How do you keep students interested on the last day before vacation? How about with some dry ice and electricity? Not at the same time, of course! Mme. Brunet handled the Icy, Mr. Smith took on the Shocking.

1. Christmas Families

This year we were able to help 42 families as part of our Christmas Families program, the greatest number of families that we’ve supported yet!

We received/purchased over $4000 in gift cards to groceries stores to support our families. The money came from staff donations, local business donations, in-school fundraisers like the Friday ice cream sales, etc.

We also had two families directly sponsored by local businesses, which will help them have a very happy holiday season.

A huge Firework! to Ms. Watton for organizing this event, and to Mr. Connolly and Ms. Quann for their assistance.

2. Christmas Food Drive

Our Christmas Food Drive was a tremendous success! Thank you to all who donated a non-perishable food item or grocery store gift card. Items were donated to The Gathering Place. Thanks to Mr. Connolly for organizing the drive and being the Man Behind The Mic!

We at MDJH would like to send out a big “Thank You!” to our generous school community. With your help, this was, by far, the best year yet for our Adopt A Senior program. We were able to provide 31 gifts for the seniors of St. Patrick’s Nursing Home. In addition to the gifts for 31 seniors, we donated numerous bags full of supplies for the powder rooms for use by all, consisting of shampoo, body wash, razors, shaving cream – enough to last months. We also donated many cases of ginger ale, chocolates and candies for the lounge areas. Way to go, Grizzlies!

A big “Thank You!” to Aurora (Grade 9) and Julia (Grade 7), who gave up their whole Sunday on December 13th to fill stockings for Dominion employees that were in need. Aurora has been shopping, collecting, lifting, lugging, packing, counting and sorting since mid-November with her mother to make this happen, and Julia and her Dad joined in on Sunday along with other volunteers to stuff and deliver the stockings.

For more information, check out the story on CBC.

Here, Aurora and Julia help stuff the stockings.

If you would like to order a photo package, see https://mdjh.info/2020/12/01/lifetouch-coupon-for-mdjh-families/

To: Parents/Guardians
From: Ed Walsh, Associate Director (Programs and Human Resources)
Subject: Pro-active Covid Preparation
Date: December 10, 2020

In recent weeks, we have all become acutely aware of how quickly the Covid-19 virus can impact a school community. We also know the upcoming holidays could find any school in a situation where new, localized cases create the need to alter normal school operations.

To be clear, as of this date, there is no expectation of suspension of in-class instruction in January. However, we must be prepared to switch to online teaching and learning in the coming weeks if the need arises. We are therefore advising that:

• Grades 7-12 students take home resources that may be important for virtual learning should the need occur after the holiday break.
• Grades K-6 students take home school supplies (e.g., pencils, rulers, crayons, notebooks) they might need to engage in virtual learning should the need occur after the holiday break.

Again, there is no expectation of widespread interruption of in-class instruction. This is merely a proactive measure to help facilitate a smooth transition to online teaching and learning if that should be required.

Meanwhile, the District is awaiting delivery of Chromebooks ordered for all Grades 7-12 students. At this point, there will not be enough time to receive, configure and distribute all 30,000 devices prior to the holiday break. Therefore, if you do not have access to the Internet, or your child does not have access to a technology device at home, please advise the school administration team. Every effort will be made to provide you with a device which can be returned after the holiday break. As always, any device provided by the school or school district is the responsibility of the individual to whom it is assigned and should not be left unattended in vehicles, in public places, or anywhere outside the home or school (See Acceptable Use of Technology Policy and Regulations (FIN-500).

Thank you for your patience and understanding. We wish you all a happy holiday season and we will continue to provide updates as necessary.

Our Virtual Christmas Concert was such a success that we are doing it again! It will be rebroadcast on Wednesday, December 16th at 6:00pm. If you would like to watch it again, or see it for the first time, click here to request an invite to the Google Meet.

All after school sports practices for Thursday, December 10th will be going ahead.

Not sure if you need a COVID test or should just stay home? Follow the updated screening criteria.

• Order forms are available on our website.
• Payments by cash or cheque made payable to MDJH  can be accepted. Due to Public health safety measures, please put in a baggie or envelope and hand in to the office.  All sections of the order form must be completed.
• Unfortunately, no sample sizes are available due to public health safety measures. 
• Printed copies of order forms are also available at the office. 
• Deadline for orders is December 16th.