News

<img src="/images/e61a0df0-e3a8-5259-9b1d-90b8936eb8fb?fingerprint=ppb20251217015125" alt="" width="inherit" height="inherit" style="float:right"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Limestone District School Board is seeking new members for the Technical Advisory Group for the next phase of Student Census data collection.&nbsp;The purpose of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) is to give advice, opinions, and make&nbsp;recommendations in the design of methods for data collection, analysis, and the representation of results. Most importantly, TAG ensures that multiple and diverse perspectives are applied to the analysis of Student Census data to minimize the risk of bias.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Recruitment:</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The committee will be formed by seeking expressions of continued interest from current members and new expressions of interest from individuals who possess the required lived&nbsp;experience and research skill set. Limestone staff will be notified by email of the opportunity to join TAG. The opportunity will also be posted to the LDSB website and advertised on LDSB’s social media channels New interested parties can express their&nbsp;interest using the&nbsp;</span><a href="https://ldsb.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2aXfk1Af78UcseO" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">TAG Expression of Interest Form</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. Printable copies of the form are also available&nbsp;</span><a href="https://limestoneschools-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/clostlamberte_limestone_on_ca/EUjk3z0ydglFjxSb2QBRtREBeMUgAtZZe3fZhGEnW2vjUA?e=DlGsax" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. All submissions must be received by 4:00 p.m. on June 3, 2024.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It is important to read the&nbsp;</strong></b><a href="/documents/3b3da70a-68e5-55e0-b8ec-80d58d9bbb44?fingerprint=ppb20251217013540" target="_blank" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> TAG Terms of Reference </span></a><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;before you apply.</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Selection:</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Expressions of interest will be reviewed by the core Census Team (Limestone Research Team, Equity Consultant, Superintendent);&nbsp;the Vice Principal of Indigenous Education; and the Human Rights and</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Equity Officer. The goal is to create a committee that is as equitable and intersectional as possible from the applications received. Interested parties are invited to share the ways in which they are willing and able to share their lived experiences alongside their research and/or data experience.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">TAG Membership Drive: Proposed Timeline</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Please note, the timeline subject to change</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Spring 2024</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Recruitment of new TAG Members May 6 to June 3, 2024</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Early June: Review applications</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Mid- to Late-June: Confirm members</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span></p>

<img src="/images/6ea5c8b9-65b1-57d1-8997-b1b907a45e54?fingerprint=ppb20251217014029" alt="" width="inherit" height="inherit" style="width: inherit; height: inherit;"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Our school has introduced several new electronic tools to help communicate need-to-know information to families in a timely and efficient way.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The tools are part of the SchoolMessenger app which allows schools to share important school information with families via text, phone or email message. Our school will use this tool for urgent items like event cancellations or school emergencies but we may also use it for sharing information such as upcoming progress reports, school council meetings or special events.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Registered parents/guardians will receive these messages through contact information that is collected in our student information system. This information is exchanged via a secure connection between the school board and SchoolMessenger. This is the same system that also allows parents/guardians to report their student’s absence in advance, or report back to the school regarding an unexplained absence.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Parents/guardians may choose how to receive these alerts by text message, email or phone call with the exception of emergency events or attendance calls which will always be communicated via all contact methods on file with the school. It is important that parents/guardians ensure schools have the most up-to-date contact information at the beginning of the school year. If your contact information changes during the school year, parents/guardians are asked to contact the school with the updated information.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Our new system also allows teachers to communicate directly with families via a group message option. Teachers who choose to use this tool will provide families with a code so they can sign up for these messages, all available within the SchoolMessenger app or website.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The easiest way to have access to all these tools is to set up a SchoolMessenger account. We encourage you to create a SchoolMessenger account on your desktop, laptop, tablet and/or download the SchoolMessenger app. While an account is not required to use these new tools, it will allow you to review your contact information and communication preferences, and it stores all of your messages in one place.</span><br><br><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Learn how to:</span></p><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><a href="/documents/07694697-349d-51ff-a42c-a05550bd4f28?fingerprint=ppb20251217013050" target="_blank" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Set up </span></a><a href="/documents/07694697-349d-51ff-a42c-a05550bd4f28?fingerprint=ppb20251217013050" target="_blank" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">a SchoolMessenger App account </span></a><a href="/documents/07694697-349d-51ff-a42c-a05550bd4f28?fingerprint=ppb20251217013050" target="_blank" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span></a><a href="/documents/07694697-349d-51ff-a42c-a05550bd4f28?fingerprint=ppb20251217013050" target="_blank" class="editor-link"></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">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.&nbsp;</span><a href="https://youtu.be/TSCIybbq3xc" target="_blank" title="Watch the video tutorial" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Watch the video tutorial</span></a><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</strong></b></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><a href="/documents/2bd745c8-1a32-525b-80cd-cd974c6f6058?fingerprint=ppb20251217013419" target="_blank" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Report a student absence: </span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;set up your account, report and explain student absences in advance.&nbsp;</span><a href="https://youtu.be/IW205rwkYsc" target="_blank" title="Watch the video tutorial." class="editor-link"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Watch the video tutorial.</strong></b></a></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><a href="/documents/48bbc50b-373e-5019-ae1d-7a37c047b5a4?fingerprint=ppb20251217013700" target="_blank" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Use the Communicate broadcast tool </span></a><a href="/documents/48bbc50b-373e-5019-ae1d-7a37c047b5a4?fingerprint=ppb20251217013700" target="_blank" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span></a><a href="/documents/48bbc50b-373e-5019-ae1d-7a37c047b5a4?fingerprint=ppb20251217013700" target="_blank" class="editor-link"></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">choose how you will receive alerts including how to opt-in for text messaging.&nbsp;</span><a href="https://youtu.be/IW205rwkYsc" target="_blank" title="Watch the video tutorial." class="editor-link"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Watch the video tutorial.</strong></b></a></li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem"><a href="/documents/56167561-f5db-5914-b801-10584900d3ea?fingerprint=20260703T1915Z" target="_blank" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Use the Board mobile app </span></a><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">:&nbsp;</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">how to choose your schools, see your messages and report and review student absences.&nbsp;</span><a href="https://youtu.be/X3TdwREzHqk" target="_blank" title="Watch the video tutorial." class="editor-link"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Watch the video tutorial.</strong></b></a></li><li value="5" class="editor-listitem"><a href="/documents/35b87cc9-eeb1-5d77-8c6f-1530c5148e64?fingerprint=ppb20251217013513" target="_blank" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Subscribe to school calendars </span></a><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">:</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;receive email alerts or download calendars or individual events to your personal calendar</span></li></ul><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Board mobile app is the best way for families to stay connected to what’s going on. The free LDSB mobile app,&nbsp;which can be&nbsp;</span><a href="https://launch.customschoolapp.net/limestone-dist-school-board/" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">downloaded</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;in the App Store or Google Play Store. The new app allows users to subscribe to their schools of choice and will provide families with instant access to school calendars and news items as well as links to sports schedules, busing information and social media accounts. Be sure to select “push notifications” when you &nbsp;download the app to receive the latest news from our school and the Board.</span></p>