COs Weekly Update – 6 Apr 2020

All;

This week we head into the fourth week of social distancing. Starting today, I am going to publish a weekly update including events and items to share with cadets and parents. The goal is to have cadets continue to engage with 87 and each other, and provide a safe place to do so, as well as to keep everyone up-to-date.

Events this Week:

  1. Yesterday: Her Majesty The Queen, our Commander-in-Chief, spoke to the World on Sunday. I encourage everyone to watch it if you have not already: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2klmuggOElE
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  2. Today: we are asking each cadet to fill out this survey about your online setup, this will help us plan content and meetups in the future: https://forms.gle/gXFqPCBFoXZgeUJw9
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  3. On Thursday: at 8PM, join Cadets and CAF members across the country for the Battle of Vimy Ridge act of remembrance with hashtag #RememberVimy. Details below:
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#RememberVimy Event – Thursday 9 Apr @8:00PM:

The decades since the Battle of Vimy Ridge have slipped by, but the legacy of the Canadians who accomplished so much in that important First World War battle lives on. Some say that Canada came of age as a country on those harsh April days in 1917.

To commemorate, Cadets Canada is hosting a virtual act of remembrance. To participate:

  • Wear your ceremonial dress uniform (C1 for Cadets and 1A for staff, green sweatshirts for JCRs) at home
  • Light a candle or use a virtual candle
  • Wear a poppy if you have one
  • Observe two minutes of silence
  • Take a selfie or image and tag @CadetsCa on either Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #RememberVimy

I am asking all 87 cadets and staff to participate. If you are on Instagram, be sure to tag @87eagle_welland

To learn more about Vimy Ridge watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LP22iTXqS8 from the CBC or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K4PRGSPUMQ from The Great War YouTube channel.
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Other Items:

  1. Reminder to check Slack weekly and install on your mobile device (if you have one). If you do not have a mobile device, you can access Slack through any web browser. How-to Use Slack.
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  2. Follow the Squadron on Instagram for upcoming IG Lives, Q&A, trivia, and memories: https://www.instagram.com/87eagle_welland/
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  3. From our friends down South, here is an F-35 Virtual Field Trip: https://www.facebook.com/419fw/videos/146535233440429
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Training and CTC Update:

We do not have any details in regards to training after 30 Apr or any details in terms of CTC training. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns you are always welcome to reach out to me on Slack (for cadets) or email (for anyone): 87squadron@gmail.com
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Weekly Updates:

Have a link or activity you want to share? Send them over via Slack to your Squadron Command team (WOI Norio/WOII Libby/FSgt Kalenuik).

I hope everyone is staying safe,

Capt C. Bowman
Commanding Officer

Letter to Parents from RCSU

All;

Lieutenant-Colonel B. Leonard, CO of RCSU (Regional Cadet Support Unit Central, Borden) has issued the following letter to all Parents/Guardians of Central region cadets. Please take a moment to read through the letter.

All-Cadets-LetterDownload

Enjoy your day,

Capt C. Bowman
Commanding Officer

COVID-19 Latest Update – 30 Mar 2020

All;

The Cadet program, through the Government of Canada/Canadian Forces, are taking extraordinary measures to protect the lives of its citizens. In accordance with new guidelines, Ottawa has updated our stand down orders as follows:

  1. Local Cadet activities will continue to be on stand down until 30 April 2020
  2. All recreational trips (year-end trip) for the 2019-20 Training Year have been cancelled
  3. Local Cadet activities will be reassessed in April and any changes will be conveyed ASAP to local units
  4. No decisions have been made with respect to Summer Training

Going into our third week of self-isolation, I have been proud to see the activity on our Instagram, and our senior cadets coming to together to keep the mood upbeat and positive. Great work team, and keep it up! It means much more than you know!

There will be more updates coming, as our local staff and senior cadets work on new and exciting ways to engage with our cadets, and as the Canadian Cadet Organization (CCO) leadership develops a way to successfully finish the training year.

Again, please reach out to your flight staff, Squadron Command team, or an officer (including myself) if you have any questions or concerns.

Stay healthy,

Capt C. Bowman
Commanding Officer

Little Caesars Pickup Info

Message from the parent-run Squadron Sponsoring Committee:

Anyone that has Little Caesars orders for pickup:

We have been working through how to get your orders to you while keeping with current stand down orders and considering social distancing.

Unfortunately Little Caesars will not allow us to defer pickup of the orders or distribute the orders themselves. We also do not have the room to store all the orders in our freezers, so therefore we have come up with the following solution:

  1. First off, anyone that is unable due to quarantining or uncomfortable with picking up their order, we will hold them in the freezer. Please reach out to vkalenuik@gmail.com to let me know you cannot pickup your order.
  2. However, as we have limited space in the freezer, and recognizing the needs of families, pickup will take place Friday at 5:00PM sharp at the airport.
  3. When you arrive, do not get out of your vehicle. Please back in along the building and open your trunk/unlock your tailgate; an SSC member will place the order in your trunk and allow you to drive off.
  4. Cadets are not permitted to be on the premises, and cannot be in the vehicle.
  5. SSC members will be practicing hand washing, and wearing gloves while handling your orders. We suggest your wipe down your orders with government approved cleaners and wash your hands upon return to your homes; following Health Canada guidelines.

We thank everyone for their cooperation.

Vera Kalenuik
SSC Chair

Please note: Fundraisers are run solely by the parent-run Squadron Sponsoring Committee, and are not the National Cadet program or the Canadian Forces. The SSC is a not-for-profit independent organization that fundraises for our local cadets for training above and beyond that funded and run by the National Cadet program. Cadets and Canadian Forces members are not permitted to be on the premises due to the stand down orders currently in affect.