Dear Lynx families/Chères familles Lynx, 

It has been an eventful week at GP Vanier where we have welcomed both four new first-year student teachers from the University of Calgary (two in the French program and two in the English) as well as the Chief Superintendent of the CBE, Jo Pitman.   As a school, and as a school administrator, it is a wonderful opportunity for Vanier to both shape new teachers coming into the profession while at the same time engaging in dialogue with one of the people who helps shape the system.  Thanks to all the staff who are hosting these student teachers, and to all the staff and students who spoke with Ms. Pitman during her visit. 

One of the items that Ms. Pitman and I spoke about was how many different communities we draw students from.  At our most recent count, we receive students from over 45 communities in the city.  Another way to look at this is that with Calgary hovering around 200 communities, almost ¼ of the city’s neighbourhoods are represented in this building. Whilst this fact comes with complications, it also comes with fantastic opportunities, one of which is the ability for students and families from around the city to connect and learn more about one another and their home communities.   

In an effort to start these conversations, I am asking that parents share photos of their community; for example, things that make your community special and unique or buildings or landscapes that are noteworthy, along with a blurb that we can add to the photo.  Mr. Cheng and his tech team will be taking these pictures and adding them to our visual displays for students, staff and families to see when they are in our building. 

Finally, a note for families around our parent-teacher conferences.  Our first round of parent-teacher conferences is scheduled for October 24 and 25.  There will be an email sent out next week with instructions on how to book these. 

I hope you all enjoy the Thanksgiving long weekend and I look forward to seeing the students back here on Tuesday, October 15. 

Bonne fin de semaine, 

Mr. Chad Edmonds – Principal Georges P Vanier School 

Volunteering with GPV! 

Thank you to everyone that has completed the Annual Volunteer Registration Form in your Online Forms. If you have completed this form but do not have a police clearance and need a letter from Vanier OR if you do have a police clearance attached to a previous school (for example, those parents who completed this for their child’s previous school) please contact the office directly. Due to the large amount of online paperwork that occurs at school start-up, we want to make sure we deal with volunteer forms as soon as possible. 

Once we get the communication from you, we will know to access your form and get you attached to our school or print the required letter so that you can complete your police clearance. 

You can email either Lori Stotz ljstotz@cbe.ab.ca or Beth Gilkes eagilkes@cbe.ab.ca for more information. 

Terry Fox Run Update 

It’s not too late to donate to Georges P. Vanier School’s Terry Fox School event. So far we’ve raised $1,025.00. Let’s pull together and see if we can reach our goal. Donate or share with friends and family this weekend to go the distance. Every dollar counts!  

#NoMatterWhat #TerryFoxSchoolRuns @terryfoxfoundation 

Book Fines 

When reviewing your fees, if you notice a Book Fine on your account from last year, and your child is sure they have returned the book, please contact our Main Office. If you are leaving a message, please make sure you leave the office with your child's first and last name and, if possible, the name of the book. We will do our best to locate the book within our Library. If we locate the book, we will remove the book fine from your account. If the book is not found, we ask that you pay the Book Fine Fee on your account. 

Fee Update! 

All Semester 1 Course Fees have now been added to all Grade 7 – 9 Students. Please check your parent accounts and make payments accordingly. 

Optional Fees for the following items have now been added to our School Store. You can add these items to your cart on your Parent Account. Once you have added the item and paid for the item, please email Beth Gilkes at eagilkes@cbe.ab.ca. She will check the system and get the items to your student. Items will not be given prior to being paid for. These are not the same items that are for sale on the Online Store. These are items we have on hand at the school. Select sizes are available. If you pay for an item and we do not have the size required, we can put that money paid towards other fees owed. If there are no fees owed, we will refund your money. Once Items are given out, they cannot be returned. 

Items Available Include

  • GPV Water Bottle 
  • GPV Gym Shirt 
  • GPV Gym Shorts 
  • GPV Dress Socks 
  • GPV Athletic Socks 

GPV Spirit Days! 

Our grade 7 Leadership class has planned some Spirits Days for us this month. 

  • Oct 18 - Minions Day (students are encouraged to dress as minions) 
  • Oct 24 - PJ Day 
  • Oct 28 - Student/Teacher Swap 
  • Oct 29 - Twin Day 
  • Oct 30 - Decades Day 
  • Oct 31 - Costume Day 
  • Nov 1 - Cultural Day 

Upcoming Sports Dates

  • Monday - No sports scheduled – School holiday 
  • Tuesday - Jr. Boys Basketball at GP Vanier 
  • Wednesday - Sr. Girls Basketball at AE Cross, Soccer Playoffs TBD 
  • Thursday - Sr. Boys Basketball at Vincent Massey, Soccer Playoffs TBD 
  • Friday - No sports scheduled 

Upcoming Dates 

  • Oct 14: Thanksgiving – No school 
  • Oct 16: Wordfest Grade 9 field trip 
  • Oct 17: Grade 6 Camp Chief Hector parent meeting 
  • Oct 24: School Photo Retake day 
  • Oct 24: Parent Teacher Conferences (PM) 
  • Oct 25: Parent Teacher Conferences (all day) - No students at school 
  • Oct 29: School Council AGM 
  • Oct 30: Grade 9 Band Feeder concert – William Aberhart 
  • Nov 7: Remembrance Day Assembly 
  • Nov 8: Non-instructional day 
  • Nov 11-13: Fall Break – no school 
  • Nov 14: Students return to school 
  • Nov 14: Grade 6 Immunizations