2025-03-17 Newsletter - Return to School Edition
March 17, 2025
Dear Vincent Massey Families:
Welcome back to school! We hope our students and families had an enjoyable March Break. There are many opportunities to celebrate our community and come together, whether we are recognizing achievements in student learning, student co-curricular activities or community events.
We are looking forward to our next VIBE Night on Tuesday, March 25, which is a movie night. Please read further for details.
Positive School Climate & Safety Newsletter
Please take some time as a family to review the Positive School Climate & Safety Newsletter.
The following topics are addressed in this message:
Positive Attendance
Student Co-Curricular Update
Positive Use of Technology
Supporting Digital Safety
Multi-Faith Reflection Space
Literacy Night Follow Up Survey
Save the Date - SCC VIBE Night - Movie Night
Hot Lunch Program at Vincent Massey
Ramadan Iftar Dinner by MEND (Muslim Educators Network of Durham)
Purdy’s Spring Fundraiser
Community Event - Durham Region Health Department
Community MYSP Survey
Guest Presenters at Vincent Massey
Coming Events at Vincent Massey
POSITIVE ATTENDANCE & ARRIVING ON TIME
The time after a school break is a great opportunity to set some goals for new habits. Arriving at school on time is essential for student success. Classes begin at 8:35 a.m., which means that students should be at school before 8:35 a.m. Our staff are on the school yard at 8:20 a.m. for supervision. Please plan to arrive as soon as possible after
When students arrive after the 8:35 a.m. bell,they must report to the office to be admitted to school, which further delays their arrival in the classroom. Even 15 minute per day can accumulate, and result in 60 minutes of missed instruction time in one week.
Additionally, regular attendance at school is an essential part of learning success. When students attend school regularly, they can form positive connections with peers and staff to stay current with their learning skills and academic success.
We will be continuing to support the students and families to attend school regularly. Please contact your child’s teacher to discuss strategies for regular attendance if your child is in need of support.
POSITIVE USE OF TECHNOLOGY AT SCHOOL
Our students have access to chromebooks in classrooms throughout the day, and all Grade 7 & 8 students have 1:1 assigned devices.
Students are expected to follow the DDSB Safe & Acceptable Use Guidelines and 1:1 Chromebook Informed Consent at school and at home.
Some of the highlights of using devices safely includes:
Preventing accidental damage of the device by transporting it carefully.
Reporting any virus or security issues immediately
Using the device for educational purposes only
Only using apps approved by the DDSB. A link to approved apps is available by viewing the “Privacy” section here - DDSB Approved Apps
Refraining from installing personal or unapproved apps to devices
Families may be charged a fee for missing devices or parts/physical damage to the device that has occurred due to wilful behaviour, negligence or accidental damage.
SUPPORTING DIGITAL SAFETY
We all live in a digital world, and promoting positive and safe online activity is an important aspect to the safety of our children. Before March Break, our Durham Regional Police Liaison Officers visited with our Grade 8 students about digital safety, and especially the risks of arranging transactions online.
We encourage families to go to the DDSB Website here - Online Safety and Digital Citizenship for tools and resources.
Some of the topics include:
Be Safe and Smart Online (includes online gaming, staying safe on social media, sexual exploitation, sextortion, sexting)
Five Key Tips for Digital Parenting
Don’t be scared.
Talk to your kids.
Be part of your kids’ media lives.
Be the person your kid comes to you when they have problems online.
Set rules and communicate values.
RESOURCES
STUDENT CO-CURRICULAR UPDATE
Congratulations to our Junior Girls’ Ball Hockey Team, who won the DDSB Regional Championship on March 5. The team members learned and grew in their skills throughout the season. Their commitment to each other and excellent teamwork were important factors in their success. A special thank you to Ms. Taylor and Ms. Wilkin for your hours of volunteering for the team.
Our students have a wide variety of co-curricular activities available, thanks to the dedication of the many staff who volunteer their time to coach and facilitate the activities. Please ask your child or your child’s teacher about further information.
Activity Name | Age Group |
|---|---|
Indigenous Student Circle | Gr. 1 - 8 |
Primary Fun Club | Gr. 1 - 3 |
Friendship Bracelet Club | Gr. 4 - 8 |
Pokemon Club | Gr. 3 - 8 |
Choir | Gr. 4 - 8 |
Intermediate Band | Gr. 7 & 8 |
Junior Battle of the Books | Gr. 4 - 6 |
Chess Club | Gr. 4 - 8 |
STEM Club | Gr. 4 - 8 |
3D Printing & Design Club | Gr. 4 - 8 |
Grade 8 Yearbook | Gr. 8 |
Student Leadership Team | Gr. 7 & 8 |
Assembly Crew | Gr. 7 & 8 |
Learning Commons Crew | Gr. 5 - 8 |
Student Announcement Crew | Gr. 7 & 8 |
Recess Guardian Leadership Team | Gr. 4 - 6 |
*Garden Club (on hiatus until spring) | Gr. 3 - 8 |
Jamboree Dance Club | Gr. 2 - 8 |
Intermediate Dance Crew | Gr. 7 & 8 |
Intermediate Badminton | Gr. 7 & 8 |
Junior Boys & Girls Basketball | Gr. 4 - 6 |
Wrestling | Gr. 3 - 8 |
MULTI-FAITH REFLECTION SPACE
We have a multi-faith reflection space available for students at morning and afternoon recesses. Students are welcome to use the space to engage in individual quiet reflection.
While students are in the reflection space, students follow the following guidelines to ensure a respectful and reflective environment for all who are present.
Be silent or speak softly: Conversations should be minimal and conducted in hushed tones to avoid disturbing others.
Technology such as phones and chromebooks are not permitted in the space.
If you have any questions, please contact the office.
LITERACY NIGHT FOLLOW UP SURVEY
We are seeking parent/guardian feedback to support our planning for family engagement events.
Recently, our Literacy Night that was scheduled for Monday, February 24 6:00 - 8:00 was postponed, and we are seeking your input to assist us with planning for the future.
Please take a few minutes to provide your input.
Literacy Night Follow Up Survey
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 such as UberEats or Skip The Dishes.
These ordered lunches often arrive with incomplete information such as student name, and we do not have staff available to distribute these lunches in a timely manner.
If you are treating your child to a special lunch, we ask you to consider taking your child out for lunch rather than ordering a delivery lunch.
MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDSAY | 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 - SCC VIBE NIGHT - MOVIE NIGHT MARCH 25
The next SCC VIBE Night is a Movie Night on Tuesday, March 25 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Be sure to save the date for this free event for your family.
Come in your PJ’s and bring a blanket to enjoy an evening with our community.
RAMADAN IFTAR DINNER - MARCH 20
We are excited to share that MEND will be holding its Annual District Ramadan Fundraising Iftar Dinner this year on Thursday, March 20, 2025 at Valley Farm Public School in Pickering. Tickets are $13 per person and are available to purchase through eventbrite . All staff, students, families and community members are welcome.
VINCENT MASSEY SPIRIT WEAR
Vincent Massey Spirit Wear is available for purchase. Visit the online store to purchase your spirit wear today.
PURDY’S FUNDRAISER - ORDER UNTIL MARCH 30
The Purdy’s Fundraiser is back in time for spring. Orders are welcome until March 30. Funds raised will be used to enhance the gardens at the entrance of the school.
COMMUNITY EVENT - WEBINAR “HALT THE HAZE” MARCH 19
The Lung Health Foundation, in partnership with the Durham Region Health Department, is having a webinar based on the top questions received from parents, educators, coaches, school administrators and other caring adults throughout the Halt the Haze learning series.
Learning chapters include:
- Refresh on the vaping landscape today and how to navigate a conversation about vaping with your teen
- How to Have Effective, Ongoing Conversations with Teens
- Supporting Your Teen in Quitting Vaping and What to Do When Things Don’t Go as Planned
- The Role of Advocacy, Policies, and How to Get Involved in Combating Vaping
The webinar will take place on Wednesday March 19th at 7:30pm. Registration is now live: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RDI0hveLSlOO2IoThwICew
DDSB MULTI-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN FEEDBACK SURVEY
We want your opinion! Please take a few moments to give the DDSB Leadership Department your thoughts on how we are doing.
Responses are anonymous and will be reviewed by the DDSB Leadership and Research & Strategic Analytics Departments on a monthly basis. This information will be used to measure how well we are implementing our DDSB Multi-Year Strategic Plan (MYSP) and provide us with suggestions for next steps for improvement.
You can access this Form multiple times, so that you are able to provide feedback on the three areas of our MYSP. If you have any questions or need to contact us, email us at research@ddsb.ca
Multi-Year Strategic Plan Survey March/April
THIRD PARTY SPEAKERS AND PRESENTATIONS AT VINCENT MASSEY
During February, we welcomed two guest presenters to our school. Joy Lapps-Lewis, an award-winning steel-pan artist, DDSB graduate and Durham resident, shared an interactive presentation about the history of steel pan and drumming.
Erica London, a local author, shared the joy of literacy and writing, and encouraged our students to tell their own stories.
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
March 25 - VIBE Night - Movie Night
March 25 - Grade 8 Grad Photo Retakes
March 31 - P.A. Day - No Classes for students
April 2 - 6:15 pm SCC Meeting
April 18 - Good Friday - School Closed
April 21 - Easter Monday - School Closed
April 23 - Arts Showcase
April 29 - VIBE Night
May 14 - Gr. 7 & 8 Vaccination Clinic
May 15 - Great Beginnings New JK Event
May 19 - Victoria Day Holiday - School Closed
May 24 - Spring Fair, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sincerely,
Charmyn Lawton, Principal & Nadia Nembhard-Hunt, Vice-Principal
Vincent Massey Public School
905-728-0681
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