The Simcoe Star - Jan. 5th to 9th

Happy New Year, Simcoe Stars Families!

We hope you all enjoyed two weeks of togetherness and celebration. We are so incredibly excited to welcome students back to school on Monday, January 5th! As always, January promises to be a busy month of learning and winter activities. Please check out the calendar below:

THIS WEEK

• Monday, January 5th: (Day 1)
• • Kanyen'kéha and Anishinaabemowin language classes resume 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/
• Tuesday, January 6th: (Day 2)
• • YMCA Group for Grade 3 and 4 students after school
• Wednesday, January 7th: (Day 3)
• • Grade 7 Off-Property Day
  • Girls Inc. after school (off-site)
  • Running and Reading after school
• Thursday, January 8th: (Day 4)
• • Tutors from Bright Futures Kingston will return next week after school; note: the day has changed from Tuesday to Thursday
  • Choir/karaoke at afternoon recess
  • Grade 8 Off-Property Day
  • Girls Inc. after school
• Friday, January 9th: (Day 5)
• • Dance Club at afternoon recess

UPCOMING DATES OF SIGNIFICANCE

• January 12th:
• • Last day to submit Choices at 7 applications
• January 30th:
• • PA Day - no school
• February 13th:
• • Term 1 report cards will be sent home
• February 16th:
• • Family Day - no school
• March 2^nd:
• • Grade 8 Graduation Picture Day
• March 16th to 20th:
• • March Break

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!

**ATTENTION GRADE 6 STUDENTS** - CHOICES AT 7 PROGRAMS - APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY JANUARY 12TH

• 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)
•  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.
• 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 is now open for these amazing opportunities at Gould Lake this summer!

THIS THURSDAY'S MENU

• The Food Sharing Project's Thursday lunch delivery will resume on January 12th. Stay tuned for more details!

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 main doors or pylons so students can be safely loaded onto bus transportation and use shovelled walkways. 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

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

COMMUNITY EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES