Welborne Word
September 27, 2022, Issue #5
Busy Week Ahead!
Dear Families,
Our Open House was a huge success! It was wonderful to see families in our building. It's evenings like this that help us build strong home/school connections. Thank you for coming!
Our soccer teams did very well at their tournaments last week. A huge thank you to coaches and everyone who supported our athletes. Next up - Cross Country!
Our fire drills and lockdown practice went well last week. Our School Resource Officer, Bryan McMillan was proud of our preparedness and shared some helpful feedback. We will practice these drills (3 fire drills and 1 lockdown) again in the spring, as per requirements.
This is the last week for the Indigo Adopt a School program. For every dollar you donate, Indigo will give Welborne $2.00! This money will go towards building up classroom libraries and our school-wide library with newer books that meet the needs of our diverse student population.
Thank you so our School Council who approved the purchase of new basketball nets, a new volleyball net, student consumables to support focus and attention, LEGO robotics tangibles, as well as new singlets for athletic events. The money used for these purchases comes from Bingo. Please see the information below about Bingo and how you can help.
In accordance with public health guidelines, all students and staff are to stay home if they are ill until their symptoms have been improving for 24 hours. Upon the return to school, students and staff are to wear a mask for 10 days following the onset of symptoms, even if they don't test positive for covid. We appreciate your help to keep everyone healthy.
It's a short week, but we have a lot planned!
Terry Fox Walk
On Wednesday, September 28, 2022, Welborne will walk for Terry Fox!
This year's theme is Inspiring the Next Generation!
"I wanted to set an example that would never be forgotten." - Terry Fox
At school, we have been talking about Terry Fox, someone who represents courage, humility, determination, and perseverance.
Please help Welborne students continue Terry's fight and vision of a world without Cancer.
Please consider donating to the Terry Fox Foundation online here:
https://schools.terryfox.ca/10942
If you have any questions, please connect with your student's teacher.
Thank you! Let's all "try like Terry"!
Orange Shirt Day - We will help our students learn about Truth and Reconciliation
Orange Shirt Day is a day where we commemorate the residential school experience and honour the healing journey of the survivors and their families. On this day, everyone is encouraged to learn more about the history of residential schools and engage in meaningful discussions about the effects of residential schools and the legacy they have left behind.
Orange Shirt Day is about recognizing the history and legacy of the residential school systems but it should also be about honouring Indigenous voices and celebrating the unique cultures, languages, and traditions of Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island.
If you have any questions, please email us at welba@limestone.on.ca.
Warm regards,
Ms. Fraser, Mrs. Wellwood, and Mrs. Hart
Texting and Early Pick Up
Already this year, we have encountered several situations where students were picked up by parents without notifying the office.
Please help us keep track of our students and ensure their safety by:
- Refraining from texting your student during class time; feel free to call and leave a message with the office administrator, and we will make sure your student receives it
- Redirecting your student to call from the office if they aren't feeling well, need to be picked up, etc. In a situation where it is easier for a parent/guardian to receive a text than a phone call, your student may use their personal phone to text while they are in the office.
- Calling the office and notifying the office administrator that your student will be picked up at a certain time if it is before dismissal
- Reminding your student to sign out at the office, even if you have already called and informed us that they would be leaving. The sign-out binder becomes critical during a fire drill or other similar procedures in confirming that all students are accounted for.
Please note that students can make calls from the office if needed.
Thank you for your help in making sure students are safe.
City Park Closed Before School
- The city park area is closed during the short time before school starts (8:50-9:05) but open to primary students during recess as usual. This allows us to ensure adequate supervision of the yard, while at the same time greeting buses at the front of the school.
Crossing Guard
The City of Kingston, who employs the crossing guards in the city, is re-evaluating the need for the crossing guard to be in front of Welborne Avenue Public School during our recess breaks. Current data suggests that the crossing guard may no longer be needed during recess times. Families are asked to reach out to Ms. Fraser, or the City of Kingston, if they have any concerns.
The crossing guard will continue to be present before and after school to assist students in crossing the street safely.
Popcorn Sales are Back!
Individual bags of flavoured popcorn from Kernels will be available for purchase starting on Tuesday, September 20th. The intermediate students will have a travelling cart and take classrooms during snack times. Each bag of popcorn costs $3.00. Proceeds from the sale of the popcorn will support Grade 8 graduation. Popcorn sales will continue daily until product is sold out.
Rapid Tests are Available at Welborne
Thank you.
Appropriate Use of the Internet and Electronic Devices
Help Us Raise Funds for New Books!
BINGO Volunteers Needed!!
Volunteering to “work” a BINGO is an easy an impactful way that you can support the fundraising efforts of School Council. Volunteers are required to complete a short, on-line training and will work their first shift with an experienced volunteer. Each shift at the BINGO hall (on Bath Road) is two hours in length, usually on a Sunday from 6:15-8:15. Two volunteers are needed for each shift and approximately $750 is donated back to the school for each shift. This is an incredible return on the time given by the volunteers. While at the BINGO volunteers greet the guests, call back winning card numbers and clear tables as needed. If you can volunteer for a couple of shifts a year, it would make all the difference. Please contact parent coordinator Chelsea Pilgrim at 613-331-0232 for more information or to volunteer.
School Council Updates
The first meeting took place on September 19 virtually via Zoom. The following parents have accepted roles on this year's School Council:
- Co-chairs: Stephanie Weaver and Sherry McCauley
- Formal Minute Taker: Kevin McCauley
- Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) representation for the school: Sherry McCauley/Kristin Mennie
Many other parents at the meeting shared their openness to helping as needed.
We continue to hold space for an Indigenous family representative, a community representative, and neighbourhood representatives.
We encourage you to attend our next meeting (virtual) on October 17 at 6:15 pm. The Zoom link will be shared before the meeting. Everyone who attends a meeting can vote on any decisions that are made during that meeting.
Thank you!
Upcoming Events and Days of Significance
September 28 - Welborne Terry Fox Walk
September 30 - National Day of Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day
October 1 - Islamic History Month
October - Learning Disabilities Awareness Month
October 4-5 - Yom Kippur
October - World Educator's Day
October 10 - World Mental Health Day
Mandatory Daily Self-Screener
Staff, students, and visitors should continue to self-screen for illness each school day, and stay home (or keep your student home) if sick. If anyone has symptoms of COVID-19, even mild ones, they should stay home. This will help prevent the spread of COVID-19, as well as other infectious illnesses. Follow instructions provided on the school screening tool, and any additional guidance available at Ontario.ca/exposed regarding isolation and masking requirements. Download the COVID-19 school and child care screening to use offline and in other languages.
All families are required to screen their child(ren) for COVID-19 symptoms before each day.
The Ministry of Education Screening Tool and can be found by clicking:
Electronic COVID-19 Screening Tool
Navigate to a hard copy of the Screening Tool by clicking:
PDF Version COVID-19 Screening Tool
If your child is exhibiting any symptoms on the daily screener or other symptoms of illness, do not send your child on the school bus or to school.
Contact us!
Email: welba@limestone.on.ca
Website: welborne.limestone.on.ca
Location: 190 Welborne Avenue, Kingston, ON, Canada
Phone: 613-389-0188
Twitter: @Welborne_LDSB