Together in Education Family Update
Week of November 9-13
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:
Nov 5-12 - SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR! (see link in this newsletter)
Nov 10 - Parent Council Meeting - Virtual 6:00 (contact kory@slovitt.ca for link)
Nov 11 - Remembrance Day - virtual Assembly
Nov 11 - Virtual FAMILY NIGHT at the book fair - 6-8pm
Nov 19 - LDSB Pink Shirt Day - Anti-bullying awareness
Nov 20 - Progress Reports Go Home
Nov 23 - SCHOOL PICTURE DAY
LIFE and Learning AT LANCASTER
My Ecosystem: The Swamp!
Enjoying some math outside
Transferring knowledge into a creation
Patterns Everywhere
Mr. Carlton visited from Queens
Pumpkin Carving Contest Prizes
Collaborating with LDSB staff
Air high fives with Ms O’Hearn
Blueberry Snowmen
Starting our day with a book
Green Screen Creations
Lots of time outside this month
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR!
TIME TO SHOP!! The holidays are coming!
Dear families,
It’s here! Our school’s Scholastic Virtual Book Fair has begun. Our very own shopping site with 450 titles available, will be open from November 5 through November 12.
https://virtualbookfairs.scholastic.ca/pages/5151790
Share this link with Grandparents, too! Extended family can participate in the Virtual Book Fair from the comfort of home.
Join us for a Virtual Family Night on Wednesday, November 11 between 6-8pm (on Twitter @BookDPS). All orders will have FREE shipping during that time (orders over $35 receive free shipping at all times).
Remember, all purchases benefit our school and earn Rewards that can be redeemed for books and Education Resources for our school’s classrooms and library.
Thank you for participating in our Scholastic Virtual Book Fair.
Happy reading!
Virtual Reading and Literacy Volunteers -Looking for Lancaster Parents/Guardians
Parent, guardian and community volunteers play an essential role in our school communities. We have always welcomed the participation of volunteers who bring a wide range of talents and skills to school life that enrich and support both students and staff. This year we are not able to welcome volunteers into the physical space of our school BUT are now looking for ‘Virtual Reading/Literacy Volunteers.’
W are currently looking for members of our school community to volunteer virtually to support our youngest learners. This opportunity may entail reading a book to a student, listening to a student read or practicing beginning phonics skills. If you are interested in this opportunity, please email Ms. O’Hearn at ohearns@limestone.on.ca. People wishing to volunteer are required to complete a mandatory screening process that includes a police criminal record check, sometimes better known as a CPIC.
STUDENT CENSUS
School boards across the province are asking students to complete a census to identify and eliminate discrimination and bias from schools and classrooms. In Limestone, See Yourself in Limestone Student Census will take place the week of November 23, 2020. The data collected through the census will help us learn more about our students – their backgrounds, experiences and needs.
The Census will be available for families to preview beginning November 9, 2020 on the Board website. There are three versions of the census: one for Kindergarten to Grade 3 students, which will be completed by families at home, a census for students in Grades 4 to 6 and a census for students in Grades 7 to 12. Students in Grades 4 to 12 will complete the survey during class time.
Information for the K-3 Census will be coming home with students in their progress reports. See below for a video outline of the census and see HERE for more information from the LDSB website.
Understanding the Language of Equity
This month, K-12 Limestone students will be completing a See Yourself in Limestone: Student Census. We are collecting identity-based information to guide our programming, policies and procedures, as part of our commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive environment.
Like the students, as employees of the LDSB, we too need to have a clear idea of what frequently used words really mean.
So, let’s iron out some differences...
What Is The Difference Between Race and Ethnicity?
Race is a social construct where people are grouped together based on physical features (i.e. skin colour).
Ethnicity refers to the shared identity, heritage, ancestry, or historical past of a group of people.
What Is The Difference Between The Terms Non-Racist and Anti-Racist?
It is the difference between non-action and action. Think about canoeing on a river. Being non-racist is like being on a boat, and not paddling. You are still moving with the current.
However, being anti-racist is taking "action against" the system of prejudice and bias based on race. Effectively, pushing against systematic norms.
NOVEMBER IS INDIGENOUS EDUCATION MONTH
BLACK YOUTH IN STEM: FREE LEARNIING OPPORTUNITY
Here is information on a wonderful opportunity to explore Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math through fun hands-on activities in a Black-positive space!
This virtual club is open to Black youth from K-8, residing in the Kingston area. Black Youth in STEM is free of charge, and all materials are supplied. Please share widely, as this program is open to students of all achievement levels, with the overall purpose of availing opportunities and increase Black representation in STEM fields/engineering.
Spaces are limited. Spaces are limited. Here is the link to register:
youth rebound program
COAT DRIVE
Choices at grade 9
Human Development and Sexual Health Exemptions
Moving forward, at the beginning of every school year, parents/guardians will be informed that they can choose 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.
Parents/guardians can access a list of all Human Development and Sexual Health expectations by grade for Grades 1 to 8 from the Ministry Health and Physical Education curriculum on the LDSB website. Prior to classroom instruction, teachers will inform parents/guardians that the expectations related to the Human Development and Sexual Health expectations will be covered. The deadline for the exemption request will be five school days before the start of instruction.
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.
SCREENING STUDENTS AT HOME AND AT SCHOOL - Covid-19 Screening Tool & Return to School Information
Please review the screening tool and the KFL&A Public Health return to school flow chart that will assist families with determining their next steps. These helpful documents are shared on the LDSB Website and images are below.
- Screening Tool
- My student did not pass COVID-19 screening
- Return to school protocols for students and staff with COVID-19 symptoms
Thank you for your continued support as we refine our routines and processes going forward. The sheet below will be sent home with students if they are demonstrating symptoms of COVID-19 and helps to explain next steps for students and families.