Together in Education Family Update
Week of September 21-25
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
Dear Lancaster Families,
Last week, all Limestone families should have received a message from Director Krishna Burra explaining the reorganization process for elementary and secondary schools across the district. This is an unprecedented year of reorganization with most of our schools in the district being impacted by the number of students who have opted out of in-person learning and into remote learning. Last spring, Lancaster was approved for a school organization of 16 classes. Our total enrollment this year is at 353 students, down by about 32 students from our projected enrollment numbers in the sping due to family moves as well as students opting into remote learning. As a result of this lower in-person enrolment, we are now required to reorganize with 15 classes and redistribute students as needed. We also have reductions in teaching time that have affected Mme. MacKeigan and Ms. Doucet. Mrs. Greenlees will be joining the staff at the LDSB Virtual School and we look forward to welcoming her back next year.
Our staff are working behind the scenes to ensure the success of all students during this transition. As always, we will be considering a wide range of factors when determining class organization and student placement. If your child is impacted by the need to reorganize, you will be notified by Tuesday, September 22. Students will begin in their new class on Thursday, September 24th. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this process. As was indicated in the message from the Director, due to the complexity of reorganization we will be unable to accommodate requests for changes to your child's placement.
Your lead learners,
Lani Fox and Sara O'Hearn
Upcoming Dates:
Thursday, Sept. 24 - Reorganization Day
Friday, Sept. 25 - PA DAY - no school for students
Sept. 28- Oct. 2 - Terry Fox Week - classes running/walking for Terry
Sept. 30 - Orange Shirt Day
Oct. 6 - Parent Council Online Meeting @ 6 pm
Oct. 12 - Thanksgiving Monday
Terry Fox
During the week September 28 to October 2, Lacater staff and students will be taking part in the 40th Anniversary of Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope.
We are honoured to support and continue the legacy of Terry Fox! We are proud of this amazing tradition at our school and are looking forward to learning more about Terry Fox through various classroom activities and raising funds for cancer research. Through our participation, we hope to encourage leadership in our students and create positive agents of change in our wonderful school community.
Any amount of donation is greatly appreciated. To donate, visit our school fundraising page by clicking the tab below or click HERE . You can also visit: www.terryfox.org and follow the instructions below. It’s fast, easy and onors get a receipt immediately by email.
1. click “Terry Fox School Run”
2. click “Donate to a Student/School”
3. Enter the name of your school and follow the prompts to donate
It is strongly encouraged this year that your child set up their own fundraising page by clicking the “Donate to a Student” button. Their page will connect automatically to our school’s fundraising page and they’ll receive a link to email friends and family to help them reach their fundraising goal. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept cash or cheques this year due to COVID.
We are very excited to be a part of this year’s 40th Anniversary of the Marathon of Hope. This is our opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those suffering from cancer. We hope you will join us as our Lancaster school community bands together in the fight against cancer.
Thank you in advance for your support!
Parents are ESSENTIAL! Parent Council Elections - October 6th @ 6:00
We warmly welcome all parents to be a part of any and every parent council meeting, whether you are an elected member or a parent who would just like to listen in an hear more about what is going on at Lancaster. Meetings usually include an administrator's sharing component, reports from members in particular positions (treasurer, chair, events co-ordinator, etc.) and some discussion items. We will start with virtual meetings until such a time that we can have parents on-site. Meeting links will be posted by the PAC so that parents can elect to join.
Our first meeting for Parent Council elections will be held on Oct 6th at 6:00. Please complete this Google Form below if you would like to have the meeting link sent to attend the meeting.
Emotional Regulation Workshops
COVID-19 Daily Active Screening
WHEN A STUDENT OR STAFF IS SICK AT SCHOOL
All students and staff must self-screen every day before attending school using a checklist before arriving at school. If a student or staff member is experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, they must stay home from school and should seek testing and appropriate medical attention. If a student or staff member feels sick, or develops symptoms while at school, schools will follow the following protocol:
- Students or staff who develop COVID-19 symptoms will immediately be separated from others, and the family will be contacted to arrange pick-up.
- Staff and families will be directed to consult their health-care provider and should be provided with information about COVID-19 testing locations.
- Staff and/or students who test positive may not return to school until they are cleared by KFL&A Public Health.
- Staff and/or students who test negative can return to school once they are symptom-free for 24 hours.
- Limestone schools will immediately report any suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 to the KFL&A Public Health.
- Limestone schools will participate in contact tracing through keeping records of classes, transported students, and visitors to schools.
- KFL&A Public Health will be providing a flow chart to families and schools to help provide a visual of these guidelines that will be followed.
Preparing your child for walking or biking to school:
Before your child heads off to school by themselves (or with friends), there are a few safety precautions you can take.
Build Familiarity:
- Teach your child to recognize and obey traffic signals and pavement markings.
- Choose the safest route between home and school and practice walking it with your child until he/she can demonstrate traffic-safety awareness.
- Have your child communte with a sibling, friend or neighbour following physical distancing guidelines. Connect with street neighbours or hire an older student to walk your child home.
- If your child is biking or scootering, make sure they have a helmet, bell and lock, and that their bike is in good working order.
- Teach your child hand signals and to get off and walk when crossing the road at intersections.
- Remind your child to get off and walk once they get to school property.
- Make sure your child knows what to do and who to contact if they have an emergency. Put a list of important numbers in their backpack.
- Remind them of safe ways to access help in the neighbourhood.
Remind your child to:
- Stick to well-traveled streets, use the same route every day and avoid shortcuts through wooded areas, parking lots or alleys.
- Keep the trip distraction-free. Have them put headphones and devices in backpacks so they can stay alert to what's happening around them.
- Carry backpacks and bags close to their body, not dangling by the straps.
- Don’t wear shoes or clothing that restrict movement.
- Cross streets only in crosswalks; never enter streets from between parked cars or from behind shrubbery.
- Always look both ways before crossing the street.
- Walk — don’t run — across intersections. A flashing “walk” signal does not mean it’s safe to cross.
- Don’t speak to strangers; if a stranger approaches, tell a teacher, a school principal or a trusted adult. Switch direction or cross the street if they feel unsafe.