Dear Lynx families/Chères familles Lynx, 

I wanted to start this message by letting families know that our Grade 9 leadership students have organized an Earth Day Walk on April 25th.  Part of the walk will relate to some community service and neighbourhood beautification. 

I happened to speak with a community the other day about this project and he passed along the following information that I thought would be interesting about our local community: 

“The hillside north and east of your schoolyard fence is one of Calgary's last remaining intact places of native mixed-grass prairie. It’s never been tilled or disturbed, so it’s likely existed in that state for 1000s of years. I met an expert on local flora who sometimes goes into that hillside to be with the plants, and there’s an Indigenous woman who goes there to collect rosehips and other plants for making tea in her traditional way. The ecologist told me that there has been some minor encroachment by non-native trees, but over 80% of the plants the students will walk in have been there since before European settlement. 80% is the metric that is used to by agencies to pronounce an area as “undisturbed/native” habitat. It’s a special place. There are breeding partridges that live there, and it’s visited every day by coyotes that raise their pups on the golf course, and I’ve seen skunks and deer not only on that hillside but also in your schoolyard.” 

We will be sharing some of this with students in the coming weeks before the excursion. 

On a serious note, in speaking with some of my Principal colleagues, we have noticed a recent influx of issues that are stemming from “challenges” that are being shared on social media.  While some of the challenges might be harmless, some can lead to students making poor decisions for themselves and others.   

I am hoping that over the next few weeks parents can have conversations with the children about their use of social media.  For many students, and adults, it has become an extension of themselves and learning how to navigate it appropriately is an important step in its use.   

I have attached some websites below that might educate some families and help them start these conversations with their children: 

 There are also some webinars listed below that might be of interest to families. 

For those families who are interested, you can find the feedback from our recent survey asking families for input on the 2025-26 school year.  The report can be found here: https://georgespvanier.cbe.ab.ca/school-planning-engagement  

Finally, for those families in French Immersion, we are asking you to please complete the following program monitoring survey to provide feedback on French programming.  We thank you for your participation! French Immersion Parent Survey 

Bonne fin de semaine, 

Mr. Chad Edmonds – Principal École Georges P. Vanier School  

Georges P. Vanier School website has information as well: 

https://georgespvanier.cbe.ab.ca. 

Please see our cafeteria menu here: 

https://georgespvanier.cbe.ab.ca/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 25th, 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. 

Sincerely, 

The Vanier Leadership students 

 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 1st session focuses on helping parents, caregivers, and mentors engage in conversations about substance use, including alcohol and cannabis, to support informed decision-making. 
  • The 2nd session covers the rising concern of vaping among youth, providing insights into devices, substances, and strategies for effective conversations, 
  • The 3rd 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. 

Building Resiliency in Today’s Youth | Community Education Services & Recovery Alberta Live Presentation 

Building Resiliency in Today's Youth 

Date: Thursday, April 17 
Time:  11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

Register using this link. 

Before High School graduation, one-third of adolescent girls will experience depression, anxiety disorders, self-harm or an eating disorder. However, there is an incredible power in caregivers who can support our youth, both young women and men, before they seek therapy. At Juno House®, we believe in the extraordinary healing power of parents, caregivers, coaches, and teachers. In our 1.5 hour workshop presentation, we will share steps and strategies from the Juno House Therapeutic Model® that will provide effective emotional coaching tools for today’s youth as they develop through adolescence and into young adulthood. 

Presenters include Andrea Halwas Larsen, PhD, CT, REACE Counselling Therapist Associate Therapist and Education Coordinator at Juno House.   

Navigating Social Media and Teens | Community Education Services & Recovery Alberta Live Presentation 

Understanding Social Media Use in Teens 

Date: Wednesday, April 16 
Time: 6 - 8 p.m. 

Register using this link . 

The world of social media is constantly changing, and it can be hard to keep up. This session will look at some of the most popular platforms among Canadian youth and how to protect privacy and keep everyone safe. We will also discuss the effects of social media use on teen mental health and how to promote healthy social media habits in a digital world. 

Presenters include: Ashley Meagher, Certified Child & Youth Care Counsellor, Success Coach & Jo Burley BCST, NPML, Success Coach, Rockyview School Division, MHCB Stepping. 

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 16 – Grade 9 French to William Aberhart High School

Apr 18 – Good Friday (Schools closed) 

Apr 21 – System PD Day (no students at school) 

Apr 23 – Student Vote day 

Apr 25 – Earth day community walk 

Apr 29 – Grade 9 French to William Aberhart High School

May 1 – Gary Weimann Award due