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Posted on 2026-10-19 00:03:03.494 +0000 UTC
HELLO JG SIMCOE PS FAMILIES,
A huge thank you to Ms. Cassidy for organizing such a meaningful and collaborative Harvest Feast last Friday! It was wonderful to see our Simcoe Stars and staff working together to prepare Three Sisters soup, homemade apple sauce, and bannock, with special thanks to our partners at KSS for welcoming and supporting our students with the bannock-making.
Our beautiful student artwork helped transform the space as we learned about the Harvest Moon and celebrated Indigenous knowledge, traditions, and our ongoing commitment to Indigenous Education. We are so grateful for the opportunities Ms. Cassidy creates for our students to learn through food, art, storytelling, community, and connection.
✨ Glow Dance This Friday! ✨
Don't forget - our Glow Dance is this Friday, October 23rd, from 4:00–6:00 p.m.! Come ready for music, dancing, treats, glow items, raffle baskets, and lots of fun. Costumes are welcome, but please wear them at your own risk so those special Halloween costumes stay safe!
We can't wait to see our Simcoe Stars GLOW!
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THIS WEEK
- Monday, October 19th: (Day 2)
- Girls Inc. after school (off-site) from 3:00pm - 5:00pm
- Kingston Bright Futures Tutoring from 3:00pm - 4:00pm
- Elbow Lake Trip for some students
- Tuesday, October 20th: (Day 3)
- YMCA Program for Grades 3-5 from 3:00pm - 5:00pm
- KNCLN Trip for Grade 5-8 Indigenous Students
- Public Health Dental Screenings for Students in JK, SK, Gr. 1, Gr. 2, Gr. 4, and Gr. 7
- School Advisory Council Meeting at 3:30pm - All Parents/Guardians are welcome!!
- Wednesday, October 21st: (Day 4)
- Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day (Thank you, Ms. Purvis!!)
- Grade 7 Off-Property Day
- KNCLN Trip for Grade 3-4 Indigenous Students
- Girls Inc. after school (off-site) from 3:00pm - 5:00pm
- Running and Reading Starts!! First session of the year from 2:50pm - 4:50pm!!
- Thursday, October 22nd: (Day 5)
- Grade 8 Off-Property Day
- Grade 3/4 Rising Roots Workshop
- Grade 4/5 Tree Planting
- Girls Inc. after school from 3:00pm - 5:00pm
- Friday, October 23rd: (Day 1)
- Grade 5/6, 6/7, and 7/8 Tree Planting
- Spirit Day: PAJAMA DAY!
- Glow Dance from 4:00-6:00pm!
UPCOMING DATES OF SIGNIFICANCE
- Monday, October 26th: PA Day - School is closed for the day
- Wednesday, October 28th: Picture Day
- Friday, October 30th: Youth Symposium (see poster at the end of this newsletter)
- Tuesday, November 3rd to Friday, November 6th: Tim Horton's Camp In-School Program Visits Older Grades
- Monday, November 16th: Picture Retake Day and Class Photo Day
2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR
RUNNING AND READING - BRING BACK FORMS ASAP!
- Running and Reading sign up is open now for students in Grades 1-6!!
- Paper sign up packages are available at the office, or you can sign up online here: https://activitymessenger.com/p/gS3Mzaa
- Running and Reading will be on Wednesdays from 2:50-4:50; the first day will be Oct. 21st
- Students in Grade 7 and 8 should see Ms. Propper if they would like to be Jr. Coaches
JG SIMCOE PS CLOTHING AND SPIRIT WEAR
- School clothing is sold online at this link: https://specialtytrophies.ca/4g/JGSIMCOESTORE/ Items can be delivered directly to the school :)
OPERATION WARM FEET - BOOTS FOR $5!
- Also, please contact us if your student requires a winter coat. We are signing students up for coats now and have a limited amount to disperse as provided by community partners. Thank you!
**NEW** - E-SCOOTERS
- This information was shared by the City of Kingston:
- E-scooters are easy to find, but they aren't toys and aren't designed for kids. In Ontario, you must be at least 16 years old to ride wherever e-scooters are permitted.
- In Kingston, e-scooters are not currently permitted.
- The City is developing a Micromobility Regulations Strategy — with updated rules around e-scooters, e-bikes and other lightweight, rideable transportation — to support safe, accessible and sustainable travel around Kingston. The strategy, which considers public engagement feedback and research into best practices, will be presented to Council for consideration later this year.
- Find out more at Micromobility Regulations | Get Involved Kingston by Communications & Public Engagement.
ONLINE AFTER-SCHOOL LEARNING
- Below is Information about our Brainworx and Junior Coach Leadership programs, and the posters.
- Both programs are run by live, trained volunteers and are offered at no cost to families - it is FREE to join.
- 📌 Who are these programs for?
- Students in grades 1–8
- Those looking for extra literacy support
- Families seeking fun, free after-school learning opportunities
- ✨ What can families expect?
- Live storytelling to spark engagement
- Vocabulary-building activities to support language development
- A dynamic approach of movement, games, reading, and discussion
- Mentorship and meaningful connections
- Support for student growth through social-emotional learning (SEL)
- 👉 Families can register here: brainworx.start2finishonline.org/student/signup
CAUTION: PLEASE BE SAFE USING OUR SCHOOLGROUNDS
- Please note that JG Simcoe PS is set to receive new drainage and pavement during the summer of 2027
- In the meantime, please use caution when accessing our school grounds due to potential hazards: uneven or broken areas of pavement, poor drainage, potential for ice, etc.
- Please let us know if you observe any additional concerns so we can action them immediately. Thank you for helping to keep our staff, students, and community safe!
SUPPORTS FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
As students navigate the school year, they experience a wide range of emotions and situations. 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. We also have a Student Support Counselor at our site from Monday-Thursday who can help support your student while collaborating to see which resources will be most useful. Please contact the office with inquiries.
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
REPORTING ABSENCES
- There are four options for families to use to report a student's absence:
- SchoolMessenger App on your phone
- SchoolMessenger website portal
- call the automated attendance phone line at 1-855-257-9349
- call the school at 613-544-4087
- On the apps, always enter "lates" as a full days even if the student will only be absent for half a day. It will adjust automatically once the student arrives and signs in at the office
- For more information on how to report an absence, please watch this video: https://youtu.be/IW205rwkYsc
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SEXUAL HEALTH EXPECTATIONS
- As part of LDSB's ongoing commitment to transparency and collaboration with families, this message outlines the purpose and distribution timelines for Forms 325-A, 325-B, 325-C, and 325-D, all of which support the implementation of the Human Development and Sexual Health component of the Health and Physical Education (HPE) curriculum 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 by completing 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 Human Development and Sexual Health in Strand D will be covered.
- For a more detailed overview of this process, please refer to Administrative Procedure 325: Exemption from Human Development and Sexual Health Instruction (listed under the Policies and Procedures section of the LDSB website), or contact the school.
TRIBOARD
- To apply for bus transportation, please go to www.triboard.ca and click on the "Apply" tab and choose "Apply Online". Please let us know if you require assistance submitting the request
- Sign up on the Triboard website to receive bus delays and cancellations. They will get emailed or text directly to you. This will be especially important during snowy weather.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN LIMESTONE
- In the Limestone District School Board, we are committed to helping students develop the skills and confidence they need to navigate today’s digital world. Technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), is already part of students’ everyday lives, and learning how to use it in a thoughtful and responsible way is important for their success in school and beyond.
- We want all students to feel safe, supported, and informed when using digital tools. Students are learning about how technology can affect learning, mental health, and well-being, and how we can help students build healthy, balanced habits with their use of technology.
- Students are also exploring how tools like AI can support learning and problem-solving in positive and meaningful ways. Our focus is on helping students become confident and responsible digital citizens who can use technology thoughtfully and safely to support their learning and well-being, both at school and at home.
- Learn More:
CITY OF KINGSTON SURVEY: HOW DO YOUR KIDS TRAVEL TO SCHOOL?
- The City of Kingston, in partnership with community agencies and local school boards, is conducting its annual School Travel Survey to better understand how students travel to and from school in Kingston. By taking part, your school will be entered for a chance to win a free bike rack. Annual survey results help the City track travel trends over time, understand the outcomes of transportation initiatives, and guide future policies, programs, and infrastructure that support improved school travel.
- The survey takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete and will remain open until October 18, 2026. For the best experience, we recommend using a larger screen, such as a laptop or desktop monitor.
- Take the survey: 2026 School Travel Survey
MEDICAL PLANS OF CARE
- Our primary goal is to keep our students safe. If a student requires medication at school (daily medication, inhalers, EpiPen, etc.) or if a student has medical needs that we should be aware of (allergies, asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, etc.), please connect with the office right away to complete the necessary paperwork
OUR SCHEDULE
Time | Activity/Learning Block |
8:15am – 8:30am | Arrival and outside time |
8:30am – 10:10am | 100-minutes of instruction |
10:10am – 10:50am | Recess and nutrition break |
10:50am – 12:30pm | 100-minutes of instruction |
12:30pm – 1:10pm | Recess and lunch break |
1:10pm – 2:50pm | 100-minutes of instruction |
2:50pm | Dismissal |
INDIGENOUS EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY EVENTS
- Each week, we will share our "Words of the Week" (as shared in the image above).
- Smudging: Each morning, our Indigenous Education Teacher, Cassidy Pilutti, leads a voluntary smudge that is open to any students and staff who would like to participate. Smudging is a traditional Indigenous practice that involves the burning of sacred medicines and is used as a way to cleanse the mind, body, and spirit, encourage positive thoughts, and prepare for the day ahead. We are grateful to Ms. Cassidy for providing this welcoming opportunity for our school community to gather, reflect, and begin the day in a good way.
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
CONCUSSION PROTOCOL
- Every school board has a concussion protocol to ensure the safety and well-being of all students. Please check out LDSB's protocol here: https://www.limestone.on.ca/concussion_protocols
- 2025 11 03 Concussion Code of Conduct for Interschool Sports Parent Guardian
- 2025 11 03 Concussion Code of Conduct for Interschool Sports Students
CELL PHONES
- Just like last year, students are not permitted to use cell phones during school hours (this is a province-wide mandate). If needed, students can use the office phone to call home, and you can call the office at 613-544-4087 if you need to pass along a message to your student
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 AWARENESS
- Our school is NUT FREE
- Thank you for packing nut-free snacks! Please communicate with teachers before sending any treats in for your student's class, just in class there is a student-specific allergy
SCENT-FREE SCHOOL
- Please note that we are a scent-free building, and all staff and students should refrain from wearing perfumes, colognes, or using strong fabric softener. We have multiple members of our school community who get migraines and/or other ailments when they are around strong scents. Thank you for keeping our community safe!
CROSSWALK
- Please remind students to:
- dismount their bikes, scooters, and skateboards, and to walk them across the crosswalks
- hold balls securely when walking across the crosswalks
- follow the instructions of the crossing guard and wait until it is an appropriate time to cross
- walk at a normal pace without running or skipping
- treat crossing guards kindly and with respect
- Thank you!
PARKING
- Please avoid parking in the red or yellow zones as noted in the image below. This will help us keep our students safe :) Please remember to drive slowly through our zone and allows buses time to load students appropriately. Thank you for helping to keep our Simcoe Stars safe!
TECHNOVATION AT QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY
- Technovation@QueensU connects local youth aged 12–18, particularly girls and young women, with Queen’s University student mentors to explore technology and entrepreneurship. Through hands-on workshops and mentorship, students turn a community problem they care about into a technology-based solution, such as a mobile app or an AI project. No previous coding experience is needed.
- Students develop coding and business skills and practise presenting their ideas. They can work individually or in teams of up to five, with the opportunity to enter the international Technovation Girls competition, subject to its eligibility criteria.
- Interested students can sign up now to be notified when 2026–27 registration opens. Please share these links:
1. Get the 2026–27 registration reminder
2. Student registration portal — use once registration opens.
3. Program information and eligibility
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!
COMMUNITY EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES
