École Maple Family Update

École Maple’s School Advisory Council (SAC) is excited to engage in a fundraiser with North Roast Coffee Roasters in Kingston to bring our school community the opportunity to purchase locally roasted coffee beans by the bag. Coffee orders will be available through School Day until Friday, April 26th. Each bag of coffee contains 454 grams of beans and can be ground for Drip, Espresso, French Press or Percolator or left as whole Bean. One 454g bag of coffee costs $18.75. Your order can be sent home with your student or it can be picked up at the school on Wednesday, May 8th from 3:00pm - 4:00pm or Thursday, May 9th from 8:45am - 9:15am. Please make sure you select a delivery method when ordering.

North Roast Coffee Roasters have been a part of the Kingston community since 1997 and was founded with the promise of providing exceptional quality freshness and transparency. They roast Fairtrade, Organic and Micro Lot Coffee. They take sustainability seriously packaging their coffee in 100% compostable bags and delivering it in a 100% electric vehicle around Kingston. They are a member of Fairtrade Canada, who certify that their coffees are being sourced under conditions that benefit all stakeholders, most importantly the farmers and communities that grow their coffee.

We hope that you can indulge in a bag or two for yourself or a loved one and provide a positive impact on the Maple community. Proceeds from this fundraiser will support SAC initiatives, such as our yard improvement project, recess play equipment, and enrichment opportunities which directly support students and their experiences at school.

Dear Families,

As we head into an extended weekend we have much to celebrate! Families will notice in this newsletter that our School Council Coffee fundraiser is now open for ordering on School-Day - North Roast Coffee is well-known for their quality products and have offered a wide-variety of choices for our fundraiser. SAC also happily shares that their most recent Family Dance raised just over $1,000 to support council initiatives.

OUTDOOR LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND OUTDOOR ITEM DONATIONS:

The spring weather has brought about Marathon Club, Running Club and outdoor learning opportunities with one of our Queen's Teacher Candidates.

OUTDOOR DONATIONS:

Students are keen to stay active during their outside recess breaks. If during garage clean-outs or spring cleaning families would like to donate appropriate small outdoor items to their child's classroom or for general yard use please send in to your child's classroom - soccer balls, tennis balls, basketballs, skipping ropes, playground chalk, lawn games, etc.. We ask that students do not bring hard items such as baseballs/bats/raquets.

SOLAR ECLIPSE:

• Ecole Maple has been identified as a viewing location by the City of Kingston for the Solar Eclipse on Monday, April 8th. This day is also a PA Day. Students will be home and staff will be on-site engaging in professional learning and on-line training during the PA Day.
• Families should plan for potential congestion and additional traffic in the area on that day - this would be a good opportunity to remind children about safe practices as pedestrians or cyclists.
• Eclipse glasses provided by Queen's University will be distributed to students during April 3-5.
• Review the safety document shared by Queen’s for instructions on how to use the glasses safely. https://www.queensu.ca/physics/news-events/2024-total-solar-eclipse/safety

Looking forward to a great week ahead!

Ms. Fox, Mr. Derbyshire, Mme Panet & The Major Team

We are thrilled to announce that we are the successful recipients of a $20,000 grant from the Pittsburgh Community Benefit Fund! This grant will be used to purchase technology that will be used to teach coding to students, which is now a formal part of the government's educational curriculum and a crucial learning skill that students require. Given the size of our school, we continuously struggle to ensure that we can keep our technological devices in good working order and provide the most up-to-date learning tools possible. This grant will be immensely helpful in meeting both of those objectives.

A special thanks to Margot Panet and all the staff who helped determine the technology the school required, Emily Edwards for writing the grant, and the Pittsburgh Community Benefit Fund for their continued support of our school community. The Grant will be presented at the next PCBF meeting on April 3rd @ 7:00 at LaSalle Secondary School.

Remaining SAC Meetings: All School Community members are welcome - meetings take place at 6:30 in the Maker Space/Library with childcare available - come and check it out!

• April 23: Council Meeting
• May 21: Brave Workshop
• May 28: Council Meeting
• June 4: Council Meeting, primary focus Year-End Event
• June 20: Year-End Event
• Final Wrap-Up: End of June or the beginning of July.

We are very excited to be resuming the Maple Running Club on Thursday, April 4th for grades 3-6 in preparation for the upcoming Road Race season.

• Practices will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Our running route follows the sidewalks around the school.
• Your child is encouraged to bring a healthy snack to enjoy at 8:45 a.m. before recess begins at 9:00 a.m.
• Please help your child to dress appropriately for the weather as it can be unpredictable at this time of year.
• Please complete the paper copy of the Extracurricular Permission to Participate form together with the Student Accident Insurance Coverage Verification form and permission form using School Day by Wednesday, April 3rd.
• Any adults wishing to run with the team who have a CPIC with vulnerable screener check on file at the school are welcome to join us whenever they are available.
• Only students who regularly attend practices and can run the full distance (2.3 km) by race date may attend the Road Races at Bayridge S.S. on Friday, April 26, 2024, and LCVI on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.
• Please note: There will not be practices if it is raining and therefore no supervision on those days. Please check the Twitter feed @EcoleMaple_LDSB for announcements to this effect.

The Spring Scholastic Book Fair will take place over two weeks this year. Through the book fair, the school earns a percentage from the sales. Proceeds are then used to purchase books for the library as well as classroom resources to support curriculum learning.

Week 2 - Tuesday, April, 2nd to Thursday, April 4th: STUDENT PURCHASING AND FAMILY NIGHT

• Tuesday, April 2th (Day 3) Kindergarten

  Wednesday, April 3rd (Day 4) Grades 1 to 3

  Thursday, April 4th (Day 5 ) Grades 4 to 6

• Family Purchasing Night: THURSDAY Aprill 4th, 4:00-6:00

Monday, April 1

• Easter Monday -NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, April 2 (Day 3)

• Scholastic Book Fair Kindergarten classes purchase in Makerspace
• Cinderella Ballroom Dance on the stage @1:35

Wednesday, April 3 (Day 4)

• Dental Screening for JK/SK & Gr 2 @ 9:20am -1:35pm
• Scholastic Book Fair Primary classes purchase in Makerspace
• Footloose Dance Practice in Ms. Young's room @11:35
• Theatre Club in the gym @ 11:15

Thursday, April 4 (Day 5)

• Running Club @ 8:15- 9:00
• Dental Screening for JK/SK & Gr 2 @ 9:20am -1:35pm
• Scholastic Book Fair Junior classes purchase in Makerspace
• Scholastic Book Fair open to families from 4-6pm
• Theatre Club in the Gym @ 11:15
• Equity Club in Library @ 11:15- 11:55

Friday, April 5 (Day 1)

• Dental Screening for JK/SK & Gr 2 @ 9:20am -1:35pm
• Book Club in Library @ 1:35- 1:55

Hey Majors! We noticed that we have a lot of students at Maple who like to draw and create art. Guess what? We are having a contest to celebrate artists at Maple. All students are invited to participate! Entries will be returned to students after judging has finished. Choose from the two entry categories and have fun!

Two Categories:

1. Open Entry - draw anything you want! (appropriate for school)

2. Maple Murals - submit a design to be illustrated by LaSalle students on our outside murals. This entry should have images that represent our school, the activities we participate in, or the learning and fun we have at Maple.

WHEN: March 18-April 5

Entries labels will be available in the front foyer, the maker space, or you can make your own with the information below.

Student Name:

Grade:

Teacher:

Category: OPEN ENTRY MAPLE MURAL (circle one)

Title of Entry:

Description of Entry (optional):

Prizes: Prizes will be given out for the top 3 winners per floor. All students who enter will be named on the honorable mention list. A variety of prizes will be available to select from.

DUE DATE: Student entries can be submitted in the maker space in the labeled bins by April 5th.

The Limestone City Cycling club is providing a great opportunity for fitness and friendly competition for the local youth. See details below, more information can also be found on the event website.

Youth Races Highlights:

• Date & Time: Sunday, April 7th, 1pm – 2pm
• Location: CFB Kingston
• Race Experience: No experience required, kids will have the chance to test their fitness on a safe racecourse that is closed to traffic
• Safety Assurance: Local bike shop mechanics will be on-site, offering pre-checks for each child's bike
• Registration: Only $5 through CCN
• Awards: Every child participant will be awarded a well-deserved medal
• Insurance Coverage: Children are covered by our comprehensive event insurance policy
• Waivers: Parents can conveniently sign waivers during registration on the CCN portal
• Community Impact: All race proceeds contribute to the Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Kingston

Kindergarten Registration - A Message from the LDSB

Welcome to Kindergarten! This is an exciting time for both you and your student. Kindergarten is a wonderful experience and your student’s next phase on their journey of learning.

We are now accepting new student registrations for this September 2024. If your student is four or five by the end of December, now is the time to register.

Kindergarten offers a wonderful new world of learning and growing. We learn how to read, how to write and we make new friends. At École Maple Elementary School, we offer both French Immersion and English Kindergarten programs that help children get the best possible start in school. Your student will be challenged and encouraged to do their very best.

In Kindergarten classrooms, a teacher and an early childhood educator work together as a team. This partnership helps to create a nurturing learning environment; giving every student the opportunity to learn in the way that is best suited to their individual strengths and needs. Our caring team of educators is with them every step of the way!

In Limestone, students can begin French Immersion in Year 1 Kindergarten, Year 2 Kindergarten or Grade 1. The French Immersion program is designed for students who are learning French as an additional language. The program is an inclusive environment for rich language development and designed for students who do not speak French at home. Parents and guardians are not expected to be French speaking themselves. There is nothing extra that you need to do to prepare your student for French Immersion. All students are welcome!

We are excited to announce that Limestone District School Board will now be accepting applications for open boundary Kindergarten registrations for the upcoming school year. LDSB encourages students to attend their area school, but we understand selecting the right educational setting for your new student is a significant decision.

In accordance with Board policy, by default, students will be enrolled in the school designated within their boundary area, based on their home address.

Students may be permitted to attend any school within the board when there is available student space, upon submission and approval of the proper application. The Board will not be held responsible for the provision of any transportation for students outside of their regular school boundary area.

We typically welcome new families to orientation events in May of each year. We will share more about these opportunities soon.

We want everyone to see themselves in Limestone. You can feel confident your student will be cared for in a safe and inclusive environment.

We are committed to supporting you every step of the way. Our dedicated staff are here to assist you throughout this process. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact the school.

Let’s embark on this exciting educational journey together! We look forward to meeting you.

April 8: PA Day & Solar Eclipse Day

April 16: Swim To Survive begins for Grade 3 students

April 18: Theatre Performance for grade 3 to 6 @ 2:30pm SHOW NIGHT Performance @ 6:00pm

April 19: Theatre Performance for Kindergarten to grade 2 @ 9:45am

May 20: Victoria Day

May 31: PA Day

June 27: Last Day of School

June 28: PA Day

LDSB has Concussion Protocol that must be followed by all staff (see Form 142-1 Flow Chart). The Flow Chart breaks down each step of the process based on if a student is conscious or unconscious/seizing/convulsing and a concussion is not suspected or suspected. There is an Administrative Procedure 142 Re: Concussions and Form 142-3 Sample Concussion Prevention Strategies as well for your review and reference.

If a student takes a blow to the head, face or neck, or a blow to the body that transmits a force to the head, we must suspect a concussion.

If your student does not pass Form 142-1 Tool to Identify a Suspected Concussion a concussion is suspected as signs or symptoms were observed and/or reported. This completed form is sent home with your student and filed in the Main Office. Your student may also have received first aid (i.e, ice, a bandage, gauze).

If a concussion is suspected, your student will receive a brightly coloured wrist band to alert all staff that they will be:

• immediately removed from play

• not allowed to return to play that day, EVEN if they noted they were feeling better (no gym, no recess, no community walks, no field trips, no team sports)

• not to leave the premises without parent/guardian (or emergency contact) supervision (i.e., no bus, no walking home alone)

Your student will also receive Form 142-4 Documentation of Medical Examination which needs to be completed by a parent/guardian (signed and dated) and returned to school the next day. As per protocol, a copy goes to the teacher and a copy is placed in your student's Ontario Student Record. If your student does not return this Form, they will NOT be allowed to return to physical activity, and will receive a new bracelet until we receive the completed form.

Should your student be diagnosed with a concussion, please alert the school right away, and complete and return the below documents to the school:

• Form 142-5 Documentation for a Diagnosed Concussion - Return to Learn/Return to Physical Activity Plan Step 1 AND

• Form 142C4 Documentation for a Diagnosed Concussion - Return to Learn/Return to Physical Activity Steps 2a-6 (this is a process and will take time to work through between school and home)

We take suspected concussions/diagnosed concussions very seriously and we appreciate your support in ensuring the safety of your student.

Please reach out with any questions.

The Ecole Maple ES Team

Welcome to Lunchbox!

You can order MILK & SUBWAY using the same link (see above)!

Note: Orders may be placed weekly or in advance for any number of days within the school year.

How to Order:

1. Log into your Lunchbox account.

2. If you need to create an account, please go to www.lunchboxorders.net

• Select ‘Create an Account’.
• Add your contact information along with a password.
• An email notification will be sent to you to confirm your email and login information.
• Log back into Lunchbox to add your child to the program. (Your email is your username).

3. Confirm your child’s account information including their new teacher and grade for the current school year.

• Click ‘Add’ to save the information.
• **Please ensure the correct teacher and grade are selected to prevent errors on delivery days.

4. Press the ‘Order Now’ button beside your student’s name.

5. Place your child’s lunch order(s) on your school’s ordering calendar by clicking the blue date for the scheduled vendors. The following credit cards are accepted: Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Debit MasterCard, or Visa Debit Visa and MasterCard prepaid cards are also accepted.

Hello from your 2023/2024 School Advisory Council Executive!

The Indigenous family representative position remains open for a volunteer. Please reach out to our Co-chairs to express your interest.

The School Advisory Council (SAC) is a team of parents, community members and school staff volunteers who support and enhance the community and school relationship. The SAC contributes to improving student achievement and well-being and are involved in school fundraising initiatives, enhancing, and supporting school events, hot lunches, parent education, offering support to extra-curricular activities, celebrating the diversity of our community, and much more.

School Councils help:

• empower and support parent involvement and engagement in our schools,
• represent and seek parent voice in Ministry and school board consultations,
• increase, facilitate and support communication between parents and the school board,
• provide opportunities for parents to develop useful skills to support their student, and
• act as a resource for parents and school councils on parent engagement and involvement.

School Council goals should represent parent feedback, teacher input and school administration priorities.

When you join SchoolMessenger, you will be able to:

• receive imporant information from LDSB
• join classrooms and extra-curricular groups
• report a student's absence (same day and in advance)

Reporting A Student's Absence:

The new student absence reporting system will let you use a mobile app, a website, or an interactive toll-free phone number to report an absence in advance. These options are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Future absences can be reported at any time.

If your student is marked absent and the absence hasn’t been reported in advance, our new SafeArrival system will attempt to reach the student’s priority contact by telephone to confirm the absence. If our system is unable to reach the designated contacts, school office staff will follow up.

Our school day schedule is as follows for primary and junior classes:

9:15-11:15 - 120 mins

11:15--11:55 - recess/nutrition

11:55 -1:35 - 100 mins

1:35-2:15 - recess/nutrition

2:15-3:35 - 80 mins

Our main office will be open Monday-Friday. If you need any assistance, please call (613-650-5478) between 8:30 am-4:00 pm, or email the school at maple@limestone.on.ca and we will get back to you!

Email: maple@limestone.on.ca
Website: www.maple.limestone.on.ca
Location: 529 St. Martha Street, Kingston, ON
Phone: 613-650-5478
Twitter: @Maple_LDSB