Greetings,

I sincerely hope all staff and students have a had a restful break.  The sun feels warm and the daylight now exceeds the darkness.  Wonderful.

These past months have seen a share of hardship for everyone.  Our absences per day since the beginning of second semester have been well over 100 students a day.  I urge all those who can return to school to now do so.  I hope that online work has continued despite the absences, and that students have not fallen too far behind.  This semester is not even half over, so there is time.

I lay this sorry state at the feet of COVID.  The Community Medical Office of Health (CMOH) has signalled it is now time to move on with our lives.  Amen, I say.

COVID NEWS 
Masks are still a thing, for now.  While the rest of the territory and government service is going maskless, we at school must keep them on in classrooms and all other areas inside the building.  Good thing it is so nice outside.  I don’t expect this state of affairs to last longer than a couple of weeks until the CMOH can evaluate the situation and give us the go-ahead to take the masks off.  If students wish, they may continue to wear masks after (and when) the mandate is lifted.

My understanding of the current orders is that competition between schools for this basketball season may now commence.  I’m really looking forward to that.

We may also meet as a school in the gym for assemblies, celebrations, and liturgies.  Masks on, though, for now.


FOOD PROGRAM
On the last Friday before break I got a call from the Yukon First Nations Directorate (YFNED) that sponsors our food program at Vanier.  The cafeteria contractors, JUST4MNU, have enjoyed a good working relationship since the program began, but some changes are now required.  I outlined those in a message to all families on Friday, March 4, but to recap…

The cafeteria will continue to operate as before for this week.  On Friday, the cafeteria will be closed at lunch so that the Grads of 2022 may host a pizza lunch fundraiser.  Please bring cash to buy pizza at lunch on Friday, March 25 as that is the only lunch option available.  Starting Monday, March 28 the cafeteria will no longer provide free breakfasts at morning break and meals at lunch.  Many students have punch cards with remaining meals.  These will be honoured until they run out.

The program was always meant to provide food for Indigenous students and those needing support.  We will continue in this effort.  If your student is Indigenous or in need of a punch card, please contact the office at vcss@gov.yk.ca and put in the subject line Food Program.  We will be discrete.  Students may purchase food cards through the cafeteria.

DROP OFF ZONES

Many parents are pulling in to the teacher parking lot by the main entrance to drop off students.  I ask that you use the drop off zone from off of the student parking lot (first right turn on Duke coming from Lewes).  The congestion, speed, and numbers are making the drop off in the main parking lot dangerous for staff and students alike.  I’ll start coming out to remind folks about this.

School Council Elections

Nominations for our two-year term school council elections open on Monday, April 11.  If you are interested in supporting Catholic Education and want to get involved in entry-level politics, this may interest you.  

School Council Elections april 22.docx 

To be eligible, candidates must be:

• A Canadian citizen; and
• At least 18 years of age; and
• Be qualified based on:

           o Being a parent (or guardian) of a student who attends this school; and/or
           o Being a resident in the attendance area for three months or more and a registered member of Sacred                    Heart Cathedral parish or Out Lady of Victory parish; and/or
           o Having received written approval from the Bishop of the Episcopal Corporation of the Diocese of                           Whitehorse.
 
I will post more information on our school’s website, vcss.ca

IMMUNIZATIONS

On Thursday, March 31, students in grades 9 and 10 will be offered opportunities to receive the following immunizations at VCSS: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertusiss (Tdap) booster, and Meningoccal Quadrivalent.  The COVID vaccine will not be administered at school.  Details to follow.  Maybe this link will work for more information:

 https://yukonimmunization.ca/diseases-vaccines/grade-6-9-school-based-immunization#Grade9.

​Greetings,
 
Many students have been enjoying the cafeteria’s generous food program sponsored by the Yukon First Nations Education Directorate.  We are very grateful.
The program, however, must scale back the number of students who access it.
We respectfully ask that you contact the office with an email to tell us if you still require access to the program. 
 
If your student is Indigenous and/or has a real need for food at school, please contact us at vcss@gov.yk.ca and put “Food Program” in the subject line.  We will compile the responses over the next three weeks.
The program will continue for the first week back from the break, March 21-25, but after that only those identified as above will been given a voucher.
All other students will be expected to pay cash for their food at break and lunch.
 
This does mark a radical departure from the way the program was serviced from before, but constraints demand a change of scope.
Again, we are very grateful to the Yukon First Nations Education Directorate for their generous support, and look forward to working with them in the future.
 
Have a great Spring break, and God bless you,
Kyle Janzen, Principal VCSS

Hi everyone,
 
I hope that everyone is keeping well.  We do know there are a number of COVID cases among our staff and students.  I pray symptoms remain mild.
We got news yesterday that the Rapid Tests we have may now be sent home with students.  The fear was that if the tests froze they wouldn’t give an accurate result.
However, that isn’t the case.  If the tests do freeze, please thaw them out before use.  If you would like us to send home tests, please have your student present themselves at the office with the number of tests desired.
 
We did get other news today from the Premier and the CMOH:

• Masks will no longer be mandatory in indoor public places as of March 18, but their use will still be recommended.
• Proof of vaccination will no longer be required to access designated sites as of March 18.
• Government employees will no longer have to be vaccinated, as of April 4. 

All of which is welcome news for many. 

​Blessings,
Kyle Janzen, Principal VCSS

In case you missed the presentation for grade 7s going into grade 8, here is the PowerPoint. 

Greetings,

As I didn’t get to completing last week’s newsletter in a timely manner, I’ll opt to send one out every two weeks from now on.

The Gospel reading from Sunday, Luke 6: 27-38, gives us our most difficult, and maybe dangerous, mission: To love one another.  I’ll let the Holy Father, Pope Francis, take the lead here:

“Here Jesus is not speaking in paradoxes or using nice turns of phrase.  Love you enemies and pray for those who persecute you.  This is the Christian innovation.  It is the Christian difference.  Pray and love.  The Lord demands of us the courage to have a love that does not count the cost.  Because the measure of Jesus is love without measure.  How many time have we neglected that demand, behaving like everyone else!  Yet his commandment of love is not simply a challenge; it is the very heart of the Gospel.  Do not worry about the malice of others, about those who think ill of you.  Instead, begin to disarm your heart out of love for Jesus.  For those who love God have no enemies in their hearts.  The worship of God is contrary to the culture of hatred.” (Pope Francis. Homily, Pastoral visit to Bari, 23 February 2020)

Yes, this is the Christian innovation that set the stage for a radical revision of human relations.  I don’t know about you, but I’m a sinner.  I have to work at this.

Ahead  

On Tuesday, February 22 at 7:00 pm we will have a ZOOM meeting for parents of those students entering grade 8.  When I visited the elementary students at HFES and CKES and canvassed how many students had a sibling at VCS, looked like more than half put up their hands.  We’ll post the invite to our website, vcss.ca, and will ask the elementary schools to push out an invite also.  See you then.

Wednesday, February 23 is Pink Shirt Day at VCS.  Folks are hoping for a picture of the student body in their pink shirts.  This day is aimed at making people aware of bullying.

Thursday, February 24 the French dept. has arranged a COVID-friendly Cabane a Sucre event for us.  Check out the front doors at lunch.

Friday, February 25 is Heritage Day, a stat holiday.  No school.  The school will be without power as the contractors hook up the shop’s new, massive dust collector.  Teachers, please do not come into the building on Friday!

During Rendezvous weekend, the Grad class will have a float appearing in a COVID –affected parade, which is to say no parade at all.  These are strange times, but the grads stand to win a heap of money to put toward their celebrations this year, so come on out and check it out, even if it is just parked in the lot.  You can check the Vanier Hallway Team on MS TEAMS for more info.  If you are volunteering at Rendezvous, please tell the organizers you are with Vanier.  Five volunteers nets us $500 to our grad! Thanks to Mr. Cassidy!

Tuesday, March 1 is Fat Tuesday, but at 7:00 pm there is also a School Council Meeting.  I imagine it will be a Zoom affair.  We’ll post the invite to the school website, vcss.ca, when it comes along.

Wednesday, March 2 is Ash Wednesday.  Students will have an in-class liturgy during first block.  Father Swavek will be here at lunch to bless us and mark those interested with ashes.  Why?  Because from dust we come and to dust we go. We should also repent and follow the Gospel.  Lent is forty days of prayer, penance, and fasting ending with Easter.  This is a great time to dig in to our collective history and try to take our fallen nature seriously.  If not now, when?

Spring Break is coming up.  I won’t post another newsletter until after that.  The dates are from Saturday, March 5 to Sunday, March 20.  Take a break.  This is a good chance for students to get their service learning hours completed.

Report Cards are due in to the office on Monday, April 4, just in case you were wondering.

Finally,

I’m sure there is more going on than I can recount here.  In these upcoming weeks, we will be working on getting students scheduled for next year, building the timetable, assigning teachers, and doing some hiring.  We’ll be busy because there is always more to do than what we plan.  I have some mixed news: Melissa Craig has decided to pursue her dreams of working in the trades again after having filled in for Alex Sullivan while she was away on a temporary assignment.  Alex will be returning to the office at the start of May.  We’ll miss Melissa, of course, but we are very happy for Alex’s return!

Again, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me at Kyle.Janzen@yukon.ca.

Thanks and blessings,
​
Kyle Janzen, Principal VCSS

Greetings,
​
Don’t forget our zoom meeting for parents, guardians, and students of Grade 7s going into Grade 8 at VCSS.
Below is the Zoom invitation, which will also be on our website at vcss.ca.
 
See you then!
KJ

​
Kyle Janzen is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
 
Topic: Gr 7 Transition to VCSS
Time: Feb 22, 2022 07:00 PM Yukon
 
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/94564476796?pwd=bjJUK2hpZFg4dzNyakVDRGhUeFNLUT09
 
Meeting ID: 945 6447 6796
Passcode: s1Tz56

 
Greetings,
 
Just a reminder of the ZOOM meeting tonight for all parents/guardians of grade 9 students at Vanier. 
The move into grade 10 is a big step.  This is when classes start counting toward graduation.
Please attend the meeting online tonight.  Ms. Wallace, our VP, and Ms. Ouellette, our counselor, will be online along with myself.
Hopefully we can answer your questions and fill you in on the last, best three years of your student’s high school experience.
 
Here is the invite:
 
Kyle Janzen is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
 
Topic: Gr 9 to 10 Orientation at Vanier
Time: Feb 15, 2022 07:00 PM Yukon
 
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/95580634493?pwd=V3hsY3BmNjhPU01EYnRMTVdsU2FjUT09
 
Meeting ID: 955 8063 4493
Passcode: Dg7cw0

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 firstname.lastname@yesnet.yk.ca

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@ceay@gmail.com 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 Sylvie.Hamel@yesnet.yk.ca

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
 
 
 

Greetings,

In Sunday’s Bible reading, we have an excerpt from St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.   It’s about love.  During these times of COVID, we wonder at what the disruptions have done to the future prospects of many of our students.  It is a good time to take stock so as to see what is really important given that the expectations of the past may have to be modified to meet the realities of the future.  St. Paul reminds us:

If I speak in human and angelic tongues,
but do not have love,
I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.
And if I have the gift of prophecy,
and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge;
if have faith so as to move mountains,
but do not have love, I am nothing.
If I can give away everything I own,
and if I hand my body over so that I may boast,
but do not have love, I gain nothing.
 
Indeed, as I may have said before, our mission as a Catholic School is not just to prepare our students for the job markets of the future.  We really have no way to know anyway.  But we can try.  Ultimately, however, our mission is to prepare our students for eternity.  Knowing the primacy of love, that God is love, is likely more foundational than any other proverbial stone we lay in this building.
 
This Week
We have COVID tests that parents and guardians can pick up at the office.  We ask that you not come into the school if you are sick.  We don’t give them to students as the tests become useless if they freeze.

Our student absences are still numbering over 100 for each day.  I hope that everyone is taking care.  Please know that we continue with mitigation efforts.  Masking is in place and our custodians are doing a great job of wiping down surfaces.  There is a lot of sanitizer around.  I think the school does remain low-risk for transmission, but everyone has a different comfort level here.

If your student is at home, please know that all teachers should have their MS TEAMS up so students can keep working from home.  If you are having any problems accessing Teams, please let me know.
Enough with COVID already!  I pray God may intervene to grant us a reprieve from this scourge
Let’s talk about something else…

Report cards will be coming out near the end of the week.  This is process that the new office staff and I are not completely familiar with.  We are learning as we go.  Thank you for your patience.

Grad fees were originally set at $275, but they are set now at $150.  Anyone who overpaid can get in touch with Lyn at the office.

Students are expected to get their service learning hours in to Ms. Best ASAP.  There is a drop box for sheets in the Religious Ed office.  Please insure that all parts of the sheet are complete.

There is a School Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb 1.  It’s on Zoom.  We will post a link on the school website: vcss.ca.

Our School Messenger system is still not working to deliver absence notice to parents.  This is the result of a computer glitch which we hope will be fixed soon.  Given the number of absences, this bad timing, but there it is.  If you have any questions about your student’s attendance, please contact the office. 

Some news from the Parish: On Monday, Feb 7 at 7:00 in the CYO Hall, which is in the church basement, Fr. Swavek is leading another installment of the Synod on Synodality.  This is an opportunity for all community members to weigh in on how they see, or don’t see, the Holy Spirit in our world today.  Pope Francis initiated this worldwide discussion. 

Also, our cathedral is in need of serious upgrades to its insulation.  I believe the term is ‘wrap’.  We also need a new furnace.  All of this is very costly.  We do what we can with grants and energy incentives, but we still need some cash to get the ball rolling.  If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to this project, please contact the cathedral: office@sacredheartcathedral.ca.

Finally,

I can’t help but think, and worry, about all our students who are not here.  We don’t have any knowledge about who is sick, who is being careful, or anything.  I’ve asked the students who are here to reach out to those who aren’t.  The place just isn’t the same with these lower numbers.  Again, join me in prayers for those who are away, and that things change so we can be together again.

Blessings,
​
Kyle Janzen, Principal VCSS