Vanier Catholic Secondary School
867-667-5901
vcs-office@yukon.ca
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News from Vanier - August 3 return to school update

8/3/2020

 
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
 

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    Upcoming Dates

    ​​​​​​​​​​
    • Tuesday, May 10th - Grade 9 Retreat
    • Monday, May 16th - Grade 12 Retreat
    • Friday, May 20th - No School
    • Monday, May 23rd - Victoria Day, No School
    • Monday, May 30th - Grade 7 Retreat
    • Tuesday, May 31st - Awards 1 - 7pm
    • Thursday, June 16th - Grad Mass
    • Saturday, June 18th - Cap & Gown & Prom
    • Thursday, August 18th - Grade 7 Parent Info Night - 6pm
    • Friday, August 19th - Grade 7 Orientation - 12.30-3.00pm
    • Monday, August 22nd - First day of school
    • Monday, September 5th - Labour Day - No School
    • Thursday, September 8th - 9.40am - Fire Drill 
    • Wednesday, September 28th - Education Act PD Day - No School
    • Thursday, September 29th - School Council non-instructional day - No School
    • Friday, September 30th - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - No School
    • Monday, October 3rd - 12.00pm - Fire Drill
    • Wednesday, October 5th - Grade 8 Retreat
    • Monday, October 10th - Thanksgiving - No School
    • Monday, October 17th - 1:55pm - Hold and Secure
    • Wednesday, October 19th - Grade 10 Retreat
    • Friday, October 21st - 10.20 am - Earthquake Drill
    • Monday, 7.00pm - October 24th - Awards Night 
    • October 31st - November 4th - Grade 10 Literacy and Numeracy Assessment and Grade 12 Literacy Assessment 
    • Wednesday, November 9th - Grade 9 Retreat
    • Thursday, November 10th - 3.30pm - 7.00pm - Student Led Conferences
    • Friday, November 11th - Remembrance Day - No School
    • Friday, December 16th - Last day of school before Christmas break.  Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 3rd
    • January 9th  - Friday, January 13th - Exam Week
    • Monday, January 16th - Education Act PD Day - No School
    • January 23rd - January 27th - Grade 10 Literacy and Numeracy Assessment and Grade 12 Literacy Assessment 
    • Monday, February 20th - 6.00pm - Grade 7-8 Parent Information Night
    • Thursday, February 23rd - 2.50pm - Fire Drill
    • Friday, February 24th - Heritage Day - No School
    • Friday, March 10th - Last day of school before Spring Break.  Classes will resume on Monday, March 27th
    • Friday, April 7th - Good Friday - No School
    • Monday, April 10th - Easter Monday - No School
    • Friday, April 21st -3.30pm - 7.00pm - Student Led Conferences
    • April 24th - April 28th - Grade 10 Literacy and Numeracy Assessment and Grade 12 Literacy Assessment 
    • Monday, May 1st - School Council Non-Instructional Day - No School
    • Friday, May 12th - Grade 12 Retreat
    • Wednesday, May 17th - International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
    • Friday, May 19th - Day in Lieu for Student Led Conferences - No School
    • Monday, May 22nd - Victoria Day - No School
    • Tuesday, May 30th - 7:00pm - Awards 1
    Vanier Catholic Secondary School
    16 Duke Street
    Whitehorse, YT
    Y1A 4M2
    Fax: (867) 393-6370

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