James R. Henderson Weekly Update
Friday, June 11th, 2021
Our staff was shocked and saddened by the tragic killing of the Afzaal family in London last Sunday. We want to express our profound sympathy and condolences to the local Muslim community, and to others who were affected by this horrific event. In age-appropriate ways, teachers discussed what had happened, and supported children with their questions, sadness and grief. We remain committed to combating Islamophobia, racism and discrimination of any type, and we will continue to work hard to educate our students and to create a school climate that is safe and inclusive for everyone.
With two weeks left in a school year that will not soon be forgotten we continue to be impressed by your resilience, your support and your commitment to your children's learning and wellness. Please continue to reach out to your children's teachers, or to us, should we be able to support you: learning looks different for different families right now, and we are here to help and problem-solve together.
We had our final Parent Council meeting of the year last night: thank you so much to Erica Benn (Parent Council Chair) and the Parent Council Executive who have worked so hard to find ways to support our school community this year. The Mom's Pantry Fundraiser and Cob's Bread Fundraisers yielded profits of $174.00 and $170.00 respectively. These funds were used to support the "Consumables" budget (items for recess and outdoor activities like shovels and sleds, sand toys, frisbees, pool noodles, etc...) The Plantables fundraiser is still ongoing: if you are interested in purchasing some delightful herbs and veggies for your garden, and supporting the school, please see the details below. We look forward to continuing to work with our dedicated, thoughtful and enthusiastic Parent Council next year!
Plans for our Grade 8 Graduation and Grade 6 French Immersion Celebrations have been finalized: we will recognize these important milestones with a hybrid of Virtual ceremonies and individual, in-person appointments for students who are transitioning to Frontenac Secondary School and Module de l'Acadie to have a special photograph taken and collect their diplomas and certificates. Communication has gone out to Grade 8 and Grade 6 French Immersion students and their parents/caregivers. Please contact the school if you did not receive the information.
Some families have asked about collecting student belongings that were left at school, and returning school technology. We will share our plan for the retrieval of student items/return of technology once the Public Health and LDSB protocols around this have been firmed up.
Special Days Next Week:
Wednesday, June 16th: Inside Out and Backwards Day!
Friday, June 18th: Hawks Day!
Throwback Thursday was a lot of fun -- everyone enjoyed seeing staff and students when they were youngsters...we have included our own baby photos for your amusement :)
Have a wonderful weekend, Hawk Families,
Mme Peart and Mrs. Davey
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