Happy Friday! 

As I have been fielding numerous student questions, just a reminder that semester 1 ends January 27 and semester 2 starts on the 28.  Students and families should be able to see their semester 2 classes on PowerSchool, and we will be providing students with semester 2 schedules by Monday the 26. 

Congratulations to all students who made our school volleyball teams, but also a huge thank you to all those students who took a risk by trying out.  It takes a lot of courage and confidence to put yourself out there, and all these students need to be recognized.  In the end teachers had to pick a team of 12 from, in some cases, almost 100 student-athletes who came out. 

Please see below for an important joint message going out to all students/families from our division. 

Finally, I wanted to share a message about the use of technology in schools. With the influx and improvements in Smart Technology and the growing use of AI in schools and home, I have had more than a few students and guardians asking questions or raising concerns about technology.  I imagine there are similar concerns that are being raised at numerous middle schools across the board.  I received an email from my daughter’s school addressing some of these questions/concerns and I felt it important to echo some of this messaging with our community. 

As a school, we are too often supporting students who experience incidents connected to online behaviour, including social media, text messaging, and other digital platforms. These incidents range from minor concerns to more serious situations that can have significant emotional and social consequences for students. In some cases, students who are targeted experience repeated behaviours and may suffer in silence for extended periods of time.  Also, these cases also include students at other schools and social networks exacerbating the problem. 

While almost all of these behaviours occur outside of school hours, their impact is very real within our school community and often requires school intervention. 

For families who have chosen to provide their child with a cellphone and have entered a service contract, establishing clear expectations at home should be included in the conversation with your child.  Things that could be included in the conversation: 

  1. A clear contract of use outlining acceptable and unacceptable behaviours 
  2. Defined times when the device may be used 
  3. A designated storage location at night, where students do not have access to their phone in order to support healthy sleep 
  4. A weekly check-in of the device with your child 
  5. Clear consequences if the agreed-upon expectations are not respected 

We see parents and guardians as essential partners in supporting student success, well-being, and responsible citizenship — both online and offline. 

To support families and students, below are several free, reliable resources that may be helpful: 

As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. 

Bonne weekend, 

Mr. Chad Edmonds – Principal École Georges P Vanier School 

Healthy Hunger is Back! 

We’re excited to announce our upcoming Healthy Hunger lunches! 

  • February 20: Modern Jelly Doughnuts 
  • March 13: OPA 
  • April 17: Coco Brooks 

You can now place your orders online through Healthy Hunger. Please remember that orders close 5 days before each lunch date, so don’t miss out!  Orders can be placed at: https://healthyhunger.ca/  

Any lunches that are not picked up on the day will be donated. 

Thank you for supporting our school and enjoying a tasty lunch or snack at the same time! 

French for Parents – Level 2 

Chinook Learning Services has scheduled a French for Parents – Level 2 class at Georges P. Vanier School, taught by Marissa Gillespie. 

Classes are Tuesday evenings from 6-8:00 PM, starting January 27 until March 17. 

Vanier Community Corner 

  1. Our crochet club has been hooking students in faster than we expected! It’s sew much fun—but we’re starting to run low on wool. If you have any extra yarn at home, we’d love a thread of support. Every ball helps us keep the creativity going!   The crochet club will also be selling some of their creations at lunchtime to raise money for more resources! 
  2. Our growing Outdoor Education program is continuing to accept donations of outdoor equipment in good repair.  We are looking for: 
    • cross-country ski gear (boots, skis, and poles) 
    • snow shoes 
    • daypacks 
    • multiday backpacking backpacks 
    • hiking boots 
    • tarps 
    • sleeping pads 
    • sleeping bags  
  • Please contact Mr. Eitzen at mdeitzen@cbe.ab.ca for more information.   

BelCanFran Exchange Opportunity 

Coordinators Ron and Lise will meet with the parents who are interested in registering their child(ren) into the Belcanfran exchange program for 2026-2027. The information meeting will be at the Wildwood Community Centre on Saturday, January 17/2026 from 3:00-4:30 PM. 

For more information please click Belcanfran exchange program between Alberta and France/Belgium

Chinook Learning Services 

Chinook Learning Services has scheduled a French for Parents – Level 2 class at Georges P. Vanier School, taught by Marissa Gillespie. 

Classes are Tuesday evenings from 6-8:00 PM, starting January 27 until March 17. 

Yearbook information 

With the resumption of school, we have started the design and build of our school yearbook.  If you would like to order a yearbook you can do it directly at: https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A09700335  

The price is currently $30 until the end of the school year and will go up to $35 on the 1st of January. 

Upcoming Sports Dates: 

  • Monday: no sports scheduled 
  • Tuesday: no sports scheduled 
  • Wednesday: no sports scheduled 
  • Thursday: no sports scheduled 
  • Friday: no sports scheduled 
  • Volleyball games start Jan 26

Volleyball Season Begins! 

We are in a division this year with SJAM, Queen Elizabeth, Colonel Irvine, Senator Patrick Burns, and TB Riley.  As a division, we have agreed upon similar expectations for games that promote safety, respect and a positive experience for players, coaches, other spectators and the hosting school. The expectations are as follows: 

  • All students (spectators and athletes) must leave school at the end of the day, before the games start at 4:00pm. Students who wish to stay to watch Vanier play need to have permission from the staff to stay to supervise. 
  • Players who remain at the school must remain in the gym and are not to be wandering the school. Also, food and drink are not permitted in the gym.  
  • For all Away games, students must have their own parent or guardian accompany them to all games. They may not be supervised by someone who is not their parent/guardian.  This 
  • There are no in and out privileges for spectators. If you leave the building you should not re-enter. 
  • All visitors must enter our building through the schools main doors only. Entrance through an alterative door may trigger security protocols and result in significant consequences for students letting others in the school. This would be a significant security risk for everyone in the building. 
  • Student spectators without parental supervision will be directed by the hosting school administration to leave the building immediately. 
  • All spectators are expected to cheer and support the players, coaches, referees, etc. in a positive manner. 
  • Disrespectful behaviour from students or spectators will be addressed by the hosting school administration as well as your home school administration as a follow up. The student and parent code of conduct applies at all times. Spectators may be asked to leave the school depending on the severity of the issue. Parents also may be asked not to return. 
  • Parents/guardians who bring younger children are responsible for direct supervision at all times. The rest of the school is closed and off limits. Please ensure children are not in the hallways or playing on the stage or with any school equipment. 

Thank you for your attention to these things.  We thank you in advance for your ongoing support and look forward to the best year yet for our athletics teams! 

Upcoming Dates 

  • Jan 22: Grade 9 Sports Excellence Ski Trip 
  • Jan 23: Grade 7 Outdoor Education Cross Country trip 
  • Jan 26: Volleyball Season starts 
  • Jan 27: End of Semester 1 
  • Jan 28: Start of Semester 2 
  • Jan 30: Non-instruction day – No students 
  • Feb 4: GP Vanier Open House (6:30 – 7:30 PM) 
  • Feb 11: Winter Concert (7 PM start) 
  • Feb 12-13: Teacher’s Convention (schools closed) 
  • Feb 16: Family Holiday (schools closed) 
  • Feb 18: Student Teachers return