Staff Announcements for the week of 4 April 2024

ROCKETRY COURSE

Below is the list of cadets who have been selected for the Rocketry course. Please be aware that the first class will take place this Friday, April 5th, from 7 to 9pm at Maurice Lapointe High School. IMPORTANT: Being absent without giving early notice to the officer in charge may result in immediate removal from the course to make room for others who were left out.  
 

Last Name

Name

Rank

Aggour

Ali

LAC

Anand

Prnav

Cpl

Chong

Evelyn

Cdt

Davydov

Daniel

Cdt

El-Zallat

Haydar

Cpl

Hussain

Mohammed Zaim

Cpl

Jadallah

Philippe

LAC

Kozlov

Matvey

Cpl

Nam

Edward

LAC

Omariba

Abigail

WO2

Richardson

William

FCpl

Rosenlund

Samuel

LAC

Roy

Cedrik

FCpl

Spustek

Tymoteusz

Cdt

Yeung

Benson

FCpl

 

SAVE THE DATE: FIELD TRAINING EXERCISE

The squadron will be conducting a field training exercise (FTX) on May 3 to 5, 2024. Cadets will learn aircrew survival and leadership skills as well as participate in physical fitness and marksmanship activities. All cadets are encouraged to attend this training weekend which is typically a highlight of the training year. The weekend will take place and Camp Smitty near Eganville ON and transportation will be provided.

JUNIOR GROUND SCHOOL

Junior Ground School is an optional program for younger cadets with an interest in aviation. The course will cover topics such as Theory of Flight, Meteorology, and Navigation. For cadets who want to earn their pilot’s licence, Junior Ground School is the first step on that journey.
 
When: Monday nights from April 8 to May 6, from 19:00 to 21:00
Who: The program is open to cadets in Levels 1, 2, and 3
 
Dress is civilian clothing.
 
Cadets who are interested should sign up using the following form: https://forms.office.com/r/S8RDNCsxha.

CADET CONDUCT

We ask all cadets and their parents and guardians to review the Cadet Code of Conduct. We have had several recent incidents of misconduct, including vandalism to multiple bathrooms at AY Jackson Secondary School. While the staff recognizes that the vast majority of cadets in the squadron exemplify good citizenship and leadership, there is a handful of cadets whose conduct is putting our tenancy at AY Jackson at risk. Unfortunately, because we trusted all cadets to behave in a manner that brings credit to themselves and to the squadron, and we therefore have trusted them to use the bathrooms responsibly without close supervision, we do not know which cadet(s) have carried out these acts. We will be implementing a system to control access to the washrooms from now on and tracking their condition. We ask for parents and guardians’ support by reviewing the code of conduct, including para 6, “Your failure to abide by this code of conduct and regulations, policies, directives, orders, and instructions may result in administrative or legal action, termination of membership in your cadet corps/squadron and/or involvement of the military or civilian police.”.

We also ask that parents and guardians not force cadets to participate in squadron activities if they are not interested – this program is voluntary, including most of the adult staff and the Squadron Sponsor Committee, and the best way to keep a positive and healthy experience for all and to respect each other’s time and resources is to ensure that everyone is truly motivated to be there.

CADET SAFETY

As a reminder, cadet safety is paramount. With the darkness at this time of year, less than ideal road conditions, and the dark colour of the uniforms, cadets are not easily visible when outside. Therefore, we ask that cadets ensure they practice situational awareness and safe practices  when crossing the road when being picked up/dropped off, and that parents and guardians keep an eye out for cadets, vehicles, and other obstacles when dropping off and picking up cadets. The parking lot is a busy place with a tricky entrance and exit, and we have had notifications of hit-and-run damage to parents’ vehicles – so we understand wanting to park on the street, but we are concerned that with cadets focusing on getting to the vehicles, someone may be hurt if we are not more careful.

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.

CADET365 LOGINS

As we were reminded last week, 99% of the squadron has CADET365 accounts. Lt Kelly sent out the login credentials to all cadets again this week. They were sent to the email addresses on the cadets’ registration forms. 20% of cadets have never logged into CADET365, so they and their parents should check their email inboxes and spam folders for the login credentials.

For any difficulties with CADET365, cadets should contact their flight commanders, who will either assist or seek assistance from the IT NCM, WO2 Brown, and/or Lt Kelly.

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 4 Apr 2024 2325hrs