James R. Henderson Weekly Update
Friday, May 14th, 2021
Dear Families,
We hope that all of our families who observe Ramadan had a joyful Eid celebration yesterday -- Eid Mubarak! It seems that the warm spring weather is finally here, and we hope that everyone has some time to relax and enjoy the sunshine this weekend.
While we know that the news of the Provincial Stay At Home order being extended is disappointing to staff, students and families, we are so proud of how the Henderson Hawks community continues to work hard, to participate in online learning as fully as possible, and to be resilient. This week there were many examples of engaging and creative learning activities. Some of the highlights for our Primary students were: a visit from Stana and Spencer from the Little Cataraqui Conservation Area, who did a virtual field trip to explore and identify plants and animals, and to discover how to enjoy the outdoors and to be a good friend to nature! There were a variety of special guests: an Air Canada Pilot, a member of the 2021 Canadian Olympic Sailing Team, a Kingston Firefighter, a professional Bird Watcher and our Community Police Officer all visited our virtual classrooms this week. One of our Grade 2 classes integrated some coding in math with dance movements, and the results were spectacular! Quel talent!
In the Junior and Intermediate grades, we saw students working on research projects for Core French, exploring and describing tourist attractions of French speaking countries around the world. Junior French Immersion classes were hard at work reading and analyzing poetry (we hope that they will be writing their own poems next...they had some very insightful thoughts and ideas!). We saw student-led fitness breaks, including a "Plank Challenge" (what a great time to pop into that Virtual Classroom!)
We hope that many of you have taken a moment to check out the Parent Council "Plantables" fundraiser. The produce looks fantastic, and detailed information can be found below.
Special Days and Reminders:
May 19th - Athletes Day! Wear your favourite jersey, uniform or hat; bring your favourite sports equipment to school!
May 21st - Hawks Day! Wear your school spirit wear, or your favourite yellow & green!
May 24th - Victoria Day: Holiday for students and staff :)
May 26 - Beach Day! Hats, sunglasses, Hawaiian shirts, flip flops...we will celebrate the warmer weather in style!
Please continue to connect with us should you need any type of support or problem-solving. We continue to be so appreciative of how supportive all of our parents and guardians have been during such a challenging time: we are here for you too -- don't hesitate to reach out.
Have a great weekend, everyone,
Mme Peart and Mrs. Davey
Plantables Spring Fundraiser
Hello Parents,
This spring, Henderson is teaming up with Plantables to bring you an exciting new fundraiser! And with the weather warming up and many of you thinking about rolling up your sleeves and getting back into the garden, it’s a great time to help us hit our goal. Not only do Plantables let you grow the same high-quality fruit and veggie plants used by farmers across the country, but they deliver your ready-to-plant plants to your front door exactly when you need them.
That means all you have to do is bury them in the ground, give them some love and water and you’ll have tasty fruits and veggies in no time. (They’re all certified organic plants, too!) If you -- or anybody you know -- is looking to fill out their vegetable patch, tell them to head to plantables.ca and enter GOHAWKS at the checkout. (Don’t forget the code!)
Profits from this fundraiser will support a variety of on-going school projects, including the purchase of items for students to use at recess and playgound/yard eco-initiatives.
Thanks for all your support!
What If My Child is Not Going to Be Participating in Remote Learning on a Given Day?
1. Toll-free telephone
- Call 1-855-257-9349 toll-free to report an absence using the automated phone system.
2. School Messenger App
- Use your mobile device to download and install the free SchoolMessenger blue app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store, the SchoolMessenger website portal, or from within the LDSB mobile app.
- The first time you use the app, you must select Sign Up to create your account. Please ensure you use the same email address your student’s school has on file. If you do not use that same email address, you will not be able to create an account, or may not be able to see the "Attendance" option. You may have already created an account when we introduced the Communicate broadcast system.
- Select Attendance, then select Report an Absence and follow the prompts.
- Visit the SchoolMessenger website portal.
- The first time you use the app, you must select Sign Up to create your account. Please ensure you use the same email address your student’s school has on file. If you do not use that same email address, you will not be able to create an account, or may not be able to see the "Attendance" option. You may have already created an account when we introduced the Communicate broadcast system.
- Select Attendance, then Report an Absence and follow the prompts.
How Can I Best Stay Informed?
Mental Health Supports
FOOD SHARE PROGRAM
We continue to get support from the Food Share program. If your family is struggling, please reach out to the school and we will connect you with support from our local Food Share Program for bi-weekly deliveries to your home.
ONLINE RESOURCES
Kids Help Phone – Children and youth can contact Kids Help Phone 24/7 from anywhere in Canada, via phone, text or online chat.
Wellness Together Canada: Mental Health and Substance Use Support – Provides free online resources, tools, apps and connections to trained volunteers and qualified mental health professionals when needed
Anxiety Canada - Free online, self-help, and evidence-based resources on anxiety, including resources specific to COVD-19.
Government Support for Learners
The new COVID-19 Child Benefit announced in the 2021 Ontario Budget will provide direct payments to families and students to help with additional costs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you received a payment through the Support for Learners program, you do not need to apply. Starting on April 26, 2021, we will begin issuing additional payments of:
- $400 for each child or youth up to Grade 12
- $500 for each child or youth up to age 21 with special needs
If you missed applying for the Support for Learners program, you will have the opportunity to apply for this new round of payment. Applications will open from May 3, 2021 to May 17, 2021.Learn more on the government’s Support for Learners webpage.
Need a Book to Read? Check out Sora!
École James R. Henderson Public School
Email: jrhen@limestone.on.ca
Website: jrhenderson.limestone.on.ca
Location: 361 Roosevelt Drive, Kingston, ON, Canada
Phone: 613-389-2330
Twitter: @jrhen_LDSB