Dear Lightning Families:

Thank you for an amazing first 2 weeks back to school! It is wonderful having students back in the building and seeing families and caregivers at drop off and pick up. We are enjoying getting to know new students and their families. This is going to be a fantastic school year!

Karen Leggett and the Lord Strathcona Staff

• Please ensure that school staff are aware of any allergies, medical conditions, or medication requirements and return all forms to the school as soon as possible (the link to the forms is below if you need them);

• If your child has alternate pick up arrangements, or will not be taking the bus at the end of the day, please ensure that you communicate with the classroom teacher if possible (send a note) or with the Main Office if a change occurs during the day;

• Please ensure that your child is dressed for the weather and has extra clothing in case of spills or bathroom accidents
• Don't forget to send a water bottle with your child every day!
• COVID school screening must still be done every day, and students who have any symptoms do need to stay home; here is a link to the most up to date information: https://www.limestone.on.ca/cms/One.aspx?portalId=352782&pageId=36515878

If your child has any significant health conditions such as asthma or allergies or if they require medications to be administered at school, it is imperative that we receive medical plans prior to the start of school. Please refer to the separate newsletter titled: 'Prevalent Medical Conditions' for more information. The link is below:

https://www.smore.com/qdhwa

We have 2 recesses each day and students do go outside for both of them. Should it be lightly raining before school or during a recess break we will be outside. Students are advised to dress for the weather. A rain jacket, rain boots and/or an umbrella are helpful to enjoy the outdoors when it is wet.

If there is a chance of lightning or if it is pouring we will remain indoors for recess but we will aim to be outside as much as possible.

During the colder months we will take direction from Public Health about outdoor temperatures and whether we stay in or go out. Our goal is to enjoy the outdoors and get fresh air whenever we can!

Cross Country will be up and 'running' soon! More information will be sent out next week, once soccer is finished. Thanks to Ms. Carter and Ms. Raven for volunteering their time!

Throughout the year, we may ask for parent/guardian volunteers on school trips or for various classroom and school activities. The wait time for obtaining a CPIC (background check with vulnerable sector screening) can be lengthy. As such, if you think you would be willing to assist with a trip or school event in the future, please consider obtaining a CPIC with vulnerable sector screening completed, beforehand.

Link to City of Kingston Police Check Request Here

We have several students with life-threatening allergies. A reminder that our school is nut aware: please ensure that your child's snacks and lunch do not contain any nut products. Classroom teachers will communicate any additional food allergies that families will need to be aware of. Thank you for your support in keeping all of our students safe!

• Staff, students, and visitors should continue to self-screen every day before attending school using the COVID-19 school and childcare screening tool. Following public health guidance, individuals should stay home if they are feeling ill to prevent the spread of illness.

Many of you are familiar with Ms. Allen as she has been part of our team at Lord Strathcona for several years and she has taught many grade levels while she has been here. Ms. Allen has recently accepted a position teaching English As a Second Language in Limestone. We are thrilled for her, but she will definitely be greatly missed! We wish Ms. Allen all the best in her new role!

I am pleased to let you know that our school did not require any class reorganizations this fall.

JK/SK: Ms. Mulholland/ Ms. Hull

JK/SK: Ms. Raven/ Ms. Feenstra

Grade 1- Ms. Pepper

Grade 1/2- Ms. Carter

Grade 2/3- Ms. Lees

Grade 3- Ms. Whitehead

Grade 4/5- Ms. Turner

Grade 5/6- Ms. Shepherd

Grade 5/6- Ms. Reid

Planning Time: Ms. Saha

Core French: R. Fabbro, P. Allison, S. Klymchuk

Student Support Teacher: Ms. Doolan

Educational Assistants: A. Boulerice, B. Magee, N. Vellis, S. Keo. K. Ward, H. Graham, K. Ireland

Office Administrator: R. Groenewegen

ESL Support Teachers: S. Leeder, L. Bell

Head Caretaker: S. Dwyre

Evening Caretaker: M. Jones

Principal: K. Leggett

We use an electronic newsletter! The newsletter as well as other information will be shared through our Twitter account:

https://twitter.com/LordStrath_LDSB

Our website:

https://lordstrathcona.limestone.on.ca/

The newsletter and information will also be shared through School Messenger and will go directly to your email. Please make sure we have your current email address. Instructions for downloading the School Messenger app are included in this newsletter.

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 electronic family updates, please see the instructions below:

Please use the Safe Arrival system to report your child's absence; do not call the school to report an absence. If your child is going to be absent from learning, please ensure you use the Safe Arrival system to report the absence. If your child will be late, please report a full day absence and then we will sign them in when they arrive. You cannot indicate a half day absence.

How to report your absence:

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.

3. SchoolMessenger SafeArrival Website Portal

• 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.

The first Parent Council Meeting of the 2022-2023 school year is on Thursday September 22nd at 6:00 pm in the gym. All parents/guardians are welcome!

Nomination forms were sent home last week. Nominations are anonymous and you can nominate yourself or someone else for a position. If you are nominating someone, please ensure they are up for the position and have agreed to your nomination. The person you nominate must be available to be present at the meeting. Your nomination does not count as a vote; you must be present to vote. Nominations are due by end of day September 15th.

We would love to have you join our Council.

Bingo is back up and running and what a simple and easy way to fundraise for your school! Did you know Bingo is a completely separate entity from the school council?!

NO monthly meetings to attend!

NO awkwardly trying to sell something to your neighbours!

NO counting cash

The only requirement is a two hour shift at the Kingston Play! Gaming and Entertainment Centre! You don't even need to have kids at the school to volunteer!

All proceeds raised through our partnership with Play! Gaming and Entertainment are used to purchase items for the school such as Chromebooks, gym equipment, outdoor equipment, class supplies, coding robots, and so much more!!!

We are in need of volunteers and training is provided. The bingo volunteers act as ambassadors for our school: welcoming people, ensuring the facility is clean, helping out when a bingo is called, and assisting patrons. Each shift is just two hours long and volunteers are partnered up. It's a great way to spend time with a friend or family member or meet other members of the school community! If you would like to learn more about being a volunteer, please reach out to the school.

Staff, students, and visitors should continue to self-screen every day before attending school using the COVID-19 school and childcare screening tool. Following public health guidance, individuals should stay home if they are feeling ill to prevent the spread of illness.