2025-10-27 Family Newsletter

October 27, 2025

Dear Vincent Massey Parents/Guardians:

Last week we held our first Lightning Assemblies of the school year, where we celebrated the first two months of learning and recognized co-curricular student accomplishments.  Congratulations to all of the students who were recognized for their accomplishments. Thank you to the families who were able to join us to recognize our students and enjoy the student performances that were presented.

At our P.A. Day on Monday, October 20, all educational staff engaged in professional learning focused on the DDSB Anti-Oppression Strategy.  We value the collaboration between our educators, students, families and community to create a school community where all students are welcome and included.

This week, our student athletes on the Intermediate Girls and Boys Volleyball teams are participating in the Area Playdowns.  They have had an active season to this point, participating in games and tournaments over the past few weeks.

STAFFING UPDATE

Please join us in welcoming our two newest staff members. Ms. G. Munroe will be joining us on Wednesday, October 29 as our new permanent Core French teacher, replacing Mme Ottley. Earlier this month, Ms. S. Graham joined our staff in a contract position replacing Ms. S. Rupon, who is on a leave of absence.

This message includes the following information:

• Spotlight on Learning - Progress Report Information

• Spotlight on Community - SCC News

• Spotlight on Important Dates and Celebrations - Halloween

• Spotlight on Community - Vincent Massey Oshawa Generals Appreciation Day

• Hot Lunches 

• Employment Opportunity - Lunchroom Supervisors Needed

• Volunteer Opportunities

• Vincent Massey Spirit Wear

SPOTLIGHT ON LEARNING 

Progress Reports

Progress Reports will be distributed by email on Wednesday, November 12.  You will need your child’s OEN number to access their report card.  

Parent-Teacher Interviews

We will be holding Parent-Teacher Interviews on Thursday, November 13th from 3:30 - 7:30 pm and Friday, November 14th from 8:35 - 11:35 am. This year, you will be able to schedule your Parent-Teacher Interviews online. If you wish to schedule a meeting with any of your child's teachers, please follow the instructions printed further down the page.

 You will be able to make appointments from October 29th at 9:00 am until November 12th at 9:00 pm.

Instructions

1. Go to the Vincent Massey scheduling webpage at https://parentinterview.com/s/vmps

2. Enter the Parent Code (printed below) and click "Sign In"

  Please make a note of your Confirmation #

3. Fill in your contact information and click "Continue to Make Appointments"

4. Click on the name of a teacher with whom you wish to schedule an appointment

5. Click on an "Available" time at which you wish to have your meeting

6. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 until you have scheduled all the teachers you wish to meet

7. Click on "My Schedule" (top left of the page)

8. Print out, email or copy down your schedule

Should you wish to cancel an appointment you have made, click on "Cancel" beside the meeting you wish to have removed from your schedule.

If you misplace your schedule, you may use your Confirmation # to retrieve your schedule from the website at any time. If you need help using the service, please email support@parentinterview.com

SPOTLIGHT ON COMMUNITY - SCC NEWS

On Thursday, October 23, we recognized Rebecca Schreiber, our 2024-2025 Volunteer of Distinction, at the DDSB Volunteer of Distinction Ceremony.  Congratulations to Rebecca on this special honour and thank you for all that you do for our students and community.

Our next SCC Meeting is on Wednesday, October 29 at 6:15 p.m.  The meeting is in person and there is also a virtual opportunity available on Microsoft Teams for those who are unable to attend in person.

SPOTLIGHT ON IMPORTANT DATES AND CELEBRATIONS

HALLOWEEN

Many of our students who celebrate Hallowe’en look forward to celebrating at school.  

Please note the following guidelines for Hallowe’en costumes.

Ensuring a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment is always our priority.  To ensure that each family has the opportunity to make an individual decision, we are sharing how we will be approaching Halloween at our school. 

Costumes

• Students may choose to wear a costume, but they are not required to do so.  

• Students will need to wear costumes to school and keep them on for the full day, and be able to participate in the regular school day.  

• Costumes which depict stereotypes, cultural appropriation or horrific/gory representations can cause harm to other individuals in our community.  Therefore, costumes should reflect the fun side of Halloween. NO weapons, wands, or other props etc. will be permitted.

Consider these questions when selecting your costume:

• Is my costume depicting and perpetuating a stereotype or stigma associated with a particular race, culture or religion?

• Does my costume include a replication of a garment that is a significant component of a particular religion or culture of which I do not identify with?

• Is my costume depicting a historical time-period where that look/costume is now considered offensive and discriminatory?

• Does my costume represent elements of a culture or cultural practice that is being commoditized for consumption?

• Can I look in the mirror and confidently say that my costume choice would not be considered offensive to a particular race, ethnic, origin, gender or religion?

Classroom Learning on October 31 

• Classroom learning will continue to be focused on curriculum connections and themes.  

• There will not be a parade.

• Students will continue to bring their own snacks.  Sharing food is not permitted to respect the dietary restrictions and health and safety of all.

VINCENT MASSEY APPRECIATION DAY OSHAWA GENERALS GAME

On Sunday, November 9th, 2025, the Oshawa Generals will be dedicating a night specifically for  the students, parents, friends and staff of Vincent Massey Public School. A night of exciting, affordable  Junior “A” hockey deemed as“Vincent Massey P.S. Appreciation Night”.

Discounted tickets will be offered at $25.00 per youth and $25.00 per adult. That’s a $4.00 savings vs. the day of game price.

*** Support “Vincent Massey P.S. Students” at this game too, as they sing the National Anthem presented by Ontario Power Generation prior to the game.

Tickets are available to purchase on School Cash Online by Thursday, October 30.  

Tickets will be sent home with your child on Wednesday, November 5th or Thursday, November 6th, 2025. For more information, please speak to your teacher.

HOT LUNCHES 

Our Hot Lunches are back for the school year. 

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.

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.

Vincent Massey Spirit Wear

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

COMMUNITY EVENTS

DBEN VENDORS MARKET - NOVEMBER 1, 2025

The Durham Black Educators Network is happy to host their second annual Vendors Market at J. Clark Richardson Secondary School on November 1st from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm. We would like to invite the entire DDSB community to come out to this wonderful event to do some browsing and shopping. It's a great way to support local, small and growing businesses right here in Durham! Need to bring the kids along? No worries, we will keep them busy at the kids corner while you shop! 

P.A. DAY EVENT - November 14

CTRL+ALT+EDUCATE is a dynamic event for K-8 students and their families to explore innovation,modern learning experiences and artificial intelligence.

For K-8 Students: Get hands-on! Dive into activities packed with engaging experiences designed to spark curiosity and creativity. Come build, create, and discover!

For Parents & Caregivers: Become an informed partner in your child’s education by attending our brief, practical learning sessions.

Register here by November 7 - CTRL+ALT+EDUCATE Registration

COMING EVENTS

• October 29 - SCC Meeting, 6:15 p.m.

• November 12 - Progress Reports Home

• November 13&14 - Progress Report Interviews

• November 14 - P.A. Day

Sincerely,

Charmyn Lawton, Principal & Laura Jones, Vice-Principal

Vincent Massey Public School

905-728-0681

VincentMasseyPS@ddsb.ca