View All News
Posted on 2026-02-08 15:21:23.824 +0000 UTC
Dear Simcoe Star Families,
Cold weather is apparently here to stay for a while longer. Please remember to dress students warmly, and please let us know if anyone needs anything such as mittens, hat, etc. Some classes will be heading to Gould Lake on Wednesday, so full winter gear is a must. On Thursday, we’re excited for an exhibition basketball game at Rideau Heights PS at 3:00 p.m. Friday is Report Card Day, followed by a long weekend. Please note that Monday is Family Day and there is no school. We also wish all of our families a very Happy Valentine’s Day!
THIS WEEK
- Monday, February 9th: (Day 5)
- Kanyen'kéha and Anishinaabemowin language classes are ongoing this week
- Intermediate basketball practice at afternoon recess
- Girls Inc. after school
- **NEW** Kingston Bright Futures has started a second day of tutoring at our site from 3:00-4:00pm to account for the large number of students who are interested. This will begin today for some of our older students.
- Spirit Day! Wear blue, yellow, or any JG Simcoe PS gear. You can buy Simcoe swag here: https://specialtytrophies.ca/4g/JGSIMCOESTORE/
- Tuesday, February 10th: (Day 1)
- YMCA Group for Grade 3 and 4 students after school from 3:00-5:00pm
- Intermediate basketball practice at afternoon recess
- Wednesday, February 11th: (Day 2)
- Grade 7 Off-Property Day
- Intermediate basketball practice at afternoon recess
- Girls Inc. after school (off-site)
- Running and Reading after school from 3:00-4:50pm
- Thursday, February 12th: (Day 3)
- Grade 1-8 Workshops: Ollin Drumming
- Bright Futures Kingston tutoring from 3:00-4:00
- Choir at afternoon recess
- Grade 8 Off-Property Day
- Girls Inc. after school
- Exhibition basketball game at Rideau Heights PS @ 3:00
- Friday, February 13th: (Day 4)
- Spirit Day! Wear red or pink in honour of Valentine's Day tomorrow!
- Dance Club at afternoon recess
- Term 1 report cards will be sent home
UPCOMING DATES OF SIGNIFICANCE
- February 16th:
- Family Day - no school
- February 17th:
- Basketball tournament
- February 22nd:
- School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
- February 26th:
- Indigenous Mid-Winter Celebration at JG!
- March 2nd:
- Grade 8 Graduation Picture Day
- March 16th to 20th:
- March Break
- March 23rd:
- Grand Theatre Trip for certain classes
- March 25th:
- Kindergarten and Grade 1/2 Indigenous Puppet Show
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!
- **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!
2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR SURVEY - CLOSES MONDAY!
- The Limestone District School Board is developing the 2026-2027 school year calendar. With Labour Day falling later than usual in 2026, the creation of a balanced and consistent calendar has presented more challenges than in typical years.
- In collaboration with our coterminous boards—the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board and the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board—we have prepared four calendar options for consideration. We are seeking feedback from members of the Limestone community to help guide our final decision.
- Option 1 Overview:
- First Day of School: September 1, 2026
- Winter Break: December 21, 2026 to January 1, 2027
- March Break: March 15 to 19, 2027
- Last Day of School: June 24, 2027
- Professional Activity Days:
- August 31, 2026
- September 25, 2026
- October 26, 2026
- November 27, 2026
- January 29, 2027
- May 31, 2027
- June 25, 2027
- Click here to view School Year Calendar – Option 1 (PDF)
- Option 2 Overview:
- First Day of School: September 2, 2026
- Winter Break: December 21, 2026 to January 1, 2027
- March Break: March 15 to 19, 2027
Please note, March 12 is a Board Holiday - Last Day of School: June 28, 2027
- Professional Activity Days:
- September 1, 2026
- October 26, 2026
- November 20, 2026
- January 29, 2027
- April 23, 2027
- May 31, 2027
- June 29, 2027
- Click here to view School Year Calendar – Option 2 (PDF)
- Option 3 Overview:
- First Day of School: September 8, 2026
- Winter Break: December 21, 2026 to January 1, 2027
- March Break: March 15 to 19, 2027
- Last Day of School: June 29, 2027
- Professional Activity Days:
- September 3, 2026
- September 4, 2026
- October 26, 2026
- November 27, 2026
- February 2, 2027
- May 31, 2027
- June 30, 2027
- Click here to view School Year Calendar – Option 3 (PDF)
- Option 4 Overview:
- First Day of School: September 8, 2026
Please note that Friday, September 4, 2026, is a Board Holiday - Winter Break: December 21, 2026 to January 1, 2027
- March Break: March 15 to 19, 2027
- Last Day of School: June 29, 2027
- Professional Activity Days:
- September 2, 2026
- September 3, 2026
- October 26, 2026
- February 2, 2027
- April 16, 2027
- May 31, 2027
- June 30, 2027
- Click here to view School Year Calendar – Option 4 (PDF)
- First Day of School: September 8, 2026
- Please take a few minutes to complete this short survey. The survey will remain open until February 9 at 12:00 p.m.
- Survey link: bit.ly/20262027SchoolYearCalendar (you can ask at the main office for a paper copy, if preferred)
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN:
- Kindergarten registration is now open! https://www.limestone.on.ca/kindergarten
- You can also ask at the office for a paper registration form :)
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!
THIS THURSDAY'S FREE MENU
- Let us know if you would like your student added to our list to receive free lunches. Thanks!
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!
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
INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY EVENTS
- Akwe:kon is for Indigenous youth aged 7-12 and provides a space where our youth can feel safe to be themselves and accepted for the wonderful little humans they are. Join us! Questions? Contact Lynda at susan.peters@kncln.ca. | 1(613) 544-306
- Ollin Drumming will be leading workshops this Thursday, February 12th with our students in Grades 1-8. We are so excited!
- Our students have already had the chance to learn a bit about lacrosse this year. The YMCA is now offering a great opportunity to play on Saturdays this month :)
COMMUNITY EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
