September 14th-September 25th

Upcoming Dates to Remember

September

Running Club Practices: Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays @ Lunch

September 11th-13th ~ Rosh Hashanah

Thursday, September 17th ~ SAC Elections & First Meeting 6:00pm in Library

September 19th ~ Powley day

September 20th-21st ~ Yom Kippur

Thursday, September 24th ~ Lancaster Open House 5-6pm

Thursday, September 24th ~ Greek Town Hot Lunch

September 25th-October 2nd ~ Sukkot

Wednesday, September 23rd-Friday, September 25th ~ Scholastic Book Fair

Wednesday, September 30th ~ Orange Shirt Day / National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Friday, October 2nd ~ Terry Fox Event @ 2:00pm

Wednesday, October 7th ~ Picture Day

Thursday, October 8th ~ Lancaster's Race Around The Park 4-6pm

Saturday, October 18th ~ Family Skate 12-1pm @ Invista (CUPE pad)

Scholastic Book Fair

The Fall Scholastic Book Fair will be running from Wednesday, September 23rd-thru Friday, September 25th in the school library. Classes will be visiting the fair throughout the day and parents are welcome to stop by any time from 8:30-3:00pm. The fair will also be open the evneing of Thursday, September 24th from 4:30-6:30pm. A big thank you to our Lancaster SAC for making this possibe.

Terry Fox Event

The 2026 Terry Fox School Run is just around the corner, and we are very excited to be part of this incredible event. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the fight against cancer while empowering our students to become compassionate changemakers in our community.

Our Terry Fox School Run will take place on: Friday, October 2, 2026 @ 2:00 pm

Our school’s fundraising goal is: $3,000

Our school’s online fundraising page is:

https://schools.terryfox.ca/LancasterDrivePSKingston

Every dollar raised supports vital cancer research, bringing us closer to a world without cancer.

Here’s how to help your child make their impact:

Donate online:

Click the link above to donate or go to “Find a School” at terryfoxschoolrun.org

You can make a general donation to the school or donate to a student or classroom page under the school link.

Receipts are emailed immediately to online donors from the Terry Fox Foundation.

Double Your Donation! Many Canadian employers match employee donations. During the online donation process, there is an option to enter your employer’s name to see if they participate. If eligible, your employer will be notified and invited to match your donation. Please note: employer matching donations will not appear on your school’s online fundraising page as matching funds are processed and transferred to the Terry Fox Foundation separately. These funds are, however, added to your school’s overall fundraising total once they are received later.

Purchase a Terry to wear at school and during the run:

We have included information on school day about how to purchase T-shirts to support our fundraising goal for the Terry Fox Foundation. The shirts are either youth or adult-sizing. All t-shirt sales are added to our school’s fundraising totals, and it is a great way to show your “Terry” spirit during our “Terry Tuesdays” and on the run day.

Deadline for ordering T-shirts on school day will be Friday, September 18^th. If you miss this deadline, there will be one more opportunity to purchase a T-shirt at the Open House on September 24^th from 5-6pm in the Great Hall.

We encourage every family to get involved by fundraising, donating and cheering on our students. Every donation, big or small, helps fund life-saving cancer research and carries forward Terry’s dream of a world without cancer. Together we can make a difference and Finish It!

Hot Lunches

We’re excited to offer hot lunch twice a week this year! One day will continue through School-Day, featuring pizza from Riverhead. For our second day, we’ll be trialing a new ordering platform called Lunchbox, with meals from Greek Town and some new options for students to enjoy.

A Friendly Reminder About Our Lancaster Turf

It has come to our attention that there have been some bikes, scooters, and motorized scooters being used on the Lancaster turf.

We have installed signage as a reminder to help ensure that our turf remains a safe and welcoming space for everyone.

Our turf is a beloved part of our school and the larger Lancaster community, and we appreciate everyone’s support in helping us care for and maintain this special space.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Ms. O'Hearn or Mrs. Bates, so that we can address them in a timely manner.

Thank you for your continued support and for helping us take pride in our Lancaster community!

Parking Updates

We are excited to share that the bussing loading zone and accessible parking spaces at the front of the building have been freshly painted to provide increased clarity and support smoother morning and afternoon drop-off and pick-up routines.

This is a gentle reminder that Lancaster has two designated accessible parking spaces at the front of the school, as well as a designated bus loading zone. We kindly ask all families and visitors to be mindful of these designated areas and help ensure they remain available for those who require them.

Thank you for your cooperation and support in helping keep our arrival and dismissal routines safe and efficient for everyone!

Pick Up and Drop off Routines

When students arrive at Lancaster and are dismissed each day, they will have an assigned meeting place. On the first day of school, teachers will be greeting students at their designated meeting spaces on the pavement at the back of the school.

Each morning, students should meet their classmates at their assigned meeting place. This will help ensure a safe, smooth, and organized start to each school day.

Lancaster SAC Elections & September Meeting Date

It's that time of year - parents/caregivers! School Advisory Council (SAC) elections for Executive Positions are coming up very soon! The first SAC Council meeting & elections will be on Thursday, September 17th @ 6:00pm The elections will take place first with the SAC meeting following afterwards.

Nomination forms will be sent home with the youngest/only student in each family on the first day of school. Nominations are anonymous and you can nominate yourself or someone else for a position. If you are nominating someone, please ensure they are up for the position and have agreed to your nomination. The person you nominate must be available to be present at the meeting. Your nomination does not count as a vote; you must be present to vote. Nominations (for others and self) are due by 12:00 noon on Thursday, September 17th. Please return all nomination forms to the main office in care of Ms. O'Hearn/Mrs. Bates.

Positions for election are:

Chair/Co-Chair: Represents, works with and provides support to all school community and council committee chairs. This person works closely with the school principal and VP, school staff and parents to enrich the education of all students. Additionally, they preside over and conduct monthly council meetings, set agendas and schedule meetings (in consultation with the VP/Principal). The chair promotes discussion amongst council members and the community, receives and reports on correspondence sent and received by council. Acts as coordinator between the school board and council. Receives documentation from board and keeps council advised of board decisions, activities etc. Supports programs, initiatives and activities led by other council members and contributes to the monthly council newsletter.

Vice Chair: Presides at meetings in the absence of the chair or upon the incumbent’s inability to serve. Responsible for overseeing all sponsored events and programs.

Treasurer: Works with the council and coordinators in developing an operating budget, keeps a full and accurate account of receipts and expenditures and serves as the liaison with the Board of Education. Additional responsibilities include depositing/disbursing funds on behalf of the council, the preparation of monthly financial statements, and the preparation & filing of all necessary financial reports.

Secretary: Attends scheduled council meetings, records, maintains and distributes minutes of meetings, keeps non-financial records of council.

Fundraising Coordinator: Plans, manages fundraising activities of council. Works closely with the treasurer.

Event Co-ordinator: Plans, manages events of council. Works closely with the treasurer.

Volunteer Co-ordinator: Plans, manages volunteer opportunities of council.

Inclusive Education Co-ordinator: Helps ensure that school programs, policies, and community events welcome and support students of all backgrounds, abilities, and identities. Act as a bridge between families and the school to champion equity and accessibility.

Indigenous Representative: This is a newer position with the SAC and will evolve and grow organically.

PIC (Parent Involvement Committee) Representative: PIC is an important advisory group that connects parents with their school board’s Chief Executive Officer and trustees. Attends monthly meetings at the Board Office alongside other PIC representatives and reports back to SAC members.

Member-At-Large: Attends meetings and participates in many aspects of council activities, as prescribed by council. Voting member.

Everyone who is part of our Lancaster PS family is welcome to attend any of our meetings this year.

We look forward to hearing your voice!

All meetings take place at Lancaster PS from 6:00-7:00pm. We will confirm SAC Dates for the year on September 17th.

Allergy Awareness

We would like to gently remind Lancaster families that we have students in our school with severe, life-threatening anaphylactic allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, peas, and lentils.

We kindly ask families to keep these allergies in mind when packing lunches and snacks and to take a moment to carefully check ingredient labels. These ingredients can sometimes be found in unexpected foods and snacks.

Thank you so much for your continued care, understanding, and cooperation. By working together, we can help ensure that Lancaster remains a safe, welcoming, and inclusive place for all of our students.

Data Verification Forms & Computer Use Agreement

Hard copies of Data Verification Forms will be sent out in September to ensure we have the most up to date information in our Aspen database. If your contact information has changed over the summer, please email lancd@limestone.on.ca before the start of school. Families who have a student in JK or are new to Lancaster will receive a secure match key in order to access School Day.

Each year, we require families to sign off on our Computer Use Agreement in order for their students to access technology. This will be sent out on School Day in early September.

Concussion Protocol - UPDATED!

LDSB is committed to helping all students succeed and lead safe, healthy, and active lives. As part of its commitment to student safety, injury prevention, and well-being, the Ministry of Education supports concussion awareness, prevention, identification, management, tracking, and training in schools through legislation, policy, and resources. Click HERE for more information on the LDSB website.

The office calls home for all students who have a head injury/suspected concussion. If a student has one or more symptoms of a concussion they are given an orange bracelet are will not particiapte in any physical activity (i.e., physical education, DPA, recess) until cleared (signed off) by a caregiver and/or medical professional using Form 142-D: Documentation of Medical Examination. We encourage all students with symptoms of a concussion to be picked up from school and monitored by a caregiver and assessed by a medical professional.

The Concussion Protocol has been updated to align with the Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport (2024) and current international concussion guidance. The changes simplify the Return to Learn (RTL) and Return to Physical Activity (RTPA) process and support a safe, gradual, symptom-informed return to school and activity.

Key changes include:

• Simplified RTL and RTPA stages: Several stages have been combined to create a clearer and more consistent progression for students, families, and staff. • Earlier return to school: Students may return to school as early as Stage 2, with appropriate supports and monitoring of symptoms.

• Symptom-informed progression: Mild and brief increases in symptoms during Stages 1–3 may be acceptable if symptoms resolve within one hour.

• Earlier medical clearance: Medical clearance from a medical doctor or nurse practitioner is required after successful completion of RTPA Stage 3 and before beginning Stage 4.

• Symptoms after medical clearance: If symptoms return during Stages 4–6, the student must return to Stage 3 and be reassessed by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner.

• School responsibility: The designated lead is responsible for monitoring the student's progression through the RTL/RTPA stages and ensuring medical clearance is received before Stage 4.

• Parent/guardian responsibility: Parents/guardians are responsible for communicating changes in symptoms and providing written medical clearance following RTPA Stage 3.

Student Accident Insurance

The Limestone District School Board requires that students have student accident insurance in order to participate in extra-curricular activities. Before students will be allowed to participate in these events, parents/guardians must confirm their own coverage for items not covered under the Provincial Health Plan, or purchase an insurance plan.

Each year a Student Accident Insurance Plan is made available to all students on a voluntary basis. The plan provides protection for dental damage due to accidents, fracture benefits and other important coverage, which are not covered under the Provincial Health Plan. Some parents may have dental plan coverage through their workplace but many of these plans are limited in one way or another, while this accident coverage is not. You should compare plans to make sure you have the coverage you need or desire.

In making this plan available, the Board wishes to make its position clear in the matter of insurance. Under the Education Act, the Board is not permitted to provide insurance coverage for accidents to pupils, therefore, the Board recommends consideration of this plan to any parent who wishes to obtain this kind of insurance. Although the policy has all the advantages of a group plan, it is essentially a direct contract between the parent and the insurance company.

A family plan is also available for three or more students which permits the enrolment of students in the family who are attending schools outside the jurisdiction of this Board as long as at least one child in the family is attending a school within the Limestone District School Board.

If you wish to subscribe to this insurance, you may do so by completing the form handed out to students the first week of school and mailing it directly to Reliable Life Insurance Company in the stamped envelope provided. Or, for your convenience, you may purchase directly online at www.insuremykids.com.

School Trips and CPICs for Volunteers

For the safety of our students and school community, all volunteers are required to have a recent vulnerable sector police check completed within 6 months of their volunteer start date. Existing CPICs are valid for 5 years. To help make the process easier, we will provide prospective volunteers with a letter to take to the police detachment that serves the area where they live. The letter must be completed by a school representative before you take it to the police. Once you receive your completed police record check, please upload it to the LDSB Police Record Check Portal. Human Resources will review the record check and will contact you if any additional information or follow-up is required. Thank you for helping us create a safe and welcoming environment for all of our students!

Indigenous Self-Identification

The Limestone District School Board (LDSB) invites students to voluntarily and confidentially self-identify as Indigenous. Elementary and secondary students with First Nations, Métis, and/or Inuit ancestry can self-identify HERE.

School board self-identification is based on any degree of Indigenous ancestry (Status, Non-Status, Métis citizenship, etc.). Self-identification can be withdrawn at any time. LDSB, in accordance with the Ministry of Education, Ontario, does not require proof of identity to self-identify.

Safe Arrival - Reporting a Student's Absence

There are three options for families to use to report a student's absence:

• SchoolMessenger App on your phone.
• SchoolMessenger website portal.
• call the automated attendance phone line at 1-855-257-9349

**Always enter "lates" as a full day even if the child will only be absent for half a day. It will adjust automatically once the student arrives.
For more information on how to report an absence please watch the video below or contact Mrs. Davies in the office.

Daily Schedule

Allergen Awareness - Nut-Free School

Thank you for packing nut-free snacks! Please communicate with teachers before sending any treats in for your student's class.