2026-05-24 Family Message

May 25, 2026

Dear Vincent Massey Families:

Our school community is buzzing with activity and we love having so many ways for us to connect.

We're excited to invite you to our Spring Fair this Thursday night! Just a friendly reminder that you can still purchase pre-event tickets until 11:59 PM on Sunday, May 24.

It was a pleasure meeting our newest students and their families at our Welcome to Kindergarten event last week.

A huge cheer goes out to our student-athletes! Congratulations to our Grade 4 to 8 students who participated in the Track & Field Day on Friday, and to our Flag Rugby teams for their hard work in last week's tournament.

We also want to acknowledge our students working hard on their EQAO assessments: our Grade 3s have finished theirs, and our Grade 6s are participating this week.

As we enter the final weeks of the school year, students across all classrooms are working hard to bring together everything they've learned. Thank you for your incredible partnership in your child’s learning journey this year!

Please take a few minutes to review the following information in our newsletter:

• Spotlight on Safety - Bikes & Scooters on School Property

• Spotlight on Learning - Planning for 2026-2027 School Year - Class Placement Information

• Spotlight on Community - Spring Fair - Thursday, May 28 

• Spotlight on Community - Volunteer of Distinction Nominations 25-26

• Spotlight on Community - Summer Camp at Durham Forest

• Hot Lunches at Vincent Massey

• Coming Events

SPOTLIGHT ON SAFETY - BICYCLES AND SCOOTERS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY

We are happy to see students riding their bikes and scooters to school! Please remember that for everyone's safety, students must walk their bikes or scooters once they arrive on school property. Riding on school grounds is not permitted.

The Region of Durham Health Department has a variety of resources about bike and scooter safety, including a helmet guide and the Youth Cycling Guide.

In Durham Region, individuals must be 16 years + to operate e-scooters or e-bikes.

SPOTLIGHT ON LEARNING - PLANNING FOR 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR 

The planning process for the 2026-2027 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 29, 2026. Please send any emailed letters to VincentMasseyPS@ddsb.ca

SPOTLIGHT ON COMMUNITY - SPRING FAIR- MAY 28

We invite families to our 3rd Annual Spring Fair.  Check out School Cash Online to purchase tickets.  Tickets are on sale until May 24 at 11:59 PM.

We know that “many hands make light work”, and there are a variety of fun ways for every member of our community to use their talents and get involved by volunteering.

We are seeking volunteers to assist with set up on Wednesday, May 27 and Thursday, May 28 as well as during the event.

Please use this form to express your interest and availability volunteering.

Spring Fair Volunteer Application Form

SPOTLIGHT ON COMMUNITY - VOLUNTEER OF DISTINCTION NOMINATIONS 25-26

The Durham District School Board is committed to excellence.  Our schools excel because of the contributions of staff, students, parents and community volunteers.  The volunteers in our school board make a priceless commitment to the success of our students.

Each school selects one individual who has volunteered their time at the school in the past year.

We welcome nominees who meet the following criteria:

• The recipient must not be a staff member of the school or receive money for work performed at the school.

• The recipient must have demonstrated a commitment to the school and have been actively involved in furthering the goals of the Durham District School Board.

• The recipient does not have to be a parent or a member of the School Community Council, but is an individual who has given of their time or talent to furthering the aims of the school.

Please submit all nominations by Friday, June 5. 

Volunteer of Distinction Nomination Form

STUDENT CENSUS - WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

The 2026 Student Census is now open, and we encourage all families to take part with their children. The Census helps us better understand our students’ identities, experiences, and needs so we can continue improving programs and learning environments across our schools.

Families of students in JK–Grade 6 have received an email with a unique code to complete the survey at home with their child. Participation is voluntary, and you may skip any questions you prefer not to answer.

The survey is confidential and only takes a few minutes and your input will help shape the future of our school. If you didn’t receive your link, check your spam folder or email census@ddsb.ca.  

SPOTLIGHT ON COMMUNITY - SUMMER CAMP AT DURHAM FOREST

DATE: June 29 through August 21, 2026

AGES: Registration is open to children ages 7 to 12 (born in the years 2014-2019)

FEE: $300.00 PER CHILD

Fee includes all camp programming and materials including a Durham Forest Summer Day Camp t-shirt —please include the t-shirt size on your registration form.

*Note: Week One, June 29 - July 3 and Week Six, August 4 to 7, have adjusted fees at $240.00 per child as the camp is closed during the statutory holidays and each session is a four-day week.

REGISTRATION:

Register at ddsb.schoolcashonline.com. Payment can be made via Mastercard, Visa, or

American Express. Registration closes on Friday, June 12, 2026, and no refunds will be issued after this date. Any changes to bookings must be made by June 12, 2026, and are subject to availability. Register early to secure your spot!

Learn more by visiting the DDSB website here - Summer Camp at Durham Forest

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 - 2025-2026  -  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.

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.

Please contact the Vincent Massey SCC at SCC.VincentMasseyPS@scc.ddsb.ca with any questions.

COMING EVENTS

• May 26, 27 - Grade 6 EQAO

• May 28 - Spring Fair, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

• June 1 - Ontario Day

• June 5 - P.A. Day - No School for Students

• June 8 - Area Track & Field for Grade 6 - 8 Students

• June 16 - Grade 8 Graduation

• June 23 - Term 2 Report Cards Sent Home

• June 25 - Last Day of Classes for Students

• June 26 - P.A. Day - No School For Students

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in your child’s education.  Please contact your child’s teacher or the school office with any questions.

Sincerely,

Charmyn Lawton, Principal & Laura Jones, Vice-Principal

Vincent Massey Public School

905-728-0681

VincentMasseyPS@ddsb.ca