The Simcoe Star - October 14th to 17th

DEAR SIMCOE STAR FAMILIES,

We hope you had a wonderful long weekend filled with family, friends, and fall activities. We look forward to seeing students in the morning to kick off a four day school week. We have so much to be thankful for at JG Simcoe PS, including the opportunity to work with such wonderful students.

THIS WEEK

• Tuesday, October 14th: (Day 3)
• • Soccer at Morning Recess
  • YMCA Group after school for Grade 3 and 4 students
• Wednesday, October 15th: (Day 4)
• • LAST DAY TO REGISTER FOR RUNNING AND READING
  • Soccer at Morning Recess
  • Running Club at Afternoon Recess
  • Grade 7 Off-Property Day
  • Girls Inc. after school
• Thursday, October 16th: (Day 5)
• • Soccer at Morning Recess
  • Running Club at Afternoon Recess
  • Choir at Afternoon Recess
  • Grade 8 Off-Property Day
  • Girls Inc. after school
  • KFL&A Public Health Dental Screenings for JK, SK, Grades 1, 2, 4, 7
  • IEPs Sent Home
• Friday, October 17th: (Day 1)
• • Dance Club at Afternoon Recess
  • KFL&A Public Health Dental Screenings for JK, SK, Grades 1, 2, 4, 7

UPCOMING DATES OF SIGNIFICANCE

• October 20th:
• • School Advisory Council at 3:30pm - All are welcome! Childcare will be provided
• October 24th:
• • Halloween Glow Dance from 4:00 - 6:00pm!
• October 27^th:
• • Picture Day
• November 10^th:
• • Grade 7 Immunizations
• December 2^nd:
• • Picture Retake Day and Class Photos
• March 2^nd:
• • Grade 8 Graduation Picture Day

EMERGENCY PROCEDURE PRACTICE

• Last week, we had a Fire Drill, and students did a terrific job exiting the building in a safe and timely fashion.
• This week, we will continue to practice our emergency procedures, such as a Lock Down Drill and Hold and Secure. Please know that we make sure students know that there is no real emergency, and these are just practice drills. Teachers review processes and expectations ahead of time. Our goal is to keep everyone safe and calm!

RUNNING AND READING - LAST DAY TO REGISTER IS OCT. 15TH!!

• The awesome Running and Reading Program will be starting back up at our site on Wednesdays from 2:50pm - 4:50pm.
• SIGN UP HERE: https://activitymessenger.com/p/QnFn2jt 
• Paper packages will be available at the school, but it is first come first served, so online is best.

• Program details:
• • Capacity: 40 students (a waitlist will be kept if spots fill or a child leaves the program)
  • Open to Grades 1–6 (with a focus on Grades 3-6)
  • Registration deadline: October 15, 2025. Intake may stay open until November 12, 2025 depending on numbers.
• Criteria: Interested students should be able to manage longer days, work well in teams, and would engage in an afterschool learning program.
• We are so thankful for the opportunity to host this engaging program at our school!

RUNNING AND READING ONLINE PROGRAMS

• Did you know Running and Reading has some online programs?
• They have two virtual programs: 1) Brainworx for students in grades 1-6, twice a week for 30 minutes; and 2) the Junior Coach program for students in grades 7 & 8, once a week on Mondays for 1 hour. Both programs are run by live, trained volunteers and are offered at no cost to families - it is FREE to join.
• 📌 Who are these programs for?
• • Students in grades 1–8
  • Those looking for extra literacy support
  • Families seeking fun, free after-school learning opportunities
• ✨ What can families expect?
• • Live volunteer storytelling to spark engagement
  • Vocabulary-building activities to support language development
  • A dynamic approach of movement, games, reading, and discussion
  • Mentorship and meaningful connections
  • Support for student growth through social-emotional learning (SEL)

👉 Families can register here: brainworx.start2finishonline.org/student/signup

FREE LUNCH!

• You can sign your student up for FREE lunch every Thursday thanks to the Food Sharing Project. Lunch comes with a main, milk, and fruit of some sort.
• You can sign up here (https://foodsharingproject.store/) and paper sign up sheets were sent home, as well.

GLOW DANCE

• Exciting news! Our School Council is hosting a GLOW DANCE on Friday, October 24^th from 4:00-6:00pm in our gym! Entry is $3 per person.
• You can wear costumes and will be given a glow stick! Additional glow sticks, hot dogs, snacks, drinks and raffle tickets will be for sale. All family members are welcome! Students in Grades 5 and below must be accompanied by an adult.

SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL

• Our next School Advisory Council Meeting will be on Monday, October 20th at 3:30pm. If you want to come but can't make this date or time, please let us know at jgsim@limestone.on.ca. Thanks! ALL ARE WELCOME!

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!

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