Dear Families,

Happy October! We have been so fortunate to have mostly good weather this week, and students did a very good job of staying in their seats with a quiet activity during the couple of indoor recesses. Today, we did have students come into the school as soon as they arrived, due to the heavy rain: this went very smoothly, and students were able to physically distance easily as they arrived. The only reminder to be super-safe is to ensure that your child enters through their regular cohort door (even if they have to walk a little further in the rain!) Thank you.

Our Staff and Students took time on Wednesday to participate in Orange Shirt Day, to learn about and discuss what happened to many First Nations children who attended Residential Schools here in Canada, and to reflect on the freedom and privilege we have to attend a school in our neighbourhood where we can be who we are, surrounded by caring adults. We are committed to continuing our journey to learn about our role in the Truth and Reconciliation call to action, and will be including strategies and goals to support this in our School Climate Goal this year.

We are looking forward to recognizing the 40th year of the Terry Fox Run next Friday, October 9th. Classes will be able to sign up for a time to do a run/walk around the track, and families who would like to support the Terry Fox Foundation may do so using the online link below. Thank you for your support of this important charity!

We had our first Parent Council Meeting last night, and had a strong turn out of parents and caregivers. Welcome to the new members, and thank you to our returning members for sharing your time and experience to support our school community. Some of the traditional committees are "on hold" for now (Family Movie Night, Mayfair, Hot Lunch, Staff Appreciation and Learning Commons), but we were still able to fill many of the Executive Roles:

2020-21 School Advisory Council Executive

Chair: Erica Benn

Treasurer: Mark Foster

FInance Committee: Mark Foster

Secretary: Angela Haibach

Consumables Committee: Natasha Muller/Renee Lowry

Eco-initiatives Committee: Natalie Douglas/Tina Holland

Fundraising Committee: Jillian McCormick/Tina Holland

Parent Involvement Committee (PIC): Mark Foster

Our Staff Representatives this year are M Higginson and Mme MacKay. Merci à tout le monde pour votre temps et votre enthousiasme!

The LDSB Parent Involvement Committee is looking for a parent/guardian of a student who is attending the Virtual School to represent Remote Learners/Families this year. If you are interested, or would like additional information, please contact Mme Peart pearts@limestone.on.ca.

Please be aware that the COVID Daily Screening Tool was updated this week: all students (and staff) must do the daily assessment, and follow the guidelines from Public Health. There is a link to the online screening tool below.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Mme Peart & Mrs. Davey

All students, staff, bus drivers, bus monitors and visitors to schools must perform a daily self-assessment for symptoms of COVID-19 before each school day and before putting students on a school bus. Staying home when sick is important to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses in our community.

COVID-19 Screening Tool

Parents and caregivers must review the following checklist with their child/student before sending them to school each day and before putting them on a school bus.

Please use the online COVID-19 School Screening Tool available in English and French (released October 1, 2020). You can print or download this version in English or French (by clicking on the top right). We are working on translations in additional languages. This new screening tool replaces what was provided previously (Sept. 21, 2020 version).

Want to look spiffy, stay warm and show off your Henderson Hawks Pride? Check out all of the amazing clothing and accessories available at our École James R. Henderson School E-Store:

https://specialtytrophies.ca/jrhendersonpublicschool/

• Friday, October 9th: JRHenderson Terry Fox Day
• Monday, October 12th: Thanksgiving

• Friday, October 16th: IEP distribution

• Monday, October 26th: Gould Lake Visit (Gallupe/Goffaux, Bruder/Martin)

• Tuesday, October 27th: Gould Lake Visit (VanderVecht & Vines)
  

This year is the 40th Anniversary of Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope and James R. Henderson Public School is proud to be continuing the legacy of one of our greatest heroes.

Due to the unusual start to the school year, we will be recognizing Terry Fox Day on Friday, October 9th: classes will each have a turn to run/walk around the track to honour the legacy of Terry Fox.

We will not be accepting any cash donations this year, but families are welcome to support this wonderful cause by donating to: http://www.terryfox.ca/JamesRHendersonPSKingston. Together, we can all make a difference!

#terryfoxschoolruns @terryfoxfoundation

Our next School Council Meeting will be on Thursday, November 12th from 6:45-8:45 and will be held virtually. Information about how to receive the link to attend will be sent out to all families the week of November 2nd. All are welcome to attend!

There are three options to use to report a student absence:

• call the automated attendance phone line at 1-855-257-9349 **Always enter "lates" as a full day even if the child will only be absent for half a day. It will adjust automatically once the student arrives.
• use the SchoolMessenger App on your phone.
• use the SchoolMessenger website portal.

For more information on how to report an absence please click on the link below.

Please continue to check the LDSB microsite for updated information on the Director's messages, Frequently asked Questions, Family Reference Guide, Wellness Resources & Supports, Remote Learning info, Public Health info and Ministry of Education information. This area is updated regularly as information becomes available or changes.

School ReOpening Microsite

School ReOpening Reference Guide

Limestone DSB Frequently Asked Questions

Wellness Resources & Supports

LDSB Website https://www.limestone.on.ca/

LDSB Twitter https://twitter.com/LimestoneDSB

LDSB Facebook https://tinyurl.com/wbhjtku

LDSB Instagram https://instagram.com/limestonedsb?igshid=1epyma6c0g5qd

Drop off and pick up times are very busy, and we want to ensure the safety of all of our students and their caregivers as they enter and exit the school. Please consult the Driving and Parking Guide below to see where there are safe, designated parking spaces that are all within a 3 minute walk to the school. The area directly in front of the school is a designated student drop off zone: you must remain in your vehicle and are permitted to stop for a maximum of 3 minutes. A reminder that parking is not permitted on the shoulder of Roosevelt Drive opposite the school, and that the City of Kingston will be enforcing this no-parking zone. Thank you for ensuring that you help to keep everyone safe by respecting our drop-off and parking guidelines.

Email: jrhen@limestone.on.ca
Website: https://jrhenderson.limestone.on.ca/
Location: 361 Roosevelt Drive, Kingston, ON, Canada
Phone: 613-389-2330
Twitter: @JRHenPS_LDSB