Week Ahead for Our Jayhawk Families
February 10 - 14, 2020
Labour Update - Elementary Schools to Close Feb 11th and 12th
As a result of additional rotating strikes announced by members of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO), all elementary schools in the Limestone District School Board will be closed to students on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 and Wedensday, February 12, 2020. Students from Kindergarten to Grade 8 should not report to school on these days.
We are hopeful that the parties at the central table are able to reach an agreement soon. We thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding as we respond to these events. The Board will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Mrs. Diamond and Mrs. Campbell
This Week and Beyond...
Gr. 7 - 8 QUEBEC CITY TRIP PAYMENT (2ND INSTALLMENT) IS NOW OVERDUE. PLEASE SEND ANY PAYMENTS TO MRS. DIAMOND
Monday - Day 5
Tuesday - Day 1
- Provincial strike action by ETFO - No school for students
Wednesday - Day 2
- Rotatiing strike action by ETFO - No school for students
- Country Fair meeting open to all parents/guardians/grandparents (6 p.m.)
Thursday - Day 3
- Hot Lunch: pepperoni pizza
Friday - Day 4
- Spirit Day: Red & White Day - show the love!
Upcoming Dates...
February 17 - FAMILY DAY
February 18 - Hot Lunch: cheese pizza
February 25 - Hot Lunch: pepperoni pizza
February 26 - Bingo Information/Organizing Meeting 6 pm - Library
March 2, 9, 30 - Gr. 3 Swim to Survive
March 3 - Graduation and Siblings Photo Day
March 3 - Hot Lunch: cheese pizza
March 10 - Hot Lunch: pepperoni pizza
March 16 - 20 - March Break
March 27 - final payment due for Gr. 7 - 8 trip to Quebec City
April 3 - P.A. Day
April 10 - holiday
April 13 - holiday
May 4 - Spirit Day: Star Wars Day!
May 4 - 2nd round of immunizations for Gr. 7-8s
May 15 - P.A. Day
May 18 - holiday
May 23 - JPS Country Fair
May 26 - 28 - Gr. 7 - 8 Quebec City trip
June 5 - P.A. Day
June 24 - Gr. 8 Grad (6 p.m.)
June 26 - P.A. Day
LF: Bingo Volunteers
Our school has been given the opportunity to participate in Bingo Fundraisers at Play! Gaming & Entertainment (formerly Treasure Chest Bingo), located at 1600 Bath Road. We will be able to raise significant funds to enhance the experiences of all of our Jayhawks! In order to participate, we need 12-15 volunteers who are willing to be trained and commit to volunteer for at least 3-4 two hour bingo sessions over the year. For more information or to let us know you are able to help, please email campbellh@limestone.on.ca or call the school. We will have an information/organizing session on Wednesday, February 26th at 6:00 pm in the library.
Report Cards
As you know, members of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO). 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.
The production of report cards for Limestone’s 13,000 elementary students relies on the electronic inputting of assessment data by teachers. This translates into about 300,000 individual pieces of data. Our principals and vice-principals cannot do the work of more than 800 classroom teachers. Nor can this work be outsourced to other Board staff or external agencies due to the significant unbudgeted cost, and concerns about accuracy and, more importantly, privacy given the confidential information that is part of a child’s report card.
We know how important these reports are to families and students, but it’s also important to remember that report cards are not the sole record of achievement data for your child. As always, parents and guardians can contact their child’s teacher to discuss their progress and/or concerns.
Head Lice
- the best treatment for lice is strand-by-strand pulling of nits/live, using a nit comb
- if your child has lice, you need to wash (in hot water) and dry (on high heat) all pillows, blankets, linens used, stuffies, hats, anything the child wears on his/her head, clothing
- vacuum mattresses
- throw out hair ties
- wash combs/brushes (put them in the dishwasher) or replace
- please ensure your child's hair (if long) is put up in a bun, such that no hair is flowing - until their head is lice-free
- there should be at least 2 treatments - one initial and a week later (as the treatment will kill the live, but may not kill the nits)
We understand the drug store treatment is expensive. If you are having difficulty paying for a treatment, please let us know at the office. We have also heard from parents that visiting your family doctor may provide some help too.
Student Use of Cell Phones at School
Inclement Weather and Bus Cancellations
School is usually open during inclement weather days, so parents will need to use Safe Arrival to report child's absence if he/she is not coming to school, regardless whether the busses are cancelled. Please indicate "bus cancellation" as the reason.
You can drop students off no earlier than 8:50 and pick up no later than 3:35. Please come in and sign them in during these days - there will be a sign-in and a sign-out at the front door.

Safe Arrival, Pick Up & End of Day Arrangement
Every day we have students who are unsure of their end of day arrangement. This often leads to last minute phone calls and holding up the busses. Please ensure that your child and your child's teacher knows what your end of day arrangements are if they differ from the regular routine. Please write a note to your child's teacher indicating that there has been a change. If there is no communication, we will send students to their regular after-school destination (e.g. bus home or Boys and Girls club).