Dear Vanier families and friends,

Two weeks ago, Canadians had the privilege of casting their ballots to elect our federal government.  This week, we will commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice fighting in various wars during the previous century to defend and preserve our ability to live in a free and democratic society.  Our students are fortunate to have never lived through a time when their personal freedoms have been at risk and we hope that continuing to gather as a school for Remembrance Day will help them make this connection.

Sincerely,

Ryan Sikkes, principal
 
Dates to Note:
Tuesday, November 5 - Numeracy Exam for ALL Grade 11's and any Grade 12's who haven't previously written it.  Click HERE for more information.
- Presentation from Thompson Rivers University
- Presentation from University of Saskatoon

Wednesday, November 6 - 2019 Education, Career and Volunteer Expo
"Find out about opportunities that will build the skills and knowledge you need to land in the career that you want!"
A chance for all senior students to meet with educational institutions, employers, government and non-profit organizations who can help Inform them about their future prospects and plans. 
Buses to leave Vanier at 1:05pm and return at 2:45pm, this is for all students in Grades 10, 11 and 12.  A signed permission form is required.  One can be found HERE.  

November 6-7 - Yukon Women Exploring Trades & Technology Conference
The Young Women Exploring Trades conference (YWET) is an annual trades, technology and labour market exploration conference for high school girls. 
From Its Inception in 2000 to 2014 was a done day event for grade 8 girls held at the Yukon College.  For the first time in 2015 we partnered with local businesses and organizations to bring 102 high school girls to fourteen different businesses and job sites for hands-on-real-world learning.  Most of the workshops were instructed by the businesses who donated their shops, employees and time to deliver their own programming.  This format was so well received by the students and industry partners alike we decided to continue to deliver the conference this way. 
Each fall we invite high school girls from across the territory to come participate in trades and technology workshops delivered by our instructors and industry partners.  Priority will still be given to grade 8 girls, but all ages of high school girls are welcome to apply up to a capacity of 120 students.  This is a unique and exciting opportunity for girls to find out firsthand what it is like to work in different trades and technology fields and for the businesses and Industries right here in the Yukon.
https://imsva91-ctp.trendmicro.com:443/wis/clicktime/v1/query?url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.yukonwitt.org%2fywett%2dregistration&umid=7839EA14-968E-1605-847A-A89219741904&auth=c132af8ee7c9d1278d61a701569070a095ce962e-31e99424bf637b22967c72028670a4a4218b97b7

Thursday, November 7 - Presentations from The University of British Columbia and The University of Northern British Columbia

Friday, November 8 - PD Day - No school for students, enjoy your long weekend.

Monday, November 11 - Remembrance Day - No School

November 14-16 - Junior Volleyball Championships @ FHC & PCSS

November 22 -24 - Senior Volleyball Championships @ PCSS

2018-19 Yearbooks
Yearbooks have finally arrived.  If your student has ordered one, please send them to Mr. Gillard to get their copy.

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!

Student Led Conferences are coming up this Tuesday, October 29 from 3:30 to 7:00 pm

Student Led Conferences are the most important assessment activity of the year as they require students to self-assess their learning to date, receive feedback from their teachers, and communicate (in their own words) what they are learning, how it is going, and what are the next steps.  They will also self-assess and talk about their Behaviours for Success and how those affect their learning.  In the information age that we live in, this is increasingly becoming a more crucial life skill.

Our expectation is that all students attend their Student Led Conferences with a trusted adult.  If a parent/guardian is not available, another trusted adult (e.g. older sibling, extended relative, family friend, or Vanier staff member) will suffice as, again, the most important part is each student talking about their learning.

Students will receive their formal written progress reports at the Student Led Conferences.  If these are not picked up, they will be mailed home.  If families require a second copy of the reports, they can be obtained from the office.

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.