Dear Lynx families,
I want to start this update off by wishing all of our families a safe and restful Spring break. We will return to school on the 3rd of April.
This week saw a successful Semaine de la Francophonie, where students were immersed with French food, language and culture. A big thank you to all the students who volunteered to dress up as Bonhomme during lunch hours, and to all those staff and students who assisted in the many lunch time activities that took place.
Mat Mailandt worked with all our grade 6-9 students in various workshops to improve language competencies. This was done in both English and French. He will be returning in April for a second week. We are inviting our prospective and registered late immersion 7s to the school that week to join with Mat in some workshops as well.
I have also attached the word art our students created that reflected the talk that Leo Barbe gave to them a few weeks ago. I myself have referred back to it when speaking with students about how we can change the culture of Vanier.
Bonne vacances,
Chad Edmonds – Georges P. Vanier
Grade 9 Camp Chief Hector - May 8 - 11
As we wrap up the grade 9's time at GPV, we will be heading off to YMCA Camp Chief Hector for an overnight trip. On this trip, we will be participating in outdoor activities like canoeing, hiking, outdoor challenge games, etc. Through this time together, we hope to explore the different concepts learned in school as well as social skills and teamwork. The total cost of this trip is $425; however, the YMCA is committed to supporting all students in attending. When we return from Spring Break, students will be coming home with forms as well as important dates such as a mandatory parent meeting. Also, we will need adult volunteers so if you are interested in supervising the students alongside their teachers, please email Mr. Cheng (mscheng@cbe.ab.ca) for expectations and details.
GP Vanier Online Spirit Wear
Spring has sprung and so has Spirit wear store.
Be sure to check out the the link for Vanier's online merchandise store for all the great items available.
The store will be open from March 24 through April 28.
· GPV Spirit Wear Store is open for spring orders until April 28, 2023 at 11:59PM
· Spirit Wear Store Link https://georgepvanierspring2023.itemorder.com/shop/home/
· Orders are typically completed in 4-5 week after the store closes and delivered to the school
· All school store sales are custom made and cannot be returned
If this order is meant as a gift please contact us and we will hold the order for parent pick up. For more information of questions regarding the online spirit wear, please contact Sherri Nickle at sanickle@cbe.ab.ca
Understanding Anxiety
The Calgary Board of Education is inviting all community members to join us for an inspiring evening of learning with experts in understanding anxiety. Anxiety is one of the most common mental health concerns affecting children and families across the lifespan. Parents and schools play an essential role in helping children manage their anxiety. This session will explore what anxiety and stress are, how to recognize it, and how to support resilience.
On April 4, the CBE’s Well-Being team will host a free online session where parents will be able to join and learn from experts in the field of health promotion, ask questions and receive follow-up materials.
You are invited to join us at the virtual session from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 pm on Tuesday April 4th.
Click HERE on Tuesday April 4th at 6:30pm to join the session
Understanding Anxiety
Child and Youth Well-Being Series for Families and Caregivers
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
CBE educators believe that parents and caregivers can inspire their kids to make healthy lifestyle choices and increase protective factors — in order to do so, they need the right tools and information.
Since our understanding of student health and well-being is evolving, it is important for parents to stay up-to-date on the same information so everyone is supporting student success.
This is the fourth session offered in a five-part Child and Youth Well-Being for Families and Caregivers learning series that is offered at no-cost to all Calgary Board of Education employees, families, and community members between December 2022 and May 2023.
The intention of the series is to advance student well-being by raising family and caregiver’s understanding of a variety of health-related topics. Each session focuses on reducing risk factors and increasing protective factors.
The last session will focus on Understanding Social Media (May 2, 2023). Communication about this last session will be distributed separately.
You are a key partner in your child’s education and student well-being is critically linked to student achievement.
Thank you for your time and consideration to join us.
Loonies for Literacy
Our school is participating in Loonies for Literacy again this year – to date we have raised $759.50 of our $1,000 goal. Thank you so much for supporting this initiative. We are currently the top fundraiser for this year’s event.
The campaign ends April 1. We would really appreciate it if you would continue to share our link with friends and family so we can reach and maybe even exceed our goal!
Last year our school community raised $862.00. These funds have allowed us to purchase popular new books students have requested. We will continue to take student book requests to ensure we are providing titles that will keep them interested and engaged.
We hope this will continue to promote a love of reading for our students here at GP Vanier.
If you would like to donate, please click on the link below and share with friends and family you think would like to support this amazing initiative. The campaign will run for from February 1 to April 23. 2023. We have set our schools goal at $1,000 and would love to see the same community support to make this happen.
https://educationmatters.akaraisin.com/looniesforliteracy2023/GeorgesPVanier
To make literacy more equitable across the city, for every dollar raised by a school during this campaign, another dollar will be provided to a school in need through contributions from community partners like yourself.
Learning to read opens up a new world of information, imagination, and communication; literacy is essential to developing self-esteem, an understanding of the world, and one’s place in it. Please join us in ensuring that no student falls behind.
Upcoming Dates
April 3: Back to School
April 6: Eastern Canada Trip MANDATORY Parent Meeting 5:00pm
April 7: Good Friday (no school for students)
April 10: Languages Symposium/System Professional Day (no school for students)
April 13: Grade 6 CPO Field Trip
April 17 – 22: Artist in Residence - Week 2 with Mat Mailandt
April 19: Grade 8 student to James Fowler
April 21 – 27: Eastern Canada Trip
