The Simcoe Star - September 8th to 12th, 2025

DEAR SIMCOE STAR FAMILIES,

What a fantastic start to the school year! It’s been wonderful to welcome both new and returning students, settle into routines, build friendships, and dive into learning together. We can’t wait to see all the great learning and fun that will happen this year!

WELCOME, MS. COULAS!

·       We are very pleased to welcome Ms. Coulas as our new Grade 5/6A teacher while Ms. Hawkes is on leave. She brings a wealth of knowledge, including in depth experience as a math intervention teacher. Welcome to Simcoe, Ms. Coulas!

MEDICAL PLANS OF CARE

·       If your student requires a medical plan (i.e., Asthma, Anaphylaxis, Diabetes, Epilepsy, etc.) or is required to take medication at school, please follow the link below and have all paperwork completed by your family doctor as soon as possible.

·       https://sway.cloud.microsoft/PC6b6O4i3hywfrpX?ref=Link

DROP-OFF INFORMATION

·       Supervision at the school begins at 8:15am in the morning. Please do not drop off your student until that time to ensure their supervision and safety. Between 8:15-8:30am, students can proceed to their assigned yard (kindergarten, primary, or junior/intermediate). After 8:30am, students should enter through the main doors and sign in at the office

PLEASE LABEL ITEMS

·       We have many students with similar looking water bottles, shoes, lunch bags, and backpacks. Please label all items to ensure they go home with the correct students. Thanks!

PICTURE DAY

·       We use Edge Imagine for our school photos. They have assigned us the following dates:

·       Picture Day is scheduled for Monday, October 27^th

·       Retake and Class Photos will be on Tuesday, December 2^nd

·       Grade 8 Graduation Photos will be on Monday, March 2^nd

THE SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL (SAC) NEEDS YOU!

·       Our first SAC meeting of the 2025-2026 school year and SAC elections will take place on Monday, September 22^nd, 2025, at 4:00am. All are welcome!

·       Positions for election/nomination are:

o  Chair/Co-chair

o   Vice Chair

o   Treasurer

o   Secretary

o   Fundraising Coordinator

o   Indigenous Representative

o   Divisional Representatives

·       Nominations (for others and self) can be accessed HERE and are due by 12:00 noon on Monday, September 22^nd. Email jgsim@limestone.on.ca with any questions

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)

MAIN OFFICE

·       Our office hours are 8:00am – 3:30pm

·       You can contact us at jgsim@limestone.on.ca or via phone at 613-544-4087

·       Please let us know a head of time if students are being picked up early or require a bus pass

·       Data verification forms will be coming home soon. Please ensure we have updated phone numbers, email addresses, and contact information for you and anyone else picking up your student

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

SMUDGING

·       Starting this week, students will have the opportunity to smudge daily. This is voluntary

·       Smudging is a ceremony practiced by Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island (North America). It is done using one or more of the traditional medicines (Sage, Sweetgrass, Tobacco, Cedar) which are lit to smolder to create a smoke to cleanse the body, mind, and spirit. Smudging also clears spaces of any negative energies. Smudges are conducted for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to during an event, for personal reasons, for a class, or to cleanse a space. It is also important to note that there are no religious views attached to a smudging ceremony.

·       The Indigenous community member or staff leading the smudging ceremony will explain the process and how to participate. During a smudging ceremony, participants are asked to sit or stand in a circle, and the smudge bowl is taken to each person in the circle. Every participant can engage in the smudge or can respectfully pass. Participants can draw the smoke over their head to think good things, their eyes to see good things, their ears to hear good things, their mouth to say good things, and their heart to feel good things and walk in a good way. Every individual person will smudge in their own way and that is respected during the ceremony.

·       As said above, those who do not wish to smudge are under no obligation to participate and can respectfully pass when the smudge bowl is brought to them. If a student has asthma or a reaction to strong scents, they may wish to pass. It’s important to also acknowledge that smudging is not a practice done by all Indigenous peoples and communities. Community members may decline to lead a smudge if it is not their practice. Likewise, Indigenous students or staff may wish to respectfully decline participating in a smudging ceremony.

·       You can find more information here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E-LV0NPXBiBjGwuM92OKbWHXBHk2P-Ty/view?usp=sharing

ALLERGEN AWARENESS

·       Thank you for packing nut-free snacks! Please communicate with teachers before sending any treats in for your student's class

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 student’s hair and treating right away avoids unnecessary discomfort or embarrassment. 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

OUR SCHEDULE

THIS WEEK

·       Monday, September 8th (Day 4)

·       Tuesday, September 9th (Day 5)

·       Wednesday, September 10th (Day 1): Grade 7 Off-Property Day (must return permission form)

·       Thursday, September 11th (Day 2): Grade 8 Off-Property Day (must return permission form)

·       Friday, September 12th (Day 3): Spirit Day! Wear blue, yellow, or any JG Simcoe PS gear. You can buy Simcoe swag here: https://specialtytrophies.ca/4g/JGSIMCOESTORE/

UPCOMING DATES OF SIGNIFICANCE

·       Thursday, September 18^th: Grade 7 Immunization Paperwork Due

·       Monday, September 22^nd: School Advisory Council Meeting and Elections at 4:00pm

·       Thursday, September 25^th: Terry Fox Run

·       Monday, September 29^th: Bus Safety Presentations

·       Tuesday, September 30^th: Orange Shirt Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

·       Monday, October 27^th: Picture Day

·       Tuesday, December 2^nd: Picture Retake Day and Class Photos

·       Monday, March 2^nd: Grade 8 Graduation Picture Day

COMMUNITY EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES