LEARN Fieldtrip to MUN and Ocean Sciences Centre

Students in our LEARN and ELL programs had an exciting visit to MUN and the OSC in Logy Bay on Friday! We learned about Climate action and food security with the Fluvarium’s Power tower and staff! We toured the MUN library, the tunnels, the food court and had the privilege of visiting the new core science building and seeing the amazing Blue Whale Skeleton. We concluded our trip at the OSC in Logy Bay exploring the touch tank full of Atlantic Ocean invertebrates and visiting the seals.

Thanks to all the students involved for representing MDJH with such mature behaviour and excellent, intelligent questions! Can’t wait for the next trip!

Student Absences During Class Time

We have had inquiries from parents wishing to take students out of school during regularly scheduled class time. We realize that many of the excursions that families have can be very educational. However, when school is in session it can be very difficult for a student to catch up with their classmates, and it is our preference that the student not miss any school.

If you do have plans to take your child out of school for an extended period of time for whatever reason, it is the responsibility of the parents to send a written notification of the planned absence (preferably email) to the school principal requesting permission for your child to be away. Ms. Pike will consider the reasons for this absence and provide information and advice accordingly. Otherwise, the absence may be considered unexcused.

When a student misses school for a family vacation or other non-school-related activity, they are responsible for any work missed while away, and they are also responsible for getting this missed work from a classmate when they return. Teachers are not required to prepare work in advance for a scheduled vacation/non-school activity, or to spend time re-teaching something that the student misses. This responsibility falls to the student and his/her family.

The homework website and Google Classrooms are updated daily and students can avail of these while away to keep up to date, or to catch up when they return. Any assignments that would be due when a student is on vacation must be completed before he/she leaves. Any tests or projects completed while a student is away will be given to the student upon return, or prior to leaving.

A copy of the School Calendar is available at www.nlesd.ca.

Grade 9 Legacy Project

Next year marks MDJH’s 50th anniversary! Imagine… over 40,000 students have spent their junior high years here. Countless MDJH students have become successful and done amazing things in all corners of the world, including here at home in St. John’s. Many of our former students are even parents of current students. We thought this year would be a great opportunity to start an annual legacy project that the grade 9 students could leave as a memento of their time spent at MDJH.

We are going to start this legacy project by purchasing a wheelchair accessible picnic table to add to our outdoor classroom. The cost of a 3 sided, wheelchair accessible table similar to the picture below would be $3,095.00. It will be anchored on a cement pad and will be inscribed with a plaque dedicated to this year’s graduating class. To date, we have $425 raised. We still have a way to go.

Please consider a donation to help with this project!

MDJH Update – May 31

Free Donuts on Friday!

  • In 1917, Salvation Army volunteers went to the front lines of the First World War in France, where they established social centres and canteens. Soldiers had the opportunity to secure essential items and receive some baked donuts, writing supplies, and clothes-mending services.
  • The Salvation Army’s “donut lassies” served hope and happiness to soldiers on the battlefield and boosted morale. In recent years, this special day has been picking up momentum again.
  • So, on Friday, June 3, The Salvation Army will be celebrating National Donut Day. The Emergency Services Truck will be on on the parking lot of MDJH and will be passing out free donuts to students during the lunch break.

50/50 tickets – Summer Splash

  • Get those tickets sold early because there are gift card prize draws happening daily for students who return their ticket stubs and money to the office.
  • The student who sells the most tickets will receive a $200 Best Buy gift card. You can get extra tickets at the office. If you have any unsold tickets, please return them to the office ASAP.

Chartwells – Poutine Special!

  • On Wednesday, June 1, Chartwells will be serving poutine in the cafeteria. The cost is $5.50.
  • Keep an eye out for upcoming specials for the month of June!

MDJH Update – 26 May

Good afternoon,

A couple of items to share:

The Carnival for our Grade 9 students is tonight!!!

  • Please drop your child off at the student entrance at 6:30. Pick up time is 9pm.

50/50 tickets – Summer Splash

  • Get those tickets sold early because there are gift card prize draws happening daily for students who return their ticket stubs and money to the office.
  • The student who sells the most tickets will receive a $200 Best Buy gift card. You can get extra tickets at the office.

Food Drive – Please donate!

  • Tomorrow is our last day, and we have not received very many food items.
  • Any non-perishable food items can be dropped off in the morning on the tables outside the office.
  • With inflation and the cost of living going up, there is more need in our community than ever.
  • Please, if you can, donate to this wonderful cause. All donations go to local food banks.

Thanks once again for your ongoing support

Student Leadership Award

Are you a grade 9 student at MDJH? Are you active and involved in the school community and/or the community at large? If so, this award might be for you!

Every year we award outstanding Grade 9 students with the Student Leadership Award. This is for students who:

  • Are a positive role model in the classroom
  • Are a positive role model in any school-based activity
  • Take a leadership role in curricular and co-curricular activities
  • Maintain a good attendance/punctuality record
  • Maintain a good academic standing
  • Work to their academic potential

If you think this is you (or someone you know at the school!), application forms are available at the office. Applying students must also write a 500 word essay on why they should be considered for this award referencing the above criteria.

The winning students will be presented with a certificate and have their names permanently inscribed on the school Student Leadership tableau in front of the main office.

Don’t delay! The deadline for application is Tuesday, June 7th!