Hello MacDonald Drive Community Members!! In partnership with NLEats and the Airport Heights Food Co, MDJH is hosting a Year-End Community Food Drive from Monday, May 17 to Friday, May 21, 2021! You will be thrilled to note that we are also partnering with Roncalli Elementary and Gonzaga High School as well! Any non-perishable food items donated can be dropped off in the mornings on the tables just inside the cafeteria. All donations will be going to local food banks in our community! This is a great time to clear out your cupboards and to donate to such a wonderful cause!

It’s not too late to order a 2021-22 MDJH Yearbook! If you would like to order online, go to ybpay.lifetouch.ca and enter the ID Code 11573721.

Condensed day

• We no longer have a homeroom period, instructional time begins at 8:05. It is more important than ever that students arrive on time for school.
• Food from Chartwells can ONLY be purchased through online ordering until 8am on the same morning, and will be brought to the class. Students will not be able to purchase food from Chartwells during the lunch period. Students can also bring a packed lunch from home.

Upcoming Professional Development Days and Holiday

• May 12 – PD day
• May 31 – PD day
• May 24 – Holiday

Yearbook order forms have to be returned to the office by June 4th.

Grade 9 students are reminded that their baby pictures are to be sent in to Mme. Quann by May 31st.

The May newsletter is now available. Click here to view it.

Here’s the latest Math Problem of the Week. Contact Mr. Lambert with your answer for a chance to win!

Congratulations to our participating MDJH students, as they obtained great results from the the Eastern Newfoundland Regional Science and Technology Fair

Orpa Hawlader – Surface Tension on Floating Objects and Cheerios Effect

• Gold Medal – Junior Physical Science
• First Place Overall Junior Project – $250
• Canada Wide Science Fair Finalist 2021

Dipayan Dhar – Here Comes the Sun: The Potential of Solar Energy in NL

• Gold Medal – Intermediate Physical Science
• First Place Overall Intermediate Project – $250
• Canada Wide Science Fair Finalist 2021

Adhira Ganesh and Alpita Patro – Resistance is fruitile

• Gold Medal – Junior Life Science
• Second Place Overall Junior Project – $150

Honourable Mentions

• Arika Rahman and Meghna Saha
• Sheza Chowdhury and Nasarajswari Devarapalli

Way to go, Grizzlies!

On May 1, Chess Buddies Canada will be hosting the first ever Simul Event!

Daley Merrigan (current highest ranked chess player in NL) will be leading the event and will be taking on all challengers! It is a great opportunity to play a strong chess player! The only requirement is for players to have a Lichess.org account. It is free, and you only need an email address to register. The link to join the Simul Event is https://lichess.org/simul/52jMPXJ8.

If you have any questions, or want to learn more about how the Simul Event will work, please contact Tanish Bhatt at tbhatt_S@nlesd.ca.

For more information regarding the club and future events, visit our website at Chessbuddies.ca

This Q&A is to clarify points contained in a letter sent by the English School District on April 27, to families of MDJH students regarding the condensed day that will be implemented in certain junior high schools to limit mixing of cohorts outside of the school environment during the school day.

When is this starting?
The compressed day will start on Monday, May 3.

What is the new schedule?

The new schedule is as follows:

Period 1: 8:05 – 9:01

Period 2: 9:02 – 9:53

RECESS 9:53-9:58

Period 3: 9:59 – 10:55

LUNCH: 10:55 – 11:15

Period 4: 11:17 – 12:13 PM

Period 5: 12:14 – 1:10

Will there be a morning Homeroom?
No. A warning bell will sound at 8:00. Classes will begin at 8:05.

Will students still have Recess?
At the end of Period 2, we have a RECESS break when students will be permitted to eat at their desk.

Will students be permitted to leave at lunch?
No, students MUST remain in their classroom.

Will Chartwells be available for purchasing food?
Food can be purchased only through online ordering until 8am on the same morning, and will be brought to the class. Students will not be able to purchase food from Chartwells during the lunch period. Students can also bring a packed lunch from home.

Will students be permitted to move about?
During periods 1, 3 and 5, assigned classes will be scheduled for a “walk about” to get up and stretch. Staff are also encouraged to “get moving” in all other classes.

Will buses run an hour earlier in the afternoon?
Yes. Students will be dismissed at 1:10. Buses will take students home at 1:10. Morning bus times will not be affected.

Will all Junior Highs move to this model?
The decision to expand to other junior highs rests with the District and the Department of Education. At this point, only certain Junior Highs will begin with this condensed day. These junior highs are pure junior highs (Grade 7, 8 and 9 students), represent the larger schools, and busing was able to be accommodated.

Why is this being done?
A condensed day will allow our school to more effectively adhere to the latest Public Health recommendations and ultimately remain open as it will limit the potential for mixing of cohorts outside of the school environment during the school day.