February Update Week of Feb 2-7
February 2020
LITERACY WEEK AT LANCASTER!
Upcoming Calendar Events
Feb 4 ~ Coffee Time 8:00 am, Parent Council 6:00 pm
Feb 4 ~ Hot Lunch: Panzarotti
Feb 5 ~ Active School Travel Committee Walkabout
Feb 6 ~ Job Action Day - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Feb 7 ~ Job Action Day - NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
Feb 10 ~ Hot Lunch: Pizza
Feb 10 ~ Grade 8 Parent/Guardian Info Night at BSS @ 6:30
Feb 17 ~ Family Day - NO SCHOOL
Feb 18 ~ Hot Lunch: Pasta
Feb 25 ~ Hot Lunch: Grilled Cheese
Feb 26 ~ PINK SHIRT DAY
Mar 5 ~ Taste of Lancaster - Multicultural Night
Bayridge Secondary School Grade 8 Parent Info Night: February 10th @ 6:30 PM at the School
You're invited to attend our Grade 8 Parent/Guardian Night. The staff of Bayridge Secondary School will be in attendance and available to answer your questions about high school. The evening will begin with a presentation from the Administration and Student Services Teachers, and will allow families to see the various departments and programs at the school.
Hope you can join us Feb. 10th at 6:30 PM in the Main Bear Pit at the school.
Labour Update
Due to the withdrawal of administrative duties, LDSB schools will not be issuing term one report cards for elementary students in Kindergarten to Grade 8. Parents and guardians can contact their child’s teacher to learn of their progress.
See continued updates on the LDSB website
Scholastic Book Fair Success!
Students enjoyed browsing the brand new books during Literacy Week. The book fair was a great success that helped to highlight and encourage our connection to literacy. Lancaster earns Scholastic rewards through our book fairs thanks to the tremendous support of our families. This year book fair volunteers, students and school staff selected over $700 worth of books to be added to the school library! These selections will make for some great additions for our students. Thank you to Krista Downie for her work in organizing the fair this year and the following parent volunteers for offering their time to help students select and purchase their items.
Cathy Ferri
Scott Snow
Barbara Botting
Laura Gallinger
Hoda Jorjani
Dawn Cunningham
Corrie Allingham
Heather Trainor
Joyce McCallum
Ekta Sehgal
Chantel Saville
Andrew Thomas
KFL & A Public Health Info Re: Corona Virus
Please see important information from our partners at KFL&A Public Health about the coronavirus.
A new illness called novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has been spreading in areas of southeast Asia, originating in Wuhan (Hubei province), China.At this time returning travelers from affected areas are advised to continue regular activities but monitor for signs and symptoms of respiratory illness. If symptoms develop, ill persons are advised to self-isolate and contact their healthcare provider.
The 2019-nCoV has been identified at the same time that influenza (“the flu”) and other respiratory illnesses are circulating in our community. The precautions to protect yourself against these respiratory illnesses can also be used to help protect against coronaviruses, including 2019-nCoV.
Kingston Frontenac Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) Public Health recommends members of the public take the following usual precautions to reduce the risk of transmission of the flu and respiratory illnesses:
• Clean your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
• Cough and sneeze into the bend of your arm, not into your hand.
• Avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes with your hands.
• Clean objects and surfaces that a lot of people touch, such as doorknobs, phones, and television remotes.
• Get your influenza vaccine.
• Stay home when you are sick and avoid contact with other people until your symptoms are gone. Notify the school of your child’s absence
KFL&A Public Health is closely monitoring the situation and actively working with our local, provincial and federal partners to ensure the continued safety and well-being of the public. This is a constantly evolving situation and there is a dedicated Ministry of Health website where parents/guardians can find the most up-to-date information.
Letter to families from Chief Medical Officer of Health
2020-21 School Year Calendar Survey
The Limestone District School Board School-Year Calendar Committee is seeking input on options for next year's school calendar. Your feedback will be shared with the Committee, made up of various employee groups, parent representatives, students and community members, as it makes its recommendations.
It is important to note that the late placement of Labour Day (September 7, 2020) will require a start date prior to Labour Day this calendar year.In order for school to be completed prior to July as required by the Ministry of Education, the school year must start before Labour Day.
We are seeking input on whether to start the school year on Monday, August 31, 2020 or Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020. In either case, the first day will be a Professional Activity (PA) Day for staff. Students would begin the school year the day immediately following the PA Day.
Option 1: PA Day on Monday, August 31, 2020. Students begin school Tuesday, September 1, 2020.
Option 2: PA Day on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020. Students begin school Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020.
The survey closes February 7, 2020. Please follow the link below.
NEW THIS YEAR: Parent Reporting of Student Absence on Inclement Weather Days
The Limestone District School Board uses the SafeArrival system for parents/guardians to report student absences. This can be done one of three ways: the SchoolMessenger App on your mobile device; the SchoolMessenger website portal; or the toll-free number automated phone system at 1-855-257-9349.
In past years when school buses have been cancelled due to inclement weather, parents/guardians of bused students were not required to report their absence. Only parents/guardians of walkers who chose not to come to school were to report absences.
NEW FOR 2019-2020: All parents/guardians are asked to report their student’s absence regardless of the reason including during bus cancellations. Often, bused students find alternative ways to school and we want to ensure we know the whereabouts of every student to ensure their safety and well-being. Knowing who is supposed to be at school will allow school office staff to best ensure all students are accounted for. Students are asked to ensure they report to their first period class for attendance.
SELECT:
· Bus cancellation as the reason for absence if your student is bused
· Inclement weather as the reason for the absence if your student walks but chooses not to attend
If your student is marked absent and the absence hasn’t been reported in advance, our new SafeArrival system will attempt to reach the student’s priority contact by telephone to confirm the absence.
The new SafeArrival system makes it easier for you to report your student’s absence, reduces the time it takes for our school staff to verify student attendance, and responds to unexpected or unplanned student absences. This time savings makes it faster and more efficient to account for all students and their safety.
On inclement weather days, sometimes the daily plan is amended but learning continues as many students can, and do find alternative ways to school (Kingston Transit, family drop off, walking). In schools where there are significant walk-to populations, an inclement weather day doesn’t usually affect the curriculum plan. In others, almost all students might be (school) bused. In these cases, educators make the necessary adjustment to adjust their lesson plans for who is in attendance.
Lancaster Drive Public School
Email: lancd@limestone.on.ca
Website: lancaster.limestone.on.ca
Location: 1020 Lancaster Drive, Kingston, ON, Canada
Phone: 6136340470
Twitter: @LancasterPSLDPS