James R. Henderson Weekly Update
Friday, May 7th, 2021
Dear Families,
We are excited to announce that our Parent Council has found another wonderful online fundraiser for us: we will be teaming up with "Plantables" to give families the opportunity to support a variety of school initiatives, and plant some beautiful, tasty and nutritious fruits, veggies and flowers! Detailed information is below.
This week was "Mental Health Awarness Week," and teachers made an extra effort to focus on how students can take steps to maintain both physical and mental wellness: eating well, sleeping well and exercising (outdoors if possible) are the 3 keys to good overall health. Using the link below, you will find a variety of easy activities for children and families to do at home: Deep Belly Breathing, Emotion Charades, Gratitude Moments and more! Try to carve out some time every day for your children (and yourself!) to do some self-care. As always, please continue to communiate with us and with your child's teacher if you are experiencing any challenges: we are here to support you.
https://smho-smso.ca/blog/12-easy-and-fun-mental-health-practices-to-try-with-your-children-at-home/
We know that our Grade 8 and Grade 6 students have started wondering what Grade 8 Graduation and Grade 6 French Immersion Celebrations will look like this year. At this point, our plan is to wait until May 20th to finalize things, when we will hear if there are any changes to the current Stay at Home Order, and to ensure that our plan is compliant with local Public Health and LDSB protocols. We thank you for your patience...what we do know for sure is that whether virtual, in person or a hybrid, our staff will make the transition from James R. Henderson to Frontenac/Module de l'Acadie memorable and meaningful for you and for our students.
Happy Mother's Day weekend to all of the wonderful moms, step-moms, foster moms, grandmothers and other mother figures in our students' lives: we know that it takes a village to care for our children, and we hope that your families and loved ones make you feel special on Sunday, and every day!
Mme Peart and Mrs. Davey
Darth Vader when he was in Grade 2 :)
Demonstrate school spirit, you must!
The force is strong with these Jedi knights :)
Miam, miam! Quel chef cuisinier talentuex!
On fait de la cuisine, et c'est délicieux!
The Tooth Fairy was very busy when both sisters lost a tooth!
Plantables Spring Fundraiser
Hello Parents,
This spring, Henderson is teaming up with Plantables to bring you an exciting new fundraiser! And with the weather warming up and many of you thinking about rolling up your sleeves and getting back into the garden, it’s a great time to help us hit our goal. Not only do Plantables let you grow the same high-quality fruit and veggie plants used by farmers across the country, but they deliver your ready-to-plant plants to your front door exactly when you need them.
That means all you have to do is bury them in the ground, give them some love and water and you’ll have tasty fruits and veggies in no time. (They’re all certified organic plants, too!) If you -- or anybody you know -- is looking to fill out their vegetable patch, tell them to head to plantables.ca and enter GOHAWKS at the checkout. (Don’t forget the code!)
Profits from this fundraiser will support a variety of on-going school projects, including the purchase of items for students to use at recess and playgound/yard eco-initiatives.
Thanks for all your support!
What If My Child is Not Going to Be Participating in Remote Learning on a Given Day?
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.
- 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.
How Can I Best Stay Informed?
Mental Health Supports
FOOD SHARE PROGRAM
We continue to get support from the Food Share program. If your family is struggling, please reach out to the school and we will connect you with support from our local Food Share Program for bi-weekly deliveries to your home.
ONLINE RESOURCES
Kids Help Phone – Children and youth can contact Kids Help Phone 24/7 from anywhere in Canada, via phone, text or online chat.
Wellness Together Canada: Mental Health and Substance Use Support – Provides free online resources, tools, apps and connections to trained volunteers and qualified mental health professionals when needed
Anxiety Canada - Free online, self-help, and evidence-based resources on anxiety, including resources specific to COVD-19.
Government Support for Learners
The new COVID-19 Child Benefit announced in the 2021 Ontario Budget will provide direct payments to families and students to help with additional costs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you received a payment through the Support for Learners program, you do not need to apply. Starting on April 26, 2021, we will begin issuing additional payments of:
- $400 for each child or youth up to Grade 12
- $500 for each child or youth up to age 21 with special needs
If you missed applying for the Support for Learners program, you will have the opportunity to apply for this new round of payment. Applications will open from May 3, 2021 to May 17, 2021.Learn more on the government’s Support for Learners webpage.
Need a Book to Read? Check out Sora!
École James R. Henderson Public School
Email: jrhen@limestone.on.ca
Website: jrhenderson.limestone.on.ca
Location: 361 Roosevelt Drive, Kingston, ON, Canada
Phone: 613-389-2330
Twitter: @jrhen_LDSB