2025-12-15 Newsletter
December 15, 2025
Dear Vincent Massey Parents/Guardians:
As we head into the final week of school for 2025, we want to express our gratitude for your partnership and support in your child’s achievement and well-being.
On behalf of the Student Leadership Team, we thank you for your generous support of our Food Drive. Your donations will help many families during the holidays.
Our Winter Break begins on December 22. The last day of classes is Friday, December 19 and we return to school on Monday, January 5, 2026.
To those families who are observing special holidays in the coming weeks - Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and the New Year - we wish you joyous and meaningful celebrations.
We hope that the Winter Break is restful and an enjoyable change of pace for all students and families over the next two weeks.
This week we have several special events, including our Spirit Days and Candy Grams. Please see the details below.
Our first special lunch is this week on Wednesday, December 17, featuring Harvey’s menu options. Be sure to place your orders by Sunday, December 14 at 11:59 p.m. to participate.
Our Winter Concert “Winter Solstice” is on Wednesday, December 17 at 6:30 p.m.
The following groups will be making presentations during the concert:
Intermediate Band
Gr. 1 Ms. Lucas
Gr. 1 Ms. Toth
Gr. 1 Ms. Schaerer
Gr. 1-2 Ms. Castaneda
Gr. 3 Ms. Norris
Gr. 3 Ms. Booth
Gr. 3-4 Ms Cazan
Gr. 4 Ms. Mackie
Gr. 4 Ms. Duffett
If you require special accommodations for the concert, please contact the office or your child’s teacher.
Our Kindergarten Winter Concert is on Thursday, December 18 at 1:00 p.m. and will feature all of our Kindergarten classes.
Please continue reading this message for the following information:
Spotlight on Well-Being - Resources to Support Well-Being
Spotlight on Safety - Winter/Inclement Weather Safety
Spotlight on Community - Student Leadership Food Drive
Spotlight on Community - Spirit Week - December 15 - 19
Spotlight on Community - Candy Grams
SCC News - Special Hot Lunch - Harvey’s
Hot Lunches
Employment Opportunity - Lunchroom Supervisors Needed
Volunteer Opportunities
Vincent Massey Spirit Wear
SPOTLIGHT ON WELL-BEING - RESOURCES TO SUPPORT WELL-BEING
Your child’s well-being is always a priority throughout the school year and in the summer months, and we understand that challenges and needs can arise at any time.
We are providing a list of some resources that are available in our community to assist families in supporting their children’s well-being, and resources that children can access directly.
By Your Side- Parent/caregiver resources to support mental health learning and well- being.
SickKids – This learning hub provides resources to help support your child's mental health and general well-being.
Please note that for those students who need more focused mental health support throughout the winter break, the following resources are available in our community:
Durham Counselling Walk-In Clinic -free, single session counselling service for children and youth, 3-19 years (up until their 20th birthday), and their families 289-509-0603
Indigenous Hope for Wellness Help Line 1-855-242-3310
Black Youth Helpline 1-833-294-8650
Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868.
310 COPE: 1-855-310-COPE (2673) or TTY1-866-323-7785
Durham Region Crisis Response: 1-800-742-1890 or 905-666-0483 (available 24/7)
One Stop Talk: Access to virtual counselling session for youth ages 17 and under https://onestoptalk.ca/
Frontenac Youth Services: https://frontenacyouthservices.org/
Kinark Child and Family Services: 1-866-929-0061
Lakeridge Health - Mental Health and Pinewood Centre: (905) 721-4747 (both children and adults)
SPOTLIGHT ON SAFETY - WINTER WEATHER SAFETY
The recent arrival of snow has reminded us to review winter weather safety.
During the school day, we are paying particular attention to safe play with snow. While we encourage and promote creative play with the snow, throwing snow and snow balls is not permitted in any way at school. Students are also not permitted to play on the snow hills.
We encourage families to have conversations at home with their children about safe play in the snow, as we are continuing to experience students who are injured when snow is thrown.
Please review the following for information about:
Winter Weather & Inclement Weather - Transportation & School Opening
Winter Weather At School
Bus Safety at Vincent Massey
Reporting Absences
Vincent Massey Winter Weather Safety Newsletter
Bus Information
As we approach the winter season, we are sending this reminder about the Durham Student Transportation Services (DSTS) Family Portal.
Using the DSTS Family Portal, you can track your child’s bus and also sign up for notifications of delays and cancellations.
If you have not done so already, please visit www.dsts.ca to sign up for the Family Portal.
If you have any questions about buses, you can call DSTS directly at 905-666-6395.
SPOTLIGHT ON COMMUNITY - SPIRIT WEEK DECEMBER 15 - 19
SPOTLIGHT ON COMMUNITY - CANDY GRAMS - ON SALE DECEMBER 15 - 18
POPCORN SALES BY BATTLE OF THE BOOKS TEAM
Our Battle of the Books Teams are selling Popcorn every Friday at recess to support their program. There is a variety of flavours available.
SCC NEWS - HARVEY’S SPECIAL LUNCH DECEMBER 17
To kick off the winter break, our SCC is bringing a special lunch option on Wednesday, December 17th.
All combos include: 1) Burger or nuggets or sandwich, 2) a kids fry, and 3) your choice of apple juice box, milk or chocolate milk. Burgers/sandwiches for students come plain with a portion of ketchup & mustard or mayonnaise on the side depending on the burger. Each box will have a packet of ketchup for the kid’s fry.
Orders on School Cash Online are due by 11:59 PM on December 14, 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.
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
WokBox | Subway | Osmow’s | Pizza | Frantastic | |
How To Order | Healthy Hunger | 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
December 17 - Winter Concert, 6:30 PM
December 18 - Kindergarten Winter Concert, 1:00 p.m.
December 19 - Last Day of Classes
January 5 - Return to School
January 23 - P.A. Day
Sincerely,
Charmyn Lawton, Principal & Laura Jones, Vice-Principal
Vincent Massey Public School
905-728-0681
Instagram: @vincentmasseyddsb
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