make schedule changes until August 18 at 12 noon, at which time counsellors and administration will be able to assist with changes.
• This is also the same system I use to send out these emails.  If we need to communicate with you between now and the 17th, we will use the School Messenger Service (the same software that emails from the Department of Education come from).  Any updates will also be posted on our school website – www.vcss.ca
• Staff email addresses and our school email address – vcss@gov.yk.ca – will continue to work and we will respond to any messages received.  You can also call the school – 867-667-5901 – as our office staff and administration will be working all week.
• Our Covid-19 Operational Plan has been submitted and will be approved next week – we will post it on our school website on August 12 (and may use the School Messenger Service to send it to all households).
• A reminder that our Grade 8 Orientation Afternoon has changed from Tuesday to Wednesday, August 19 from 12:30 to 3:00 pm.
• The first day of school for all students will be on Thursday, August 20:
  • 8:40 am start for Grade 8 and 9 students
  • 8:45 am start for Grade 10-12 students with surnames starting with A through L
  • 12:35 pm start for Grade 10-12 students with surnames starting with M through Z
• Finally, there are many questions and concerns about how our Grade 10-12 program will operate next year.  I would like to offer two opportunities to share information and answer questions for Grade 10-12 students and parents/guardians.  Both sessions will have the same information presented – the only difference is that one is over Zoom and the other is in-person.
  • Wednesday August 12 at 7 pm – on Zoom using the link emailed to all students/parents/guardians on August 7
  • Thursday, August 13 at 7 pm – at the picnic tables out front of the school (weather permitting – if it’s rainy, we’ll move to the large gym)

As always, please don’t hesitate to reply to this email if you have any questions or concerns, or call the school at 667-5901.
​
Sincerely,
Ryan Sikkes, principal

Dear Vanier students and families:
 
Here are some updates about the start of this school year since my last email (July 13).
 
Planning
 

• The Guidelines for K-12 School Settings were released on July 23 and we are using those to continue planning for the 2020-2021 school year.
• The three large Whitehorse secondary schools (FH Collins, Porter Creek, and Vanier) are working closely to ensure that the three schools operate similarly to each other.
• We are developing our finalized Health and Safety Operational Plan which will be shared on or before August 12.

 
School Calendar
 

• A Professional Development (PD) Day has been moved from October 1 to August 19 to give schools an extra day to prepare, therefore the first day of school for all students will now be Thursday, August 20.
• Our Grade 8 orientation afternoon will move from Tuesday, August 18 to Wednesday, August 19 from 12:30 until 3:00 pm.

 
School Schedule
 

• Grade 8 and 9s will use our traditional Monday to Friday, 5 blocks per day, schedule as found here: https://www.vcss.ca/bell-and-class-schedule.html

• The Grade 10-12 bell schedule is anticipated to be (subject to change):

• A year-long calendar specifying which days are Day 1s and Day 2s will be available before the school year starts.
• Teachers will use a blended learning model facilitated using Microsoft Teams to facilitate additional learning time when students are not in classrooms.
• Students’ shift assignment will be based on surname (last name):
  • Surnames starting with A through L will be Shift 1
  • Surnames starting with M through Z will be Shift 2
  • This will flip at the semester break (ie. Shift 2 will meet in the mornings and Shift 2 will meet in the afternoons, for equity reasons).
  • It is not possible to switch shifts, except under very limited circumstances (e.g. blended families where students have different surnames will be able to have all students in one shift).

• When students are not in classrooms, it is expected they are working on school – please avoid scheduling work or other obligations during these times.  This way students can collaborate (either electronically or in person) outside of classroom time.
• A supervised off-site “study hall” will be available for students if they cannot return home or learn effectively at their homes.  It will have digital devices for students to access.  More information on this will come in a future email.

 
Student Timetables
 

• We are working on creating student timetables this week and plan to mail them to households towards the end of the week.
• Please send any questions or comments about timetables to vcss@gov.yk.ca
• Our student information system (based in British Columbia where school doesn’t start until after Labour Day) goes off-line for summer maintenance from August 8 until the 17th.  We will not be able to make any schedule changes during this time.
• Counsellors and administration will be available for schedule changes on Tuesday, August 18 and Wednesday, August 19 – we will confirm the details in a future email.
• We will include a list of Grade 10-12 classes available in each block with the timetables, so students can look for alternative classes to the ones they have been assigned to.  Keep in mind, there are many full classes.

 
School Supplies and Lockers
 

• School supply lists are attached to this email and are also posted on our school website.
• Students will not be issued lockers this year.
• Grade 8 and 9 students will be issued a plastic bin to store their supplies in their classroom.
• Grade 10-12 students should be able to store all their materials in a backpack with room for textbooks and/or workbooks.

 
In the meantime, please feel free to reply to this email with any of your questions or concerns or send them to vcss@gov.yk.ca or call the school at 667-5901. 
 
Sincerely,
Ryan Sikkes, principal
 

​Dear Vanier students and families:
Many of you have heard by now the Minister of Education’s update on the return to school that was provided last week. 

If you haven’t, the bottom line is: In Whitehorse, Grades Kindergarten through 9 students will return to school for full days, every day and Grades 10 through 12 students will attend half days, every day and continue to learn from home during the other half of the day. 

These changes will allow us to maximize physical distancing and minimize the “mixing” of students within the school as these are the best practices with regard to public health and safety.

This will look and feel very different from what we are used to and we appreciate all our students’ and families’ understanding and flexibility as we implement these changes.

There are many details to work out to make this plan work.  I’d like to share some of the broad aspects of what the return to school next month will look like that we know at the moment.  More specific details will be shared in the coming weeks.

Overall health and safety principles:

• Maintaining 2m physical distancing where possible.
• Limit mixing of students/teachers as much as possible.
• Reduce number of transitions and hallway interactions as much as possible.
• Engage in hand hygiene and disinfecting routines as much as possible.

All students:

• Will be required to maintain 2m separation from other students as much as possible (although this distance can be reduced if they are not face-to-face)
• Will only engage in group activities (in and out of class) if physical distancing can be maintained.
• Will be encouraged to spend the least amount of time in the building as necessary.
• Will have access to a supervised off-site “study hall” when they are not in class if they cannot return home or learn effectively at their homes.
• Will be required to use hand sanitizer upon entry to the school and entry and exit of any classroom.
• Will be required to engage in some sanitization activities (e.g. wiping down desks, technology, etc.) within classrooms.
• Will not be able to attend school if exhibiting any symptoms of illness.
• Will be encouraged to have access to a digital device to engage in blended learning.
• Will be able to purchase food from our cafeteria, but may need to eat in another location.

The school will be split into two groups: Junior School (Grade 8 & 9) and Senior School (Grades 10 through 12).

Junior School:

• Our traditional Monday – Friday, 5 period per day schedule will continue as normal.
• Students will remain in their core class groupings for all subjects (except options).
• Each core class will be assigned to one single classroom where students will be instructed for all classes except PE and Options.
• Desks will be arranged in a manner to minimize face-to-face orientation of students, as this may allow them to sit closer than 2m.
• Teachers will move to each classroom to instruct each group to which they are assigned to teach, except for PE and Options.
• An additional focus on developing self-directed learning skills will be emphasized as they are a vital component of 21st century learning and the redesigned curricula.

Senior School:

• Students will be split into two “shifts”.
• Each student will be enrolled in four classes each semester.
• In semester 1, Shift 1 will attend in the mornings and Shift 2 in the afternoons.
• In semester 2, Shift 2 will attend in the mornings and Shift 1 in the afternoons.
• Each day, teachers will repeat their classroom instruction for each shift.
• Classroom instruction will be in approximately 70 minute blocks with a long lunch to allow for cleaning and disinfection of surfaces.
  • This schedule will not align with the Junior School schedule
• Students will move from classroom to classroom; teachers will remain in place.
• Days will alternate so that two classes are taught on the first day, and the other two classes are taught on the second:

Day 1
Day 2

Shift 1, Block 1/2 Class
Shift 1, Block 3/4 Class
Shift 1, Block 5/6 Class
Shift 1, Block 7/8 Class

Lunch
 

Shift 2, Block 1/2 Class
Shift 2, Block 3/4 Class
Shift 2, Block 5/6 Class
Shift 2, Block 7/8 Class

• Days will “float” rather than be on a Monday-Friday schedule.  ie. if Day 1 is scheduled for a statutory holiday or PD day, it would move to the next available school day.
• Teachers will use a blended learning model facilitated using Microsoft Teams to facilitate additional learning time when students are not in classrooms.
• A supervised off-site “study hall” will be available for students if they cannot return home or learn effectively at their homes.  It will have digital devices for students to access.

Next Steps:

• Splitting the school into a Junior and Senior school requires building a completely new timetable.
• Once built, we will use students’ course selection information to build individual timetables – we hope to mail these home no later than August 7.
• The “shift” grade 10-12 students have been assigned to will also be shared at that time.
• Timetable changes with a counsellor or administrator will be possible starting August 17 after 1 pm.
• Further specifics regarding the “broad strokes” listed above along with other developments will be shared as soon as they have been confirmed.

I hope this email has helped provide you with a rough idea of how our school will operate.  Again, more detail and specifics will be shared when they are known and confirmed.

In the meantime, please feel free to reply to this email with any of your questions or concerns or send them to vcss@gov.yk.ca.  Please, at this time, do not send questions about a student’s timetable or “shift” as these have not yet been determined.
​
Sincerely,
Ryan Sikkes, principal

Dear Vanier students and families:
 
[NOTE: In all the fun of preparing to greet the Holy Family Elementary Grade 7 class at the school as part of their drive-thru graduation, I forgot to send this out!  My apologies for the delay.  RS]
 
This will be the last regular Monday email until school resumes in August.  However, please do make sure you continue to check your emails regularly as we will continue to distribute information using email over the summer as necessary.  We anticipate needing to do this at least a few times as things develop and what the start of next year will look like becomes clearer.
 
The world has been a topsy-turvy place, these last few months especially.  However, I believe that our strong sense of community and mission has served us well – and will continue to do so over the summer.
 
Our school is guided, in many ways, by Jesus’ two great commandments: To love God with all your mind, heart, soul, and strength and to love our neighbours as ourselves.  Imagine if everyone could live by those commandments!  Part of loving our neighbours as ourselves involves recognizing and acting against injustices, as outlined in this prayer:
 
RESHAPING A MISSHAPEN WORLD
 
God of peace,
your call is clear.
We are to reshape a misshapen world.
Bless us with your peace
so that through our actions
we may change the course of human history.
Give us the grace to never dishonor ourselves
with prejudice, apathy, or hatred.
Let us stand firm against anything that is dehumanizing.
Guard us against indifference and complacency.
Ignite our hearts with your love and your justice,
so that our commitment of conscience will stand out
like the brightest light in the darkest night.
 
Loving God,
we are your imperfect people, yet we trust in your love for us.
Turn our complacency into commitment
to ease the pain of those who suffer.
Turn our bitterness into renewed purpose to stop injustice.
Turn our apathy into resolve to put an end to oppression.
Turn our indifference into new energy to serve those in need.
Turn our stubbornness into determination to bring peace to all humanity.
 
Empowering God,
Give power to the powerless
and strength to the weak.
Give joy to those who despair
and freedom to those who have been robbed of it.
Give satisfaction to those who hunger
for bread and for justice.
 
God of all,
let new life rise out of the ashes of human suffering.
May generations to come be architects of peace and justice.
May they be full of strength and courage
and passionate about bringing your love to all humanity.
Amen.
 
Return of school’s materials
 
As the school year winds down, we will now start collecting all school materials that have been loaned or assigned to students.  These include:
·       Textbooks
·       Library books
·       Graphing calculators
·       Musical instruments
·       Science equipment
·       Technology (Mac Book Airs, keyboards, iPads)
·       Anything else that students are borrowing
 
We will have tables set up at the front of the school until Wednesday, June 10 – 9 am to 4 pm – to receive these materials.  Please return everything as soon as you are finished with the materials.
 
If you are not able to come by the school to drop materials off, please request a pickup and we will send someone to come to your home to collect the materials.  Online request form:  Request a pickup.   Or call the school at 667-5901.
 
CCSA – dinner table questions
 
Our school’s entire curriculum is built on the “Core Competencies” of Communication, Thinking, and Personal and Social Responsibility.  Typically, we lead students through the process of self-assess on their growth in these areas and report that with our final report cards.  Due to our present circumstances, we are not having student complete a Core Competency Self-Assessment.
 
Instead, we would ask all parents to, at some point over the next days, have a discussion with your child – like a student led conference – using the attached guide and prompts.
 
Student/Parent survey about online learning experiences
 
While we expect face-to-face learning to resume in some capacity next year, we also expect that we may need to maintain an online component to some classes.  In order to help inform our planning for next year, if online learning is necessary, we would appreciate your feedback.  All students and parents/guardians are invited and encouraged to complete this survey:
 
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VCSonlinelearning
 
We really appreciate everyone’s feedback to help us improve!
 
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
 
Sincerely,
 
Ryan Sikkes, Principal and Jeanette Gallant, Vice-principal
​​

Over four weeks in June and July 2020, the Department of Education will be offering summer school courses virtually/remotely for secondary students who have not successfully completed a course or who wish to strengthen their skills in one of these core academic subjects:
 

• English 8
• English 9
• English 10
• English 11
• Mathematics 8
• Mathematics 9
• Foundations of Math and Pre-calculus 10
• Workplace Mathematics 10
• Foundations of Math 11
• Pre-Calculus 11
• Workplace Mathematics 11
• Pre-Calculus 12
• Science 10
• Chemistry 11

 Courses will be offered based on a minimum of 6 students per class. Class sizes will be limited in order to provide a high degree of individual instruction.
 
Secondary students can register in 1 of the core academic subjects offered if they haven’t successfully completed a course with:
·      a final grade of 40% or higher; or
·      proficiency indicator of ‘Emerging’ or higher (Grade 8-9).
 
Fees for Summer School courses will be $180.00. Students, parents or guardians unable to pay Summer School tuition fees, may contact the Summer School Administrative Assistant at 667-5141 to make other arrangements.
 
Date:                                       June 23 - July 17, 2020
Time:                                      8:45 a.m. - 12:00 noon                      
Location:                                 F.H Collins Secondary School (Virtual/Remote Classes)
Course Fees:                           $180.00
Contact:                                  Summer School Administrative Assistant 667-5141
Registration Deadline:           Monday, June 15th, 2020
 
For further information and to download the registration form please see your school counsellor or visit our website: https://yukon.ca/en/register-summer-school

​Dear Vanier students and families:
 
Here is a quick mid-week update.
 
Return of school’s materials
 
As the school year winds down, we would like to start collecting all school materials that have been loaned or assigned to students.  These include:
-Textbooks
-Library books
-Graphing calculators
-Musical instruments
-Science equipment
-Technology (Mac Book Airs, keyboards, iPads)
-Anything else that students are borrowing
 
We will have tables set up at the front of the school starting tomorrow, Friday, June 5 until Wednesday, June 10 – 9 am to 4 pm – to receive these materials. 
 
If you are not able to come by the school to drop materials off, please request a pickup and we will send someone to come to your home to collect the materials:  Request a pickup.
 
 
Yukon Graduate Day – June 10
 
Wednesday June 10, 2020 has been proclaimed Yukon Graduate Day by the Commissioner of Yukon to recognize and celebrate the success and achievements of each and every Yukon graduating student.  Please see the attached letter from the Minister of Education for more details.
 
I will also officially declare this to be the day where our Class of 2020 students who are leaving our school community get to start addressing me as ‘Ryan’ rather than ‘Mr. Sikkes’!
 
We celebrated our Class of 2020 through a photography project over the course of the weekend when we would have been hosting our Graduation Mass, Cap and Gown, Prom, and drug- and alcohol-free aftergrad.  CBC Yukon featured this project in a short video you can watch by clicking HERE.
 
Our graduates will soon be contacted to arrange an exit interview where they can give us some direct feedback on their experiences at Vanier – this is very helpful information for us and we have made changes within the school based on this information from previous graduation classes!
 
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact the school.
 
Sincerely,
 
Ryan Sikkes, principal

​Dear Vanier students and families:
 
This Sunday was Pentecost, where the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and other followers of Jesus is marked in the Christian liturgical calendar.  The Holy Spirit is a true presence in everyone’s life and it’s often so subtle or masked by other concerns that it’s easy to forget.  The gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit are what cause a constant renewal in our community, our country, and the world and are reflected in Psalm 104 we heard at Mass yesterday:
 
Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
How manifold are your works, O Lord!
the earth is full of your creatures;
Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
may the LORD be glad in his works!
Pleasing to him be my theme;
I will be glad in the LORD.
Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
If you take away their breath, they perish
and return to their dust.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth.
Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
 
It’s June!
 
It’s difficult to believe that we are heading into our last two weeks of school!  The resilience our students and staff have shown in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic has been inspiring to us as school leaders.  Further, in those moments where resilience has sometimes suffered, the empathy shown by others to provide support and advice has also been truly gratifying to observe.
 
There are still some difficult times ahead for all of us.  There is also much uncertainty at the moment, which can be harder to deal with than bad news.  We will commit to keeping our entire school community as informed as possible as things develop, especially in regard to the start of the next school year.  Please keep checking your emails for News from Vanier throughout the summer.
 
Last week of learning from home
 
This is our last week of our online learning program to cover the essential learning standards that needed to be covered after spring break.  There will be no formal exam period, although some teachers have final projects and assignments to wrap up their courses.  Students will not have much additional time after this week to get outstanding assignments submitted – let’s focus on getting everything done this week!
 
Summer school
 
Over four weeks in June and July 2020, the Department of Education will be offering summer school courses virtually/remotely for secondary students who have not successfully completed a course or who wish to strengthen their skills in one of these core academic subjects:
 

• English 8
• English 9
• English 10
• English 11
• Mathematics 8
• Mathematics 9
• Foundations of Math and Pre-calculus 10
• Workplace Mathematics 10
• Foundations of Math 11
• Pre-Calculus 11
• Workplace Mathematics 11
• Pre-Calculus 12
• Science 10
• Chemistry 11

 
Courses will be offered based on a minimum of 6 students per class. Class sizes will be limited in order to provide a high degree of individual instruction.
Secondary students can register in 1 of the core academic subjects offered if they haven’t successfully completed a course with:

• a final grade of 40% or higher; or
• proficiency indicator of ‘Emerging’ or higher (Grade 8-9).

 
Fees for Summer School courses will be $180.00. Students, parents or guardians unable to pay Summer School tuition fees, may contact the Summer School Administrative Assistant at 667-5141 to make other arrangements.
 
Date:                                       June 23 - July 17, 2020
Time:                                      8:45 a.m. - 12:00 noon                      
Location:                                 F.H Collins Secondary School (Virtual/Remote Classes)                                                       
Course Fees:                           $180.00
Contact:                                  Summer School Administrative Assistant 667-5141
Registration Deadline:           Monday, June 15th, 2020
 
Return of school materials
 
Shortly, we will be communicating with all students and families to share the arrangements for the return of all materials that belong to the school.  We will have designated drop-off days and times that we hope will work for most students.  We can make arrangements for home pick-ups if necessary.
 
Report cards and draft timetables
 
Report cards will be written next week and will be mailed no later than June 17.  Along with the report cards will be next year’s draft timetables for students.  We will not be able to accommodate schedule changes right away – those will all have to wait until just before school starts in August.  We will supply a list of all courses available in each block with the timetables so students can see what other options are available.
 
Yearbook
 
The yearbook printer was able to extend the purchasing deadline – we have enough orders to allow the yearbooks to be printed, but we are able to sell a limited number of additional books.  Additional copies may be available in the fall, but we cannot promise this.
 
The yearbook purchase link is currently off-line but will be back up tomorrow until the end of the week:  https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1393329/Vanier-Catholic-Secondary-School/2020-Yearbook/2020051404152052081/CATALOG_SHOP/

We are still looking for pictures of:

• "learning from home" Covid-19 homeschooling photos
• Sports throughout the year
• Field Trips
• General 'around the school' pics

 Send pictures to vcssyearbook@gmail.com.
 
Have a great last week of learning from home – please let us know if there is anything else we can do to help during these last days of the school year!
 
Sincerely,
 
Ryan Sikkes, principal, and Jeanette Gallant, vice-principal

Dear Vanier students and families:

I’m both saddened and pleased to announce that our vice-principal, Jeanette Gallant, has been appointed Principal of Christ the King Elementary School as of the next school year.  Ms. Gallant has been our vice-principal for six years and has been an inspirational instructional leader, administrator, and human being within our school community and we will miss her presence greatly.  In addition to her many talents, we will miss her optimism and good humour.  However, we are are thrilled for her and for the CKES community as she takes on this challenging role!  Thank you, Jeanette, for everything that you have contributed to Vanier.

If you would like to congratulate Jeanette on this achievement, please email her atJeanette.Gallant@gov.yk.ca to do so and send your best wishes.


Last two weeks of learning from home!

We are on the “home stretch” of our online programming to get us through this academic year.  The last day of our online programming is Friday, June 5 after which teachers will be writing the final report cards.  Please take these last two weeks to ensure that all assignments are completed and submitted.  Do take advantage, if need be, of additional help through our Virtual Skills Room which is available Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.


Next year…

We are planning in earnest for the many scenarios that might affect the start of the 2020-2021 academic year on August 18.  We have built a timetable, filled student schedules and begun hiring the necessary staff to get the year started in anticipation of face-to-face classes resuming in some capacity.  However, the Covid-19 situation is still fluid and plans may need to change between now and August.  The safety of our students, staff, and the wider community are the most important factor to consider as we are planning.

We will endeavour to keep you all informed through these emails and our school website as plans for next year develop and are confirmed. 


Awards
We will be selecting students as recipients for our various end of year awards.  We will recognize students for academic excellence and commendable effort in each of the courses that we offer as usual.  This year, we will separate courses between semester 1 and 2 to recognize the very different way that school was delivered in Semester 2.

We will also select students for our overall awards (Principal’s Award, Christian Witness and Service Award, Safe and Caring School Champion Award) and for achievement in our extracurricular activities (e.g. athletics, social justice, tutoring, etc.).

These awards will be mailed home with the final report cards and we will publish the names of the winners in a newspaper advertisement this year instead of our usual ceremony.

Finally, after final report cards are completed, we will calculate the overall Grade Point Averages (GPAs) of all our students to determine our Principal’s List and Honour Roll Lists.  Those notifications will be mailed in the summer as usual, and hopefully we may be able to recognize those students in person in the fall.

Grad awards and scholarships will be awarded at the postponed cap and gown ceremony in August.


Cookbook
This week, we are celebrating the art, science, and craft of cooking in a larger way.  Ms. Stoker’s Foods 33 classes are displaying their food truck projects on our Instagram feed where a majority vote will decide on the winning proposal – please check them out and vote!

Further, we are still hoping for submissions to our Covid-19 Community Cookbook that we hope to offer all families at the end of the year.  Please submit your recipes by clicking this link: https://forms.gle/iLd1wG84iSyyqjuP7 The recipes we have received have looked delicious!

Finally, as always, please don’t hesitate to direct any of your questions, concerns, or feedback to us by replying to this email, emailing vcss@gov.yk.ca, or calling the school at 667-5901.
​
Sincerely,
​Ryan Sikkes, principal