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The Quarantine Diaries: Letter to Grads

4/7/2020

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Dears Grad and your Families,
We hope this email finds you all well. You're receiving this so that you all know CVR staff care about you and how you're doing, and that you all receive the same information. It's coming from your English teachers (Bussey & Sauvé) so that every grad gets this message, the same information, from the same source, but rest assured Mme Barrette has approved this message and that ALL of your teachers are thinking of you as we all navigate through the remainder of the school year. WE MISS YOU!!

As we finish week 3 of isolation and no school, I'm sure, like us, you may be missing your daily routine and seeing your friends every day, and have lots of questions in these uncertain times.

We're missing you all too - and we even made a little video for you. If you haven't seen how your staff is doing in isolation have a look. Scroll down a little on the CVR homepage #wereallinthistogether!

Ms. Barrette says: "Hi everyone. Are you all caught up on your Netflix series yet? Have you started eating your feelings like I have? Please be safe and drop me an email if you have questions or a fun anecdote to share."

Ms. Sauvé says: "I don't want to know how many days you've spent in your PJs. For me it's too many to mention - oh the shame! (and the odor - hahaha). I do LOVE my TV, but too much news is bringing me down. On the plus side, my pasta cooking skills are even more epic, if that were possible. Keep in touch. Send me some funky haiku or meme! Email to let me know how you're doing, or ask questions."

Ms. Bussey says: "Thinking of you all & hoping you're happy, safe, and healthy. Everything is temporary, including a pandemic, so please try as much as you can to enjoy this time. Feel free to get in touch to check in, say hi, ask a question, or share a funny meme: [email protected]. Miss you!"

Mr. Savastano says: "This too shall pass". (There's probably a basketball joke in there somewhere?)

Ms. Harper says: "While I have caught up on almost every Sci Fi show in the galaxy, I miss your smiles, the laughter, the gift of making music each day…but most of all I miss you. Use this time to focus on your future and the wonderful adventure which lies ahead. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] if you’d like to chat – I’d be happy to hear from you! Stay safe! Be well!"

We're sure in your graduating year, you have lots of questions. Here is what we know so far:
  1. There are NO Ministry final exams.
  2. Your final marks will likely be calculated from your terms 1 and 2 results. This is especially true if we are not back to school on May 4th. Remember, all public sector students are in your same boat. If the Minister changes his mind about how final marks will be calculated, we will let you know.
  3. Teachers are not to assign, evaluate, or accept any work (new or never done in the first place). Things have to be fair across the public system in Quebec for all students. Only what was done in terms 1 & 2 counts so far. What is done is done. If this changes we will let you know.
  4. OPTIONAL: if you're interested you can do some work listed on your teachers' websites or on the portal that the Ministry has provided through openschool. This work is optional and will not be graded or count in any way. It's just for you if you're missing the structure of school, and would like to stay fresh, alert, or just busy. Check out the Ontario e-learning units. They have most subjects in little modules. As well, the Ministry is releasing 'kits' weekly which you can check out on the CVR website homepage.
  5. The school is closed until further notice. So if you've left anything there you'll have to wait until it's reopened to claim your items. This is a public health measure that must be respected.
  6. The Educational Foundation is still accepting applications for round #2. However, they ask that you complete your package and that you hang onto it until they can figure out how to collect them, given that the school is closed. However, they are committed to getting you the monies you will win to help you next year. See the instructions for round 2 here.
  7. You can always find the most up-to-date information on CVR's home page and CVR's Facebook page.
  8. We have no answers so far about grad or prom, but understand that we CARE about you and making sure that you get all the experiences that you should have in your senior year. Even though things look a lot different now, please know that we will try to find a way to have those two events, even if they take place in the fall.
We know these are a lot of ifs and maybes and that this 'not knowing for sure' business is rough. But that is the world we're living in now. Everything depends on flattening the curve as fast as possible, and that depends on every one of us doing our part to stop the spread. It's impossible to predict what will happen, and we have to somehow get comfortable with this ambiguity. Never before has "living in the moment" or "being present" meant more because the future is so uncertain. However, guess what? The moment is the only thing we ever have control over anyways. So try to look at this as valuable time that you have control over to decide how to use how you want.

Please stay safe and practice mindfulness in these unusual times. If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, lonely, fearful, or you miss us too (maybe not the homework part) you can reach out. Stay connected. Physical distancing is, ironically, a good opportunity to find ways to be more socially connected. Express yourself to your family and friends. You can also reach out to Student Services ([email protected]), to the Mediation Station (cvrmediation@nfsb.qc.ca), or to any of your teachers. If you're struggling to make ends meet, here are two resources offering food for families, La Bouffe additionnelle, 16 rue Prince, suite 105
Huntingdon, Québec, J0S 1H0 (450) 264-2241 and www.lesac-valleyfield.org, 50 Rue Webb, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, QC J6T 6L5, tel # 450-377-5551. We will all try to help as best we can. We're in this together.

Above all, know that you, grade 11 students, will be just fine. You already possess all the skills, aptitudes, integrity and character that will make you successful in the future, whatever that may be. We believe in you, and a few months off is not going to undo all your years of work and learning. Remember, just as you are in charge of your learning, you're also in charge of who you are during this pandemic. While it's hard to overlook the anxiety and the fear, it's also possible to look at this time as an opportunity for growth, for dreaming, for planning...basically for hope!

Whatever your circumstance at this time, know that we're thinking of you, we're with you, and that we know we can endure and overcome this, and maybe come out stronger on the other side. Know that you have no obligation to do any school work. When we know more about how this school year will end, we will let you know.

In the meantime, please stay tuned to your student NFSB email. If you don't use that email or know it, please email Ms. Sauvé or Ms. Bussey and we will give it to you. That is the official portal for communication with you students and from next week on you should be receiving a check-in from your Springboard teachers at your NFSB email. 

Peace out, stay safe, stay home, wash your hands and so on.
Always remember that you can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose! (Well maybe for now don't touch your face, full stop...)

Thinking of you all,
Your grade 11 teachers
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    June 17: Farewell & Let's Celebrate! 
        Email to Students & Parents

    June 10: Watch Something

    June 3: Trivia and News

    May 26: Poetic Inspiration

    May 20: Week 10 Check-in
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    May 13: Week 9 How to
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       Email to Students & Parents


    May 5: Week 8 Check-in

    May 2: Listen to Something II
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    May 1: Listen to Something I
            
    Part I, the last 10 years


    April 30: Week 7 Check-in

    April 25: Write Something

    April 23: Week 6 Check-in

    April 19: Cook Something

    April 14: Week 5 Check-in

    April 14: Make Something

    April 7: Week 4 Check-in
           Letter to Grads & Parents


    April 7: Learn Something

    March 31: Week 3 Check-in
                     Latest Update


    March 17: Week 1 Check-in
                     What We Know