Together in Education Family Update
February 1-5
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
It didn't take long for students and staff to settle into familiar routines as we returned to on-site learning last week. Literacy Week activities were a highlight as we took time to jump into some great books and share some spirit days together. Student learning was captured throughout the building with drama activities, science exploration, student presentations, and time for play outside. We are thankful for the opportunities that being together offers, and look forward to continuing our learning journeys in the coming months.
REPORT CARDS:
Staff have been working on term 1 report cards which will go home later this month. The first provincial report card reflects the student’s achievement of curriculum expectations from September to February of the school year, as well as the student’s development of the learning skills and work habits during that period. In recognition of the realities that have been presented by the pandemic, the following statement will appear on all report cards this term:
Kindergarten Communication of Learning & the Provincial Report Card 1 – 8:
This reporting period reflects learning that has occurred in a modified learning environment as required by the provincial public health guidelines. The pandemic may have resulted in the need for possible adaptations to teaching and assessment practices. Ongoing communication with your child’s educators will provide additional information pertaining to their progress.
The Provincial Report Card is a summary account of a student’s learning and achievement over the course of a Term. Additional opportunities exist for sharing student achievement; ongoing communication through student work, electronic sharing, conferences and informal conversations. Our students, our families and our staff have faced many challenges over the last year. We continue to focus on student learning and achievement, while also ensuring our students' overall well-being and mental health are cared for and supported.
VALENTINE'S DAY GUIDELINES
Due to COVID safety protocols, the LDSB has advised that Valentine cards/treats from home be put on hold this year. Classroom teachers will look for other ways to show kindness and friendship to our classmates during the week of Feb 8-12.
YARD SUPERVISORS
We are looking to add to our diligent crew of yard supervisors as we head into the next months of school. This is a paid position and training is provided (CPIC required). If you or someone you know is interested please have them email lancd@limestone.on.ca or call the main office. Hours are 10:15-11:15 and/or 12:45-1:45. This position is not necessarily a daily commitment and includes both inside and outside supervision. We can work with individuals to generate a schedule that works. Thank you for considering the opportunity or passing it on to others whom you know might be interested.
Thank you to our families for continuing to screen your child daily before heading to school. Please continue to be diligent and refer to this Return to School Checklist for ongoing guidance. We are happy to be back and will need to work together to continue our learning at school.
Your Lancaster Team
Upcoming Dates:
February 1-28 ~ Black History Month
February 2 ~ Lancaster School Advisory Council meeting 6:00 pm (email kory@slovitt.ca for link)
February 3 ~ Elementary Virtual School Council meeting @ 6:00
(Please complete this form so that we can invite you to future meetings and include you in EVS School Council communication moving forward: http://bit.ly/2YhGL9S)
February 10-14 ~ Scholastic Book Fair - virtual all week!
February 15th ~ Family Day
February 17th ~ Term 1 Reports Cards go home
SCHOLASTIC VIRTUAL BOOK FAIR BEGINS IN 10 DAYS!
Dear Families,
It's almost time to shop, starting on Feb 10th, visit our school’s Virtual Book Fair site using this link:
https://virtualbookfairs.scholastic.ca/pages/5155386
Before our Fair begins, click the link to:
SAVE it to your browser
WATCH videos of popular new titles
PREVIEW our Featured Books
FREE shipping on orders over $40 at all times, FREE shipping on all orders between 6-8pm on Wednesdays (Feb 10 and Feb 17 for our fair)
Watch for news leading up to our Scholastic Virtual Book Fair!
Follow @BookDps on Twitter for more information!
Happy reading!
Free Menstrual Hygiene Products available in Limestone Schools
Limestone District School Board schools will offer free menstrual hygiene products to students to remove barriers and ensure equitable access for all. Beginning January 25th, all female washrooms and gender-neutral washrooms at Lancaster will be equipped with menstrual hygiene products in easily accessible locations for students who access our Junior/Intermediate bathroom. The products are free to students.
Access to menstrual products can be a barrier for many students. Studies show that one in seven young women and non-binary people in Canada will miss some school because they don't have access to pads and tampons, largely because they cannot bear the financial burden of purchasing their own. Other times, students forget to plan ahead or find themselves in an emergency situation. Menstrual products have been made available at most schools, including Lancaster, for a number of years. As a system we are taking steps to ensure that this practice is consistent, clearly communicated, and openly available in school bathrooms removing the need for a student to independently inquire.
Government Support for Learners
The Government of Ontario is providing one-time funding for parents to help offset costs during the 2020-2021 school year. Eligible parents or guardians will receive a one-time payment of:
- $200 for each student up to age 12
- $250 for each student or youth up to age 21 with special needs
- NEW $200 for student age 13 to Grade 12 including students who are in secondary school that are over age 18
Applications open on Monday, January 11, 2021. The deadline to apply is February 8, 2021. Learn more on the government’s Support for Learners webpage liked below.
Accessing Communication Tools
Learn how to:
- Set up a SchoolMessenger App account: set up your account, review your contact information and communication preferences, join teacher-instant messaging groups, and view all your alerts and messages in one place. Watch the video tutorial.
- Use the Communicate broadcast tool: choose how you will receive alerts including how to opt-in for text messaging. Watch the video tutorial.
- Use the Board mobile app: how to choose your schools, see your messages and report and review student absences. Watch the video tutorial.
Subscribe to school calendars: receive email alerts or download calendars or individual events to your personal calendar