A COMET COMMUNICATION

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Thank you for a great first week! We are so pleased that students are settling into routines, getting to know their teachers and peers, and finding their way around. Students are starting to dig into their academics and set goals for the rest of their year. We had an enjoyable first week that ran smoothly.

IEPs were shared with teachers last week, and teachers will review them heading into next week. If there are any specifics about academics that you would like teachers to know, please do not hesitate to reach out. We encourage you to contact the school by phone (613-542-2796) or by email (calvp@limestone.on.ca).

Wishing everyone a wonderful second week!

At this time of year, all schools work with the LDSB Staffing Committee to ensure that the number of students and class organizations across the District meet the Ministry of Education requirements to provide the best learning environment possible for all students.

We have been notified that we will be getting an extra CORE teacher/class on September 18th to serve our growing student body. This is good news! As a result, CORE classes that currently have 30 or more students in them right now will be decreasing in size to optimize learning. It will be necessary to move some Grade 7 and 8 CORE students to the new classroom which will be a Grade 7/8 split. Classroom changes will be shared at the end of this week, and those students will start in their new classroom on September 18th. We recognize that transitions can be hard for students, and we hope that the smaller class sizes will offset the inconvenience. Please note that ATLAS, Challenge, and LEAP classes will not be impacted.

As students start in their new classroom, we will work together to ensure a smooth transition for all, while continuing to provide rich learning experiences in a warm, inviting space. We appreciate your ongoing support and understanding. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact us as calvp@limestone.on.ca.

At Calvin Park PS, we have three 100 minute blocks of instructional time, in addition to two nutrition breaks and recesses. Attendance and promptness are so important for students' learning. We encourage students to give themselves plenty of time to get ready and get out the door in the morning. If a student does miss a class, they should check in with their teacher and try to catch up as soon as possible.

LDSB 2023-2024 School Year Calendar

Please give a warm welcome to Calvin Park PS's new office administrator, Meghan Uzenko. Mrs. Meghan is excited to get to know all of the students and their families.

If you need assistance, here is a list of who to contact:

• Questions about registration? Need to update an address or phone number?
• Call the office at 613-542-2796 or email calvp@limestone.on.ca

• Is your student going to be absent or late?
• Check out this webpage for more information
• Use the School Messenger App
  
• Use the School Messenger Safe Arrival Website Portal
  
• Call 1-855-257-9349 and use the automated phone system. Please do not call the school directly to report your student's absence as the office can be quite busy and the phones are not always answered during staff's breaks/lunches.
  

• Does your child need to be picked up early?
• Having your child give a note to the office is our preferred method as the office can be quite busy and the phones are not always answered during staff's breaks/lunches
• You can also email calvp@limestone.on.ca

  
  

• Did you student's bus not show up or did it show up late? Do you want to check if their bus is cancelled or delayed?
• Sign up for bus status alerts on the Triboard website
• Let your student know that if they miss their bus at the end of the school day, they should return upstairs to the Calvin Park PS office so we can assist them

• Do you have a general inquiry that does not need to an immediate answer?
• Email calvp@limestone.on.ca

• Do you have a question about an assignment or subject?
• Contact your student's teacher via email or email calvp@limestone.on.ca, and we will pass along your message

• Do you need to get a message to your student throughout the school day?
• Students are not permitted to access their phones during the school day. Please call the office at 613-542-2796 or email calvp@limestone.on.ca, and we will pass along your message

• What should your student do if they do not feel well?
• They should let their teacher know and then come to the office to contact their guardian. There is a phone available for student use in the office, and office staff will be happy to assist

• When they are offered, how do I pay for hot lunches or field trips?
• The SchoolDay App is our preferred method of payment and can be done from the comfort of your home. Most students should have received their login information last year, but you can also email email calvp@limestone.on.ca for the necessary information
• We will send home passwords and login information for new students soon

At LDSB, we strive to put wellness first by prioritizing mental health.

Did you know that our students can access mental health support at school? Emily Landon is a Student Support Counselor (SSC) and Tiff Idems is a Mental Health Support Worker who provide support services to our students. Sometimes, students will tell us if they or one of their friends need help; at other times, we rely on students' caregivers to help us get the fuller picture. If you think your student would benefit from speaking to someone, please email propperc@limestone.on.ca, and Ms. Propper will help set up support. Also, please encourage your students to let their teacher know right away if any of their friends are talking about concerning topics or overwhelming stressors. They should not have to carry that weight alone, and help is available.

We are happy to partner with and/or support some community organizations, as well:

• Maltby Centre
• School Mental Health Ontario
• Youth Diversion
  
• Kids Help Phone
• KHSC Eating Disorders Program

Check out the PDF below for some terrific School Mental Health Ontario resources that you and your student may find useful. :)

Please find attached the Fall Workshop & Group Guides for Autism and Mental Health Services offered by the Maltby Centre.

Some Mental Health Workshops and Groups include:

• COPE Program: The Community Parent Education Program for caregiver s of children ages 6-12 with challenging behaviours
• SNAP Program: Stop Now and Plan is a program to help troubled children and their caregivers learn how to effectively manage emotions and keep problems small
• Caregiver Support Group: weekly support group for caregivers of teens that are experiencing depression, suicidal thoughts, and/or engaging in risky behaviours
• Various Workshops on topics such as: Parenting Your Anxious Child; Responding Versus Reacting; Emotional Regulation for Parenting Young Children; What's Important to Know About ADHD; Supporting Youth with Depression, Suicidal Thoughts and Self Harm

Autism Fall Services include:

• Little Learners 2-3
• Preschool Learners 3-5
• Learners 5-13
• Learners 11-17
• Family Foundational Services Workshops

The Food Sharing program will continue this year with snacks available in coolers placed daily in each classroom. These snacks are for all students to enjoy; all Food Share items are free.

Locks and lockers have now been assigned by teachers. Students can decorate the inside of their lockers, as long as decor can be easily removed at the end of the school year by the students. Sharing a locker does require communication, patience, and collaboration; please contact your students' teacher with any questions or comments.

Combination locks are new to most of our students. Please check out the video below for detailed instructions. We primarily use three-digit combination locks, but one-digit locks are available, if needed.

Each year, medical plans of care must be updated. Students with anaphylaxis, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, or another medical condition that may require an emergency response, need a medical plan of care. You may access fillable electronic copies of the forms (attached below) and send them back as soon as possible: Medical Procedures & Plans of Care

Verifications forms will be sent home with students for caregivers to update. It is very important that the forms reflect the most up to date contact information (guardian's name, address, email address, phone number, alternate contacts, etc.), so please write any corrections on the forms and send them back as soon as possible. Thank you!

Students looking for the chance to be active, work towards their goals, and have fun are welcome to join the Terry Fox Club. For those interested, this is also the opportunity to train for the Regional and District Cross Country Races coming up in October. Additional practices may be added for race preparation later in September, but for right now, practice is every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:55-10:35am.

We will be walking/running on sidewalks in and around the Calvin Park neighbourhood. Students will not be required to cross any major intersections unless supervised directly by a Calvin Park staff member. Permission forms will be sent home.

Everyone is welcome to join the fall running club, also known as The Terry Fox Club. There are no try outs. All interested walkers, joggers, runners, and racers are invited to a quick information meeting on Monday, September 11th at first break in Ms. Boyce’s room (room 208 at 10:15). You will need to pick up a permission form to join practices beginning on Thursday.

School Advisory Councils increase caregiver involvement in schools and promote greater understanding of the education process. Please mark on your calendar Monday, September 18th as the first Calvin Park/LCVI School Advisory Council elections meeting. We will meet in the Library starting at 6:00 pm. All are welcome!

If you would like to nominate yourself or someone else for a position, please click on the following link: School Advisory Council Nomination Form. Elected positions are for a 1 year term:

• Co-Chair (Calvin Park Parent/Guardian) & Co-Chair (LCVI Parent/Guardian)
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Member at Large
• Indigenous Representative
• Community Representative

School Board Policy states that participation on school sports teams (both elementary and secondary) is conditional on obtaining at least the basic student accident insurance coverage for the student or proof of external private coverage through your family plan. The cost of basic coverage is approximately $17.00 per year. This covers the student while attending school during the school day. The time spent by students participating on school-sponsored teams is considered part of the school day, even if the games and/or practices are held outside of the regular school hours. It is recommended that all parents consider this program. Visit www.insuremykids.com to get this inexpensive and highly recommended insurance.

Please see the attached flyer regarding an important opportunity for students and their families to purchase winter boots. Operation Warm Feet is returning to a one-day distribution for boots on November 25th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 263 Weller Avenue. Each pair of boots will be $2.

Boots are available to Kingston youth and children born 2005 or later. (South Frontenac and Lennox and Addington have separate funding).

Note: In the past, this was a referral-based program handled by the school, but they have switched the process.

Questions? Please contact stephaniew@kchc.ca or 613.449.6225

A Multi-Faith Prayer Room is available to Calvin Park staff and students throughout the school year during the school day and after school (new this year).

Please note the location and timings:

• Daylight Savings Months: Tuesday, September 5 – Friday, November 3
• Locations and Times:
• 1:30-1:45 pm Room 211 (change in location to be announced shortly)
• 2:34-3:30 pm Lower Library (entrance is at the rear staircase inside the library)

Reminders:

• No cell phones are permitted in this space during prayer times
• Please respect others time of prayer and reflection

This Week:

• Monday, September 11th: Running Club meeting at 10:15am in Room 208; Girls' soccer practice during afternoon break
• Tuesday, September 12th: Boys' soccer practice from 2:45-4:00
• Wednesday, September 13th: Girls' soccer practice from 2:45-4:00
• Thursday, September 14th: Running Club from 9:55-10:35
• Friday, September 15th: Rosh Hashanah begins this evening

Later:

• September. 15th to the 17th: Rosh Hashanah
  
• September 18th: School Advisory Council at 6:00pm in the library - ALL ARE WELCOME
• September 19th to the 25th: International Week of Deaf People
• September 21st and 22nd: School Photo Days (more details to come)
• September 23rd: September 24th and 25th: Yom Kippur
• September 25th: PD Day - no school
• September 28th: Calvin Park PS Open House and BBQ
• September 29th: Orange Shirt Day
• September 30th: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

We look forward to recognizing, celebrating, honouring, and hosting many events this year. Please add the following dates to your calendar, and let us know if your family celebrates a holiday that is not listed. We are always excited to learn about our students' experiences, cultures, and traditions.

NOTE: Tryouts, practices, and club announcements are communicated to students in three ways:

1. On the morning announcements at 9:50am
2. On the Announcement Board located outside of the office
3. On the Activity Board located near the French office/Girls' bathroom

Students should be prepared for tryouts and practices to start right away.