Parent Newsletter
Macdonald Drive Junior High, March 2022
Macdonald Drive Junior High
Email: macdonalddrivejrh@nlesd.ca
Website: mdjh.info
Location: 110 Macdonald Drive, St. John's, NL, Canada
Phone: 709-753-8240
Twitter: @mdjh
Dates to remember
- March 7 - Teacher PD day (No school for students)
- March 24 - Parent Teacher Interviews
- April 14-24 - Easter Break
- April 25 - Return to school after Easter break
- May 20 - Teacher PD day (No school for students)
May 26 - Grade 9 Carnival
Important Info
Family Development Survey
School Development Surveys are conducted annually to gather feedback from students, staff, and parents/guardians to inform the school development process. The survey results will be provided to your child’s school and used with other data to identify the school’s strengths and challenges.
The survey is anonymous, which means that we cannot connect your survey responses to you. We encourage everyone to participate so that we have the most accurate representation of family perceptions of your school.
Please complete the survey by March 25, 2022, by clicking on the following link: https://www.research.net/r/SDFAMILY2122EN.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the school development surveys, please contact: Allan Johnson at 709-729-7831 (allanjohnson@gov.nl.ca) or Patricia Emberley at 709-729-6850 (patriciaemberley@gov.nl.ca).
Thank you for your participation and for being a valued member of your school community.
Provincial Reading and Mathematics Assessment (PRMA)
The Department of Education would like to inform educators and parents that the first administration of the Provincial Reading and Mathematics Assessment (PRMA) for Grades 3, 6 and 9 students will take place this spring from May 23 to June 3.
The PRMA is a one-hour assessment administered by teachers, alternating annually between reading and mathematics. Reading will be the focus in 2022. There is no student preparation required for the PRMA, which will collect student data at a systemic level. Sampling procedures will not provide school and student results.
Please see the poster as well as a fact sheet which outline some key points about the PRMA.
Further details regarding the PRMA will be communicated to schools at a future date.
Please contact Bernadette Kolonel at bernadettekolonel@gov.nl.ca if you have any questions in the meantime.
What's Been Going On
STRIVE
Science Class Thermoregulation!
Former Student Wins Scholarship
Our wonderful former student and graduate of the MDJH LEARN program, Chaymaa Maarouf, is one of the two recipients of the Joyce Foundation Bursary ($30,000.00) MUN entrance for the 2022-23 school year!! (The other recipient is the older sister of our own Volonte Kabesale.)
Chaymaa will soar with this support!
Here is a picture of Chaymaa with her friends during her Grade 9 year and a copy of her poem, read out by Mme Brunet during the Remembrance Day assembly of Chaymaa's Grade 8 year.
Coming Up...
Homework Haven
Homework Haven returns every Tuesday afternoon. The goal of Homework Haven is to provide students with a safe, quiet, and inclusive learning space to complete their homework and study after school hours. Students can come to the Library between 2:10 and 3:00 to complete their homework with the help of various subject teachers.
- Students who attend are expected to bring something to work on - whether it be homework assignments, study materials, or reading materials.
- Students may also access technology to complete any outstanding assignments or homework on Google Classroom.
- Homework Haven is not meant for socializing - it is okay if students work with their friends or in groups, but they must have something with them to do.
Summer Program in French for Grade 9 Students
Grade 9 students can apply for a bursary to attend a summer program offered through Campus Notre-Dame-du-Foy in Quebec. The program is open to all Grade 9 students in Core French or in Immersion regardless of their level of French (beginner to advanced). In 2022, the Department of Education is offering students a choice between applying for an in-person program (3 weeks) or a virtual program (1 week).
Application deadline: March 4, 2022
For more information and the application, please visit https://www.gov.nl.ca/education/k12/french/bursaries/#Grade9
MDJH 50 Year Celebration !
September 2022 marks 50 years since MDJH opened its doors and we are planning a year full of events. In September, we will open the 25th anniversary time capsule and reveal its contents. In October, we are planning an open house with MDE. You will have to sign up here and stay tuned to find out what else is happening . . .
At this time, we are asking for any past graduates/teachers/parents of MDJH to send along their contact information and a little info on where they are now and what they have been doing.
By filling out this form, you will be added to a mailing list to receive updates. You give permission for any information you share here to be used as part of the celebration, and shared with the school community. It could also be used in future school publications like the website. This information is being collected in compliance with ATIPPA, 2015.
If you know of any past alumni who would like to take part in our celebrations, please send them this link to sign up for updates:
Other Info
YouUplift-Kindness Wall
YouUplift is an anonymous, cloud-based messaging platform for students, staff, and parents that ONLY displays what your moderators APPROVE!
Students, staff, and parents can use this Kindness Wall webpage to submit anonymous positive messages about one another. Positive pictures, quotes, memes, and animated GIFs can also be submitted.
Student Council News
Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week
Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week was February 14-18. Our student council would like to say a big thank you to our school community, which sent in amazing treats to show appreciation for the staff of MDJH.
Second Chance School Clothing Order
Clothing orders have been placed. Items will arrive in 3-4 weeks and be distributed when they arrive.
Grade 9 Baby Picture Slideshow
As part of our Grade 9 leaving celebrations, we would like to present a slideshow of all of our Grade 9 students to show how much they have grown! We will display each student’s Grade 9 school picture (we have copies of those) and a picture from home of them as a baby (or as a toddler, or from their early school years). Please select one picture only to email to colettequann@nlesd.ca.
Attention: Coaches and Parents Yearbook Photos
Any student, parent, or coach from our school can submit group photos for the yearbook. Please email a picture to colettequann@nlesd.ca. If you send a picture from your phone, please be sure to select the option “actual size” to ensure good quality when uploading to the yearbook site.
2020-2021 Extra Yearbooks Available
We have received an extra shipment of 2020-2021 yearbooks. If you did not order but are interested in purchasing one, please contact colettequann@nlesd.ca.
Celebrate Success
We want to acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of the students of MDJH. We have a wall of celebration where we place a certificate of acknowledgement highlighting participation and success in a variety of activities.
Please let us know if your child has participated in any plays, musicals, or has been on a team that has won a title or has been recognized in any individual competition.
We need your help with this. Please let us know, so we can proudly display this on our wall. Please email colettequann@nlesd.ca with Celebrate YOUR CHILD’S NAME in the subject line.
Spirit Week!
Tourist day
Pyjama day
School-wide BINGO
Spirit Week 2022 was February 21-25. A huge thank to all students and staff who participated by dressing up for the various theme days. School spirit was at an all-time high. Here are some highlights.
Monday was Formal Day
Tuesday was Twin Tuesday
Wednesday was National Pink Day
Tourist Thursday
Friday was Pyjama and BINGO Day.
MDJH Music
From the Music Department
Congratulations to everyone who participated in our 28 Day Practice Challenge!!
Here is the schedule for the first half of March:
Macdonald Drive Junior High
Email: macdonalddrivejrh@nlesd.ca
Website: mdjh.info
Location: 110 Macdonald Drive, St. John's, NL, Canada
Phone: 709-753-8240
Twitter: @mdjh