October ended with the most spooktacular events thank you to our leadership class, student council, foods classes, additional volunteers as well as staff and student participation!

In November, we honour those who have served and currently serve in the Canadian armed forces here and abroad. The Kingston Military Family Resource Center offers services for teens and families in our area. We are thankful for their correspondence and when they offer events, we continue to post them in the community section of our newsletter. If not in a school please take the time to pause or attend a service on Monday November 11th.

This month is also midterm time for secondary students and progress reports for our 7s and 8s. Please ask your child about their learning, their goals and next steps. If you have any questions, please reach out to the classroom teachers. If your child expresses interest in additional support but are unsure about where to turn and ask, please look at the supports @ school below.

For grade 10 students and some senior students, the OSSLT will be written on Wednesday November 27th for first time writers and Friday November 29th for second time or senior first time writers. Ms. De Rooy has been working with classroom teachers and students on the practice test. At home, you are also able to see and work with your child on the practice test if you wish.

Thank you for our fall coaches. Most of the seasons have wrapped up or continuing in the playoffs. This means for our secondary students the winter season is coming up, please encourage your child to listen to announcements and look for posters for upcoming tryouts. There are also additional opportunities for movement for staff and students thanks to Ms. Lawlor and Ms. Pasic for the opportunities outlined below.

Finally, do you want to know what is happening at school in person and have the ability to ask questions of administration? Please join us at school council. New members are always welcome. Our next meeting in Tuesday November 19th at 6:30pm in student services. If unable to attend in person but wanting to join online? Please email Jen at grassej@limestone.on.ca for an evite.

Yours in education,

Jen, Mike, & Kirsti

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.

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.

Thank you to our leadership class and additional volunteers for their work on the haunted hallway. Students grade 7 to 12 who wanted to partake inthe event were able too. Those who wanted to adjust the scare level had the opportunity to have a senior guide and also glow sticks to adjust their experiences to their needs.

Individual classroom and office doors were also decorated for the occassion

A huge fan favourite was the grade 7-12 costume contest with light, music and candy! Not to mention amazing dance moves.

In support of the local food bank students also gathered food as part of the weeks festivities

Civics students had the opportunity to visit Queen's Park in Toronto. Our provincial member of parliament Mr. Ted Hsu took the time to meet students as well.

It's that time in science class where folks question the smell in the hallway as it is dissection time for some students

Intermediate and secondary students work through math with support and sometimes the use of manipulatives

Foods students preparing cookies and pretzels

Monday November 11th, the school will come together for a time of learning, reflection, voice and music to acknowledge the contributions of our past and present military members and their families.

Our very talented senior boys volleyball team. Congrats on a great season!

We still have a few teams in the running as we wrap up the fall season of KASSAA and have upcoming tryouts for the winter season. Boys and girls hockey, curling, boys basketball, girls volleyball, badminton are just a few of the things kids can get involved in. Below is an opportunity for everyone with the running club (yes, you can walk) this is for anyone who wants to move. On Monday and Thursday mornings from 7am-7:50am and Fridays from 2:40 -3:30 Ms. Pasic will be running workouts in the weight room, please see her for more information.

On the intermediate side the volleyball is up and running. Ms. Gibson is coaching the girls team, Ms. McFarlene the boys and Ms. Chung will be coaching an open co-ed team. The district tournaments are the final week in November.

Beginning on November 25th, Ashley Nadon an Anishinaabemowin speaker from Long Lake 58 First Nation will be offering virtual Anishinaabemowin classes via Microsoft Teams. Classes will be held 3 times per week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. This opportunity is available to self-identified Indigenous students who belong to the Anishinaabek Nation. If there is space after prioritizing Indigenous students whose heritage language is Anishinaabemowin, self-identified Indigenous students from other Nations will be welcomed to participate. Please note this programming is not in lieu of French due to Ashley's limited schedule. If you are interested in having your student participate, please let us know.

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.

• 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