Parent Newsletter
Macdonald Drive Junior High, June 2024
Macdonald Drive Junior High
Email: macdonalddrivejrh@nlesd.ca
Website: mdjh.info
Location: 110 Macdonald Drive, St. John's, NL, Canada
Phone: 709-753-8240
X/Twitter: @mdjh
Dates to remember
- June 4 and 5 - PRMA Testing Grade 9 ELA
- June 4 - Quebec Trip 2025 – Parent Meeting - 6 PM in Library
- June 13 - Teacher PD Day - No school for students
- June 20 - Spring Raffle Draw
- June 20 - Last day of school - Morning Awards Assembly - Report Cards go home
Coming Up...
Announcing Grizzly Gardens!
It will be used as a teaching and learning space for both Macdonald Drive Elementary and Junior High, where we will integrate the benefits of gardening and the growing of healthy, sustainable food into our curricular studies. In addition, we are especially excited that we have connected with Tiffany Village – Retirement Home, The Association for New Canadians, MacMorran Community Centre, and Food First NL to be active users of the garden as well. Once constructed, we will also be inviting families from the MDJH Community to come grow with us.
With a project like this, there is a lot of work to be done and a lot of funds to be raised. Among our fundraising efforts, we have set up a 50 / 50 raffle for this spring. We are hoping that you will support our project by purchasing a ticket and helping us to spread the word of what we are building at MDJH. If you believe in hands-on learning, food sustainability and security, and the power of a community working and growing together, this is likely a cause you would want to support.
To learn more about our garden, please visit us at Grizzly Gardens – we hope our vision is something you will want to join in. To enter our raffle, please go to MDJH Community Garden Raffle or connect, on the Grizzly Garden Website.
Finally, we really appreciate your support … If you would like to learn more, please drop me a line: chesleywest@nlschools.ca.
Quebec Trip 2025 – Parent Meeting
If you are interested in registering your child to travel to Quebec next year, there will be a meeting in the school library on Tuesday, June 4, at 6:00pm. Students must be enrolled in either Grade 8 or 9 French Immersion for the 2024-2025 school year to be eligible to travel with EF Tours in May, 2025.
At this meeting, there will be information provided regarding the cost and itinerary of the trip. After the information session, you will be given an access code to register. Registration will be taken on a first come first served basis, and the link for registration will go live at the end of the meeting.
If you cannot attend in person, the code will be available after the meeting on the school website.
If you have any questions, please reach out to jillianabbottdalley@nlschools.ca
What's Been Going On
Grade 9 Carnival
Thank you to the City of St. John’s and MDJH staff for another great Grade 9 carnival. The students had a lovely time, and we look forward to our continued partnership with the City for Carnival 2025.
Quebec Trip
The MDJH French department took on an EF Tours trip with 45 students and 6 chaperones exploring Quebec and Montreal in May. Students were able to connect with French culture and learn about the francophone way of life and history. We spent 5 days visiting Quebec and we explored such places as Mont-Royal, Montmorency, la ville de Québec, Vieux-Montreal, les plaines d'Abraham and much more.
Here are a few group shots to showcase the memories and friendship that were made. The next trip is being planned for May 2025, and an information session is being held in the library on June 4 at 6pm.
MATE NL Regional ROV Competition
The machine ran into a few issues late into Thursday afternoon, but with a lot of cool heads and hard work, the students pulled out a fairly successful outing!
Third in the product demonstration (official runs), extra points in the poster, along with a separate award for a crafty vertical profiler using a basketball for buoyancy, was enough to best six other schools!
Community Clean Up
In May, students and teachers at MDJH participated in a Community Clean Up as part of our EcoSchoolsCAN initiative. A lot of garbage was collected for Clean St. John’s. A special thank you to City of St. John’s councillor Jill Bruce!
Clothing Drive – Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who donated to help divert waste from our landfills… every little bit counts. A special thanks to our student volunteers along with Mr. West and Mr. Porter!
Concours d’art oratoire
On Saturday, May 4, three MDJH students participated in the French speak-offs at MUN hosted by Canadian Parents for French: Echo K., Lydia D., and Millie J..
Millie won second place in her category which included Grade 9 & 10 students!
This is the first time since COVID that the competition was in person (rather than a video submission). All three students did a fabulous job presenting their speeches.
Way to go, Grizzlies!
Red Dress Day at MDJH
MDJH observed Red Dress Day on May 3. We had an extended homeroom to discuss what it means to be an ally, and the meaning behind MMIWG2S (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-spirited People).
Here the staff pose in their red shirts and dresses.
Retirement!
Congratulations to Ms. Ralph who retired at the end of May, after a long and rewarding career as a teacher.
Other Info
Venture Camp
Find more information and registration at this link: https://venturecamp.ca/
Celebrating Student Success
If you know of a student you think is deserving of recognition, fill out our form by clicking here.
Celebrating Student Success – Millie J.!
Celebrating Student Success – Samara N. and Krishang D.!
Student Council News
Student Leadership Award – Application
Attention Grade 9 Students!
Do you feel that you are the type of person who has made a positive impact during your time at MDJH? You may qualify as the 2023-24 recipient of the MDJH Student Leadership Award!
To qualify for this award, a student has to meet the following criteria:
- Model excellent behaviour in the classroom
- Be a positive role model in any school-based activity
- Take a leadership role in curricular and co-curricular activities
- Maintain a good attendance/punctuality record
- Maintain a good academic standing
- Work to their academic potential
To apply for this award, students must:
- Fill out this application form
- Write a 500-word essay on why they should be considered for this award, referencing the above criteria.
Selected students will be presented with a certificate and have their names permanently inscribed on the school Student Leadership tableau in front of the main office.
The deadline for application is Friday, June 7.
Please submit your applications to Ms. Sauvé or the office.
Student Council
A huge thank you to our 2023-24 Student Council for all their hard work and volunteer efforts this past school year! You have grown into some fine leaders - congratulations!
Europe Tour 2025
During Easter, 2025, we planning a trip to Spain and Portugal. Students currently in grade 7 and 8 are permitted to participate. (These students will be in grade 8 and 9 at the time of travel.) Parents and guardians who wish to travel as paying participants are also welcome to register at this time. Please see the slide presentation and brochure attached for more information. We are travelling to Spain and Portugal.
Please note: Travelling students must exhibit good behaviour in school and have good attendance so approval is required before a student can register. To obtain approval, please email jodisauve@nlschools.ca
MDJH Science
Foster Science
Our Grade 8 Science Classes participated in the Memorial University Foster Science Program. All students had the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning with the MUN Biochemistry and Biology Departments. This program provided students with access to expertise and resources to further their curiosity in Science. It was an incredible experience that we hope to continue every year.
MDJH Music
Spring Concert
Our annual Spring Concert takes place Thursday, June 13, at 7:00 pm in the school gym. It features all of our performing ensembles (Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jr. Jazz, Concert Band, Jr. Strings, String Ensemble, and Concert Choir) with special guests, the Grade 6 band students from Vanier, MDE and Rennies.
Tickets are $5, and will be available at the office starting on June 6, and at the door.
MDJH Sports
Baseball Updates – May 28
Ultimate Frisbee
Congratulations to the Ultimate Frisbee team on a great tournament in May! The team played really well and improved with each game, finishing fourth overall in the provincial tournament.
Grade 8 Boys Basketball
Congratulations to the Boys Grade 8 basketball team, who played in the Grade 9 league finals this month at Paradise Intermediate. The boys beat the host team in the finals of the grade level ahead of them.
Grade 8 Boys Volleyball
Our Grade 8 Boys Volleyball Team had a blast at Volleyball Nationals! They played very well, and made lots of friendships. Big thank you to coach Karen and coach Nassim!
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