KEES Back to School Family Update
August 27th 2021
Welcome to École Kingston East Elementary School!
Dear Families:
As you may now know, Trustees of the Limestone District School Board voted unanimously to rename our school and establish the interim name, École Kingston East Elementary School. In making its decision, the Board of Trustees acknowledged the ongoing pain and harm related to the use of the former name particularly with Indigenous members of the community.
École Kingston East Elementary School is the name we will use for the short term until a renaming process takes place. Some of you may remember that Kingston East Elementary School was the place holder name used while our school was under construction. Our name has already been changed on many school and board items including our website, Twitter account, school letterhead etc. The former name has also been removed from the exterior of the building. We will continue to use the “Majors” spirit logo in the interim. We will also continue to encourage our school community to wear red and/or Majors wear on Fridays in support of our many military connections. Some items may take a little longer to change over, or may wait until a permanent name is chosen.
The renaming is governed by board administrative procedure 552 and the permanent name will be chosen by the Board of Trustees. While the details and timeline for the renaming process are still to be determined, it will provide a meaningful opportunity for students, staff and families to learn together. Our school is fortunate to have a wonderful team of educators dedicated to embedding the principles of equity, anti-racism, and inclusion in their teachings and classrooms, and as supported by the curriculum.
We will support students, families and staff during this transition to ensure everyone feels safe and welcomed. We will share more information as it becomes available.
Thank-you for your patience and support.
Anna Pacheco, Principal École Kingston East Elementary School
Welcome to the 2021-22 School Year!
Paid Recess/Nutrition Break Supervisors Needed
Kindergarten Staggered Entry
The staggered kindergarten entry plan was shared with kindergarten families last week. If you did not receive this information, please contact the school during the week of August 30th when our main office reopens to ensure that we have the correct contact information. Please download the information letter below to verify your child's start date and schedule.
Coming Up:
- Monday August 30th - Main Office Opens. Phone or email between 8:30-4 pm.
- Friday, September 3rd -PA Day
- Monday, September 6th -Labour Day
- Tuesday, September 7th - First Day of 2021-22 School Year - Grade 1 to 6 & Kindergarten Staggered Entry begins with all SK students only
- Wednesday, September 8th - All SKs attend and JK students with last name A-I attend
- Thursday, September 9th - All SKs attend and JK students with last names J-Z
- Friday, September 10th - It's Red Friday! All KEES students attend.
School Messenger APP
Return to School Safety
- Daily Covid 19 screening of staff and students.
- Hand-washing and hygiene routines.
- Required masking of students in Grades 1-6 indoors and on school buses.
- Masks are strongly encouraged for kindergarten students.
- Assigned stairs for student use and assigned entrance/exits for classes
- Signs and visuals to promote physical distancing and to guide traffic.
- Class cohort zones on the yard for recess and outdoor DPA.
- Physical distancing outdoors as students are not required to wear masks outdoors
- Two 40-minute breaks (one inside and one outside) plus a 20-minute outdoor DPA period for junior and primary students
- Outdoor learning opportunities and additional outdoor breaks
We will continue to add to our plan in consultation with Public Health and the Board as we begin to introduce students to shared spaces, extra-curricular activities and field trips. We will also share protocols for pick-up drop-off of students and the first day of school next week. For more information, please follow the link below to the LDSB Return to School Plan.
Thank-you for your patience and support.
School Supplies
As always, our school will provide the necessary supplies your child will need for learning. At this time of year, parents are often looking for back-to-school shopping suggestions. We've listed a few suggestions below:
- Two or three comfortable masks (mandatory for gr 1-6, strongly encouraged for K)
- Labelled water bottle (water fountains will not be open, filling stations will) and lunch bag with lots of snacks
- Pencil case (You may want your personal pencils/pens, eraser, crayons/pencil crayons, scissors, ruler, calculator for older grades etc.)
- Outdoor clothing for a variety of weather conditions. We will be spending a lot of time learning and playing outdoors.
- Backpack - not too big! We're trying to travel light this year.
- Indoor Shoes
Your child's classroom teacher may have some additional suggestions when you arrive. Please do not hesitate to contact the school if your family requires any assistance. kees@limestone.on.ca
Medical Plans
If you have not already received an email from us with a link to the required medical forms, please email the school at kees@limestone.on.ca to receive the link.These forms should be completed digitally and submitted by email.
Office Hours
School Hours
Our school day schedule is as follows for primary and junior classes:
9:15-11:15 - 120 mins
11:15--11:55 - recess/nutrition
11:55 -1:35 - 100 mins
1:35-2:15 - recess/nutrition
2:15-3:35 - 80 mins
Restricted access to the building impacts parents and guardians who pick up and drop off students. More information will be shared about arrival and dismissal procedures prior to start-up.
School Contact Info
Email: kees@limestone.on.ca
Website: www.kees.limestone.on.ca
Location: 529 St. Martha Street, Kingston, ON
Phone: 613-650-5478
Twitter: @Kees_LDSB