October 2019 Newsletter
October 3rd, 2019
Click each article below to read this month’s newsletter or read the PDF version.
Learning Without Limits
Please register for Student Parent Teacher Interviews in October:
- Calgary – October 16 at the Royal Hotel from 1-9 p.m.
- Edmonton – October 8 at the Barnett House from 1-9 p.m.
If you are receiving an award at our 2018-19 Awards nights—we sent out your invitations—make sure to RSVP as soon as possible, as the deadline to confirm attendance is October 4. Please call us at 1-855-974-5333 x5317 if you are planning to attend and have not yet completed your RSVP online.
Diploma Exams are coming soon. The next scheduled diploma exam writing sessions are scheduled for early November. See the Vista Virtual School (VVS) calendar for more information on the exam dates for each subject. The official schedule is available from Alberta Education.
We always welcome your comments. If you have any questions or concerns, please phone us toll-free at 1-855-974-5333 or talk with your teacher, and if you have any stories you’d like to share of your experiences with VVS—and how you balance your diverse needs or achievements (including winning awards, scholarships, etc.), contact Jay Zaal, our communications and marketing specialist.
As the season change, dress for the weather, travel safely, and have a great October!
Sincerely,
` Mike Loitz, Treena Bradbury, Frank McCallum,
Principal Associate Principal Associate Principal
Halloween!
Scary costumes, tricks and treats, horror films and even more candy—all of these are usually part of the October 31 event of Halloween. If you are out this night, dress for the weather, wear reflective costumes or clothing, and be safe!
Adult Learning at Vista Virtual School
Are you considering taking classes as an adult, but have questions or need more information? Please see the Vista Virtual School website under Adult Upgrading to learn more and see answers to common questions, or email us at vvsadults@pembinahills.ca.
Vaccination Reminder
Alberta Health Services free clinics for Flu Shots start the week of October 21.
Our staff do amazing things, and each month we feature our staff, their pets, and experiences at Vista Virtual School.
Amber Poliquin
How long have you been a teacher?
I’ve been with Vista Virtual School since 2011, and currently teach Biology 30 and Physics 30. I love being a teacher! My favourite education quote is: “Chance favours the prepared mind.” by Louis Pasteur.
Did you know?
Amber runs marathons…
She was the 2016 Canadian Death Race women’s champion. She has completed 11 ultra marathons. This includes travelling, training and racing in Alberta, BC and throughout the United States in Washington, Georgia and California.
Right now Amber is training and volunteering at ultra-marathons, and is also the co-race director for the Blackfoot Ultra.
In 2020 she plans to race the Georgia Death Race and the Fat Dog 120—which is a 120-mile ultra-marathon.
Amber runs a sightseeing tour operation…
She co-owns Big E Tours Ltd. with her husband Gary. The tour company offers sight-seeing tours in Edmonton year-round, including Christmas light tours during December. They are both proud Edmontonians—knowing many fun facts about the city. “Let us show you our Edmonton,” she says!
Amber is part of the team looking to build a gondola…
Amber & her husband, Gary were the inaugural winners of the 2018 Edmonton Project Contest with their idea to build a gondola. She is a founding member of Prairie Sky Gondola Ltd., and is working with a team to develop a gondola in Edmonton. In her words, “gondolas are an efficient form of mass transit that helps to build cities.”
Amber is a part of Strides for Stroke…
She is a stroke survivor and is partially sighted.
In 2018, she founded a community initiative called Stridesforstroke, to bring awareness to the signs of stroke and stroke research.
Funds raised from events in Alberta go towards the University Hospital Foundation to fund research to develop a rapid blood test for stroke.
BEFAST
(Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, Time to call)
is an acronym to recognize that someone is having a stroke.
Check out our monthly events on our website. We update this calendar as events are added.
Set SMART Goals
One way to make learning easier is to break it into well-defined tasks. Setting deadlines and scheduling these tasks will help you stay on track. Learn more at alis (Alberta Supports). Setting Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely (SMART) goals can help motivate you—it may even help strengthen you in times of stress or challenge.
Regular Contact with Your Teachers
One of the best ways to stay engaged in your classes is to keep in touch with your teacher. They are there to help guide you through your course(s). If you are stuck or need clarification, they are a quick phone call or email away—they can even chat through Skype or Google Hangouts, and in-person appointments/visits (if you are near one of our campuses or during a site visit in Red Deer, Lethbridge or Medicine Hat).
Teachers can also help you with the expectations around submitting assignments, arranging for exams, and other course-related questions you may have.
