Dear Lynx families/Chères familles Lynx, 

I am writing the weekly update after listening to my staff present to teachers from around the system about what we are doing at Vanier.  It makes me very proud of my team when I see them addressing their professional colleagues and telling them about the work we are doing at Vanier.   Unfortunately, I realized after I sent out last week’s update that I missed speaking about Mme. Gillespie’s presentation on translanguaging (the subject of which was addressed by the keynote speaker of the languages symposium) and Ms. Fink speaking at Dr. Oakley around language instruction and the work she does in our literacy and learning program.   

While all that was going on, Ms. Ramos and her newly formed Jazz Band performed at William Aberhart.  I know she messaged families involved but I wanted to share with the wider parent body her message: “The students performed very well and they were kind, polite, and respectful to all Abe students and staff. On top of that, I think we all had a lot of fun! A special thank you goes to Mme Scholz, for taking time out of her weekend to help out and for buying our students dessert.” 

Finally, a thanks to Mr. Gillani and the parent council for running the Coco Brooks fundraiser.  It is events like this that provide us with funds to help offset the costs of all the programs that the teachers here want to provide your children. 

Bonne fin de semaine, 

Mr. Chad Edmonds – Principal Georges P Vanier School 

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. 

Gary Weinman Award 

This is an award open to our grade 9 students.  It is a $500 award and two recipients can receive the award.  

Gary Weimann was an active parent at GP Vanier involved with the school at many levels, including Chair on the Parent Council for many years. A loving father and husband, Gary lived what he believed – giving of himself and his time to the communities he lived in – his family, his children’s school and their neighbourhood. This award was established to honour Gary and to inspire his ideals in the hearts and minds of today’s youth, who are tomorrow’s future. 

If you are interested in applying, click here for more information.  We will share this information with our grade 9 students here at school too. 

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 

Y-Mind 

My name is Tina King and I am a Y Mind Facilitator with YMCA Calgary. I wanted to share an amazing program with you called Y Mind! Y Mind is a FREE 7-week mental wellness program for teenagers (13-18 years old). The program aims to support and provide resources for teenagers experiencing mild to moderate levels of stress and/or anxiety. Y Mind is grounded on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Mindfulness and allows participants to learn more about different ways of how to manage their stress and anxiety. This program is facilitated by trained mental health professionals and there will always be two facilitators at each session. We have seen proven results nationally of reduced stress and anxiety related symptoms, increased overall wellbeing, and an increased ability to cope with difficult emotions. 

Participants will receive a workbook of all the activities done during the program, so they can review and practice at home. We do provide snacks for participants during the program and meet other individuals experiencing similar feelings. Upon completion of the program, participants would receive a Certificate of Program Completion and a free 2-month YMCA gym membership as improving one's physical wellbeing has shown that it improved mental wellbeing. 

Y Mind is generously supported by the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Alberta Government and allows us to offer the program at multiple locations throughout the city. The closest location to your school is the Rocky Ridge YMCA.  We have information and intake sessions scheduled over the next couple of weeks; potential participants need to attend a session prior to confirming enrollment in this program. 

Individuals can learn more about our program on our website (https://www.ymcacalgary.org/y-mind-mental-wellness-program) or complete a Formstack request (https://ymcacalgary.formstack.com/forms/ymind_intake_form_ymcacalgary) to sign up for our Information and Intake Sessions.  Students 14 and older can self-register for the program without parental consent as well. Interested individuals can contact our general Y Mind email if they have any questions at ymind@ymcacalgary.org.   

Earth Day Event Opportunity 

We have been asked to share this opportunity with our school community. The new Jane Goodall film is being premiered at TELUS Spark this coming weekend, April 20 & 21. There will be a host of other earth/environment features, including a Water@UCalgary event where we will have a bunch of interactive experiments for kids, and a public outreach session on the Inspiration Stage about the new United Nations University Hub in water and planetary health. https://www.sparkscience.ca/earth-day 

Upcoming Sports Dates 

Monday, Apr. 22 – no games scheduled, Jr Badminton practice after school 

Tuesday, Apr. 23 – no games scheduled, Sr Badminton practice before school 

Wednesday, Apr. 24 - no games scheduled 

Thursday, Apr. 25 - no games scheduled, Sr Badminton practice before school/Jr Badminton practice after school 

Friday, Apr. 26 – no sports scheduled 

Upcoming Dates 

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

Apr. 23: Girls Basketball Teams with Constable Shaw 

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 

May 2: Final Eastern Canada Trip Meeting 6:00 

May 9: GPV Open House for al programs 6:30 – 8:00 

May 13 – 16: Camp Chief Hector for grade 8 students