Interested in Cross Country?

Hello Macdonald Drive Junior High families,

My name is Antony Luchford and I will be coaching cross country this year.  Having taught and coached in Toronto for almost 20 years, I’m accustomed to training throughout the month of September and then competing in races in mid October.  That being said, I’m learning that things move quickly here and we are going to literally hit the ground running.

We just received communication from the NLAA that their dates for this year’s Cross Country Running Series are fast approaching.  The meets will take place on Saturday, September 17th, Saturday, September 24th, and Saturday, October 1st at Bowring Park.  The race distance is just under 2 km (1800 m) for students in Grades 7, 8 and 9 and goes up and down the various hills throughout the park.  Any students who enjoy running and would like to join the team are invited to participate.  

I will be available to run with any interested students on Thursday, September 15th from 4:30 to 5:30 and right after school on Friday, September 16th from 2:20 to 3:00.  We will meet at the school main entrance and take things from there.  I will post practices for the following weeks at a later date and try to not conflict with the practices of other sports teams going on.

I recognize that this is short notice and I’ve already expressed to students in our brief meeting today that if they can’t make these practices or the first race or are simply not feeling prepared to run against other students yet, that is fine.

I appreciate your patience and support.

Antony

Interested in Coaching?

MDJH Athletic Department is looking for coaches for the following teams:

  • Jr Girls Soccer (Grades 7 and 8)
  • Sr Girls Soccer (Grades 8 and 9)
  • Cross-Country
  • Grade 7 Girls Volleyball
  • Grade 8 Boys Basketball
  • Grade 9 Boys Basketball
  • Grade 9 Girls Basketball

If interested please contact Scott Mercer scottmercer@nlesd.ca or Donald Mackey donaldmackey@nlesd.ca.

Calling ALL Alumni!

September 2022, marks the 50th Anniversary of MDJH!

Our anniversary committee, chaired by Colette Quann (colettequann@nlesd.ca) and Ches West (chesleywest@nlesd.ca), have been busy planning monthly activities beginning in September with the opening of the 25th Anniversary Time Capsule.

We are reaching out to past alumni to identify themselves, so they can be recognized and included in the events. Please complete the following form and feel free to pass it on to any other past alumni you may know. Together, we can make this a year to remember!

Please follow link to doc: https://forms.gle/FE5eHb3uF4VvC25A6

Thank you. Stay tuned! See you at our October Meet and Greet!

@FiftyMdjh

Important Dates to Remember

  • September 19 – Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II (no classes)
  • September 22 – Curriculum night
  • September 28 – Wear orange shirts to commemorate National Truth and Reconciliation Day
  • September 29 – Picture day
  • September 30 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Holiday (no classes)
  • Monday, October 10 – Thanksgiving Day Holiday (no classes)

Sports Tryouts

Grade 9 Boys Volleyball

  • Tuesday, Sept 13th: 4:00-5:30pm
  • Thursday, Sept 15th: 4:00-5:30pm

Grade 9 Girls Volleyball

  • Tuesday, Sept 13th: 7:00-8:30pm
  • Thursday, Sept 15th: 7:00-8:30pm

Grade 8 Girls Basketball

  • Wednesday, Sept 14th: 8:30-10:00pm
  • Monday, Sept 19th: 8:30-10:00pm

Grade 7 Boys Volleyball

  • Thursday, Sept 15th: 5:30-7:00pm
  • Tuesday, Sept 20th: 5:30-7:00pm

Grade 7 Boys Basketball

  • Monday, Sept 19th: 4:00-5:30pm
  • Wednesday, Sept21st: 4:00-5:30pm

Other school teams will be posted as more coaches confirm tryout times.

New Method For Reporting Absences

Starting this year, MDJH will be using a new method to record student absences. If you know that a student in your home will not be in school that day, or in a time to come, please use the new SafeArrival system.

With SafeArrival, you are asked to report your child’s absence in advance using any of these 3 convenient methods:

  1. Using your mobile device, download and install the SchoolMessenger app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store (or from the links at go.schoolmessenger.ca). The first time you use the app, select Sign Up to create your account. Select Attendance then Report an Absence.
  2. Use the SafeArrival website (go.schoolmessenger.ca). The first time you use the website, select Sign Up to create your account. Select Attendance then Report an Absence.
  3. Call the toll-free number 1 (844) 408-9360 to report an absence using the automated phone system.

There is only one option right now to choose for being absent, and that is for a full day. If your student will only be absent for a portion of the day then choose a full day, and School Messenger will automatically adjust the absence to a partial day when uploaded at the end of the day.

Please Note: The phone number and email that we have on file in PowerSchool must match the one you use for SafeArrival School Messenger.

Starting September 7, 2022, macdonalddrivejrh@nlesd.ca email will no longer be used for reporting absence notifications, as we will have finished the transition to SafeArrival. You can use this general school email for general questions and information ONLY.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we implement this new system.

To download this information as a letter, please click here.