News

<img src="/images/de06adf7-cd27-549d-b705-91421f9a569f?fingerprint=ppb20251217015036" alt="" width="inherit" height="inherit" style="float:right"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">June is National Indigenous History Month. This month is an opportunity to learn about the diverse cultures, traditions, and experiences of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. It’s a time to honour and give voice to the stories, achievements, and resilience of Indigenous peoples across Canada, who have lived and cared for this land since time immemorial and who continue to make significant impacts, today.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">During this month, we also celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21</span><sup style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>st</span></sup><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. This day is an opportunity to honour the histories and diversity of Indigenous peoples in Canada. This day is important as it gives us an opportunity to acknowledge the Indigenous peoples whose histories and cultures are rooted in this land, and whose historical impact and presence have long been ignored by Canadian society. We are now in a place where we are beginning to recognize the importance of Indigenous peoples and their contributions to what we now know as Canada. In the Limestone District School Board, it is critical that we continue to teach the truth and to make a commitment to life-long reconcili-ACTION and living in right relations with the Indigenous community whose traditional territory we are fortunate to teach and learn on.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Working in partnership with the Kingston Friendship Centre and several community organizations, the Limestone District School Board’s, Indigenous Education Team is proud to offer several opportunities for staff, students, caregivers, and the community to engage in throughout this month.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">June 6</strong></b><b><sup style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong class="editor-text-bold">th</strong></sup></b><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">– Self-identified Indigenous students and students enrolled in NAC10 are invited to participate in a fish scale art workshop with Cree-Métis artist, Jamie Morse. This opportunity is being funded generously by the Kingston Native Centre and Language Nest through the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centre's.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">June 11</strong></b><b><sup style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong class="editor-text-bold">th</strong></sup></b><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">– Storytelling session by Bomgiizhik (Isaac Murdoch): “Stories of the Summer Solstice”. All classes are invited to participate in a virtual session through Zoom on June 11</span><sup style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>th</span></sup><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> to learn about the Summer Solstice.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">June 19</strong></b><b><sup style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong class="editor-text-bold">th</strong></sup></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> – Caregivers, students, and the community are invited to attend a Public Virtual Hodinohsho:ni Governance Workshop hosted by the Woodland Cultural Centre. This workshop will be on June 19</span><sup style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>th</span></sup><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> at 6:00 PM. The donation for this workshop helps to support the education department in creating and delivering virtual programming at the Woodland Cultural Centre. Topics covered include Hodinohsho:ni system of governance, use of Wampum, the Royal Proclamation, the Haldimand Proclamation, the Indian Act, and how these conflicted with the traditional Hodinohsho:ni Governance structure.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84279518633?pwd=ckUxb3VLT0J0NnBTMCtONlZnc2xudz09" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Join the Public Virtual Hodinohsho:ni Governance Workshop on ZOOM</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">June 21</strong></b><b><sup style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><strong class="editor-text-bold">st</strong></sup></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> – National Indigenous Peoples Day at City Park in Kingston. On June 21</span><sup style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>st</span></sup><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">, staff and students are invited to attend the National Indigenous Peoples Day event in City Park from 11:00 – 4:00 PM. On this day there will be market vendors, a community services fair, food vendors, activities for children and youth, and an evening event starting at 7:00 PM in Springer Market Square featuring a concert by 2</span><sup style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>nd</span></sup><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Line Bluegrass. The LDSB Indigenous Education Team will be working in collaboration with the Kingston Frontenac Public Library to create buttons, play large outdoor games such as cornhole and Jenga, and other fun activities! We are thankful for the continued collaboration with the Kingston Native Centre and Language Nest to help make this event possible for staff, students, and the community.</span><br><br></p>

<img src="/images/e61a0df0-e3a8-5259-9b1d-90b8936eb8fb?fingerprint=ppb20251217015125" alt="" width="inherit" height="inherit" style="float:right"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Limestone District School Board is seeking new members for the Technical Advisory Group for the next phase of Student Census data collection.&nbsp;The purpose of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) is to give advice, opinions, and make&nbsp;recommendations in the design of methods for data collection, analysis, and the representation of results. Most importantly, TAG ensures that multiple and diverse perspectives are applied to the analysis of Student Census data to minimize the risk of bias.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Recruitment:</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The committee will be formed by seeking expressions of continued interest from current members and new expressions of interest from individuals who possess the required lived&nbsp;experience and research skill set. Limestone staff will be notified by email of the opportunity to join TAG. The opportunity will also be posted to the LDSB website and advertised on LDSB’s social media channels New interested parties can express their&nbsp;interest using the&nbsp;</span><a href="https://ldsb.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2aXfk1Af78UcseO" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">TAG Expression of Interest Form</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. Printable copies of the form are also available&nbsp;</span><a href="https://limestoneschools-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/clostlamberte_limestone_on_ca/EUjk3z0ydglFjxSb2QBRtREBeMUgAtZZe3fZhGEnW2vjUA?e=DlGsax" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. All submissions must be received by 4:00 p.m. on June 3, 2024.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It is important to read the&nbsp;</strong></b><a href="/documents/3b3da70a-68e5-55e0-b8ec-80d58d9bbb44?fingerprint=ppb20251217013540" target="_blank" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> TAG Terms of Reference </span></a><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;before you apply.</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Selection:</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Expressions of interest will be reviewed by the core Census Team (Limestone Research Team, Equity Consultant, Superintendent);&nbsp;the Vice Principal of Indigenous Education; and the Human Rights and</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Equity Officer. The goal is to create a committee that is as equitable and intersectional as possible from the applications received. Interested parties are invited to share the ways in which they are willing and able to share their lived experiences alongside their research and/or data experience.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">TAG Membership Drive: Proposed Timeline</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Please note, the timeline subject to change</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Spring 2024</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Recruitment of new TAG Members May 6 to June 3, 2024</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Early June: Review applications</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Mid- to Late-June: Confirm members</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span></p>

<img src="/images/afff517b-5e5f-5a8c-9ae0-7f76e1a269e2?fingerprint=ppb20251217014637" srcset="/thumbnails/afff517b-5e5f-5a8c-9ae0-7f76e1a269e2?fingerprint=ppb20251217014637 450w, /images/afff517b-5e5f-5a8c-9ae0-7f76e1a269e2?fingerprint=ppb20251217014637 600w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 450px, 600px"><span><span><span>One of our greatest priorities is ensuring that all students arrive safely to school every day.&nbsp;To improve our safe arrival process, Limestone District School Board has made some changes to our SafeArrival&nbsp;absence reporting management system.&nbsp;The most significant of which is the addition to report half day absences.<br> <br> Elementary parents/caregivers now have a new option for the type of half day absence being reported:<br> <span> </span>•&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Late Arrivals</strong>&nbsp;- If your elementary or secondary student will be away for the morning, report a Late Arrival, with the arrival time being the expected time the student will arrive at the school.&nbsp;</span></span><span><br> <br> </span><span><span>Please note, each student signing in or out of the school will still need to do so from the main attendance office.<br> <br> For more information about our SafeArrival absence reporting management tool click <a href="https://limestone.on.ca/families/report_a_student_absence" target="_blank" title="SafeArrival information">here</a>.</span></span></span>

<img src="/images/d47c1ec7-20f5-5429-bb79-0e5fbca80fbb?fingerprint=ppb20251217014946" srcset="/thumbnails/d47c1ec7-20f5-5429-bb79-0e5fbca80fbb?fingerprint=ppb20251217014946 450w, /images/d47c1ec7-20f5-5429-bb79-0e5fbca80fbb?fingerprint=ppb20251217014946 600w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 450px, 600px"><span><span>We are excited to welcome new and returning students to&nbsp;<span>École Polson Park Public School. We hope everyone has had a safe and healthy summer and you have been able to spend time with family and friends.<br> <br> </span><span>Staff are busy preparing their classrooms to welcome students on Tuesday, September 5, 2023. We know families are busy preparing for the new school year as well. Here is a suggested list of what elementary students need to prepare to bring on their first day of school:<br> <br> </span> </span></span> <p><span><span><strong>Kindergarten</strong></span></span></p> <ul type="disc"> <li><span>A full-sized backpack/knapsack to carry everything they will need to pack up everyday.</span></li> <li><span>An insulated lunch bag, and a water bottle with spout.</span></li> <li><span>A peanut free/nut free lunch and snacks.</span></li> <li><span>Indoor and outdoor shoes they can put on and off themselves (e.g., Velcro or slip on)</span></li> <li><span>Comfortable clothes and a complete change of clothes in a Ziploc bag, just in case.</span></li> <li><span>Everything labelled with your child’s name.</span></li> <li><span>Schools will supply all school supplies such as pens, pencils, markers, crayons, erasers, glue sticks, etc.</span></li> </ul> <p><span><span>LDSB schools will be offering a staggered start to all new Junior Kindergarten students during Tuesday September 5 through Thursday September 7, 2023. On Friday, September 8, all JK students will attend.&nbsp;<br> <br> Schools will be in contact with all caregivers this week regarding the scheduled day for each new JK student (Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday).&nbsp;<br> <br> <br> </span></span></p> <p><span><span><strong>Elementary Students</strong></span></span></p> <ul type="disc"> <li><span>A full-sized backpack/knapsack to carry everything they will need to pack up everyday.</span></li> <li><span>An insulated lunch bag with a peanut free/nut free lunch and snacks and a water bottle labelled with your name.</span></li> <li><span>Indoor and outdoor shoes.</span></li> <li><span><span>Optional for Grade 1 to 8 – Any personal school supplies, such as: pens, pencils, markers, crayons, eraser, glue stick in a pencil case or box. We will also supply these to students when needed.</span></span></li> </ul>

<img src="/images/d6a55ce0-fd84-5cee-80ea-ad0c841c0722?fingerprint=ppb20251217014957" srcset="/thumbnails/d6a55ce0-fd84-5cee-80ea-ad0c841c0722?fingerprint=ppb20251217014957 450w, /images/d6a55ce0-fd84-5cee-80ea-ad0c841c0722?fingerprint=ppb20251217014957 600w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 450px, 600px"> <p><span>The Ontario Government recently released new guidelines for smoking and vaping in public places.&nbsp;</span><span><br> <br> Under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, you cannot smoke or vape:<br> </span></p> <ul> <li><span>inside any schools<br> </span></li> <li><span>outside anywhere on school property</span></li> <li><span></span><span>within 20 metres/65 feet of school property (not entrances)</span></li> </ul> <p><span>This means schools no longer have designated smoking areas. This applies to everyone on school property including students, staff, visitors and third-party vendors/contractors.<br> <br> Schools will work with students to help ensure their safety including offering supports for smoking/vaping cessation programs offered through KFL&amp;A Public Health. Resources can be found on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ontario.ca/page/support-quit-smoking" target="_blank" title="Smoke-Free Ontario website">Smoke-Free Ontario website</a>.<br> <br> If you smoke or vape where it is not allowed, you may be charged with an offence and subject to a fine ($1,000 for a first offence, $5,000 for any further offence) if convicted.</span></p><br>

<img src="/images/f435166b-82a5-51d3-94b7-8df31be1c99b?fingerprint=ppb20251217015242" srcset="/thumbnails/f435166b-82a5-51d3-94b7-8df31be1c99b?fingerprint=ppb20251217015242 450w, /images/f435166b-82a5-51d3-94b7-8df31be1c99b?fingerprint=ppb20251217015242 600w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 450px, 600px"><br><br><a href="/UserFiles/Servers/Server_358162/File/Stay Connected Flyer colour.jpg" title="Stay Connected!">Stay Connected!</a><br>

<img src="/images/b60e41ed-1827-5b7e-b6c6-5b13f6c219b6?fingerprint=ppb20251217014701" srcset="/thumbnails/b60e41ed-1827-5b7e-b6c6-5b13f6c219b6?fingerprint=ppb20251217014701 450w, /images/b60e41ed-1827-5b7e-b6c6-5b13f6c219b6?fingerprint=ppb20251217014701 600w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 450px, 600px"><span>Hello, Parents!&nbsp;</span><span><br> </span><span><br> </span><span><strong>Picture day is coming on Wednesday, October 24 &amp; Thursday October 25.&nbsp;<br> </strong></span><br><strong>OCTOBER 24th PICTURES</strong><br><br><br><br><strong>OCTOBER 25th PICTURES:</strong><br><br><br><br><span><br> <span>Our Polson students will have their&nbsp;school pictures taken throughout&nbsp;the&nbsp;school day. Shortly after, you will be receiving a photo proof page with information about purchasing school photos.&nbsp;</span><br> </span><span><br> Once you receive this information, you can make it simple by ordering your portraits online, using your Picture Day ID and child's first name to get started. If you prefer to order on paper, we will be sending an order form home as well.</span><span><br> </span><span><br> </span><span><strong>Remember to smile and have fun!</strong></span>

<img src="/images/8f640bb8-fa11-57f7-8a80-f48fd0c4b591?fingerprint=ppb20251217014328" srcset="/thumbnails/8f640bb8-fa11-57f7-8a80-f48fd0c4b591?fingerprint=ppb20251217014328 450w, /images/8f640bb8-fa11-57f7-8a80-f48fd0c4b591?fingerprint=ppb20251217014328 600w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 450px, 600px"><span>Students and Staff will be engaging in discussions, activities, and practice emergency routines throughout the week.&nbsp;</span><br><br><span>We will also be having safety talks with our Community Police Office, Greg Anderson, as well as visits from our local school bus companies to share information around bus safety.&nbsp;</span><br><span><br> </span><span>This is a great opportunity for families to engage in conversation around the dinner table to review safety routines at school and at home!</span><br><span><br> </span><span>Stay Safe Polson!</span>

<img src="/images/05ba0f9f-e871-50bd-ade5-266799f95f1a?fingerprint=ppb20251217013037" srcset="/thumbnails/05ba0f9f-e871-50bd-ade5-266799f95f1a?fingerprint=ppb20251217013037 450w, /images/05ba0f9f-e871-50bd-ade5-266799f95f1a?fingerprint=ppb20251217013037 600w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 450px, 600px"><br><br><br><br><a href="http://" target="_blank" title="Link to Tri-Board Website">https://triboard.ca/</a><br><br>

<img src="/images/945d1a82-4e1e-511a-a244-5c68d523ec99?fingerprint=ppb20251217014357" srcset="/thumbnails/945d1a82-4e1e-511a-a244-5c68d523ec99?fingerprint=ppb20251217014357 450w, /images/945d1a82-4e1e-511a-a244-5c68d523ec99?fingerprint=ppb20251217014357 600w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 450px, 600px"><strong>Open House</strong><br><br><strong>August 30th, from 1-4pm.</strong><br><br><br>

<img src="/images/19946d3d-84f3-5143-9590-1a82366693e8?fingerprint=ppb20251217013228" srcset="/thumbnails/19946d3d-84f3-5143-9590-1a82366693e8?fingerprint=ppb20251217013228 450w, /images/19946d3d-84f3-5143-9590-1a82366693e8?fingerprint=ppb20251217013228 600w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 450px, 600px"> <p><span>Parents are reminded to avoid parking on the street directly in front of the school. This area must be kept clear for the arrival and departure of our school buses&nbsp;and the safety&nbsp;of our students.&nbsp;<br> <br> Thank you in advance for your co-operation.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br> </span> </p>

<img src="/images/31170c46-b6f7-5977-a258-17642d026de9?fingerprint=ppb20251217013446" srcset="/thumbnails/31170c46-b6f7-5977-a258-17642d026de9?fingerprint=ppb20251217013446 450w, /images/31170c46-b6f7-5977-a258-17642d026de9?fingerprint=ppb20251217013446 600w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 450px, 600px"><br><br><br><br>