2025-05-12 Family Message
May 12, 2025
Dear Vincent Massey Families:
This past weekend, many families observed and celebrated Mother’s Day. To the many mothers, grandmothers, aunties, step-mothers and step-grandmothers, foster moms and all those who fulfill the role of mother for our children, we honour and thank you for your love and support of our children.
Congratulations to our two dance teams - the Jamboree Dance Team and Intermediate Dance Crew - who represented Vincent Massey last week at regional events. They represented us with positivity, respect and creativity.
Thank you to all the families who are continuing to have conversations about student safety and well-being at home and in partnership with your children’s teachers and school staff. We also appreciate the attention and care of those who are using our Kiss and Ride area, and have adjusted your approach based on the information we shared in last week’s newsletter.
Congratulations to our two dance teams - the Jamboree Dance Team and Intermediate Dance Crew - who represented Vincent Massey last week at regional events. They represented us with positivity, respect and creativity.
As we look ahead to this week, here are some highlights:
Monday, May 12 - Grade 4 - 8 School Track & Field Meet
Thursday, May 15 - Gr. 7 & 8 Immunization Clinic
Thursday May 15, 5:00 p.m. - Great Beginnings Kindergarten Event for New JK/SK students in September, 2025
Friday, May 16 - Pride Flag Raising Ceremony
Finally, we remind families that there is no school on Monday, May 19. Schools are closed for the Victoria Day holiday.
Today’s message includes information on the following topics:
School Climate & Well-Being Survey Information - Deadline Extended
EQAO Information for Grade 3 and 6 Families
Great Beginnings to Kindergarten Event
Grade 8 Graduation Update
Planning for 2025-2026 School Year - Class Placement Information
School Track & Field Meet
Jump Rope for Heart
SCC News - Spring Fair Update
Hot Lunches at Vincent Massey
DDSB Engagement Speaker Series Event - Dr. Jean Clinton
DDSB Summer Camps Registration
Vincent Massey Spirit Wear
Third Party Speakers at Vincent Massey
Coming Events at Vincent Massey
SCHOOL CLIMATE AND WELL-BEING SURVEY - NEW DEADLINE - FRIDAY, MAY 16 at 11:59 PM
We Want to Hear From You!
At the Durham District School Board, we:
• Recognize and uphold distinct Indigenous rights;
• Affirm and uphold human rights; and
• Care about and strive to know each other.
In alignment with our Multi-Year Strategic Plan priorities of Meaningful Learning, Connected Communities and Well-Being, the Durham District School Board is conducting the 2024-25 School Climate and Well-Being Survey for students in Grades 4–12, parents/guardians/caregivers, and staff.
The survey will be open from Tuesday, April 22, to Friday, May 16 at 11:59 PM, and asks participants about their experiences, attitudes and behaviours related to school and overall well-being.
As a parent, guardian or caregiver of a student in Kindergarten to Grade 12, you are invited to share your perspective by completing the Parent/Guardian/Caregiver Survey.
You can access the survey here: 2024-25 Parent/Guardian/Caregiver Survey
Participation is voluntary and anonymous—no names will appear anywhere—and all responses will remain confidential. Your voice matters, and we look forward to hearing from you as a valued partner in education.
We will be conducting the Grade 4-12 School Climate and Well-Being Survey from Tuesday, April 22nd to Tuesday, May 16.
Please visit the DDSB School Climate and Well-Being Survey Web Page for further information and details, including a sample survey.
EQAO INFORMATION FOR GRADE 3 & 6 FAMILIES - WEBINARS FOR FAMILIES
At the end of May, our Grade 3 and Grade 6 students will be taking part in the provincial Assessment of Reading, Writing and Mathematics, Primary Division (Grades 1–3) or Junior Division (Grades 4–6). These assessments, developed by Ontario teachers and assessment experts, are administered to all Grade 3 and Grade 6 students in Ontario’s publicly funded school system by the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO).
GRADE 3 EQAO DATES: May 21 & May 22
GRADE 6 EQAO DATES: May 29, June 2
All families of students in Grades 3 and 6 have been sent a letter which outlines the details for the assessment period at Vincent Massey. In addition, families of students who will have accommodations have been sent an individual letter with additional details.Please contact your child’s teacher if you did not receive this information.
Families may also wish to view this information video - What to Expect on the EQAO Primary and Junior Division Assessments.
For more information about EQAO and to view a sample test, visit EQAO’s website, www.eqao.com.
Please contact your child’s teacher with any specific questions.
GREAT BEGINNINGS TO KINDERGARTEN EVENT - MAY 15, 5:00 PM
On Thursday, May 15, we will be welcoming our future students and their parents, guardians and caregivers to our Great Beginnings to Kindergarten evening.
This evening is for students who are starting the first year in kindergarten in September, 2026.
GRADE 8 GRADUATION - MONDAY, JUNE 23
We are looking forward to celebrating the Vincent Massey class of 2025. Our Grade 8 Graduation is on Monday, June 23 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at Eastdale CVI, followed by a celebration at Vincent Massey Public School in the Library. All Grade 8 families will receive specific details about graduation by email this week.
PLANNING FOR 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR - CLASS PLACEMENT INFORMATION
The planning process for the 2025-2026 school year has begun.
If your family will be moving from Vincent Massey Public School, please contact the office to inform us of your move.
Later this spring, our educational team will begin building classes and tentatively determining class placements for students for next year.
Staffing assignments and classroom composition are always subject to change based on changes in enrollment. Careful consideration is made when placing students, including a range of academic factors, to ensure the best fit possible for each student.
If you have information of an educational nature pertaining to your child’s placement for next year, please submit a letter or email, outlining your child’s learning needs. Please note, requests should be based on learning needs and not requests for specific teachers.
Letters should be addressed to Ms. Lawton and received by Friday, May 16, 2025 Please send any emailed letters to VincentMasseyPS@ddsb.ca
SAVE THE DATE - JUMP ROPE FOR HEART - MAY 30
This year, our goal is to raise $2000.00. Please consider making a donation on behalf of your child by visiting the Jump Rope for Heart Donation Website.
SPRING FAIR - MAY 24, 2025
Join us on Saturday, May 24, 2025 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM for our second Spring Fair, brought to you by our School Community Council.
We have fun and exciting activities planned for all our students and their families.
Ticket packages are now available to purchase on School Cash Online.
Please view the SCC Newsletter which includes full details for this exciting event.
If you have questions about the Spring Fair, please send a message to the SCC at scc.VincentMasseyPS@scc.ddsb.ca
HOT LUNCHES AT VINCENT MASSEY
Our School Community Council offers a variety of hot lunch days for our students and we encourage families to take advantage of the convenience of these lunches while also supporting our school programs.
We strongly request that families refrain from ordering food from delivery services (e.g. UberEats, Skip The Dishes, etc.) These ordered lunches often arrive with incomplete information such as student name, which means a student may not receive their order.
If you are treating your child to a special lunch, we ask you to consider taking your child out for lunch or dropping off the order at the office rather than ordering a delivery lunch.
MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY | FRIDAY | |
LUNCH | Wok Box | Subway | Twisted Indian | Frantastic Cafe | Little Caesar’s Pizza |
HOW TO ORDER | |||||
LUNCH | Patty Gyal | Bar Burrito | |||
HOW TO ORDER |
SAVE THE DATE - DDSB ENGAGEMENT SPEAKER SERIES - SUPPORTING OUR CHILDREN AND YOUTH TO THRIVE - THURSDAY, MAY 15
Registration is available here - Supporting Our Children and Youth to Thrive Parent/Caregiver Event Registration
Dr. Jean Clinton, Clinical Professor at McMaster University, will share her expertise and knowledge with families on how compassion, connection, and hope can foster the conditions for children to thrive, even during challenging times.
COMMUNITY EVENT - COMPENDIUM FOR BLACK STUDENT SUCCESS
engagement for the Compendium of Action for Black Student Success 2.0. One of the commitments made in the Compendium of Action for Black Student Success
2.0 was to connect with and report back to the community twice a year to share and discuss the work we are doing to implement the action items of the Compendium.
This event will be family focussed and will occur in two locations - one will be in the south at Maxwell Heights SS at 1100 Coldstream Drive, Oshawa and the other will take
place in the north at Uxbridge SS, 127 Planks Ln, Uxbridge, Ontario.
Parents/Caregivers will have an opportunity to sign up for 2 workshop sessions - details can be found within the link below.
South Durham Event
Where: Maxwell Heights Secondary School (1100 Coldstream Dr, Oshawa, ON L1K 0N1)
When: Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
North Durham Event
Where: Uxbridge Secondary School (127 Planks Ln, Uxbridge, ON L9P 1K5)
When: Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
DDSB SUMMER CAMPS JUNE 30 - AUGUST 22, 2025
Registration is open for the DDSB Summer Day Camps at the Durham Forest Environmental Education Centre, Operated by the Durham District School Board, located just south of the town of Uxbridge.
Children born between 2013 - 2018 are eligible to attend.
Each week of camp will feature outdoor and experiential learning activities designed to inspire, educate and reconnect your child to the world around them.
There is a cost for the program.
Parents and caregivers are invited to view the details on the DDSB Website here:
The registration deadline is Friday, June 13, 2025 at ddsb.schoolcashonline.com.
VINCENT MASSEY SPIRIT WEAR
Vincent Massey Spirit Wear is available for purchase. Visit the online store to purchase your spirit wear today.
THIRD PARTY SPEAKERS AND PRESENTATIONS AT VINCENT MASSEY
Per the Ministry of Education’s memorandum Parent Accountability and Transparency: Communication Requirements for Guest (Third Party) Speakers and Presentations in Ontario Schools, we are pleased to provide you with this schedule - Vincent Massey Speakers & Presentations 2024-2025 - which outlines third party guest speakers and presentations. The published schedule will remain current whenever new content is added. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher.
COMING EVENTS AT VINCENT MASSEY
MAY
May 12 - Gr. 4 - 8 School Track & Field Meet
May 14 - Gr. 4 - 8 School Track & Field Meet (alternate date)
May 15 - Gr. 7 & 8 Vaccination Clinic
May 15 - Great Beginnings New JK Event
May 15 - DDSB Engagement Speaker Event - Dr. Jean Clinton
May 19 - Victoria Day Holiday - School Closed
May 21 & 22 - Primary (Grade 3) EQAO
May 24 - Spring Fair, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
May 28 - Eastdale Family Information Night 5:30 PM - 7:00 p.m
May 29 & June 2 - Junior (Grade 6) EQAO
May 30 - Jump Rope for Heart Day
JUNE
June 3 - Gr. 7 & 8 Track & Field Area Meet
June 4 - Gr. 3 Trip - Pickering Playing Fields
June 6 - P. A. Day - No Classes for Students
June 10 - Primary Play Day
June 11 - 6:15 p.m. SCC Meeting
June 12 - Hurdles Meet
June 13 - Intermediate Baseball Tournament
June 16 - Grade 8 Grad Trip
June 17 - Intermediate Ultimate Frisbee
June 18 - Junior Ultimate Frisbee
June 19 - Lacrosse Tournament
June 23 - Grade 8 Graduation
June 24 - Term 2 Report Cards Home
June 25 - Kindergarten Magic/Bubble Show
June 26 - Last Day of Classes
June 27 - P.A. Day
Sincerely,
Charmyn Lawton, Principal & Nadia Nembhard-Hunt, Vice-Principal
Vincent Massey Public School
905-728-0681
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