Kingston Secondary School Snapshot
December 2018
Unforeseen delays put project behind schedule
Construction of the new Kingston Secondary School (KSS) is well under way and the shell of the 171,000-square-foot facility is taking shape. Work continues on the site, however, unforeseen delays and disruptions have, unfortunately, put the project behind schedule.
Given the size and scope of this large and complex project, setbacks such as this sometimes occur. While this is disappointing news, the contractor remains focused on completing construction as soon as possible, but these recent delays will prevent us from opening the new school in September 2019 as planned.
The Board is working with the contractor to develop a revised construction schedule. We will share that new timeline with you as soon as possible, likely in January. We do expect to move students and staff into the new completed building within the 2019-2020 school year.
In the meantime, our contingency plan will see students and staff remain where they are at KCVI.
Please know that school staff and the Limestone District School Board remain committed to providing you and your child(ren) with a safe and smooth transition. We appreciate your continued support, understanding and patience as we move through the final months of construction and into our new school.
Cafeteria on first floor
Front of building
Weight & exercise room
Introducing the KSS Black Bears
Students from KCVI and students from elementary feeder schools who will eventually attend the new school advocated strongly for a mascot that would bring together the KCVI and QECVI communities. Many students felt Black Bears seemed like a natural fit as it blends KCVI’s Blue Bear/Blues mascot with the black from the former QECVI logo/mascot.
Students also spoke to the Black Bear being an important animal to local Indigenous cultures. The new school, and the Limestone District School Board, is located on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee. The Black Bears fits nicely with the new school’s colours: black, blue and white.
Initially, earlier consultation around the new school mascot/nickname suggested the “Royals.” Concerns, however, came forward from students and community members during the consultation process regarding the name and how it would be visually represented. The term “Royals” has many negative connotations for some given its reinforcement of colonial history particularly when combined with Kingston which was originally known as King’s Town.
As a result, the Integration Committee, made up of students, staff and families of the consolidated schools, decided to not move forward with the “Royals.” Revisiting input provided during the previous consultation process, the Integration Committee reviewed three additional mascot suggestions: Black Bears, Coyotes and Lions. Following a voting process, the committee decided on Black Bears – the Kingston Secondary School Black Bears, or Kingston Black Bears – as its new mascot.
After investigation to ensure there are no concerns or other considerations that may prevent the use of that nickname, the Board will continue the process of developing a school logo and visual representation of the mascot based on committee, student and staff input.
Following a separate consultation process with the Integration Committee, staff and more than 500 students who will attend the new school, the new school colours will be black, blue and white.
Second language studies to include French, Spanish & Latin
Kingston Secondary School, will offer a full slate of second language options. Students are welcome to study French – Core, Extended, or Immersion – as well as Spanish and Latin. The language program is rich and vibrant at Kingston Collegiate & Vocational Institute (KCVI) and will continue to be so at KSS.
There are many pathways students can follow to both maintain and learn new second languages. Students of French may continue to learn in Grade 9 through to Grade 12. Core, Extended and Immersion are offered at each grade level, and students may earn a certificate of Core, Extended or Immersion French studies upon graduation.
In addition to French, students may study a full program Spanish and Latin, which covers three credits, at the Grade 10, 11, and 12 level. Note that students can earn up to three Grade 12 credits in second languages. Students generally start Latin in Grade 9, to allow for timetable flexibility, and students generally start Spanish in Grade 10.
KSS will also continue to be an International Baccalaureate school. Students may study either French or Spanish as part of the full IB diploma, or as certificate students. Students may continue to study French Immersion or Extended French and also complete the full IB Diploma or IB certificates.
The Languages Department at KSS will continue to offer enriching cultural activities, such as cultural enrichment and language practice through events sponsored by Le Centre Culturel Frontenac. We have a strong partnership with Le Centre and offer student activities hosted by the Le Centre, such as plays, or guest speakers. This year, we have had guest speakers visit our classrooms to address French Canadian theatre, as well as present on Kingston’s francophone presence and heritage. We are pleased to continue and nurture our association with Le Centre Culturel Frontenac.
We also hosted “La Semaine de la Francophonie » November 12-16, a tradition that will continue at KSS. Students participated in “Les Franco-olympiques” in our gym – fun and games held in French, as well as attended presentations by members of Queens University Department of French and francophone community members. Our goal is to have students engage fully in the language and learn about opportunities to speak, work and play in French in our community and region.
We also enrich the in-class experience by taking students on field trips, both local, and farther afield. Our classes regularly cook at Loblaws school of cooking, where we learn about and cook (and eat!) traditional French, Spanish, Mexican cuisine while speaking French or Spanish, depending upon the class of course! Some field trips also take students to Ottawa, where we visit the Parliament buildings, take tours in French; visit the Canadian Museum of History, of the National Art Gallery. We have also travelled to Montreal, exploring Le Musée McCord, learning about Indigenous Peoples and the history of Montréal. This trip also takes students to old Montréal (Vieux-Port), L’Oratoir St. Joseph, and Notre Dame, as well as Le Musée de Beaux Arts de Montréal.
We also prepare our students for the DELF (Diplôme des Études de Langue Française). This is an internationally recognized standardized test of French and is offered by the French Ministry of Education. Students may learn more about this test from their French teachers.
In addition, the Languages Department regularly hosts representatives from bilingual universities to address students about post-secondary options to pursue their studies while also maintaining and improving their French as they move into their working lives.
Students completing our programs of study from Grade 9-12 (French, or Grade 10-12 Spanish and Latin, will develop knowledge of the language, literature and culture. Students of all language programs will become functionally bilingual in the language of study, and students of French Immersion will attain a very high degree of language proficiency by the end of their Grade 12 year. All students graduating from our Grade 12 programs will be amply prepared for college or university language studies.
Languages are a vital part of any student’s portfolio, and we invite all students to join our classes.
International Baccalauareate will transition to KSS
KCVI has been proudly preparing IB grads for success at university and beyond since 2002. The IB Programme will move to KSS once it opens.
Students from Grade 8 at any school may apply for admission to the Limestone Pre-IB Programme for Grade 9. Any student entering the Grade 9 academic pathway may apply to the LPIB. Although the Grade 8 IB Information Night has passed, there is lots of information available in the presentation.
Application packages are available from KCVI Student Services or online until January 11, 2019.
Application Process Timelines:
- IB Application Deadline: Friday, January 11, 2019 by 2 p.m.
- Acceptances Sent Out: Friday, January 25, 2019
- Confirmation Deadline: Thursday, January 31 by 2 p.m.
Students applying after their Grade 9 year must contact the IB Coordinator to discuss space availability and to set up a meeting to review the student's Grade 9 academic record. Please contact the IB Coordinator for more information.
Kingston Secondary School Snapshot
Website: bit.ly/KSS_LDSB
Location: 145 Patrick Street, Kingston ON