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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

February Newsletter

<img src="/images/6e6c6013-33da-4ddd-89bd-3dbad185ba3b" alt="Pink and Gold Month February Valentine's Day Wedding Banner Email Header" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Greetings</h2>Dear Sydenham Public School Community,I hope this message finds you well. I am truly looking forward to joining the Sydenham Public School community and am excited for the opportunity to meet students and their families. Sydenham has a strong reputation for being a welcoming, caring, and vibrant school, and I am eager to learn more about what makes it such a wonderful place for children to learn and grow.As I begin this new chapter, my priority is to support the continued academic, social, and emotional success of all students. I value open communication and strong partnerships between home and school, and I believe these relationships are essential for student well‑being and achievement.Please know that my door is always open. I warmly welcome conversations, visits, and phone calls from families as I work to understand how I can best support our students and the broader school community. Your insights and perspectives will be invaluable in helping me learn and ensuring that every child feels supported, challenged, and cared for.Thank you in advance for your kindness and support as I transition into this role. I am excited to get to know you and to work together to support the success of every student at Sydenham Public School.Warm regards, Jennifer Ramsay Principal<img src="/images/3e901eef-4c2a-4942-a70b-df3533e9be34" alt="Untitled design (8)" width="225" height="225" style="width:225px;height:225px;display:inline-block;float:right"><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Sydenham Storm Updates</h2><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">You may wish to send in extra sets of mitts and socks with your child as playing in the snow makes for wet mittens and often they don't have time to dry between recesses.</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">Senior and Junior students have joined forces this month for our Basketball Teams! Tournaments will be Feb 18 and 19th - more info to come!</li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem">Ms. Thompson continues to be off on medical leave. Ms. Hume will continue to cover until Ms. Thompson's return.</li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem">Teachers have finished writing term 1 report cards and we are now in the proofing and editing stages. Report cards will go home on February 13th. </li><li value="5" class="editor-listitem">Family Day - February 16th - no school</li></ul><img src="/images/271d8a93-1904-4eda-bbcc-1007200711e7" alt="Join us" width="153" height="153" style="width:153px;height:153px;display:inline-block;float:right"><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">School Advisory Council </h2>Our next meeting is Monday, February 2 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><img src="/images/501ddd5f-aba9-4715-8296-6f48680af969" alt="Untitled design (9)" width="123" height="123" style="width:123px;height:123px;display:inline-block;float:left"><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Late Arrivals</h2>We are having more than half of the school arrive after 9:00 on these cold days (this has been for over 2 weeks now). It is understandable that getting started on these cold days may be a bit more difficult for families. Most of our classes have their literacy learning during the first 100 minutes of the day. We would ask that you try really hard to get your child to school between 8:40 and 8:55 as late arrivals not only affect your own child's literacy learning, but every student that arrives late affects the literacy learning of all students in the class. Thank you for your help with this. If you need any support with this, please reach out the Sydenham Storm Office Team - we are here to help! <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Attendance Updates</h2><img src="/images/2a02ade0-834d-46d7-a14f-0eeb4cb974de" alt="Untitled design (10)" width="256" height="256" style="width:256px;height:256px;display:inline-block;float:right">Our primary classes are rocking attendance this winter! As you know, attendance is one of the biggest indicators of success at and beyond school. Our K-3 students seeing almost 80% of students attending most days of school. As students get older, we see this trend drop off. Please note that this does not include absences due to snow days or absences related to approved temporary excusals forms. The Storm Office Team will be reaching out to offer support for families whose attendance may have been sliding recently. <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Literacy Learning at Sydenham</h2>Sydenham students continue to make huge gains in their literacy skills. Throughout the fall and winter term, staff focused on ensuring students' foundational skills were solid and into long term memory. As term 2 begins, you can help out at home by working reading fluency. Check out this info sheet on what reading fluency is and how you can practice fluency at home. Click this document link to access the live links in the graphic below<ie-document data-lexical-document-id="b68c2f5d-0b93-4579-a2e0-00527ca8da5d"></ie-document><h4 class="editor-heading-h4" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"> </h4><img src="/images/e7ccee6e-b248-4cf9-88b1-5dd1d2f33088" alt="6. February" 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/6cfab537-a425-42ab-8f9e-d66f61ea67d7" alt="Mathematics Number Worksheet" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"> <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">Health Unit Resources</h2> <img src="/images/a089d001-0c1e-4386-b330-fcb2f55ce90c" alt="2026 01 19 Winter Walk Day Newsletter Insert" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"> <img src="/images/ab556c54-95a1-408f-b3b8-df08b7f23f56" alt="2026 01 19 Snow Over It Elementary Newsletter Insert" 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>

2026-02-01 16:28:17.106 +0000 UTC

Upcoming Events

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EQAO Literacy Session for Families: Focus on Writing

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

EQAO Literacy Session for Families: Focus on Writing

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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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.