2025-11-02 Newsletter

November 2, 2025

Dear Vincent Massey Parents/Guardians:

Last week our students had an unexpected surprise, with a visit from “Cousin Clutch”, a Toronto Blue Jays mascot.  It was a truly memorable event.

This week we are looking forward to the installation of our “Outdoor Classroom” on our school yard.  The Outdoor Classroom will include a seating area with large stones and additional trees. We are grateful for the support of our School Community Council for making the Outdoor Classroom possible through fundraising efforts.  Our School Community Council also provided funds to support the installation of the fixed umbrella in our Kindergarten yard.

STAFFING UPDATE

Ms. Jones, our Vice-Principal, has been absent from school since October 24 to recover from an injury.   We will have supply administrators, who are retired principals, in her place during her absence.  We wish Ms. Jones a speedy recovery and we hope to see her back at school soon.

Ms. Munroe, our recently hired French teacher, will not be returning to our school.  We will provide an update regarding the position when we have further details.  In the interim, students who have Ms. Munroe for French will be taught by supply teachers, supported by Ms. Lawton.

This message includes the following information:

• Photo Retake Day - November 7

• Spotlight on Learning - Progress Report Information

• Spotlight on Learning - Milestones for Student Success

• Spotlight on Community - VIBE Night

• Spotlight on Community - Vincent Massey Oshawa Generals Appreciation Day

• Hot Lunches 

• Employment Opportunity - Lunchroom Supervisors Needed

• Volunteer Opportunities

• Vincent Massey Spirit Wear

PHOTO RETAKE DAY - NOVEMBER 7

Our Photo Retake day is on Friday, November 7 for any student who missed the first photo day or for any families who wish to have a retake.

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.

Please note that these appointments are for in-person appointments.  If you prefer a phone interview, please contact your child’s teacher directly and they will schedule the appointment.

Please also note that in Grade 7 and 8, the interview times are prioritized for interviews with homeroom teachers.  If you wish to speak with one of your child’s other teachers, please contact your child’s teacher directly.

Please go to the Vincent Massey Public School Website - Educator Page and select “Email” to send an email to the teacher. 

 You will be able to make appointments 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

Please see your email for the parent code for this term.

Do not share this code with anyone outside your school community

 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

Milestones for Student Success:  Every Student’s Journey

We encourage families to view the DDSB Milestones for Student Success document, which is available on the DDSB website here or by viewing the PDF document here.

At the DDSB, we believe that learning is not just about what students know—it is a journey of growth, discovery and connection. Each student embarks on their own educational path with unique strengths, talents and experiences. Milestones for Success reflects this diversity, serving as guideposts rather than fixed destinations—benchmarks that inspire high expectations while honouring the varied ways students demonstrate growth and achievement. These milestones align with our strategic priority to centre students, ensuring that learning experiences are responsive, affirming, inclusive and tailored to their identities and interests, goals and evolving futures in a rapidly changing world.

For families, Milestones provide insight into children’s growth and the tools to support their learning, well-being and development. They help families partner with educators to ensure their child’s journey is one of confidence, discovery and opportunity, recognizing every family brings strength, knowledge and experiences that enrich learning.

These milestones serve as a foundation for lifelong learning, ensuring that every DDSB student is supported, challenged and encouraged in environments that honour their identity, voice and potential. By fostering a sense of belonging, responsibility and self-advocacy, we empower students to see themselves as active participants in their own learning, their communities and the world around them. This journey is theirs—and we are here to support them, every step of the way.

SPOTLIGHT ON COMMUNITY - SCC NEWS

VIBE NIGHT - DODGE BALL - NOVEMBER 20

The first VIBE Night is on Thursday, November 20 at 6:30 p.m. Join us for some family fun playing dodge ball.  All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The next SCC Meeting is on Tuesday, November 25 at 6:15 p.m.

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”.

Tickets will be sent home with your child on Wednesday, November 5th or Thursday, November 6th, 2025. 

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.

COMING EVENTS

• November 7 - Photo Retake Day

• November 12 - Progress Reports Home

• November 13&14 - Progress Report Interviews

• November 14 - P.A. Day

• November 20 - 6:30 PM VIBE Night - Dodge Ball

• November 25      - 6:15 PM - SCC Meeting

Sincerely,

Charmyn Lawton, Principal & Laura Jones, Vice-Principal

Vincent Massey Public School

905-728-0681

VincentMasseyPS@ddsb.ca

Instagram:  @vincentmasseyddsb