2026-03-09 Family Message
March 9, 2026
Dear Vincent Massey Families:
As we head into the March Break, we want to sincerely thank you for your continued support and partnership within our school community. Your involvement truly makes a positive difference in your children's education and for our entire school!
We also want to acknowledge and celebrate some important dates:
Happy Holi to all our families who celebrated last week.
Eid Mubarak and Happy Nowruz to our students and families who will be celebrating these holidays during the March Break.
A friendly reminder: March Break begins on Friday, March 13, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to school on Monday, March 23.
Please take a few minutes to review the following information in our newsletter:
Spotlight on Well-Being - Available Webinars and Resources
School Community Council News
DDSB Student Census Information
Celebrating and Honouring Indigenous Excellence Competition 2026
Junior Kindergarten Registration
Community Event - MEND Ramadan Iftar
Community Event - DDSB Engagement Speaker Series
Hot Lunches at Vincent Massey
Lunchroom Supervisor Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
Vincent Massey Spirit Wear
Coming Events
SPOTLIGHT ON WELL-BEING - AVAILABLE WEBINAR AND RESOURCES
Supporting student well-being is a priority for our school and families. We invite families to review By Your Side - a toolkit created by School Mental Health Ontario (SMHO).
Some of the topics include:
Understanding Mental Health
Mental Health at Home
Mental Health at School
Stress and Anxiety Management
Substance Use Prevention
Navigating Digital Technology
Reaching Out for Help
We also invite families to attend the free webinar series by SMHO.
SCHOOL COMMUNITY COUNCIL UPDATE
SCC Meeting - Tuesday, March 10, 6:15 p.m.
The next SCC Meeting is on Tuesday, March 10 at 6:15 p.m. All families are welcome to attend.
For those families who prefer to attend virtually, please use the link sent by email.
Spring Fair Update - Save the Date - Thursday, May 28
Save the Date! Our Spring Fair is on Thursday, May 28, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. The planning is already well under way, and our committee welcomes new people to the team. Please use this link to indicate your interest in being part of a fun and dynamic team and making a difference to our school community. We are also welcoming new ideas and suggestions, which you can also submit using the form below.
The next Spring Fair Committee Meeting is Tuesday, March 31 at 6:15 p.m.
DDSB STUDENT CENSUS
The Student Census Survey has started. The survey will be made available to all students. Although completing the survey is voluntary; Grade 7 and 8 students will be provided time during the school day to participate, as the information provided helps us better understand the diverse experiences, backgrounds and needs of our students. Your time and effort completing the survey makes a difference as it will help build a more inclusive and supportive learning environment.
Each family in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 will receive an invitation email with a unique code to complete the online survey with their children at home. Please be advised that the unique ID code provided in the email is valid for one time submission only and it is only applicable for the student assigned to it.
Students in Grades 7 to 12 will be provided with an opportunity to complete the online survey at school with the unique code provided through their student email account. School administrators will ensure that every student has the opportunity to participate in the Student Census. Students can choose to participate in the survey either at school or at another time or location of their choosing.
To learn more about the student census, please visit the DDSB website for full information here:
CELEBRATING AND HONOURING INDIGENOUS EXCELLENCE COMPETITION 2026
AN INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE!
All self-identified Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) students (both elementary and secondary) are invited to participate in our “Celebrating and Honouring Indigenous Excellence” competition by contributing a creative submission that honours Indigeneity.
Submissions could include spoken word/slam poetry, short stories, speeches, visual arts, drama
presentations, song, dance, essays, graphic arts, poster campaigns, jewellery, beadwork, crafts, or any multi-media projects. The possibilities are endless!
Entries must be individual participants (or a small group of students coming together) and NOT full class/group projects. This year, we will be acknowledging submissions in the following categories: (students must identify upon submission which category they are submitting for consideration.)
• Creative Writing (could include poems and short stories – both written and orally recorded etc.)
• Performance (could include slam poetry, dance, song, dramatic piece, sports etc.)
• Arts (could include photographs, a painting, graphic design, beadwork, jewellery, fashion and other
crafts etc.)
• Multimedia Presentation (infographics, slide presentations, comic etc.)
• Advocacy (Social Media Posts, Letters to Government, Protest Signs, Memes etc.)
The competition will launch at the end of March so that submissions are in by Indigenous History Month in June. All entries are to be submitted by May 10th at 3:00pm. All participants will be acknowledged, and a committee will select additional recipients to be honoured for their outstanding entries. A total of up to $1000.00 has been set aside to gift these outstanding entries.
REGISTRATION FOR JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN 2026
DDSB Kindergarten Registration began online on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. Kindergarten is a child-centred, play-based educational program that provides children with a stronger start in school and in life.
To be eligible for enrollment in Junior Kindergarten (JK) or Senior Kindergarten (SK):
Children must be four years old by December 31, 2026 to enroll in year one, JK
Children must be five years old by December 31, 2026 to enroll in year two, SK
Details about Kindergarten registration are available in the January 5, 2026 Family Message.
SAVE THE DATE - ENGAGEMENT SPEAKER SERIES - THURSDAY, MARCH 26
We will be hosting a Watch Party for the next Engagement Speaker Series on Thursday, March 26. Stay tuned for details!
HOT LUNCHES
Please visit healthyhunger.ca to register your child’s account and select lunch options from the menu available.
This year we are starting with the following hot lunches. All orders close 5 days before the lunch.
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
WokBox | Subway | Pizza | Frantastic | ||
How To Order | Healthy Hunger | Healthy Hunger | School Cash Online - now available | Healthy Hunger |
Please contact the Vincent Massey SCC at SCC.VincentMasseyPS@scc.ddsb.ca with any questions.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES - LUNCHROOM SUPERVISORS
We have paid part-time/casual lunchroom supervisor positions available. Please contact the office for more information.
Both positions require a valid criminal background check within the last 6 month
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
We are looking for volunteers to assist with the delivery of our hot lunches. If you have 30 minutes on even one day between 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., please contact the office.
Both positions require a valid criminal background check within the last 6 months.
VINCENT MASSEY SPIRIT WEAR
Vincent Massey Spirit Wear is available for purchase. Visit the online store to purchase your spirit wear today.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership in your child’s education. Please contact your child’s teacher or the school office with any questions.
COMING EVENTS
March 10 - SCC Meeting, 6:15 p.m.
March 13 - 20 - March Break
March 23 - Return from March Break
March 24 - Grade 8 Grad Photo Retake Day
March 26 - 7:00 p.m. Engagement Speaker Series - Jennifer Casa-Todd - “Digital Leadership: Helping Kids to Thrive in a Digital-Rich World”
April 16 - VIBE Night - Family Drumming Night
April 29 - Spring Arts Showcase
Charmyn Lawton, Principal & Laura Jones, Vice-Principal
Vincent Massey Public School
905-728-0681
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