Together in Education:Family Update
January 29th-February 9th
Lancaster Drive Public School and Parent Council
Email: lancd@limestone.on.ca
Website: http://lancaster.limestone.on.ca
Location: 1020 Lancaster Drive, Kingston, ON, Canada
Phone: (613)634-0470
Twitter: @LancasterPSLDSB
Upcoming Dates:
Dates of Significance
February ~ Black History Month
February 10th ~ Lunar New Year
* Please contact Mrs. Knowles at knowlesjo@limestone.on.ca if you would like any dates added to this list (we will update on a bi-weekly basis).
Lancaster Events
*Crochet Club Monday @ morning recess & Thursday @ lunch recess
*Jr. Ministry of Caring Monday @ lunch recess
Tuesday, January 30th ~ Sr. Girls Basketball vs. Welbourne @ Bayridge Secondary School
Wednesday, January 31st ~ Sr. Boys Basketball vs. Cat Woods @ Lancaster
Friday, February 2nd ~ PD Day
Tuesday, February 6th ~ Dental Screening JK/SK/Grade 2
Tuesday, February 6th ~ Sr. Girls Basketball vs. Odessa @ Lancaster
Wednesday, February 7th ~ Sr. Boys Basketball vs. Welborne @ Lancaster
Wednesday, February 14th ~ Sr. Boys Basketball vs. Sinclair @ Lancaster
Wednesday, February 14th ~ Sr. Girls Basketball vs. Cat Woods @ Cat Woods
Wednesday, February 14th ~ Kinders to Trillum Gymnastics Club
Thursday, February 15th ~ Hamilton, Dowdell, Greenlees, Vandyke to Grand Theatre
Thursday, February 15th ~ Lancaster SAC Meeting in Library @ 6:00pm
Friday, February 16th ~ Report Cards sent home
Monday, February 19th ~ Family Day
Saturday, February 24th ~ Lancaster Family Skate Day - from 1-3pm @ Leon's Centre
Tuesday, February Feb 27th to Thursday Feb 29 ~ Scholastic Book Fair
Thursday, February 29th (details to come) ~ Lancaster Family Movie Night
Monday, Feb 26th-March 9th (details to come) ~ Lancaster Read-A-Thon
Hot Lunch ~ Tuesdays
January 30th ~ 3 piece baked chicken tenders with carrot sticks
February 6th ~ Panzarotti
February 13th ~ Sub Sandwiches
February 20th ~ 3 piece baked children tenders with carrot sticks
February 27th ~ Pizza
March 5th ~ Sub Sandwiches
Report Card Changes ~ Friday, February 16th
Black History Month
The LCVI Student BIPOC Affinity Group invites students, families and staff to attend the LDSB Opening Ceremonies for Black History Month on Monday, February 5 at LCVI from 4 - 6 p.m. Join us for music, fashion show, dance, spoken word, and meet local Black business owners in our unique marketplace. Light refreshments will be served, so please fill out the registration form to help students in their planning.
Register via this link: https://ow.ly/hZuB50QswCk
Grade 8 Information Nights
Family Skate Day
Purdy's Chocolates Fundraiser
The school advisory council would like to thank all those who purchased from the Purdy's chocolate fundraiser we had in November. The school was able to raise over $900.00 with funds being put towards our school fun fair in June. Thank you to the parent volunteers for helping with sorting and distributing of the chocolates.
Welcome to Kindergarten
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 [insert school name], our Kindergarten program helps 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!
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 June 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.
Head Lice
Head Lice is a common nuissance in our community, including at Lancaster. From the KFLA Website: "Anyone can get lice, but it’s more common in children because they are often in close contact playing together. Having head lice doesn’t mean that your child is not clean. Head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp and can cause itching. They do not spread disease and therefore are not a public health concern. There is no medical reason for your child to be excluded from school or childcare for having head lice. For tips on what to do if your child has head lice visit the Canadian Paediatric Society website."
Pink Shirt Day ~ Boys & Girls Club
The Boys & Girls Club 2024 Pink Shirt Day has now launched! The slogan this year is All Kinds of Kindness and they want to encourage and spotlight that kindness comes in all shapes and ways.
Some amazing pink items available this year, including: T-shirt, long-sleeve, pom toque, and pink tumbler
Your order makes a difference in our community, with all proceeds funding anti-bullying and healthy development programs for local children and youth!
- Individual Pink Shirt sales are completed online, via a secure Shopify account. You can purchase your items at: https://bgc-south-east-2024-pink-shirt-day.myshopify.com/
- Get your order in today! Shopify orders close on Monday, February 5th.
- Shipping and pick up dates for Shopify orders at BGC West End are available on the following dates:
- Saturday, February 24 (11:00 am - 1:00 p.m.); and
- Tuesday, February 27 (8:00 am - 5:00 p.m.)
Last year, the campaign provided 700 shirts to children and youth, reaching over 30,000 people in social channels and engaging more than 25 local businesses. This year, the goal is to provide over 1,000 local children and youth with programs in anti-bullying, healthy relationships, mental health & coping mechanisms, and self-esteem and belonging.
School Day Online Payments
We are paperless and cashless at Lancaster. We use the platform School Day for online payments (field trips, milkshake days, etc) and for digital permission slip signatures. ALL families are required to sign up using their child's individual match key that will be provided within the first weeks of school.
How Do I get Information From The School?
LDSB schools and school board use School Messenger to send key messages, alerts and general communication to families. Lancaster uses this platform and will continue to use our Together In Education to provide updates to families. These newsletters are where we will share school-specific information and highlights of student work and events in the building. This newsletter is sent out via School Messenger and posted on our school Twitter account and website.
SchoolMessenger App: Download the SchoolMessenger App to stay connected. Use your mobile device to download and install the free SchoolMessenger blue app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store, the SchoolMessenger website portal, or from within the LDSB mobile app. *New families will be able to create their account after the first day of attendance.
The first time you use the app, you must select Sign Up to create your account. Please ensure you use the same email address your student’s school has on file. If you do not use that same email address, you will not be able to create an account.
Safe Arrival
Please use the Safe Arrival system to report your child's absence; do not call the school to report an absence. If your child is going to be absent from learning, please ensure you use the Safe Arrival system to report the absence. If your child will be late, you can register for a late arrival.
How to report your absence:
1. Toll-free telephone
- Call 1-855-257-9349 toll-free to report an absence using the automated phone system.
2. School Messenger App
- Use your mobile device to download and install the free SchoolMessenger blue app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store, the SchoolMessenger website portal, or from within the LDSB mobile app.
- The first time you use the app, you must select Sign Up to create your account. Please ensure you use the same email address your student’s school has on file. If you do not use that same email address, you will not be able to create an account, or may not be able to see the "Attendance" option. You may have already created an account when we introduced the Communicate broadcast system.
- Select Attendance, then select Report an Absence and follow the prompts.
- Visit the SchoolMessenger website portal.
- The first time you use the app, you must select Sign Up to create your account. Please ensure you use the same email address your student’s school has on file. If you do not use that same email address, you will not be able to create an account, or may not be able to see the "Attendance" option. You may have already created an account when we introduced the Communicate broadcast system.
- Select Attendance, then Report an Absence and follow the prompts.
School Year Calendar
The Ministry of Education has approved the Limestone District School Board’s 2023-2024 School Year Calendar.
The following key dates have been approved:
First Day of School: Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Winter Break: December 25, 2023, to January 5, 2024
March Break: March 11, to March 15, 2024
Last Day of School: Thursday, June 27, 2024
The 2023-2024 school year consists of 194 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:
Monday, Sept. 25, 2023
Friday, Oct. 27, 2023
Friday, Nov. 10, 2023
Friday, Feb. 2, 2024
Monday, April 8, 2024
Friday, May 31, 2024
Friday, June 28, 2024
Printable 2023-2024 School Year Calendar here.