Welborne Word
October 25, 2022, Issue #8
Fall Continues!
Dear Families,
SOCKTOBER continues! During the month of October, classes at Welborne are collecting *new* socks in support of Socks Kingston. This organization collects socks specifically for those in need within our community, which means that all socks collected stay right here in Kingston. Have you donated a new pair of socks yet? Please send them with your student to school before the end of the month! Thank you for your support!
We had a great turnout at our virtual School Council meeting last week! Thanks for the generous support of our School Council we are able to purchase a new portable tent structure that can be used at athletic and other outdoor events to shelter students from the sun/rain. School Council has also agreed to fund the purchase of new running singlets, a new house structure for our kindergarten yard, as well as more sensory tools for Welborne students. Thank you!
Every Welborne student has now received their free Welborne t-shirt! On Wednesdays, all students are encouraged to wear their Welborne t-shirts! Welborne Wednesdays are here to stay!
Our Cross Country runners represented themselves and Welborne very well last week at their last race of the season! It was cold and rainy but the students stayed positive and ran very well! Thank you to our coaches this season - Mrs. Blackburn, Ms. Van Leuken, and Mrs. Frenette! They also braved the elements and were dedicated to cheering on each and every runner during practices and races.
Volleyball season has begun! We have many students participating in this activity! Thank you to our coaches as the season begins.
In accordance with public health guidelines, all students and staff are to stay home if they are ill until their symptoms have been improving for 24 hours. It's 48 hours for any gastro symptoms. Upon the return to school, students and staff are to wear a mask for 10 days following the onset of symptoms, even if they don't test positive for COVID. We appreciate your help to keep everyone healthy.
If you have any questions, please email us at welba@limestone.on.ca.
Warm regards,
Ms. Fraser, Mrs. Wellwood, and Mrs. Hart
Making the most of rainy weather last week!
New books for classrooms from the Limestone Learning Foundation. We are very thankful!
Proud of the progress we are making!
Upcoming Events and Days of Significance
October 24 - Diwali - more details below.
October 28 - Hot Lunch (for those who ordered) - more details below.
October 31 - Black and Orange Day (no costumes or costume accessories please)
November 11 - Remembrance Day - a full school gathering will take place.
November 18 - Picture Re-Take Day and Class Pictures
November 21 - School Council meeting via Zoom
November 21-25 - Scholastic Book Fair at Welborne! More details will be shared soon.
More Information About Diwali
Monday, October 24th marks the start of Diwali. Diwali, also known as the "Festival of Lights," is recognized as India's biggest holiday and takes place over the course of five days.
The festival occurs annually each autumn, often falling in either October or November depending on the moon. Diwali is celebrated primarily by Hindus but has become a national festival over the centuries. Featured in religions: Hinduism, Newar Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism
Its origin story varies depending on India's regions, but the overall theme is an ode to the triumph of good over evil. Those who celebrate Diwali partake in a number of practices and rituals with different symbolic meanings throughout the span of the holiday.
In accordance with its name, a large emphasis is placed on light over darkness — therefore, the hanging of lamps, lanterns, and other bright lights are strung on houses and along streets to signify victory by the gods.
In terms of significance, Diwali is celebrated at the same level that many Christians celebrate Christmas.
Free Virtual Tutoring
As part of the Ministry of Education Tutoring Grant, LDSB is offering an afterschool drop-in Virtual Tutoring Program for Limestone students in Grades 1 to 10. Tutoring will be available through MS Teams from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from October 11 until December 15, 2022. Tutoring will not be available on P.A. days or holidays.
There are three grade groupings for students: Grade 1 to 3, Grade 4 to 6, and Grade 7 to 10. Students in Grade 1-3 will work with tutors to build early literacy skills using phonological awareness and phonics activities. Tutors will provide Homework Help for students in the Grade 4 to 6 group and Grade 7 to 10 group.
Guidelines for Virtual Tutoring for Limestone Students
1. The student must be logged in to MS Teams using their Limestone account. The student’s camera and microphone should be on so that the student and tutor can communicate more effectively.
2. The student should have the materials that they need with them (e.g., Grade 4 to 10 students should have their homework assignment they are working on). The student should try to set up in an area in the home with minimal distractions for the tutoring session.
3. There are four (4) tutors available for each grade group each night and students can join a tutoring session by clicking on any of the four links for their grade. Students must only use the links for their grade level.
4. If a tutor is already working with a student, subsequent students will be placed in the lobby of the meeting and then be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis once the tutoring session for the previous student is completed. Tutoring sessions will be 15 minutes long and may be extended if no other students are waiting. Students may choose any of the links for their grade level. If all the tutors for the student’s grade level are busy, the student may wait in the lobby of a meeting or choose to leave the meeting and then try to join later.
Grade Group Links for MS Teams Virtual Tutoring
**Students must be logged in their Limestone Microsoft account to participate**
Grade 1 to 3 Literacy Grade 4 to 6 Homework Help Grade 7 to 10 Homework Help
Online Tutoring and Learning Resources: Several tutoring and learning resources are available online to support students and families, including:
- Ministry of Education Curriculum and Resources for Parents
- TVO Learn at Home Resources (English) - Over 2,100 curriculum-aligned, grade, and subject-specific learning activities from Kindergarten to Grade 8 (including for the new Science and Technology curriculum) and Grade 9 to 12 searchable high school content for over 140 secondary school courses.
- TFO IDÉLLO, apprendre à la maison (French)
- TVO Mathify - Free 1:1 Grade 4 to 11 Math Tutoring with Ontario Certified Teachers. Available Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sundays 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Students/families can sign up, select a tutor, and start immediately.
Cell Phone Use at School
Cell phones should not be taken into bathrooms, used in the hallways, on the yard during recess, or during field trips.
If your student brings a cell phone to school, please review these expectations with them. We thank you very much for your support with this.
We also want to highlight that if there needs to be any communication between home and school during the school day, this needs to go through the main office.
Hot Lunch Information
Families were sent information on how to order hot lunches through their School-Day account. Hot lunch will be delivered on Friday, October 28th, and every Friday until the December holiday (except the Nov. 25th PA Day). Hot lunch will be delivered to classrooms during the first eating period.
STEPS Program (Queens)
This two-year program begins in Grade 7, and supports students and their parents/guardians as they approach the transition to high school. Our goal is to give students the tools they will need to be successful in secondary school, which will lead to further success in post-secondary school.
The STEPS Program aims to:
- Teach students about their individual learning profile and learning challenges (such as learning disabilities, ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder)
- Promote self-knowledge and self-advocacy
- Support parents/guardians in understanding how their child learns, their child's rights and responsibilities, and how to support their child in and out of the school environment
- Train students and parents/guardians in Adaptive Technology, and explain how and why these accommodations can help students learn
- Prepare students for the upcoming transition and what changes to expect at secondary school
Program recruitment runs from September to January for grade 7 students. Program activities begin in May of the grade 7 year and run through until the summer before grade 9. For information about the program, eligibility criteria, and to complete an application, please see the flyer below.
*A printed copy of the flyer was already sent to eligible Welborne Grade 7 students.
STEPS Information Session
Every year in November, we host an online information session for the STEPS program. This years information session will be Wednesday, November 2nd, 2022, at 6:30 pm – 8:00pm on Zoom. The Zoom Information is found below
Zoom Meeting Link: https://queensu.zoom.us/j/98493741643?pwd=K21oVVNtam95RnJqV2g4c2NzRnhYUT09
Meeting ID: 984 9374 1643
Passcode: 973915
Lost and Found is Overflowing!
If possible, please label your student's clothing so that it may be returned to them!
Rapid Tests are Available at Welborne
Thank you.
Mental Health Supports for Families
We wanted to share this very helpful, user-friendly resource with families. If you have questions about how to talk about Mental Health, this resource is a great place to start.
Appropriate Use of the Internet and Electronic Devices
BINGO Volunteers Needed!!
Volunteering to “work” a BINGO is an easy an impactful way that you can support the fundraising efforts of School Council. Volunteers are required to complete a short, on-line training and will work their first shift with an experienced volunteer. Each shift at the BINGO hall (on Bath Road) is two hours in length, usually on a Sunday from 6:15-8:15. Two volunteers are needed for each shift and approximately $750 is donated back to the school for each shift. This is an incredible return on the time given by the volunteers. While at the BINGO volunteers greet the guests, call back winning card numbers and clear tables as needed. If you can volunteer for a couple of shifts a year, it would make all the difference. Please contact parent coordinator Chelsea Pilgrim at 613-331-0232 for more information or to volunteer.
Mandatory Daily Self-Screener
Staff, students, and visitors should continue to self-screen for illness each school day, and stay home (or keep your student home) if sick. If anyone has symptoms of COVID-19, even mild ones, they should stay home. This will help prevent the spread of COVID-19, as well as other infectious illnesses. Follow instructions provided on the school screening tool, and any additional guidance available at Ontario.ca/exposed regarding isolation and masking requirements. Download the COVID-19 school and child care screening to use offline and in other languages.
All families are required to screen their child(ren) for COVID-19 symptoms before each day.
The Ministry of Education Screening Tool and can be found by clicking:
Electronic COVID-19 Screening Tool
Navigate to a hard copy of the Screening Tool by clicking:
PDF Version COVID-19 Screening Tool
If your child is exhibiting any symptoms on the daily screener or other symptoms of illness, do not send your child on the school bus or to school.
Contact us!
Email: welba@limestone.on.ca
Website: welborne.limestone.on.ca
Location: 190 Welborne Avenue, Kingston, ON, Canada
Phone: 613-389-0188
Twitter: @Welborne_LDSB