The Simcoe Star - Nov. 24th to 28th

DEAR SIMCOE STAR FAMILIES,

It's hard to believe that we are already wrapping up November! Please see below for some information regarding upcoming events.

THIS WEEK

• Monday, November 24th: (Day 1)
• • Kanyen'kéha and Anishinaabemowin classes continue this week
  • Girls Inc. after school
  • Spirit Day! Wear blue, yellow, or any JG Simcoe PS gear. You can buy Simcoe swag here: https://specialtytrophies.ca/4g/JGSIMCOESTORE/
  • Junior and Senior Volleyball Tournaments! Players must arrive by 7:40am for 8:00am departure
  • Student Census Opens (closes on the 28th)
• Tuesday, November 25th: (Day 2)
• • YMCA Group for Grade 3 and 4 students after school
  • Tutors from Bright Futures Kingston on site from 3:00-4:00pm
• Wednesday, November 26th: (Day 3)
• • Girls STEM Lunch and Learn Program for Girls in Grade 4 and up (every Wednesday for six weeks during second lunch/recess)
  • Grade 7 Off-Property Day
  • Girls Inc. after school (off-site)
  • Running and Reading after school
  • Kindergarten and Grade 1/2 Snow Plow Safety Presentations
• Thursday, November 27th: (Day 4)
• • Choir/karaoke at afternoon recess
  • Grade 8 Off-Property Day
  • Girls Inc. after school
• Friday, November 28th: (Day 5)
• • Dance Club at afternoon recess
  • Spirit Day: Shine Bright Day! Sparkles, neon, or anything sunshiney!

UPCOMING DATES OF SIGNIFICANCE

• December 2^nd:
• • Picture Retake Day and Class Photos
• December 4th:
• • Holiday Luncheon for Students (prepared by KSS culinary students)
• December 8th:
• • Grade 7 and 8 Immunizations (continued from Nov. 10th)
• December 11th:
• • Holiday Concert!!
• March 2^nd:
• • Grade 8 Graduation Picture Day

SNOWSUITS

• We are truly sorry that snowsuits have not arrived yet for those who requested them through the United Way. We have heard they will be in soon! Fingers crossed for this week!

THE IMPORTANCE OF ARRIVING ON TIME AND STAYING ALL DAY

• At JG Simcoe PS, we believe every student deserves the best chance to reach their full potential - and that starts with great attendance and being on time!
• Did you know that missing just 20 minutes of class a day adds up to 100 minutes a week, 400 minutes a month, and over 4000 minutes a year? That’s equal to 66 hours—or 11 full school days of lost learning time!

**THIS WEEK** - STUDENT CENSUS

• Limestone is committed to creating safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments for all students. To help us better understand how students’ identities and experiences relate to their achievement and well-being, we are launching our second See Yourself in Limestone Student Census Survey this fall.
• The census is a voluntary and confidential survey for students in Grades 4 to 12, running from November 24 to 28, 2025. It gathers information about students’ identities and their experiences at school. This data is then paired with academic information to help us understand what school is like for different groups of students.
• Important information for families:
• • The survey is optional.
  • Responses are confidential and students can skip any questions they do not wish to answer.
  • Students will complete the survey during class time.
  • Students who do not participate will be provided with an alternative activity.

**ATTENTION GRADE 6 STUDENTS**! CHOICES AT 7 PROGRAMS

• The Limestone District School Board's Choices at 7 programs offer opportunities for students entering Grade 7 to participate in a variety of unique learning environments.
• Depending on the availability of places in the programs, students currently in Grade 7 may also apply to join a program for their Grade 8 year. The Choices at 7 programs that are offered include:
• • ATLAS (Applying Technology for Learning, Aptitude, and Success) 
  • Challenge (Gifted and Academic Enrichment Program) 
  • LEAP (Limestone Education through the Arts Program) 
  • Extended French Immersion Program (for students entering Grade 7 only)
•  If you are interested in finding out more about these programs, you are invited to attend the information nights that are being held at each site (dates and times are listed below). For detailed information about any of the Choices at 7 programs, please visit the Choices at 7 webpage.
• Application Process: The application form for the ATLAS Program, the Challenge Program, LEAP, and Extended French Immersion for September 2025 will be open from December 12, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. until January 12, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Application information and links will be available on the Choices at 7 webpage.

Choices at 7 Information Nights: 

• Calvin Park Public School - ATLAS, Challenge, LEAP and CORE Choices at 7 Program Information Night
• • Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
• Loughborough Public School - Challenge Program Choices at 7 Program Information Night
• • Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
• Ernestown Intermediate and Secondary School - Grade 7 and 8 Challenge Program Information Night
• • Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
• Harrowsmith Public School - Extended French Immersion Program Information Night
• • Monday December 8, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
• Module Vanier - Extended French Immersion Program Information Night
• • Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
• Module L’Acadie - Extended French Immersion Program Information Night
• • Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
• If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to e-mail us at choicesatseven@limestone.on.ca. Ms. Propper used to work at the Calvin Park PS site and can answer many of your questions about LEAP, Challenge, and ATLAS.

GOULD LAKE SUMMER PROGRAM

• Registration will tentatively open on December 8th for these amazing opportunities at Gould Lake this summer!

FEEDBACK ON OUR FREE LUNCH DAYS AND THIS WEEK'S MENU

• We’re now over halfway through our Free Lunch Program Lunch is Ready!, and we’d love to hear your feedback on how things are going! We are hoping the program gets extended.
• Parent Survey: Please share this with parents and guardians, via your weekly newsletters. To encourage participation, we’re including a giveaway draw for parents/guardians who complete the survey: https://forms.office.com/r/21VcZxFnJr

SO THANKFUL TO PLAY! CHARITABLE GAMING ASSOCIATION!

• Did you know that our school benefits greatly from Play! Charitable Gaming Association? Through Kingston Play!, we can afford sporting and outdoor equipment, additional craft supplies and books, additional Lexia accounts, and more! We are SO THANKFUL to this community partner for supporting our Simcoe Stars in so, so many ways!

BUS ZONE SAFETY

• We have put in a request to get our bus zone painted. Please avoid parking in front of the garden and main doors of the school so students can be safely loaded onto bus transportation. Thank you!
• As the weather changes, more families may choose to drive to and from school. Please remember that stopping in school bus loading zones or no-stopping areas can result in high parking fines. We encourage families to respect posted signage and use alternative locations for pick-up and drop-off.

SMOKING AND VAPING

• Please do not smoke or vape on school property. You must be 20 metres away from school property. We have many staff and students with asthma, other respiratory disorders, and who are medically fragile. Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe!

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SEXUAL HEALTH

• As part of LDSB's commitment to ongoing transparency and communication with families, please follow the link to Form 325-D on the LDSB website. It outlines the Human Development and Sexual Health curriculum expectations for Grades 1-8.
• Families can request to have their child or children exempted from instruction related to Human Development and Sexual Health expectations by completing and returning an exemption form for each child (Form 325-B) five school days before the start of instruction.
• Prior to instruction, your child's classroom teacher will inform parents/guardians when the expectations related to the Human Development and Sexual Health expectations in Strand D will be covered.

INSURANCE

• The LDSB 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 (www.insuremykids.com).

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.
• 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.
• https://www.limestone.on.ca/indigenous-self-identification

ALLERGEN AND SCENT AWARENESS

• Thank you for packing nut-free snacks! Please communicate with teachers before sending any treats in for your student's class.
• We have some staff and students alike who get migraines triggered by strong scents. Please avoid wearing perfume and cologne and using strong scented laundry detergent. Thank you!

LICE CHECKS

• Head lice are common among school-aged children, and early detection and treatment help prevent them from spreading to others. Regularly checking your child’s hair and treating right away avoids unnecessary discomfort.
• By working together as a school community, we can keep everyone healthy and comfortable. Please reach out to the school if you have any questions or need assistance

COMMUNITY EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES