Centennial Connection Feb 12, 2023
An update for families from Centennial Public School


Centennial Connection - Update for Families - February 12, 2023
Dear Centennial Families -
It has been another great week of learning and excitement at Centennial! Students have been engaged in learning about the contributions Black Canadians have made, and make, to Canadian history and society. Through mentor texts, daily announcements, and with specific connections to the curriculum, students are understanding the importance of black history, and futures.
This week we are very excited about the Sweets Raffle being organized by the School Council. It will be help on Tuesday where students can "bid" on various cakes and sweets. Students can purchase tickets on Monday and Tuesday - $1 for 2 tickets, $2 for 4 tickets or $5 for 10 tickets. All proceeds go to supporting student activities and experiences.
On Wednesday - Friday the Kinder Bs are selling "Palentine" Treat Bags during the first recess break - $1 per treat bag or $0.50 per small chocolate bar. The Kinders have been advertising, decorating the bags, and will count the money once collected. The children are very serious about this project and are looking forward to some brisk sales later this week. :)
Hot lunch starts this week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. All orders are due by 12noon on the Sunday previous. Missed out on this week's order? Why not go online and order for the week after Family Day?
Achievement Reports (Grades 1-6) and the Kindergarten Communications of Learning will go home on Friday February 17th. This is a formal report that identifies student achievement and progress, as well as next steps. After reading the report, if you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher or the school.
What a bright and glorious day today! We hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine! See you tomorrow! Don't forget to bring cash to purchase raffle tickets, if you wish!
- Deborah Thompson, Principal & the Centennial PS Team
Other Reminders:
- KFL&A Public Health is offering Immunization and Vaccination Clinics: you may access detailed information using the following link: http://kflaph.net/routine-bss
- Families of students in our Grade 6 English program who are interested in exploring "Extended French Immersion" for Grades 7 & 8 will find the information about application procedures using the following link: https://limestone.on.ca/cms/One.aspx?portalId=352782&pageId=639974
- KFL&A Public Health is offering some information sessions around Social Media and Body Image next month - detailed information can be found below
- For updated information about free, online tutoring for students in Grades 1-8, please visit the LDSB website: https://limestone.on.ca/cms/one.aspx?pageId=27481883
- Online Kindergarten Registration has begun! Please complete the registration for any of your children who will begin Full Day Kindergarten next year! You will find detailed information on the LDSB website: https://www.limestone.on.ca/programming/kindergarten___early_learning
- Check out the information below for an invitation to a session for parents about "Balanced Technology Use" sponsored by the Metis nation of Ontario
Kindness Week Begins at Centennial PS this week! Every day there is a kindness focus, along with mentor texts and student activities.

Upcoming Dates
Monday February 13th - Kindness Week begins
Tuesday February 14th - Hot Lunch begins for those who had ordered
Tuesday February 14th - Cahill's & Caldwell's classes to Gould Lake
Tuesday February 14th - Sweets Raffle
Tuesday February 14th - Wear red, pink and/or white
Tuesday February 14th - Gerri Mitchell special presentation for Kindergarten classes
Wednesday - Friday February 15 - 17 - Kinder Bs selling Palentine Treat Bags at 1st break (while supplies last!)
Friday February 17th - Achievement Reports & Communications of Learning sent home
Monday February 20th - Family Day - no school for students
Special Education Review

Donations for Sweets Raffle
If you can donate or if you have questions, please email Johanna Puckrin, parent volunteer, at johanna_feick@hotmail.com
Students can purchase tickets to big on the sweets/cakes. Tickets are 2 for $1, 4 tickets for $2 and 10 for $5. Please consider participating by purchasing tickets, if you can. The draw will take place on Tuesday. Winners will be contacted that day so that treats and cakes can go home! Happy Valentines Day!
Thank you to everyone who is able to support this initiative by the School Council.

School Year Calendar
Planning for the next school year has begun and the Limestone District School Board is seeking feedback from families on the proposed 2023-2024 school-year calendar.
The calendar is prepared in consultation with the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board and Algonquin Lakeshore Catholic District School Board stakeholders, as we share busing.
Families in our district are invited to take a few minutes to provide input via an online survey. 2023-2024 School Year Calendar Survey
If families would prefer a paper version of the survey, please contact the school and a hard copy will be provided.
The survey is open for responses until February 21, 2023.
Your input is important to us, and we appreciate your time in submitting your comments.
For more information, please visit the LDSB website.
Lost & Found items are displayed in the main hall - if you notice anything let us know and we can send it home with your child. All unclaimed items will be donated on Friday.
Hot Lunch now available weekly at Centennial!
We are happy to share that Lunchbox by SchoolCash Online will be offered at Centennial for the remainder of the 2022/2023 school year.
Lunchbox is a convenient, online ordering platform featuring local vendors. An ordering calendar has been coordinated for the school community at www.lunchboxorders.net.
How to Order:
1. Go online at www.lunchboxorders.net and click “ORDER LUNCH”.
2. New to Lunchbox Orders? Click “Create an Account” to register your family’s account.
3. Already registered? Please login directly with your current username (e-mail address) and password.
4. Add your child to your account by clicking “add a student” and register your child with their new teacher and grade for the current school year. **Please ensure the correct teacher and grade are selected to prevent errors on delivery days.
5. Click “Order Now” (beside your child’s name) to access the school’s ordering calendar.
6. Proceed with ordering your child’s lunch by clicking on the blue date for the scheduled vendors.
7. All orders are submitted on the website and payment is processed on-line by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Debit MasterCard or Visa Debit. Visa and MasterCard prepaid cards are also accepted.
All orders are done online - they are not done through the school office or classroom teacher.
Important Dates:
• Lunch delivery is scheduled to begin Tuesday, February 14, 2023.
• Orders may be placed weekly or in advance, for the full length of the program.
• Sunday, February 12, 2023 at NOON (12:00 PM) is the ordering deadline for the first scheduled LUNCH delivery.
Things to Remember:
• The ordering deadline is Sunday at 12 PM (NOON) for the upcoming week’s deliveries.
• New orders will not be accepted after the Sunday deadline.
• If buses are cancelled due to inclement weather, lunches will be canceled and credited.
• If there is a school closure, lunches will be cancelled, and a credit will be issued to your Lunchbox account within 3 business days.
Junior students with the heart models they made, explaining how the heart pumps blood.

Late French Immersion Opportunity
Interested in Late Immersion? Here are the timelines for application
- January to April: Any families interested in joining Vanier from the English stream into our late immersion program may apply at: https://limestone.on.ca/programming/choices_at_7
- February: All potential students for our late immersion program are invited to our Open House, which will happen on Wednesday February 22nd from 6pm to 7pm (see attached flyer) here at Module Vanier. Families and students may also watch our “virtual open house” video here
- May: Students will have their places at Vanier confirmed. We are usually able to accommodate most or all families that reside within our catchment area but space is subject to availability. To check your catchment area, please see the Triboard website: https://triboard.mybusplanner.ca/Eligibility
- June:
- Any families with medical conditions will be contacted to complete the plan of care.
- Students will need to register with Triboard for bussing for September.
- Mid-August: All families will receive our “Welcome Pack” with lots of information about first day expectations, drop off routines, etc.
- September: New Vipers engage in a multi-day transition once school begins. Class lists are released on the first day and the fun begins!
- Any time: Families who have questions about our school can contact mvani@limestone.on.ca any time to learn more.
Student responses in primary about their bear dens
Message from the City of Kingston
We're upgrading three parks in the City!
Learn more about planned improvements at Garrigan, Rodden and Compton Parks at our upcoming online engagement sessions:
Garrigan Park – Feb. 8 at 6 p.m.
Rodden Park – Feb. 8 at 7 p.m.
Compton Park – Feb. 9 at 6 p.m.
Click the links above to RSVP or learn more about the projects!Sweets Raffle signs up in the school
Items Just For Home
- items of value (sentimental or monetary)
- any kind of weapon (for example, a Swiss Army knife)
- any kind of toy that could be a replica weapon (for example, a toy gun)
- electronics of any kind
- jewelry
- make-up
- anything scented
- anything with nuts (please ensure all lunches and snacks are nut-free)
- toys and stuffies
Thank you for keeping these items at home. Sometimes a quick check of a backpack can ensure that treasures do not come to school. Thank you for understanding that we are not responsible for lost, broken or stolen personal items.
School Day
Many families are signed up for School Day! If you haven't yet, please sign up as soon as possible as moving forward all permissions and payments will be done using this online system.
Each student has received a notice that has a code specific to them, for sign up. Just a reminder that an O with a line through it is actually the number and not the letter.
If you need any help signing up for School Day just let the office know!
Please note that School Day is the only way that permissions and payments will be possible moving forward. We can no longer accept cash payments or paper permission forms.

Kindergarten at Centennial Public School
Welcome to Kindergarten!
This is an exciting time for both you and your student. Kindergarten offers a wonderful new world of learning and growing. We learn how to read, how to write and we make new friends. At Centennial Public School we offer an English Kindergarten program that help children get the best possible start in school. Your student will be challenged and encouraged to do their very best.
We are now accepting new student registrations for September 2023. If your student is four or five by the end of December, now is the time to register.
The Kindergarten program allows children to develop emotionally, socially and physically: to grow creatively, and to engage in rich oral language opportunities and celebrate their learning. In Kindergarten classrooms, a teacher and an early childhood educator work together as a team. This partnership helps to create a nurturing learning environment; giving every student the opportunity to learn in the way that is best suited to their individual strengths and needs. Our caring team of educators is with them every step of the way!
We typically welcome new families to orientation events in May or June of each year. We will share more about these opportunities with families who register.
We want everyone to see themselves in Limestone. You can feel confident your student will be cared for in a safe and inclusive environment.
Starting Kindergarten is an exciting time for everyone, and we are ready to welcome your student to a wonderful new world of learning and growing. Thank you for choosing Centennial Public School - it is a wonderful place and community.

School Safety - from the City of Kingston
Back to school means more students and families on our roads. As a community, we can all do our part to help everyone travel safer.
Start by driving with extra caution near schools, obeying parking restrictions, and consider walking, rolling, or taking the school bus or transit where possible. New this year are increased fines for stopping, even briefly, in designated “No Stopping” and “School Bus Loading Zones” in school areas. Parking regulations are designed with safety in mind and ignoring them is illegal and creates safety hazards for everyone. Learn more how everyone can help keep our students safe at: cityofkingston.ca/SchoolAreaSafety

Tutoring Information
Limestone Tutoring Resources January 9 – March 30
Monday – Thursday 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
As part of the Ministry of Education Tutoring Grant, LDSB is extending an afterschool drop-in Virtual Tutoring Program through the winter months for Limestone students in Grades 1 to 10.
Grade 1 to 6 - Build literacy and/or math skills. 3 tutors per night. (20 min sessions)
Grade 7 to 10 - Math skills and support. 3 tutors per night. (30 min sessions)
Grade 7 to 10 – Homework help. 2 tutors per night. (30 min sessions)
· Student must be logged in to MS Teams using their Limestone account.
· Click on link for age group and subject support. (links below)
· Sessions are on a first-come, first-served model.
· Wait in virtual lobby until tutor invites student into the session.
TEAMS Links
Grade 1-6 Literacy Link 1 Grade 7-10 Math Link 1
Grade 1-6 Literacy Link 2 Grade 7-10 Math Link 2
Grade 1-6 Literacy Link 3 Grade 7-10 Math Link 3
Grade 1-6 Math Link 1 Grade 7-10 HW Link 1
Grade 1-6 Math Link 2 Grade 7-10 HW Link 2
Grade 1-6 Math Link 3
See below for Guidelines.
1. The student must be logged in to MS Teams using their Limestone account. The student’s camera and microphone should be on so that the student and tutor can communicate effectively.
2. The student should have the materials they need with them (e.g., students should have their homework assignment). The student should try to set up in an area in the home with minimal distractions for the tutoring
3. If a tutor is already working with a student, subsequent students will be placed in the lobby of the meeting and then be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis once the tutoring session for the previous student is completed. Tutoring sessions for Grades 1-6 will be about 20 minutes long and may be extended, if no other students are waiting. For Grades 7-10 sessions will start at 30 minutes and may be extended if no students are waiting.
4. No tutoring on PA Days or Holidays.
Online Tutoring and Learning Resources
Several tutoring and learning resources are available online to support students and families, including:
- Ministry of Education Learn at Home
- Ministry of Education Curriculum and Resources for Parents
- TVO Learn at Home Resources (English) - Over 2,100 curriculum-aligned, grade, and subject-specific learning activities from Kindergarten to Grade 8 (including for the new Science and Technology curriculum) and Grade 9 to 12 searchable high school content for over 140 secondary school courses.
- TFO IDÉLLO, apprendre à la maison (French)
- TVO Mathify - Free 1:1 Grade 4 to 11 Math Tutoring with Ontario Certified Teachers. Available Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sundays 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Students/families can sign up, select a tutor, and start immediately.
Technology Support for Virtual School/Remote Learning
If you require technology support, please visit our Virtual School / Remote Learning Technology Support webpage.
Additional resources to support virtual learning options:
Public Library Info
Get started with a temporary card online at https://register.kfpl.ca/ come into any branch for a full membership. Learn more about getting a library card: https://www.kfpl.ca/getting-started/getting-a-library-card
What can teens do with a card?
● Borrow books, comics, graphic novels, video games, music, movies and so much more
● Pick out what you want to borrow online, then have it sent to your nearest branch
● Download or stream eBooks and comics, digital magazines, movies and music
● Research and learn with online databases, courses and newspapers
● Reserve computer time in our branches
● Borrow passes to parks and museums in Kingston and Ottawa
● Enjoy activities and events just for teens
Canada Dental Benefit
Canada Dental Benefits Information:
The benefit allows families to receive up-front, direct payments up to $650 per year, per child, for two years (totalling up to $1300) for dental care services. Canada Revenue Agency will be processing the applications and payments for the benefit.
Families are eligible if they meet the following criteria:
- Age: child(ren) under 12
- Family income: adjusted net income of less than $90,000. Note: Applicants need to have filed income tax and currently receive the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) for their child.
- Dental insurance: do not have access to private dental insurance. Note: Families who are already covered by Healthy Smiles Ontario will still be eligible for the interim Canada Dental Benefit if they incur out of pocket costs for dental care services for their child.
- Dental expenses: have, or will have, out of pocket dental care expenses.
Visit Canada.ca/Dental for more information.
Sign up for Triboard notices




Indigenous Self Identification
Please see the link below for more information and to self identify, if you wish.


Students, Illness & Masking
Olivers Labels
Do you need a way to label your things that stay labelled? Do you need a way to show what's yours? Need a way to label your child's things so they don't get lost or mixed up? Support Centennial Public School Council by purchasing through the link. The school receives 20% of your purchase! All funds raised go to support School Council initiatives including student activities. Thank you!




E-Store
Safe Arrival - How Do I Report An Absence?
How to report your absence:
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.
Stay Up To Date!
Stay Up To Date! Please check the following regularly...
Centennial PS Twitter https://twitter.com/centennial_ldsb?lang=en
Centennial PS Website https://centennial.limestone.on.ca/
LDSB Website https://www.limestone.on.ca/
LDSB Twitter https://twitter.com/LimestoneDSB
LDSB Facebook https://tinyurl.com/wbhjtku
LDSB Instagram https://instagram.com/limestonedsb?igshid=1epyma6c0g5qd
