Dear Families,

We are excited for WALKING WEDNESDAYS at Lancaster and Mother Teresa Schools. We will be challenging students to find their way to school by biking, walking, or rolling to school with a special focus on Wednesdays. The warmer weather has tentatively joined us which will certainly help in this endeavour.

As many of you will be aware, April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day. The LDSB District Autism Team has shared a variety of resources for educators to use to help students to broaden their understanding of persons with Autism and neurodiversity. We look forward to some wonderful teaching and learning this month.

April also marks the beginning of Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community. This year, Ramadan is from April 1st until May 1st. Please take a moment to enjoy this short video that gives a good overview of Ramadan:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pvmUoYNbmU

We wish a "Ramadan Mubarak" (filled with blessings) to all of our students, staff and families who observe.

Our Senior Basketball season has come to an end with lots of growth and healthy competition from both teams. It has been wonderful to see students back on the court and experiencing this element of school life. Junior Basketball is also now up and running! Thank you to Mr. Vreeken, Mme. Take, Mr. Barling and Ms. O'Hearn for supporting our teams this season.

Running Club is also back in action: students from Grades 3-8 are invited to join the Running Club. We encourage all runners to come out whether it means they are hoping to compete or just wish to stretch their legs and be a part of the fantastic energy of our group. Those who are able to run the distance for their age group will be invited to the Bayridge and LCVI Road Races later in the season.

As planting season is fast approaching it is time to schedule your "Plantables" delivery! This fundraiser was a success last year, the plants were healthy and hearty, and the online system made it very easy for families to order. Funds raised by this initiative will support a variety of school projects including purchasing "consumables" for outdoor play (balls, sand toys, sleds, etc...), and materials for experiential learning in classrooms. Order plants for yourself, or gift them to family, friends or neighbours - what a kind gesture towards someone you care about. Simply visit the site and use our school code (LDPSGROWS) at checkout.

This month, Lancaster Staff will be engaging in professional learning on the PA Day at the end of the month focusing on LDSB violence prevention training, school climate data and structured literacy. Over 15 staff will also be renewing our First Aid Certification through an after school course.

Please continue to send your child/ren with extra socks & clothes, waterproof boots and splash pants if possible: our yard continues to be quite muddy. Have a great weekend,

Your leaders in learning,

Lani Fox and Sara O'Hearn

PARENT REMINDERS:

• Please do not use the staff parking lot for the purpose of dropping off or picking up your child - additional vehicles at these times is counterintuitive to preserving a safe space for all students. Students can be dropped off using the laybys on Lancaster Drive or drive-thru zone, and then use the walkways on either side of the school to walk to the playground at the back of the school.
• We continue to require families to remain off the main pavement area during drop-off and pick-up times. This practice has had a positive impact on student safety as we are more clearly able to see students connecting with families as they wait at the path or make their way to their meeting spot at the beginning of the day.

Your leaders in learning,

Lani Fox and Sara O'Hearn

Kindergarten Registration has begun! If you have a child who will turn 4 or 5 by the end of December, you will find information about online registration for 2022-23 using the following link: https://www.limestone.on.ca/news/what_s_new/kindergarten_registration_for_september_2022 We look forward to planning some events to welcome our littlest learners later in the spring!

May 3 - Pizza
May 10 - Pasta
May 17 - Panzarotti
May 24 - Pizza
May 31 - Pasta
June 7 - Panzarotti
June 14 - Pizza
June 21 - Pasta

Thank you to members of our School Council for your shared advocacy on this new addition to our before and after school routines. This is position has been staffed and is scheduled to begin at the corner of Limestone and Lancaster on Monday, March 28th with the following times:

AM: 8:00am - 9:10am

PM: 2:55pm - 4:05pm

The Crossing Guard positions exist in two forms – Regular and Relief. The Relief Crossing Guard role allows the flexibility for an individual to cover a single shift (AM, PM, or both) at a crossing guard location in need of coverage on a given day. Applications for relief positions are still welcome, individuals interested can connect using this link (mmajeed@cityofkingston.ca) with their availability / locational preference.

KFL&A has updated the masking protocol for schools. Students are no longer required to wear masks when they are outdoors and in their cohorts. This means that when students are outside with their class cohorts for phys. ed or for recess, they do not have to keep their masks on.

A reminder that arrival and dismissal times have many students crossing different areas of the yard to get to their cohort lineup spots. Students should keep their masks on until they get to their designated lineup with their class cohort. Masks are still required indoors and on school transportation. Staff will remind students to put their masks on prior to entering the school building and prior to boarding a school

Rapid antigen test kits can be provided for students, and staff that develop symtoms at school. Please let us know if you require additional test kits if you are picking up a symptomatic student from school.

Please follow these instruction when using the Rapid Antigen Test Kit .

For more info, click here.

Love tasty baked goods from Cobs Bread?? Every time you visit Cobs Bread Bakery at 770 Gardiners rd. in Kingston simply let them know you are supporting Lancaster School’s Fundraiser and they will donate 10% of your sale to us!

Let’s “Raise some Dough”!