Together in Education Family Update
Week of June 8-12
Lancaster Drive Public School and Parent Council
Email: lancd@limestone.on.ca
Website: http://lancaster.limestone.on.ca
Location: 1020 Lancaster Drive, Kingston, ON, Canada
Phone: (613)634-0470
Twitter: @LancasterPSLDSB
LANCASTER BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUTS!
MESSAGE FROM YOUR ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
Dear Lancaster Parents and Guardians,
Re: Collection of Student Belongings
Thank you everyone for your patience and understanding as we have worked with health officials to develop a protocol for the safe retrieval of students’ belongings. We are now ready to begin this process, as outlined below.
School staff have been in in the building to organize student items and where possible, bag and label student belongings using safe handling practices. Families will be able to view items that we could not identify at the classroom site.
On Monday June 15, families will be invited to the school to collect student belongings. Please note the following protocols that will apply to that day, it is important that you read these carefully:
- · In the interest of everyone’s health and safety, the sole purpose of the visit is to collect belongings. We would kindly ask that families not play/visit with others while at school, but to come, get your belongings, and leave as quickly as possible.
- If you have library books, text books or other school property (jerseys), you can return them at this time.
- Students in K-7 who borrowed school technology are asked to hold onto this for now. Students in Grade 8 or those who are leaving our school and who do not have younger siblings at Lancaster should return technology & chargers at this time.
- Before arrival at the school all individuals must assess any symptoms of COVID-19 or other acute respiratory infection. Check for: fever, new or worsening cough, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, fatigue, headache, sore throat, runny nose, diarrhea or vomiting. You will be required to complete a COVID-19 declaration before continuing into the building.
- For safety and to accommodate physical distancing, one adult, or one adult plus one child if possible, should attend.
- In some families it may be deemed appropriate for an older child to come to retrieve their items. It is essential that the student understand and be able to abide by social distancing and the guidelines outlined here, which include not lingering at the site. Please make these decisions carefully in your home.
- You are to use the hand sanitizer provided upon entering the building.
- You will enter the building through designated doors as per the schedule below.
- Staff will be on site to monitor entry doors as well as control the flow of traffic. Teaching staff will also be present in classrooms to oversee the collection of belongings.
- ·Families with more than one child will be invited to line up once. After belongings are collected for that student, families can then make their way to classrooms of other students. Families may be prompted to wait, safely distanced, upon arrival at the next classroom, until another family completes collection of their items.
- ·Physical distancing is required throughout the entire process to ensure the health and safety of all parties (in line to enter the school, in the school building, in the parking lot, or on school grounds).
- It is essential that you arrive and enter the building only at your designated time.
- Please note bathrooms, water fountains, common areas and playground equipment are not accessible.
- These guidelines from Public Health are in place to ensure the safety of all families and staff. Thank you for your understanding.
- It is not required that families come to retrieve items (shoes are too small, no significant items remain at school). Any items not picked up will be safely stored for donation at a later time.
If you would like to retrieve items but are not able to come at your designated time, please contact Lani Fox via email (foxla@limestone.on.ca).
Lani Fox and Carrie Moore
JUNE IS PRIDE MONTH!
LDSB STATEMENT ON ANTI-BLACK RACISM
The Limestone District School Board is committed to equity and inclusion, and we acknowledge the importance of confronting anti-Black racism.
The events of this past week have had a tragic and devastating impact on the lives of African, Caribbean and Black people and communities. These events are traumatic and are felt personally, and in different ways, by our Black, Indigenous and Racialized students, staff and broader school communities in Limestone.
Acts of racism remind us and compel us to do the necessary and critical work of anti-racism and anti-oppression. We know there is a lot of work to do in our system, and in our communities. We recognize our obligation to listen and learn from our students, staff, and community to help create a sense of belonging for everyone. As a school district, we will work together to confront and challenge privilege, and break down barriers that perpetuate racism.
We value learning and working environments that welcome and respect all students, families and staff, honouring their abilities, lived experiences, and individual identities. We are a caring community and we are committed to reaching out, and supporting each other to create spaces of respect and belonging where everyone sees themselves in Limestone.
We are sharing some resources to help support our collective learning about racism, and how we can begin to work toward the change that is needed to create spaces that are free of racism.
- White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
- How to be an Anti-Racist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
- Ibram X. Kendi says we are either being racist or antiracist, there is no middle ground
Director of Education Debra Rantz & LDSB Board of Trustees
Lions Learning At Home
5/6 Stars report on their "Hidden Heros" of COVID-19
Cooking with Chocolate Challenge in Grade 2 and learning highlights!
Kinders went on a virtual butterfly field trip!
Sharing our love of reading...digging into Africa!
Cooking up some chocolate delights in grade 2!
We shared our favourite stuffies in our class PJ Party!
Throwback Thursday - which staff member is this? Mrs. Metzger #teamplayer
Chocolatier in the making! Yum!
Mrs. Greenless shares a favourite book on Tropical Tuesday
5/6 Stars woke up to this Daily Reminder...we can all use it!
Mr. Bruder returns next year! #wearesolucky
Chocolate comes in all forms...homemade cupcake delights!
Hard to resist a plate of warm chocolate chip cookies!
A frozen chocolate treat is great on a warm day! Hurry before it drips!
HEY LIONS!!!.........IT'S RECESS TIME!!!
VIRTUAL RUNNING CLUB - MEMBERSHIP OPEN TO ALL!
WE ARE MOVING OUR FEET LIONS!
New runners and families are welcome: CLASS CODE: j3eJs76. Although we can't travel very far right now....we can run! We are collecting kilometres to virtually run to different destinations in Ontario (and beyond). Join us and track your running, walking or biking kilometers. Hold a mini track meet, challenge siblings, parents, or relatives to see if they can track their kilometres too - we'll count them all. The more we are moving the healthier we will be!
MARATHON CHALLENGE
Some of you may have taken part in The Marathon Challenge before. If you did, you'll remember working hard to accumulate and track kilometres everyday. Once we got close, we took a trip to Invista Caraco Track to complete our last kilometres together. Obviously, we won't be able to do that this year, but nothing's stopping you from still taking on that challenge now!
We have attached the tracking sheets for a half marathon and the other is for a full in the classroom. You can collect kilometres together as a family or collect them individually. We'll check in with you each week in the classroom so you can tell us how you're doing.
Great work this week, keep it up Lions!
Your running coaches,
Ms. McDougall, Mr. Vreeken, and Ms. Fox
FIND LDSB INFORMATION UPDATES ON ANY OF THESE PLATFORMS
LDSB Website https://www.limestone.on.ca/
LDSB Twitter https://twitter.com/LimestoneDSB
LDSB Facebook https://tinyurl.com/wbhjtku
LDSB Instagram https://instagram.com/limestonedsb?igshid=1epyma6c0g5qd
ONLINE SAFETY ~ WEBINARS FOR PARENTS
The Ontario Principal's Council is offering free webinars for parents/guardians about online safety for kids:
Online Safety for Parents/Guardians of Students in Gr. 3-6
In this 1-hour webinar guest speaker, Paul Davis, will assist parents and guardians to:
- understand the rules for online safety;
- define responsible use of technology;
- and learn about digital trails, cyberbullying, picture taking and sharing.
Paul will help parents and guardians understand where their kids should be online, in spaces that are safe, productive, and educational. The focus will be building healthy relationships and creating positive digital citizens.
Dates
Tuesday, June 2 - 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 4 - 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Navigating Cyberbullying & Cyberviolence for Parents/Guardians of Students in Gr. 7-12
In this 1-hour webinar, guest speakers from the field of cyber safety will advise parents and guardians on:
- navigating the risks of cyberbullying, sexual exploitation, and cyber violence;
- building healthy online relationships and safe spaces for students;
- and using the internet for positive purposes.
Dates
Tuesday, June 9 - 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 11 - 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Click here to register: online safety webinars.
DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE STARTING KINDERGARTEN IN THE FALL? SHARE THE VIDEO BELOW TO SHOW THEM HOW MUCH FUN IT IS!
Mental Health Resources
Kids Help Phone – Children and youth can contact Kids Help Phone 24/7 from anywhere in Canada, via phone, text or online chat.
Anxiety Canada - free online, self-help, and evidence-based resources on anxiety, including resources specific to COVD-19.
Big White Wall – A free, anonymous online community, monitored 24/7 by trained professionals. Not intended for individuals in an emergency.
Bounce Back – A free online or telephone skill-building program designed to help adults and youth 15+ manage low mood, mild to moderate depression, anxiety, stress, or worry.
Moodgym – An online self-help program designed to help users prevent and manage symptoms of depression and anxiety.
LOOKING FOR YARD SUPERVISORS FOR 2020-21
YARD SUPERVISORS
As we begin to plan for the next school year, we are looking for people who may be interested in being a Paid Yard Supervisor. Some of our supervisors come every day from 12:20-1:20, and others commit to a few times a week - the schedule can be flexible!
If you are interested, please email the school at lancd@limestone.on.ca
Are you MOVING?
Ontario Ministry of Education Learn at Home Resources
With the end of March Break, families may be looking for ways to establish learning routines at home when schools are closed. The Ontario Ministry of Education has provided some links to resources that families and students can access from home.
ACCESS TO WIFI
For individuals without access to the internet, the wifi is being left on, and enhanced where possible at Limestone D.S.B. schools. Students can log into wifi outside of any of LDSB school. A reminder that students and families must use physical distancing protocols and stay at least 2 meters away from others when using wifi around a school.