As the leaves fall at the end of this October, we Knights are celebrating a busy couple of weeks and looking forwards to so much more.

This past week, Academic Award recipients from the 2023-2024 school year were honoured in the library at lunchtime. We are proud of the effort and perseverance of all students and were pleased to celebrate many students in Grades 10-12 from all academic pathways. Thanks to Student Services for coordinating the event.

Below you will see photos of experiential education opportunities and Knight's ventures on the the athletics fields and courts. For a smaller school, we punch above our weight. What is the recipe? Teamwork, work ethic among students and excellent coaching from staff and volunteer coaches. Go Knights!

Coming up, our sights are set on Elementary Progress Reports (distributed in Homerooms November 15), and Secondary Mid-Term Reports (distributed in Homerooms November 21). The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test will also be written by at the end of the month. Families of Grade 10 students (or eligible senior students) will be hearing lots about this!

The Leadership Class is busy with preparations for La Salle's famous Haunted Hallway, and Costume Contest. Please read below about for guidance about costumes. Intermediate students will have a Dance Party on the 31st, and the whole school will participate in the "We Scare Hunger" food drive. If your child would like to volunteer with the after school food drive, please have them connect with Ms. Kotsovolos on the grade 7 to 12 activity.

A small update for families and students is that the community centre next door will be undergoing some renovations, and that students who spend time there during the day or before or after school will experience different seating options.

We hope you all have a lovely weekend,

Jen, Mike, & Kirsti

Questions to have students ask themselves on whether or not what they’re doing/wearing is okay:

• Is it offensive to any race, religion, culture, belief, group of people, etc.?
• Does it mock/make fun of/or represent a certain group of people/culture/belief/etc. in any way?
• Does it reinforce stereotypes?
• Did people from the other culture endure negative experiences that people from your culture have not?
• Are you wearing it just because it “looks cute”?
• Do you think that because your favorite celebrity/icon/whoever is wearing it, makes it okay?
• Did your friend, who is part of the culture it originated from, tell you that they don’t care if you wear it because it doesn’t offend them? Does this mean it doesn’t matter?

To all of these questions, if a student answers “yes,” then they shouldn’t do it. Even if one person isn’t offended, it doesn’t mean others won’t be. Gently remind students to take caution and be thoughtful.”

From: Addressing Cultural Appropriation in the Classroom: Tools and Resources (Opinion)

Here is a video clip for students:

My Culture Is NOT A Costume | Teen Vogue

Here is a great site to further conversation and deepen understanding in the “undoing existing harmful beliefs and practices related to Halloween costumes”

http://www.lspirg.org/costumes

For more information regarding Appropriation versus Appreciation, check out October’s Equity Matters: October's Equity Matters (2021)

Cell Phones: Class time is valued for academic learning. As a school, we continue to reinforce our cell phone policy (see the chart below). In grade 7/8 classes cell phones should be away in lockers. At the secondary level, classroom teachers are to set out clear expectations at the start of the term and be consistent throughout the semester. All classes are equipped with cell phone hotels as phones are to be away unless the teacher has asked for them to be pulled out for instructional and/or research purposes.

Washrooms: Congregating in washrooms is not allowed.Please let your child(ren) know that staff will continue their supervision roles by being in and out of washroom common spaces as required.

Vaping: Vaping is banned anywhere on or within 20 metres of school property. Students may be subject to disciplinary action and parents and guardians will be notified and public health may apply fines of $305. You might be wondering about vape detectors, as per the ministry release of the PPM 128 in May; we will provide updates as we receive further direction from the school board and ministry.

Human Rights: The Human Rights reporting tool poster as (see graphic) is posted in our halls and classrooms. When someone has experienced or witnessed rights violations, we encourage them to report to a trusted adult and/or complete the reporting tool by scanning the QR code. We will continue to ensure our school is a safe place to be for everyone. Slurs and epithets are not acceptable. Discrimination, bullying including verbal, social, physical or cyber as well as symbols of hate are in violation of the Human Rights code. If you or your child have questions or concerns please reach out to us.

Our school climate goal is to ensure a safe space that encourages respectful interactions.

In the age of digital technology and tools, and time-pressure in busy lives, students sometimes submit information that is not representative of their own thinking and growth by using the AI tools such as Grammarly, ChatGPT and many others. Staff will continue to educate students on classroom expectations for assessments. Student attendance and completion of formative work is crucial - it allows students to receive feedback, ask questions, advance their learning, and prevents them from feeling that they have 'run out of time' and 'need' to take a shortcut. If you or your child are ever unclear of the expectations please reach out. Below is one of the tools we use in the office to help educate as well as the board's current academic integrity chart.

Drama students had the opportunity to see Jesus Christ Superstar at the Thousand Islands Playhouse is Gananoque.

Grade 10 English students and grade 12 literacy tutors paired up for some social activities.

Grade 9 science students engaged in their learning

The girls rugby program is going to British Columbia, and are working towards raising funds to help with the costs. You may have seen many of the team members in action at the Under the Lights Football game as they were working the canteen. Pizza Pizza on highway 15 donated pizza for the canteen and also contributed $500 towards the efforts.

Intermediate and secondary cross country runners showed up to represent La Salle well in their respective competitions

Our junior boys volleyball team are well into their season. For their schedule and other fall teams, please check out the secondary athletics schdules on kassaa.ca before it is to late to see them in action!

Our varsity field hockey team worked on their skill development all season celebrating their growth and setting team goals

Huge congrats to Coach Pasic on winning OCAA coach of the year after leading the SLC team to its best season (13-1) in program history! Well done Ms. Pasic!! 🏉🖤💛

Former Knight, Grant O'Neill, graduated a number of years ago. Grant stood out as a wonderful human and an outstandingly talented and hardworking dancer and actor who went on to study performance in post-secondary. He has now been cast in his fourth Disney production and is currently starring as Kristoff in the stage production of Frozen at Disneyland Shanghai. Congrats to Grant!

Math help is available everyday at lunch and after school on Wednesdays until 4PM in room 206 and they can contact Ms. Grewal at grewalsukhi@limestone.on.ca if they have any questions.

The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) is a standardized test designed to “determine whether a student has the reading and writing skills required to meet the standards of the Ontario Curriculum across all subjects up to the end of Grade Nine.” Students complete the OSSLT in the Fall of their Grade 10 year and it is one of the requirements for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD).

All Grade 10 Students will write the OSSLT on Wednesday, November 27th, 2024, in the Great Hall at 8:15am.

Since the OSSLT is a graduation requirement, it is important that your student attend school on November 27th. If your student is unable to attend, they will be able to participate in the next administration of the test on a date to be determined which may or may not occur this school year due to cohort and other scheduling restrictions.

Practice Test: Please find your student’s PERIOD 1 Teacher below:

• Cindy Hachey: Tuesday, November 12th ENG2P​
• Andrea Carrie: Wednesday, November 13th ENG2L​
• Deb Carroll: Thursday, November 14th PAF2O​
• Carlos Alberto: Friday, November 15th TFJ2O​
• Kate Pasic: Tuesday, November 19th SNC2D​
• Jill Marshall: Wednesday, November 20th MPM2D​
• Andy Hills: Thursday, November 21st CHC2D

ONLINE Practice OSSLT & Resources:

We recommend all students actively prepare for the test by accessing the ONLINE resources.

1. https://d1c1qqn86e6v14.cloudfront.net/#/en/student/osslt-assessment/sample/573
   
2. https://ldsb.elearningontario.ca/d2l/home/14180333

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. DeRooy at cookekj@limestone.on.ca.

• Friday November 15th - Elementary Progress Reports Distributed to Grades 7/8
  
• Thursday November 21st - Secondary Midterm Report Cards Distributed in Homerooms
• Tuesday November 19th - School Council Meeting
• Friday November 22nd - Professional Development Day (no classes)

Our first school council meeting was held on Sept 24th at 6:30 pm. New members are always welcome to join us at each meeting. Our next school council meeting will be on Tuesday, November 19th at 6:30 pm in Student Services. If you are unable to attend in person and would like to participate, please email our Principal, Jen Grasse, to obtain access to the virtual meeting option.

Elected council for the 2024/25 school year:

Chair: Marsha Valente

Secretary: Stephanie Gratto

PIC Representative: Members will rotate attendance at PIC meetings

Members at Large: Laura Doherty, Todd Lamothe, Kishore Kumar and Sonika Sathish

Much appreciation to this team for their volunteer time in supporting our school!

LOWER FEES?!

Reduce your family's school fees by participating in our FundScrip fundraiser. This year found fundraiser can be accessed at anytime - when you are purchasing gift cards anyways, you might as well purchase them with added benefits. Did you know that, 80% of the rebates earned are given to your family as school credit which can be applied to school trips, athletic fees, or other extra curriculars.

We invite you to learn about our program to reduce your family's school fees for athletic fees and school trips. For FREE MONEY view the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N-MHYP5Ttg and visit https://www.fundscrip.com/support-a-group and enter the invitation code: DYHCNP

Order La Salle clothing ANYTIME at https://lasalleintermediatesecondaryschool.entripyshops.com/

Looking for a list of mental health support resources that are available in the Kingston area? Please access the pdf file linked for you below. Questions? Feel free to reach out to us.

There are many community organizations, including The Maltby Centre, that offer a variety of resources to support students and families. The Maltby Centre (https://maltbycentre.ca/) provides mental health and autism services to children and youth, and works with clients in schools, homes, and other locations.

Other supports include:

• School Mental Health Ontario (*Added new SMH Resource Document below!)
• Youth Diversion
  
• Kids Help Phone

We continue to see many students who struggle to safely and respectively use social media. Please monitor your student's phone usage, especially at night. Many students admit to staying up quite late each night, and therefore coming to school quite tired. Thank you for your vigilance and helping your student get the most out of their day.

The Ministry of Education has approved the Limestone District School Board’s 2024 - 2025 School Year Calendar.

The following key dates have been approved:

• First Day of School: Wednesday, September 4, 2024
• Winter Break: December 23, 2024, to January 3, 2025
• March Break: March 10, 2025 to March 14, 2025
• Last Day of School: Thursday, June 26, 2025

The 2024-2025 school year consists of 195 days;

• Secondary - 177 instructional days, 7 PA Days and 10 exam days.
• Elementary - 187 instructional days and 7 PA Days.

Professional Activity Days - no classes for students:

• Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024
• Friday, Oct. 11, 2024
• Friday, Nov. 22, 2024
• Friday, Jan. 31, 2025
• Monday, Mar. 31, 2025
• Friday, May 30, 2025
• Friday, June 27, 2025

Intermediate email - lasis@limestone.on.ca

Secondary email - lasss@limestone.on.ca

Website: https://lasalle.limestone.on.ca/
Location: 773 Highway 15, Kingston, ON K7L 4V3, Canada
Phone: Intermediate 613-542-9733 Secondary 613-546-1737

Twitter: @LaSalle_LDSB