Dear Families,

Welcome back! We hope families had the opportunity to enjoy a different pace and some time together. In this family update, you will find general information that has already been shared as well as some initial site-specific information that you may be wondering about as you prepare your children to return from break on March 21st. Thank-you for your patience and support as we make this transition. Please also note in this newsletter information about the school crossing guard position, hot lunch and milk ordering due dates (hot lunch orders will be available in the next few days, milk is already up), Scholastic Book Fair, as well as our school-wide READ-A-THON!

As you know, the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health announced a number of provincial directives impacting schools. As COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, we understand that there will be a range in the levels of comfort for different people in our school community. As we approach this period of transition at our school, we want to assure you that our school will continue to respect people's individual decisions and choices. Note the masking requirements for those who have travelled abroad & tied to the screening tool. For others, while the masking mandate has been lifted provincially, masking is encouraged following March Break.

Effective March 21, Masking and cohorting mandates for schools and on school transportation will be lifted. While the masking mandate has been lifted, all students, families, and staff who choose to continue masking are encouraged to do so. All individuals with underlying health issues are also encouraged to continue to wear a mask. Please note that family members of symptomatic individuals in their household must wear a mask for 10 days and not participate in school-based activities where wearing a mask is not possible. Masking is also required upon return from international travel.

• Other current protocols impacted as of Monday March 21: (a) restrictions will be lifted for athletic activities and music. And (b) public health capacity limits for indoor activities will be removed. This means spectators can return for secondary athletics after the break.

• Rapid Antigen Tests will continue to be available for students and staff for symptomatic testing or returning from an unplanned absence.

Screening daily for COVID-19 symptoms continues to be a requirement. Staff and students are directed to stay home if they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.

For more information, please follow the link to the Director's Messages to Families and Covid 19 Protocol Updates below followed by some Q & A. for our school.

YARD COHORTING

After March Break, we will look at some small shifts in our day-to-day routines that respond to the recent Ministry announcements. During recess breaks outside, students will be able to enjoy the schoolyard without cohorting. We know that this will be exciting for many. We will remind students, with your support at home, about the importance of making good choices as new/renewed connections can offer both opportunities and challenges in yard dynamics. We will support them in adjusting to playing safely and appropriately with students and help them to make new friends. Hands-off play and kindness will continue to be expected and encouraged. Choosing activities and people to spend your recess in positive ways will allow students to enjoy the time outside and lead to the most success for all.

ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL

Routines that have been established for arrival and dismissal will remain in place. 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. Thank you for your continued co-operation with this.

What about clubs, sports, and assemblies?

We are looking forward to being able to expand and resume clubs, assemblies, sports and extra-curriculars, but this will not happen all at once. We will need to plan and schedule these opportunities for students with the leadership of our school staff.

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!

When students return, some things will remain the same and some will look different as we transition. Some staff and students may choose to continue to wear masks after returning from the break. Families may be returning from travel abroad, following screener requirements, or they may just not feel comfortable not wearing a mask at school. We want to make sure everyone feels welcome and supported in their choices. Anyone wishing to wear a mask will be encouraged to do so. Please take the time to discuss your family's preferences and comfort level regarding masking with your child and reach out to classroom teachers as needed. Masks will continue to be available at school upon request.

As mentioned in our previous newsletter crossing guard coverage was approved for the Limestone Drive at Lancaster Drive location. The tentative schedule based on the coverage needs is as follows:

AM: 8:00am - 9:10am

PM: 2:55pm - 4:05pm

We are actively recruiting school crossing guards and this posting can be viewed here: School Crossing Guard job posting.

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. I would encourage individuals interested in the Limestone/Lancaster school crossing guard role to:

1) (mmajeed@cityofkingston.ca) with their availability / locational preference, and

2) apply via the job posting

The Lancaster Scholastic Virtual Book Fair gets under way on Sunday March 20.

Open through April 2nd, check it out and support Lancaster while adding to your book collection. Books will be shipped to the school and handed out to students at the end of the book fair.

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”!