October 7th, 2019

​Dear Vanier families and friends,
As we head towards Thanksgiving, we will have a liturgy this Wednesday where we will explore the concept of gratitude from our local and national perspective and also as it is expressed throughout the world in various cultures.  Parents and guardians are always welcome at our liturgies, so please consider yourselves invited this Wednesday from 11:09 until 12:12!  

Our website – www.vcss.ca – is where you can find our handbook and is a great source of school information, too!

Sincerely,
Ryan Sikkes, principal

Dates to Note:

Wednesday, October 9 – the students, staff and families from all Whitehorse Schools will be participating in the annual Thanksgiving Food Drive.

• Participants should gather at Vanier by 5:45pm. 
• Students will be matched up with adult drivers and will pick up bags of food at residences in Riverdale until 8 pm. 
• We will not allow students to drive other students.  Students with their license may drive siblings  However, this Is a school event and, for safety reasons, we cannot allow students to drive other students.
• Collection will happen between 6:00pm and 8:00pm and the bags of food will be Immediately delivered to the Whitehorse Food Bank at 305 Alexander Street.  Students may wish to help with unloading bags at the Food Bank.  This work will likely be completed by 8:45pm and students can be picked up at that time.
• Permission forms for students to ride with other parents/guardians to collect food items or to offer services as a driver can be found here: http://www.vcss.ca/home/food-drive-permission-form
• We kindly as that you please place your bag of donated items outside your home in a well-lit area before 6:00pm on October 9th.  This event involves hundreds of student volunteers who do their best to get every home; if your bag is not collected, we apologize and ask that you drop it off at one of the Whitehorse secondary schools (FH Collins, Porter Creek Secondary or Vanier Secondary) or at the Whitehorse food bank @ 306 Alexander Street.
• Examples of non-perishable goods: Canned: meat, fish, milk, soup, beans, vegetables, fruit.  Dry foods: dried prepared meals, pasta, pasta sauce, rice, cold and hot cereal, sugar, dry soup mix, coffee, tea, crackers, peanut butter, jam.  NO EXPIRED GOODS, PLEASE.

Thursday, October 10 – Individual school photos, please return envelopes with payment to Ron Wilson this day.  Envelopes were distributed last week – extras are available in the school office.

Friday, October 11 – PD Day: All-Secondary Schools.  Enjoy your day off – the staff will be working hard!

Monday, October 14 -   Thanksgiving Holiday – No School.

Wednesday, October 16 – Post Secondary Information Night – 6:00pm @ Vanier Small Gym [Please note the time change from 6:30 to 6:00 pm.]
For Parents and students to learn about:

• Post-Secondary application process
• Deadlines to be aware of including early admissions
• How to get started in the trades
• Career exploration possibilities
• How to make a "gap year" meaningful
• Money stuff including scholarships and where to find them

Tuesday, October 29 – Student Led Conferences.  More information to come in a few weeks.

​Looking for a Boost

Booster Cards - The sale of Booster Cards Is one of the most Important fundraisers for our school community and It Is the only school-wide fundraiser we expect all our students to participate In.  The funds raised help ensure that all of our students can participate fully in extra-curricular activities regardless of their family's financial situation.  In addition, we use these funds for purchases and activities that benefit the entire school community like the blue benches in the hallways and picnic tables outside and around the school.
In order to make this a successful fundraiser we are looking for businesses to offer deals or discounts for the year ahead.  Here are just a few ways to help us raise money for our students:

• You, a family member, or friend have a business that would be able to offer a deal or discount;
• You're available to help us contact businesses to generate support;
• You have ideas on how to make the Booster card more appealing to purchase; and/or
• You can help sell the Booster cards yourself or through your business!

​Other Notes

Attendance – If you are planning a vacation during school time, or know of a planned absence for your student, please make sure to inform the office (not just the teachers).  This will ensure your student is marked excused and you won’t receive a call and/or email at the end of the day.  Either call 867-667-5901 or email vcss@gov.yk.ca to let us know!

Office 365 – As part of the mail-out package mentioned above, you will see information regarding “Office 365,” which is an online suite of programs that students can access through Yukon Education. Vanier believes this is an excellent tool and resource. We hope that all students “opt-in” for Office 365. This form only needs to be filled out if you choose to OPT-OUT.  If you have any questions, please call us.

Tutoring -  Through the Skills Room, all Vanier students can access a free tutoring program. If your child needs support with their school work (academics, organization etc), please encourage them to pick up a form requesting tutoring in the Skills Room.  All concerns and questions can come to Ms. Cann.  At this point in time we have many tutors available, but as the school year picks up there tends to be less availability.

​September 30th, 2019

Dear Vanier families and friends,

We had so many staff and students dressed in orange shirts today!  So many, in fact, that I couldn’t check all the names in the photos we took to make sure we had media releases in place to share them with you all!  Once we are able to do that, we’ll post the photos for sure.

Orange shirt day is a day in the year where we use our clothing to express our desire to reconcile with Canada’s Indigenous peoples with regard to the destructive legacy of the Indian Residential Schools.  However, our commitment to the challenging work of reconciliation goes beyond wearing orange on one single day.  Our school handbook has been updated to express our school’s ongoing commitment to reconciliation and we hope that all our students and staff will engage meaningfully in this important work.

Our website – www.vcss.ca – is where you can find our handbook and is a great source of school information, too!

Sincerely,
Ryan Sikkes, principal

Dates to Note:

September 30 – October 4 – First informal report from teachers.  All parents/guardians can expect emails from each of your child’s teachers to arrive this week.

Thursday, October 3 – Grade 9 Immunizations.

Friday, October 4 – Final day to be entered to win a $250 Visa Gift Card.  Just submit ALL forms and fees to the office to be eligible to win.  The package should have arrived in your mailbox within the last couple of weeks.
Wednesday, October 9 – Schools of Whitehorse Annual Food Drive, supporting the Whitehorse Food Bank.  Bags will be distributed to all neighbourhoods this week. 
Permission forms for students to ride with other parents/guardians to collect food items or to offer services as a driver can be found here: http://www.vcss.ca/home/food-drive-permission-form
We kindly as that you please place your bag of donated items outside your home in a well-lit area before 6:00pm on October 9th.  This event involves hundreds of student volunteers who do their best to get every home; if your bag is not collected, we apologize and ask that you drop it off at one of the Whitehorse secondary schools (FH Collins, Porter Creek Secondary or Vanier Secondary) or at the Whitehorse food bank @ 306 Alexander Street.
Examples of non-perishable goods:
Canned: meat, fish, milk, soup, beans, vegetables, fruit
Dry foods: dried prepared meals, pasta, pasta sauce, rice, cold and hot cereal, sugar, dry soup mix, coffee, tea, crackers, peanut butter, jam.  NO EXPIRED GOODS, PLEASE.
Thursday, October 10 – Individual school photos, please return envelopes with payment to Ron Wilson this day.  Envelopes were distributed last week – extras are available in the school office.
Friday, October 11 – PD Day: All-Secondary Schools.  Enjoy your day off – the staff will be here working hard!
Monday, October 14 -   Thanksgiving Holiday – No School.
Wednesday, October 16 – Post Secondary Information Night – 6:30pm @ Vanier Small Gym
For Parents and students to learn about:
Post-Secondary application process
Deadlines to be aware of including early admissions
How to get started in the trades
Career exploration possibilities
How to make a "gap year" meaningful
Money stuff including scholarships and where to find them
 
Tuesday, October 29 – Student Led Conferences.  More information to come in a few weeks.
Other Notes
Learning Commons’ Bookmark Contest – Congratulations to Morgan Iskra as the winner of this year’s bookmark design contest!  We had phenomenal entries this year and it was very difficult to make the final decision.  Thanks to everyone who submitted a design – here are the “top four”:
Attendance – If you are planning a vacation during school time, or know of a planned absence for your student, please make sure to inform the office (not just the teachers).  This will ensure your student is marked excused and you won’t receive a call and/or email at the end of the day.  Either call 867-667-5901 or email vcss@gov.yk.ca to let us know!
Office 365 – As part of the mail-out package mentioned above, you will see information regarding “Office 365,” which is an online suite of programs that students can access through Yukon Education. Vanier believes this is an excellent tool and resource. We hope that all students “opt-in” for Office 365. This form only needs to be filled out if you choose to OPT-OUT.  If you have any questions, please call us.
Tutoring -  Through the Skills Room, all Vanier students can access a free tutoring program. If your child needs support with their school work (academics, organization etc), please encourage them to pick up a form requesting tutoring in the Skills Room.  All concerns and questions can come to Ms. Cann.  At this point in time we have many tutors available, but as the school year picks up there tends to be less availability.

​Here are the winners of this year's Bookmark design contest.  It was a very difficult decision for the judges make their choice as this year had some exceptional entries.  
 
From left to right:
 
Shai W. (3rd place - tie), Johan G.(2nd place), Daniel T. (3rd place - tie) and Morgan I. (1st place)
 
The new bookmarks will be available this week so ask your student to pick one up for you!
 
Happy Reading!

Here is the permission form to allow your child to ride with another parent/guardian to collect food for the annual Whitehorse Schools Food Drive or to offer your services as a driver.  We are grateful for all the help!

September 23rd, 2019

Dear Vanier families and friends,
Here is this week’s update.
Our website – www.vcss.ca – is a great source of school information, too!

Sincerely,
Ryan Sikkes, principal

Dates to Note:

• Tuesday, September 24 – Grade 8s on retreat.
• Wednesday, September 25 – Hat day to raise money for Terry Fox Cancer Research Foundation – A minimum donation of $5.00 is required to wear a hat.  Vanier staff and students will also participate in our Crusader’s Day Spirit Rally before lunch.
• Thursday, September 26 – Current Religion 10 students on retreat.
• Monday, September 30th – Orange Shirt Day.  A day to listen, learn, act and focus on reconciliation with Canada’s Indigenous peoples related, especially, to Indian Residential Schools.
• September 30 – October 4 – First informal report from teachers.  All parents/guardians can expect emails from each of your child’s teachers during these days.
• Thursday, October 3 – Grade 9 Immunizations.
• Thursday, October 10 – Individual school photos, please return envelopes with payment to Ron Wilson this day.  Envelopes will be distributed at the end of the day tomorrow (Tuesday, September 24).
• Friday, October 11 – PD Day: All-Secondary Schools.  Enjoy your day off – the staff will be here working hard!

Other Notes
Forms - A large package from VCSS should have arrived in your mailbox last week.  Please review the forms carefully and submit all requested information and fees. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school.  Be sure to submit all forms and fees by October 4 to be entered to win a $250 Visa gift card!
​
Attendance – If you are planning a vacation during school time, or know of a planned absence for your student, please make sure to inform the office (not just the teachers).  This will ensure your student is marked excused and you won’t receive a call and/or email at the end of the day.  Either call 867-667-5901 or email vcss@gov.yk.ca to let us know!

Office 365 – As part of the mail-out package mentioned above, you will see information regarding “Office 365,” which is an online suite of programs that students can access through Yukon Education. Vanier believes this is an excellent tool and resource. We hope that all students “opt-in” for Office 365. This form only needs to be filled out if you choose to OPT-OUT.  If you have any questions, please call us.

Tutoring -  Through the Skills Room, all Vanier students can access a free tutoring program. If your child needs support with their school work (academics, organization etc), please encourage them to pick up a form requesting tutoring in the Skills Room.  All concerns and questions can come to Ms. Cann.  At this point in time we have many tutors available, but as the school year picks up there tends to be less availability.

Autumn Prayer
God of all seasons, we thank you for Autumn.
We thank you
for the touch of coolness in the air that gives us a new burst of energy,
for the coloring of trees that shows the creativity of the Divine Artist,
for the falling leaves that reveal the strength of the branches,
for the hues of fields that bring peace to our souls,
for the smiles on pumpkins that bring joy to children,
for the fall harvest which that brings us gratitude for the bounty of our land,
for this change of seasons that reveals the circle of life.
God of all seasons, as you transform the earth, transform us by your Spirit.
Amen
— Rev. Doug Leonhardt, S.J.
 

The memorial service for Sgt. James (Jim) Giczi will take place in the Large Gym at 2:00 pm on Saturday, September 21.  If planning to attend, please take extra time to find parking as it may be difficult to park near the school.

Donations of snacks or desserts for the reception afterwards in the Small Gym would be gratefully accepted.   They can be dropped off at the school starting Friday afternoon (if not needing refrigeration) or taken directly to the Small Gym prior to the service.

On September 17, 2019, the Vanier Catholic Secondary School Council approved our updated school handbook which can be found on our School Documents page.

September 16th, 2019

Dear Vanier families and friends,

​Here is this week’s update.

A large package from VCSS will land in your mailbox any day (if it hasn’t already!)  Please review the forms carefully and submit all requested information and fees. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school.  Be sure to submit all forms and fees by October 4 to be entered to win a $250 Visa gift card!

Our website – www.vcss.ca – is a great source of school information, too!

Sincerely,
Ryan Sikkes, principal

Dates to Note:

• Tuesday, September 17 – Vanier Catholic School Council regular monthly meeting – 7 pm in the Learning Commons.
• Wednesday, September 18 – Vanier Catholic School Council and Catholic Education Association of Yukon annual general meeting – 7 pm in the Learning Commons.
• Friday, September 20 – Yukon College and St. F.X. University recruiter visits.  All Grade 12s will attend, Grade 11 students may register to attend by visiting Ms. Brogdon.
• Friday, September 20 – Current World Religions 12 students on retreat in Carcross.
• Saturday, September 21 – Memorial service for Sgt. James (Jim) Giczi at Vanier Catholic Secondary Large Gym at 2 pm.  Reception to follow in the Small Gym.
• Tuesday, September 24 – Grade 8s on retreat.
• Thursday, September 26 – Current Religion 10 students on retreat.
• Monday, September 30th – Orange Shirt Day.  A day to listen, learn, act and focus on reconciliation with Canada’s Indigenous peoples related, especially to Indian Residential Schools.
• September 30 – October 4 – First informal report from teachers.  All parents/guardians can expect emails from each of your child’s teachers during these days.

Other Notes

Staffing Updates – Ms. Sylvie Ouimet is retiring from Yukon Education on Friday, September 20 after nine years of valued service to Vanier Catholic Secondary.  Ms. Hilary Seymour, formerly from Holy Family Elementary School, will be taking over Ms. Ouimet’s position for the remainder of this school year starting next week.  Félicitations, Mme. Ouimet!

​Ms. Janice Durant, our Library Technician, has taken a new job at the Department of Education.  We thank Ms. Durant for her service to the school and wish her the best in her new position.  Michiko Profeit Charman, one of our Office Assistants, will assume the Library Technician duties.

Office 365 – As part of the mail-out package mentioned above, you will see information regarding “Office 365,” which is an online suite of programs that students can access through Yukon Education. Vanier believes this is an excellent tool and resource. We hope that all students “opt-in” for Office 365. This form only needs to be filled out if you choose to OPT-OUT.  If you have any questions, please call us.

Tutoring -  Through the Skills Room, all Vanier students can access a free tutoring program. If your child needs support with their school work (academics, organization etc), please encourage them to pick up a form requesting tutoring in the Skills Room.  All concerns and questions can come to Ms. Cann.  At this point in time we have many tutors available, but as the school year picks up there tends to be less availability.

​News from the Canada Games Centre –  Here at the Canada Games Centre we are thrilled to announce that the ever-popular Youth Lounge is starting up again for the school year! Youth Lounge is a FREE, drop-in program for ages 9-18 that offers youth their own safe space with food and a variety of activities such as ping-pong, foosball, board games, videogames, arts & crafts, movie nights, and more! This program runs every Friday and Saturday from 6-10pm from September to May. We can be found in the Kids Club at the far end of the CGC.
We are having a Youth Lounge Kick-off party on September 20th and want to spread the word! To celebrate we have local breakdancing crew Groundwork Sessions giving a Hip Hop performance and workshop.

September 9th, 2019
Dear Vanier families and friends,
Here is this week’s update.
Our website – www.vcss.ca – is a great source of information, too!

Sincerely,
Ryan Sikkes, principal

Dates to Note:

September 9-13 – School Wide Writes – Grades 8-12 students will participate in the SWW during their Humanities and English class. Teachers score the student responses collaboratively and use the information to establish directions for instruction. We can also use the information to check in with how specific groups of students are doing, for example, students who are ELL or those who have IEPs.

September 3-6 – DARTs – Last week, students in grade 8 and 9 participated in the “District Assessment of Reading Test,” which involves reading a non-fiction text, answering comprehension and analysis questions, and having a short oral interview with a teacher. This information is used in much the same way as the SWW information. Our goal is to ensure students have effective reading strategies as they encounter more difficult text in their high school courses.
Parents / guardians can view a child’s SWW and DART during student-led conferences on October 29, or by setting up an appointment with their child’s teacher.

Wednesday, September 11 -  Students will participate in a “Home Room” class with the goal of inspiring students to consider how they are using the core competencies in their classes every day. Each student will need to complete a “Core Competency Self-Assessment” by the end of the school year, so this session will be an initial foray into reflecting on these matters. The groups will meet with this focus again in November and finally in May. The core competencies are: Communication, Critical and Creative Thinking, Positive Personal and Cultural Identity, Personal Awareness and Responsibility, and Social Responsibility.

Coming Soon! – A large package from VCSS will land in your mailbox. Please review the forms carefully and submit all requested information and fees. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Office 365 – As part of the mail-out package mentioned above, you will see information regarding “Office 365,” which is an online suite of programs that students can access through Yukon Education. Vanier believes this is an excellent tool and resource. We hope that all students “opt-in” for Office 365. If you have any questions, please call us.
 
Monday, September 30th – A day to listen, learn, act and celebrate First Nations’ Culture
Orange Shirt Day is a legacy of the St. Joseph Mission residential school commemoration even held in Williams Lake in the spring of 2013.  It grew out of Phyllis’s account of losing her pretty new orange shirt on her first day of school at the Mission, and it has become an opportunity to keep the discussion on all aspects of residential schools happening annually.  The date was chosen because children are back in school and teachers have time to plan, and to set the stage for anti-racism and anti-bullying policies for the year.

​Tutoring -  Through the Skills Room, all Vanier students can access a free tutoring program. If your child needs support with their school work (academics, organization etc), please encourage them to pick up a form requesting tutoring in the Skills Room".  All concerns and and questions can come to Ms. Cann.  At this point in time we have many tutors available, but as the school year picks up there tends to be less availability.

Reporting Schedule for Semester 1

Informal (email/phone call)
September 30 – October 4
A “heads-up” about how the student has settled into the school year. The focus will be on work habits and a “predictive” performance evaluation. Some teachers may also send paper interim reports home with students. There will be a follow-up phone call to students’  who are not doing well in their classes.

Student Led Conference
October 29
Students to share how they are doing in classes, supported by evidence of learning and time for reflection and goal-setting. (Nothing will be mailed home – students are expected to attend these conferences with a caring adult.)

Informal (email/phone call)
November 25 - 29
A check-in to describe how students are doing as they head into the final weeks of the course; including what they need to do to be (more) successful. The report will provide a “predictive” performance evaluation. Again, there will be a follow-up phone call to students who are not doing well.

Formal Written Report
January 17
For senior level courses, this will be a final evaluation of learning performance in the course. This is an overall summary mark/performance evaluation. The comment will refer to strengths, areas for development, and possible course recommendation for future courses.
For grades 8-9, this is a mid-year report. Parents will be informed about how their child is doing, with comments about strengths, areas for improvement, and next steps.

​September 3, 2019
Dear Vanier families and friends,
Here is this week’s update.
Our website – www.vcss.ca – is a great source of information, too!

Sincerely,
Ryan Sikkes, principal

Dates to Note
Thursday, September 5 – Whitehorse Transit Show and Tell during the lunch hour.  Come and find out more about riding City Transit, including how to take your bike with you!
Thursday, September 5 – Fire Drill #1
September 9-13 – School Wide Writes
 
Vanier Learning Commons News
The Vanier Learning Commons is a vital part of the school!  The Commons is open from 8:00 am to 4:15 pm every day.  You can read books from our amazing collection, get help to complete your assignments, do research using our print or digital resources, use the green screen room, record a podcast, use a laptop, borrow our coding supplies, play chess or just hang out with friends.  Teacher - librarian Ms. Clarke is always available to help…just ask!
Ms. Clarke’s recipe for a great school year:

1. Eat a good breakfast
2. Floss daily
3. RETURN YOUR OVERDUE TEXTBOOKS AND LIBRARY BOOKS

 
These textbooks are needed for courses being taught this year.  Don’t deny other students the chance to learn all of the fantastic things that you did.  Remember: overdue books will remain on your record until the book is brought back or payment is made.  Start this year off with a clean slate!
 
MAKE YOUR MARK - enter our bookmark contest!
The Vanier Learning Commons is holding a contest to choose a new school bookmark.  You have until Wednesday, September 18th to doodle, draw or paint your way to fame.  The winner will be announced on Friday, September 23 and will receive a gift certificate from Mac’s Books.  October is Canadian Library Month so BOOK it down to the Learning Commons and pick up an entry form today!

Vanier Clubs
The Vanier Social Justice Club, Drama Club, and Chess Club welcome all students from all grades to drop in and check us out!.

​Theatre Club – Tuesday and Thursday @ lunch in Room 12.   Mr. Skelton is the teacher facilitator of this club and it is going to be epic!

Social Justice Club – Wednesday @ lunch in Room 15.  Bring a lunch, bring a friend and be part of making positive change in Whitehorse and beyond!  This year the SJ Club has plans to work on our edible garden, help out at Whitehorse Connects, put up accessibility stickers at school and ensuring that the city of Whitehorse makes accessibility a priority and that is just the beginning of the rewarding, interesting and amazing things that we can do!  Come see Ms. Hamel or Ms. Clarke for more information.

​Chess Club – Thursday @ lunch  Chess Club meets every Thursday at lunch.  If the weather is nice, we will play outside!  At some point, we can invite other schools to Vanier for a tournament!  It doesn’t matter if you are a novice or an expert…just come play!