December News
Bath Public School 2020
Principal's Update
- Progress reports and Kindergarten communication of learning reports were sent home on November 20th with students. If you wish to discuss your child's progress, please contact classroom teachers to set up a virtual meeting or telephone call.
- Last week we completed the Student Census in grades 4-8 during class time. Students in K-3 had information sent home with them in their progress reports to complete as a family at home, if they choose. There is still time to complete the census at home this week. Please let us know if you require assistance.
- As we prepare for the coming winter months, please make sure that students are dressing for cold, wet weather and please take note of protocols for bus cancellations due to inclement weather. A few reminders:
- When buses are canceled in the morning, schools remain open in LDSB, but buses will not run at the end of the day. You must arrange for end of day transportation at dismissal time (3:30 pm)
- If your child is absent on an inclement weather day, please report their absence using the SafeArrival App https://go.schoolmessenger.com/#/home.
- Walkers and students who are being dropped off should arrive no earlier than 8:55 am or as close to 9:10 as possible to minimize wait time in their cohort location. In the case of harsh weather conditions on the yard, staff will help students to report directly to their classrooms
- As the weather continues to get colder please ensure students have multiple masks with them each day. Masks will begin to freeze and stay wet for longer periods - requiring changes during the day.
Classes continue to go outside for learning most days. Some Physical Education classes are outdoors and classes try to spend some extra learning time outside. Before school and at recess, unless it is raining hard or there is lightning and thunder, students will be outside. Even with the colder weather, students will be outside for short periods each day unless the temperature is below -25 degrees C. Students should come prepared for outside time each day. As the weather gets chilly, it will be important for them to have hats/mitts, warm footwear and warm coats. Please let the school know if you require assistance with winter clothing.
Thank you for your continued support as we head into this last month of 2020!
Jennifer Osborne, Principal
Toonies for Turkeys
Thank you!
Upcoming Events
Dec 2: Picture Day
Dec 4: School Day Draw (Sign up to School day/earn a chance for a ToysR Us gift card)
Dec 4: Holiday Hat Spirit Day
Dec 11: School Day Draw (Sign up to School day/earn a chance for an Indigo gift card)
Dec 11: Holiday Sweater/Colours Spirit day
Dec 14: Jingle Bell Walk
Dec 16: School Day Draw (Sign up to School day/earn a chance for a Bath Knights Swag Bag)
Dec 18: Holiday PJ Spirit Day
Dec 21-Jan 1: Holiday Break
Jan 4: Back to school
Jan 29: PA day
School Picture Day 2020
- Only individual photos will be taken. Class pictures will not be taken.
- Sibling photos have not been scheduled.
- Retake dates will not be offered at school.
- Picture Days for virtual students will be scheduled at a later date.
- Lifetouch will follow Health and Safety protocols developed in consultation with the Health Unit and the Board
SEE YOURSELF IN LIMESTONE: STUDENT CENSUS
School boards across the province are asking students to complete a student census to identify and eliminate discrimination and bias from schools and classrooms.
In Limestone, the See Yourself in Limestone Student Census took place the week of November 23, 2020. The data collected through the census will help us learn more about Limestone students – their backgrounds, experiences and needs.
The importance and value of obtaining equity-based data and student voice through the student census is shared in this video featuring an impactful poem by LDSB graduate Britta B and several Limestone students. Please take a few moments to watch.
The census is now available for families to preview on the Board website along with other resources and frequently asked questions. There are three versions of the census: one for Kindergarten to Grade 3 students, which will be completed by families at home, a census for students in Grades 4 to 6 and a census for students in Grades 7 to 12. Students in Grades 4 to 12 will complete the survey during class time.
Families with students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 received (via progress report packages) a letter and resource package to help them complete the survey with their student. The survey is confidential and completely voluntary; however, the data will only be as helpful as the participation rates.
Once the survey is completed, staff will analyze the data and report high-level findings in the spring of 2021.
Indigenous Project Grant
Voluntary Self-Identification Form for Indigenous Students
SCREENING STUDENTS AT HOME AND AT SCHOOL
Covid-19 Screening Tool & Return to School Information
Please review the screening tool and the KFL&A Public Health return to school flow chart that will assist families with determining their next steps. These helpful documents are shared on the LDSB Website and images are below.
- Screening Tool
- My student did not pass COVID-19 screening
- Return to school protocols for students and staff with COVID-19 symptoms
Thank you for your continued support as we refine our routines and processes going forward. The sheet below will be sent home with students if they are demonstrating symptoms of COVID-19 and helps to explain next steps for students and families.
School Day Permissions and Payments
Limestone DSB is excited to offer our families a new secure portal to complete permissions and payments online. With School-Day: Permissions & Payments, you will be able to complete permission forms and payments from any web browser using your SmartPhone, tablet, laptop or desktop.
Through this new online portal, you will be able to pay for items such as:
· Field trips
· Sporting events
· Student cards/athletic fees
· Hot lunch (where applicable)
The new easy-to-use portal will remove the risks associated with sending money to school with students, the frustration of lost or missing permission forms, and significantly reduce the amount of paper our school consumes.
Look for the School-Day Introduction Letter that came home Friday, November 20th. Use the instructions in it to sign up for a School-Day account at www.school-day.com and connect to your child’s events and activities.
If you did not receive this letter, please contact the office.
With your support, we look forward to a successful implementation of this practical application!
School Advisory Council (SAC)
The next virtual meeting will be January 11th at 6:30 pm. All parents/guardians are welcome. Please email or call the school or email parent council if you would like to receive the link to join the meeting.
POSITION AVAILABLE!
Are you a parent that has been wondering what Parent Council (SAC) is all about? Are you interested in being involved but don’t know how? Our Parent Council is currently in need of a secretary to record the minutes of our meetings, and be a member of our Parent Council Executive. This is a great way to get started!
Please contact one of our Co-Chairs for more information.
Tracy MacVicar at tracymacvicar@hotmail.com or Cheryl Livingston at Cheryl.livingston@cogeco.ca
Indigo Fundraiser
Great news! Our School Advisory Council has joined Indigo FUNdraising.
Every time you shop online at Indigo, our school receives a percentage of those funds back! 15% of all gift cards and 5% of all other purchases will be given back to our school. Here is the link to the school FUNdraising page: https://indigofundraising.flipgive.com/teams/250086-bath-public-school#
Indigenous Family Representative
Our Bath SAC would like to reflect our school community and the perspectives and voices of the people within it. We are actively looking for an Indigenous Family Representative in our bylaws and we hope that in doing so, the door is open for more diversity on the executive, and around the council table.
· BYLAW reference:
8(H). INDIGENOUS FAMILY REPRESENTATIVE
This representative will ideally bring Indigenous teachings, perspectives and voice to the School Advisory Council (SAC) table, to assist all families and staff to collaboratively work toward a renewed nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous peoples based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation and partnership. This representative will be asked to represent and celebrate the richness of Indigenous cultures and diversity of the Indigenous presence in our community.
Please let us know if you are an Indigenous parent/guardian/grandparent of an Indigenous student interested in this position! Email Tracy MacVicar at tracymacvicar@hotmail.com or Cheryl Livingston at Cheryl.livingston@cogeco.ca with your interest, or with any questions you may have. We’re looking forward to filling this position and continuing our journey to become a more equitable and representative Advisory Council.