Dear Families,

We were so happy to see our staff and students back in the building this week. Your children are hopefully happy, and likely exhausted, as change and transitions are always challenging. We have truly enjoyed being back in the building together.

As you can see from our upcoming events we have many days of significance this week. Family Literacy Week takes place from Sunday, January 23rd to Saturday, January 29th. It is a time for families to have fun and explore many different types of literacy and how literacy skills impact our lives. In addition to reading and writing, food literacy, health literacy, physical literacy and cultural literacy are some of the different types of literacies we use every day. See the link to family resources and a virtual event in this newsletter. We will celebrate with activities in classrooms, a read-aloud from Superintendent Silver, and a spirit day on Friday where students and staff can dress up like their favourite book character!

Extra-Curriculars

Extra-curriculars/Clubs that are low risk and low intensity can resume for Grades 7-8. Masks are required at all times. Athletics have also been given the green light by public health to begin a return to train model for Grades 7-8. Practices and training sessions must be low risk and low intensity. Sports such as basketball that are classified as high risk and high intensity will need to be modified to reflect low risk and low intensity. This is great news for our students!

Important Reminders and Information:

Remote Learning:

We have some families who have opted for Short Term Virtual Learning at this time. The Board is inviting families to complete a short survey to determine system-wide preferences and needs for Term Two (if you plan to continue to send your child/ren to in-person learning, you do not need to complete the survey). You may access the survey using the following link:

https://ldsb.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6X8V1vHSXMg92PY

2022-23 School Year Calendar:

The School Board is seeking input regarding the 2022-23 School Calendar. Please complete the following survey if you would like to contribute your preferences: https://ldsb.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9N1FQjZVw3XbhKS

Public Health Survey:

KFL&A Public Health is gathering information about local families’ choices whether to vaccinate their 5 to 11-year-old students against COVID-19 via a short survey. Please use the following link to participate: https://s-ca.chkmkt.com/?e=256607&h=A9B1BF08671DCA4&l=en

COVID School Protocols: https://www.limestone.on.ca/cms/One.aspx?portalId=352782&pageId=32609981

Daily COVID-19 Screening Tool: all staff and students must continue to screen for symptoms each day, and isolate when indicated: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/school-screening/ (Please see detailed graphics below about the protocols that need to be followed if your child develops COVID-19 symptoms either at home or while at school

Take Home COVID-19 Tests: https://www.limestone.on.ca/cms/One.aspx?portalId=352782&pageId=3452616

On-line Learning Resources: https://www.limestone.on.ca/families/online_learning_resources

Remote Learning Support: https://www.limestone.on.ca/cms/one.aspx?portalId=352782&pageId=32531898

KFL&A COVID Vaccination Clinic Information: https://www.kflaph.ca/en/healthy-living/covid-19-vaccine.aspx

We know that there has been a lot of information shared with families this week: please don't hesitate to reach out to the school when you have questions, or require clarification - we are here to help.

Your leaders in learning,

Lani Fox and Sara O'Hearn

Love tasty baked goods from Cobs Bread?? Every time you visit Cobs Bread Bakery at 770 Gardiners rd. in Kingston simply let them know you are supporting Lancaster School’s Fundraiser and they will donate 10% of your sale to us!

Let’s “Raise some Dough”!