Together in Education Family Update
Week of September 14-18
Lancaster Drive Public School and Parent Council

Dear Lancaster Families,
We would like to extend our appreciation to our parent community for helping your child understand the importance of mask-wearing, hand--washing and being prepared for some changes at school.
Despite all the "new", what was most remarkable were the ways that staff and students were able to sink into some of the familiar. We played outside, we invented new games, we had classroom talking circles, we painted, we read, we completed some baseline assessments, and we found out more about each other. On Monday the A and B cohorts come together which, when speaking to many students this week, was another reason for excitement. We are looking forward to being all together!
Families will be receiving some paperwork this week sent home with your child. It is important to send back the data verification forms so that we can ensure our system data is updated. Families will also receive a school year calendar like the one pictured below.
Your lead learners,
Lani Fox and Sara O'Hearn



Parents are ESSENTIAL! Parent Council Elections - October 6th @ 6:00
We warmly welcome all parents to be a part of any and every parent council meeting, whether you are an elected member or a parent who would just like to listen in an hear more about what is going on at Lancaster. Meetings usually include an administrator's sharing component, reports from members in particular positions (treasurer, chair, events co-ordinator, etc.) and some discussion items. We will start with virtual meetings until such a time that we can have parents on-site. Meeting links will be posted by the PAC so that parents can elect to join.
Our first meeting for Parent Council elections will be held on Oct 6th at 6:00. Please complete this Google Form below if you would like to have the meeting link sent to attend the meeting.

Lanyards for Masks
A reminder to families that students are not permitted to use a lanyard to store their mask as this creates a possible choking hazard and does not meet public health standards for proper storage. Please send a paper bag or another suitable container that can be closed and not create moisture. We do have paper bags at the school for students to use if they don't have one.
Allergy Awareness
We have many students and staff who have severe allergies that pose risks to their health and safety. Thank-you for working with us to reduce the risk by making sure that you avoid packing any foods that may contain any tree-nuts or peanuts. As well, we ask that you avoid sending any strongly scented products such as scented sanitizers with your child.
Preparing your child for walking or biking to school:
Before your child heads off to school by themselves (or with friends), there are a few safety precautions you can take.
Build Familiarity:
- Teach your child to recognize and obey traffic signals and pavement markings.
- Choose the safest route between home and school and practice walking it with your child until he/she can demonstrate traffic-safety awareness.
- Have your child communte with a sibling, friend or neighbour following physical distancing guidelines. Connect with street neighbours or hire an older student to walk your child home.
- If your child is biking or scootering, make sure they have a helmet, bell and lock, and that their bike is in good working order.
- Teach your child hand signals and to get off and walk when crossing the road at intersections.
- Remind your child to get off and walk once they get to school property.
- Make sure your child knows what to do and who to contact if they have an emergency. Put a list of important numbers in their backpack.
- Remind them of safe ways to access help in the neighbourhood.
Remind your child to:
- Stick to well-traveled streets, use the same route every day and avoid shortcuts through wooded areas, parking lots or alleys.
- Keep the trip distraction-free. Have them put headphones and devices in backpacks so they can stay alert to what's happening around them.
- Carry backpacks and bags close to their body, not dangling by the straps.
- Don’t wear shoes or clothing that restrict movement.
- Cross streets only in crosswalks; never enter streets from between parked cars or from behind shrubbery.
- Always look both ways before crossing the street.
- Walk — don’t run — across intersections. A flashing “walk” signal does not mean it’s safe to cross.
- Don’t speak to strangers; if a stranger approaches, tell a teacher, a school principal or a trusted adult. Switch direction or cross the street if they feel unsafe.
COVID-19 Daily Active Screening

WHEN A STUDENT OR STAFF IS SICK AT SCHOOL
All students and staff must self-screen every day before attending school using a checklist before arriving at school. If a student or staff member is experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, they must stay home from school and should seek testing and appropriate medical attention. If a student or staff member feels sick, or develops symptoms while at school, schools will follow the following protocol:
- Students or staff who develop COVID-19 symptoms will immediately be separated from others, and the family will be contacted to arrange pick-up.
- Staff and families will be directed to consult their health-care provider and should be provided with information about COVID-19 testing locations.
- Staff and/or students who test positive may not return to school until they are cleared by KFL&A Public Health.
- Staff and/or students who test negative can return to school once they are symptom-free for 24 hours.
- Limestone schools will immediately report any suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 to the KFL&A Public Health.
- Limestone schools will participate in contact tracing through keeping records of classes, transported students, and visitors to schools.
- KFL&A Public Health will be providing a flow chart to families and schools to help provide a visual of these guidelines that will be followed.
Students can access e-books and audiobooks using their LDSB login


