November at Vanier

We are looking forward to completing Term 1 this month and meeting with families to discuss progress and next steps. Here are some of the highlights of our October activities:

• Our Thanksgiving Food Drive was a success  thank you for your contributions! We were able to help fill the Thanksgiving Day Metrobus for those in need. 

• Staff and students enjoyed participating in Jamarama Day during the month of October, as well as our KES Walk for Breakfast.  

• St. John's Regional Fire Department conducted our annual Fire Drill for Fire Prevention Week.

• The Roots of Empathy Program begain in 5E. 

• Members and Authors of the Qalipu First Nation presented to students on October 21. 

• Bus Safety Drills were completed with all classes. 

• Author presentations were held on Halloween for Gr. 4 to 6. 

• We finished the month of October with our traditional Halloween Parade! 

Congratulations, Charmel!

National Child Day is held in November. Each year, the City of St. John's arranges the Meet the Mayor Contest, and this year, one of our students won! Charmel and her family joined with another student and City of St. John's employees to visit several City sites this week and got to meet Mayor Danny Breen and help him officially proclaim November 20th as National Child Day in the City of St. John’s. 

From the City of St. John's:

In recognition of National Child Day/World Children’s Day, the City of St. John’s would like to encourage all students to wear blue on November 20 and to use #NationalChildDay on social media to bring awareness of children’s rights around the world.  For more information on National Child Day, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/national-child-day.htm l and for a schedule of free activities visit  www.stjohns.ca. 

Remembrance Day Ceremony and Wall of Honour

A beautiful school assembly was held yesterday, November 7 with a Colour Guard and Guest Speaker, Bridagier General Anthony Stack. It was a very moving ceremony led by our Grade 6 classes, where we learned more about why we observe November 11, with reverence and respect. Thank you to families of Grade 6 students who were able to attend.  We thank Mme Line Daly and Ms. Shannon Costello and classes for your work and organization of this important assembly, and Mr. Doucet and Ms. Sullivan who led the music of the assembly, and all students and teachers for their contributions of wreaths. 

We were very proud of our annual Wall of Honour for Remembrance Day which displayed family members and their stories in our hallway. Thank you to families for participating in this important activity of remembrance for us.  

Vanier will be closed on November 10th [Fall Break] and 11th in observance of Remembrance Day. We encourage our students to attend if they can at the National War Memorial on Duckworth/Water Street on Tuesday morning at 11 to see the parade and participate in the Moment of Silence.  Further details can be found here. 

Winter Weather

With our first sprinkling of snow, ice and frost this week, a reminder that we continue to go outside to get fresh air and spend some much-needed time in nature learning and having fun. Hats, mittens, snowsuit/jacket/pants and boots are required...as the weather forecast varies. Please note, there are days that we may not go outside as a school for various reasons, however teachers may choose to take their students outside for various activities. 

Vanier SWAG Clothing Store

A big thank you to our School Council and Ms. Heather Tobin who have arranged for this online store. The store is now open and orders can be placed to arrive in time for Christmas. The store will close on November 20th (not on the 14th as currently indicated on the site). Please visit Vanier Elementary Apparel. Clothing will be delivered to the school. If you wish to receive a notification and pick up your order at the school during the school day, please contact the office, otherwise the order will be sent home with your child. Thank you for your support!

Chain on the Playground Fence

Due to the risk of children running into the street to fetch balls, etc. while playing outside, our Occupational Health and Safety Committee took action to place a chain across the opening in our fence on the front of the school. It is marked with ribbon to ensure that it is highly visible.  Please be mindful of this chain in the area. 

MUN Education Students

This past month we welcomed Ms. Holly Vaters to Vanier to complete her long internship at Vanier, as well as Mr. Kyle Hennessey, Mlle Caleigh Edwards, and  Mlle Anna Corbett who completed short internships. We wish you all the  very best as you continue your studies and it has been a pleasure working with you all.

Lifetouch School Photos

Lifetouch has now completed its sessions at Vanier for regular school photos. There will be Kindergarten Graduation photos arranged at a later date. Currently, photos can be ordered online at mylifetouch.ca or using the order form and code that was sent home. Please contact us at the office if you have any questions re photos. 

School Holidays

Our listing of dates is regularly adjusted on our Vanier Website and dates are made available there as soon as they are set, so we ask that you please check there often for the most up-to-date listings. 

Please note the following for November as well as the dates in the column to the left, which are current at time of publishing:

• November 10 and 11  No School (Remembrance Day)

• November 17 (Report Card Preparation - No School for Students)