Together in Education Family Update
May 31- June 4 2021
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
MESSEAGE FROM YOUR ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
While the news that we will stay in virtual learning may not have been surprising, it was not the news many of us were hoping for. We know that there are many feelings attached to hearing that we will not be returning to face-to face learning this year. We also know that for many of you, learning at home is not easy, or not what you 'signed up for.' I assure you that many of our staff feel the same way. We were really hoping for a couple of weeks to see each other's (masked) faces in person and get some closure to the year. However, we shall move forward with our smiles on and make the best of this month of June!
Please continue to have your child/ren log in to their team/google classrooms to stay connected for a few more weeks. The last day of school is June 24. This is not only important for their academic progress, but also for their social and emotional well-being as well. Teachers are working so hard to make learning engaging and accessible while at home: there have been many virtual trips, lots of cooking lessons and demonstrations and many hands-on experiments and inquiries.
Grade 8 Graduation:
We continue to work on finalizing our plans for our Grade 8 Graduation on Tuesday June 22nd. Before we determine if any aspects of this can happen in-person, we need to wait for the Public Health Unit and the School Board to provide us with updated safety protocols. Thank you for your patience.
Ms. Fox, Ms. O'Hearn and your Lancaster Team
SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL (SAC)
The final virtual meeting will be June 8th at 6:00 pm. All parents/guardians are welcome. Please email or call the school or email our school council chair koryslovitt@live.ca if you would like to be added to the school council email list so that you can receive the link to join the meeting.
You can also join the School Advisory Council Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2497663423888404/
FLAGS TO FLY AT HALF-MAST
Flags across the Limestone District School Board will be flown at half-mast in memory of the 215 children killed as a result of genocide at a residential school in British Columbia.
We extend our sympathies to survivors, families and First Nations communities affected by this unspeakable tragedy.
Flags at the Education Centre and all schools will remain lowered for 215 hours (9 days) - one hour for each child whose life was taken - from May 31 to June 8, 2021.
The discovery of this mass grave will serve as a difficult reminder for survivors of residential schools and their families, and a reminder of traumas they have endured. We will support students and families who will find this news triggering and are in need of support or resources.
The National Indian Residential School Crisis line is 1-866-925-4419. Kids Help Phone can be accessed 24/7 by calling 1-800-668-6868 or visit the Kids Help Phone website for text and chat options.
Limestone recommits to our important role in educating our school communities about the shameful legacy of residential schools, and the ongoing need for Truth and Reconciliation.
JUNE IS PRIDE MONTH - LET'S CELEBRATE LOVE, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
June is PRIDE month. Many students, staff, families and community members identify as members of the Rainbow or LGBTQ+ community. We fly the Pride flag and hold events to demonstrate our commitment to our community and to demonstrate that our schools are safe spaces for anyone, no matter who you are. We want everyone to see themselves in Limestone!
To support this, we have provided every school in Limestone with a PRIDE flag to be flown for the entire month of June under the Canadian flag.
Today we are sharing a newsletter that provides information and resources to help us all grow in our understanding of how we can be Allies in our community.
Please take a moment and visit the link:
Youth Vaccination Clinics
Youth aged 12 and older are now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccination in Ontario. KFL&A Public Health will be offering special youth vaccination clinics beginning the week of June 7 and continuing to June 28.
How to book a first dose appointment at Youth and Family Vaccination Clinics
- To make a vaccination appointment, please use the link below.
- Youth clinics will be held beginning on June 8 to June 28.
- Please note you will need to be 12 years of age at the time of the appointment.
- Appointments are for parents/guardians as well as the youth and the link can accommodate different booking options. For example, youth only (if both parents/guardians are already immunized) or a parent/guardian with multiple eligible youth.
KFL&A Public Health - COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic | Scheduling and Booking Website (simplybook.plus)
THE LIMESTONE LENS - Guiding and Building Equity in LDSB
The May 2021 edition of the Limestone Lens is all about maintaining the momentum in personal and collective equity work. To do that, let's take some time to reflect and acknowledge where we are in the work presently, and spend time thinking about what actions are needed to move forward toward positive change.
As you read through this issue, try to see how your role (social identity) is connected to these topics. What actions and work can you do to help equalize power imbalances in our community? Let's keep the momentum going!
Curated by the Limestone Equity Team, this monthly newsletter is designed to help all of us tackle anti-racism issues, and build confidence in our ability to talk about anti-racism and equity issues.
For previous issues, visit the board's Equity & Inclusion webpage.
If you have ideas about future equity topics or terminology, please contact Rae McDonald, Equity Curriculum Consultant K-8: Arts and Social Studies, History, and Geography.
Super Siblings Workshops
Having a sibling with autism can be a great experience but sometimes it’s beneficial to connect with other people in a similar situation to work through common situations and issues that may arise. Parents are not required to attend this workshop but are expected to meet individually with the facilitators following the workshop to learn about the workshop content and strategies that may have been developed with their child regarding their sibling.
As a result of participating in this workshop, you will be able to:
• Describe what Autism is
• Understand how Autism may affect your sibling
• Understand how your sibling may be affecting you
• Create strategies with your parents to help resolve issues between you and your sibling
Dates: Tuesday, June 1, 2021
Tuesday, June 8, 2021
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
**the parent sessions can be booked by the facilitators upon completion of the workshop**
Register via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/maltby-centre-learning-home-series-super-siblings-registration-154267942569
Location: This is a virtual workshop offered on Zoom. Links to join on your phone, tablet, or computer will be sent a day prior to the event.
Requirements: To access this workshop, or a follow up session, you will need a valid Ontario Autism Program Reference number. If you do not have an OAP Reference number please contact the Maltby Centre at 613 546 8535 and ask to speak to a Family Support Coordinator. This is a free workshop.
Kid's Inclusive Resource for Educators and Parents
Parent Session - Helping your Child with School Anxiety
Dear Lancaster Families
In these last few weeks of learning students have been engaging a wide variety of learning activities - class spirit days, math challenges in break out rooms, making a vidos of creating a favourite sandwich, adopting a class pet, exploring virtual field trips, working hard at procedural writing, student presentations and guest speakders, and various assessments in the form of quizzes, tests, and 1:1 reading evaluations. There is a lot of learning going on! We encourage families to find a balance that works for getting outside and enjoying the wonderful sun, and engaging in studies to continue the learning momentum. We all need time to connect through learning and laughter, and time to "disconnect" into nature and personal downtime.
Attendance:
Please continue to complete attendance for your child if you know they will be away. We are still doing call-outs as attendance is taken each day. Please make sure your child checks-in with their teacher in some way throughout the day so that they are not accidentally marked absent. If this does occur please call the office to have the attendance modified. Thank you in advance.
Last Week for Government Supports for Students:
The new COVID-19 Child Benefit announced in the 2021 Ontario Budget will provide direct payments to families and students to help with additional costs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you received a payment through the Support for Learners program, you do not need to apply. Starting on April 26, 2021, we will begin issuing additional payments of:
- $400 for each child or youth up to Grade 12
- $500 for each child or youth up to age 21 with special needs
If you missed applying for the Support for Learners program, you will have the opportunity to apply for this new round of payment. Applications will open from May 3, 2021 to May 17, 2021.Learn more on the government’s Support for Learners webpage.
Ms. Fox, Ms. O'Hearn and your Lancaster Team