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
The holidays are a wonderful time of year, but sometimes there are families that are in need of assistance to help them through this time of year. Please help out some Greater Gatineau families by donating some food items or by requesting an angel tag from our angel tree to buy a gift for a child.
We will be delivering food baskets and gifts to 16 families from our school. We are working with St. Aloysius Church on this holiday project.
Reminder that the last day of school before the holiday is Friday, December 19th. We return to school on Tuesday, January 6th after the winter break.
I’d like to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season!
PROPER DRESS
With the weather turning colder, we want to remind you that children must be dressed appropriately for the weather. Hats, mittens/gloves, warm coats, snow pants and boots are needed so they can play outside comfortably.
Events at School
PHOTO RETAKE DAY
Photo retakes will take place on December 3rd for students who were absent or requested a retake.
PEACE BUCKET REWARD
The children have been doing a fantastic job following the Peace Agreements and our Peace Bucket is full! The reward will be hot chocolate and a candy cane for each student. This will take place on Friday, December 5th.
Mutual Respect – Attentive Listening – Appreciations – Participation
SCHOOL MUSICAL
The Drama Club is excited to present the musical “Musicville”. Students have been memorizing their lines and rehearsing in the gym since September. The dedicated group of students can’t wait until December 12th when they will present the show at 10:30am and 12:40pm. Parents, family members and friends are welcome to come and see the show!
ROCKS & RINGS
December 15th, 17th, and 18th Greater Gatineau welcomes Rock & Rings. In partnership with Curling Canada, the Egg Farmers Rocks & Rings program is designed to introduce the Olympic sport of curling to elementary school children by bringing curling equipment for interactive physical education games right in the school gym. Rocks & Rings brings the curling rink to the school using unique indoor floor curling equipment to provide a true curling experience without requiring ice! Each class will have a turn to try out their curling skills.
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON
Some special activities will take place during the last week before the holiday. Teachers may also have other activities planned in their classrooms.
- Holiday Music during entry in the morning
- Holiday Jokes
- Optional Door Decorating for classes
RED/WHITE/GREEN DAY – Monday, December 15
Put on something red, white or green to show-off your spirit for the holiday of your choice.
HOLIDAY SOCKS DAY – Tuesday, December 16
Wear your favourite holiday or seasonal socks.
FESTIVE HAT DAY -Wednesday, December 17
Break out the Santa hat or reindeer antlers or create your own special hat for festive hat day.
HOLIDAY SWEATER DAY -Thursday, December 18
Don your holiday or winter sweater or make your own outfit.
HOLIDAY SING-ALONG – Friday, December 19
The Holiday Sing-Along will take place on December 19th in the gym. Students will sing various holiday songs. Unfortunately, due to space limitations parents are not able to attend.
PAJAMA DAY – Friday, December 19
As the second part of our Peace Bucket reward, please wear your favourite pajamas to celebrate the last day of school for 2025.
MAZZOLA HOT LUNCH
We offer hot meals on Mondays and Fridays here at Greater Gatineau.
Mazzola December and January Menu
Place your orders online at mazzola.skoolfood.com
SUBWAY LUNCH
Our Subway lunch program runs right until Wednesday, December 17, 2025. A new form will be sent out for the next program starting in the new year.
SPECIAL STUDENT LUNCH – Provided thanks to our “President’s Choice” grant
This month our special meal for students will be a Chicken Stew + a bun provided free to all students. Meal is Halal.
- Tuesday, December 9th: Grade 1 + 1/2, and Grade 6
- Thursday, December 11th: Grade 2 and Grade 4
- Friday, December 12th: Kindergarten, Grade 3 and 5
MONTHLY ASSEMBLY
Our next assembly will be on Tuesday, December 16th, where we will celebrate the students who have shown the chosen virtue throughout the month.
Please remember to wear your GG shirt (and your holiday socks) for the monthly assembly day. This creates a sense of community at school.
- Grade 5+6 at 10:05
- Kindergarten, Grade 1+2 at 10:55
- Grade 3+4 at 12:35
December is COOPERATION month. We hope to see students making an effort to work together as a team.
PEACE LEARNING CIRCLES AT HOME
Here is a quick and fun energizer you can do at home with your whole family.
It’s called “Do After Me” Sit in a large circle. One person begins by entering the circle and making a gesture, sound, or movement (the more ridiculous, the more fun), and then points to someone else in the circle to succeed them. This person makes the same gesture, sound, or movement as the proceeding person made, and then adds their own performance. They then choose the next person, and this person need only repeat the preceding action and add one before choosing someone new.
The game is over when everyone has had a chance in the circle.
Home & School
Thank you to everyone who attended our November Movie Night. It was a wonderful turnout!
We greatly appreciate your purchases of Maple Products made through North Hatley online, the fundraiser was a huge success! Your orders will be sent home with students. We will make arrangements for pick up of larger orders if needed.
New to Yule is back! On Wednesday December 10th, all Greater Gatineau students will have an opportunity to choose a gift for a family member or friend from gently used items that were generously donated by Greater Gatineau families. A Home and School volunteer will wrap the item and send it home with the students for the holiday season. We will be sending more information home with students about this special free event.
We are always looking for new members to join us, please contact us via email or through our Facebook page.
We are now on Instagram! Please follow us to get up to date info on our fundraisers and events.
What type of events or fundraisers would you like to see this year? If you have any ideas, please send us an email.
We hold monthly meetings, our next Home and School meeting will be at 6pm on Monday December 8, please reach out to us via email if you would like to attend.
Daycare
The next PD day is January 5th and will have a deadline of December 12th for registration. PD days are open to all Greater Gatineau students.
Daycare Remind messages are sent to @ggdaycare and @ggdaycare2 regarding PD days and other daycare updates. New families please sign up for @ggdaycare2 on the Remind App.
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 ext. 3 or e-mail jplaxton@wqsb.qc.ca
Special Notes
MAXI DONATION
A big thank you to Maxi Gatineau Maloney for their generous donation of snack bags for our students.
They also donate gift cards to help our breakfast and other food programs at school. Their contribution to our school are so appreciated.
OUTDOOR EDUCATION AT GREATER GATINEAU
Our mission is to facilitate outdoor learning experiences for all grades. Each class from Kindergarten to Grade 6 receives multiple outdoor experiences facilitated by one of our school’s outdoor specialists. It is our hope that this program will foster a love of learning and promote more experiential learning opportunities for our students. See our Outdoor Education Handbook for more details.
FOOD DRIVE FOR CHRISTMAS
We will be collecting canned food, pickles, pasta, rice, toothpaste, laundry detergent, and any other non-perishable items until Wednesday, December 10th, 2025.
Please give generously so we will have enough items to help out some families in our school.
Please make sure that you check the expiration dates on the items.
ANGEL TREE
This program helps our less fortunate families make the Christmas season a little brighter. Please contact Amanda at awells@wqsb.qc.ca if you would like to buy a gift for a student.
Please make sure that all gifts are wrapped and returned to school no later than Wednesday, December 10th, so they can be organized for distribution. Please attach the angel tag to your gift.
Christmas is for children and we hope you can help us put as many smiles as we can on the faces of Greater Gatineau students.
MESSAGE FROM BREAKFAST CLUB OF CANADA
Plant-based proteins craze
Have you noticed the presence of plant-based proteins on our menus? Last October, a member of our nutrition committee spoke about our approach during a workshop on the topic at CHU Sainte-Justine, alongside other institutional actors.
From research to taste testing, we had the opportunity to highlight your stories to inspire others to innovate in their food offerings and influence the eating habits of the younger generation. Thank you for your commitment!
In this tool, rediscover the importance of plant-based proteins and get tips on how to incorporate them into your menu.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
Cultural Traditions/Observances/Holidays
International Day of Persons with Disabilities – December 3
Created by the United Nations in 1992, this day promotes understanding of disability issues and supports the dignity, rights, and well-being of people with disabilities.
International Volunteer Day – December 5
This day celebrates the vital contributions of volunteers around the world who work to improve their communities.
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women – December 6
This day remembers the attack that took the lives of 30 young women at the Polytechnique Montreal in 1989. We pledge our commitment to fight against discrimination and violence towards women.
Bodhi Day – December 8
Bodhi Day celebrates the Buddha’s enlightenment, marking the day he found a path to overcome suffering and reach inner peace.
Human Rights Day – December 10
Human Rights Day marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, promoting equality and the right to education for all. This year’s theme is ‘Our Everyday Essentials’, which aims to show the daily impact our human rights have on our lives.
Hanukkah – December 14, 2024 – December 22, 2025 Also known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the oil.
Las Posadas – December 16 to 24
A traditional Mexican and Latin American celebration that reenacts Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem. It features nightly processions, prayers, songs, and festive gatherings with food, piñatas, and music, emphasizing faith, community, and preparation for Christmas.
International Migrants Day – December 18
This day raises awareness about migrants’ rights and contributions, and the challenges they face worldwide.
World Arabic Language Day – December 18
A day to celebrate and honour one of the most spoken languages across the globe.
Winter Solstice – December 21
The winter solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year, marking the start of winter.
Yule – December 21
Yule is a 12 day celebration between the winter solstice and solar new year.
Christmas – December 25
Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus in Christianity and is also a cultural holiday featuring Santa Claus and festive traditions.
Kwanzaa – December 26, 2024 – January 1, 2025
Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday inspired by African harvest festivals, celebrating seven principles like unity, self-determination, and creativity.