Parent Newsletter
Macdonald Drive Junior High, November 2019
Macdonald Drive Junior High
Dates to remember
- November 8-11 - Remembrance Day long weekend
- November 29 - Report Cards
- December 2-5 - Scholastic Book Fair
- December 4 - Christmas Concert 7-9 pm
- December 5 - Parent Teacher Interviews
- December 20 - Last day of school before Christmas Holidays
- January 6 - School starts back after Christmas Holidays
What's been going on...
Remembrance Day Ceremony 2019
Remembrance Day Ceremony 2019
This year students were given a history lesson on the causes of World War II. Mr. David Lawton, our Social Studies Department Head, explained what occurred in the world in the 21 intervening years between the end of the Great War and the start of the next world conflict.
Later, students from Grade 8-9 re-enacted a poem, entitled First They Came, which extolled the virtues of standing up for others. To solidify that point, the Teacher Band performed Stand By Me.
Throughout the program, the concert band and the school choir, directed by Ms. Comerford and Ms. Pickett respectively, led the audience in renditions of Abide with Me and Let There Be Peace on Earth, among many other selections.
The point about standing up for others was ultimately communicated to the students by the presence of Mr. Rod Deon, a 98-year-old veteran of WWII, who was on active duty at the Allied Invasion on D-Day. Mr. David Walsh, one of our English teachers and Mr. Deon’s son-in-law, gave a presentation about a trip he and Mr. Deon took to France last summer to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
As always, the Colour Party from the Royal Canadian Legion added an air of solemnity to the ceremony. We are very grateful to say that our students showed tremendous respect throughout the entire service.
Many thanks to Mr. Sharpe for sound and Mr. Walsh for technical support.
Hallowe'en for Hunger Campaign
Roots of Empathy program
Baby Eliott is 3 months old. His mom's name is Nici Parsons, and she lives in the Airport Heights area. Ms. Parsons was very excited about being a part of this program. The facilitator for this program is Ms. Christin Watton and the classroom teacher is Ms. Jennifer Riggs.
Baby Evelyn is 5 months old. Her mom's name is Meghan Gambin, who is also an Instructional Resource Teacher at our school. Ms. Gambin could not wait to have Evelyn be a part of this program. The facilitator for this program is Ms. Tracy Reardon and the classroom teacher is Ms. Laura Doyle.
Lunchtime activities at MDJH


Coming up...
Call for book fair volunteers
The Scholastic Book Fair will be held from December 2 to December 5. We are excited about sharing the joy of reading with our students and we invite you to participate in this year’s Scholastic Book Fair by volunteering your time.
Scholastic Book Fairs give our school the opportunity to bring families, teachers, students, and books together. It is the ultimate book event! Additionally, a portion of the sales benefits our school library. It is one of the best ways to raise funds while encouraging kids to read.
Being a part of something special is easier than you think. We need volunteers in a variety of areas, including:
• Merchandising our Book Fair and table displays to create a terrific bookstore environment.
• Greeting customers at the door and working at our cashier table.
• Helping students and shoppers select just the right books.
If you are interested in volunteering or learning more about our Scholastic Book Fair, please contact Beth Power, at bethpower@nlesd.ca, or at 753-8240 ext 231.
Thank you in advance for helping to make our students lifelong readers – we could not do it without your participation.
MDJH Music
Christmas concert
Wednesday, Dec. 4th, 7pm
110 Macdonald Drive
St. John's, NL
MDJH Sports
Senior girls' soccer
Congratulations to the Macdonald Drive Senior Girls' Soccer team who went undefeated and captured the NLESD Regional soccer gold medal and banner. The girls scored 24 goals and gave up just 2. They defeated Villanova 1-0 in the final. Members of the winning team are: Front Row (l-r): Sarah Baker, Chloe Lee, Mia Normore, Jill Squires, Mary Whiffen, Sarah Reid. Back Row (l-r): Brianna Asum, Maria Antle, Mary Noftall, Daria Walsh, Sheila Whiffen, Kayla Musseau, Lily Walsh, Olivia Browne, Claire Ozon, Hope Kissinger, Janaya Collier. Missing: Izabella O'Leary. Coaches: Mr. Wayne Antle, Mr. Craig Squires.
Student Council News
School clothing orders
The deadline to order school clothing to ensure delivery for Christmas is Thursday, November 14. Any orders received after this date are not guaranteed to arrive by Christmas. Order forms are available at the office or from our school website. If you want to order an item as a Christmas gift and do not want your child to know, just indicate this on the envelope or on the order form and leave us a phone number. We will call you when your order arrives. We accept cash or a cheque made out to MDJH.
Global leadership summit
Five members of our student council attended the Global Leadership Summit at Leary’s Brook Junior High on Saturday, November 2. They had an opportunity to listen to inspiring and motivational speakers and to reflect on the speakers' messages helping to make connections with their own roles as leaders.
Yearbook 2019-2020
It is not too early to submit pictures for the 2019-2020 yearbook. If you have a team picture, please email it to colettequann@nlesd.ca. If you are sending from a cell phone, please select "actual size" when emailing. This ensures a good quality picture for uploading to the yearbook site.
Celebrating student success
WE Create Change
MDJH is a Children's WISH school. In the last year and a half, we have raised $7600 for Children's WISH by collecting change and holding various fundraisers. We are close to our goal of $10,000 -- the amount needed to grant a wish for a child. If we are successful in reaching our goal, we will grant the wish in our own school community. There are wish jars in every homeroom. Students are asked to put change left over from recess or lunch or to bring in a donation. If every student donated $3 we would reach our goal and grant a wish.
FYI
Macdonald Drive Junior High
Our background picture is by MDJH student Travis Cormier.