Together in Education Family Update
June 14-18
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
Look What Hatched at Lancaster! 19 baby chicks in our District Autism Program : )
MESSEAGE FROM YOUR ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
It is remarkable that we are in the last few weeks of school. Students, staff and families have continued to demonstrate tremendous resiliency as they engage in learning and activities that offer connection. The weather has certainly provided new opportunities to explore nature, enjoy some fresh air, and find water to cool down!
In addition to planning, teaching, and evaluation staff and administration have been busy learning a new digital platform, "Aspen", to complete end-of-year tasks such as report cards as well as daily attendance, student registrations, and planning for next year. While we have approached this task with diligence there can be glitches and small errors that occur. We appreciate your patience and support as we work through any small bumps in the road.
Grade 8 Graduation
We are excited to be able to honour our Lancaster Graduates on Tuesday June 22nd. We will roll out the red carpet and have each graduate visit the school with their family to be celebrated outdoors. Graduates will receive their graduation certificate and awards, sign our graduate ceiling tile, be gifted with a Lancaster hoodie (co-purchased with School Council), and capture some on-site photos. Later that evening we will post our virtual graduation for families to watch together. We do ask that students who are not in grade 8 avoid coming to Lancaster on that day so that we can properly abide by local health guidelines.
Student Item Drop-Off and Pick Up
We are pleased that students will be able to visit the school briefly and see staff for a final goodbye as we end off the year. We have set aside June 23/24 for the pick up of student belongings and drop off of school items. Students will also receive their report cards on this day. More detailed information and a schedule will be coming to families this week. Our process will look very similar to last year, using all access doors and assigning times per class. Specific protocols will apply to this process so please read the information carefully in preparation for the day. All exchanges will take place outdoors and masking will be required.
While this is not the end of year that we had all wished for, there is hope and optimism brewing as we look ahead.
Ms. Fox, Ms. O'Hearn and your Lancaster Team
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)
SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL (SAC) - New Opportunity! Be a "Lancaster Ambassador"
The final virtual meeting was held on June 8th. All parents/guardians are welcome to attend meetings or contact our school council chair koryslovitt@live.ca if you have ideas for next year. We will be looking for parents who would be interested in becoming "Lancaster Ambassadors" for the 2021-22 school year. In this role you would be offered as a contact for families that are new to Lancaster to share insights and help them with transition to a new school community. More information about this opportunity can be accessed through the email above or the school council Facebook page:
Join the School Advisory Council Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2497663423888404/
Plantables Fundraiser still open - deliveries to your door within a week!
Looking for Yard Supervisors for 2021-22
As we begin to plan for the next school year, we are looking for people who may be interested in being a Paid Yard Supervisor. Some of our supervisors come every day, and others commit to a few times a week - the schedule can be flexible!
If you are interested, please email the school at lancd@limestone.on.ca
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:
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