Dear Vincent Massey families, 

Today we celebrated the life and achievements of Terry Fox, while raising money for cancer research. While his journey ended thirty years before even the oldest of our students were born, his message of hope and perseverance continues to resonate. Under the leadership of Mr. Rustemeyer, Vincent Massey School has now raised a third of a million dollars for this cause. We've also continued a tradition of community building through our activity day. Congratulations to the brave students who raised additional funds and had their heads shaved in our assembly this morning! Thank you all for your contributions to our various fundraising activities. More information can be found on our Terry Fox Foundation landing page here: https://schools.terryfox.ca/98398. 

This coming week, we shift our focus towards National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which is coming up on September 30.  All Grade 7 classes will be taking a community walk to IINIIWAA' IITAINNIKSISSTA'POOHPI (Where the Buffalo Run Down the Hill), in Wildwood at the White Oaks playground, where there is information about this buffalo jump and the importance of Shaganappi Point to Indigenous people long before Moh'kinstsis became known as Calgary. We also invite students to wear orange shirts to school on Friday, Sept 26, in the spirit of reconciliation. 

There are a number of important meetings and events coming up this week. On Wednesday, September 24 at 6:30pm, we will host our Band Parent Association Annual General Meeting, as well as an information session on the proposed Whistler Band Festival trip and the mandatory pre-trip parent meeting for Grade 7 band camp. It is important that all parents and guardians of band students attend. 

On Thursday, September 25 at 6:30pm, we will host our 'meet the teacher' open house. We will start with a brief introduction in the gym and then you will have an opportunity to tour your child's classrooms. Please note that the format of this event does not provide the time or privacy for detailed conversations about individual student needs or IPPs. Please take this opportunity to 'put a face to a name' and then follow up with your child's classroom teachers if you need a more in-depth conversation. 

During this event, we will also host a general information session about possible overnight out-of-province learning opportunities. These include the Heritage Trip (Grade 9 Social Studies and French language and culture), the Sailing Trip (Grade 8 and 9 Science and Outdoor Education), and two Outdoor Leadership trips (Sunshine Coast backpacking and the Yukon.)  Listen for announcements and look for signage during the open house. 

As we look ahead to October, the following other events are upcoming: 

  • Cross-country running – Final two meets of the season on Sept 22 and Oct 1, both at North Glenmore Park 
  • Soccer season continues, schedule is posted on our school calendar 
  • Basketball – games start on October 1, details on school calendar 
  • September 23 
    • Grade 9 Outdoor Education bike trip 
    • Fire Drill 
  • September 24 – Band Parent Annual General Meeting @ 6:30pm in the south gym 
  • September 25 – Open House ("Meet the Teacher") @ 6:30pm in the south gym 
  • September 26 – Orange Shirt Day 
  • September 29 – No school for students, PD Day, teachers will be working on IPPs, beginning of year assessment, and other professional learning. 
  • September 30 – Schools Closed, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 
  • October 1 – School Council Annual General Meeting, 6:30pm in the learning commons 
  • October 2  
    • Grade 9 Outdoor Leadership Canmore trip 
    • Band clinics after school 

 

All the best, 

David Pugh 

Principal