The Simcoe Star - March 2nd to 6th

Dear Simcoe Star Families,

Welcome, March! We can’t believe how quickly February flew by. A reminder to our Grade 8 families that graduation photos will take place on Monday, March 2nd — we can’t wait to see our grads shine! March Break runs from March 16th to 20th, and we hope families enjoy a well-deserved rest. We also want to celebrate the incredible Indigenous Mid-Winter Celebration last week — students had an amazing time trying the wooden skis, roasting marshmallows, and engaging in meaningful cultural learning. What a special experience for our Simcoe Stars! ✨

• Monday, March 2nd: (Day 4)
• • Kanyen'kéha and Anishinaabemowin language classes are ongoing this week
  • Grade 8 Graduation Photos
  • Girls Inc. after school
  • Kingston Bright Futures Tutoring for Grades 6-8 from 3:00-4:00pm
  • Spirit Day! Wear blue, yellow, or any JG Simcoe PS gear. You can buy Simcoe swag here: https://specialtytrophies.ca/4g/JGSIMCOESTORE/
• Tuesday March 3rd: (Day 5)
• • YMCA Group for Grade 3 and 4 students after school from 3:00-5:00pm
• Wednesday, March 4th: (Day 1)
• • Grade 7 Off-Property Day
  • Girls Inc. after school (off-site)
  • Running and Reading after school from 3:00-4:50pm
• Thursday, March 5th: (Day 2)
• • Chess Tournament at Winston Churchill PS
  • Choir at afternoon recess
  • Grade 8 Off-Property Day
  • Girls Inc. after school
  • Kingston Bright Futures Tutoring for Grades 2-5 from 3:00-4:00pm
• Friday, March 6th: (Day 3)
• • Dance Club at afternoon recess

UPCOMING DATES OF SIGNIFICANCE

• March 16th to 20th:
• • March Break
• March 25th:
• • Kindergarten and Grade 1/2 Indigenous Puppet Show
• March 26th:
• • Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness
• March 27th:
• • Kingston Symphony Trip for Grade 3/4 Classes

WELCOME TO JG SIMCOE PS!

• Please give a warm welcome to Mr. Bambrick who will be taking on one of our Grade 5/6 teaching positions. Mr. Bambrick is a well-known face in the Simcoe hallways, and he is eager to work with our Simcoe Stars for the rest of the school year! His first official day will be on Thursday :)

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!

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 :)
• 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 :)

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).

 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 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 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

• 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