The Bulldog Bulletin Start Up 2022
Winston Churchill Public School - August 31st 2022
We're Ready for YOU!
We can't wait to see you soon! The team at Winston has been working hard to ensure a smooth start up to your child's school year! Our school is sparkling thanks to the hard work of our custodial team! We look forward to welcoming SK-6 students Tuesday, September 6th and having a staggered entry for our newest JK children. The JK schedule is below.
We have seen a large number of new registrations come into our school over the summer months. A big welcome to our new families and students! We hope you feel welcomed and look forward to getting to know you better.
We have full classes throughout the school which may result in the LDSB Staffing Committee making some changes for us based on actual student enrolment. We will have this information during the second week of school and will message out any changes, if required. This would all be in an attempt to create smaller class sizes. Much time, consideration and thought from the educational team is always put into creating class lists, and a welcoming placement for each child and we appreciate the trust you have in our educators to make these decisions. At this time, we are unable to take requests for class changes and appreciate your support on this as we help children settle into new routines. The focus at the beginning of the year is on wellness, making connections, helping to build a welcoming school community, diagnostic assessments, and collaborative activities. Thank you for your flexibility and understanding during this process and for your continued positive conversations with your child around class placements. Due to our full class sizes, we are not able to take any out of area registrations at this time.
On a personal note, I am honoured to be the new Principal at Winston Churchill Public School. I am coming from spending 4 years as Principal at Southview Public School in Napanee and then 2.5 years before that as Vice-Principal and then Principal of Ecole Maple Elementary (the former Ecole Sir John A MacDonald PS). Outside of school I am an active mom, wife, sister, daughter and friend. My husband, myself and our two children moved to Kingston 10 years ago when I completed my Masters of Education at Queens and I have been with Limestone in various capacities since that time. I continue to be active with the Faculty of Education as a guest speaker in various classes which brings me great joy. I look forward to beginning my 29th year in education by connecting with families, learning with staff, supporting children, working with community partners and making Winston my second home. I whole-heartedly believe that strong home/school partnerships create a solid foundation for children's well-being. Together, as the caring adults in their lives, we can help them achieve their goals. I look forward to working with the dedicated staff at Winston, each of you and your children.
Here's to a wonderful school year ahead,
Joanne Borges, Principal
Staggered Start for Kindergarten
Looking Ahead
- Monday August 29th - Main Office Opens. Phone or email between 8:30-4 pm.
- Friday, September -2nd PA Day
- Monday, September 5th -Labour Day
- Tuesday, September 6th - First Day of 2022-23 School Year - Grade 1-6 & Kindergarten Staggered Entry begins with all SK students only
- Wednesday, September 7th - All SKs attend and JK students with last name A-H attend
- Thursday, September 8th - All SKs attend and JK students with last names I-Z
- Friday, September 9th - All Winston Bulldogs students attend
The Winston School Daily Schedule
8:45 - 9:00 am – Supervision on yard
9:00 - 10:40 am – 100 minute Instructional block
10:40 - 11:20 am – Recess & Nutrition Break (20 minutes for each)
11:20 - 1:00 pm – 100 minute Instructional block
1:00 - 1:50 pm – Recess & Nutrition Break (20 minutes eating, 30 minutes outdoor play)
1:50 - 3:30 pm – 100 minute Instructional block
3:30 pm - Dismissal
Winston's Tentative All-Star Team!
Junior/Senior Kindergarten - Ms. Mardicis and Ms. Waliani
Junior/Senior Kindergarten - Ms. Pharoah/Ms. Winslade and Ms. Samas
Grade 1- Ms. Gladstone/Ms. Glebe
Grade 1/2 - Ms. Boulieris
Grade 2/3 - Ms. Gencarelli
Grade 3/4 - Ms. H. Johnston
Grade 4 - Ms. Rochefort
Grade 4/5 - Ms. Abraham/Ms. Boughen
Grade 5/6 - Mr. Pottery
Grade 6 – Ms. Koebel
SOAR – Ms. Fenwick/ Ms. Miller
Core French – Mme Churchill/Mms Betas and Mme Underhill
Planning Time – Ms. Glebe
Student Support Teacher - Ms. Lamarche
Educational Assistants: Ms. Hawley, Ms. Williamson, Mr. Raymond, Ms. McNally, Ms. Griffin, Ms. Oritz, Ms. Sousa
Supervision and support: Ms. Sawan
Student Support Counsellor: Victoria Cadue
Custodial Team: Mr. Morrison, Mr. Gauvreau
Office Administrator: Ms. Jesse
Principal: Mrs. Joanne Borges
Did you Know?
What do we do on the first day?
What Should my Child Bring?
As always, all learning materials are provided for students, however some students may like to bring a few other items in their backpacks. We ask that all toys remain at home and only necessary items are brought to school.
- Refillable water bottle. Fountains are closed, but water refill stations are open.
- Masks are optional for staff and students. We respect everyone's decision on this.
- Hand sanitizer is provided in each classroom and at each door, but students may like their own. Please avoid fragrant sanitizers.
- School supplies are provided (pencils, erasers, crayons etc) but students may like their own.
- Bring a healthy nut free lunch and snacks for two eating times.
- Wear appropriate shoes for running and playing (avoid flip flops).
- Appropriate clothing wear for outdoor play. We will be outside in all types of weather.
- Students are welcome to bring their own device for learning purposes, at the discretion of the teacher. All calls and communication to home should be done with teacher permission through the office. If you need to message your child, please call the office.
What if my Child has a Prevalent Medical Condition?
How Can I order School Spirit Wear?
What are the Safety Measures in Place for Covid-19?
For the 2022-23 school year, schools will:
- Continue to provide free high-quality masks for students and staff, as well as eye protection for staff, if they choose to use them.
- Encourage students on appropriate hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette (for example, washing hands or coughing into your sleeve)
- Have hand sanitizer available at key locations throughout the school
- Have mental health services and supports available for students
- Will continue to have access to rapid antigen tests that can be used if needed, and used in accordance with provincial testing guidance
- Will continue to have enhanced cleaning practices. This includes cleaning high-touch surfaces, like eating areas, washrooms, doorknobs, and desks
- Will continue use of HEPA ventilation units in areas without full mechanical ventilation and/or without MERV-13 filtration.
- Will continue maximization of fresh-air intake into all buildings, and the running of ventilation units beyond the time buildings are occupied.
What is the School Street Closure Initiative and how does this work?
What does this mean? Active transportation (walking, biking, scootering) continues to be the encouraged method of transportation for our school community. For those who may need a car ride, the 200m of McDonnell Street between Earl St. and Hill St. are closed to motor vehicles 30 minutes before school and 30 minutes after to allow children and families to exit the congested area of the school without traffic to contend with. We encourage families and children to continue to follow street safety by using sidewalks as they leave school premises, and following road safety for bicycles. The parking lot will still be in use by staff, so we encourage families and children NOT to congregate in the parking lot. The safety of our community is of the greatest importance to us all and this initiative has provided a less congested beginning/end of day traffic situation in front of the school.
We want to send out a huge thank you to the staff, families and community members who have welcomed, adjusted to and embraced this initiative to keep our students safe as they arrive to and leave the school yard each day. We would also like to send out a HUGE thank you to the co-ordinators of the initiative and the many volunteers, without whom this could never have happened.
How Can I get Information From the School?
LDSB schools and school board use School Messenger to send key messages, alerts, and general communication to families. Winston uses this platform and will continue to use our Bulldog Bulletin to provide updates to families. These newsletters are where we will share school-specific information and highlights of student work and events in the building. This newsletter is sent out via School Messenger and posted on our school Twitter account and website.
SchoolMessenger App: Download the SchoolMessenger App to stay connected. 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. *New families will be able to create their account after the first day of attendance.
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.
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.
Winston Churchill Public School
Email: winsc@limestone.on.ca
Website: winstonchurchill.limestone.on.ca
Location: 530 Earl Street, Kingston, ON, Canada
Phone: 613-542-6441
Twitter: @WinstonPSLDSB