March is here! Even though we appreciated the snow for our Polson Carnaval, we hope that some signs of spring are on the way soon. We have a busy week leading up to the March Break including a community night at the Kingston Frontenacs game on Friday, March 10th. Many thanks to Ecole Polson Park PS SAC for organizing this event and for supporting so many special activities at Polson like our pancake lunch at Carnaval, Zumba for students this Wednesday, and Family Games night on March 30th. We hope you have a wonderful March Break!

Monday, March 20th Day 3

• Earth Day-Vernal Equinox: Welcome Spring!
• Intramural basketball 1:20 pm
• Junior Basketball meeting at 1:20

Tuesday, March 21st Day 4

• DPA Group 1: morning
• Intramural basketball 1:20 pm
• Dental Screening begins JK/SK & Grades 1-3

Wednesday, March 22nd Day 5

• Wild Wednesday- Wear some wildlife patterns and accessories!
• Dental Screening continues JK/SK & Grades 1-3
• Intramural basketball 1:20 pm
• Girls Inc Meeting 10:50 in Maker Space
• Board Game Club after school until 5pm
• Ramadan begins at sunset

Thursday, March 23rd Day 1

• Dental Screening continues-final day JK/SK & Grades 1-3
• Intramural basketball 1:20 pm
• DPA Group 2 PM Shultz, Runte, Renaud

• Start to Finish Reading & Running program after school

Friday, February March 24th Day 2

• Polson Pride Day
• Mr. Tiffany's class to Frontenac County Schools Museum
  
• Kingston Symphony Renaud -AM & Marshall PM
• Term 2 IEPs go home

Looking Ahead:

March 30th Confirmation of Projected Enrolments

We have been reviewing and practicing some of our emergency procedures such as lockdowns to make sure we prioritize student safety. A part of these procedures is to keep school entrances locked during school hours and to ensure that all visitors to the school enter by the main entrance and report to the main office during school hours.

A few reminders:

• Pick up and drop off at regular arrival and dismissal times should occur at designated locations on the school yard.
• Supervision begins at 8:55 am and the school day begins at 9:10 am. Dismissal is at 3:40 pm.
• For late arrivals or early departures, you must report to the main office. Please do not proceed into the building.
• If you have an appointment with a staff member during school hours, you must report to the main office, and our office administrators will assist you with visitor protocols. This is essential for keeping track of who is in our building at all times.
• Students may only be picked up by those on the parent/guardian approved dismissal list and must have identification with them on request.
• If you are picking up your child outside, please do not bring dogs onto school property.

Thank you for helping us to keep students safe!

Our school now uses a new secure online portal that will allow families to complete payments for things such as hot lunch orders and permission forms for field trips online. Most of our families are signed up! Please use your child's individual code to register if you haven't yet done so.

Welcome to Kindergarten! This is an exciting time for both you and your student.

Kindergarten offers a wonderful new world of learning and growing. We learn how to read, how to write and we make new friends. At ,Polson, we offer both French Immersion and English Kindergarten programs that help children get the best possible start in school. Your student will be challenged and encouraged to do their very best.

We are now accepting new student registrations for this September 2023. If your student is four or five by the end of December, now is the time to register.

The Kindergarten program allows children to develop emotionally, socially and physically: to grow creatively, and to engage in rich oral language opportunities and celebrate their learning. In Kindergarten classrooms, a teacher and an early childhood educator work together as a team. This partnership helps to create a nurturing learning environment; giving every student the opportunity to learn in the way that is best suited to their individual strengths and needs. Our caring team of educators is with them every step of the way!

In Limestone, students can begin French Immersion in Year 1 Kindergarten, Year 2 Kindergarten or Grade 1. The French Immersion program is designed for students who are learning French as an additional language. The program is an inclusive environment for rich language development and designed for students who do not speak French at home. Parents and guardians are not expected to be French speaking themselves. There is nothing extra that you need to do to prepare your student for French Immersion. All students are welcome!

We typically welcome new families to orientation events in Jene of each year. We will share more about these opportunities soon.

We want everyone to see themselves in Limestone. You can feel confident your student will be cared for in a safe and inclusive environment.

Starting Kindergarten is an exciting time for everyone, and we are ready to welcome your student to a wonderful new world of learning and growing.

Thank you for choosing Ecole Polson Park Public School.

We look forward to meeting you.

Students currently enrolled in grade 6 English programs have an opportunity to enter the late immersion program in Grade 7 through Choices at 7 applications-see info below. Students already in (early) French immersion do not need to take any action at this time. All students who come from Vanier immersion feeder schools, including from École Polson, will continue at Vanier, if they continue to reside in our catchment. Below you will find a helpful timeline for the transition to Vanier.

• May: All French Immersion students from École Polson will be invited to visit Vanier with their class during the school day. Families and students may also watch our “virtual open house” video here.
• June:
• All students from our feeder schools, including École Polson, will be automatically registered at Vanier. There is no need to register your child if you are currently attending École Polson in French Immersion.
• Students must apply to Triboard for bussing, where applicable.
• Any families with medical conditions will be contacted to complete the plan of care.
• Mid-August: All families will receive our “Welcome Pack” with lots of information about first day expectations, drop off routines, school rules, etc.
• September: New Vipers engage in a multi-day transition once school begins. Class lists are released on the first day and the fun begins!
• Any time: Families who have questions about our school can contact mvani@limestone.on.ca any time to learn more.

For Grade 6 students at Polson Park Public School that are currently in the English stream wanting to join Late French Immersion, the information and application can be found at: https://limestone.on.ca/programming/choices_at_7 We will also be holding a Late Immersion Open House on Wednesday February 22nd from 6pm until 7pm at Module Vanier.

Under the ISPA, Immunization of School Pupils Act, guardians of students attending school in Ontario must provide proof of immunization, or a valid exemption from immunization to KFL&A Public Health for designated diseases. Students who do not have an up-to-date immunization record or valid exemption on file at KFL&A Public Health, ISPA will receive an ISPA Notice. KFL&A Public Health will be offering immunization clinics through the month of February. Please contact KFL&A Public Health if you have any questions.

(613) 549-1232, ext. 1451.

Dear Families,

While public health guidance has not changed since November, Limestone continues to work closely with KFL&A Public Health to communicate up-to-date information about the current state of respiratory viruses and actions that students, families, and staff can take to reduce transmission of illness within our communities. As we know, some members of our communities, including students and staff in schools, are more susceptible to illness so limiting spread is important.

KFL&A Public Health continues to encourage getting back to the basics that we know work to help limit the transmission of illnesses in our community, including:

• Monitoring daily for symptoms and staying home when sick.
• Wearing a well-fitted mask in all indoor public spaces is strongly recommended, including schools and childcare settings.
• Students and staff returning to school after being sick should wear a well-fitted mask for a total of 10 days after the start of any illness in all public settings (including schools and childcare settings) and avoid non-essential activities where mask removal is necessary.
• Staying up to date with vaccines.
• Washing your hands regularly.
• Cleaning high-touch surfaces regularly.

Masks and rapid antigen tests (RAT) continue to be available for all Limestone students and staff.

Additional information is available on KFL&A Public Health’s website.

Thank you to students, families, and staff for your continued efforts to practice public health recommendations to help keep our schools and school communities safe – we are all in this together.

Limestone District School Board

Our family update has accessibility features that allow you to select your language of choice for translations and also to enlarge fonts for better viewing!

Polson is looking for paid yard supervisors. If you have a CPIC and are available to help during recess/nutrition break, please contact the main office!

Thank you for making sure our students are safe by observing traffic rules and parking restrictions during arrival and dismissal times. If you drive, please be patient, watchful and alert!

A few reminders:

• The parking lots have limited space; please do not linger.
• Please remember that accessibility spots are for families with permits only.
• The area in front of the school is a Bus Zone. No parking, idling, or drop-offs are permitted.
• Yard supervision begins at 8:55 am. The school day begins at 9:10 am.

Please see the image below to make sure you are aware of bus zones and no-drop off areas.Thank you for looking out for our students and keeping everyone safe!

Yard Supervision begins at 8:55 am.

9:10-10:50 - 100 mins

10:50--11:40 - recess/nutrition

11:40 -1:20 - 100 mins

1:20-2:00 - recess/nutrition

2:00-3:40 - 100 mins

3:40-Dismissal

If you are new to our school, please take the time to download the School Messenger App to stay connected and report student absences. If you wish to receive our family updates, please follow the instructions for selecting email as one of your preferences.

For more information please follow the links below.

Our office administrator is Marie Campbell. If you need any assistance, please call 613-542-5926 between 8:00 am-4:00 pm or email the school at polso@limestone.on.ca and we will get back to you!

Email: polso@limestone.on.ca
Website: https://polsonpark.limestone.on.ca/
Location: 165 Robert Wallace Drive, Kingston, ON K7M 1Y3, Canada
Phone: 613-542-5926
Twitter: @PolsonPark_LDSB