Important Note : To make sure you view the entire news, we suggest that you click on
« View as Webpage Link ». Some sections may not display correctly in the email. | | A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR GENERAL | | |
Dear Parents/ Legal Guardians,
We don't know each other personally, but I want to share with you that seeing the snow fall and the multicoloured lights begin to illuminate the city... gives me the same sense of wonder that a child feels when standing in front of a candy store!
I see the holiday season approaching, and I know that with it come festivities, wonderful excesses, family, friends... as well as moments of sharing and reflection. In my opinion, it's a good time to have fun, relax, but also to take a step back, celebrate our successes, and think about what we can improve. I like Albert Einstein's quote: “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” That's what I try to do, as best I can, as a human being and as a DG...
| | | | I won't be sharing my personal life story with you, of course, but if you're interested in my organization's professional achievements, take a look. And if you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to write to us. Reading your comments helps us grow. | | On behalf of the best school team there is, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a wonderful holiday season with your loved ones. I hope you create memories that will bring a smile to your eyes for a long time to come, as well as those of your children. | | |
Annie Lamarre
Director General
| | THREE GOOD REASONS TO GIVE IN DECEMBER | | |
Make a donation before December 31 and receive a tax receipt:
- Reduce your taxes by declaring your donation.
- Directly support our school and families in need.
- Enjoy a simple gesture that has a real impact on our community.
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There is still time to help around 30 families from Vanguard School who are going through a difficult period.
Thanks to your solidarity, nearly $7,500 has already been raised. A huge thank you to our community for its continued generosity!
Our goal is to reach $12,000 so that each member of these families can receive a $100 grocery gift card.
| | PARENTS BULLETIN
97,5 % of respondents say they are satisfied with our monthly newsletter. | | |
ONLINE PARENTS MEETINGS - HIGH SCHOOL
For both Anglophone and Francophone sectors combined, 67.8% of respondents appreciated the first online meeting, which allowed them to meet more teachers while avoiding long trips. However, 32.3% would prefer an in-person meeting for more human contact and to avoid technical issues.
SUGGESTIONS RECEIVED
Thank you for your suggestions for improvement! Among your suggestions:
- Sending documentation before meetings and communicating schedules quickly
- Site visits for new parents
- Improvements to the monthly newsletter: tutorials for parents, notifications to activate, and other ideas
We thank you for your feedback. We have taken note and will adjust the 2026-2027 start-of-year meeting accordingly.
NEED TO COMMUNICATE WITH A TEACHER
Some respondents mentioned in the survey that they did not know how to contact their child's teacher. It's easy! Go to the COBA app, in the “My Courses” section, and you will find the email addresses of each of your child's teachers.
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USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Although cell phones are prohibited at school, we are seeing a growing number of concerning situations related to social media use.
To address this issue, we invite you to read our fact sheet on screen management.
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REGULAR SCHEDULE ON DECEMBER 19, 2025
We would like to draw your attention to December 19, which is marked on our school calendar. Although the day is intended to be festive and devoted to more fun activities, please note that the regular schedule will remain in effect, given that we share school transportation with many other schools and school service centres. We will, nevertheless, do our best to make this a colourful day for everyone.
| | GUIDELINES FOR CHANGING SCHOOL BUS | | |
At various times during the week, especially before a Holiday, a pedagogical day, or weekends, many students wish to change buses or modify their school transportation route to visit a friend.
We are pleased to see the social connections developing among students, but managing these requests is complex and time-consuming. Moreover, these adjustments do not fall under the school’s responsibility: we can't follow up with transportation providers or ensure student safety when a student’s route differs from the one originally planned.
Therefore, any transportation to a location other than the one officially agreed upon between parents and the transportation provider is the responsibility of families. As a result, the school will no longer issue authorization slips for students wishing to take another bus, and bus drivers will now refuse any student who is not on their assigned list. Thank you for your understanding. This measure will take effect on December 8.
| | GUIDELINES - ACCESS TO THE SCHOOL AFTER CLASS | | We have noticed that some students remain in the school after classes end, even though the adults have also finished their workday. Walking around the building waiting for a parent, without supervision, inevitably raises issues of safety and civil liability. Therefore, we would like to inform you that, as of December 8, only students participating in an activity directly supervised by an adult may remain inside after school (e.g., sports teams, robotics, daycare, etc.). Access to the school will therefore be closed every day from 3:30 p.m. If you are used to picking up your child later in the day, we invite you to find another place where you can meet them at the end of the day. We thank you for your cooperation in taking this into account. | | DEBUNKING MYTHS ABOUT LEARNING DISABILITIES | | Mollo Urbania, A media that helps parents in their family and social lives with self-deprecating humor and without judgment, helping us to debunk some myths about learning disabilities. | | ANXIETY DISORDER PREVENTION - PROGRAMME HORS-PISTE | | |
The Programme Hors-Piste is an initiative of the RBC Centre for University Expertise in Mental Health, developed in collaboration with approximately 100 stakeholders from schools, CISSSs, community organizations, and universities. Parents and young people also contributed to the program!
This program aims to prevent anxiety and adjustment disorders from preschool to post-secondary education. It provides parents with tools to help their children manage their anxiety. Several five- to fifteen-minute video clips are available. You can watch them at your own pace. You can also register to participate in their free workshops.
| | TOGETHER FOR THE RESPECT OF THE DRESS CODE | | |
We remind you of the importance of adhering to the dress code and wearing the school uniform. The uniform is an essential element that promotes equality, belonging, and a focused learning environment. Unfortunately, we have noticed an increasing number of instances of non-compliance with school regulations.
Action required: Please ensure that your child wears the regulatory uniform every day.
Since November 25, we have decided to intervene with students who do not comply with the dress code. These interventions could lead to disciplinary measures as outlined in our internal regulations. We count on your support, as it is essential to maintaining a structured and equitable school environment.
| | ASSESSMENT, A TOOL TO SUPPORT LEARNING | | | | |
Over the years, Vanguard School has developed a unique philosophy of assessment. Its primary goal is to help students learn by assessing their level of proficiency, informing them of their progress, achievements, and difficulties so that they can adjust their learning approach. In this sense, we see assessment as a learning tool similar to formative assessment.
As you know, the elementary school has switched to two report cards this school year. To learn more about this educational project, we invite you to read our assessment document.
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DAYCARE
LEGO WORLD PEDAGOGICAL DAY
Mark your calendars: the next pedagogical day is January 5, 2026, and you have until December 19 to register your child on COBA activities.
| | VANGUARD CAREER AND PROFESSIONS DAY | |
The 3rd edition of Career Day will take place on December 12, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the school. This event is intended for high school students ( Anglophone and Francophone) as well as 8th-grade students in the Francophone sector. The goal is to help them better plan their academic and professional future by discovering a variety of careers and study programs, technical and vocational training.
We are always looking for colleges, vocational training centres, trade schools, and any organizations offering training relevant to young people transitioning to post-secondary education. We also invite interested parents to come and present their profession and share their professional experience with students. Confirm your participation by filling out this form.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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This year, we are organizing a school exchange trip with a school located in Ahousat (an island 45 minutes from Tofino), British Columbia.
This will be a great opportunity for our junior high school students to explore a new region of Canada and form enriching relationships with young people from different communities.
- 20 spots available;
- March 1-8, 2026;
- Total cost: $1,100
- Registration via COBA Activities;
- Registration deadline: December 19 (first come, first served).
An online information session to answer your questions will be held on December 11. Otherwise, you can contact the organizing teachers, Ms.Catherine Garin and Andrée-Anne Raymond.
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MOVIE PRESENTED TO ELEMENTARY
THE SANTA CLAUSE
When? December 9 to 12, starting 11:20
Where? At the Arcade
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SOCCER WITH CF MONTRÉAL
Offered to Elementary and grade 7 & 8 students.
Beginning of registration: January 5th
Beginning of session: January 16 to April 10, 2026, at the Elementary gym.
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OUTDOOR DAY - HIGH SCHOOL
On February 17, 2026, a day of fun and activities for all tastes awaits students! Sommet Saint-Sauveur, Glissade du Pays-D'en-Haut, Mount Royal Park, and other activities at school.
Registration: COBA activities from December 1 to January 10
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