Dear Vincent Massey families, 

We continue to work through our planning and transitions for next year. In addition to the structured transition meetings that occur for all students, we have lots of informal opportunities to connect with our community elementary and high schools. Earlier today, I had the pleasure of joining our Grade 8 band at Alex Ferguson Elementary School, where they performed for all the students - so much positive energy and joy all around! 

Staffing continues, and we're pleased to have added two additional positions to our timetable for next year, with funds from the provincial Classroom Size Reduction Grant announced on May 13. These positions will reduce class sizes of our homerooms, which supports English Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Science instruction.  

At this time, I can also share that Ms. Carissa Esau will not be returning to Massey in the fall. She is getting married this summer and will be moving to the mountains, where her soon-to-be husband lives and their favorite outdoor pursuits await. I will provide a comprehensive update on all new staff members at the end of June. 

June 24 will be a busy day at Massey, with Grade 7s heading to Edworthy Park, Grade 8s heading to Calaway Park, and our Grade 9 farewells. After last year's long line-ups for the Grade 7 food trucks, we've cancelled the Edworthy food trucks and we will be using our 'Healthy Hunger' program instead to provide an option for families to order lunch for Grade 7 students attending this event. These can be ordered through the normal Healthy Hunger process and will be ready to order next week. 

We know that many of our families will have already signed up for various summer activities. I would like to highlight two opportunities from the Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth, which will be of particular interest to new Canadians. Bridge Summer Camp is a three-week program (Mon - Thurs) open to all students in Grades 1-9. There are two sessions offered: July 6-22 and July 27-Aug 13. The registration link is: https://pci.jotform.com/form/261394134148255.  WIN/NOW Summer Camp is a free two-day program (Aug 18 & 19) open to current Grade 6-11 newcomer students who have Permanent Resident status. The registration link is: https://form.jotform.com/261324539383258. 

Remaining events on our calendar are as follows: 

  • June 8, 10, and 11 – Experience Metis program visit and community walks for Grade 7 
  • June 9 – Grade 9 ELA Part B (reading comprehension) 
  • June 11 – final Vincent Massey Music Parent Association meeting – 6:30pm in the band room 
  • June 12 – Track Meet 
  • June 16 – Grade 9 Math PAT Part A 
  • June 19 – Grade 9 Math PAT Part B 
  • June 22 – Grade 9 Social PAT 
  • June 23 

o    Grade 9 Science PAT 

o    Outdoor Leadership Celebration Event 

  • June 24  

o    Grade 9 Farewell Ceremonies (10:30am for homerooms 9-1 through 9-4; 1pm for homerooms 9-5 through 9-9) 

o    Grade 8 to Calaway Park 

o    Grade 7 to Edworthy Park 

  • June 25 – Report Cards available for viewing 
  • June 26 – last day for students 
  • June 29 and 30 – no school for students, staff organization days and appeals, office closed for the summer from 1pm on June 30 

All the best, 

David Pugh 

Principal