Dear Simcoe Star Families,
As we move closer to the end of another wonderful school year, we want to take a moment to sincerely thank our families for your ongoing support, kindness, and partnership throughout the year — and especially over the course of last week. The care, compassion, and understanding shown by our school community reminds us just how special the Simcoe Stars family truly is. We are so grateful for each and every one of you.
Despite a difficult week, it was wonderful to see so many students smiling, connecting with peers, and enjoying opportunities like the football and soccer tournaments and the Grade 4 Indigenous Trip. Thank you to our staff, coaches, volunteers, and families who continue to support these memorable experiences for students.
A reminder that Friday is a PA Day, so there will be no school for students. We hope our Simcoe Stars enjoy the long weekend ahead!
-----------------------------------------------------------
THIS WEEK:
- Monday, May 25th: (Day 5)
- Girls Inc. after school
- Grade 5-8 SIS Trip to Elbow Lake
- Spirit Day! Wear blue and yellow or any JG Simcoe PS swag :)
- Tuesday, May 26th: (Day 1)
- YMCA Group for Grade 3 and 4 students after school from 3:00-5:00pm
- Wednesday, May 27th: (Day 2)
- Grade 7 Off-Property Day
- Girls Inc. after school (off-site)
- Running and Reading is finished for the year! Thanks to everyone who coached and participated :)
- Thursday, May 28th: (Day 3)
- Choir at afternoon recess
- Grade 8 Off-Property Day
- Girls Inc. after school
- Friday, May 29th:
- PA Day - No School
UPCOMING DATES OF SIGNIFICANCE
- May 30th:
- Napanee Pride Parade (meet at 10:15am)
- June 1st:
- Regional Track and Field Meet
- June 2nd:
- End of the Year BBQ
- Kindergarten Open House 2026 Discover Kindergarten Resources for Families (3)
- June 11th:
- Grade 4 SIS Trip
- June 12th:
- Grade 5-8 SIS Trip to Gould Lake
- June 13th:
- Kingston Pride Parade (meet at 11:30)
- June 24th:
- Grade 8 Graduation!
- June 25th:
- Kindergarten Celebration
SUPPORTS FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES:
Last week was an incredibly difficult one for our school community as we came to terms with the heartbreaking loss of one of our Grade 2 students from Ms. Glassford’s class, Kamsi Rowland. Our thoughts continue to be with Kamsi’s family and friends during this very difficult time. Her loss is felt deeply across the school community, and we extend our heartfelt sympathies to all who knew and cared for her.
During times of loss, it is normal for students and adults alike to experience a wide range of feelings, including sadness, worry, or confusion. Some may need extra reassurance, a chance to talk, or simply time and space to process. School-based supports are available, and help is accessible through community resources. We encourage families to check in with their students, offer opportunities to talk if needed, and reach out for support whenever necessary.
Ways to support your student:
- Maintain normal routines as much as possible.
- Ask questions to determine their understanding of the event and emotional state.
- Give them permission to grieve. Avoid reducing the loss.
- Provide age and developmentally appropriate answers/support.
- Connect them with professionals and other trusted adults.
- Help them adopt healthy coping strategies.
Difficult events can affect adults as well as students. Paying attention to your own well-being—by taking breaks, connecting with trusted supports, and allowing yourself time to process—can help you feel more steady and better able to support your student.
Resources
- Supporting Your Child’s Well-being
- Caring for yourself while caring for others. A parent’s guide to self care.
- By Your Side (parent/caregiver resources to support mental health learning)
- Maltby Centre
- One Stop Talk
- Kids Help Phone
- 211
Supports continue to be available for students and staff at J.G. Simcoe Public School. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you feel your student may benefit from additional support.
END OF THE YEAR BBQ:
Mark your calendars! Our JG Simcoe PS End-of-Year BBQ will take place on Tuesday, June 2nd beginning at 4:00 pm! Families are invited to join us for a fun-filled afternoon celebrating another amazing school year together.
There will be a FREE BBQ for families, games and activities for students, delicious treats available for purchase, and an exciting FOAM PARTY to help us kick off summer in style! We hope to see all of our Simcoe Stars there for an afternoon full of fun, laughter, and community spirit.
KINDERGARTEN OPEN HOUSE:
We are so excited to welcome our newest Simcoe Stars at our Kindergarten Open House on Tuesday, June 2nd from 4:00–6:00 pm! New kindergarten students and their families are invited to come meet staff, explore the school, and check out their soon-to-be classrooms.
Students will also receive a FREE LDSB shirt to help them get ready for their exciting kindergarten journey! We know starting school is a huge milestone, and we cannot wait to meet our future Stars and celebrate this special time together. Families are also encouraged to join us for our school BBQ happening the same afternoon!
PRIDE PARADES:
- Greater Napanee Pride Parade
Saturday, May 30
Meet at 10:15 a.m.
Conservation Park, 20 Pearl Street, Napanee - Kingston Pride Parade
Saturday, June 13
Meet at 11:30 a.m.
Kingston Memorial Centre, 303 York Street, Kingston
STUDENT PICK-UP AND DROP OFF AND BUS ZONE SAFETY:
- Please only park on the school side of the street. Bus drivers are having difficulty getting down the road when cars are parked on both sides. That side is a No Parking zone. Thank you!
- Our parking spaces are VERY limited. For ease of drop off and pick up, we would encourage you to do so on Drennan Street. There is a crossing guard to ensure student safety, and using this street will eliminate congestion in front of the school
- **Important**: We have designated bus and student loading zones. Please do not park between the pylons so we can safely load/unload our students into vehicles and onto buses
- To ensure student safety and ease of flow, please wait on the main sidewalk along the road when picking up Grade 1/2 students from the kindergarten area. This will allow our kinder team to better hand-off our kindergarten students in a safe and calm fashion
- Thanks for keeping our students safe!
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN:
2026 Discover Kindergarten Resources for Families (3)
- Kindergarten registration is now open! https://www.limestone.on.ca/kindergarten You can also ask at the office for a paper registration form :)
- Registering early helps us ensure we staff for the correct number of students. Please register ASAP and stay tuned for the kindergarten open house date
A NOTE FROM PUBLIC HEALTH:
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!
- Did you know that missing 20 school days is the equivalent of missing a month of learning? Let's help set all students up for success by getting them on a good routine :)
FOOD SHARING PROJECT:
- Let us know if you would like your student added to our list to receive free lunches. Thanks!
GRADUATION AND END OF THE YEAR CELEBRATIONS:
- Our End of the Year BBQ will be on June 2nd :)
- Our Grade 8 graduation will be on Wednesday, June 24th at 4:00pm
- Our Kindergarten celebration will be on June 25th (time to be determined)
SO THANKFUL TO PLAY! CHARITABLE GAMING ASSOCIATION!
- JG Simcoe PS is proud to be part of Charitable Gaming. Funds raised at Play! Gaming & Entertainment Centre help support our programs and make a difference in our community. #CharitableGaming #CGaming #OntarioCharities #Ontario
- 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!
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).
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
- Note: We have heard of active cases of head lice amongst students - please check students thoroughly and reach out if you need support.
- 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.
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
INDIGENOUS NEWS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS
COMMUNITY EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
