Dear Lynx families/Chères familles Lynx, 

This afternoon I was speaking with some of our student teachers, and they were reflecting both on their time at Vanier and their future in the profession. I always appreciate the opportunity to speak with the next generation of teachers and get their perspectives on the profession, their worries, their hopes and their goals. I am also pleased to report that the student teachers enjoyed working with our students and staff and feel they are leaving much better prepared to be teachers than when they arrived. 

This leads me to some of the work that our teachers are doing here. Next Friday is a system professional development day where, I am pleased to say, many of our teachers are leading seminars which both showcase the work we are doing and inform other teachers around the board with their practice. Next Friday we will have: 

  • Ms Brotherston sharing how the Foods program at Vanier incorporates the Social Studies and Foods curriculums so that students in grade 7 learn about and cook foods from various cultures across Canada, starting with the Indigenous peoples and continuing with each wave of immigration; Grade 8 focus on meals of the Renaissance and Japan; and Grade 9 looks at the food business in general and prepare meals through a financial lens. 
  • Mr. Eitzen will be leading the work for Industrial Arts teachers. This will highlight how student feedback led to our students designing and building things to make Vanier better. Next time you visit Vanier you may notice the picnic tables outside. These were designed and built by last year's students. 
  • Mme Shah and Mme Scholz will be presenting our work using Math schemas that allow students to access the curriculum at their level and progress through it. This is especially significant as we transition to the new curriculum. 
  • M Seguin is speaking to our introduction of an option wheel, in French, to Grade 6 students. This both introduces students to a variety of option possibilities at Vanier, but also does so in French to increase their exposure to the language. 
  • Mme Hosseini is sharing her work about developing second language competencies and the acquisition of literacy skills across subjects. The students at GPV have been introduced to annotation as a reading comprehension strategy that can be used with all text structures. Part of this project is the collaboration with another French Immersion school where they have been collaborating not only as teachers but also with the students. 
  • Mme Hossini and Mme Scholz will also present their collaborative work with William Aberhart High School. They are creating transition projects that support our grade 9 French Immersion classes to visit and interact with teachers and students in their future high school. 

I hope you all enjoy the warmer weather this weekend, and perhaps the arrival of spring weather, full-time. 

Bonne fin de semaine, 

Mr. Chad Edmonds – Principal Georges P Vanier School 

Georges P. Vanier School website has information as well: 

https://georgespvanier.cbe.ab.ca. 

Camp Chief Hector for Grade 8 

We are looking forward to our grade 8 Outdoor School experience at the YMCA Camp Chief Hector from May 13 – May 16. If you are a parent of a grade 8 student and would like to volunteer for this trip, please let Mr. Brown or Mr. Cheng know. Our MANDATORY Parent Information Meeting is coming up on April 30th at 5:30. 

Anti-Bullying Meeting at Diefenbaker 

Dear Future Diefenbaker Families, 

John G. Diefenbaker High School is hosting a free anti-bullying parent information night which is open to all current and future Diefenbaker families. 

Bullying Ends Here is being presented by Tad Milmine. Please join us on April 18th at 6pm in our main gym to learn how to support your own child as well as strategies to put an end to bullying in all schools. 

Learn more about Bullying Ends Here: https://www.bullyingendshere.ca/ 

Register to attend this free presentation: https://forms.office.com/r/UEzkDhdU7W 

Thank you, 

Jason Arrell – Principal John Diefenbaker High School 

Grade 6 YMCA 

Calgary Flames Grade 6 YMCA Membership. Every Grade 6 student in Calgary is eligible to receive a free YMCA 13-month membership to the YMCA, thanks to the generous support of the Calgary Flames Foundation. To find out more, please visit Calgary Flames Grade 6 YMCA Membership. 

Spring has Sprung and so has Spirit Wear Store  

Be sure to check out the link for Vanier's online merchandise store for all the great items available. The store will be open until May 10, 2024. 

  • GPV Spirit Wear Store is open for spring orders until May 10, 2024 at 11:59PM 
  • Spirit Wear Store Link https://georgepvanier2024.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 

Upcoming Sports Dates 

Monday, Apr. 15 – no games scheduled, Jr Badminton practice after school 

Tuesday, Apr. 16 – no games scheduled, Sr Badminton practice before school 

Wednesday, Apr. 17 - no games scheduled 

Thursday, Apr. 18 - no games scheduled, Sr Badminton practice before school/Jr Badminton practice after school 

Friday, Apr. 19 – no school for students 

Upcoming Dates 

Apr. 18: Coco Brooks Pick-Up 

Apr. 19: System Professional Day (no school for students) 

Apr. 22: Grade 7 Field Trip to the Military Museum (3 classes) 

Apr. 26: Healthy Hunger: Opa! Delivered 

Apr. 26: Spring Fling Dance 

Apr. 29: Grade 7 Field Trip to the Military Museum (3 classes) 

Apr. 30: Vaccinations for Grade 6 students 

Apr. 30: Grade 8 Camp Chief Hector Parent Meeting 

Apr. 30: Band Parent Association & School Council Meetings