Dear Vincent Massey Families,
Here are your upcoming events for the next two weeks.
Please note that there is no school on Monday, September 30, as this is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
As part of this observation, on Tuesday, October 1, students are invited to attend a smudge and talking circle in the south gym at lunchtime. Smudge is an important Indigenous cultural practice and this is being offered as an optional activity for interested students. Much more information about this practice can be found on the CBE website in this document. Additionally, most Science classes will also be taking place in some land-based learning in Edworthy Park, tying into their current biology-centered units of study.
Our School Council and Parent Association annual general meetings will be held on Wednesday, October 2 at 6:30pm in the Learning Commons at the school. Please come and support this critical part of our school community and have your voice heard in the overall direction of Vincent Massey this year.
We have wrapped our Cross Country season! Students showed awesome perseverance in competing in races at Stanley Park and North Glenmore, always showing up with amazing attitudes and support for each other. We look forward to our team wrap-up party on October 8th. Keep running team!
Soccer continues with a match on Tuesday (Girls at home to AE Cross). The boys' team has a bye week. Mr. Cull is also starting a soccer club:
Do you love soccer? Are you obsessed with the beautiful game? Join our lunchtime soccer club Wednesdays at lunch. On nice days we will be in the backfield playing, on cold days we will be inside enjoying highlights of the best of the best.
Basketball games start this week for Junior Girls (at Valley Creek on Wednesday) and Senior Boys (at Queen Elizabeth on Thursday.)
For all sports, please note that CBE middle schools have set similar expectations for games that promote safety, respect, and a positive experience for all. They include:
· All visiting student spectators/athletes must be under the direct supervision of a designated adult for the duration of the games.
· There are no in and out privileges for spectators. If you leave the building, you should not re-enter.
· Student cell phones must remain in bags. No photos or recordings can be made by students. This is a privacy concern for the athletes from all teams.
· Parents are asked to be mindful if they are taking photos or videos of their child. The privacy of other student athletes should be considered.
· All spectators - students or adults - are expected to cheer and support players/coaches/referees/parents/guardians in a positive manner.
· Disrespectful behaviours will be addressed by school administration promptly and may result in spectators being directed to leave the game and the school building.
· Parents/guardians who bring younger children are responsible at all times for their direct supervision. Please ensure that they are not wandering the halls and playing on phys-ed equipment in the gym/on stage
These expectations have been reviewed with all of our students in school. Please review with your student(s) as well. We thank you in advance for your ongoing support.
In the world of music, band parents are reminded that morning rehearsals begin this week for the Grade 8, Grade 9, and Jazz bands. We also have our beginner band clinic on Wednesday afternoon from 4-5:30 for all students new on their instrument.
If your student missed choir last week and still wants to join, it's not too late. Come next Tuesday at lunch! Everyone in all grades is welcome!
We are planning to get Shop Club started October 3. Shop Club is a time student can come work on their projects, explore some of the tools and techniques in the Shop. We will be running 2 different Shop Clubs for a few weeks just to be sure our Grade 7 students are able to use the equipment safely. We will require all Grade 7’s (currently enrolled in Construction or not) to attend TWO Grade 7 Shop Club times before they join the Grade 8&9 Shop Club times. These will be an introduction to some power tools that are not taught in class at the Grade 7 level.
Schedule for October:
· Grade 8&9 October 3rd- 3:45 to 4:45
· Grade 7 Introduction 1- October 10th 3:45-4:45
· Grade 8&9 October 17th- 3:45-4:45
· Grade 7 Introduction 2- October 24th 3:45-4:45
We will continue to run Grade 7 Introduction Shop Club times throughout November and possibly December, so if they are unable to attend the first 2 times, they can come later in the year. The Shop Club schedule will be updated on a calendar outside the Shop and on our website. We try to stick to a bi-weekly schedule once the Grade 7’s are integrated into the 8&9 Club, but there are times when other commitments or coaching may interfere.
VMTV is meeting on Tuesday in the Art room this week
Art room is open every Wednesday at lunch
Other upcoming events include:
· October 2 – Outdoor Education Bike Trip in Canmore
· October 8 – Girls Soccer Semi-finals, location to be announced
· October 9 - Boys Soccer Semi-finals, location to be announced
· October 9 – Fun Lunch
· October 10 – Outdoor Leadership Grade 8 Skills Day #1
· October 11 – IPPs to be shared with families by this date
Wishing you a wonderful fall weekend,
David Pugh
Principal