Dear Lynx families/Chères familles Lynx
With two short weeks back-to-back, I decided to write one weekly update and send it in middle of the two weeks.
As we approach the last few months of the school year, you will notice (below) that we have a lot going on at Vanier. We have PATs starting in May, 50 of our students leave to Eastern Canada for a week, our grade 8 students will all have the opportunity to go to outdoor school, Ms. Ramos is leading a multi-school concert to help build music programs around the CBE, badminton is wrapping up and track and field season is starting and all of this before the end of the month.
Also, over the next few weeks students will begin to pick their option classes for the next school year. As in previous years, this process is done online through PowerSchool. While we will be giving current students sometime during their school day to do this, we will also be sending an email home to all families enrolled in Vanier for the 2025-26 school year with instructions on how to do this from home. Please look for this email closer to the end of April.
Finally, the coming of Spring means the start of the hockey playoffs. I write this not to upset all the Flames fans (I myself am a long, long-suffering fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs) but because it has made me reflect on the pan-Canadian roots of the Vanier community. Over the past few weeks, I have had in my office, students, parents and staff who would consider themselves from each of the remaining Canadian playoff cities and they have been eager to share with me: 1) stories of their city and 2) their disdain for my team. This has reinforced to me the diverse nature of the Vanier community, how stories from home often root us in who we are and how important it is to take some time to recognize this and learn more about these places and each other. Whether it is a student telling me about what they miss about their home province in Afghanistan, a family tearing up whilst showing me a YouTube clip of the city they left in the Ukraine or a staff member speaking fondly about going back home over the holidays; all of these stories bring us closer in understanding one another.
I hope all families enjoyed this Easter break and I look forward to seeing the students back at school on Tuesday.
(P.S. If the Leafs do happen to defy the odds and somehow make it to the Stanley Cup finals, I may be taking some personal time to visit my hometown.)
Bonne fin de semaine,
Mr. Chad Edmonds – Principal École Georges P. Vanier School
Georges P. Vanier School website has information as well.
Please see our cafeteria menu
Gary Weimann Award
We are now accepting applications for the Gary Weimann Award. This Award is $500 to be used for bettering oneself. It embodies the ideals Gary stood for – giving back to your community, personal development, kindness, future goals, etc. This award has been established to honour Gary and to inspire his ideals in the hearts and minds of today’s youth who are tomorrow’s future. For more information and application details please see the attached flyer.
Earth Day Activity
Earth day is coming up, and I would like to let you know the leadership students are planning a community walk to encourage students at Vanier to help the earth! This walk will take place on Friday, April 25, and all Vanier students will participate.
Since it is Earth Day, leadership students have decided to make this walk a trash clean up as well. Trash bags will also be handed out to a few people per class to collect the garbage along the roads.
After everyone returns to school, students will dispose of the bags of trash in the garbage bins. The kids and teachers will then return to their homerooms, and if they have finished early, teachers will show an informational video about the earth.
Recovery Alberta Parent Courses
The Community Health Promotion Services team with Recovery Alberta is offering a 3 Part series starting next week, March 18 for families.
This 3-part presentation by the Community Health Promotion Services Team (CHPS) addresses important issues affecting youth today.
- The first session focuses on helping parents, caregivers, and mentors engage in conversations about substance use, including alcohol and cannabis, to support informed decision-making.
- The second session covers the rising concern of vaping among youth, providing insights into devices, substances, and strategies for effective conversations,
- The third session explores the impact of screen time, social media, and video gaming on youth mental health and well-being, offering practical tips for fostering healthy digital habits.
Please see the attachment to sign up for sessions.
Upcoming Sports Dates
Monday: no sports scheduled
Tuesday: no sports scheduled
Wednesday: no sports scheduled
Thursday: no sports scheduled
Friday: no sports scheduled
** please see the board outside the gym for new badminton practice schedule **
Upcoming Dates
Apr 21 – System Non-Instruction Day (no students at school)
Apr 23 – Student Vote Day
Apr 25 – Earth day community walk
Apr 29 – Grade 9 French to William Aberhart
May 1 – Gary Weimann Award due
May 5 – Band Afternoon
May 9-14 Eastern Canada Trip (Grade 9 French Immersion)
May 12 – Track and Field Season starts
May 13 – Jr. Badminton Tournament
May 14 – Grade 7 Band to Red Deer
May 14 – Sr. Badminton Tournament
May 15 – Leadership 8 to Buchanan school
May 16 – Non-Instruction Day (no students)
May 19 – Victoria Day (school closed)
May 20/21 - Gauss contest writing days
May 21 – Grade 6 vaccinations
May 21 – Georges P. Vanier Open House