Together in Education Family Update
Week of October 13-16
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:
Oct 12 - Thanksgiving Monday
Oct 15 - Gould Lake class visits - Dowker and Sidlauskas
Oct 16 - Updated IEPs sent home
Oct 19 - Gould Lake class visits - Jarbeau and Boriotis
Oct 20 - Third fire drill and first lockdown (individual class practice)
Nov 11 - Remembrance Day
Nov 20 - Progress Reports Go Home
Terry Fox Tally - Lancaster Gives $1, 235!
"Let's make a hideout" - building collaboration skills
"What happens if we put it up here" - investigating how height affect distance
"Would you like some of our noodles?" - growing with imagination
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
We have enjoyed getting routines established and digging into learning with students and appreciate being able to share the nuances of the school day once again. Classes have been building strong classroom communities while engaging in new learning opportunities. Check out one of our mentor texts "Where you Begin" in this newsletter. A few reminders for this week:
- Please return your students' Data Verification Form ASAP - it is imperative that we have updated contact information to ensure you get board, school and classroom updates.
- As reviewed in our message to families on Friday, students will be asked to mask outside in situations where they are not able to maintain physical distancing, as per Public Health recommendations. If you are able to send your student with a pouch or fanny pack for mask storage outside, that would be helpful. Students can take masks off when they can safely keep distanced from others. We all want to keep our community safe.
- Our families of intermediate students are encouraged to make their appointments for immunizations. Information is below.
- We are seeking supervisiors to assist during nutrition/wellness breaks. This is a paid position and can be daily or on a mutual agreeable schedule. Times are 10:30-11:15 or 11:55-12:40. If you know a neighbour, a recent graduate, a family friend who might be interested please pass along and have them contact the main office by calling 613-634-0470 or emailing lancd@limestone.on.ca
With our thanks,
Lani Fox and Sara O'Hearn
Digging into math concepts through practice
Outside creations and interactions
A DPA fit break in our pajamas!
Lancaster Parent Council Update
We are still waiting for a few key roles to be filled within parent council. If you are interested, please reach out to Kory Slovitt – kory@slovitt.ca to discuss a role you may be willing to fill. Everyone is welcome at the meetings and we encourage you to come out to lend your voice and your support to this dynamic group of Council Executives. Our next virtual meeting will be on Tuesday, November 3rd at 6:00pm. If you are interested in receiving the meeting link please email kory@slovitt.ca.
Building our Turkey Trap
Using directional arrows as we move throughout the school
Testing our Turkey Trap!
MENTOR TEXTS - "The DAY you BEGIN"
I have a few favourites each year and had intended to record a read aloud from Mrs. Fox of this book "The Day You Begin". In the search to look for a visual version of the book to use, I came across this version of the author, Jacqueline Woodson, reading her very own book. Who better to read than the author herself! Jacqueline adds ideas after her reading that offer observations and insights about the message and way the illustrations add meaning. Enjoy this reading with your child at home and see where the conversation takes you!
Protocols for the Safety of our School Community
With two more schools affected in the board, we know that we will need to continue to be vigilant and to follow the safety protocols outlined from Public Health. We ask for your continued diligence with the following:
- By now, students are familiar with their school yard zones and family meeting spots. Please do not come onto the school yard unless absolutely necessary. If you must come onto the school yard at drop off, please remember to wear a mask and to leave the property promptly.
- If you must pick up your child at the end of the day, please wait until dismissal time, and pleased do not linger or congregate.
- Please continue to screen your children before sending them to school and keep them home if they are showing Covid-19 related symptoms following the KFL& A Health Unit protocols.
- Please communicate the reason for absences in Safe Arrival Absence Reporting and contact the school with questions or follow-up information.
- Parents are not permitted in the building. Please call the school in advance if you wish to speak to a staff member.
- Masks are being worn outside when students are engaged in any activity where they are not able to maintain physical distancing. We will encourage students to change their masks if they become wet. Thank you for sending extra masks with your child. We have extra masks should students need them.
COVID 19 SCREENING
The Ontario Ministry of Health has again revised the COVID screening tool for children in school. The main change is regarding symptoms that are commonly associated with other illnesses, such as a runny nose or headache:
- students with only one of these symptoms (not including fever/cough) will be advised to stay home for 24 hours, after which they can return to school if their symptoms are improving
- students with two or more of these symptoms (or one symptom if it is fever or cough) will be advised to stay home until they are able to consult with a health care provider and receive an alternative diagnosis or a negative COVID-19 test
Please see the newly revised Screening tool for Children in School and Child Care (October 1, 2020).
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.
Grade 7 and 8 Immunizations
This fall, we do not plan to provide clinics in schools and instead, will offer community-based clinics by appointment at various sites within the KFL&A area. The Grade 7 Clinics are also open to students in Grade 8 who missed vaccine doses as a result of the cancellation of clinics due to school closures in the spring. KFL&A Public Health strongly recommends that all eligible students receive these immunizations.
Appointments can be booked online at www.kflaph.ca/ImmunizationClinics or by calling KFL&A Public Health. Consent forms can be completed online at www.kflaph.ca/SchoolImmunizations or printed at home and brought to the student’s booked appointment.