POWER FAMILIARIZATION FLYING – 4 NOVEMBER 2023
As of the publishing of the weekly announcements, Power Familiarization Flying is still a go! Hopefully the weather remains favourable!
The list of cadets who are scheduled to go flying this weekend is available HERE. Be sure to check your emails – including your junk/spam folders – for additional information which was sent by MWO M. Manny.
Dress of the day is comfortable civilian clothing – be sure to dress for the weather as it will be cold on Saturday.
POPPY SALES SCHEDULE
Click HERE to view the current schedule of cadets who have signed up to assist Kanata Legion Branch 638 with the Poppy Campaign. If you have signed up, please be sure to keep this commitment, as the Legion is an important partner for the squadron and they are relying on us for their major fundraiser. Unless told otherwise (such as for the shifts at the Senators games or at Costco), please meet at Loblaws at Kanata Centrum at the beginning of your scheduled shift, in C3 (Same as CO’s parade) or equivalent (nice pants/skirt, collared shirt/blouse, optional sweater) with a poppy.
Please note we are still looking for both cadets and staff/screened volunteers to help fill in the blanks in the schedule. If you are available, please sign up using this link: https://forms.office.com/r/ci34ZVSNm5
REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONIES
872 Sqn has been asked to support three Remembrance Day ceremonies this year:
· Kanata Legion · Carp Legion
· National War Memorial
Each of these parades is seeking Flag Party members and a marching contingent. The Kanata and Carp Legions’ parade organizers have also asked for help with event set up/tear down, wreath laying, and possibly reading. To indicate your preference for which of these parades to attend, please sign up here: https://forms.office.com/r/55fBbBB2a3
There are very limited spots available for the National War Memorial ceremony, and I have already submitted some names – but if you are interested and did not sign up previously, please indicate that interest on the form above. I will contact the cadets who are selected for specific roles with further details. If you do not sign up, or if you are not contacted individually, you will be expected to join the marching contingent of the Kanata Legion’s parade, as our ‘main’ event.
If you are invited to participate in or attend another Remembrance Day ceremony, you must obtain permission through the chain of command to wear your uniform. Please request permission by filling in this form: https://forms.office.com/r/E11e1Gk8He . Note that filling in this form does not automatically grant permission: the request will be sent to the Commander of RCSU East, who will grant or deny permission. If he grants you permission to wear your uniform to an activity outside of those supported by 872, please ensure you wear C1 (ceremonial) dress, and that it is clean, well-presented and that you reflect credit on yourself, the Squadron, and the Canadian Cadet Organizations.
GUEST SPEAKER – 8 NOV 23 – CPO2 JOANNE LEGGE, CD
On Wednesday, 8 November, we will host CPO2 Joanne Legge, CD, as part of the Veterans’ Week Speaker Program. CPO2 Legge is the Events and Engagements Chief Petty Officer of the Directorate of Research and Quality Improvements, under the Chief, Professional Conduct and Culture. She will speak to the squadron about her career in the Canadian Armed Forces. If parents would like to attend, they may join us in the auditorium above the cafeteria at 7:00 pm.
CADET SAFETY
On Wednesday, 8 November, we will host CPO2 Joanne Legge, CD, as part of the Veterans’ Week Speaker Program. CPO2 Legge is the Events and Engagements Chief Petty Officer of the Directorate of Research and Quality Improvements, under the Chief, Professional Conduct and Culture. She will speak to the squadron about her career in the Canadian Armed Forces. If parents would like to attend, they may join us in the auditorium above the cafeteria at 7:00 pm.Since it tends to be very warm in the cafeteria, resulting in cadets not feeling well, we are aiming to make parades as short as possible. This results in CO’s Parades ending shortly after 9:00 pm, since they begin earlier than regular closing parades.
While the parade night ends at about 9:15, we invite parents to attend the CO’s Parades and closing parades so they may see what the squadron is up to. It has the added benefit of cadets not waiting long if we dismiss a little bit early.
This week, we dismissed at about 9:00 pm, and many of the cadets went outside to wait for their rides. Staff noticed cadets running around the outside of the building in the dark, and crossing the street without looking. This is hazardous behaviour.
To ensure nobody is hurt, we ask that:
– Cadets wait inside or in the courtyard in front of the doors, not along the sidewalks
– Parents park in the parking lot, not on the street, when picking up cadets
– Cadets practice situational awareness and look both ways before crossing the street, especially in the dark when wearing dark clothing.
– Confirm who will be picking cadets up, and do not change these plans without confirming them verbally with the parties concerned. It is not feasible for staff to track which cadets depart in which vehicles – if a cadet leaves after a training night, we can only assume that they have been picked up by their parent or a designate.
– Cadets eat supper before attending a training night and/or bring snacks, as well as keeping a full reusable water bottle, so that they have energy and hydration necessary to make it through the training night and closing parade.
DRILL TEAM – 7 NOV 2023 – LOCATION CHANGE
Drill team practice will be held at an alternate location on Tuesday November 7. It will take place at Hall B of Kanata Rec Complex, from 1900-2100hrs.
CADET365 ONBOARDING
Most cadets should now have received their CADET365 credentials at the email address provided on their registration forms. If you have not received them yet, please check the junk/spam folder. If you joined more than 4 weeks ago and have not received this information and have checked the spam folder, please email 872aviation@cadets.gc.ca from the address indicated on the sign up form (the one where you expect to receive the credentials).
As a reminder, CADET365 is for cadet use only. Accounts are not to be accessed by anybody other than the intended cadet. It is accessible on mobile phones, tablets, as a desktop app, or through a desktop browser. It is not necessary for a cadet to have their own cell phone in order to access CADET365 or to use the Authenticator.
Similarly, when filling in sign-up forms, it is important that is the cadet who is signing up, with parental/guardian permission, and that they understand they are expected to participate in the activity unless they are advised that they are on a wait list or the event changes. If a cadet is unable to attend an activity for which they have registered, they must contact their chain of command to advise them and/or submit an absence notification.
All cadets should also take the online cyber security course if they have not already done so.
PRESENTATION BY ASTRONAUT JEREMY HANSON – 5 DECEMBER 2023
The Canadian Space Agency has offered to host an online call with astronaut Jeremy Hansen on Dec 5. 51 Sqn will host the call in the auditorium at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, from 1900h-2000h. They have graciously invited ten cadets and one staff member from our squadron to attend in person. They will share the link to the Teams meeting for others to join online.
We will open the in-person opportunity to two cadets from each level. Interested cadets should submit a letter of approximately 250 words via email to 872aviation@cadets.gc.ca. The letter should include:
- Why you are interested in attending
- Why you should be considered
- One question you would like to ask Mr. Hansen.
Staff will assess the letters as well as the cadets’ participation in order to select the cadets from each level.
Please submit the letters no later than 15 November 23. The cadets who are selected to attend the event will be advised on 22 November.
STEWARDSHIP OR OUR SHARED SPACES
It was regrettably brought to the staff’s attention that some cadets have vandalized our training location, AY Jackson SS, on Wednesday, 18 October. This was a repeated issue last training year, and it is extremely disappointing to hear that this behaviour has begun again.
Cadets are reminded that they have signed and agreed to a Cadet Code of Conduct, including ‘Set a positive example by your conduct and be kind and considerate of your actions and behaviour on others’; ‘be respectful of the environment and your surroundings’; and ‘…report any wrongdoing to an adult staff member as soon as possible.’. Breaches of this code of conduct will be tracked and handled in an escalating manner:
- Verbal warning
- Cautionary Notice
- Written Warning
- Administrative actions up to and including removal from the cadet program. Any of the above disciplinary actions may be accompanied by a suspension of privileges.
In addition to the code of conduct, we are also bound to the lease agreement on AY Jackson. Our Squadron Sponsor Committee works hard to secure training locations for us and to raise funds to pay for them. Aside from the extreme disrespect shown by disregarding this effort by vandalizing the property, it places the whole squadron at risk: if our lease is terminated, we do not have a training location. As it is, we struggle to find adequate space to accommodate such a large squadron, so we cannot afford to risk losing such a precious commodity by allowing this misconduct to stand. You have agreed to behave in a way that aligns with the values of the CJCR and abide by the laws of Canada. You will be held to that standard.
We all share stewardship of our shared spaces. Never pass a fault. Make good decisions, and practice bystander intervention when warranted.
PICKING UP CADETS FROM ACTIVITIES
A reminder that parents and guardians must pick cadets up from activities on time, or make alternate arrangements. Staff members may not leave until all cadets are picked up, and cannot drive cadets home. As winter approaches, lateness becomes more of a concern as we are not allowed to stay inside the rented facilities past the end of the rental time, so cadets and staff must wait outside.
COMMUNICATIONS
Most new cadets will see credentials for their CADET365 accounts arrive in the email address provided on their registration forms starting this week. It may go to junk mail, so keep an eye out.
A reminder that these credentials may not be shared: they belong to the cadets to whom they are assigned. Parents may ask questions on the Facebook group or by emailing the staff or sponsor committee. Further, staff members may only contact cadets via telephone or on CADET365 (email or Teams), and adults who are not staff members should only contact cadets via the Commanding Officer.
Flight Commanders are working hard to ensure that their flights are kept informed, and tracking which cadets have not yet been granted CADET365 access and who therefore need to be contacted personally each week.
DESIGNATED PRAYER SPACE
For cadets practicing the Muslim faith, who wish to do their evening prayers, we have a designated the use of classroom 213 during ‘long break’ each week. Cadets may use that space without needing to seek approval, but are reminded to ensure it is left in the state it is found.
On other cadets exercises and activities, they are always welcome to excuse themselves to pray, but may wish to indicate to an officer the need for a designated space.
During religious festivals where fasting is practices. all cadets are welcome to bring food to break their fast, rather then needing to stay home to do so.
Published 3 Nov 2023 0020hrs