HOT LUNCHES

PLEASE NOTE THAT HOT LUNCHES WILL NOW BE ON

MONDAYS

(TUESDAY IF THE MONDAY IS A HOLIDAY)

THERE WAS A MISTAKE ON THE OCTOBER PIZZA ENVELOPE.

OCTOBER 8^TH SHOULD HAVE BEEN OCTOBER 9^TH

VINCENT MASSEY P.S.

NEWSLETTER

A Peanut & Nut Safe School

Bev Assinck, Principal                                                             Jackie Robinson, School Council Chair    Beverly_Assinck@kprdsb.ca                                                 stillscrappin@yahoo.ca          

Lenore O’Rahilly Acting Principal

DATES TO REMEMBER

October 1 – World Habitat Day

October 2 – International Day of

Non-Violence

Simchat Torah

October 2  – Junior Soccer at Clarington Fields – Cancelled see Oct. 10

October 4 – Cross Country at Courtice Secondary

Oct 5 – Orange Shirt Day

October 5 – World Teachers Day

October 8 – Thanksgiving Day/School Closed

October 9 - Intermediate Soccer at Clarington Fields

Pizza Day

October 9 – German Pioneers Day

Navratri begins

October 10 – Jr. Soccer at Orono Fields

October 15 – Room 111 to Wilmot Creek

October 16 – World Food Day

October 17 – International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

October 18 – Persons’ Day

Dussehra

Navratri ends

October 22 – Bus Safety

October 24 – United Nations Day

October 24 - Jr. Flag Rugby at Clarington Fields

October 26- Intermediate Flag Rugby at Clarington Fields

October 26 – Picture Retake Day

October 31 – Hallowe’en

DATES TO LOOK FOR

Nov 1 – Gr. 7 Immunizations

Nov 2 – Dental Screening

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

The days of fall are indeed upon us with the beautiful array of colour on our neighbourhood trees!
Throughout the month of September, the staff and students worked together to establish and settle into effective routines and positive relationships, it is our hope that these efforts will support success in learning and happiness in living as we continue to build community here at Vincent Massey PS.  
Our Open House was very well attended - it was great to see and meet so many families as they visited classrooms and mingled with staff.  I hope that during your visit you were able to visit your child’s class, learn something new and meet the educators that work closest with your children. Thank you for taking the time to share the evening with us!
During Safe and Caring School Week our school community practiced a number of emergency responses - we will continue to practice periodically throughout the school year. Our goal is to work together to make

VINCENT MASSEY P.S.

NEWSLETTER

A Peanut & Nut Safe School

November 2018

Bev Assinck, Principal                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Jackie Robinson, School Council Chair   

Beverly_Assinck@kprdsb.ca                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   stillscrappin@yahoo.ca                               

Lenore O’Rahilly                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Acting Principal                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Principal’s Message

Dear Families of Vincent Massey PS,

November already!  It is hard to believe that we already have two months of school under our belts and the time for our first reporting period is upon us. Progress Reports will be sent home on November 8^th and if not already done so, your child’s teacher will be sending information about conferences as well.

At this time, I would like to express my personal thanks to the Vincent Massey Public School community for a tremendous first ‘leg’ of our learning journey.  Thank you staff and students for your enthusiasm in and outside the classroom - you are awesome!   The many volunteers who help out daily in so many ways are an invaluable asset to our students and school and we are especially thankful for their on-going support and involvement. And as always, our School Council continues to support our efforts in so many ways—thank you!

The month of October ended in proper fashion with a Fall and Hallowe’en celebration...  By all appearances, a good time was had by staff, students alike!

This month we will focus our attention as a school community on three very important events.  On November 9^th we will assemble for our Day of Remembrance where we will honour and show our respect for the men and women that served our country during history’s most trying times.  As a sign of our appreciation and respect, each student will be given and be wearing a poppy for our assembly. This flower is a very significant and respected symbol for this day - it is also an important way of reminding us that every one of these brave Canadians is never to be forgotten. To this end, a small, voluntary, monetary donation will be gratefully accepted on November 9^th in support of our local legion – Bowmanville #178.  Our Assembly will begin at 10:45 a.m.  Please join us if you are able.

On Saturday, November 11^th, a wreath donated by our school, will be laid at the Cenotaph at the Bowmanville Remembrance

VINCENT MASSEY P.S.

NEWSLETTER

A Peanut & Nut Safe School

December, 2018

Bev Assinck, Principal                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Jackie Robinson, School Council Chair   

Beverly_Assinck@kprdsb.ca                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           stillscrappin@yahoo.ca

Way to go all of the students and Mr. Hall. Thanks for much for the enthusiasm and energy put into the night. The audience loved it!!

Here's more!

Well done, Vincent Massey PS!! Thanks to a small school with the heart of a giant one, we were able to give the Salvation Army 1149 food items today, along with a massive amount of toys, hats and mittens/gloves for those who are in need. It is awesome to be part of such a loving school!! Congrats and keep up the great work!

Hats, toys and Mittens/Gloves

Singing by Vincent Massey PS

VINCENT MASSEY P.S.
NEWSLETTER
A Peanut & Nut Safe School
January 2019
Nicholas Shea, Principal Jackie Robinson

NEW & IMPORTANT

When dropping off

and picking up students.

If busses are present

in the main

parking lot

vehicles will not be

permitted to enter

Please obey no parking signs!

Check out the New Canada Food Guide

Please enjoy the attached February Newsletter

It is that time of year!

If you require out of boundary bussing or sitter/childcare requests for 2019-2020, please read the attached document.

BATTERY RECYCLING PROGRAM

Vincent Massey is starting a battery recycling program.  We encourage students to bring in any old batteries.  There is a white pail just outside the office for them to go in. Please put tape on the positive and negative ends of the battery

Help us Help the Environment!

PANCAKE DAY LUNCHEON

WEDNESDAY MARCH 6 2019

BETWEEN 10:50 & 12:30

STUDENTS AT VINCENT MASSEY

WILL BE TREATED TO A PANCAKE LUNCH

CLASSES WILL BE GROUPED IN A VARIETY OF GRADES AND AGES TO ENCOURAGE EATING TOGETHER AND TO DEVELOP A CLOSER SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

WE WOULD WELCOME DONATIONS OF THE FOLLOWING

ALL IN ONE PANCAKE MIX (REQUIRES WATER ONLY)

PANCAKE SYRUP

CANS OR LARGE BOTTLES OF APPLE JUICE

PAPER PLATES/SERVIETTES

PLASTIC KNIVES AND FORKS

SMALL PLASTIC CUPS

Please bring in items to the office by Friday March 1 2019

Please ensure products are nut free

Please notify the office if your child requires gluten free

New Phone Number, Web Address, Phone App Coming for Reporting Absences

At KPR, student safety is our highest priority, and we thank families for adopting the automated safe arrival system to help ensure students arrive safely at school each day. 

Starting this September, we will be introducing a new automated Student Absence Reporting System.  Therefore, you will need to create a NEW account to report your children’s absences online. 

You will receive an email in August with instructions on how to create your new account and download the mobile app.  You also will receive a magnet in September with the new Student Absence Reporting System details.  Unfortunately, since ownership of the reporting software has changed, we cannot simply transfer your child’s information to the new system.

Watch for more information in the summer.

Many parents and guardians have been wondering what effect the legalization of marijuana will have on  KPR schools. In short, KPR schools will treat cannabis in much the same way they treat alcohol: students of any age will not be allowed to use marijuana at schools, on school buses or field trips. 

 Once the new federal law comes into effect this October 17:

• non-medical marijuana use will be legal only for those age 19 and older 
• any student, at any age, could be suspended for possessing or being under the influence of cannabis at school
• any student who shares marijuana with others younger than 19 could be expelled from school
• it will be illegal for adults to use cannabis on, or within 20 metres of, school grounds
• it will be illegal to drive under the influence of cannabis, and drivers age 21 or under will not be allowed to have any cannabis in their system.

 If you have any questions about cannabis at school, please speak with your principal or vice-principal.  Further information on the new law is available at Ontario.ca/cannabis.  Information on how to talk to your child about cannabis can be found at Cannabis Information – CAMH.

KPR wishes everyone a happy holiday. We hope that this time allows for some much needed rest for students, staff, parents and guardians, and allows families opportunities to celebrate together.

While the holidays can be joyous, they can also be difficult for some.  We wanted to provide families with some resources you may find useful over the holiday season. Our mission is that all students remain safe, and this includes their mental and physical well-being.

Mental health is a state of well-being; it is relevant to all of us.  According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, in any given year, one in five people in Canada experiences a mental health crisis or illness.  It is important to us that we remind everyone to use resources that are accessible to all.  These include:

• the Be Safe App, a free mobile app that aims to help young adults make healthy decisions during a crisis; it can be downloaded onto cell phones from https://besafeapp.ca/
• Kids Help Phone, also available 24/7, at 1-800-668-6868 or text “CONNECT” to 686868
• Four County Crisis line, available 24/7 for Northumberland and Peterborough County residents at 1-866-995-9933
• Durham Mobile Crisis Services, available 24/7 for anyone experiencing a crisis, at 905-666-0483 or 1-800-742-1890
• Connex Ontario Mental Health Helpline, provides information about mental health services in Ontario 24/7, at 1-866-531-2600 or www.connexontario.ca
• Ontario 211, a free helpline that connects people to community and social services in your area, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by calling 2-1-1.

Your family also has access to your closest hospital, as well as to regional supports serving specific areas of KPR.

Let's keep our mental health and the mental health of those we love and care about in the forefront.  We encourage you to use community support services if you ever find yourself or someone near and dear to you struggling and in need of assistance.

Once again, we wish everyone season’s greetings, a Merry Christmas, and safe holidays.

Starting high school in September? We invite current Grade 8 students, parents and guardians to join us at Grade 8 information nights to learn about the variety of programs available to help learners meet with success.

Several schools have already held their open houses; parents can contact those schools directly for program and registration information. Contact information is available in the Find A School section of www.kprschools.ca

The following open houses are coming up:

              Bowmanville High School, Bowmanville – January 16, 6 p.m.
              Kenner Collegiate Vocational Institute, Peterborough – January 16, 7 p.m.
             Clarington Central Secondary School, Bowmanville – January 17, 6 p.m. 
             Courtice Secondary School, Courtice – January 17, 6:30 pm.
              Port Hope High School, Port Hope – January 17, 6:30 p.m.

Grief Resources

Is your child experiencing loss and grief?  Here are some resources recommended by our School Board Counsellors:

http://www.kprschools.ca/en/students/well-being/mentalhealth/grief.html

Do you have concerns about your child’s social, emotional or mental health that may be hindering their ability to thrive at school?

KPR schools have skilled clinicians who can support your child and you in finding answers. School Board Counsellors have professional degrees and specialize in work with children, youth and families. Please contact your School Principal for more information.

http://www.kprschools.ca/en/students/well-being/mentalhealth/schoolboardcounsellorservices.html

Mental health is an important part of our overall well-being.  Students experiencing mental health issues may have problems with mood, focus, behaviour and their ability to relate to peers, maintain friendships, do well in school and participate in activities.

But where can parents and guardians go for help if they are concerned about their child's or teen's mental health?  For more information, and suggestions for helpful resources, visit: 

http://www.kprschools.ca/en/students/well-being/mentalhealth.html

Mathify (formerly known as Homework Help) is a free math resource that connects students in grades 7 – 10 with Ontario certified math teachers.  This interactive, online support is available after school from 5:30 pm–9:30 pm, Sunday to Thursday.  Tutoring is live and provides 1:1 support using digital tools such as a shared white board, audio chat, text chat, and offers an image upload.

Registering students for this additional support is easy and we encourage all Grade 7-10 mathematics teachers to register students for Mathify.

Setting up a student account

Using their school board email and Ontario Education Number, students can create an account in TVO Mathify. 

The following is a short tutorial on how to register students and an overview of Mathify:  http://bit.ly/KPRMathify

Live online tutoring 

What students can expect:

• Ontario-certified math tutors available 5:30 pm–9:30 pm ET, Sunday to Thursday
• Voice and text chat options
• Anonymous & secure online learning space
• Compatible on all devices

The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board invites everyone in the community to join us at three evening events being held in honour of Black History Month.

All interested community members are invited to attend the public events. Registration is not required for any of the following special presentations:

An Evening with Nadine Williams
Friday, February 22
6:30 p.m.
Dr. G.J. MacGillivray Public School
75 Meadowglade Rd., Courtice
Award-winning Poet, Author & Speaker

Africville Remembered
Wednesday, February 20
7 p.m.
Kenner Collegiate Vocational Institute
633 Monaghan Rd.S., Peterborough
Screening and Discussion of the National Film Board Documentary Remember Africville
Co-presented with Community Race Relations Committee of Peterborough

 An Evening with Karl Subban
Tuesday, February 26
6:30 p.m.
East Northumberland Secondary School
71 Dundas St., Brighton
Author, Speaker, Retired Principal, Father of 3 NHL Players

Many individual schools also are planning activities for students, from Black History Month announcements and displays on famous African Canadians, to special events.

IMPORTANT NOTICE for Students and Families Assigned to Campeau Bus Lines Routes

This note provides an important update on contract negotiations between Campeau Bus Lines Ltd. and Unifor, the union representing the company’s school bus drivers.

As part of the negotiations process, Unifor has advised the company that they may be holding a strike vote meeting on Thursday, February 7. Unifor also stated that, in the event of job action, the union is committed to giving parents and the public 72 hours’ notice. Therefore, if a strike vote is taken and if the drivers vote to strike, the earliest possible service disruption would be Monday, February 11.

Student Transportation Services of Central Ontario (STSCO), therefore, encourages families of students who ride Campeau buses to:

• check the stsco.ca website often, and stay tuned to local news media, for any possible updates
• consider having alternative plans for getting their children to school in case of a possible strike

• follow @stsco_ca on Twitter for latest news.

We will provide further updates as information becomes available.

**Please note: this message applies only to schools and families served by Campeau buses.

Friday, February 8, 2019

IMPORTANT UPDATE for Students and Families Assigned to Campeau Bus Lines Routes

This note provides an important update on contract negotiations between Campeau Bus Lines Ltd. and Unifor, the union representing the company’s school bus drivers.

We have learned that negotiations are continuing and that the union did not hold a strike vote Thursday evening. Given Unifor’s assurance that it will give families 72 hours’ notice if a strike is imminent, this means that Campeau busing will continue as usual this Monday, February 11.

We will follow the situation closely, and we remain hopeful for a positive outcome.  We urge families who rely on Campeau yellow bus service to check our website at stsco.ca, to follow us on Twitter @stsco_ca  and to stay tuned to local news media, for any possible developments. We will provide further updates as soon as we are aware of any changes.

**Please note: this message applies only to schools and families served by Campeau buses. Parents and guardians can check on the Parent Portal at stsco.ca to confirm if their child rides a Campeau bus.

Wednesday, February 13, 2019

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Strike notice issued by Campeau Bus Lines drivers

This note provides an important update on contract negotiations between Campeau Bus Lines Ltd. and Unifor, the union representing the company’s school bus drivers.

Strike notice has now been given by the union. If a strike proceeds, Tuesday, February 19 is the earliest that service would be affected.

 Fortunately, talks are scheduled to continue this week, and we remain hopeful that an agreement can be reached before Tuesday. If an agreement is reached by early Tuesday morning, busing will continue as usual. If an agreement is not reached by early Tuesday morning, all Campeau Bus Lines routes will be cancelled for the duration of the strike, starting Tuesday, February 19.

Student Transportation Services of Central Ontario (STSCO), therefore, encourages families of students who ride Campeau buses to: 

• consider having alternative plans for getting their children to school in case of a possible strike
• check the stsco.ca website often, and stay tuned to local news media, for any possible updates
• follow @stsco_ca on Twitter for latest news.

We will be following the situation closely, and we remain hopeful for a positive outcome. We will provide further updates as soon as we are aware of any developments.

**Please note: this message applies only to schools and families served by Campeau buses. Parents and guardians can check on the Parent Portal at stsco.ca to confirm if their child rides a Campeau bus.

Friday, February 15, 2019 

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Campeau drivers voting on tentative deal this weekend

This note provides an important update on contract negotiations between Campeau Bus Lines Ltd. and Unifor, the union representing the company’s school bus drivers.

Unifor has announced that its bargaining committee reached a tentative agreement with Campeau, and its members will vote on the matter this Saturday, February 16. The union says that, if the deal is accepted by its members on Saturday, a strike will be averted.

We remain hopeful that the deal will be accepted and that busing will continue as usual on Tuesday, February 19. We cannot guarantee that will be the case, however, until after Unifor announces the results of its membership vote on the weekend.

If the drivers vote to accept the tentative agreement – a move which their bargaining committee is recommending unanimously – busing will continue as usual on Tuesday. If the tentative agreement is not supported by the drivers, Campeau buses likely will not run.

We will continue to follow the situation closely, and we remain hopeful for a positive outcome. We continue to urge families who rely on Campeau yellow bus service to check our website at stsco.ca, to follow us on Twitter @stsco_ca and to stay tuned to local news media, throughout the weekend for the latest developments.

**Please note: this message applies only to schools and families served by Campeau buses. Parents and guardians can check on the Parent Portal at stsco.ca to confirm if their child rides a Campeau bus.

The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board invites all students, staff and community members to join us for an evening of Métis fiddling, this Thursday, February 21 at 7 p.m. at Bowmanville High School, 49 Liberty St.N., Bowmanville. The performance is free.  It was originally scheduled during Indigenous Peoples Awareness Month, but had been delayed due to inclement weather.

It's great to see all the school buses running today, with ratification of the agreement between Campeau Bus Lines and Unifor, and a beautiful, sunny start to the week!

There's a new date for Africville Remembered, one of three free Black History Month  events organized for the community by KPR.

Africville Remembered has been rescheduled to:

    Thursday, March 21
    7 p.m.
    Kenner CVI
    633 Monaghan Rd.S., Peterborough

The evening will include screening of the documentary Remember Africville, followed by a panel discussion including Community Race Relations Committee of Peterborough representatives.

All KPR staff, students and community members are welcome to attend on March 21, International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination.