Les nouvelles Polson Park News - November 9-November 13, 2026

Hard Workers Working Hard

Polson students are working hard right across the board. Have a look at more beautiful artwork paired with language work, this time from Mme Carew's Grade 6 French Immersion class who were inspired by Métis author Danielle Daniel's book, "Parfois je suis un renard". The book is a poetic introduction to the Anishinaabe tradition of totem animals and animal guides. and animal guides. The story focuses on children who identify with a specific animal and why they connect with the creature's traits, linking these to human emotions. Ask your smart student to read some of the examples below to discover why Grade 6 students feel akin to their chosen animal. This is also a great animal vocabulary review for Core French learners!

Our language learning program sometimes involves Lexia which is a computer application-based reading intervention program. We are thankful to our generous SAC/Parent Council that has covered the cost of providing additional Lexia licenses for students so that we can support continued growth in reading using this engaging tool.

And, don't worry, all of the hard work is interspersed with fun times that often include Friday dance parties during recess! We rotate between recesses (primary/junior) and yards (front/back/kindergarten) to ensure that everyone has a chance to dance! This year we introduced a student-led playlist too. Students can ask their teacher to request a song that will be added to the school playlist.

What's Up @ Polson

Here is a peek at what is coming up at Polson...

A huge Panther thank you to parent James Glackin for representing the Canadian Armed Forces at this week's Remembrance Day ceremony. He is a 4th generation military member; third generation in the Canadian military. His father served three times in Afghanistan and he has 20 plus years of service having a been a dismounted light Infanteer and also in signals intelligence.

Honouring Indigenous Veterans on Remembrance Day (from Liv Rondeau, VP/SST at Welborne PS)

As we gather to remember those who have served and sacrificed, we also take a moment to honour the contributions of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit veterans.

Throughout history, thousands of Indigenous people have served in military conflicts, including the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, and peacekeeping missions around the world. Many Indigenous veterans volunteered to serve what is now known as Canada, despite living in a country that did not always recognize their rights or treat them equally. They demonstrated tremendous courage, strength, and commitment, even while their own communities continued to experience discrimination and injustice.

Indigenous veterans have made significant contributions to military history, yet their stories and sacrifices have not always received the recognition they deserve. Today, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people continue to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces, carrying forward a legacy of courage, service, and responsibility to their communities and future generations.

You may also notice some people wearing beaded poppies. For many Indigenous people, beadwork is an important cultural practice that connects them to their families, communities, ancestors, and traditions. A beaded poppy is one way to honour and remember those who have served, while also celebrating Indigenous identity, culture, and the knowledge passed down through generations. Each bead is placed with care, and each poppy can carry its own meaning and story.

As we reflect, we remember those who lost their lives, those who returned home, those who continue to serve, their families, and the generations who carry their stories.

May we honour Indigenous veterans not only through remembrance, but also through our ongoing commitment to learning, truth, reconciliation, and respect.

Lost and Found Items

We have a number of items in our lost and found that are laid out on tables near the foyer. Please encourage your student to have a look and claim anything that is theirs! We will have these out on Thursday November 19th for the SAC Movie Night and after that all leftover items will be donated.

More on the docket...

Please note the following for Lunch is Ready!/LIR:

• PA Days - LIR delivery moved to Thursday
• Snow Day (bus cancellations) - Full LIR delivery

Reminders for all...

• Morning yard supervision begins at 9am and students should not arrive before this time. There is no staff supervision available before this time, and students should not be on school property prior to 9am. If your child walks/cycles to school or is dropped off, please plan for their arrival to coincide with the start of supervision. Thank you for your cooperation in helping us provide a safe and supervised environment for all students.
• Teachers are focused on student safety during drop-off and pick-up, so we ask that families please respect that the educators are responsible for the safe dismissal of all children in their care and cannot engage in a conversation with you about your child's progress during this busy time. If you need to speak with your child’s teacher, please email polso@limestone.on.ca or the educator's Limestone e-mail address. You can also call the main office - 613-542-5926 - our educators are always happy to coordinate a time to connect with you about your awesome student.
• We are continuing to monitor the appropriate use of school parking lots and thank you for your adjustment to the new way of doing things that we implemented in September. As a reminder, we ask that you continue to use our west parking lot's quick "kiss and go" are for student drop-off only. The parking lot is otherwise designated for staff parking only with no visitor spots in that lot. We encourage families who can walk, wheel, bike, carpool, or use the bus to consider those options whenever possible. To help with drop-off and pick-up for those who need to drive, you may find parking in the following areas:
  • Parking lot to the east of the school (beside tennis courts)
  • Parking lot off Portsmouth near the Skate Park
  • Street parking on neighbouring streets such as Richardson and Runnymede
  • Accessible parking spaces will continue to be available for families in the east lot
  • Do not park on the grass on in the middle of the parking lot - this is dangerous and impedes drivers' view of children during busy moments!

Please continue to watch for the signage on Robert Wallace Drive, where buses pick up and drop off students. Keeping this bus zone clear helps our buses arrive and leave safely, and we ask that families avoid stopping or parking in that area.

• We have had several confirmed cases of lice at Polson this school year. This is not uncommon and you will receive a letter from the school should there be a confirmed case in your student's classroom. If your child has lice and the purchase of a lice treatment kit is a barrier, please reach out to your child's teacher or another staff member. We do have a some kits available. Here is more information from Southeast Public Health's website: https://southeastph.ca/health-topics/parenting-and-child-health/school-aged-children/
  You might also wish to connect with your family doctor/pharmacist for a prescription for a treatment kit that may be covered.

For your information...

Polson Park SAC News

Council Chair – Sarah E
Vice Chair – Christina P
Treasurer – Alison J
Secretary – Zahra
Communications Coordinator – Korrin JB
Events Coordinator- Karly R
Inclusive Education Coordinator – Stephanie H
Indigenous Family Rep – Brent L
Parent Involvement (PIC) Committee Rep –
Black and People of Colour (POC) Rep –
Bingo Admin Coordinator – Kendra G
Bingo Volunteer Coordinator -  Laura G

We still have a few open positions (PIC Committee Rep, Black and POC Rep)and would love to welcome any parents/guardians who are interested in getting involved in our school community. If you'd like to join School Council, it's not too late—we'd love to have you! Please e-mail ecolepolsonparkps.sac@gmail.com for more information. If you are interested in volunteering in School Council events, here is how you can do that:

General Event Volunteering (click for form)

Our next meeting is on Wednesday December 2 @ 6:00 pm in Room 104 (virtual option available).

Lunch Box Orders

If your student is interested in a hot lunch, please see the link below to order. Lunch happens on Wednesdays and we alternate between subs (Subway) and pizza (Little Caesars). Orders are due on Sundays at noon.

https://lunchbox.kevgroup.com/welcome-to-lunchbox

From the City of Kingston:

E-scooters are easy to find, but they aren't toys and aren't designed for kids. In Ontario, you must be at least 16 years old to ride wherever e-scooters are permitted. 
In Kingston, e-scooters are not currently permitted. The City is developing a Micromobility Regulations Strategy — with updated rules around e-scooters, e-bikes and other lightweight, rideable transportation — to support safe, accessible and sustainable travel around Kingston. The strategy, which considers public engagement feedback and research into best practices, will be presented to Council for consideration later this year. 

CREATING BALANCE IN A DIGITAL WORLD

Digital wellness helps children develop healthy, balanced habits with technology and screen time. As students explore digital wellness at school, we want to share a few simple ideas families can try at home. By listening, learning together, and keeping communication open, we can help children develop a healthy relationship with technology.

WHY DIGITAL WELLNESS MATTERS

Digital wellness can help children:

• Develop healthy habits and daily routines
• Get enough sleep and enjoy restful evenings
• Balance online activities with offline experiences
• Build face-to-face connections
• Make time for physical activity, hobbies, and outdoor play
• Reflect on their technology use and make thoughtful choices
   

SUPPORTING DIGITAL WELLNESS AT HOME

• Monitor screen time: Use built-in device features to help track and manage screen time.
• Create a screen-free zone: Choose a time or place, such as mealtimes or bedrooms, where devices are put away.
• Try a 60-minute wind-down: When possible, aim for screen-free time during the hour before bed. Encourage relaxing alternatives such as reading, talking, or listening to music.

RESOURCES FOR CAREGIVERS

• Centre for Healthy Screen Use - Canadian Paediatric Society
• Helping Your Child Manage Digital Technology
• Digital Literacy Resources for Parents

Human Development and Sexual Health

As part of LDSB's commitment to ongoing transparency and communication with families, please follow the link to Form 325-D on the LDSB website. It outlines the Human Development and Sexual Health curriculum expectations for Grades 1-8.  Families can request to have their child or children exempted from instruction related to Human Development and Sexual Health expectations by completing and returning an exemption form for each child (Form 325-B) five school days before the start of instruction. Prior to instruction, your child's classroom teacher will inform parents/guardians when the expectations related to the Human Development and Sexual Health expectations in Strand D will be covered. For a more detailed overview of this process, please refer to Administrative Procedure 325: Exemption From Human Development and Sexual Health Instruction (listed under the Policies and Procedures section of the LDSB website), or contact the school.

Indigenous Self-Identification

Please see the link below for more information and to self-identify, if you wish: https://ldsb.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9U2iaUl9GIFILb0

Brainworx Virtual Tutoring

📌 Who are these programs for?

• Students in Grades 1–8
• Those looking for extra literacy support
• Families seeking fun, free after-school learning opportunities

✨ What can families expect?

• Live storytelling to spark engagement
• Vocabulary-building activities to support language development
• A dynamic approach of movement, games, reading, and discussion
• Mentorship and meaningful connections
• Support for student growth through social-emotional learning (SEL)

👉 Families can register here: brainworx.start2finishonline.org/student/signup

Polson Gear

If you are interested in purchasing some new Polson gear, please see the link from Specialty Trophies below. In addition, our amazingly engaged SAC has some swag themselves - hats and t-shirts!

Have a Panther-iffic week, awesome people!