2026-02-23 Family Message
February 23, 2026
Dear Vincent Massey Families:
It has been a truly remarkable week at our school. If your family calendar feels a bit crowded lately, you aren't alone—it is rare to see so many significant cultural and spiritual milestones converge at once! This unique overlap offers us a beautiful opportunity to learn from one another and celebrate the diverse traditions that make our school community so vibrant.
We want to take a moment to acknowledge the important transitions many of our families experienced over the past week:
Ramadan Mubarak: To our students and families who began observing Ramadan. We wish you a month filled with peace and community.
Happy Lunar New Year: To those who celebrated the arrival of the New Year last week—may it bring you and your loved ones joy and prosperity.
A Meaningful Lent: To the members of our community who began their Lenten journey, we wish you a purposeful time of reflection and preparation.
As we move into the coming week, our focus shifts toward building a culture of empathy and safety. On Wednesday, February 25, we will be observing Pink Shirt Day.
This day is more than just a change in wardrobe; it is a visible commitment to bullying awareness and prevention. By wearing pink, our students stand together to show that we prioritize kindness and that everyone belongs here. We encourage all students to participate and help us turn our hallways into a sea of pink support!
Reminder: Don't forget to dig through those closets for your favorite pink attire this Wednesday!
Finally, we encourage families to attend one of the many community events hosted by DDSB in the next few weeks. There is something for everyone!
Spotlight on Safety - Positive Interactions at Recess
DDSB Student Census Information
School Community Council Spring Fair Update
Celebrating and Honouring Indigenous Excellence Competition 2026
Junior Kindergarten Registration
Community Event - DDSB Student Jewish Alliance Event
Community Event - Multilingual Voices
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 SAFETY - POSITIVE INTERACTIONS AT RECESS
Recess is an important and joyful part of each school day, giving students the chance to build friendships, practice social skills, and enjoy active play outdoors, while also putting our motto “Include-Imagine-Inspire” into action. When play remains positive, students return to the classroom ready to learn and grow.
To ensure every student feels welcome and safe, we are focusing on the following goals of a great recess:
Kind Communication - Use positive language and words that encourage and uplift each other
Inclusive Play - Actively inviting peers to join games so everyone feels they belong
Safe Physical Boundaries - Respecting personal space and enjoying games that keep everyone’s bodies safe
Winter Safety - Keeping the snow on the ground and remaining off ice patches, snow hills and snow mounds.
Lately, we’ve noticed some challenges in maintaining these goals. These moments can affect student well-being—both on the school yard and back in the classroom—and sometimes require time away from learning to work through the concerns, which can take away from valuable learning time and impact student well-being.
We appreciate your partnership in talking about these expectations at home and supporting us when issues arise. Together, we can help all students have a safe and happy recess.
SCHOOL COMMUNITY COUNCIL UPDATE
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.
Our next SCC Meeting is Tuesday, March 10, 6:15 p.m.
DDSB STUDENT CENSUS OPENS FEBRUARY 23, 2026
The Student Census Survey will be launching in February 2026. 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 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.
DDSB EVENT - JEWISH STUDENT ALLIANCE
Shalom Durham! Is hosting another meeting of the DDSB Jewish Students Alliance on Monday, February 23, 2026, from 5 - 7 PM.
Registration is required, and details can be found in the attached flyer.
New members are always welcome! Hope to see you there.
Please use this link to register:
Shalom Durham Jewish Student Alliance Event Registration
DDSB EVENT - MULTILINGUAL VOICES - IGNITE BELONGING, COMMUNITY AND CONNECTION - FEBRUARY 24
Celebrate the diverse languages and cultures within the DDSB while helping newcomer families feel welcomed, informed, and connected through innovative technology.
When: Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Where: DDSB Education Centre, 400 Taunton Road East, Whitby
Who: Families from Kindergarten to Grade 12
Register here - Multilingual Voices Event February 24, 2026
DDSB RAMADAN IFTAR - THURSDAY, MARCH 5
The Muslim Educators Network of Durham (MEND) invites families to attend an Iftar on Thursday, March 5 at Gandatsetiagon Public School in Pickering.
Registration details are available on Eventbrite here - MEND Iftar Registration
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
February 24 - DDSB Multilingual Voices Event
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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