Welborne Word
September 11, 2023, Issue #3
Dear Families,
We hope the very hot weather is behind us, but not the beautiful fall weather!
The Board Elementary Staffing Committee met last Friday and after reviewing the enrollment at Welborne has determined that our classes can remain organized as they are. Fortunately, we can move forward with the school year with the 17 classes, plus the Junior District Autism Class (DAC) without any changes. We hope students and families are feeling settled and we encourage families to connect with their child's teacher should they have any questions.
We have soccer teams starting to prepare for their one-day tournaments and we are thankful to the staff members who have committed their time to coaching these teams.
Please remind your student that the City of Kingston Park in our Primary Yard Zone is not open from 8:50-9:05 am because we do not have supervision for this area. Please also speak with your student about the importance of listening to the supervisors on the yard and keeping hands to ourselves.
Parents, guardians, and caregivers play an important role in the education system. One way for you to be involved and share your ideas is to join the School Advisory Council, also referred to as "School Council". School Council Elections will be held on Monday, September 18th. The first meeting will take place directly after the elections. Recent feedback indicates that the preference is for these meetings to remain virtual, but this will be an agenda item for the first meeting. Meetings typically last an hour in length and begin at 6:15. More information can be found below.
If you have any questions, please email us at welba@limestone.on.ca.
Warm regards,
Ms. Fraser, Mrs. Wellwood, and Mrs. Hart
2023-2024 Staff List
**where is this linking to? There is an updated staff list in the Staff Folder (new yard supervisor name)
**EDITED - Occasional Yard Supervisors Needed
Hi - Thankfully, we have been able to fill our 2 Yard Supervisor positions.
We are now looking for people who would be willing to take on these positions occasionally - for example, if someone is sick or needs to be away. It would be a paid position.
The responsibilities include working with a small group of students with special education needs while the Educational Assistant is on their lunch break, supporting students in a classroom while the classroom teacher is present, supervising students outside on the schoolyard for 30 minutes per day, and supervising students in several classrooms while they eat lunch for 15 minutes.
In order to be eligible for an occasional position you need to be at least 18 years of age and have a police check (CPIC) including a vulnerable sector check. A CPIC can be applied for online through the Kingston Police if you do not already have one.
Thank you in advance for connecting with us if you can help during the school day on an occasional basis.
School Advisory Council Elections and Meeting - September 18th at 6:15
It's that time of year! School Advisory Council (Parent Council) elections for Executive Positions are coming up very soon! The first School Council Meeting of the 2023-2024 school year is on Monday September 18th at 6:15. This meeting will take virtually. The link to the virtual meeting will be included in next week’s Wildcat Word. All parents/guardians are welcome!
Please email principal Alison Fraser at: frasera@limestone.on.ca to submit nominations. 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 11am on Monday September 18th.
In additional the nominations received ahead of time, on Monday Sept. 18th people can volunteer for particular roles if they wish and we can vote on any if needed. We will take nominations/volunteers “from the floor” at the meeting. If you have questions about any of the roles and what they entail, please reach out to parent Sherry McAuley or Ms. Fraser at the school.
Positions for election are:
Chair
Represents, works with and provides support to all school community and council committee chairs. This person works closely with the school principal and VP, school staff and parents to enrich the education of all students. Additionally, they preside over and conduct monthly council meetings, set agendas and schedule meetings (in consultation with the Principal). The chair promotes discussion amongst council members and the community, receives and reports on correspondence sent and received by council. Acts as coordinator between the school board and council. Receives documentation from board and keeps council advised of board decisions, activities etc. Supports programs, initiatives and activities led by other council members and contributes to the monthly council newsletter.
Vice Chair/Co-chair
Presides at meetings in the absence of the chair or upon the incumbent’s inability to serve. Responsible for overseeing all sponsored events and programs.
Treasurer
Works with the council and coordinators in developing an operating budget, keeps a full and accurate account of receipts and expenditures and serves as the liaison with the Board of Education. Additional responsibilities include depositing/disbursing funds on behalf of the council, the preparation of monthly financial statements, and the preparation & filing of all necessary financial reports.
Secretary
Attends scheduled council meetings, records, maintains and distributes minutes of meetings, keeps non-financial records of council.
Indigenous Representative
This is a newer position with the SAC and will evolve and grow organically.
Member at Large (Divisional Reps and/or Neighbourhood Reps)
Attends meetings and participates in many aspects of council activities, as prescribed by council. Voting member. Kindergarten, Primary, and Junior positions available should there be enough interest.
Fundraising Coordinator
Plans, manages fundraising activities of council. Works closely with treasurer.
Community Representative
A member of the community who does not have children attending Welborne.
Kidsport Kingston
Kidsport provides grants to help cover the costs of registration fees so that all kids aged 18 and under in Kingston can play a season of sport in the community or school athletics.
The Kingston chapter accepts applications and administers grants of up to $250 per child/year, for kids who live in Kingston, or in one of the other communities they serve. Applications are to be directly submitted to the Kingston Kidsport website. You also have the opportunity to submit a paper application.
https://kidsportcanada.ca/ontario/kingston/apply-for-a-grant/
Kingston School of Arts invites 2SLGBTQIA+ folks to join their Pride Creativity Club!
"You’ll be invited to discover your creativity, explore the healing power of the arts, and connect with others in this safe space."
Pride Creativity Club is free, materials are provided, and no prior artistic experience is necessary! Teaching Artist Hill Werth will be present to offer guidance and encouragement.
Pride Creativity Club Fall Dates (*For ages 10 +)
Sunday 17 September from 1pm – 3pm
Sunday 22 October from 1pm – 3pm
Sunday 12 November from 1pm – 3pm
Sunday 10 December from 1pm – 3pm
Sukkah In The Square
September 29-October 6 2023
The event is free of charge and open to all members of the Kingston community, regardless of background or beliefs. In the release, the Kingston Jewish Council extends a warm invitation to local dignitaries, community leaders, and residents to join them in this week-long celebration of unity and diversity.
Visit the “Sukkah in the Square” website for more information.
Volunteers - Information/Clarification about CPICs
Everyone who volunteers at the school, including attending field trips is required to have a CPIC, including a vulnerable sector check, on file at the school. A CPIC is good for three years: the year in which you obtain it and the two following years. For two years after your CPIC is dated, you only need to sign a form indicating that you have not been convicted of any offenses since the time of the CPIC. Offense Declaration Forms are available at the office.
Nut Free Lunch and Snacks at Welborne
Events and Dates of Significance
Sept 10 - World Suicide Prevention Day
Sept 10 - Firefighter's National Memorial Day
Sept 13 - Anniversary of the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Sept 15 - Immunization Consent Forms (Gr 7/8) due todaySept 15-17 - Rosh Hashanah
Sept 18-22 - International Week of the Deaf
Sept 25 - PA Day (no school for students)
Sept 28 - Immunizations (Gr 7/8)
Oct 9 - Thanksgiving Day (no school for staff or students)
Oct 12 - Picture Day!
*Nov 24 - Welborne Night at the Frontenac's Game! (Mark it on your calendar! We are singing O'Canada!)
Recess Zones
Drop-off and Pick-up Routines
- Parents/Guardians may escort students to the yard until they are under the supervision of school staff beginning at 8:50 a.m.
- We ask that parents drop their children off at the foot of the path and then students can make their way to their zone.
- For the first few days, staff will endeavour to be flexible, especially for students new to Welborne who are just learning the routines.
Pick Up at the End of the Day
- Please arrange to meet your child in the same place every day. For our K through Grade 3 friends, parents must maintain a safe distance and quickly vacate the property after pick-up/drop off.
If you need to speak to your child's class teacher, please understand that this cannot happen during drop-off or pick-up time, as teachers must remain vigilant when on duty. Please email welba@limestone.on.ca or call the office and we will help to direct your comment/concern.
Active Transportation
- Where possible, families will be encouraged to make use of active forms of travel (walking, biking). Bike racks are located at the front of the school.
Transportation by Bus
- If eligible, families should have received bussing information from Tri-Board detailing pick up and drop off locations and times.
- If you have not received this information, please visit the tri-board website , email them at info@triboard.ca or call them at 613-354-1981.
Driving Students to School
- Kindly be reminded that parents/guardians will not be able to drive into the parking lot or park there during drop-off and pick-up times.
- If you are dropping off your child by vehicle, please observe the city parking signs and try to use one of our many entrances, including the pathways in the neighbourhood located on Bicknell Crescent, Glen Castle Road, or Nordic Avenue (see below).
Prevalent Medical Conditions
Parents should be aware that:
- common over-the-counter pain relievers such as Aspirin are not supplied to students by the school;
- all medication must be kept at the office (with the exception of EpiPens and asthma inhalers for emergency use);
- if, in the opinion of your doctor, your child may require medication during the school day, a prescription label or note from the doctor will be required;
- a permission form for the dispensing of medication, signed by the parents, is to be kept on file in the school office;
- a small amount of prescribed medication will be kept at the school; and
- a record of administration shall be maintained in the school office.
The authorization forms can be found here: Medical Procedures Forms
What We Need At School
- Indoor shoes - to be left at school.
- Lunch bag - students should bring a lunch that they can open themselves. For our newest learners, please start practicing opening containers and snack items to ensure your child can open all packaging independently.
- Water bottle - labelled with their name. Fountains are only for refilling bottles again this year
- Hat or other form of sun protection
All items must be labelled with your child's name.
*For our Primary students (Kindergarten to Grade 3), in addition to the above items, children should bring a change of clothes (underwear and two pairs of socks included) in a large ziplock bag labelled clearly with their name. This change of clothes will stay at school in case of emergencies.
**Masks are optional though KFL&A Public Health continues to encourage the wearing of masks in indoor, congregate settings, such as schools and school buses.
Daily Schedule
(You can also view our schedule electronically here.)
LDSB 2023-2024 School Year Calendar
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