March News
Bath Public School
Principal's Message
The days are getting longer and warmer, and the cold snow is slowly melting away! Spring will soon be here, as we continue learning and working together through the second term. All around the school students are learning to read syllables, words, and to make sense of complex texts. They are problem solving and solidifying number concepts in math, and learning about the world around them in Science and Social Studies. It is great to see everyone hard at work. You should have received your child's Provincial Report Card on Feb. 17th which provided a summary of your child’s learning and achievement over the course of Term 1. Additional opportunities exist for sharing student achievement; ongoing communication through student work, electronic sharing, conferences and informal conversations. If you have questions about your child's report card, please reach out.
February was a busy month at Bath PS. We participated in many learning activities related to Black History Month as well as marked the 100th day of school. We acknowledged and recognized acts of kindness, we focused on how to be inclusive and anti-racist as well as how to create safe spaces for everyone and stand up to bullying. It is great to be a Bath Knight!
Finally, KFLA Public Health and the Ministry have updated the COVID screener, to help prevent the spread of variants. Please see information about this below, and continue to screen your student(s) every day. Bath PS and our KFLA region have done incredibly well at following Public Health guidelines, and we appreciate your cooperation and support in keeping our school community safe and healthy.
Thank you for your continued support of the work we do every day!
Happy March!
Jennifer Osborne, Principal
Coming Up
March 12 ~ Beach day
March 17 ~Green day (St Patrick's day)
March 26 ~Colour House Colour day
April 2-5 ~ Easter Holiday
April 12-16 ~Spring Break
April 19 ~ SAC meeting
Ministry revises COVID-19 Screening Tool
In February, the Ministry of Education released details on several new initiatives intended to build upon existing public health and safety measures to keep schools open and safe. Since that time, school boards have been putting plans in place to execute these new measures.
This is a lot of new information. Please ensure you review it carefully.
First, the province has released a new version of the COVID-19 School & Child Care Screening Tool. The revised tool includes changes to stay-at-home requirements for those with symptoms and isolation requirements for household contacts of those with symptoms. A printable/downloadable version from KFL&A Public health is also available.
Effective immediately:
1. Students and staff with any new or worsening symptom of COVID-19, even those with only one symptom, must stay home until:
- They receive a negative COVID-19 test result.
- They receive an alternative diagnosis by a health care professional, or
- It has been 10 days since their symptom onset and they are feeling better.
2. Students and staff are now required to stay home from school or child care if anyone in their household has new or worsening symptoms of COVID-19, and has been recommended for isolation and testing. All asymptomatic household contacts of those with symptoms are required to quarantine until the symptomatic household member:
- receives a negative COVID-19 test result, or
- receives an alternative diagnosis by a health-care professional
If the symptomatic individual tests positive for COVID-19, or is not tested, and does not receive an alternative diagnosis from a health-care professional, the symptomatic individual must isolate (including from household members) for 10 days from symptom onset. All household contacts must isolate until 14 days from their last contact with the symptomatic individual (a total of 24 days if the symptomatic individual is not able to effectively self isolate from other members of the household).
Although there is currently low to no Variants of Concern (VOC) circulating in the KFL&A Region, KFL&A Public Health has a robust plan to manage potential cases in schools. Because VOCs could spread more easily than typical COVID-19 cases, more proactive isolation and contact tracing measures may be required if a VOC is suspected in a school environment. Limestone and KFL&A Public Health will advise school communities when more aggressive action is needed.
The new Ministry directives regarding COVID-19 screening may impact student and staff absenteeism. The board will make every effort to continue in-person learning but situations may arise where classrooms (or entire schools) may need to pivot to remote learning for a designated period of time. We hope this is not required.
We must continue to work together to minimize the spread of COVID-19, and ensure public health guidelines are met to keep our schools safe and open.
March Break delayed until April
School Day Permissions & Payments
Limestone DSB is excited to offer our families a new secure portal to complete permissions and payments online. With School-Day: Permissions & Payments, you will be able to complete permission forms and payments from any web browser using your SmartPhone, tablet, laptop or desktop.
Through this new online portal, you will be able to pay for items such as:
· Field trips
· Sporting events
· Student cards/athletic fees
· Hot lunch (where applicable)
The new easy-to-use portal will remove the risks associated with sending money to school with students, the frustration of lost or missing permission forms, and significantly reduce the amount of paper our school consumes.
A School-Day Introduction Letter that came home in November and in February. If you did not receive this letter, please contact the office. Use the instructions in it to sign up for a School-Day account at www.school-day.com and connect to your child’s events and activities.
With your support, we look forward to a successful implementation of this practical application!
Get Active!
Get ready for the Kingston Gets Active Month Challenge! Kingston Gets Active Month is being offered as a challenge during the month of March, just in time to help you beat the winter and COVID blues. Kingston Gets Active Month is traditionally a time to try a new activity or just get out and have some fun getting active. This year all activities can be done outdoors or virtually at home. Everything is Free and there’s something for all ages.
To participate, download or check out the calendar of activities during the month of March. Challenge yourself, your family and your friends to get active each day. Then enter for a chance to win prizes!
Kingston Gets active is partnering with St Lawrence College Therapeutic Recreation students, who will be providing live virtual classes for all ages—from “Bibbidi, Bobbidi, Body Break” for little ones, to “Stretch to Destress at Work”, “Family Scavenger Hunt”, “Jukebox Classics Zumba” for older adults, and more. Other live virtual classes from local providers include cheerleading, yoga, and DancePl3y. We also have links from local provides to their virtual fitness programming as well as some fun things to do at home & outdoors—like water bottle bowling. All the details are in the Kingston Gets Active Calendar, which can be found on the Kingston Gets Active website.
Being physically active brings many benefits, including maintaining a healthy body weight, building a healthy heart, strengthening muscles and bones, improving self-esteem and mental health. “The Covid19 pandemic has made it difficult for all of us to find ways to be active,” said Kristin Côté, Coordinator of Kingston Gets Active. “We hope that all Kingston residents will take advantage of the many free activities being offered during the month and stay active, get healthy, and have some fun.”
Thank you to participating local organizations
Thank you to participating sport and recreation providers who are offering live and virtual activities for all to try: St Lawrence College Therapeutic Recreation, DancePl3y, Kingston Community Health Centres & EarlyON, Kingston Elite Cheerleading, Kingston Frontenac Public Library, Kingston Striders Speed Skating Club, Queen’s Athletics & Recreation Centre, YMCA of Eastern Ontario, Kingston Tennis Club, and Virgo Moon Wellness.
For more information, check the Kingston Gets Active Month webpage, and download the Kingston Gets Active Month Challenge Calendar.
School Mental Health Survey
The Limestone District School Board is currently working on its Mental Health and Substance Use Strategy for 2021-2024. This strategy helps the board make decisions about how to support student mental health and well-being at school.
Mental health and well-being are widely recognized as a complex issue requiring collaboration to meet the needs of students. Limestone continues to monitor and evaluate needs and provides evidence-informed services and resources to students, including those provided by the Ministry of Education and School Mental Health Ontario.
“Schools play an essential role in the promotion of mental health including early identification, reducing stigma, and providing pathways to both board and community-based supports for students who may be struggling,” says LDSB Mental Health Lead Laura Conboy. “Our mental health strategy provides a road map to help drive the work already being done in our system to best support students and families.”
School boards are required to develop a student mental health strategy every three years. To help Limestone develop its updated strategy, the board is engaging students, families, staff and community partners through a voluntary survey so that as many voices as possible inform our strategy development.
“Student and family voice and experience are key to helping us create a robust strategy,” says Conboy. “Our aim is to establish meaningful, relevant, actionable and measurable goals to support the mental health of students using appropriate resources and pathways of care.”
Students in Grades 7 to 12 and staff will receive the survey directly via their Limestone email.
Families can participate in the survey via this anonymous link.
The family survey should take about 10 minutes to complete. At the end of the survey, a list of community mental health and substance use supports will be available; this is also available for those who choose not to complete the survey after clicking the link.
Broad results will be shared with the public in the spring and fall of 2021. No individual or school will be identified.
Kindergarten Registration
Bath PS would like to welcome new students to Kindergarten. This is an exciting time for both you and your student. Kindergarten is a wonderful experience and your student’s next phase on their journey of learning.
Kindergarten programs in Ontario offer a full day of learning for four- and five-year-olds. At Bath Public School, our Kindergarten program aims to nurture the whole child. 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.
Online registration for the 2021-2022 school year is now open. Register your student here http://bit.ly/LDSBregistration2021
School Advisory Council (SAC)
SAC Positions
The Bath PS Parent Council is fortunate to have a strong parental community who work together to create the best possible learning environment for our students. We have a wide range of committed volunteers who offer a wealth of experience in different areas. The current executive team has been involved with the SAC for many years and their time as parents of Bath PS students is nearing its end. They want to ensure the continued success of the council and are looking to attract engaged parents who are willing to commit to being a part of the executive group for the parent council. The following positions are available:
Treasurer
Bath Public School Student Advisory Council (SAC) is seeking someone who is willing to work alongside the current treasurer to learn the role through hands on training and mentorship. Available immediately and in 2021/2022 school year.
The Treasurer is a key member of the executive team and will:
· Work with the council leaders and coordinators to develop an operating budget
· Serving as the liaison with the school and the Limestone District Board of Education (LDSB)
· Monitoring all council financial activities, prepare monthly & annual financial statements
· Deposit/disburse all funds on behalf of council
For a detailed description of all duties falling under the treasurer’s role please follow the link below and look for the treasurer’s checklist.
Key Skills
· Attention to detail to keep accurate records of all financial transactions
· Basic Excel / Spreadsheet knowledge
· You do not need a finance degree to hold this position.
· Willingness to learn new skills
Secretary
Bath Public School Student Advisory Council (SAC) is seeking a Secretary for the 2021/2022 school year. You will work alongside the executive members to learn the role through hands on training and mentorship.
The Secretary is a key member of the executive team and will:
· Attend monthly meetings and record the minutes of each School Council meeting,
· Circulate the minutes via email and maintain organized records for all council meetings
· Record keeping: Keep all non-financial records of council including an up-to-date list of council members and their contact information.
For a detailed description of all of the duties falling under the secretary’s role please follow the link below and look for the Secretary Checklist.
Key Skills
· Attention to detail to keep accurate records of all non-financial records
· Basic Word Processing / Email Skills
· Willingness to learn new skills
Chair/Co-Chair/Vice Chair
Bath Public School Student Advisory Council (SAC) is seeking someone who is willing to work alongside the current Co-Chairs and to learn the role through hands on training and mentorship. Available immediately and in 2021/2022 school year.
The Chair is a key member of the executive team and will:
· Promoting student academic success and a greater understanding of our education system
· Enhancing communication to parents from the school and encouraging Parent Engagement
· Presiding over meetings and involved in organization of council
· Overseeing events, programs, and activities
· Fundraising and financial planning as part of a team
For a detailed description of all of the duties falling under the secretary’s role please follow the link below and look for the Secretary Checklist.
Key Skills
· Ability to plan ahead and set priorities
· Advocate on behalf of students and parents
· Create a welcoming climate for a diverse and inclusive group of members, volunteers and leaders and establish and maintain good working relationships with others
· Effective organization and communication skills
Indigo Fundraiser
Do you shop at Indigo online? Just a reminder that our Indigo Fundraiser is still going on! Please think of Bath PS and go through this link below before you make your purchases! We make 15% from Gift Card purchases and 3% from all other purchases! We have made over $200 so far! Thank you to all who have purchased so far!
2nd Annual Rain Barrel Fundraiser
Did you miss the Rainbarrel fundraiser last year? Well, we are having it again! Pick-up will be on April 24! More details to come but please see the link below to purchase:http://rainbarrel.ca/BathPS
Bath PS Parents Facebook Group
We have an amazing group for all of the Parents to go to for lots of info, and where you can post your questions about everything Bath PS. Here is the link to the group, see you there!