Together in Education:Family Update
September 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
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sept 27-Oct 1 - Terry Fox Week, Running Club - Mon/Fri lunch, Tues/Thurs after school
Sept 27 ~ Soccer practice after school
Sept 28 ~ Fire Drill
Sept 29 ~ TERRY FOX EVENT, Girl’s Soccer tournament
Sept 30 ~ ORANGE SHIRT DAY, Boy’s Soccer Tournament
Sept 30 ~ Race Around the Park - running club event at Lancaster after school (tentative)
Oct 1 ~ PA Day, no school for students, school year improvement planning for staff
Oct
Terry Fox Event is Here!
We are excited to bring back a school-wide Terry Fox Event next week on Wednesday September 29. As is traditional every year, students will be taking time throughout the week to learn about Terry Fox and make connections with to his story of incredible determination, courage and HOPE. Each student will be provided with a running shoe to colour and fill out “I’m running for…” which will be displayed all through the halls of the school. On the day of the event, students will be walking the loop through the community in cohorts, but sharing the energy of the event together. We look forward to inviting parents and guardians to join us next year.
We will be asking families to either donate by bringing a toonie (or two) for Terry to school or by visiting a donation website using the link provided below. Lancaster joins many other schools in our district as a strong supporter of this campaign, thank you for your generous donations. We will share our grand total once the campaign closes. Donations can be sent throughout the week.
School Update
As you can see in the photos in this week’s newsletter, there is a lot of learning and activity happening at Lancaster. Students are digging into math and literacy learning and flexing their thinking muscles in many ways. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and finding ways to collaborate with peers. Bodies are moving! We are enjoying our outside time and new Spikeball sets outdoors and in the gym.
Our roofing project is progressing well - students in one of our classrooms were happy to see the return of natural light this week. Over the course of the summer, all LDSB schools had HVAC audits to ensure air circulation and air quality met standards. Our site was deemed to be in compliance and met the required standards. All sites, regardless of results, received HEPA filtration units for any area that did not already have mechanically filtered fresh air supply. As a result, Lancaster received 5 units at our site: 2 for portables and 3 for kinder classes.
We are looking forward to our Terry Fox Event this week and the return of inter-school sports with soccer tournaments on Wednesday and Thursday. Orange Shirt day will be an important part of our week, with deep learning and recognition of the significance of indigenous contributions and loss honoured throughout the year as well as on this day.
Thank you to our parents and community for all the ways that you support your child’s success and well-being at school and at home.
Your leaders in learning,
Lani Fox and Sara O'Hearn
Preparing Your Child to Walk or Bike to School
Before your child heads off to school by themselves (or with friends), there are a few safety precautions you can take.
Build Familiarity:
- Teach your child to recognize and obey traffic signals and pavement markings.
- Choose the safest route between home and school and practice walking it with your child until he/she can demonstrate traffic-safety awareness.
Adopt the Buddy System:
- Have your child communte with a sibling, friend or neighbour following physical distancing guidelines. Connect with street neighbours or hire an older student to walk your child home.
Embrace Cycling Safety:
- If your child is biking or scootering, make sure they have a helmet, bell and lock, and that their bike is in good working order.
- Teach your child hand signals and to get off and walk when crossing the road at intersections.
- Remind your child to get off and walk once they get to school property.
Have an Emergency Plan:
- Make sure your child knows what to do and who to contact if they have an emergency. Put a list of important numbers in their backpack.
- Remind them of safe ways to access help in the neighbourhood.
Remind your child to:
- Stick to well-traveled streets, use the same route every day and avoid shortcuts through wooded areas, parking lots or alleys.
- Keep the trip distraction-free. Have them put headphones and devices in backpacks so they can stay alert to what's happening around them.
- Carry backpacks and bags close to their body, not dangling by the straps.
- Don’t wear shoes or clothing that restrict movement.
- Cross streets only in crosswalks; never enter streets from between parked cars or from behind shrubbery.
- Always look both ways before crossing the street.
- Walk — don’t run — across intersections. A flashing “walk” signal does not mean it’s safe to cross.
- Don’t speak to strangers; if a stranger approaches, tell a teacher, a school principal or a trusted adult. Switch direction or cross the street if they feel unsafe.
Mabels Labels
Cobs Bread
Love tasty baked goods from Cobs Bread?? Every time you visit Cobs Bread Bakery at 770 Gardiners rd. in Kingston simply let them know you are supporting Lancaster School’s Fundraiser and they will donate 10% of your sale to us!
Let’s “Raise some Dough”!