The land on which we gather is traditional unceded Omamiwininiwag (Algonquin) and Anishinabewaki territory, a place which has long served as a site of meeting and exchange amongst nations. Today, this place is still the home to many Indigenous people from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to gather on this land.
Principal's Message
We would like to thank all those who donated food for our Food Drive, and who purchased gifts for our “Angel Tree”. This event was coordinated with St. Aloysius church, and we are thankful to them as well for gathering food items and for organizing the pick-up of the items.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of the staff members at Greater Gatineau for all of their support towards student learning, student engagement; and for making school such a fun place to be. The number of clubs and activities we have at the school is amazing; and they are only made possible through the efforts of our staff. The dedication and devotion of our staff team is commendable; and Mr. Fleming and I are proud to work with such a great team. Thanks to the parents for all their support.
We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and we look forward to a fantastic January and beyond. We will see you all on Tuesday, January 7th for the first day of 2025.
As the colder weather sets in, please remember to send your child to school with warm clothing.
Events at School
CONSTRUCTION AT GREATER GATINEAU
We are happy to report that the construction project has officially begun to build our new addition. We have included an architect’s rendition of what we can expect to see in the coming months.
Unfortunately, the construction permit was only granted last week; so this will delay the opening of our new K-4 classes until August 2026.
SKI AT SCHOOL
During the winter months we have the chance to offer cross country skiing to our students. There will be an instructional video from Ski at School/Ski à l’école to teach our children how to cross country ski. Everyone from grade 1 to 6 will get a chance to learn this fun activity. Unfortunately the program is not available for Kindergarten. The equipment is provided and the cost is free!
SUBWAY LUNCH PROGRAM
Our Subway Lunch Program will continue to be offered on Wednesdays. Order Forms are due back to school by January 9th. The next session will run from January 15th to February 26th.
MAZZOLA HOT MEALS
Hot meals can be ordered online at mazzola.ca They are offered on Monday and Friday at our school.
MONTHLY ASSEMBLY
Our next assembly will be on Tuesday, January 28th, where we will celebrate the students who have shown the chosen virtue throughout the month.
Please remember to wear your GG shirt to all of our monthly assemblies. This creates a sense of community at school. We are working on being able to provide new GG shirts to students in the new year.
Grade 3 + 4 at 10:05
Kindergarten, Grade 1 + 2 at 10:55
Grade 5 + 6 at 12:35
January is PERSEVERANCE month. We hope to see students who are always working hard and not giving up.
PEACE LEARNING CIRCLES AT HOME
A great strategy to ensure that everyone is able to participate in dinner conversations is to use a “Talking Stick”.
Use any object to pass around the table, and only the person holding the object is allowed to speak.
This will help to ensure that everyone gets a chance to speak about their day.
Home & School
H&S would like to wish all Greater Gatineau families a happy holiday season!
Thank you to everyone who has supported H&S for the first part of the school year, we have raised much needed funds for the school. We are working with the school to decide where to allocate these funds.
More exciting events and fundraising will be coming when we return from the holiday break.
If you would like to join us, please contact us via email or through our Facebook Page.
We are always looking for new members to join us or ideas for upcoming events, please contact us via email or through our Facebook page.
The January Home & School meeting will be held on Monday, January 13th at 6:00pm. We hold our meetings virtually, please reach out to us via email if you would like to attend future meetings.
The Home & School would like to wish all Greater Gatineau families a very happy holiday season and new year. We look forward to 2025!
Daycare
We start the new year with a PD day on Monday, January 6th. The registration deadline was December 13th; did you miss it? Please sign up for @ggdaycare2 on the Remind app to get the notifications regarding PD days.
Should you have any questions about our program or to register for the PD days please do not hesitate to contact Jennifer by phone at (819) 663-4842 x3 or e-mail jplaxton@wqsb.qc.ca
Happy New Year from the Daycare Team!
Special Notes
INCLEMENT WEATHER
In the event of inclement weather emails or text messages will be sent out by the School Board to advise parents and guardians of bus delays, cancellations, or school closures.
Normally the School Board will send messages between 6:15 a.m. and 6:30 a.m., prior to busses starting their routes, but unfortunately sometimes the messages come late from the bus company.
Depending on weather conditions (snowfall, freezing rain) the School Board will assess the road conditions with the assistance of various bus transporters, several municipalities (public works) and French School Boards.
Thereafter, a decision is made whether or not to cancel transportation.
School buses may also be delayed as a result of road and weather conditions.
Parents are responsible for their children prior to boarding and after departing the school bus.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
Save the Date!
The Kindergarten registration will be held at our school this year. Registration will be in person on February 10th and 11th at the school.
Your child must be turning 5 years old before September 30, 2025 to register and attend Kindergarten.
To register you will require
- Certificate of eligibility of the child, parent or sibling declared eligible
- Child’s long form birth certificate with the names of both parents
- Canadian Citizenship for parent who will render the child eligible
- Quebec drivers licence, lease/deed and utility bill
- Child’s last report card if applicable
If you have a child who will be attending kindergarten next year, or know someone who has a child who will attend, you can prepare yourself in advance.
Anti-Racism Committee (ARC)
Cultural Traditions/Observances/Holidays
New Year’s Day – January 1
New Year’s Day marks the beginning of the new calendar year. It is a global holiday often observed with celebrations, resolutions, and reflections on the past year.
World Braille Day – January 4
World Braille Day celebrates the invention of braille and raises awareness about its importance in empowering blind and visually impaired individuals. It promotes accessibility and inclusion for those with visual disabilities.
Lohri – January 13
Lohri is a traditional Punjabi festival celebrated on January 13. It marks the end of winter and the harvest of rabi crops. The festival is observed with bonfires, dancing, singing, and sharing traditional foods to celebrate abundance and prosperity.
World Religion Day – January 19
World Religion Day, observed on the third Sunday of January, promotes interfaith understanding and harmony. It encourages people to learn about and respect different religions.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 20
Observed on the third Monday of January in the United States, Martin Luther King Jr. Day honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a leader of the Civil Rights Movement. It promotes equality, nonviolence, and justice, encouraging service and reflection.
Lincoln Alexander Day – January 21
This day serves to honour the legacy of the Canadian trailblazer, Lincoln Alexander. Lincoln was Canada’s first black MP in the House of Commons, the first black federal cabinet minister, and Ontario’s first black Lieutenant Governor.
International Day of Education – January 24
International Day of Education highlights the importance of education in fostering peace and development. It advocates for inclusive and equitable education for all, emphasizing learning as a key to building a better future.
The World Day for African and Afro descendant Culture – January 24
This day highlights the rich heritage of African cultures and their global influence. It promotes cultural diversity, social justice, and recognition of African and Afro descendant contributions to the world.
International Holocaust Remembrance Day – January 27
International Holocaust Remembrance Day honors the memory of six million Jews and millions of other victims murdered during the Holocaust. It also promotes education about the Holocaust to prevent future acts of genocide and hate.
Family Literacy Day (Canada) – January 27
Family Literacy Day is celebrated in Canada to promote the importance of reading and learning together as a family. It encourages activities that improve literacy skills and strengthen family bonds.
Lunar New Year – January 29
Lunar New Year marks the beginning of the year in the lunar calendar. Celebrated by many East and Southeast Asian cultures, it includes traditions symbolizing luck, prosperity, and family unity. This year is the Year of the Snake.
National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia – January 29
This day commemorates the victims of the 2017 mosque attack in Quebec City. It promotes awareness, remembrance, and action against Islamophobia to build a more inclusive society.