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Please see news below from our school and across the Limestone District School Board:

February Newsletter

2025-01-30 19:24:54.158 +0000 UTC

2025-2026 School Year Calendar Survey

The Limestone District School Board is currently working to develop the 2025-2026 school year calendar. In collaboration with our coterminous boards, Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board and Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board, there are three options for consideration. We would like to gather the opinions of different members of the Limestone community to guide our final decision.Please take a few minutes to complete this short survey. The survey is open until Monday, February 3, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. Survey link: <a href="https://bit.ly/SchoolYearSurvey20252026" class="editor-link">https://bit.ly/SchoolYearSurvey20252026</a>If you would prefer a paper version of the survey, please contact your school and a hard copy will be provided. Your input is important to us. We appreciate your time in submitting your feedback.

2025-01-23 21:00:01 +0000 UTC

MID January Newsletter

2025-01-22 17:49:55.928 +0000 UTC

Boardroom Briefs Jan. 15, 2025

Boardroom Briefs is intended to provide highlights of presentations, reports and decisions made at the regular meeting of the Limestone District School Board of Trustees. The following are highlights of the January 15, 2025 Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees. Board Meeting Agendas can be found on the website under <a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/board_meetings-1719463739654" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="editor-link">Board Meetings</a>.  All meetings begin with a Land Acknowledgement: "The Limestone District School Board is situated on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabe 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 cultures and celebrate their commitment to this land.” Vice-Chair Godkin chaired the meeting due to Chair Hutcheon participating remotely, as per Board Policy No. 8. <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Private Session Report</h2>Trustee Elliott provided the Private Session Report for January 15, 2025:<ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">The private session minutes were approved from the Annual Board Meeting Minutes (Private) – November 13, 2024</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">Associate Superintendent Gollogly gave a safe schools update.</li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem">Director Burra provided two Personnel items.</li></ul>There was no other business conducted, or motions passed in Private Session.<h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Chair's Report</h2>The Chair's report was read by Trustee Godkin:"I would like to extend a Happy New Year to Trustees, senior staff students, staff and families of the Limestone District School Board. As we begin a new year, I would like to take a moment to mention the work immediately before us, including the coming 2025-2026 school year calendar, and our review and approval of the Board’s operating and capital budgets.As school board governors, trustees play a key role in shaping the conditions for a high-quality education for every student. While in office, trustees balance a range of responsibilities—setting the board’s strategic direction, creating policies, managing resources, engaging with the community, and holding our system accountable. This requires continuous learning and growth.At Limestone District School Board, we believe professional development is essential for everyone—staff, students, and trustees alike. Lifelong learning helps us all grow, ensuring we can meet the demands of our roles and responsibilities to the highest standard. For trustees, this means continuing to build knowledge and expertise—both individually and as a group—so we can guide our board effectively and tackle the complex issues we face.The Ministry of Education has also emphasized the value of professional learning for trustees. In a virtual meeting last fall, the Ministry confirmed that this kind of development is important and that public funds can appropriately be used to support it.The upcoming Ontario Provincial Education Symposium for trustees next week is a great opportunity for trustees to continue growing in our roles. This professional learning offers sessions on topics directly affecting the role of trustee, and the broader environment within which school boards operate. I am confident you will find it valuable learning.In closing, I would like to wish best of luck to secondary students on their upcoming exams, and for the successful completion of semester one." <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Director's Report</h2><img src="/images/959f9ebc-0553-5f56-afed-83ccf39d2906?fingerprint=ppb20251217014409" alt="" width="405" height="405" style="float:right;width:405px;height:405px">The New Year always is a time of reflection, both thinking about the year behind, and the year ahead. In education, there is always more work to do, and as a board we continue to have significant work ahead. The stakes of our work are incredibly high when we consider the future of every student we serve. Annual EQAO results, summaries of Human Rights Complaints, and school climate data, all of which we shared in the fall, all serve as good reminder of the critical undertakings ahead of us as a school board. As we continue forward with our LDSB Strategic Plan it will be important for us to remember for whom this work matters, and emphasizing the need for all staff to make a positive difference in the lives of the students we serve. <h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">This means continuing to strive for improvement in student learning, achievement, and well-being. It also means we must continue to do what we can in making sure there is a positive culture in Limestone for the benefit of all students, families, and staff. </h3>Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting several schools as part of the Ministry of Education Math visit to Limestone and it was wonderful to see the significant impact of our learning in this area in action in multiple classrooms. Our work matters and makes a difference. I offer my thanks and appreciation to the central team led by Associate Superintendent Hedderson, and the impressive work occurring due to the efforts of staff in Limestone schools. While it is only January, preliminary preparations are already underway for the 2025-2026 school year. In the next few weeks, we anticipate the release of provincial funding to help support our planning for next year. Choices program information has been shared with the community and students will be engaging in those processes. In addition, last week, this week, and in the next couple of weeks secondary schools are engaging with Grade 8 students and families to provide information to further support the transition to secondary school in the fall. In addition, more senior secondary students will be considering expanded opportunities available for the fall, and the Kindergarten registration process for the youngest Limestone learners will also begin. This time of year also means secondary summative assessments and exams start in the next few days, and report cards for students K-12 are just around the corner in February.Given recent cyber incidents impacting an adjacent school board, local police authorities, and the largest Student Information System providers in North America, I want to emphasize that Limestone has not been impacted by any of these incidents. Our Student Information System is Aspen, and the one PowerSchool tool we use was not impacted by their recent cyber breach. I bring this issue up for a couple of reasons: while we have not been impacted at this point, it is likely more a matter of when as opposed to if. The reality is that these types of incidents are occurring more and more frequently, and it is critical for us to continue to prioritize cyber safety and security measures. On occasion, increasing our cyber measures can impact ease of use, but this is necessary to maximize our level of protection.While teaching and learning must continue to be a focus in schools to support student learning and well-being, it important to remember the range of great activities occurring in schools: here are just a few examples, the Robotics event and competition at Calvin Park/LCVI this past weekend; the Youth Imagine the Future Festival and Gallery in December, and the recent engagement with Grade 7-12 sites to name the upcoming educational campaign focused on vaping and screen time, are just three recent and current examples. <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">OPBSA Report</h2>Trustee McGregor provided an OPBSA report. <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Student Trustees' Report</h2>Student Trustee Bukhari provided the following report:"Good evening trustees and the viewing public. Our January Inter-student Council (ISC) meeting took place on January 7, 2025, chaired by Student Trustee Kumar and Student Trustee Kolosov. To start our meeting, we were privileged to have Andrea Barrow, the LDSB Equity and Inclusion Consultant, do a presentation on Black History Month to help student groups be proactive in their plans to recognize Black History month in schools. We covered topics such as why we recognize Black History Month, the ministry's upcoming inclusion of Black History in elementary and Grade 10 history curriculums, as well as the Black History lessons that LDSB students and the equity team worked to create. During the presentation, the council had a chance to see what events different schools were planning to run to recognize Black History Month. Andrea Barrow also displayed a series of Black History Month resources that she had created to help ensure all schools would have materials to display. The council was able to provide valuable feedback on what kind of resources would be best utilized at their sites and look forward to working collaboratively with other student groups to recognize Black History Month. Schools this month begin to wrap up the work from the Youth Homelessness Initiative that began in November following an impactful presentation by Kim Hockey from KFL&A United Way.Kim’s presentation included shocking and relevant statistics about the prevalence of youth homelessness, and inspired students to take action in supporting those who were struggling and breaking down stigmas and stereotypes. Kim provided ISC with a number of posters and resources to build awareness in schools and also shared a moving student-led video project. <h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">"Council members shared a number of exciting activities and events dedicated to raising money and support for the fight against youth homelessness; including food, clothing, and toy drives, as well as fundraisers that raised over $1000." </h3>In conversation about challenges students were facing at their school sites, many schools mentioned that vandalism and vaping in the bathrooms has become an increased issue.Trustees may recall from August that vape detectors were installed in two high schools as a trial run. Council members shared that installed vape detectors in their school bathrooms were not acting as effective deterrents for vaping and were not providing accurate notices to admin. Students shared that vaping and crowding in bathrooms has remained a consistent issue throughout the school year with little change since the detector's installment.** To wrap up our meeting, we discussed the next student trustee elections happening in February and ensured that all members were on the same page about the elections. This concludes our report for the January ISC meeting. Thank you." Student Trustee Kosolov provided trustees with an update on the school visits she undertakes as the Indigenous Student Trustee for Limestone. She recently meet with self-identified Indigenous students at LCVI, and had a very productive meeting. <h4 class="editor-heading-h4" dir="ltr">**[In response to the Student Trustee Report, Director Burra and Associate Superintendent Gollogly provided trustees with an update on the installation of the vape detectors as part of the LDSB and Public Health initiative in two pilot schools, sharing that the Ministry of Education had requested installation of a different product which caused the delay of the installation of the detectors in the two pilot schools. Associate Superintendent Gollogly noted that the vape detectors were recently installed and tested at LCVI, and Frontenac S.S. would have their detectors installed shortly.]</h4><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Reports for Action</h2><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">Multi-Year Capital and School Renewal Project Plan</h3>Superintendent of Corporate Services Young, Manager of Facility Services Fowler and Assistant Manager Downie provided the Board with the Multi-Year Capital and School Renewal Project Plan for the current school year and to make a recommendation for approval.The Facility Services Department has developed the Capital and School Renewal Project Plan based upon the VFA Building Condition reports for all schools; assessing local needs with school staff, analysis from maintenance work orders; knowledge from facilities trades and maintenance staff, and expertise from engineering and other consultants.The Multi-Year Capital plan includes an updated 2024-2025 listing of $21,071,289 projects by school. Project work estimates are based upon the best available project scope and costing information at the time of evaluation. For the 2023-2024 to 2032-2033 school years, the 10-year plan includes an estimated $4,500,000 in proposed annual school renewal project activity per year based upon prior year Ministry funding levels. This plan may/will change to reflect actual Ministry school renewal funding levels when announced.<h4 class="editor-heading-h4" dir="ltr">Recommendations: That the Board approve the Multi-Year Capital and School Renewal Project Plan and that a revised copy of the 10-year Capital and School Renewal Project Plan be posted on the board's website. Motion moved by Trustee Ruttan and seconded by Trustee Lloyd. Carried.</h4><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Reports for Information</h2><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">2024-2025 Revised Estimates and Interim Financial Report for Q1</h3>Superintendent Young and Manager of Financial Services Carson provided trustees with the 2024-2025 revised estimates and interim financial operating expenditures for the period ending November 30, 2024 (Quarter 1).The report provides an update on enrolment and staffing changes since the budget was approved by the Board in June 2024. Also included, were updated operating and capital sections of the budget, reflecting revenue and expenditure information at revised estimates.Manager Carson provided an itemized account and line-by-line explanation of those areas that either had a net increase or decrease. Operating Budget Revenues and Expenditures as well as Capital Budget Revenue and Capital Budget Expenditures were reviewed. The interim financial operating expenditures for the period ending November 30, 2024 (Quarter 1) are presented in a similar format to the 2024-2025 operating budget, indicating the amount spent by expenditure category and the associated percentage, and meets all Ministry of Education requirements. As at Quarter 1, $74.7M of the $312.7M operating budget or 24% has been spent. This is comparable to the 26% results from the same quarter last year.The report was received for information purposes.<h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">Mental Health Operational Plan 2024-2025</h3>Superintendent Gilliam, Mental Health Lead Conboy and Special Education Coordinator West provided the Board with an update of the 2024-2025 Mental Health and Substance Use Strategy Action Plan and progress on the 2025-2028 Mental Health Substance Use and Addictions Three Year Strategy.The 2025-2028 Mental Health Substance Use and Addictions Strategy is in its initial review phase with the LDSB Mental Health and Substance Use Leadership Committee and will be released soon. As part of this three-year plan, the 2024-25 Mental Health and Substance Use Strategy Action Plan details the goals associated with the current school year and actions that will support student well-being and mental health across the district.As in previous years, the goals are collated under keys areas of focus. For the 2025-2028 three-year plan and the 2024-25 one-year plan, the areas of focus are:<ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">Mental Health, Substance Use and Addictions Support</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">Engagement and Collaboration</li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem">Pathways to/through/from Mental Health, Substance Use, and Addictions Care</li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem">Identity-Affirming Practice</li><li value="5" class="editor-listitem">Equip and Support Staff</li></ul>Key elements of both the 2025-2028 three-year plan, and the current 2024-2025 Mental Health and Substance Use Action Plan, include supporting the implementation of both the mandatory Grade 7 and 8 Mental Health Modules that support the Health and Physical Education curriculum and the revisions to the existing Career Studies (GLC20) curriculum. Both the Grade 7 and 8, and Grade 10 GLC20 revisions are designed to enhance mental health literacy, and equip students with culturally responsive, evidence-informed knowledge, skills and strategies to support their mental health and well-being, both in school and on-going.<img src="/images/0838300c-e912-4dbd-95d5-17851522ce70?fingerprint=ppb20251217013050" alt="Image of mental health self-referral postcard and a list of other school-based supports" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit">Trustees were provided with a detailed list of school-based resources and supports for students including postcards that will be distributed to Grade 9 students so they know who their supports are, and increasing opportunities to talk about mental health and substance use at school. Another key element of both plans is supporting the system in implementing Dr. David Tranter’s Third Path: A Relationship-Based Approach to Student Well-Being and Achievement. While this work is not new, and has been a focus for several years, many schools have initiated the use of this resource as a foundation to improving relationships within the school context to encourage and support improved attendance and parent/caregiver engagement.The report was received for information purposes. The meeting adjourned and Trustees moved into private session for a personnel item. Trustees will Rise and Report at the next, scheduled Regular Board Meeting on February 19, 2025.

2025-01-17 17:27:47.127 +0000 UTC

January Newsletter

2025-01-06 15:45:21.652 +0000 UTC

Sydenham's Last Week of 2024

2024-12-15 22:08:48.374 +0000 UTC

Fundraising: Storm Jibbitz and Wristbands / Variety Show

Fundraising OpportunitiesThe grade 7/8 class is raising funds for their year-end trip, and are offering Crocs Jibbitz and wristbands featuring the Sydenham Storm logo! You can purchase these items on School Day (link below). We are also accept donations to cover the cost of presenting our December Variety Show (audio-visual equipment, etc). Look for the "service" option on School Day to make a donation. Go to <a href="https://www.school-day.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">https://www.school-day.com/</a>

2024-12-10 13:38:11.362 +0000 UTC

Sydenham STORM Update

2024-12-08 13:12:21.995 +0000 UTC

December Newsletter

2024-12-01 14:09:46.861 +0000 UTC

Winter Solstice Celebration 2024

All Self-Identified students of the Limestone District School Board and their families are invited to celebrate the Winter Solstice on December 18, 2024 from 5:30-7:30pm at the Kingston East Community Centre (779 HWY 15). This evening will be an opportunity for families to connect and share a hearty meal, take part in hands-on activities, and honour Grandmother moon. If you plan on attending, please RSVP Gillianne at<a href="mailto:mundellg@limestone.on.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">mundellg@limestone.on.ca</a>. Your RSVP helps us plan for this special evening. Transportation is available to and from this event. <figure><img src="/images/c9791674-b7c7-4c1a-8748-6d344f3fb0b0?fingerprint=ppb20251217014853" alt="Winter Solstice Celebration 2024" width="694" height="926" style="width:694px;height:926px"><figurecaption>Image description: All Self-Identified LDSB students & their families are invited to celebrate the Winter Solstice on December 18, 2024 from 5:30-7:30pm at the Kingston East Community Centre (779 HWY 15).  This evening will be an opportunity for families to connect and share a hearty meal, take part in hands-on activities, and honour Grandmother moon.  If you plan on attending, please RSVP Gillianne atmundellg@limestone.on.ca. Your RSVP helps us plan for this special evening.  Transportation is available to and from this event. </figurecaption></figure>

2024-11-26 16:13:15.621 +0000 UTC

Mid-November Newsletter

2024-11-21 01:18:08.226 +0000 UTC

You're Invited - Meet the LDSB Human Rights and Equity Team - Online Sessions

All families across Limestone District School Board are invited to attend one of two upcoming online information sessions to meet the LDSB Human Rights and Equity Team on November 27 or December 9 5:30 to 6:30 p.m..At each session, families will learn about the Human Rights and Equity Team roles, how to navigate the Student Human Rights Incidents and Complaints system in our schools, and where to find helpful resources on the LDSB website.Families are invited to join the online sessions here:<ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><a href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/ap/t-59584e83/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fteams.microsoft.com%2Fl%2Fmeetup-join%2F19%253ameeting_YTQ4YTUwMjYtNTk1NC00NzE2LTgxN2QtY2UxZjBkODM0MGMw%2540thread.v2%2F0%3Fcontext%3D%257b%2522Tid%2522%253a%2522e1f4165f-ebae-4d82-a73c-a0de593830be%2522%252c%2522Oid%2522%253a%2522f7882077-9b8d-41e9-b7b7-430b5b78c3f8%2522%257d&data=05%7C02%7Ccrothersm%40limestone.on.ca%7Cb4d4376c4f5f4835500508dd099705cf%7Ce1f4165febae4d82a73ca0de593830be%7C0%7C0%7C638677266428039144%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=cKfRMxHLZaU9fVix1%2Bo2AC26XphvJmdKNPbds1gDzJs%3D&reserved=0" class="editor-link">November 27, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.</a></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><a href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/ap/t-59584e83/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fteams.microsoft.com%2Fl%2Fmeetup-join%2F19%253ameeting_YTQ4YTUwMjYtNTk1NC00NzE2LTgxN2QtY2UxZjBkODM0MGMw%2540thread.v2%2F0%3Fcontext%3D%257b%2522Tid%2522%253a%2522e1f4165f-ebae-4d82-a73c-a0de593830be%2522%252c%2522Oid%2522%253a%2522f7882077-9b8d-41e9-b7b7-430b5b78c3f8%2522%257d&data=05%7C02%7Ccrothersm%40limestone.on.ca%7Cb4d4376c4f5f4835500508dd099705cf%7Ce1f4165febae4d82a73ca0de593830be%7C0%7C0%7C638677266428062129%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=m87byBDK2Ri2EpdlhaXqBd2B8dhjEBGAQrTP2Rze1vc%3D&reserved=0" class="editor-link">December 9, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.</a></li></ul>If you or your family members require accommodations to attend the meeting, please e-mail <a href="mailto:abdulkareemy@limestone.on.ca" class="editor-link">abdulkareemy@limestone.on.ca</a>.The sessions are not intended to address specific school-based concerns. If you do have a specific concern, please reach out directly to your student’s school.

2024-11-20 21:03:12.931 +0000 UTC