Parent Newsletter
Macdonald Drive Junior High, March 2023
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 10 - PD Day - No school for students
- March 17 - Report Cards Released
- March 23 - Parent Teacher Interviews - Half day for students
- March 24 - PD Day - No school for students
- March 23 to April 20 - Ramadan
- April 5 to 13 - Passover
- April 6 - Last Day Before Easter Break
- April 7 to 16 - Easter Break
- April 17 - School Reopens
- April 21 - Eid
May 22 - Victoria Day (Holiday)
- May 25 - Grade 9 Carnival
What's Been Going On
Alex Newhook, an MDJH alumnus, joined us on Friday, February 3, through Google Meet to participate in our 50th Anniversary Spotlight Speaker Series. He attended MDJH from 2013-2015. Always smiling and positive, this late French Immersion student found balance with school, friends, family, and extracurricular activities. Often seen playing in the school band or competing on the soccer pitch or hockey rink, this 13-year-old left his home in St. John’s and headed to St. Andrew’s College in Aurora, Ontario to chase his hockey dream.
Two years later, he joined the Victoria Grizzlies of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League and represented Canada on the world stage twice. Two more years saw him suit up in NCAA Division 1 for the Boston College Eagles. As a first-round draft pick (16th overall) of the Colorado Avalanche, he got the call to the “big leagues” toward the end of his Collegiate career. The rest is history.
Current students and staff were excited to have Alex join us. Alex answered questions students had submitted. He is a role model for our current students and an exceptional example of where potential and diligence can take you.
Spirit Week
MDJH Spirit Week was February 20-24. Lots of spirit was demonstrated by students and staff. Here are some highlights.
In the gym on Pajama Day
Ms. Parsons and Mr. West look cosy!
Twin day
Teacher vs. Student Family Feud
International Dress Day
International Dress Day
Staff Appreciation Week
Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week was February 13 to 17. We would like to send along a big thank you to our school community for your many treats. We certainly felt appreciated!
Coming Up...
Europe Trip
Thank you to all those who attended the information session for parents and students on February 9. If you were unable to attend, please see the attached travel brochure, which includes the itinerary and registration details. It is important to note that this trip is ONLY for current grade 8 and 9 students (not current grade 7s).
The purchase of travel insurance is mandatory – see information attached. Please be sure to read all the terms and conditions before signing up.
Furthermore, any student travelling with us is expected to be well-behaved at all times. Please consider this carefully before registering your child and read the code of conduct information attached. The school and district reserve the right to remove students from the trip who are not behaving in school up until we travel – this includes those at Gonzaga next year.
Once everyone is enrolled, we will be using email as our main means of communication. We will get email addresses from the students and establish a group email.
Please email me with any questions – Jodi Sauvé (jodisauve@nlesd.ca).
Travel Brochure: Europe 2024 brochure.pdf
Code of Conduct: Code of conduct.pdf
Travel Insurance: Travel Insurance.pdf
Other Info
Student Council News
50th Anniversary: Where are they now?
As part of our 50th Anniversary Year celebrations, our committee is currently working on organizing a spotlight feature for MDJH Alumni. We want to contact MDJH Alumni, so we can highlight the success of our former students. We will compile a collection of videos, Google Meets and in-person presentations. If you are a MDJH alumni or know someone you feel would fit our spotlight section, please reach out to the school. You can contact colettequann@nlesd.ca, sarahcomerford@nlesd.ca, meghangambin@nlesd.ca or jenniferriggs@nlesd.ca.
Grade 9 Baby Picture Slideshow
As part of our Grade 9 leaving celebrations, we would like to create a slideshow of all 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 that) and a picture from you of them as a baby, (toddler or early school years is fine as well). Please select one picture only to email to colettequann@nlesd.ca.
Yearbook Photos
Any student, parent, or coach with a group photo of any group from our school are asked to 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.
Celebrate Student 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.
We want to 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.
MDJH Science
MDJH Music
Music @ MDJH Month
As part of our 50th Anniversary celebrations, March is Music @ MDJH Month. There are a variety of events taking place throughout the month that celebrate music in our school. Kicking off is Band Shirt Day. On Wednesday, March 1, students and staff were encouraged to wear a shirt featuring their favourite band or musical artist.
Music@MDJH Calendar of Events
MDJH Instrumental Ensemble Schedule for March
Band Reunion Event - March 26
At the end March we would like to invite MDJH band alumni to be a part of our Band Reunion Event. This event will take place on March 26, in the school cafeteria from 5:00 - 8:00. Guest conductor is Mrs. Grace Dunsmore.
If you are an alumnus or know someone who is, please register using the link below or pass this information along.
MDJH Sports
Grade 9 Boys Volleyball
Congratulations to the Grade 9 Boys Volleyball team, who won the U15 Tier 1 Provincials in Corner Brook this past weekend.
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
Our background picture is by former student Silvi Ivardi.