A hearty welcome back once again to all of our SHS Eagle families!

A few last-minute reminders as we meet our students back for their 2024-2025 school year tomorrow, Sept. 4th. Our day will begin promptly at 8:20 a.m. with warning bells and music beginning at 8:17 a.m. Students unsure of where to go for first period can find their name on lists posted throughout the school, or ask any staff member for assistance. Students in co-op should report to rm 101.

In first period, students will receive a printed schedule as well as locker information. Students must use a school lock and occupy lockers assigned to them. Students will be responsible for items found in the locker and should not give their combination to anyone else. Failure to abide by school rules may mean a loss of locker privileges. Lockers may be opened by the school if necessary. Classroom teachers issue books at the beginning of a term. Students will be responsible for the cost of lost books. Students with books from last school year should return them to the Main Office on the first day of school.

All students are expected to remain in the classes they are assigned this first week so we may accurately record attendance and address any wait lists we have due to limited seating available. Student Services will contact any students who have made appointments or those requesting schedule changes in their assigned classes. Please be courteous while waiting so that we can move quickly to settle things for the semester.

The cafeteria will be closed for the first two weeks of school in order to provide required training and set-up. Our hospitality program is hoping for a soft launch by the end of next week. There will be some grab-and-go items in the cafeteria as always for students needing access available right away.

This year, we will continue to have a service dog present onsite on Wednesday's in Student Services. Please remember not to interact with the dog and follow any directions of the handler. As this is a requirement of human rights legislation, notification is hereby provided to our school community. The dog has been certified as a registered service animal and identified by a navy blue service animal jacket and badge (Kingston 4 Paws Service Dog).

Finally, we encourage you to follow the school website news stories for updates and the school’s Twitter and LDSB accounts. LDSB offers several electronic tools to support communication, including Communicates (Board and schools push important messages to students, families, and staff via voicemail, email, or text message), Safe Arrival (student attendance management tool that allows for two-way communication between schools and families), and the LDSB Board Mobile App (for Smartphones that consolidates all the Board’s electronic communication in one location).

Your admin team,

Ms. Molly Slate (Principal), Ms. Kristin Stevens (VP Gr 10 & 12), Ms. Ash Ward (VP Gr 9 & 11)

Student timetables were available in July with report cards. A reminder that students can see their timetable as of Aug. 26th through the Aspen Portal. Instructions can be found below.

Students wanting to change their current schedule may email a counsellor (visit the staff website page for all emails) or book an appointment through the online booking system by grade (Gr. 9 – Mr. Rob McDougall, Gr. 10 – Ms. Michelle Fraser, Gr. 11 – Mr. Mike Love, and Gr. 12 – Mrs. Katherine English. Our Vice Principals also have primary responsibilities for the following grades: Gr. 9 & Gr. 11 (Ms. Ward), Gr. 10 & Gr. 12 (Ms. Stevens). Students can also visit student services once school starts to indicate they would like to meet with a guidance counsellor.

We ask parents to notify the school about their child’s emergency medical conditions and complete a one-page Plan of Care Form (Epilepsy, Type 1 Diabetes, Asthma, Anaphylaxis, or any other life-threatening condition). If the school already has a plan on file from previous years, we ask that you review the plan and notify the school of any changes.

Plans can be found online: https://www.limestone.on.ca/medical-procedures

Sept. 3 - PA Day

Sept. 4 - First Day of School (note this is a Wednesday!)

Sept. 6 - Grade Assemblies

Sept. 9 - Emergency Procedures Week

Sept. 13 - Milkshake Day

Sept. 16 - School Council and Elections 7:15 PM

Sept. 18 - Picture Day

A reminder that you can check out all upcoming dates on our school website, along with our daily announcements. A link to the school calendar can be found here: School Year Calendar

SHS also has several Twitter accounts (@SydenhamHS_LDSB, @SHSManu_LDSB, @SHSGoldenEagles).

See below a summary of important policies to be reviewed as we start the school year. These will be also communicated with students at our grade assemblies during the first week of school.

CELL PHONE and Electronic Communication Devices Policy

For 2024-2025 school year, the Ministry of Education has directed that every school will have uniform policy to have cellphones on silent and removed from sight at the beginning of instructional time unless permission is given by the classroom teacher. Parents are expected to encourage students to follow respectful choices around cell phone use and are reminded to avoid texting/calling their child during class time and to contact the office if an emergency situation arises so school staff can support and assist.

Class should not be interrupted for students to make or receive communication on a personal device. It is an unnecessary distraction that detracts from the learning environment. Students bringing personal cell phones to and from school may use them during breaks and during the lunch hour.

Misuse of electronic communication devices will result in progressive discipline. The student will first be given a reminder by the classroom teacher to turn-off and put away the device. If the student does not comply or continues to use the phone, the office will be notified and an administrator will attend the classroom and follow up with the student. If cell phone use is a persistent problem, the cell phone or electronic device may be stored in the school vault in a secure location. Repeat offenders will be referred to a Vice Principal and may result in loss of cell phone privileges or further disciplinary action.

SMOKING/ VAPING /CANNIBIS PRODUCTS

The LDSB believes that a smoke/vape/tobacco-free environment is desirable for its students and all employees. Smoking, vaping, or using any other tobacco products constitutes a serious hazard to your health and the school does not condone its use.

There is NO smoking, vaping, or use of tobacco products within 20 meters of school property. This includes the use of tobacco or recreational cannabis products. This Ontario regulation called “SMOKE-FREE ONTARIO ACT 2017” is governed by the Kingston Frontenac Lennox and Addington Health Unit (KFL&A Health Unit) Tobacco and Cannabis Enforcement Officer. The Officer can come to the school at any time and issue a ticket for smoking or vaping within 20 meters of school property.

Smoking or Vaping on school property may also result in a suspension. Repeat offences could result in suspensions of increased length. The fine for smoking, vaping, or holding a lighted cigarette or e-cigarette on property is $305.00. At minimum, in the case of these substances (e.g. vapes, tobacco, recreational cannabis) being found in the possession of students, parents must be notified, and the student must surrender the item(s) to the administrator.

School Supplies and Dress Requirements

Students will require the necessary school supplies for individual courses as outlined: Physical Education - t-shirt, shorts / sweats, gym shoes (street shoes will not be allowed in the gym); Technology – no shorts, closed-toe shoes; long hair tied back; Science – your teacher will instruct you on clothing for lab days; Mathematics – scientific calculator.

SHS follows the LDSB dress code.

Student Parking

Student parking at Sydenham High School is on a first-come, first-served basis in the north parking lot directly behind the school. There are no “reserved” parking spots. Students using the parking facilities are expected to accept and follow rules which include but are not limited to: students are not allowed to loiter in their vehicle parked on school property during class time; students are not allowed to smoke in their vehicle parked on school property; students are not allowed to sit on the roof of a vehicle parked on school property; students must obey all traffic signs related to the lot, and no right turns onto Wheatley St. between 2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Message from School Council - Meeting and Elections

Welcome to Sydenham High School! We are the School Advisory Council SAC, for SHS. We are parents/guardians that gather once a month to collaborate, participate and contribute to the education of students in our school. Education is a partnership and it is an active involvement and advisory involving parents, students, teachers, principals, school boards, government and the community.

Join us on Sept. 16th for our first meeting at 7:15 p.m. in the Library. If you would like to attend virtually, please email slatem@limestone.on.ca. The focus of our meetings is information sharing and discussion.

Elections

SHS SAC attendees usually consist of our principal, a staff representative, a student representative, a community representative and parents. If interested in having a role (formal or informal), fill in the following form.

Your SAC looks forward to seeing you at our first meeting on Sept. 16th!

The Sydenham Hospitality & Tourism program will bring new things to the school this year! Students will run our cafeteria with Ms. Walsh and Ms. Cassiano. The cafeteria will feature fresh baked goods, drinks, sandwiches, salads, and a daily hot meal special. We will be open starting the third week of school.

We will also have our Food Share for anyone who needs a boost of energy before going to class or starting their day. All Food Share items are free. Foodshare will be in the seating area of the cafeteria, and food will be available from 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. daily.

The Limestone District School Board and community partners are committed to making our schools safe for students and staff. As a result, schools will respond to all student behaviours that pose a potential risk to other students, staff, and community members. The Community Violence Threat Risk Assessment Process is designed to be proactive in developing intervention plans that address the emotional and physical safety of those involved. Families are asked to review the steps of a Threat/Risk Assessment online.

The clinic offers free immediate 1-hour counselling sessions to children, youth, young adults, parents/ caregivers and families with no appointment necessary. The walk-in clinics runs from 10am until 4:45pm. Maltby Centre has more information about the clinics and full schedule available on their website.

All parents/guardians are asked to report their student’s absence regardless of the reason, including during bus cancellations. Often, bused students find alternative ways to school and we want to ensure we know the whereabouts of every student to ensure their safety and well-being. Knowing who is supposed to be at school will allow school office staff to best ensure all students are accounted for. Students are asked to ensure they report to their first period class for attendance.

The SafeArrival reporting tool has two options regarding transportation:

• Inclement Weather (all transportation types and walkers) for any inclement weather days when your student will not be attending school.
• Transportation (not weather-related) for any non-weather-related transportation reason when your student will not be attending school (e.g., when a bus is cancelled due to a driver shortage).

We recognize this is a change in practice but one we are making to ensure student safety and well-being. Thank you for your support and understanding.

If your student is marked absent and the absence hasn’t been reported in advance, the SafeArrival system will attempt to reach the student’s priority contact by telephone to confirm the absence. If you receive a call regarding your student’s absence, you can enter the reason for the absence during this call. If the system is unable to reach the designated contacts, school office staff will follow-up.