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 have many activities going on this month, so please pay close attention to all of the items in this month’s newsletter. A big appreciation goes out to our staff for providing such great activities and events for students. Teacher/Staff appreciation week is coming up; so if you have a word of thanks to give to a staff member, I know it would be very meaningful. A thank-you also goes out to our Home and School Parents, for organizing such wonderful events for our students.
We are happy to announce that students will be receiving a new Greater Gatineau Grizzlies t-shirt this month!
This month our special meal for students will be “walking tacos”. Please check the calendar for your child’s day. The meal is provided free for all students thanks to a grant from President’s Choice Foundation.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
If you know someone who has a child starting kindergarten in the fall (5 years old by September 30th), please ask them to start the registration process.
It can take several weeks to get your child’s eligibility to attend English school. Contact Amanda Wells at awells@wqsb.qc.ca to get the paperwork.
Then you must come to the school on February 10th or 11th between 8am-12pm and 1pm-6pm to complete the registration process.
Events at School
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Greater Gatineau is gearing up to honor and celebrate Black History Month with a series of engaging initiatives. Throughout February, we will immerse ourselves in the rich history, culture, and contributions of African Canadians, featuring books, short films, and presentations by guest artist Luc Bambara showcasing Burkina Faso’s vibrant culture. The Anti-Racism Committee has curated a virtual library with diverse books, films, and lesson plans, highlighting varied perspectives and celebrating the accomplishments of Black Canadians. Our commitment to empathy, understanding, and unity extends beyond February, creating a lasting impact. Join us in honoring Black History Month at Greater Gatineau!
GRADE 4 VACCINATIONS
On February 5th students in grade 4 will receive one dose of hepatitis A and B vaccine (Twinrix Junior®) and one dose of HPV vaccine (Gardasil 9®).
Nurses from the CLSC will be at the school in the morning to administer the vaccines.
AFRICAN DRUMMING WITH LUC BAMBARA
The Anti-Racism Committee has secured Luc Bambara to host an event with a primary focus on introducing students to traditional dance and the culture of Burkina Faso. Two performances on February 7th: one for grades K-2 and another for grades 3-6.
VALENTINE’S DAY
Everyone is invited to wear red or pink on Friday, February 14th to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
QUINZEE BUILDING
As part of our outdoor education programming Grade 5 classes will be building snow shelters in a nearby reserve. Students will take a short hike from the school to the reserve.
This is a hands-on study where the students will learn how to build a Quinzee (snow shelter) and other winter skills to use in the outdoors.
- Everson + Langlois – February 18th
- Schultz – February 19th
- Stone – February 20th
CROSS-COUNTRY SKI EVENT
On February 20th, the Greater Gatineau Cross Country Ski Team, made up of grade 4 and 5 students, will be traveling to Papineauville to participate in a Mini Ski Marathon. With the support of teachers, Ms. McKean and Mr. Everson, skiers will complete a 6 km classic ski loop. With participation from both English and French schools across the region this will be a exciting winter event with a festive vibe.
LAC BEAUCHAMP TRIP – WINTER FUN DAY
Greater Gatineau School will hold our Winter Fun Days at Lac Beauchamp. The outing will include a mixture of cross country skiing, snowshoeing, skating (if the lake is frozen) and tubing. The Centre provides the tubes for the tubing, cross-country skis, and snowshoes.
Thursday, February 20th – Kindergarten, Grade 1+2
Friday, February 21st – Grade 3 to 6
STUDENT WORKSHOP – “Tracking Black Canada-Hidden Gems”
Students from grade 3, 4, and 6 will participate in a workshop on February 25th. This presentation will focus on the often forgotten histories of early Black communities across our country. Combining video, music, Slam Poetry, Hip Hop, stand up comedy, and audience participation/ interaction, Tracking Black Canada will delve into the histories of some of Canada’s forgotten Black communities. The presentation will highlight the contributions made by prominent residents in those communities, and how their impact is still felt today, and illuminate the conditions that led to their systemic demise.
GRADE FIVE MUSEUM TRIP
On February 25th the grade 5 students will be going on a field trip to the Museum of History. The trip will focus on learning about our nation’s heritage, from indigenous cultures to modern history. The visit culminated in a Cine+ IMAX experience, where students will enjoy a stunning film with breathtaking visuals and immersive sound. This field trip provided an unforgettable opportunity for learning, exploration, and fun, offering a deeper understanding of Canada’s rich cultural legacy.
BASKETBALL
Ms. Given and M. Lemaire are proud and excited to be coaching the basketball teams this year. They have been practicing together, learning new skills, improving their game, and learning the importance of good sportsmanship.
We are grateful to have this group of student athletes representing GGS at the tournament on Friday, February 28th at Hadley/Philemon!
STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK
Monday, February 10th to Friday, February 14th, is Staff Appreciation Week. Students are asked to remember to appreciate their teachers and staff at Greater Gatineau School.
Feel free to send a email or a card to appreciate a teacher, daycare educator, classroom aide, technician, secretary or custodian.
100th DAY OF SCHOOL
Thursday, February 13th we will be celebrating the 100th day of school.
Kindergarten and Cycle 1 teachers will be doing activities with their students to mark this day.
MONTHLY ASSEMBLY
Our next assembly will be on Thursday, February 27th, where we will celebrate the students who have shown the chosen virtue throughout the month.
Please remember to wear your new Grizzlies shirt or any other GG attire for all of our monthly assemblies. This creates a sense of community at school.
Kindergarten + Grade 1-2 at 10:05
Grade 5 + 6 at 10.55
Grade 3 + 4 at 12:35
February is CARING month. We hope to see students making an effort to be caring towards one another. 
PEACE LEARNING CIRCLES AT HOME
“Now I Am” is a game to explore our feelings and recognizing those feelings in others.
- Whisper a feeling or emotion into a participant’s ear
- have them act out that feeling or emotion without using words
- other participants try to guess the feeling
- talk about the nonverbal cues we can see in others so we know how they are feeling
- talk about a time that you experienced that feeling or emotion
Some examples of feelings;
● fear ● nervousness ● frustration ● itchiness ● tired ● stubborn ● surprise ● embarrassed ● love ● anger ● happiness ● hope ● uncomfortable
Home & School
Upcoming Events:
The Sweetheart Dance on Friday, February 7th 6:30 pm -8:00 pm.
- A new fundraiser will be coming soon, guaranteed to help keep you warm during this cold season, stay tuned for more details…
Staff Appreciation Week this year is February 10-14. On behalf of all students H&S will be showing our appreciation each day with treats and surprises. Encourage your child to show their appreciation to a staff member who has made a difference in their lives with a card or a simple thank you.
Our Annual General Meeting will be held on May 12 at 6:00pm, at this meeting we will be voting a new executive council, all positions are open for election. If you would like to join us, please contact us via email.
We will continue to post on our Facebook page, if you haven’t done so already please follow us to stay up to date on upcoming events.
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 next Home & School meeting will be on Monday, February 3rd at 6:00pm. We hold our meetings virtually, please reach out to us via email if you would like to attend.
Daycare
We have three PD days in February. Monday, February 10th, Tuesday, February 11th, and Monday, February 17th are open to all Greater Gatineau students who register before the deadline.
- February 10 – Activities at school – $14.95
- February 11 – Tubing at Domain de l’Ange Gardien – $30.00
- February 17 – Activities at school – $14.95
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
Special Notes
BUS SAFETY CAMPAIGN
The 2024-2025 Bus Safety Campaign is centered on instilling crucial safety practices among students. It underscores the privilege of busing and the collective responsibility to uphold a safe environment. Key objectives include educating students on proper boarding and disembarking procedures, fostering respectful behaviour onboard, and emphasizing the significance of driver cooperation. Link to Bus Safety Campaign
To kick off 2025, Mazzola included a free cookie with all lunches from Menu 2, 3, 4, and 5 on Friday, January 17.
WINTERLUDE 2025
The annual Winterlude festival is from January 31st to February 17th this year.
Celebrate Canadian winter fun at this epic festival which takes place in the Ottawa-Gatineau region during the first three weekends of February.
During Winterlude, you can marvel at beautiful ice sculptures, skate on the world-famous Rideau Canal Skateway (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and play till you drop in a gigantic snow playground called Snowflake Kingdom.
Many other Winterlude activities—indoors and outdoors—highlight Canada’s cultural and artistic diversity. Urban sites, museums and special events present special seasonal programming as well as opportunities to connect with Indigenous culture. Most festival activities are free!
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION
The Kindergarten registration will be held at Greater Gatineau on February 10th and 11th this year 8am-12pm and 1pm-6pm each day using the direct access gym door to enter.
Your child must be turning 5 years old before September 30, 2025 to register and attend Kindergarten.
Please email Amanda at awells@wqsb.qc.ca with any questions.
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.
SPARE CLOTHING NEEDED
Do you have some extra pants that your children have grown out of? We would love to have them here at school as our spare supply can always use a boost.
Often when children get wet outside or from a spill, they do not have a change of clothes here at school. We would like to be able to provide them a change of clothes.
Please consider donating 1 pair of clean and gently used pants to the school. All sizes welcome!
Free Online Tutoring – Learn Quebec
Students are eligible for free online tutoring. You simply need to register and use your child’s WQSB email and password to log in. Please take advantage of this great opportunity if your child is in need of some extra assistance. For more information; please visit: learnquebec.ca/en/home
FREE ACCESS TO EBOOKS AND AUDIOBOOKS FOR QUEBEC RESIDENTS
All Quebec residents are eligible for a free virtual membership to Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BANQ), the provincial library of Quebec. See link BANQ Ebooks and Audiobooks for details.
PARENT WORKSHOP
The Quebec Council on Tobacco and Health (QCTH) offers a free webinar to all parents, during which they will learn more about the problem of vaping and how to deal with it.
On the agenda: reinforcing their knowledge on the issues surrounding vaping and presenting a few tools to help them talk to their teen.
- When : February 11th, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- How to participate : Click here to fill in the form
Anti-Racism Committee (ARC)
Cultural Traditions/Observances/Holidays
Black History Month – All month long
Black History Month in Canada is celebrated every February to honor the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians throughout history. It highlights their role in shaping Canada while also raising awareness about the struggles they faced, like slavery and racism. It’s a time to learn, reflect, and celebrate Black culture and heritage.
World Hijab Day – February 1
A day to promote understanding of the hijab and encourage women to experience wearing it as an act of solidarity with Muslim women.
Groundhog Day – February 2
A fun tradition in North America where a groundhog predicts the coming of spring based on whether it sees its shadow.
Rosa Parks Day – February 4
A day in Canada which honors civil rights icon Rosa Parks for her role in ending racial segregation in the U.S. through her courage and activism.
World Read-Aloud Day – February 5
This day promotes the joy and importance of reading aloud and literacy.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science – February 11
This day advocates for gender equality in science, aiming for full participation by women and girls. This global observance highlights the importance of their inclusive engagement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), recognizing their empowerment as crucial for achieving international goals.
Thaipusam – February 11
A Hindu festival honoring Lord Murugan, celebrated with prayers, rituals, and sometimes elaborate body piercings.
Lantern Festival – February 12
Marks the end of Lunar New Year celebrations with lantern displays, family gatherings, and sweet rice dumplings.
Have a Heart Day – February 14
A day in Canada advocating for the rights and well-being of Indigenous children in the healthcare and education systems.
Valentine’s Day – February 14
Valentine’s day began as a Christian feast day honoring one or two early Christian figures named Saint Valentine and, through later folk traditions, has become a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world.
National Flag Day – February 15
At the stroke of noon on February 15, 1965, Canada’s red and white maple leaf flag was raised for the very first time on Parliament Hill. This day celebrates our flag, a symbol of national pride.
Parinirvana Day – February 15
A Buddhist holiday commemorating the death and final enlightenment of the Buddha, often observed with meditation and prayer. Parinirvana Day is also known as Nirvana Day.
Family Day – February 17
A Canadian holiday, in New Brunswick, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan and in British Columbia, dedicated to spending quality time with loved ones, often with family-oriented activities.
World Day of Social Justice – February 20
Focuses on promoting fair treatment and equality for all, addressing issues like poverty, gender inequality and human rights.
International Mother Language Day – February 21
A day to promote linguistic and cultural diversity globally. This observance emphasizes preserving and protecting languages, fostering awareness of their value in education, cultural expression, and the economy.
Pink Shirt Day – February 26
Pink Shirt Day began when two students took a stand against homophobic bullying after a new student was harassed for wearing pink. People now wear pink to show support for kindness and inclusion.
Losar – February 28 – March 2
A three-day festival marking the Tibetan New Year, filled with rituals, family gatherings, and traditional meals.
Ramadan – February 28 – March 29
A holy month in Islam marked by fasting from dawn to sunset, prayer, and reflection to grow closer to God.