Dear Vincent Massey families, 

 

For those of you who are new to Vincent Massey, this will be the first of our weekly update messages, which are sent every Friday afternoon. Calendar information and copies of these messages are available on our school website. We look forward to welcoming Grade 7 students next Monday (9:15 start) and all students on Tuesday. 

 

We have a number of new staff this year. In addition to normal staff moves, the CBE has hired hundreds of teachers, education assistants and other school staff to support student learning. These positions have been funded by the Government of Alberta with the intention of addressing classroom complexity and class sizes. We are pleased to welcome (in some cases, welcome back!): 

·         Alexandra Diakowski – Grade 7 Humanities and Grade 9 English 

·         Chelsea Doyle – Grade 7 Humanities 

·         Lindsay Gunn – Grade 7 Math/Science 

·         Easton Nugent – Grade 7 Math/Science and Grade 9 Math 

·         Brendon Prosser – Grade 8/9 Math 

·         Renee Thomas – Grade 7 Humanities and Grade 9 Social 

·         Cydnie Lukowich – Bridges Support Worker 

 

Congratulations to Ms. Amy Campbell, who got married over the summer. Amy will be going by Ms. Orechow going forward. If your child is in one of her classes, we'll update her email address (currently aacampbell@cbe.ab.ca) on the website once it is changed in the system.  

 
We are pleased to offer a number of extracurricular and enhanced learning opportunities throughout the year. These include not only our clubs and sports programs but also a number of off-site activities, including overnight trips that enhance and complement the curriculum. This year, our Outdoor Leadership program will continue for interested Grade 8 and 9 students – please contact Mr. Rustemeyer (crrustemeyer@cbe.ab.ca) for more information. The Grade 9 Heritage trip to Quebec City, Montreal and Ottawa will return in April, and we will have an interest meeting later in the fall.  

 

More immediately, we have secured dates for interested Grade 8 and 9 students to go to Bamfield Marine Science Centre (BMSC) on Vancouver Island. This trip will take place from November 30 through December 4. BMSC is a world class oceanography and marine biology research centre, run through a partnership of 5 universities including the University of Calgary. Given the tight timelines for this trip, interested families and students must attend an information meeting at 6pm on Wednesday, September 9 at the school. For more information, please contact Ms. Lima (lalima@cbe.ab.ca.) 

 

Students interested in participating in cross-country running should attend an interest meeting at lunch in room 21 on Wednesday, September 2. Reminder announcements will be made at school. First practice will be on Thursday, September 3, at 8:20am on the school’s back field.  Our quick start is related to our first meet taking place on September 10th but this is a 'no cut' team, so it's a great way to get involved in interschool athletics early on. More details will be provided to students interested in participating at the meeting on Wednesday. Please contact Ms. Ness (spness@cbe.ab.ca) if you have any questions. 

 

Soccer tryouts will be held after school on September 8 for both boys' and girls' teams. More information will be shared with students this coming week. Questions can be directed to coaches Ms. Springett (mkspringett@cbe.ab.ca - girls) and Mr. Cull (alcull@cbe.ab.ca - boys.) 

 

Our School Council and its fundraising arm the Vincent Massey Parent Association are extremely important. Not only do they support and advise administration on the operation of our school, but also they raise important additional funds which support programming at the school. All parents and legal guardians are automatically members. Regular meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month, except September, at 6:30pm in the learning commons. Details around our annual general meeting in late September will be sent next week. 

 

This November will be the parent association's casino fundraiser. We need lots of volunteers to work this event, which is the cornerstone of our ongoing fundraising efforts. Volunteers do not need CBE volunteer clearances, as this event is not with students or at the school. This year's casino is on November 19 and 20 at the Elbow River Casino. More information can be found at the sign-up link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4BADAB2BABFFC25-64743644-vincent#/ 

 

Band parents need to be involved and informed regarding that program. There is a mandatory meeting for parents/guardians of band students on Sept. 17, 6:30pm in the south gym. This meeting includes important information for the upcoming season. It also serves both as the Vincent Massey Music Parents Association AGM, and as the mandatory in-person information meeting for the upcoming Grade 8/9 Band Camp. More information will be sent out next week to band parents/guardians. 

 

Here is a summary of the key calendar dates for the first three weeks of school: 

  • August 31 – First Day of School for Grade 7 students 
  • September 1 – All students at school 
  • September 7 – Labour Day, school closed 
  • September 8 – Boys and Girls Soccer Tryouts, 4pm 
  • September 9 

o    Terry Fox 'Wax-a-thon' fundraising activity at lunch 

o    Bamfield Trip (Grade 8 & 9) Interest Meeting, 6pm 

  • September 10 

o    Fire Drill 

o    Cross-country running meet #1 @ North Glenmore Park 

  • September 15 

o    Weekly morning Grade 8 band rehearsals start 

o    Cross-country running meet #2 @ North Glenmore Park 

  • September 16 

o    Weekly morning Grade 9 band rehearsals start 

o    Terry Fox 'Pie-the-teacher' fundraising activity at lunch 

  • September 17 

o    Picture Day 

o    Weekly morning Grade 7 band rehearsals start 

o    Band Parent AGM, 6:30pm – all band parents please attend 

  • September 18 – Terry Fox Day, special activities day at school 

 

All the best, 

David Pugh 

Principal