January 20th, 2020

Dear Vanier families and friends,
This is a long email - we have lots of important information to share this week!

Happy start of semester 2! 
The semester change is a natural time to reflect and recommit to the course of studies at Vanier.  This afternoon, we had a short assembly to welcome our new students (and welcome back those who have returned from other schools/programs) and to remind students that the mid-year change of classes is an ideal time to revisit and “dial up” our school’s expectations regarding:

• Coming to class on time
• Observing all school rules regarding cell phones, hats, food, etc.
• Submitting assignments on time

We hope that parents/guardians will support the school’s efforts regarding these issues should the need come up to discuss them.

Finally, I’ve included the first of four installments about sleep, as promised in earlier emails, at the end of this message.

Sincerely,
Ryan Sikkes, principal

A prayer to start the new semester
Lord, as we prepare for the coming of a new semester, make us ready, attentive and available to hear you.

Thank You for the gift of being able to rise each day with the assurance that You walk through it with us.

Thank You for the gifts of creativity and uniqueness, and the energy to put them to good use.

May all that we are today, all that we try to do today, may all our encounters, reflections, even the frustrations and failings all be place in your hands.

May the work we do and the way we do it, bring new hope, new life, and courage to all we come in contact with this semester. We thank you, Lord. Amen

Dates to Note:

• Tuesday, January 21 – School Council Meeting, 7:15 pm in Learning Commons

• Tuesday, January 21: Grad meeting – 7 pm in Room 5

• Wednesday, January 22 – PLC Wednesday – early dismissal at 2:00 pm

• Friday, January 24: Literacy Assessment 10 @ 9:00am: all grade 10 students must write this assessment – it is a graduation requirement.  Future opportunities to re-write this assessment will be available in June and November of this year.

• 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)

Schedule Changes
A note that schedule changes for this semester can be done until the end of next week, although we encourage students to try and confirm their timetable as soon as possible.  See Ms. Brogdon, Ms. Ouellette, Ms. Gallant, or Mr. Sikkes for schedule changes.

Germany Trip
If you are in grades 10 or 11 and want to go to Germany, here is your opportunity!
Our school has an exchange relationship with the Rabanus Maurus school in Mainz, Germany – a small city just outside Frankfurt.  They have sent students to Yukon in the past and are sending another group in May of this year. 
In return, Vanier may take up to 16 students to Mainz, Germany (and surrounding areas) from June 7-21, 2020.   If enough students express interest, then a parent information meeting will be scheduled shortly thereafter.  The cost of the trip is estimated to be approximately $2800 less any fundraising. 
A refundable deposit of $500 is due to the office by January 24th to ensure your student has the opportunity to participate.

Service Learning Hours
If your child receives 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

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.

Explore – French Language Program
Most expenses are covered!  Are you looking for a spring or summer program?  Do you want to discover another region of Canada and meet new people?  Go Explore!  Explore is an intensive language-immersion program.  You can take the program in the summer.  Participants in Explore receive funding that covers tuition fees for the programs, instructional materials, meals and accommodations, workshops, and other mandatory activities.  Discover another region of Canada while learning French.  Have an adventure and make new friends this summer!
Yukon Department of Education’s French Language Programs adds $700 at the end of the program upon your return to the Yukon.  https://www.myexplore.ca
NOTE: A representative from the Department of Education will be at the school on Wednesday, January 22 over the lunch hour to promote the program and answer any questions!

Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF) diploma exam
French Second Language (FSL) students in grade 11 and 12 who are completing the final French course of their FSL program will have the chance to participate in the Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF) diploma exam in April 2020, being offered by the Yukon Department of Education.
Through this exam, your child could earn an internationally recognized certificate that proves his/her level of fluency in French. This certificate is a valuable asset for his/her resume and for future career and post-secondary opportunities.
The DELF exam is the official French language diploma awarded by France’s Ministry of National Education. It is an official certification of how well a person speaks French as a second language. It is recognized by 165 countries around the world. The exam tests the ability of students to use French in real-life situations. It evaluates four language skills: reading, listening, writing, and speaking.
The results from the DELF exam do not affect a student’s grade or graduation requirements.
This exam is free for FSL students in Yukon completing their final French course as the cost will be covered by the Department of Education.
For more information, please visit:http://www.education.gov.yk.ca/french.html.
The deadline to register for the DELF exam is Thursday, February 20 at 4:00 pm. To register your child, please complete and sign both sides of the registration form available in your child’s French class. Please return it to your child’s French teacher by this date.

Sleep Hygiene – Installment #1

Help your teens on the road to good nights and better mornings.

1. Set a consistent bed-time and wake-time for your teen (even on weekends) that allows for at least 8.5-9.25 hours of sleep each night
2. Encourage your teen to establish a relaxing bedtime routine that includes pleasure reading, taking a bath or listening to music
3. Set up a bedroom for your teen that is cool, dark and quiet
4. Help your teen to cut out caffeine after lunchtime
5. Create an environment that allows your teen to get into bright light in the morning and avoid it in the evening
6. Be a good role model – talk to your teen about the importance of sleep and set the tone by making sleep a priority in your life
7. Keep the television, computer and cell phone in the living room or den instead of your teen’s bedroom – these high tech gadgets are often “sleep stealers”

Regarding the last point: Cell phones are totally corrosive to a good nights’ sleep. Why is this?

• They emit light that keeps you awake at night by suppressing melatonin secretion in your brain, which keeps you from falling asleep.
• They are powerfully addictive. You know how you want to scroll down Instagram just a few more photos or read a few more tweets? Guess what? Social media sites and apps have been engineered by people richer and smarter than you or I to keep you checking in, commenting, posting, liking, etc. That is how they get paid.
• They fragment sleep by emitting alerts during the night Even when a phone is silenced, the light can still wake you up.
• They can generate anxiety and frustration right before bedtime.  Anxiety and stress are contagious, and if you are an anxious or stressed teen, your peers probably are too. Trust me, those Instagram posts will be there in the morning.

(If you want more information here’s more on why electronics in the bedroom are a bad idea.)
There’s a couple of things you can do so you can control your phone, instead of it controlling you.

1. Keep it out of your room. Give it to Mom and Dad and ask them to charge if for you. Tell them to lock it in their car if you are worried you can’t resist the temptation.
2. Turn on “Do Not Disturb” and “Night Shift” (on Apple Devices). These options limit interruptions from your apps and lower the color temperature on your phone. These means there is less blue white light, which is the kind of light that suppresses melatonin. (Note that this is not as good as avowing light altogether.)
3. Use an app like Freedom to limit your digital consumption. It allows you to block apps and websites across all of your devices. You can schedule it or do it on demand.  For example, use it to block all social media sites every night from 10 PM-8 AM

Good Morning!
I know it seems early, but grad photo times have now been booked. They begin this Friday, January 17th! Don't worry, that's a PD day, so no one needs to miss school.
Your sitting fee is included in your grad fees, so no need to pay anything at this time.  Ron Wilson has the cap and gown, flowers, and even a fake shirt and tie for the boys.  No need to bring anything.  Just show up and get your picture taken.
Even if you have no intention of purchasing a package, students are asked to get their photo done, as this is the picture that is used in the year book, the grad slide show, and on the wall display.
We have emailed home the list of appointments, updated as of 09:30, January 13th.
Thanks,
Tanis and Bruce 

We were surprised to get a text message this afternoon from the Department of Education regarding SchoolMessenger.  This text asked you to reply Y to confirm.  

Our school was unaware that they were enabling this service at this time.  We would normally send out notification to let you know that it was coming and how it would affect you.

Please review the attached document to determine if you want to opt in or not.
​
On another note, if you opt out of email notifications through SchoolMessenger, you will not receive notifications such as reminders, newsletters, emergency information, classroom updates, etc from the school.
​
Please see the attached flyer for more information.

Dear Vanier families and friends,

Happy Epiphany!  Today the Church recognizes when Jesus was made known to the world as the Messiah and Saviour.  Traditionally we also recognize the three wise men and their gifts to the baby Jesus and often mark our doorways with chalk with “20+C+B+M+20” as an invitation for God to bless our homes.  An explanation and short prayer to use when doing this is included below.

There is a lot going on this month – we hope your Christmas break was restful and relaxing as we are heading into some busy weeks!

Sincerely,

Ryan Sikkes, principal
 
Booster Cards
Booster Cards cost $20 each and we ask that each student sell two for the school’s student fund.  Please return money or unsold cards back to the office.  We are grateful for our new and continued sponsors:

• Bean North Café
• Booster Juice
• Cadence Cycle
• G-P Distributing
• In Bloom Flowers
• The Kind Café
• Klondike Motors
• Midnight Sun Coffee Roasters
• Mount Sima
• Murdoch’s Gem Shop
• Northern Lights Bowling
• Otter Falls Cutoff
• Panago Pizza
• Riverside Grocery
• Sportees & LOL
• Summit Kombucha
• Terra Riders
• Territorial Auto Parts
• The Claim
• Titan Gaming Café
• Whitehorse Subaru
• Yukon Built

Dates to Note:

• January 6-10 – Review Week
• Wednesday, January 8 – X block is a Tutorial Session – a great time to get caught up before exams!
• Friday, January 10 – Capstone Presentation Day – All our Grade 12 students will be presenting their Capstone Projects (a graduation requirement) as part of their Career Life Connections course between 10 am and 12 noon.  All are welcome to come and view.
• January Exams - There will be no regular classes – our January Semester 1 exams are the week of January 13-16.  The schedule can be found here: https://www.vcss.ca/home/january-2020-exam-schedule
• All exams will take place in regular classrooms. Courses with multiple sections will use two classrooms.
• The cafeteria will not be serving food during exam week, it will be used as a social space for students who are done writing their exams.
• The Learning Commons will be used as a silent study space.
• School buses will be running their regular, scheduled times.
• French 8 & 9 students will have either tests or assignments to work on during their scheduled exam time.

If Requested:

• ELL students may write exams in room 43 – see Mr. Gray

• Grade 8/9 separate setting: Skills room – see Ms. Cann;

• Grade 10-12 separate setting: Mr. Thomson’s room 31 – see Ms. Seloterio
• Friday, January 17 – PD Day (No School)
• Monday, January 20 – First Day of Semester 2
• January 20-24: Numeracy Assessment window: any grade 11s or any grade 12s who request it, will have the opportunity to write. Please see Ms. Brogdon or Ms. Gallant to arrange a specific time.
• January 24: Literacy Assessment 10 @ 9:00am: all grade 10 students must write this exam.

Sleep
As mentioned in the last email, our students indicated in our recent Student Satisfaction Survey that both sleep and technology use have negative impacts on their learning.  As sleep was indicated to be the largest factor, we will share some sleep hygiene tips over the next few weeks – perhaps following these could be a new year’s resolution!

However, before we share those, it may be useful to understand the links between sleep, technology use, and mental health.  The following link is a video that will share some of the statistics and science that links the three: https://www.cbsnews.com/video/new-study-links-phone-use-and-mental-health-issues-in-teens/ 

Germany Trip
If you are in grades 10 or 11 and want to go to Germany, here is your opportunity!
Our school has an exchange relationship with the Rabanus Maurus school in Mainz, Germany – a small city just outside Frankfurt.  They have sent students to Yukon in the past and are sending another group in May of this year. 

In return, Vanier may take up to 16 students to Mainz, Germany (and surrounding areas) from June 7-21, 2020.  An information meeting for students will take place this Wednesday at lunch in Mr. Janzen’s Room (Room 13).  If enough students express interest, then a parent information meeting will be scheduled shortly thereafter.  The cost of the trip is estimated to be approximately $2800 less any fundraising. 

Service Learning Hours
All students are required to do service learning hours in Grades 8 through 11 as part of our religious education program.  Students who have not completed their hours (and submitted the required documentation) will receive an “Incomplete” mark for their semester religion class.  The mark will be changed to a final mark when the hours are complete and the documentation received by Mr. Gillard.
For more information on service learning hours, please visit the religious education website at: https://www.vcssreligion.com/service-learning


2019-2020 MMR CatchUp Campaign
The week of January 27 – 31, 2020, Whitehorse Health Centre staff will be back in all Whitehorse Schools for the 2019-2020 Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) CatchUp Campaign (all grades).  The specific dates for Vanier have not yet been confirmed.
 
The 2019-2020 MMR Catch-Up Campaign will catch up any student requiring a Measles Mumps Rubella immunization.
 
Please direct any questions or concerns about the immunization program or the consent process to the Whitehorse Health Center at 667-8864.
Epiphany - Instructions for Blessing the Home

Using the blessed chalk (which many parishes will bless and make available) mark the lintel of your front door as follows:20 + C + M + B + 20, saying:
 
The three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar followed the star of God’s Son who became human two thousand and nineteen years ago.
May Christ bless our home and remain with us throughout the new year.
Amen.
Then say the following prayer:
Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who live or visit here with the gift of your love; and grant that we may manifest your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and for ever. Amen.
 
The letters have two meanings. First, they represent the initials of the Magi — Caspar, Malchior, and Balthazar — who came to visit Jesus in His first home. They also abbreviate the Latin phrase, Christus mansionem benedicat: “May Christ bless the house.”
​
The “+” signs represent the cross, and the “20” at the beginning and the “20” at the end mark the year.
Taken together, this inscription is performed as a request for Christ to bless those homes so marked and that He stay with those who dwell therein throughout the entire year.

December 16th, 2019

Dear Vanier families and friends,

This will likely be the last email communication for 2019 – on behalf of myself, Jeanette Gallant (Vice Principal), all staff, and administration of Vanier Catholic Secondary, I wish you a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.  We appreciate all your support over this last year.

Our New Year’s resolution will be to help support our families on the issue of sleep.  Recently, we administered a satisfaction survey to all our students and asked, specifically, about some of the factors that take away from their success.  Over 60% of our students reported “lack of sleep” as one of those factors.  Visit our website to see the whole chart – you’ll notice that this issue was far-and-away the top choice.  In the new year, these emails will share some sleep hygiene tips for students and families.  Over the break, we hope our students will be able to catch up on some sleep!

Thank you to all families who have been selling and returning the money from our Booster Cards – it is very much appreciated!
​
Sincerely,
Ryan Sikkes, principal

Prayers for Lighting the Advent Wreath CandlesThird Week
Lord God, may we, your people, who look forward to the birthday of Christ experience the joy of salvation and celebrate that feast with love and thanksgiving. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Fourth Week
All-powerful God, your eternal Word took flesh on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan. Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which announces his glory and open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for his coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
 
January Exams – our January Semester 1 exams are the week of January 13-16.  The schedule can be found here: https://www.vcss.ca/home/january-2020-exam-schedule
All exams will take place in regular classrooms. Courses with multiple sections will use two classrooms.
If Requested:
ELL students may write exams in room 43 – see Mr. Gray
Grade 8/9 separate setting: Skills room – see Ms. Cann;
Grade 10-12 separate setting: Mr. Thomson’s room 31 – see Ms. Seloterio
January 20-24: Numeracy Assessment window: any grade 11s or any grade 12s who request it, will have the opportunity to write. Please see Ms. Brogdon or Ms. Gallant to arrange a specific time.
January 24: Literacy Assessment 10 @ 9:00am: all grade 10 students must write this exam.
 
Booster Cards – Booster Cards cost $20 each and we ask that each student sell two for the school’s student fund.  We are grateful for our new and continued sponsors:

• Bean North Café
• Booster Juice
• Cadence Cycle
• G-P Distributing
• In Bloom Flowers
• The Kind Café
• Klondike Motors
• Midnight Sun Coffee Roasters
• Mount Sima
• Murdoch’s Gem Shop
• Northern Lights Bowling
• Otter Falls Cutoff
• Panago Pizza
• Riverside Grocery
• Sportees & LOL
• Summit Kombucha
• Terra Riders
• Territorial Auto Parts
• The Claim
• Titan Gaming Café
• Whitehorse Subaru
• Yukon Built

Dates to Note:

• Monday through Friday, December 16-20 – Christmas Sprit Week!  Each day will have a different theme – visit our website at vcss.ca for details.
• Thursday, December 19 – Alumni Day – Former students are welcome back to participate in a basketball game, a panel discussion, or (most importantly) just to reconnect and to let us know how things are going!  A pizza lunch will be provided to all students that day.
• Friday, December 20 – Christmas Liturgy (9 am), Open House (10 am), Spirit Rally (11:15 am), and Talent Show (1 pm)!
• December 23 – January 3 – Christmas Break (No School)
• Monday, January 6 – First day back at school after Christmas Break.
• January 6-10 – Review Week
• Wednesday, January 8 – X block is a Tutorial Session – a great time to get caught up before exams!
• Friday, January 10 – Capstone Presentation Day – All our Grade 12 students will be presenting their Capstone Projects (a graduation requirement) as part of their Career Life Connections course between 10 am and 12 noon.  All are welcome to come and view.
• January 13-16 – Exams (No Classes)
• Friday, January 17 – PD Day (No School)
• Monday, January 20 – First Day of Semester 2

The following chart is from our recent Student Satisfaction Survey - our New Year's resolution will be to help our students manage their sleep!

December 9th, 2019

Dear Vanier families and friends,

We had an exciting week of Share the Spirit fundraising last week that is wrapping up with….wrapping!  Many gifts will be purchased and wrapped this week to help make for a brighter Christmas for children throughout the territory.

This week, we turn our attention to our own students who may need assistance with the release of our booster cards which will be distributed tomorrow.  See below for the long list of generous Yukon businesses who have offered discounts.  We ask that every student sells two cards to help support their fellow students in need.

We are trying, as much as possible, to keep class time productive this week and next as many students will be writing large tests or completing substantial projects.

Thanks, as always, for your prayers and support.

Sincerely,
Ryan Sikkes, principal

Prayers for Lighting the Advent Wreath Candles
Second Week

God of power and mercy open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Amen.
 
January Exams – our January Semester 1 exams are the week of January 13-16.  The schedule can be found here: https://www.vcss.ca/home/january-2020-exam-schedule
All exams will take place in regular classrooms. Courses with multiple sections will use two classrooms.

If Requested:

• ELL students may write exams in room 43 – see Mr. Gray
• Grade 8/9 separate setting: Skills room – see Ms. Cann;
• Grade 10-12 separate setting: Mr. Thomson’s room 31 – see Ms. Seloterio

January 20-24: Numeracy Assessment window: any grade 11s or any grade 12s who request it, will have the opportunity to write. Please see Ms. Brogdon or Ms. Gallant to arrange a specific time.
January 24: Literacy Assessment 10 @ 9:00am: all grade 10 students must write this exam.
 
Booster Cards – Booster Cards will be distributed tomorrow morning!  They cost $20 each and we ask that each student sell two for the school’s student fund.  We are grateful for our new and continued sponsors:

• Bean North Café
• Booster Juice
• Cadence Cycle
• G-P Distributing
• In Bloom Flowers
• The Kind Café
• Klondike Motors
• Midnight Sun Coffee Roasters
• Mount Sima
• Murdoch’s Gem Shop
• Northern Lights Bowling
• Otter Falls Cutoff
• Panago Pizza
• Riverside Grocery
• Sportees & LOL
• Summit Kombucha
• Terra Riders
• Territorial Auto Parts
• The Claim
• Titan Gaming Café
• Whitehorse Subaru
• Yukon Built

Dates to Note:

• Tuesday, December 10 – Human Rights Day – all students are encouraged to visit the learning commons and to write a letter in support of a human rights issue of their choice.
• Wednesday, December 11 – PLC/Early dismissal at 2:05 pm
• Thursday through Saturday, December 12-14 – Jamie Shaw Memorial Basketball Tournament
• Monday through Friday, December 16-20 – Christmas Sprit Week!  Each day will have a different theme – visit our website at vcss.ca for details.
• Wednesday, December 18 – X block is a Tutorial Session – a great time to get caught up before the Christmas break!
• Thursday, December 19 – Alumni Day – Former students are welcome back to participate in a basketball game, a panel discussion, or (most importantly) just to reconnect and to let us know how things are going!  A pizza lunch will be provided to all students that day.
• Friday, December 20 – Christmas Liturgy, Open House, Spirit Rally, and Talent Show!  Details and times in next week’s email!
• December 23 – January 3 – Christmas Break (No School)
• Monday, January 6 – First day back at school after Christmas Break.
• January 6-10 – Review Week
• January 13-16 – Exams (No Classes)
• Friday, January 17 – PD Day (No School)
• Monday, January 20 – First Day of Semester 2