Together in Education
May 2017
Lancaster Drive Public School and Parent Council
Email: lancd@limestone.on.ca
Website: http://lancaster.limestone.on.ca
Location: 1020 Lancaster Drive, Kingston, ON, K7P 2R7
Phone: 613-634-0470
Twitter: @LancasterPSLDSB
ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS.....
UpcomingEvents
May 3 - LCVI Road Race
May 8-9 - Junior boy's and girl's basketball tournaments
May 9 - Celebration of Dance
May 11 - Lancaster's Got Talent - Talent Show
May 12 - Primary Division to "Pigmania"
May 15 - Intermediates to the Grand Theatre for "James and the Giant Peach"
May 17 - Marathon Club finish at Invista Track - Junior division
May 17 - Parent Workshop "Helping your child with Anxiety" @ Lancaster 6:30-8:30 pm
May 18 - Grandparent's Lunch
May 19 - PA DAY / "Walk Down Memory Lane" Drop-in Tea & Social, 11 am-3 pm
May 20 – Lancaster’s 25th Anniversary Picnic 11 am -3pm
May 24-26 Grade 3 EQAO
May 25 - Building Better Schools - Your Voice Matters (City Hall, 6:30-8:30 pm)
May 29-31 - Grade 6 EQAO
May 30 - Character Assembly 1:30 pm
May 31-June 2 - Grade 8s to Oconto
June 5 and 8 - Track and Field Meets
June 14 - Volunteer Tea
Message from your Administrative Team
As May arrives, students and staff begin to look ahead at the valuable time remaining in the school year, as well as the many upcoming events to look forward to. We reflect on our learning journey and set goals to continue student growth and prepare students to transition to the next grade, a new division, or on to high school. We have many things to celebrate as a school and a community with a very full calendar ahead. We have had thriving junior basketball seasons with multiple teams participating in weekend tournaments under the leadership of Mr. Vreeken and the support of Mrs. Hamilton. Lancaster had wonderful team results at the recent Bayridge Road Race and runners persevered through rain and mud to meet personal goals at the second run at LCVI. Ultimate Frisbee teams have been preparing for the season with indoor practices at the 1000 Islands Sports Complex. Primary students have thoroughly enjoyed lunchtime yoga sessions with Ms. Dudley. We have also showcased and supported student leadership with some of our primary and intermediate students generating student interest clubs and activities with a reading club, volleyball sessions, junior ultimate frisbee, and student tutoring sessions. Our staff continue to bring new learning and experiences into the instructional day. We have had our Community Safety Officer, Constable Valerie Hurding, in to speak to students from grades 3-8 this term to build student awareness and confidence in the areas of on-line safety and bully awareness and prevention strategies. Our kindergarten classes have been celebrating the beginning stages of their new outdoor garden, planning and talking together about the planting of new seeds. We have also welcomed Lego Robotics sessions into three of our junior classrooms as they worked with coding programs to make their Jade Robots do some drawing and maze navigating! Congratulations to students Andrew K., Evan B., Charlotte W., and Anvita S. who had their artwork chosen for the Hotel Dieu Student Art Gallery. Our very own Nick K. has been selected to perform at the upcoming Canadian Crystal in the fall and Katie P. has also taken the stage with a role in the Grand Theatre's production of "James and the Giant Peach". Our school talent show "Lancaster's Got Talent" was just one of the ways that we continue to celebrate student achievement in all areas of school life. Seeing our students grow and take healthy leaps to explore their limits in a supportive environment makes our hearts sing!
Succesful Learning Environments
Creating class lists is a shared task by the team of educators that spend a significant amount of time getting to know your child, discovering their academic, social and emotional needs in the educational setting both in and out of the classroom. Each year we want to build the best learning environments for all learners. The team considers a wide range of factors including overall number of students in each grade (if a split grade), student learning styles and personalities, number of boys and girls, academic strengths and needs, peer relationships, learning skills and work habits, and social/ emotional strengths and needs. All classrooms, whether single grade or combined grade, include students performing at a wide range of achievement levels. We meet the needs in that wide range through differentiated instruction, a focus on developing critical thinking skills, and modifications and accommodations for various learning needs. In every case, Lancaster staff work to put a lot of thinking into creating responsive classroom learning environments that will support the success of all students. Through conversations with staff, parents may offer input around their child's strengths and needs if there is information that may be helpful when considering the best placement for your child.
Personal bests....
Strength in character and tremendous teamwork is the hallmark of a Lancaster athlete. Each and every one of our runners this season put in their best efforts with training and then pushing their limits at the races this year. We continue to see more students coming out with track a field season upon us. Go Lions go!
Fun with Jade Robots!
Junior students got introduced to programming and coding Jade Robots. Over the course of three days classes each had a full morning to explore and test their skills. Beaming with accomplishments, they came up with creative solutions and worked together through the various team challenges.
French Plays, Talent Show and Popsicle chats
Lancaster's Got Talent showcase the breadth of student talent and hard work in and outside of school, exercising their creativity and strengthening their risk-taking muscles! After much rehearsing and practicing students in our junior program also performed French plays this month. With spring finally joining us classes have been enjoying critical thinking thinking activities outside....with popsicles. : )
Letter from your Parent Council Co-Chairs
MAY UPDATES…
PARENT COUNCIL SURVEY
During the month of April, all Lancaster parents have had the opportunity to give feedback to Parent Council to help us shape future goals for our school. 20% of our school parents participated in a school-wide survey. Thank you, we really appreciate your input. An analysis of the survey results was shared at the May council meeting and posted on the school website for your viewing (https://tinyurl.com/kx5spyg). Your valued input will be helpful as we begin to do some preliminary planning for the fall.
NOMINATIONS FOR NEXT YEAR’S PARENT COUNCIL
It is time to start thinking about next year’s Parent Council. As co-chairs, one of our roles is to nurture succession planning. Our goal is to encourage new parents to join the Council and take on leadership roles to ensure new ideas are brought in and the voices of all parents are heard. Please consider this amazing opportunity! Our plan is to step down as co-chairs; however we will remain actively involved and can offer help and support to anyone new coming in. There are many other members who are either exploring a new role or moving on. So, there are many positions open and available. As you know, in order to have the most success, it is best that we fill all positions and share the workload amongst many. Please watch for the nomination form coming out this month. If you are interested or know someone who may be interested in running for an elected, coordinator or committee position be sure to fill out and return the form to the main office by May 31st. You may also submit your interest or any questions to:
Principal Lani Fox at foxla@limestone.on.ca
or to Vice-Principal Sara Wellwood at wellwoods@limestone.on.ca
or to our School Council e-mail at lancd_council@limestone.on.ca
Nominations will be presented at the June meeting. More Parent Council opportunity forms will go out at Kindergarten orientation in June and in the fall to ensure we include all of our newcomers. Formal Elections will be held in September 2017.
PARENT WORKSHOP – WEDNESDAY MAY 17TH - 6:30-8:30 P.M. - ARE YOU CONCERNED THAT YOUR KIDS ARE ANXIOUS?
Have you ever wondered what the difference between anxious behaviour and expected age appropriate challenging behaviour is? Come out and find out and also get tips on what you can do to help your child if they feel anxious. An hour and and half presentation with the last ½ hour Q & A will be presented by Nicole Corbett from Pathways for Children and Youth. Take away resources including stress relief items and a list of resources will be provided. Refreshments and childcare provided. Funded by PRO Grant, Ontario Ministry of Education.
RSVP Appreciated to: lancd_council@limestone.on.ca
TEACHER APPRECIATION
Although we try to highlight our phenomenal teachers, school staff and administrators throughout the year with gestures of thanks, this is the time of year we really like to show our appreciation for all of their hard work and commitment to our children and our school. Serena Milling and Gillian Brown, our Teacher/Staff Appreciation Co-Coordinators, have organized a luncheon event which will be held on the Wednesday June 7th for their enjoyment! We have so much to be thankful for! Lancaster teachers and staff are amazing! (If you are interested in helping set up for this event please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Laurie Gedcke-Kerr at laurie.gedckekerr@queensu.ca.
25th ANNIVERSARY – MAY 19TH & 20TH
Mark it on your calendar! Come out and celebrate Lancaster with our community!
PIC SYMPOSIUM 2017
Donna attended the Ottawa Regional Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) Symposium, last month. It was an informative day that touched on engaging new Canadians, Opioid Overdose Prevention, PRO grant projects, offered networking with our neighbouring PIC groups with the highlight of meeting , 3-time gold Olympic rowing champion and very engaging keynote speaker.
May Checklist…
- Check out the survey results on the Parent Council website
- Fill out a nomination form for a Council position next year or share the information with another parent
- Sign up for the parent workshop about Anxiety
- Thank a teacher :-)
- Come to the 25th Anniversary
Thanks for your attention to all our news and we look forward to seeing you at all the events this month! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at lancd_council@limestone.on.ca
Sincerely,
Donna Banting and Corrie Allingham
School News
LANCASTER TURNS 25!
Plans for Lancaster's 25th Anniversary Picnic have been in full swing. In classes, students have been reflecting on what was important in the world 25 years ago, where they might see themselves in 25 years, and exploring trends, significant contributions as well as the history of the school. Coming up with 25 things they love about Lancaster was not a difficult task! : )
Our Media club has been busy archiving hundreds of school photos and creating a memory slide show to share some of the wonderful moments in Lancaster history. The pictures are full of Lancaster staff and students alumni as well as notable events that caught the news. We also have a team of students who, with Mr. Wilkins, have been looking at the time capsule from the opening year and creating a new time capsule to mark the 25th year at Lancaster. We are opening the school on Friday for touring for any current or alumni staff and students with some refreshments available for those moments of catching up with old friends.
On Saturday May 20th we welcome all former and current Lancaster staff, students and families to the Anniversary Picnic. We are excited to have Mr. Stenman, a staff member who opened the school 25 years ago performing with his band "Rewind" and sharing some oldies with the crowd. Classrooms will be open with memorabilia to view in the hallways and a great meal available. The Town Crier, Chris Whyman will open the official presentations from Bill Creighton and Donna Jackson, the first principal and first secretary to open the building in 1991-1992 school year. We will also unveil a new school Logo, a result of our student Logo Design Challenge. The fun continues with a Zumba session with Edward from the YMCA and student performances from the Lancaster's talent show. We are very excited to share this event with our families, alumni and school community!
Student Voice: Our School Survey
We know that when students are highly engaged in school, they are more likely to achieve at high levels. We also know that for students to achieve to the best of their ability and to reach their full potential, they need to feel safe, secure and supported at school. As a result, the Limestone District School Board (LDSB) is working with The Learning Bar organization to survey our students on their level of engagement in learning, their level of wellness, and the climate of their school. You may remember in past years, Lancaster students in Grades 4-8 completed this same survey. This spring, students in Grades 4-8 will again complete a survey to assess their engagement and their perceptions of the school climate. As in the past, all LDSB schools will be using the Learning Bar’s Our School survey (formerly known as Tell Them From Me), which was developed by internationally renowned educational researcher Dr. Douglas Willms and is based upon years of research in Canada and around the world. Secondary Schools in LDSB have been using Learning Bar surveys for the past 7 years. Currently this survey tool is used in schools throughout Canada with over 100,000 students participating. More information is available regarding Our School at www.thelearningbar.com.
These surveys provide Lancaster with invaluable feedback directly from students regarding their experiences and perceptions about their school environment. Information gathered will help us to share best practices as well as areas for focus, in order to foster a positive school environment. Aggregate results tied to the school climate will be shared with our school’s Safe Schools Team and School Council to help guide their work, and to inform School Improvement Plans for School Climate based on the feedback.
Principals for a Day!
PARENT RESOURCES
Supports for Families regarding Netflix's 13 Reasons Why
Fentanyl Alert: Resources for Parents & Students
The Limestone District School Board is working with KFL&A Public Health to alert students, parents and staff about the confirmation of the illicit (non-prescription) fentanyl in our area, which can result in serious risk of harm or injury, or death.
Parent Council News
2016-2017 Parent Council Executive
Parent Council Account Balance
The Parent Council account balance
as of April 30, 2017 is
$12,365.75
Submitted by Jennifer McKee, Treasurer
Call for Nominations for Parent Council 2017-2018!
Interested in being a part of Parent Council 2017-2018? Fill out the nomination form available online at:
Help Wanted
Parent volunteers are essential to maintaining a rich learning environment. If you can help in any way, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator,
Laurie Gedke-Kerr at:
"It takes a minute to find a special person,
an hour to appreciate them,
and a day to love them,
but it takes an entire lifetime to forget them."
~ Annonymous
Useful Links
Sign Up for the Parent Council E-mail List
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Sign Up for Parent Council on REMIND
https://www.remind.com/join/ldps-pc
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People for Education
To sign up for their bi-weekly newsletter:
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LDSB Family Lending Library
limestone.on.ca/lending_library
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Limestone Link
www.limestone.on.ca/
Limestone_Link/
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Council Calendar
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School Calendar