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April Newsletter

<img src="/images/ebf7e2e1-795c-4874-9333-b7d0762d7a2f" alt="hello april (Banner (Landscape)) (1)" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Sydenham Storm Updates</h2><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">Our Give 30 Food Bank Campaign ending this week but will have the bin until April 2nd...thank you so much for all of the donations - the bin is almost full!<img src="/images/1bbe0ec7-ee4f-4592-acee-7ce4905c596d" alt="Untitled design (16)" width="541" height="541" style="width:541px;height:541px;display:inline-block;float:right"></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">Kids On Stage practices are in full swing! Thank you to the many staff working on this event! We appreciate you! </li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem">Spring Fling - April 2 - See School Day for more info!</li></ul><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">School Advisory Council </h2>Our next meeting is Monday, March 30th at 5:30 pm in the Learning Grove (first classroom on the left).Did you know that we work hard to keep meetings to an hour? We know that your time is precious and we want you to be able to come!Did you know that we have pizza and babysitting for the kiddos while you join us? We know that life can be super busy!Did you know that you don't have to come to every single meeting? We love seeing new people come out even if it is just once or twice a year!<img src="/images/fffc0c2a-b551-45a3-8f02-c7239e77b32a" alt="Copy of February 2026 Event Schedule" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Literacy Learning at Sydenham</h2>Our Storm Kiddos have been focusing on finding 'The Gist' of a piece of text to help with reading comprehension. Check out the info below!<img src="/images/f1c6a4a8-dfde-4fd8-8ac5-bd4b7ee693de" alt="April Literacy Newsletter" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Mathematics at Sydenham</h2>Last year we shared this website with you as a way to encourage math thinking and reasoning in a fun and non-thre<img src="/images/e0bf8101-ede1-485f-88da-5ec40e8c8659" alt="Math before bed" width="220" height="206" style="width:220px;height:206px;display:inline-block;float:right">atening way. This year in our newsletters we have been talking about math reasoning being the journey to the answer and not just the final answer. Math Before Bed is a website that displays images to spark math conversations with your children. Check it out - this might just be a great activity to add into your daily routine. [<a href="https://mathbeforebed.com/" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">Click this link to access the website!</a>]Ask your child: <ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">What do you notice?</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">What do you wonder? </li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem">How many? How do you know? </li></ul><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">School Mental Health Ontario Parent Webinars</h2>[<a href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fhwdsb86405.acemlna.com%2Flt.php%3Fx%3D4lZy~GE5U3jM6KKsyNHIUBSg~a2mjt9vv-g1jaTJIXPL65J~_Ey7xOlt3XMk-RVfjDZo2nfFJ4Gg7p0KyNyYWOhy3U&data=05%7C02%7Callportm%40limestone.on.ca%7C0136817849fc48c96fe408de88e6efca%7Ce1f4165febae4d82a73ca0de593830be%7C0%7C0%7C639098722730167197%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C4000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=LdMSmB9hzg1%2BRuBHftGhUN9opF07NFO9gvT2EB3fZ0E%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">Click this link for more information on the webinars in the graphic below.</a>]<img src="/images/1da83569-4027-4808-82a3-fdd8b381882c" alt="SMHO Parent Webinars" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/6ad40596-4dcc-4efd-9410-d5b065f73c0f" alt="Postcard Sydenham Storm Kinder Reg (48 x 30 in) (5.59 x 4.33 in) (2)" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Health Unit Resources</h2><img src="/images/826b27ce-f5c8-443f-bdbc-b6946712ff81" alt="April Health Unit" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">[The section below will be at the end of every newsletter - so if you have arrived here - thank you for reading our full newsletter - we appreciate you!]</h2><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">How Do I Report An Absence?</h2>Please use the Safe Arrival system to report your child's absence; if you need to call to report an absence, please call 1-855-257-9349 (see instructions below) If your child will be late, please report a full day absence and then we will sign them in when they arrive. Computerized call outs occur around 9:30 for students absent with no reported absence in our system. This call out system is a mandatory safety feature to ensure you know your child is not at school and can follow up as needed. For this reason, if your child is late, it is important that they stop into the office so that Mrs. Thompson can change their absence to 'Late' so that you don't receive an unnecessary and worrisome phone call that your child is not at schoolHow to report your absence:1. Toll-free telephone<ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: start;">Call 1-855-257-9349 toll-free to report an absence using the automated phone system.</li></ul>2. School Messenger App<ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: start;">Use your mobile device to download and install the free SchoolMessenger blue app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store, the <a href="https://go.schoolmessenger.com/#/home" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="editor-link">SchoolMessenger website portal</a>, or from within the LDSB mobile app.</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: start;">The first time you use the app, you must select Sign Up to create your account. Please ensure you use the same email address your student’s school has on file. If you do not use that same email address, you will not be able to create an account, or may not be able to see the "Attendance" option. You may have already created an account when we introduced the Communicate broadcast system.</li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: start;">Select Attendance, then select Report an Absence and follow the prompts.</li></ul>3. <a href="https://go.schoolmessenger.ca/#/account/login" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="editor-link">SchoolMessenger SafeArrival Website Portal</a><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: start;">Visit the <a href="https://go.schoolmessenger.ca/#/account/login" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="editor-link">SchoolMessenger website portal</a>.</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: start;">The first time you use the app, you must select Sign Up to create your account. Please ensure you use the same email address your student’s school has on file. If you do not use that same email address, you will not be able to create an account, or may not be able to see the "Attendance" option. You may have already created an account when we introduced the Communicate broadcast system.</li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: start;">Select Attendance, then Report an Absence and follow the prompts.</li></ul>

2026-03-26 20:35:53.139 +0000 UTC

March Newsletter

<img src="/images/152c7a9b-2bc9-4343-9f15-959ca4ac8bc1" alt="MArch newlster banner" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Sydenham Storm Updates<img src="/images/35f14621-08d1-4360-b015-46d9cd5b4a66" alt="food bank" width="558" height="195" style="width:558px;height:195px;display:inline-block;float:right"></h2><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">Our Give 30 Food Bank Campaign is now underway! The donation bin is near the water fountain by the gym. </li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">Kids On Stage practices are in full swing! Thank you to the many staff working on this event! We appreciate you! </li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem">Spirit Day: Friday, March 13 will be GREEN Day</li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem">March Break - No School March 16 - 20<img src="/images/271d8a93-1904-4eda-bbcc-1007200711e7" alt="Join us" width="369" height="369" style="width:369px;height:369px;display:inline-block;float:right"></li></ul> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">School Advisory Council </h2>Our next meeting is Monday, March 30th at 5:30 pm in the Learning Grove - babysitting provided! All are welcome!<h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"> </h2> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Kindergarten Registration NOW OPEN!!</h2><img src="/images/5035b90e-eff4-41c3-9e8d-cb205c0d3f96" alt="2026 01 05 Kindergarten Student Registration E Newsletter Graphic 1" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Literacy Learning at Sydenham</h2>Sydenham students continue to make huge gains in their literacy skills. We are continuing to focus on the basic reading and writing skills and also focusing on vocabulary and morphology. See below for more info![Click this document link to access the live links in the graphic below<ie-document data-lexical-document-id="d39d190a-8a51-403b-b9c0-4e6ffacf72a3"></ie-document>]<img src="/images/96dbd02a-a604-4ba8-955a-9c9d9ae93679" alt="March Lit" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Mathematics at Sydenham</h2>In our first term newsletters, we have been sharing Math Reasoning activities for you to try with your Storm Kiddos. As we are continuing on this journey, we are adding in some activities with numbers. Similarly to previous activities, these will have multiple answers. Feel free to 'play' with the math - have them draw and/or talk about their answers. Math reasoning is about the journey to the answer and not just getting to the answer. <img src="/images/e3d91c07-76fa-4bf1-90ea-092e0a63439f" alt="Math Riddles Worksheet" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Health Unit Resources</h2><img src="/images/432d6cb4-ce36-440b-a6f8-434ebf824a34" alt="2026 02 05 Healthy Relationship with Food Body Newsletter Insert Elementary" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">[The section below will be at the end of every newsletter - so if you have arrived here - thank you for reading our full newsletter - we appreciate you!]</h2><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">How Do I Report An Absence?</h2>Please use the Safe Arrival system to report your child's absence; if you need to call to report an absence, please call 1-855-257-9349 (see instructions below) If your child will be late, please report a full day absence and then we will sign them in when they arrive. Computerized call outs occur around 9:30 for students absent with no reported absence in our system. This call out system is a mandatory safety feature to ensure you know your child is not at school and can follow up as needed. For this reason, if your child is late, it is important that they stop into the office so that Mrs. Thompson can change their absence to 'Late' so that you don't receive an unnecessary and worrisome phone call that your child is not at schoolHow to report your absence:1. Toll-free telephone<ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: start;">Call 1-855-257-9349 toll-free to report an absence using the automated phone system.</li></ul>2. School Messenger App<ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: start;">Use your mobile device to download and install the free SchoolMessenger blue app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store, the <a href="https://go.schoolmessenger.com/#/home" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="editor-link">SchoolMessenger website portal</a>, or from within the LDSB mobile app.</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: start;">The first time you use the app, you must select Sign Up to create your account. Please ensure you use the same email address your student’s school has on file. If you do not use that same email address, you will not be able to create an account, or may not be able to see the "Attendance" option. You may have already created an account when we introduced the Communicate broadcast system.</li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: start;">Select Attendance, then select Report an Absence and follow the prompts.</li></ul>3. <a href="https://go.schoolmessenger.ca/#/account/login" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="editor-link">SchoolMessenger SafeArrival Website Portal</a><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: start;">Visit the <a href="https://go.schoolmessenger.ca/#/account/login" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="editor-link">SchoolMessenger website portal</a>.</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: start;">The first time you use the app, you must select Sign Up to create your account. Please ensure you use the same email address your student’s school has on file. If you do not use that same email address, you will not be able to create an account, or may not be able to see the "Attendance" option. You may have already created an account when we introduced the Communicate broadcast system.</li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: start;">Select Attendance, then Report an Absence and follow the prompts.</li></ul>

2026-03-01 16:31:16.708 +0000 UTC

February STORM Update

2026-02-08 23:55:54.055 +0000 UTC

Upcoming Events

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Good Friday - No Classes for Students

Easter Monday - No Classes for Students

P.A. Day - No Classes for Students

Victoria Day - No Classes for Students

P.A. Day - No Classes for Students

Good Friday - No Classes for Students

Easter Monday - No Classes for Students

P.A. Day - No Classes for Students

Victoria Day - No Classes for Students

P.A. Day - No Classes for Students

Last Day of School for Students

P.A. Day - No Classes for Students

About Our School

Welcome to Sydenham Public School, nestled in Kingston's downtown. Our school is one of Ontario's oldest continuing schools first opened in 1853 as Kingston County Grammar School. We host students from Kindergarten to Grade 8 including a core French program which begins in Grade 1.

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What's New at the District

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Message from the Director - March 5, 2026

Dear Families,With March now underway, and March Break fast approaching, I would like to share a few updates with families:School Year Calendar is ApprovedThe Ministry of Education has approved Limestone’s recommended 2026-2027 school year calendar. The school year will begin with a P.A. Day on September 1, 2026, with the first day of classes for students on September 2, 2026. A <a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/school-year-calendar" class="editor-link">printable version of the calendar is available on Limestone’s website</a>.Budget SurveyTrustees are seeking feedback on the Limestone District School Board budget planning process for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. Families are encouraged to take a few minutes to provide feedback on areas or priority. The survey is anonymous and can be accessed online at <a href="https://bit.ly/2026-2027LDSBBudgetSurvey" class="editor-link">bit.ly/2026-2027LDSBBudgetSurvey</a> . The survey closes March 23, 2026.Video: Limestone’s Student Achievement Plan in Action – EQAO HighlightsAs previously shared, the Ministry of Education released the 2024-2025 Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) results in December, and we are pleased to share that Limestone has achieved its strongest performance in four years, with gains across every testing category.Limestone’s results are consistent with provincial trends in many areas and show meaningful improvement in others, including among specific student groups. In fact, Limestone is performing at or above the provincial average in nearly all measures.These results reflect the collective efforts of Limestone educators, Educational Assistants, program teams, and school leaders—supported by the ongoing commitment of students and families across our district. We are extremely proud of the dedication and hard work that contributed to these achievements.We are pleased to share a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1qQcIXSyFU" class="editor-link">video update with families on Limestone’s Student Achievement Plan in Action – EQAO Highlights</a>. This <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1qQcIXSyFU" class="editor-link">short video</a> provides an overview of Limestone’s Student Achievement Plan and how it guides our shared work to support student learning and well-being.Through insights from members of the Limestone Senior Team, families will learn about the key priorities shaping our efforts, the thinking behind our actions, and how collaboration, evidence, and reflection help us improve. The video highlights how data, professional learning, and shared leadership work together to move learning forward, while keeping students, belonging, and continuous growth at the centre. It offers a look at how planning connects to practice as we work together toward positive outcomes for all Limestone students.Revisions to Grades 7, 8, and 10 History CurriculumThe Minister of Education has announced updates to the Grades 7, 8, and 10 History curriculum for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year.With these updates, in Grades 7, 8, and 10, students will learn about significant contributions of Black individuals and communities to Canada’s foundation as a nation, and the obstacles they faced in the pursuit of building an inclusive and prosperous country. The Grade 10 History course will also have new learning on extreme political and social ideologies, the Holocaust and rising antisemitism, and the Holodomor famine in Ukraine.Learn more about the updated curriculum on the <a href="https://www.dcp.edu.gov.on.ca/en/" class="editor-link">Ministry of Education’s Curriculum and Resources website.</a>Become a Homestay and Host an International Student: A Meaningful Experience for You and Your FamilyEach year, LDSB welcomes more than 120 international students into schools across the district from countries around the world, including Brazil, Italy, China, Germany, Japan, Mexico, France, Vietnam, Rwanda, and many others. Hosting an international student is a meaningful way to bring the world into your home while making a positive difference in a young person’s life. Limestone homestay families are carefully matched with students and supported by dedicated Limestone staff throughout the placement, so families are never on their own. Hosting offers opportunities for cultural exchange, the development of lasting relationships, and a monthly stipend to help offset costs. To learn more about how hosting works, the supports in place, and why many local families choose to open their homes, visit <a href="https://internationaled.limestone.on.ca/become_a_homestay" class="editor-link">internationaled.limestone.on.ca/become_a_homestay</a>.Ministry Resources for Reading and MathThere are many resources available to support your student’s learning in math and literacy, offering engaging activities that make learning both fun and effective for students and families. To explore these tools, visit Limestone’s <a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/tutoring" class="editor-link">Online Learning Resources and Tutoring webpage</a>.Thank you for your continued partnership and support of student learning and well-being across Limestone. We are grateful for the role families play in helping students feel supported, connected, and successful, and we look forward to continuing our work together.Krishna Burra

2026-03-05 21:30:00.475 +0000 UTC

Limestone District School Board Welcomes 2026–2027 Student Trustees

The Limestone District School Board (LDSB) is pleased to announce the appointment of its 2026–2027 Student Trustees, who will be formally welcomed at the April meeting of the Board.Student trustees play an important role in bringing student perspectives to board-level discussions, helping ensure that student voice is reflected in decision-making across the district. For the upcoming term, LDSB looks forward to working with three engaged and passionate student leaders who represent rural, urban, and Indigenous student communities:<h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Audrey Bateman – Rural Student Trustee</h2>A message from Student Trustee Bateman: I'm so excited to be your rural student trustee this year. This role is such a great place to create lasting change for the current and future classes. I'm really looking forward to connecting with the trustees and students from across the board to try and make school a more fun, inclusive, and memorable experience where we can.  Everyone's voice matters!<h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Victoria McCourt – Indigenous Student Trustee</h2>A message from Student Trustee McCourt: I applied for the Indigenous student trustee position because I feel that having a voice to represent Indigenous students, their issues and concerns is important. I would like to help celebrate and honour the Indigenous students in the Limestone District School Board. I look forward to helping create more opportunities for Indigenous students and I want our youth to feel proud of who they are and their Indigenous identity. <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Mathew Katz – Urban Student Trustee</h2>A message from Student Trustee Katz: I applied to become a student trustee to advocate for issues that both I and students from across LDSB are passionate about. I specifically hope to be able to work on issues related to environmental sustainability and anti-racism. Ultimately, I want to ensure students’ voices are heard and meaningfully represented.The Limestone District School Board congratulates Audrey, Victoria, and Matthew on their appointments and looks forward to welcoming them at the April Board meeting as they begin their term as student trustees for the 2026–2027 school year.<img src="/images/6101cb72-005e-4aad-b211-341230a8738b" alt="2026 2027 Student Trustees" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block">

2026-03-04 14:48:09.694 +0000 UTC

Limestone DSB Schools to Participate in Kingston Community Climate Action Fund FoodCycler Project

Limestone District School Board schools will participate in this year’s Kingston Community Climate Action Fund (KCCAF) initiative, supported by the City of Kingston and led by Sustainable Kingston. The project aims to turn everyday school lunch waste into meaningful climate action by introducing FoodCyclers in five to seven local elementary schools, with the long-term goal of securing a unit for each elementary school across the City of Kingston. These units will complement existing food-based programming and serve as an additional hands-on learning tool for students.The initiative will help divert organic waste from student snacks and lunches away from landfill. Along with reducing methane emissions, the project will provide real-world learning opportunities by helping students deepen their understanding of sustainability, waste reduction, and the circular economy. <a href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cityofkingston.ca%2Fnews%2Fposts%2Fcommunity-donations-sought-to-double-climate-impact-in-local-schools%2F&data=05%7C02%7Ccrothersm%40limestone.on.ca%7C05b07ce6640b41c56fb008de757bf3b3%7Ce1f4165febae4d82a73ca0de593830be%7C0%7C0%7C639077372412072201%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=7QHs6289rcFNO5fKd%2Ft%2Fqgr5HdPeVSzhclv3fn9DQDE%3D&reserved=0" class="editor-link">Learn more about the project and ways to contribute on the City of Kingston website</a>.

2026-03-02 16:34:35.541 +0000 UTC

Land Acknowledgement

The Limestone District School Board is situated on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek and Haudenosaunee. We acknowledge their enduring presence on this land, as well as the presence of Métis, Inuit, and other First Nations from across Turtle Island. We honour their culture and celebrate their commitment to this land.