Together in Education:Family Update
September 26th-October 6th
Lancaster Drive Public School and Parent Council
Email: lancd@limestone.on.ca
Website: http://lancaster.limestone.on.ca
Location: 1020 Lancaster Drive, Kingston, ON, Canada
Phone: (613)634-0470
Twitter: @LancasterPSLDSB
Upcoming Dates:
Cultural Dates of Significance September 26th-September 29th
September 26th ~ Police and Peace Officers' National Memorial Day
September 29th to Oct 6th ~ Sukkot
September 30th ~ Orange Shirt Day (LDSB will honour this day in schools on Friday, September 29)
September 30th ~ National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
* Please contact Mrs. Knowles at knowlesjo@limestone.on.ca if you would like any dates added to this list (we will update on a monthly basis)
TEAM PRACTICE SCHEDULES:
Running Club – Tues/Thurs 3-4 pm & Friday at Lunch
Lancaster Events
September 25th ~ PD Day ~ No School For Students
September 29th ~ Race Around The Park
October 6th ~ Terry Fox Event
October 9th ~ No School (Thanksgiving)
October 12th ~ Cross Country Regional Race
October 16th ~ Gould Lake (Boriotis, Tidman, Jarbeau)
October 17th ~ Open House 5-6pm & Family Movie Night/Scholastic Book Fair
*more information to be shared in next TIE
October 18th ~ IEPs sent home
October 17th-October 19th ~ Scholastic Book Fair
October 19th ~ Cross Country District Finals
October 19th ~ Kindergarten classes to Fruition Berry Farm
October 20th ~ Grade 1 & 2 (Peltier, Dowker, Boriotis) Trip to Lake Ontario Park Hosted by Indigenous Education Team
October 23rd ~ Picture Day
October 26th ~ Parent Council @ 6:00pm in library
Hot Lunch Schedule ~ Tuesdays
ORDER DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 28th
October 10th ~ Pizza
October 17th ~ Panzarotti
October 24th ~ 3 piece chicken fingers
October 31st ~ Pizza
November 7th ~ Panzarotti
November 14th ~ 3 piece chicken fingers
November 21st ~ Pizza
November 28th ~ Panzarotti
December 5th ~ 3 piece chicken fingers
December 12th ~ Pizza
December 19th ~ Panzarotti
September 30th ~ National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
Orange Shirt Day
Orange Shirt Day is a day where we commemorate the residential school experience and honour the healing journey of the survivors and their families. On this day, everyone is encouraged to learn more about the history of residential schools and engage in meaningful discussions about the effects of residential schools and the legacy they have left behind.
Beyond Orange Shirt Day
Beyond September 30th, we need to recognize the importance of Truth and Reconciliation in all that we do. As educators bringing in Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing and honouring Indigenous knowledge systems and contributions to society should be embedded in the curriculum, all year round.
Truth and Reconciliation Every Day:
Read books about the residential school experience.
Volunteer with Indigenous organizations and not-for-profits.
Support Indigenous artists.
Watch Indigenous films and documentaries.
Attend Indigenous events that are open to the public in your community.
Learning greetings in the Indigenous language(s) of your community.
Listen to Indigenous podcasts and music.
Learn the true history of what is now known as Canada.
Work towards meaningful allyship.
Donate to Indigenous communities, causes, etc.
Accessing Support Systems
Mental health counselling & crisis support is available through the Hope for Wellness Hotline at 1-855-242-3310 or online. Counselling is available in Cree, Ojibway & Inuktitut, on request.
The IRSRHSP has a National Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line 1-866-925-4419 that provides immediate emotional support for former Indian Residential School students. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Terry Fox Event
Lancaster's school-wide Terry Fox Event will be held on Friday, October 6th. As is traditional every year, students will be taking time throughout the week to learn about Terry Fox and make connections with to his story of incredible determination, courage and HOPE. Each student will be provided with a running shoe to colour and fill out “I’m running for…” which will be displayed all through the halls of the school. On the day of the event, students will be walking the loop through the community.
This year we will be collecting “Toonies for Terry” to help continue the legacy of one of our greatest Canadian heroes. If you wish to donate, please send toonies with your child to school that day. You can also donate at: https://schools.terryfox.ca/LancasterDrivePSKingston Thank you for joining us in the fight against cancer! #terryfoxschoolrun @theterryfoxfoundation
Race Around The Park ~ Friday, September 29th
Lancaster Drive is proud to announce that the 10th Annual Lancaster Race Around the Park will be held on Friday, September 29, 2023.
The race around the park will be held in the park behind Lancaster Drive P.S. with the Atom Girls race starting at 4:00 pm. Participating athletes can stay at school upon dismissal and will be warmed up and organized by Lancaster coaches. Upon completion of their race, athletes will be asked to check in with the coaches and will be free to be dismissed.
The day could offer a wide range of weather possibilities so athletes are asked to bring a rain coat, warm clothes, a hat, suncreen, and a large quanity of water to drink!
The Race Around the Park will be held in the park behind Lancaster Drive P.S. with the Atom Girls race starting at 4:00pm. Participating athletes can stay at school upon dismissal and will be warmed up and organized by Lancaster coaches. Upon completion of their race, athletes will be asked to check in with the coaches and will be free to be dismissed.
Race Order
Atom Girls 4:00pm
Atom Boys 4:15pm
Bantam Girls 4:35pm
Bantam Boys 4:55pm
Senior Girls 5:15pm
Senior Boys 5:35pm
Spectators are welcome!
Intermediate Leadership Day
On Friday September 15th, Lancaster Drive Public School welcomed former Queen's University and Brandon University Women's Basketball coach, James Bambury as the keynote speaker for the Grade 6, 7 and 8 Leadership Day.
Coach Banbury shared his own personal story, and thoughts on taking risks, and managing the expectations others put on you. Following his address, all Grade 6, 7, and 8 students were mixed into groups that took on a variety of different leadership / initiative tasks.
These tasks ranged from cooperatively rebuilding structures, playing human checkers, and passing objects in the fastest and most efficient manner possible. All staff involved focused on the need for students to take risks, communicate with their teammates, and encouraging students to adopt more of a leadership role.
The completion of this day, Grade 7/8 students were given the opportunity to apply to be involved in three leadership Ministries. The Active Living Ministry, Ministry of Caring, and Spirit Ministry will begin meeting in the near future to plan a variety of opportunities for Lancaster students.
How Do I get Information From The School?
LDSB schools and school board use School Messenger to send key messages, alerts and general communication to families. Lancaster uses this platform and will continue to use our Together In Education 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.
School Day Online Payments
We are paperless and cashless at Lancaster. We use the platform School Day for online payments (field trips, milkshake days, etc) and for digital permission slip signatures. ALL families are required to sign up using their child's individual match key that will be provided within the first weeks of school.
Safe Arrival
Please use the Safe Arrival system to report your child's absence; do not call the school to report an absence. If your child is going to be absent from learning, please ensure you use the Safe Arrival system to report the absence. If your child will be late, you can register for a late arrival.
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.
School Year Calendar
The Ministry of Education has approved the Limestone District School Board’s 2023-2024 School Year Calendar.
The following key dates have been approved:
First Day of School: Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Winter Break: December 25, 2023, to January 5, 2024
March Break: March 11, to March 15, 2024
Last Day of School: Thursday, June 27, 2024
The 2023-2024 school year consists of 194 days;
Secondary - 177 instructional days, 7 PA Days and 10 exam days.
Elementary - 187 instructional days and 7 PA Days.
Professional Activity Days - no classes for students:
Monday, Sept. 25, 2023
Friday, Oct. 27, 2023
Friday, Nov. 10, 2023
Friday, Feb. 2, 2024
Friday, April 12, 2024
Friday, May 31, 2024
Friday, June 28, 2024
Printable 2023-2024 School Year Calendar here.
Pick Up and Drop Off Routines
Lancaster Apparel available through our Spirit Store
Cobs Bread
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”!