Dear Simcoe Star Families,
Ms. Dowdell and Mr. Niedbala's class has planned a SPIRIT WEEK for us! Please see the schedule below:
- Monday: Favourite Colour(s) Day!
- Go all in on a colour! Wear as much of one colour as you can - but if you can't decide, two colours work too.
- Tuesday: Anything But A Water Bottle Day!
- Bring something to stay hydrated - it can be anything reasonable, but not a water bottle!
- Wednesday: Dress for the Wrong Occasion Day!
- Dress for anything other than school (please make sure it is appropriate!)
- Thursday: Hat Day and Hairstylist Day!
- Rock your favourite hairstyle or a cool hat - you can wear it in class for the day!
- Friday: PJ/Cozy Day!
- Comfy and cozy is the goal!
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THIS WEEK:
- Monday, June 15th: (Day 4)
- Girls Inc. after school
- Spirit Day: Favourite Colour(s) Day!
- Tuesday, June 16th: (Day 5)
- YMCA Group for Grade 3 and 4 students after school from 3:00-5:00pm
- Spirit Day: Anything But A Water Bottle Day!
- Grade 1/2 Trips to Fruition Strawberry Farm
- Wednesday, June 17th: (Day 1)
- Grade 7 Off-Property Day
- Girls Inc. after school (off-site)
- Spirit Day: Dress for the Wrong Occasion Day!
- Thursday, June 18th: (Day 2)
- Choir at afternoon recess
- Grade 8 Off-Property Day
- Girls Inc. after school
- Spirit Day: Hat Day and Hairstylist Day!
- Grade 3/4 Trips to Fruition Strawberry Farm
- Friday, June 19th: (Day 3)
- Dance Club at afternoon recess
- Spirit Day: PJ/Cozy Day!
UPCOMING DATES OF SIGNIFICANCE
- June 22nd:
- Talent Show
- June 24th:
- Grade 8 Graduation!
- Report Card Day
- June 25th:
- Last Day of School
SUPPORTS FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES:
As students navigate the school year, they experience a wide range of emotions and situations. 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 when they are navigating difficult situations:
- 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.
RIDEAU HEIGHTS YOUTH ARTS SURVEY:
Click here to access the Rideau Heights Youth Arts Survey which invites young people (ages 8–18) to share their interests, ideas, and availability for future programming like music, visual arts, dance, digital media, and more.
This survey:
- Takes less than 5 minutes
- Open to youth ages 8+
- Anonymous
- Directly shapes future programming
Survey closes June 29. Results will inform new, barrier-free arts programming at Rideau Heights Community Centre in partnership with local organizations.
"Rideau Heights is home to many talented, creative, and engaged young people. Over the years, community partners have worked together to provide free and accessible opportunities for youth and families through programs and services at Rideau Heights Community Centre and throughout the neighbourhood.
Today, there are already several successful no-cost programs available, including:
- Work Hard Eat Well through the YMCA
- Games and Grub at the Rideau Heights Library Branch
- S.M.A.R.T. Youth enrichment programming
We’re now looking to expand youth arts opportunities—especially after school—and want youth to lead the way.
Please help us share this with youth and families—especially younger participants.
Together, we can build creative, inclusive spaces where youth feel connected, confident, and inspired."
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
- We apologize that on Tuesday last week, a bus needed to pull over in a non-bus area while we attended to a student. Thanks for your patience!
- 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 :)
GRADUATION AND END OF THE YEAR CELEBRATIONS:
- Our Talent Show will be on Monday, June 22nd
- Our Grade 8 graduation will be on Wednesday, June 24th at 4:00pm
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
