CALVIN PARK UPDATE
Week of January 11-15, 2021
During this first week of remote learning, we celebrated many successes, even though there were internet outages, technical issues and all the challenges that come along with learning this way! It was nice for us to visit different virtual classrooms this week and see the students and staff engaged in learning together! We are very proud of our students and staff for making the transition to remote learning a much smoother one this time around and we are grateful for the patience and support of our families. As you know, the provincial government has extended remote learning for elementary students for an additional two weeks until January 22, 2021 due to the increased number of Covid cases in Ontario. Schools will be reopening for in-person learning on January 25, unless there is a further announcement from the government. There is no change at this point for students who are already enrolled in the Elementary Virtual School.
Last week, we distributed Chromebooks to students for use during remote learning. If you need to borrow a Chromebook from the school, please call our office for assistance. Paper packages of school work can also be made available for pick-up if this is more suitable for your child.
We know that this extended remote learning period presents many challenges for students and families. We want to stress that your child's mental health and well-being continues to be our priority so please reach out to their teacher or to one of us if needed - we know each individual situation is different. We have included links in the newsletter to access community mental health support for your information. In addition, if your family would benefit from food support, please contact our office.
Again, thank you for your continued patience and support. Please stay safe and healthy.
Take care,
Elizabeth Suriyuth, Principal
Wilma Pettingill, Vice-Principal
THIS WEEK AT CALVIN PARK
Monday, January 11
- VIrtual School Council Meeting at 6:00 pm. Please contact Claudine Elvidge, CO-Chair for the link (contact info in School Council section of the newsletter)
Wednesday, January 13
Thursday, January 14
Friday, January 15
- Calvin Colours Day! Wear your Calvin colours and show your Calvin spirit!
UPCOMING DATES
January 25 Expected date for return to in-school learning
January 27 Family Literacy Day
January 28 Bell Let's Talk Day (in support of mental health)
January 29 PA DAY
February Black History Month
February 1 Term 2 begins
February 15 Family Day Holiday
February 17 Term 1 Report Cards will be sent home
Attendance During Remote Learning
- Staff will be taking attendance at 1:30 pm by checking to see if students have been engaging in any part of the day's learning up to that time. This participation can take many forms, for example, students who participate in a class online meeting, submit online work to their teacher, or emailed their teacher to ask a question.
- If your child is ill or has an appointment and will not be engaging in remote learning that day, please enter their absence as usual, by calling the SafeArrival number or using the app. If you haven't recorded their absence in SafeArrival, you will receive an automated call between 2:00-3:00 pm if your child did not engage in remote learning that day.
SCHOOL PICTURE ORDERS
GRADE 8 - 9 TRANSITION INFORMATION
Grade 8 students have been automatically transferred to their home secondary school for Grade9 based on their current address. You can locate your child’s home secondary school by going to https://triboard.mybusplanner.ca/Eligibility and entering your home address under the School Eligibility tab. Students who wish to attend an alternate LDSB school than their home secondary school need to contact the other secondary school directly. Students who have applied for Grade 9 Choices programs, such as IB, AP or AAEP, will be transferred to these schools if they are successful in their application.
This week, during one of their classroom meetings, elementary and secondary staff will be guiding Grade 8 students through course selection and registration using the online tool, "MyBlueprint". Many of our students are already familiar with this tool and can login at home to look at their account. It is helpful to review the Grade 9 course options with your child so that they are prepared to complete their course selections with us this week.
Students who are currently remote learning will be receiving a letter from their virtual classroom teacher that outlines the transition process in the Virtual Elementary School. Families can visit the website of each secondary school or the links below for more information.
LDSB SECONDARY SCHOOLS TRANSITION INFORMATION FOR GRADE 8 STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
LCVI More information for Grade 8 students and families can be found on the LCVI Student Services website: www.lcvistudentservices.com
LCVI "Choices at 9" AP and AAEP Programs
Applications are due before January 14th.
Grade 9 AP Prep Program Information
Grade 9 AAEP Program Information
Kingston Secondary School (from December 2) Link to the recorded presentation can be found at: Grade 9 Information
IB Program at KSS Link to the presentation recording can be found here. Applications are due before January 14th.
Bayridge Secondary School More information for Grade 8 students and families can be found at: https://sites.google.com/limestone.on.ca/bssgrade8virtualhome
Sydenham High School - starting Monday, December 7, families will be able to access a recorded presentation at this link: Sydenham HS Grade 9 Virtual Presentation Individual questions can be answered by contacting Student Services to arrange a Virtual Meeting.
Lasalle Intermediate and Secondary School - All parent information will be located on the Lasalle website. A “Welcome to students and Parents/Guardians” video will be on the website the week of Jan. 4, 2021.
Napanee District Secondary School - Information available on the NDSS website.
CALVIN PARK SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL
Co-Chairs: Claudine Elvidge (claudine_elvidge@hotmail.com) , Krystle Holton
Secretary/Treasurer: Sarah Phinney
Our next meeting is MONDAY, JANUARY 11 at 6:00 p.m. New members are always welcome. The meeting link will be sent out to all Council Members by our Co-Chairs. New members are always welcome so please contact Claudine for the meeting link if you are a new member.
SCHOOL COUNCIL FUNDRAISER
The Calvin Park School Council is inviting you to join our campaign to raise funds to purchase print material to diversify each classroom library. Calvin Park wants to ensure that all students value diversity, demonstrate respect for others and see themselves reflected in the reading material accessible to them in their school.
You can get involved by donating books or providing the school with book title suggestions that emphasize equity, inclusion and diversity, such as books with main characters from different racial backgrounds or LBGTQ2+ youth. You may also choose to offer a monetary donation to go towards purchasing new books.
We are also running two fundraisers, one through Indigo Books and another through Flipgive.
How does it work?
Purchase through Indigo online or FlipGive and the school will receive cash back with every purchase. For example, through Indigo online, if you purchase Indigo gift cards, the school receives 15% of the value of your gift card. Through FlipGive, shop online at many retailers and the school receives a percentage of the value of your purchase.
Buy groceries, shop on Amazon, buy gifts - all of your usual shopping - and the school will receive cash back at no additional cost!
Where can I start?
Indigo Fundraiser:
Go to Indigo Fundraising at https://indigofundraising.flipgive.com/teams/
Search for Calvin Park Public School (under All or Elementary School)
Select our school and Join using Team Code S5CLWD
FlipGive Fundraiser:
Go to where you join an existing FlipGive Team https://www.flipgive.com/teams/join
Enter the Calvin Park Team Code 32C6HZ
Thank you for supporting this School Council initiative and bringing our school community together to improve your child's classroom library. Please share the links with your family and friends.
Request for Expressions of Interest for Indigenous SAC Representative Position
The Calvin Park School Council wants to reflect our school community and the perspectives and voices of the people within it. To open the door for more diversity on the executive, and around the council table, a position for an Indigenous SAC Representative is available.
· BYLAW reference:
8(H). INDIGENOUS FAMILY REPRESENTATIVE
This representative will ideally bring Indigenous teachings, perspectives and voice to the School Advisory Council (SAC) table, to assist all families and staff to collaboratively work toward a renewed nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous peoples based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership. This representative will be asked to represent and celebrate the richness of Indigenous cultures and diversity of the Indigenous presence in our community.
Please let us know if you are an Indigenous parent/guardian/grandparent of an Indigenous student interested in this position. Please email or call the school with your interest, or with any questions you may have, and your contact information will be passed on to the School Council Co-Chairs. We’re looking forward to filling this position and continuing our journey to become a more equitable and representative Advisory Council.
THE LIMESTONE LENS - Focusing In On Anti-Racism and Equity
PLEASE CONTINUE DAILY COVID-19 SCREENING
Together, we will do our best to keep children, adults and our community safe.
Government Support for Remote Learning
The Government of Ontario is providing one-time funding for parents to help offset costs during the 2020-2021 school year. Eligible parents or guardians will receive a one-time payment of:
- $200 for each student up to age 12
- $250 for each student or youth up to age 21 with special needs
- NEW $200 for student age 13 to Grade 12 including students who are in secondary school that are over age 18
Applications open on Monday, January 11, 2021. The deadline to apply is February 8, 2021. Learn more by the clicking this link: Support for Learners
Maltby Centre - Virtual Support for Parents/Caregivers
The links to more information and registration are:
How to Help Your Child With School Anxiety
https://maltbycentre.ca/news/how-to-help-your-child-with-school-anxiety/
Emotional Regulation for Parenting Youth 11 to 18 Years
https://maltbycentre.ca/news/emotional-regulation-for-parenting-youth4/
LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION?
Please continue to check these Limestone District School Board platforms for the most up-to-date information from our Board.
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/
In addition, please follow our:
Calvin Park Twitter account: @CalvinPark_LDSB or https://twitter.com/CalvinPark_LDSB
Calvin Park Website: https://calvinpark.limestone.on.ca/
Calvin Park Public School Office: (613) 542-2796
Mrs. Christine LeClair, Office Administrator
Mrs. Elizabeth Suriyuth, Principal: suriyuthe@limestone.on.ca
Ms. Wilma Pettingill, Vice-Principal: pettingillw@limestone.on.ca
Calvin Park Public School
Email: calvp@limestone.on.ca
Website: www.calvinpark.limestone.on.ca
Location: 153 Van Order Drive, Kingston, ON, Canada
Phone: 613-542-2796
Twitter: @CalvinPark_LDSB