Dear Vincent Massey families,
We're pleased to welcome everyone back from a hopefully restful winter break!
With the cold weather now breaking with a cycle of chinooks, all members of our community are reminded to take extra care on the sidewalks, pathways, and parking lots. Our facilities team works hard to keep these clear but conditions can change rapidly with our unpredictable weather.
Students continue to go outside for the second half of lunch, unless they are in a club or other supervised activity. Research and experience show that getting fresh air at lunch helps students to be more regulated for learning in the afternoon. We follow CBE guidelines (temperature of -20 including windchill) for allowing students to stay inside for the whole lunch and we encourage them to dress appropriately for the weather every day.
Thank you to parents who attended our school council, parent association, and band parent association meetings this week. At the February 4 school council, I will be formally presenting our school development plan and results reporting. Everyone is welcome! At the March 4 school council, we'll be talking about initiatives to support the sustainability of our band program, which is urgently in need of some new instruments.
Grade 9 High School transitions are very much on our minds right now. This process includes the upcoming tours on the dates outlined below, as well as visits from all high school guidance counselors on January 22. These experiences support students in making informed course selections. Specific information about high school courses and pathways can be found on each school's website.
We always look forward to celebrating our Grade 9 students as they make this important transition to high school. A formal farewell ceremony will be held on Wednesday, June 24. Half of the classes will be recognized in the morning and half in the afternoon; parents/guardians are welcome. The exact configuration will be communicated at a later date, as we consider how best to accommodate siblings and other factors. We anticipate having a photo booth (supported by the parent association) and food trucks.
In some past years, parents have organized a community celebration for the Grade 9 class, sometimes on the evening of the school ceremony. These are not school events, and are not supervised by staff. Parents who might be interested in helping plan or organize a celebration are encouraged to attend the February 4 school council meeting, or you can contact me directly so that I can help make connections.
Academics are our central focus here at Massey. To enrich and support student learning, Ms. Esau is sponsoring the Pascal Math Contest for Grade 9 students. The contest is held on Wednesday, February 25, and interested students should see her in room 34.
Here are our upcoming events for the next 3 weeks. Please note that detailed information about high school tours is sent home with students designated to each school.
· January 13 – ODL Grade 8 Ski Trip parent meeting, 7:30pm
· January 15
· Grade 9 Outdoor Education Snowshoeing trip
· Grade 9 Bowness Tours for designated Grade 9 students
o January 18-19 – ODL Grade 8 Ski Camp
o January 21
§ Junior Girls Volleyball @ AE Cross, our matches at 5:30 and 6:30
§ Senior Girls Volleyball @ Bishop Pinkham, our matches at 4:30 and 5:30
o January 22
§ High School guidance counselor visits for Grade 9 students - 1-2:30pm
§ Period order change for all classes to facilitate these visits – 1,3,4, lunch, 2,5,6
§ Junior Boys Volleyball @ William D Pratt, our matches at 4:30 and 5:30
§ Senior Boys Volleyball @ Bishop Pinkham, our matches at 4:30 and 5:30
o January 26 – Grade 9 Ernest Manning Tours for designated Grade 9 students
o January 27
§ Western Canada Tours for designated Grade 9 students
§ Grade 7 Outdoor Education Snowshoeing trip
§ Last day of Semester 1 / Term 2
o January 28
§ First day of Semester 2 / Term 3 – new Complementary and Physical Education classes for all students
§ Junior Girls Volleyball @ West Ridge, our matches at 6:30 and 7:30
§ Senior Girls Volleyball @ Vincent Massey, our matches at 4:30 and 7:30
o January 29
§ Grade 9 vaccination information presentations in PE class
§ Grade 9 Central Memorial Tours for designated Grade 9 students
§ Junior Boys Volleyball @ West Ridge, our matches at 4:30 and 5:30
§ Senior Boys Volleyball @ AE Cross, our matches at 4:30 and 5:30
o January 30 – System Professional Learning Day – no school for students
All the best,
David Pugh
Principal