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What's Happening at Southview PS - Week 23, February 2026

<img src="/images/1ece4821-e131-41d2-8937-afa40dae9b3f" alt="Land acknowledgement" width="413" height="323" style="width:413px;height:323px;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/2fb9566f-4a5d-4882-89b2-2827d5a144e8" alt="Carnaval" width="707" height="707" style="width:707px;height:707px;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Growing, Learning and Achieving Together</h2> Hello Lynx Families!It has been a busy month that has gone by relatively uninterrupted by snow days (except for today) which has allowed our students and staff to expereince a great start to the second term. It is hard to believe that we are already halfway through this school year and that our students are engaged in activities that will take us into the Spring season and towards the end of the year. Recently, all students and their families received the Kindergarten Communication of Learning and First Term Report Cards for Grades 1-8 on February 13, 2026. Please review these reports carefully feel free to reach out to your child's teachers if you have any questions about progress. Just a reminder that Second Term I.E.P.s will be distributed to families on March 23rd, 2026.We are very excited to welcome Ms. Ashley Patterson to Southview PS as a new Educational Assistant. We are already seeing the impact in the short time that Ashley has been here! Way to go, Ashley! We are so happy you have joined our team!Our Southview PS Basketball Teams have been super busy, competing very successfully in exhibition games and a tournament across the LDSB. Our Senior Girls played a very competitive exhibition game against a team from Ernestown and came out on top while demonstrating some terrific skill. Our Senior boys have played a couple of exhibition games at Southview and Bath P.S. coming out on top in both games. They also competed in a tournament at North Addington Education Centre in which they won all of their games! The Senior Boys and Girls are very skilled and show great sportsmanship. Both the Boys and Girls teams have upcoming final tournaments. Congratulations to all athletes and coaches! Go Lynx!Our Coed Junior Floor Hockey Team went 3-0 win/loss in their tournament at Selby PS. The team played like true champions but lost their final match against the host team Selby PS. Congratulations to all athletes and coaches! Go Lynx! There are many more athletic activities that our students will have the opportunity to enjoy. Our Junior athletes will be soon getting started in thier own basketball season. Tryouts for Junior Basketball will begin shortly for a season that will take us into May. All interested athletes should attend to morning announcements for information about participation! Additional upcoming athletic activities at Southview include touch football, dodgeball, road racing Track and field and ultimate frisbee. There is lots on offer for the athletes at Southview PS.Our Grade 7/8 Skills Ontario competition team has been hard at work getting ready to compete at the Skills Ontario event in the Elementary Construction Scope. Best of luck to Mr. Gallupe and his team who have been preparing for this competitive experience for a couple of months!Southview's Grade 8 students are beginning to pick up speed in terms of preparing for the transition to Secondary School in the Fall of 2026. The NDSS Open House took place on Wednesday February 18th and was extremely well attended by students from Southview PS. This is an exciting time for our graduating class and our staff is working over time to ensure future success.Today, Director Burra sent a newsletter to all families that included our proposed 2026-2027 School Calendar. Please remember that this calendar is a proposal only and still needs to be approved by the Ministry of Education. Final approval of our school calendar for the coming school year will be communicated to families in the next while. Please have a look at the advertisement included below regarding the Free Webinar Series being hosted by School Mental Health Ontario over the months from March-June. These topics cover critical topics related to our children and youth! Register today! There are two very important days that are fast approaching in our calendar:<ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: start;">"Pink Shirt Day" - On February 25, 2026, Southview PS will be hosting a Pink Shirt Day to acknowledge the importance of acknowledging our diversity and estblsihing a culture of acceptance and belonging. This "Pink Shirt Day" is being held to support the Boys and Girls Clubs across Canada. </li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">"Carnaval" - On Thursday February 26, 2026, the French Department at Soutview PS will be holding a full day Carnaval event to celebrate French culture in Canada! We are all looking forward to this amazing annual celebration! Thank you to Mme. St. Laurent, Mme. Bullock, Mme. Coulter, Mme. Moore and Mr. Morrow for organizing such an amazing expereince for our students. </li></ul>Please note the announcements in the sections below regarding the following topics/events/opportunities:<ol class="editor-list-ol"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">The new Hot Lunch Schedule is ready and contains the dates for the rest of the school year.</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">Kindergarten Registration is now open within the Limestone District School Board and at Southview PS. See the announcement below and in the news links on the right hand side.</li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem">School Mental Health Ontario is holding four very important FREE webinars for parents which will feature subject matter experts hosting conversations regarding critical topics related to children and youth.</li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem">Skyhawks Football Tryouts (U12 & U14) are happening beginning February 14, 2026. Please see ad below for more information and a link to the Skyhawks site!</li><li value="5" class="editor-listitem">The Public Health Department has provided information regarding Vaccination Clinics opportunities.</li><li value="6" class="editor-listitem">The Public Health Department has provided guidance for prevention and care with respect to respiratory infections.</li><li value="7" class="editor-listitem">The Maltby Centre has provided a wealth of information regarding their family and child support services, programs and workshops.</li><li value="8" class="editor-listitem">Grade 8 Transition to Secondary School. Information regarding the process our Grade 8 students will follow to ensure a successful transtion to high school can be found below! </li><li value="9" class="editor-listitem">Free Eye Exams (Free Glasses for Students in Kindergarten). For more information, visit the Kingston, Lennox and Addington Public Health website at the URL indicated in the graphic below.</li></ol>The weather is forecast to fluctuate a great deal over the next while, so please ensure that your children come to school with attire that is suitable for the weather. Many of our students choose not to wear a coat at recess time despite temperatures that are well below freezing. Please have a chat with your children regarding your expectations and feel free to reach out to the school if you have concerns. Snowpants are highly recommended for students who want to play in the snow. It might even be a good idea to send extra mitts/gloves or socks as these are the items that tend to get wet and can become very uncomfortable during the recess breaks. Also, many our young people leave clothes behind in many different places! In order to prevent loss, labelling your children's clothing is highly recommended!Just a reminder to all families that Southview PS is a scent-free site. Some of our students and staff are very sensitive to strong scents which can affect their health and well-being. Please help us to ensure that all members of our community are avoiding strongly scented products when attending Southview PS. Thank you!John Ricci, Allison Gladu and the Southview Learning Team! <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Limestone DSB School Year Calendar</h2><img src="/images/ee9891ee-87b5-48b0-8790-ffa4d09e3fac" alt="LDSB School Year Calendar" width="911" height="695" style="width:911px;height:695px;display:inline-block"><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">What's Ahead...</h2><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">February 2026</h3><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">February 25 Pink Shirt Day in Support of the Boys and Girls Clubs</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">February 26 Carnaval Event hosted by the French Department</li></ul><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">March 2026</h3><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">March 1 Grade 9 Course Selections Due for 2026-2027 (Will be completed on MyBlueprint after Open House)</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">March 9 & 23 Swim to Survive (Grade 3 ONLY - Zweirs/Chapman/Gillam)</li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem">March 10 & 24 Swim to Survive (Grade 3 ONLY - Brown/Collins)</li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem">March 10 YMCA Presentation for Grade 7/8 (Game-Bling)</li><li value="5" class="editor-listitem">March 16-20 March Break</li></ul><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">April 2026</h3><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">April 3-6 Easter Break</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">April 17 Professional Activity Day (No Classes for Students)</li></ul><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Hot Lunch Schedule </h2>Thank you to the School Advisory Committee and our parent volunteers for organizing the Hot Lunch Program! Here is the schedule for the rest of the year:<img src="/images/a271a856-0286-405e-9222-dced1ffd605a" alt="Hot Lunches February 2026 (a)" width="723" height="919" style="width:723px;height:919px;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/d01cbb70-dda6-4dbf-9056-b15a4973e29b" alt="Hot Lunch Feb 2026 (b)" width="710" height="898" style="width:710px;height:898px;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Kindergarten Registration</h2> <img src="/images/f05f0e70-9777-4085-8ef0-aac5affa75ab" alt="LDSB Kindergarten Student Registration Website Graphic" width="651" height="366" style="width:651px;height:366px;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/97b85b55-ec2e-4a7b-9580-87d21f5f99ab" alt="Kindergarten Registration" width="641" height="797" style="width:641px;height:797px;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">School Mental Health Ontario</h2><img src="/images/a8e1e168-9aae-4447-8b26-07f289071377" alt="Parent Webinars February 2026" width="712" height="918" style="width:712px;height:918px;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">The Grade 8 Transition to Secondary School</h2> <img src="/images/1b316329-e9a1-4820-9c40-23da0321249c" alt="High School Transition" width="735" height="511" style="width:735px;height:511px;display:inline-block">Dear Families and Students,The move from Grade 8 to Grade 9 is an exciting milestone in a student’s educational journey. To help students transition smoothly to secondary school, an extensive planning process takes place between December and August.<table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="editor-tableCell" style="background-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">December - February </td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="background-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">March - June</td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="background-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">July - August</td></tr><tr><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">Grade 8 information nights for families (<a href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.limestone.on.ca%2Fdocuments%2F7f8af775-354d-46a7-939f-29996c90d684%2FGrade-8-Information-Nights-2026.pdf&data=05%7C02%7Criccij%40limestone.on.ca%7C2b16a41062e04a6a05b708de3691d0cc%7Ce1f4165febae4d82a73ca0de593830be%7C0%7C0%7C639008197558128029%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C4000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=oG%2FccGINDAS1xgl2juqFOeKFohMbY9lMPBR5s70gNN8%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="Original URL: https://www.limestone.on.ca/documents/7f8af775-354d-46a7-939f-29996c90d684/Grade-8-Information-Nights-2026.pdf. Click or tap if you trust this link." class="editor-link">schedule available online</a>)</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">Grade 8 classroom visits</li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem">Course selection        </li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem">Grade 8 visits to secondary schools</li></ul></td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">Transition meetings</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">Grade 8 Day/Tours</li></ul></td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">Timetables sent to students</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">Grade 9 Orientation/Tours</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table>Students will be automatically transferred to their home secondary school based on their current elementary school. You can find your child’s designated secondary school by visiting the Tri-Board Eligibility Lookup <a href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftriboard.mybusplanner.ca%2FEligibility&data=05%7C02%7Criccij%40limestone.on.ca%7C2b16a41062e04a6a05b708de3691d0cc%7Ce1f4165febae4d82a73ca0de593830be%7C0%7C0%7C639008197558144556%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C4000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=34jUFpU6NbL1VxrWIPfLtYDuZtBkFBRfZjzEKQW2NYI%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="Original URL: https://triboard.mybusplanner.ca/Eligibility. Click or tap if you trust this link." class="editor-link">triboard.mybusplanner.ca/Eligibility</a>  and entering your home address. Students who wish to attend a Limestone secondary school outside their designated home school area must first complete registration and course selection at their designated school.Families should then contact the requested secondary school directly to apply. If the application is accepted, your student’s course selections will transfer to the new school. Students applying will be placed on a waitlist and may be admitted before the start of Grade 9 if space becomes available. Transportation is not provided for students not attending their designated school. Families of students with exceptional learning needs are encouraged to connect with their elementary school team to discuss programming options and supports for the transition to high school.The Limestone District School Board offers Choices at 9 programs including Academic Arts Enriched Program (AAEP), Advanced Placement Preparatory Program, International Baccalaureate, and Bayridge Computer Science Program (BCSP). If you have any questions about this process, please contact your student’s elementary school or the school location of the Choices at 9 program. See key application dates below:<table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">Applications due</td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">Accepted students will be notified </td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">Students to confirm acceptances</td></tr><tr><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">January 23, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.</td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">February 13, 2026</td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">February 20, 2026</td></tr></tbody></table>Secondary school guidance counsellors are a helpful resource for learning about programs, course pathways, and available supports and are available to families with students entering Grade 9.Students and families are also encouraged to use myBlueprint to:<ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: start;">Plan and select courses</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: start;">Explore occupations and post-secondary options</li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: start;">Record important information and reflections</li></ul>Students and families should feel comfortable asking questions and seeking assistance whenever needed.<h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Football Tryouts</h2><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Key Details for Families:</h3><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">·  Divisions: U12 (2014–2015) and U14 (2012–2013)</h3><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">·  Focus: Player safety, certified coaching, and skill development.</h3><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">·  Registration: Now open at <a href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.skyhawksfootball.ca%2F&data=05%7C02%7Criccij%40limestone.on.ca%7C99d93e34d57a44957bad08de576dd064%7Ce1f4165febae4d82a73ca0de593830be%7C0%7C0%7C639044326354221920%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C4000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=IK84Y%2FAlnUIqutQmTzv6v5pQpKN%2FusV7nrTLLyZCTio%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="Original URL: http://www.skyhawksfootball.ca/. Click or tap if you trust this link." class="editor-link">www.skyhawksfootball.ca</a></h3> <img src="/images/f612e8b7-e17e-4518-8aef-af8a1544bf55" alt="Football Tryouts" width="743" height="961" style="width:743px;height:961px;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Walking Safety</h2><img src="/images/60ee4603-65cc-42d2-83b3-d4b4a927163d" alt="Walking Safety" width="643" height="836" style="width:643px;height:836px;display:inline-block"><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Family Day - Have Fun, Stay Safe</h2> <img src="/images/ba196ea5-26f9-4ff3-a103-6b1af7aa10cb" alt="Family Day Safety" width="634" height="791" style="width:634px;height:791px;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Vaccination Clinics</h2><img src="/images/3bd5087d-7f1d-4303-b7fc-1236f68ea70b" alt="Screenshot 2026 01 13 111021" width="647" height="861" style="width:647px;height:861px;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Public Health Info Graphics - Cold and Flu Season</h2><img src="/images/8324771e-e126-4ab6-a824-b04aa6572ae2" alt="Flu Public Health 1" width="662" height="862" style="width:662px;height:862px;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/e98df3e5-4b48-4127-8c5b-6a9777402275" alt="Flu Public Health 2" width="675" height="861" style="width:675px;height:861px;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/7d12894d-137e-4170-bfa1-ee99f7633b95" alt="Flu Public Health 3" width="670" height="871" style="width:670px;height:871px;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/82db8e94-a105-4ffc-bdc1-7375d6526893" alt="Flu Public Health 4" width="676" height="1004" style="width:676px;height:1004px;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Maltby Centre Support for Students and Families</h2><img src="/images/9068bb81-f8d2-4f9e-9985-eb40a22260ec" alt="Maltby Centre" width="547" height="769" style="width:547px;height:769px;display:inline-block"><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Maltby Resources:</h3><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><a href="about:blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">Maltby Workshops at a Glance 2026</a></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><a href="/documents/371f3d7f-11ad-4500-9d42-ab9bb14cd7e8/Maltby-Mental-Health-Services-Winter-2026.pdf" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">Maltby Mental Health Services Winter 2026</a></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><a href="/documents/90e92313-0578-4fd7-9fa7-4aba2475d038/Maltby-Family-Foundational-Services-Winter-2026.pdf" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">Maltby Foundational Services Winter 2026</a></li></ul> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Eyeglasses for Children</h2><img src="/images/381ff23b-66f7-47d1-89b9-ee1fe2a37b3a" alt="thumbnail 2025 10 01 newsletter insert does your student need glasses" width="735" height="919" style="width:735px;height:919px;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Reporting Absences</h2>All student absences should be reported through the SafeArrival system. Please do not call the school directly to report an absence. You can use the SchoolMessenger app, the Safe Arrival website, or the toll free number (1-855-257-9349) to record an absence.You can find more information by clicking on the following link: <a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/report-a-student-absence" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">Reporting Absences</a> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Southview Swag</h2><img src="/images/ce3260d8-1332-41c4-93bb-e049e3c2eb09" alt="Lynx" width="148" height="179" style="width:148px;height:179px;display:inline-block;float:right">We have partnered with a Specialty Trophies for our school clothing this year. Specialty Trophies is a local Kingston company which provides school apparel to many of the schools in our district. One of the big advantages of this company is that they will provide free shipping to the school! That will be a great savings to our families!If you want to start the year showing off your school colours, checkout what's available at:<a href="https://specialtytrophies.ca/4g/SouthviewPSApparel/" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">https://specialtytrophies.ca/4g/SouthviewPSApparel/</a> <img src="/images/d953d6e6-3477-4d91-a70e-4d7e9970fb32" alt="School Council" width="469" height="216" style="width:469px;height:216px;display:inline-block"> If you have any questions, contributions or suggestions for our School Advisory Committe, they can be contacted at the following e-mail address: <a href="mailto:sviewsac@gmail.com" title="mailto:sviewsac@gmail.com" class="editor-link">sviewsac@gmail.com</a> Our next meeting will take place on Thursday February 19 at 6:00 p.m. Please consider coming out and making your voice heard! <img src="/images/6b8671bd-7df8-4d15-bbbb-3ead38299e08" alt="Screenshot 2025 09 12 084941" width="517" height="667" style="width:517px;height:667px;display:inline-block"> <img src="/images/58ae1d2f-6786-49ce-849d-62f64cc09c0e" alt="KFLA PH" width="539" height="910" style="width:539px;height:910px;display:inline-block"><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">KFL&A Public Health</h2>The <a href="https://www.kflaph.ca/en/health-topics/parenting-programs-and-services.aspx" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">KLF&A Public Health website</a> is an invaluable source for parent/guardians and families with respect to family health and welfare. Please use the link provided below to explore the topics and resources available through KFL&A.<h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">School Mental Health Ontario</h2><img src="/images/cf8e0478-107c-443d-bfd4-1ef12b843d71" alt="School Mental Health Ontario" width="473" height="224" style="width:473px;height:224px;display:inline-block">Check out some of the <a href="https://smho-smso.ca/" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">Mental Health and Wellness Resources for Families</a>

2026-02-20 22:18:23.661 +0000 UTC

What's Happening at Southview PS - Week 19, January 2026

<img src="/images/1ece4821-e131-41d2-8937-afa40dae9b3f" alt="Land acknowledgement" width="413" height="323" style="width:413px;height:323px;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/de6328fe-91fb-4e71-a513-23d48371d099" alt="Snow fall" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Growing, Learning and Achieving Together</h2> Hello Lynx Families!We hope that you are all well and staying safe this month. The snow days have been very impactful across the system as we have had limited (and very interrupted) opportunities to actually work with our students. We very much appreciate the frustration this must be causing and share with all of our families the hope that the snow will let up and we will be able establish a routine after the Winter Break. Term 2 officially begins on February 2nd, 2026 and First Term Reports and the Kindergarten Communication of Learning documents are coming out on February 13, 2026. An uninterrupted week to close out the first term would be appreciated by all of us.On the days that students have been all present, our athletes have been gearing up for two different sports: Floor Hockey and Basketball. The tryouts for both basketball and floor hockey are just getting started and coaches are planning to participate in both exhibition games and tournaments through the month of February. A highlight this month will be the exhibition Girl's Basketball Team taking place at Southview PS on Thursday January 29th, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. in our gym. Southview's Senior Girls will be taking on Odessa PS in preparation for the culminating tournament which will happen in mid- February. We wish all of our coaches and athletes great success this month. Go Lynx!An exciting dramatic opportunity is happening at Southview PS in the early Spring! Ms. Zwiers is producing and directing the play "The Wild Robot" to be performed on April 10th, 2026. All students from Grades 3-8 were offered the opportunity to participate and those who chose to showcase their acting talents will be practising twice per week to get ready for their big day. It has been exciting to watch the students in their practices as they engage in dramatic exercises in advance of actually starting to rehearse the play itself. Thank you to Ms. Zwiers and her team of volunteers, for undertaking this fantastic opportunity on behalf of our students! We are looking forward to this performance!There are two very important days that are fast approaching in our calendar:<ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: start;">Professional Activity Day - On January 30th, 2026, our educators will be participating in a reporting professional activity day. There will be no classes for our students next Friday January 30th. </li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">Graduation Photos - On Tuesday February 3rd, 2026, Edge Imaging will be attending Southview PS to take Graduation photos with our Grade 8 students. Please be sure that all students come to school appropriately attired and with their best smiles!</li></ul>Please note the announcements in the sections below regarding the following topics/events/opportunities:<ol class="editor-list-ol"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">Kindergarten Registration is now open within the Limestone District School Board and at Southview PS. See the announcement below and in the news links on the right hand side.</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">Skyhawks Football Tryouts (U12 & U14) are happening beginning February 14, 2026. Please see ad below for more information and a link to the Skyhawks site!</li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem">The Public Health Department has provided information regarding Vaccination Clinics opportunities.</li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem">The Public Health Department has provided infomation regarding National Non-Smoking week which took place from January 19-23, 2026.</li><li value="5" class="editor-listitem">The Public Health Department has provided guidance for prevention and care with respect to respiratory infections.</li><li value="6" class="editor-listitem">The Maltby Centre has provided a wealth of information regarding their family and child support services, programs and workshops.</li><li value="7" class="editor-listitem">Grade 8 Transition to Secondary School. Information regarding the process our Grade 8 students will follow to ensure a successful transtion to high school can be found below! </li><li value="8" class="editor-listitem">Free Eye Exams (Free Glasses for Students in Kindergarten). For more information, visit the Kingston, Lennox and Addington Public Health website at the URL indicated in the graphic below.</li></ol>The weather is forecast to become very cold over the next while, so please ensure that your children come to school with attire that is suitable for the weather. Many of our students choose not to wear a coat at recess time despite temperatures that are well below freezing. Please have a chat with your children regarding your expectations and feel free to reach out to the school if you have concerns. Snowpants are highly recommended for students who want to play in the snow. It might even be a good idea to send extra mitts/gloves or socks as these are the items that tend to get wet and can become very uncomfortable during the recess breaks. Also, many our young people leave clothes behind in many different places! In order to prevent loss, labelling your children's clothing is highly recommended!John Ricci, Allison Gladu and the Southview Learning Team! <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Limestone DSB School Year Calendar</h2><img src="/images/ee9891ee-87b5-48b0-8790-ffa4d09e3fac" alt="LDSB School Year Calendar" width="911" height="695" style="width:911px;height:695px;display:inline-block"><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">What's Ahead...</h2><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">January 2026</h3><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">January 27 Junior Medics (Grade 7/8)</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">January 29 Senior Girl's Exhibition Basketball Game vs Odessa PS (Southview PS Gym)</li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem">January 30 PA Day for Teachers - No classes for students</li></ul><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">February 2026</h3><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">February 3 Edge Imaging attending Southview for Grad Photos</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">February 10 YMCA Presentation for Grade 7/8 (Financial Literacy)</li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem">February 12 Senior Boys Basketball Tournament at the North Addington Education Centre</li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem">February 16 Family Day (School Closed)</li><li value="5" class="editor-listitem">February 18 NDSS Open House for Grade 8 Students (2026-2027 Grade 9 students)</li><li value="6" class="editor-listitem">February 25 Pink Shirt Day in Support of the Boys and Girls Clubs</li></ul><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">March 2026</h3><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">March 1 Grade 9 Course Selections Due for 2026-2027 (Will be completed on MyBlueprint after Open House)</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">March 9 & 23 Swim to Survive (Grade 3 ONLY - Zweirs/Chapman/Gillam)</li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem">March 10 & 24 Swim to Survive (Grade 3 ONLY - Brown/Collins)</li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem">March 10 YMCA Presentation for Grade 7/8 (Game-Bling)</li><li value="5" class="editor-listitem">March 16-20 March Break</li></ul><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">April 2026</h3><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">April 3-6 Easter Break</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">April 17 Professional Activity Day (No Classes for Students)</li></ul><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Hot Lunch Schedule </h2>Thank you to the School Advisory Committee and our parent volunteers for organizing the Hot Lunch Program! Here is the schedule for the rest of first term:<img src="/images/6c435a0a-1e5e-4f4b-bc7d-20da91d2fad7" alt="Screenshot 2025 10 23 171520" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Graduation Photos - Grade 8</h2><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Tuesday February 3rd, 2026</h2><img src="/images/ab1e9d7f-3ddc-4eca-996f-d73eb32a9439" alt="Grad Photos" width="646" height="646" style="width:646px;height:646px;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">National Non-Smoking Week January 19-23, 2026</h2> For families:The nicotine industry continues to target young people through fun flavours and high-tech devices designed to increase addiction. During National Non-Smoking Week, families can help young people better understand the risks and start important conversations at home. Parents and caregivers can watch this short video to learn more: <a href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.notanexperiment.ca%2Fparents&data=05%7C02%7Criccij%40limestone.on.ca%7Cd8857e285dc1412b269208de52c09f7b%7Ce1f4165febae4d82a73ca0de593830be%7C0%7C0%7C639039184540545731%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C4000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=om9tXMaPYg9M%2BbatJ%2FsP%2FyeaFLM5KSal6Rp2Lu4H9n0%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="Original URL: http://www.notanexperiment.ca/parents. Click or tap if you trust this link." class="editor-link">www.notanexperiment.ca/parents</a><iframe data-lexical-video-id="UDMV6AQj3_Y" width="640" height="480" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/UDMV6AQj3_Y" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="true" title="Youtube video"></iframe><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Kindergarten Registration</h2> <img src="/images/f05f0e70-9777-4085-8ef0-aac5affa75ab" alt="LDSB Kindergarten Student Registration Website Graphic" width="651" height="366" style="width:651px;height:366px;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/97b85b55-ec2e-4a7b-9580-87d21f5f99ab" alt="Kindergarten Registration" width="641" height="797" style="width:641px;height:797px;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">The Grade 8 Transition to Secondary School</h2> <img src="/images/1b316329-e9a1-4820-9c40-23da0321249c" alt="High School Transition" width="735" height="511" style="width:735px;height:511px;display:inline-block">Dear Families and Students,The move from Grade 8 to Grade 9 is an exciting milestone in a student’s educational journey. To help students transition smoothly to secondary school, an extensive planning process takes place between December and August.<table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="editor-tableCell" style="background-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">December - February </td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="background-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">March - June</td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="background-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">July - August</td></tr><tr><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">Grade 8 information nights for families (<a href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.limestone.on.ca%2Fdocuments%2F7f8af775-354d-46a7-939f-29996c90d684%2FGrade-8-Information-Nights-2026.pdf&data=05%7C02%7Criccij%40limestone.on.ca%7C2b16a41062e04a6a05b708de3691d0cc%7Ce1f4165febae4d82a73ca0de593830be%7C0%7C0%7C639008197558128029%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C4000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=oG%2FccGINDAS1xgl2juqFOeKFohMbY9lMPBR5s70gNN8%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="Original URL: https://www.limestone.on.ca/documents/7f8af775-354d-46a7-939f-29996c90d684/Grade-8-Information-Nights-2026.pdf. Click or tap if you trust this link." class="editor-link">schedule available online</a>)</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">Grade 8 classroom visits</li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem">Course selection        </li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem">Grade 8 visits to secondary schools</li></ul></td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">Transition meetings</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">Grade 8 Day/Tours</li></ul></td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">Timetables sent to students</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">Grade 9 Orientation/Tours</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table>Students will be automatically transferred to their home secondary school based on their current elementary school. You can find your child’s designated secondary school by visiting the Tri-Board Eligibility Lookup <a href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftriboard.mybusplanner.ca%2FEligibility&data=05%7C02%7Criccij%40limestone.on.ca%7C2b16a41062e04a6a05b708de3691d0cc%7Ce1f4165febae4d82a73ca0de593830be%7C0%7C0%7C639008197558144556%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C4000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=34jUFpU6NbL1VxrWIPfLtYDuZtBkFBRfZjzEKQW2NYI%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="Original URL: https://triboard.mybusplanner.ca/Eligibility. Click or tap if you trust this link." class="editor-link">triboard.mybusplanner.ca/Eligibility</a>  and entering your home address. Students who wish to attend a Limestone secondary school outside their designated home school area must first complete registration and course selection at their designated school.Families should then contact the requested secondary school directly to apply. If the application is accepted, your student’s course selections will transfer to the new school. Students applying will be placed on a waitlist and may be admitted before the start of Grade 9 if space becomes available. Transportation is not provided for students not attending their designated school. Families of students with exceptional learning needs are encouraged to connect with their elementary school team to discuss programming options and supports for the transition to high school.The Limestone District School Board offers Choices at 9 programs including Academic Arts Enriched Program (AAEP), Advanced Placement Preparatory Program, International Baccalaureate, and Bayridge Computer Science Program (BCSP). If you have any questions about this process, please contact your student’s elementary school or the school location of the Choices at 9 program. See key application dates below:<table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">Applications due</td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">Accepted students will be notified </td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">Students to confirm acceptances</td></tr><tr><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">January 23, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.</td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">February 13, 2026</td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">February 20, 2026</td></tr></tbody></table>Secondary school guidance counsellors are a helpful resource for learning about programs, course pathways, and available supports and are available to families with students entering Grade 9.Students and families are also encouraged to use myBlueprint to:<ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: start;">Plan and select courses</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: start;">Explore occupations and post-secondary options</li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: start;">Record important information and reflections</li></ul>Students and families should feel comfortable asking questions and seeking assistance whenever needed.<h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Football Tryouts</h2><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Key Details for Families:</h3><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">·  Divisions: U12 (2014–2015) and U14 (2012–2013)</h3><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">·  Focus: Player safety, certified coaching, and skill development.</h3><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">·  Registration: Now open at <a href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.skyhawksfootball.ca%2F&data=05%7C02%7Criccij%40limestone.on.ca%7C99d93e34d57a44957bad08de576dd064%7Ce1f4165febae4d82a73ca0de593830be%7C0%7C0%7C639044326354221920%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C4000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=IK84Y%2FAlnUIqutQmTzv6v5pQpKN%2FusV7nrTLLyZCTio%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="Original URL: http://www.skyhawksfootball.ca/. Click or tap if you trust this link." class="editor-link">www.skyhawksfootball.ca</a></h3> <img src="/images/f612e8b7-e17e-4518-8aef-af8a1544bf55" alt="Football Tryouts" width="743" height="961" style="width:743px;height:961px;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Walking Safety</h2><img src="/images/60ee4603-65cc-42d2-83b3-d4b4a927163d" alt="Walking Safety" width="643" height="836" style="width:643px;height:836px;display:inline-block"><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Family Day - Have Fun, Stay Safe</h2> <img src="/images/ba196ea5-26f9-4ff3-a103-6b1af7aa10cb" alt="Family Day Safety" width="634" height="791" style="width:634px;height:791px;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Vaccination Clinics</h2><img src="/images/3bd5087d-7f1d-4303-b7fc-1236f68ea70b" alt="Screenshot 2026 01 13 111021" width="647" height="861" style="width:647px;height:861px;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Public Health Info Graphics - Cold and Flu Season</h2><img src="/images/8324771e-e126-4ab6-a824-b04aa6572ae2" alt="Flu Public Health 1" width="662" height="862" style="width:662px;height:862px;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/e98df3e5-4b48-4127-8c5b-6a9777402275" alt="Flu Public Health 2" width="675" height="861" style="width:675px;height:861px;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/7d12894d-137e-4170-bfa1-ee99f7633b95" alt="Flu Public Health 3" width="670" height="871" style="width:670px;height:871px;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/82db8e94-a105-4ffc-bdc1-7375d6526893" alt="Flu Public Health 4" width="676" height="1004" style="width:676px;height:1004px;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Maltby Centre Support for Students and Families</h2><img src="/images/9068bb81-f8d2-4f9e-9985-eb40a22260ec" alt="Maltby Centre" width="547" height="769" style="width:547px;height:769px;display:inline-block"><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Maltby Resources:</h3><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><a href="about:blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">Maltby Workshops at a Glance 2026</a></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><a href="/documents/371f3d7f-11ad-4500-9d42-ab9bb14cd7e8/Maltby-Mental-Health-Services-Winter-2026.pdf" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">Maltby Mental Health Services Winter 2026</a></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><a href="/documents/90e92313-0578-4fd7-9fa7-4aba2475d038/Maltby-Family-Foundational-Services-Winter-2026.pdf" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">Maltby Foundational Services Winter 2026</a></li></ul> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Lonely Mitten</h2><img src="/images/8e7efb83-f166-4046-9f9b-a85903342c90" alt="Lonely Mitten" width="643" height="859" style="width:643px;height:859px;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Eyeglasses for Children</h2><img src="/images/381ff23b-66f7-47d1-89b9-ee1fe2a37b3a" alt="thumbnail 2025 10 01 newsletter insert does your student need glasses" width="735" height="919" style="width:735px;height:919px;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/6e29c5af-3be4-43d5-a0f7-516a91a5df02" alt="Youth Darts" width="615" height="887" style="width:615px;height:887px;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Reporting Absences</h2>All student absences should be reported through the SafeArrival system. Please do not call the school directly to report an absence. You can use the SchoolMessenger app, the Safe Arrival website, or the toll free number (1-855-257-9349) to record an absence.You can find more information by clicking on the following link: <a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/report-a-student-absence" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">Reporting Absences</a> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Southview Swag</h2><img src="/images/ce3260d8-1332-41c4-93bb-e049e3c2eb09" alt="Lynx" width="148" height="179" style="width:148px;height:179px;display:inline-block;float:right">We have partnered with a Specialty Trophies for our school clothing this year. Specialty Trophies is a local Kingston company which provides school apparel to many of the schools in our district. One of the big advantages of this company is that they will provide free shipping to the school! That will be a great savings to our families!If you want to start the year showing off your school colours, checkout what's available at:<a href="https://specialtytrophies.ca/4g/SouthviewPSApparel/" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">https://specialtytrophies.ca/4g/SouthviewPSApparel/</a> <img src="/images/d953d6e6-3477-4d91-a70e-4d7e9970fb32" alt="School Council" width="469" height="216" style="width:469px;height:216px;display:inline-block"> If you have any questions, contributions or suggestions for our School Advisory Committe, they can be contacted at the following e-mail address: <a href="mailto:sviewsac@gmail.com" title="mailto:sviewsac@gmail.com" class="editor-link">sviewsac@gmail.com</a> Our next meeting will take place on Thursday February 19 at 6:00 p.m. Please consider coming out and making your voice heard! <img src="/images/6b8671bd-7df8-4d15-bbbb-3ead38299e08" alt="Screenshot 2025 09 12 084941" width="517" height="667" style="width:517px;height:667px;display:inline-block"> <img src="/images/58ae1d2f-6786-49ce-849d-62f64cc09c0e" alt="KFLA PH" width="539" height="910" style="width:539px;height:910px;display:inline-block"><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">KFL&A Public Health</h2>The <a href="https://www.kflaph.ca/en/health-topics/parenting-programs-and-services.aspx" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">KLF&A Public Health website</a> is an invaluable source for parent/guardians and families with respect to family health and welfare. Please use the link provided below to explore the topics and resources available through KFL&A.<h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">School Mental Health Ontario</h2><img src="/images/cf8e0478-107c-443d-bfd4-1ef12b843d71" alt="School Mental Health Ontario" width="473" height="224" style="width:473px;height:224px;display:inline-block">Check out some of the <a href="https://smho-smso.ca/" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">Mental Health and Wellness Resources for Families</a>

2026-01-23 20:43:23.626 +0000 UTC

What's Happening at Southview PS - Week 17 - January 2026

<img src="/images/1ece4821-e131-41d2-8937-afa40dae9b3f" alt="Land acknowledgement" width="413" height="323" style="width:413px;height:323px;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/b3cd4c99-62d3-4e6e-a011-4e7b3d6c96f8" alt="Happy New Year 2026" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Growing, Learning, and Achieving Together</h2>Hello Lynx Families!Happy New Year! Welcome to 2026!We hope that you all enjoyed a joyful holiday filled with time spent celebrating alongside family and friends. It was a bit of a soft landing post holiday start within the LDSB catchment area with 3 snow days (2 for Kingston schools) at the beginning of last week. Thursday was a very happy day as Southview is not truly a school until the young people are in the building. All of the staff were remarking that it felt really good to finally see our students after more than two weeks away, and to begin the process of getting back into a routine.We are thrilled to announce that our new Vice Principal, Ms. Allison Gladu, started at Southview on January 5, 2026. She is fitting into our community beautifully and has spoken openly about how welcoming the school has been and about the positive vibe in the hallways and classrooms. Welcome to Southview, Ms. Gladu! You are going to love it here. Please feel free to stop into the main office when you are here, to introduce yourself to Allison!Our athletics program is in full swing after the break with two sports calling for athletes wanting to participate on our highly competitive teams. The tryout processes for both basketball and floor hockey are just getting started and coaches are planning to attend both exhibition games and tournaments through the month of February. Go Lynx!An exciting dramatic opportunity is happening at Southview PS in the early Spring! Ms. Zwiers is producing and directing the play "Wild Robot" to be presented on April 10th, 2026. All students from Grades 3-8 were offered the opportunity to participate and those who chose to showcase their acting talents will be practising twice per week to get ready for their big day. Thank you to Ms. Zwiers and her team of volunteers, for undertaking this fantastic opportunity on behalf of our students! We are looking forward to this performance!All of our educators are beginning to prepare report cards for distribution on February 13th, 2026. We are looking forward to sharing reports of student achievement over the first half of the 2025-2026 school year!Please note the announcements in the sections below regarding the following topics/events/opportunities:<ol class="editor-list-ol"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">The Public Health Department has provided information regarding Vaccination Clinics opportunities.</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">The Public Health Department has provided infomation regarding National Non-Smoking week which takes place from January 19-23, 2026.</li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem">The Public Health Department has provided guidance for prevention and care with respect to respiratory infections.</li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem">The Maltby Centre has provided a wealth of information regarding their family and child support services, programs and workshops.</li><li value="5" class="editor-listitem">Lonely Mitten Project. Please consider donating your unmatched single mittens and gloves to the Lonely Mitten Project. We are also accepting matched sets, jackets, boots, scarves, snowpants, hats and socks. This year's recipient is The Prince Charles Public School.</li><li value="6" class="editor-listitem">Grade 8 Transition to Secondary School. Information regarding the process our Grade 8 students will follow to ensure a successful transtion to high school can be located below! </li><li value="7" class="editor-listitem">Free Eye Exams (Free Glasses for Students in Kindergarten). For more information, visit the Kingston, Lennox and Addington Public Health website at the URL indicated in the graphic below.</li></ol>The weather continues to fluctuate but the overall average temperature is certainly trending downward, so please ensure that your children come to school with attire that is suitable for the weather. It might even be a good idea to send them with extra mitts/gloves or socks as these are the items that tend to get wet and can become very uncomfortable during the recess breaks. Also, many our young people leave clothes behind in many different places! In order to prevent loss, labelling your children's clothing is highly recommended!We wish everyone a fantastic holiday season! John Ricci, Allison Gladu and the Southview Learning Team! <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Limestone DSB School Year Calendar</h2><img src="/images/ee9891ee-87b5-48b0-8790-ffa4d09e3fac" alt="LDSB School Year Calendar" width="911" height="695" style="width:911px;height:695px;display:inline-block"><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">What's Ahead...</h2><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">January 2026</h3><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">January 13 YMCA Presentation for Grade 7/8 (Media Impact)</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">January 20 SAC Meeting (6 p.m.)</li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem">January 21 NDSS Attending Southview for Information Session</li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem">January 23 Queen's Gaels Hockey Game (Grade 7/8)</li><li value="5" class="editor-listitem">January 27 Junior Medics (Grade 7/8)</li><li value="6" class="editor-listitem">January 30 PA Day for Teachers - No classes for students</li></ul><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">February 2026</h3><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">February 3 Edge Imaging attending Southview for Grad Photos</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">February 10 YMCA Presentation for Grade 7/8 (Financial Literacy)</li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem">February 16 Family Day</li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem">February 18 NDSS Open House for Grade 8 Students (2026-2027 Grade 9 students)</li></ul><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">March 2026</h3><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">March 1 Grade 9 Course Selections Due for 2026-2027 (Will be completed on MyBlueprint after Open House)</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">March 9 & 23 Swim to Survive (Grade 3 ONLY - Zweirs/Chapman/Gillam)</li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem">March 10 & 24 Swim to Survive (Grade 3 ONLY - Brown/Collins)</li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem">March 10 YMCA Presentation for Grade 7/8 (Game-Bling)</li></ul><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Hot Lunch Schedule </h2>Thank you to the School Advisory Committee and our parent volunteers for organizing the Hot Lunch Program! Here is the schedule for the rest of first term:<img src="/images/6c435a0a-1e5e-4f4b-bc7d-20da91d2fad7" alt="Screenshot 2025 10 23 171520" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">National Non-Smoking Week January 19-23, 2026</h2> For families:The nicotine industry continues to target young people through fun flavours and high-tech devices designed to increase addiction. During National Non-Smoking Week, families can help young people better understand the risks and start important conversations at home. Parents and caregivers can watch this short video to learn more: <a href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.notanexperiment.ca%2Fparents&data=05%7C02%7Criccij%40limestone.on.ca%7Cd8857e285dc1412b269208de52c09f7b%7Ce1f4165febae4d82a73ca0de593830be%7C0%7C0%7C639039184540545731%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C4000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=om9tXMaPYg9M%2BbatJ%2FsP%2FyeaFLM5KSal6Rp2Lu4H9n0%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="Original URL: http://www.notanexperiment.ca/parents. Click or tap if you trust this link." class="editor-link">www.notanexperiment.ca/parents</a><iframe data-lexical-video-id="UDMV6AQj3_Y" width="640" height="480" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/UDMV6AQj3_Y" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="true" title="Youtube video"></iframe> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">The Grade 8 Transition to Secondary School</h2><img src="/images/1b316329-e9a1-4820-9c40-23da0321249c" alt="High School Transition" width="735" height="511" style="width:735px;height:511px;display:inline-block">Dear Families and Students,The move from Grade 8 to Grade 9 is an exciting milestone in a student’s educational journey. To help students transition smoothly to secondary school, an extensive planning process takes place between December and August.<table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="editor-tableCell" style="background-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">December - February </td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="background-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">March - June</td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="background-color: rgb(217, 217, 217); width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">July - August</td></tr><tr><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">Grade 8 information nights for families (<a href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.limestone.on.ca%2Fdocuments%2F7f8af775-354d-46a7-939f-29996c90d684%2FGrade-8-Information-Nights-2026.pdf&data=05%7C02%7Criccij%40limestone.on.ca%7C2b16a41062e04a6a05b708de3691d0cc%7Ce1f4165febae4d82a73ca0de593830be%7C0%7C0%7C639008197558128029%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C4000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=oG%2FccGINDAS1xgl2juqFOeKFohMbY9lMPBR5s70gNN8%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="Original URL: https://www.limestone.on.ca/documents/7f8af775-354d-46a7-939f-29996c90d684/Grade-8-Information-Nights-2026.pdf. Click or tap if you trust this link." class="editor-link">schedule available online</a>)</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">Grade 8 classroom visits</li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem">Course selection        </li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem">Grade 8 visits to secondary schools</li></ul></td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">Transition meetings</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">Grade 8 Day/Tours</li></ul></td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">Timetables sent to students</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">Grade 9 Orientation/Tours</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table>Students will be automatically transferred to their home secondary school based on their current elementary school. You can find your child’s designated secondary school by visiting the Tri-Board Eligibility Lookup <a href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftriboard.mybusplanner.ca%2FEligibility&data=05%7C02%7Criccij%40limestone.on.ca%7C2b16a41062e04a6a05b708de3691d0cc%7Ce1f4165febae4d82a73ca0de593830be%7C0%7C0%7C639008197558144556%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C4000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=34jUFpU6NbL1VxrWIPfLtYDuZtBkFBRfZjzEKQW2NYI%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" title="Original URL: https://triboard.mybusplanner.ca/Eligibility. Click or tap if you trust this link." class="editor-link">triboard.mybusplanner.ca/Eligibility</a>  and entering your home address. Students who wish to attend a Limestone secondary school outside their designated home school area must first complete registration and course selection at their designated school.Families should then contact the requested secondary school directly to apply. If the application is accepted, your student’s course selections will transfer to the new school. Students applying will be placed on a waitlist and may be admitted before the start of Grade 9 if space becomes available. Transportation is not provided for students not attending their designated school. Families of students with exceptional learning needs are encouraged to connect with their elementary school team to discuss programming options and supports for the transition to high school.The Limestone District School Board offers Choices at 9 programs including Academic Arts Enriched Program (AAEP), Advanced Placement Preparatory Program, International Baccalaureate, and Bayridge Computer Science Program (BCSP). If you have any questions about this process, please contact your student’s elementary school or the school location of the Choices at 9 program. See key application dates below:<table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">Applications due</td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">Accepted students will be notified </td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">Students to confirm acceptances</td></tr><tr><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">January 23, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.</td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">February 13, 2026</td><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 233.333px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">February 20, 2026</td></tr></tbody></table>Secondary school guidance counsellors are a helpful resource for learning about programs, course pathways, and available supports and are available to families with students entering Grade 9.Students and families are also encouraged to use myBlueprint to:<ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: start;">Plan and select courses</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: start;">Explore occupations and post-secondary options</li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem" style="text-align: start;">Record important information and reflections</li></ul>Students and families should feel comfortable asking questions and seeking assistance whenever needed. <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Vaccination Clinics</h2><img src="/images/3bd5087d-7f1d-4303-b7fc-1236f68ea70b" alt="Screenshot 2026 01 13 111021" width="647" height="861" style="width:647px;height:861px;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Public Health Info Graphics - Cold and Flu Season</h2><img src="/images/8324771e-e126-4ab6-a824-b04aa6572ae2" alt="Flu Public Health 1" width="662" height="862" style="width:662px;height:862px;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/e98df3e5-4b48-4127-8c5b-6a9777402275" alt="Flu Public Health 2" width="675" height="861" style="width:675px;height:861px;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/7d12894d-137e-4170-bfa1-ee99f7633b95" alt="Flu Public Health 3" width="670" height="871" style="width:670px;height:871px;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/82db8e94-a105-4ffc-bdc1-7375d6526893" alt="Flu Public Health 4" width="676" height="1004" style="width:676px;height:1004px;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Maltby Centre Support for Students and Families</h2><img src="/images/9068bb81-f8d2-4f9e-9985-eb40a22260ec" alt="Maltby Centre" width="547" height="769" style="width:547px;height:769px;display:inline-block"><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Maltby Resources:</h3><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><a href="about:blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">Maltby Workshops at a Glance 2026</a></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><a href="/documents/371f3d7f-11ad-4500-9d42-ab9bb14cd7e8/Maltby-Mental-Health-Services-Winter-2026.pdf" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">Maltby Mental Health Services Winter 2026</a></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><a href="/documents/90e92313-0578-4fd7-9fa7-4aba2475d038/Maltby-Family-Foundational-Services-Winter-2026.pdf" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">Maltby Foundational Services Winter 2026</a></li></ul> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Lonely Mitten</h2><img src="/images/8e7efb83-f166-4046-9f9b-a85903342c90" alt="Lonely Mitten" width="643" height="859" style="width:643px;height:859px;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Eyeglasses for Children</h2><img src="/images/381ff23b-66f7-47d1-89b9-ee1fe2a37b3a" alt="thumbnail 2025 10 01 newsletter insert does your student need glasses" width="735" height="919" style="width:735px;height:919px;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/6e29c5af-3be4-43d5-a0f7-516a91a5df02" alt="Youth Darts" width="615" height="887" style="width:615px;height:887px;display:inline-block"> <img src="/images/c30f715c-c170-422f-9cb4-4370e5280b9f" alt="Junior Hawks Basketball" width="507" height="510" style="width:507px;height:510px;display:inline-block"><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Register for January Tryouts</h2> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Reporting Absences</h2>All student absences should be reported through the SafeArrival system. Please do not call the school directly to report an absence. You can use the SchoolMessenger app, the Safe Arrival website, or the toll free number (1-855-257-9349) to record an absence.You can find more information by clicking on the following link: <a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/report-a-student-absence" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">Reporting Absences</a> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">Southview Swag</h2><img src="/images/ce3260d8-1332-41c4-93bb-e049e3c2eb09" alt="Lynx" width="148" height="179" style="width:148px;height:179px;display:inline-block;float:right">We have partnered with a Specialty Trophies for our school clothing this year. Specialty Trophies is a local Kingston company which provides school apparel to many of the schools in our district. One of the big advantages of this company is that they will provide free shipping to the school! That will be a great savings to our families!If you want to start the year showing off your school colours, checkout what's available at:<a href="https://specialtytrophies.ca/4g/SouthviewPSApparel/" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">https://specialtytrophies.ca/4g/SouthviewPSApparel/</a> <img src="/images/d953d6e6-3477-4d91-a70e-4d7e9970fb32" alt="School Council" width="469" height="216" style="width:469px;height:216px;display:inline-block"> If you have any questions, contributions or suggestions for our School Advisory Committe, they can be contacted at the following e-mail address: <a href="mailto:sviewsac@gmail.com" title="mailto:sviewsac@gmail.com" class="editor-link">sviewsac@gmail.com</a> Our next meeting will take place on Thursday January 20 at 6:00 p.m. Please consider coming out and making your voice heard! <img src="/images/6b8671bd-7df8-4d15-bbbb-3ead38299e08" alt="Screenshot 2025 09 12 084941" width="517" height="667" style="width:517px;height:667px;display:inline-block"> <img src="/images/58ae1d2f-6786-49ce-849d-62f64cc09c0e" alt="KFLA PH" width="539" height="910" style="width:539px;height:910px;display:inline-block"><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">KFL&A Public Health</h2>The <a href="https://www.kflaph.ca/en/health-topics/parenting-programs-and-services.aspx" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">KLF&A Public Health website</a> is an invaluable source for parent/guardians and families with respect to family health and welfare. Please use the link provided below to explore the topics and resources available through KFL&A.<h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">School Mental Health Ontario</h2><img src="/images/cf8e0478-107c-443d-bfd4-1ef12b843d71" alt="School Mental Health Ontario" width="473" height="224" style="width:473px;height:224px;display:inline-block">Check out some of the <a href="https://smho-smso.ca/" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">Mental Health and Wellness Resources for Families</a>

2026-01-13 21:53:12.7 +0000 UTC

Upcoming Events

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EQAO Webinar for Parents and Guardians: What to Expect on the OSSLT

Community Evening with Author Monique Gray Smith

Spring Break - No Classes for Students

EQAO Literacy Session for Families: Focus on Writing

Good Friday - No Classes for Students

EQAO Webinar for Parents and Guardians: What to Expect on the OSSLT

Community Evening with Author Monique Gray Smith

Spring Break - No Classes for Students

EQAO Literacy Session for Families: Focus on Writing

Good Friday - No Classes for Students

Easter Monday - No Classes for Students

P.A. Day - No Classes for Students

Victoria Day - No Classes for Students

P.A. Day - No Classes for Students

Last Day of School for Students

P.A. Day - No Classes for Students

About Our School

Welcome to Southview Public School, where we strive to live our school motto "Embracing Differences, Learning Together" every day. We host a population of more than 600 students from Kindergarten to Grade 8. Our staff work diligently and collaboratively to provide a rich and engaging educational program, and a positive learning environment for all of our students. Our Southview Lynx proudly represent our school at a variety of athletic and special events across the district.

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Message from the Director - February 20, 2026

Dear Families,I hope everyone had a good, short week following the Family Day Weekend. We have had a small taste of warmer weather recently, though we know there may still be more winter days to come. As we head toward the end of February, I would like to share a few updates with Limestone families:2026-2027 School Year CalendarThank you to everyone who took the time to fill out the 2026-2027 School Year Calendar Survey. Approximately 3,700 responses were submitted from families, staff, and community members. We appreciate your time and providing the feedback.As shared previously, the school year calendar for 2026-2027 presents unique challenges, with Labour Day falling unusually late on September 7, and Easter occurring just four days after March Break. Across all three school boards (Limestone DSB, Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic DSB, and Hastings and Prince Edward County DSB) Option 1 was the preferred choice, and Option 2 ranked second and third, with only marginal differences in support.Following further review of the potential calendars, and considering potential financial implications, it was determined that implementing Option 1 would create additional costs for all three boards. Given that Option 2 very closely aligns with Option 1, differing by only one day and without the associated financial implications, all three boards supported Option 2, with the school year starting September 1 (P.A. Day) and the first day of classes for students on September 2.At Wednesday night’s Board Meeting, the Limestone Board of Trustees approved <a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/documents/375540e1-d8af-4e1c-a856-7035ab3f1e4b/2026-2027-School-Year-Calendar-Final.pdf" class="editor-link">Option 2 for the 2026-2027 school year calendar</a>, and this calendar will be submitted to the Ministry of Education for final approval.You Are Invited: Community Event: An Evening with Monique Gray Smith, Author of Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults – March 12, 2026Students, families, staff, and community members are invited to a free in-person evening with author Monique Gray Smith. This special event will bring our community together to learn about care, reciprocity, connection to the land, and connection to one another.  Date: March 12, 2026 Time:   6:30 p.m. - Vendors and refreshments                6:45 p.m. - Doors open                7:00 p.m. - Speaker begins Location: Queen's University, Duncan McArthur Hall, 511 Union St., KingstonLight refreshments will be provided, and the first 50 attendees will receive a free copy of her book. <a href="https://bit.ly/LDSBMoniqueGraySmithEvent" class="editor-link">Registration is required</a>. Please <a href="https://bit.ly/LDSBMoniqueGraySmithEvent" class="editor-link">register online</a> in advance — we look forward to seeing you there!This event has been made possible with the support of the Limestone Learning Foundation, Queen’s University Faculty of Education, and the Limestone District School Board.2026-2027 Virtual School SurveyFamilies interested in enrolling their students in virtual school for the 2026-2027 school year should complete the <a href="https://ca1.voxco.com/S2/?st=fu443Fws9prkkUlLZrFDxwJzvjfy6JjISrxBQtOLRo8%3D&mod=0&dlang=en" class="editor-link">Virtual School Survey.</a> This helps with early planning for the next school year. This virtual school survey is not for registration and families will need to <a href="mailto:virtualk8@limestone.on.ca" class="editor-link">contact Elementary Virtual School to officially register their students for next year</a>. If you have more than one student interested, please complete the survey for each student. The survey will remain open until Friday, March 13, 2026. Families can <a href="https://ca1.voxco.com/S2/?st=fu443Fws9prkkUlLZrFDxwJzvjfy6JjISrxBQtOLRo8%3D&mod=0&dlang=en" class="editor-link">access the survey online</a>. If you require a printed survey, please contact Principal <a href="mailto:myerskm@limestone.on.ca" class="editor-link">Kate Myers by e-mail</a>.                <a href="https://ca1.voxco.com/S2/?st=fu443Fws9prkkUlLZrFDxwJzvjfy6JjISrxBQtOLRo8%3D&mod=0&dlang=en" class="editor-link">Access the survey online.</a>Ministry and Board Resources for Math and LiteracyThere are many resources available designed to support your student’s learning in math and literacy, offering engaging activities that can make learning fun and effective for students and families. <a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/tutoring" class="editor-link">Visit Limestone’s Online Learning Resources and Tutoring webpage</a> to learn more. Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement in Limestone school communities. We truly value the strong partnership we share with families and look forward to the second half of the 2025-2026 school year continuing positively for students, families, and staff.Krishna BurraDirector of Education

2026-02-20 21:00:23.337 +0000 UTC

Boardroom Briefs: February 18, 2026

Boardroom Briefs is intended to provide highlights of presentations, reports and decisions made at the regular meeting of the Limestone District School Board of Trustees. The following are highlights of the February 18, 2026 Regular Board Meeting. Agendas and meeting recording can be found on the website under <a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/board_meetings-1719463739654" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="editor-link">Board Meetings</a>.  <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Regular Board Meeting - February 18, 2026</h2><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Land Acknowledgement </h3>All meetings begin with a Land Acknowledgement: "The Limestone District School Board is situated on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek and Haudenosaunee. We acknowledge their enduring presence on this land, as well as the presence of Métis, Inuit, and other First Nations from across Turtle Island. We honour their cultures and celebrate their commitment to this land."<h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Private Session Report</h3><details open="false"><summary>February 4, 2026 EPOC Meeting and February 18, 2026 Board Meeting</summary><div data-lexical-collapsible-content="true">Trustee Lloyd stated: “During Private Session following at the February 4 Education, Policy, and Operations Committee (EPOC) Meeting, Associate Superintendent Hedderson and Associate Superintendent Blackburn provided a Legal and Property Update.There was no other business conducted, or motions passed in Private Session. Earlier this evening during Private Session, the private session minutes were approved from the January 14, 2026, Regular Board Meeting and the February 4, 2026, EPOC Meeting. Associate Superintendent Gollogly provided a Safe Schools, Superintendent Young provided a legal update, and Trustees discussed a Personnel update.There was no other business conducted, or motions passed in Private Session.”MOVED BY: Trustee Lloyd and seconded by Trustee Scott that the Private Session Report be received. Carried.</div></details><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Approved Absences</h3>Chair McGregor indicated that regrets were received from Trustee Morning to have her absence from tonight’s meeting be approved due to illness.<h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">Presentation/Delegation</h3><details open="false"><summary>LDSB Continuing Education: A Closer Look at the Personal Support Worker Program</summary><div data-lexical-collapsible-content="true"><img src="/images/1f82cff8-a9e2-40aa-aabd-7bec84bbe0a7" alt="Personal Support Worker Presentation Title Slide" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block">Associate Superintendent Blackburn welcomed Principal Kate Myers, staff member Caitlin Turcotte, and student Luciana Xavier Vandermeer. An overview of Continuing Education programs was provided, with a focus on the PSW program as a strong example of Ministry‑supported community partnership. Principal Myers outlined the six Continuing Education programs offered: International and Indigenous Languages, Adult English as a Second Language (ESL), Get Set (Skills Education and Training), teacher‑assisted self‑study/correspondence credits, fee‑for‑service interest courses, and the PSW program.The PSW program, normally tuition‑based, has been tuition‑free for approximately five years through Ministry funding, currently committed until March 31, 2026. The program operates as a “living classroom” in partnership with the County of Lennox and Addington at the John M. Parrott Centre long‑term care home, supported through multiple funding waves, with an additional application pending. The accelerated five‑month program emphasizes dignity, respect, compassion, and real‑world learning, integrating students early into the long‑term care environment. The program includes 330 hours of theory and lab instruction, 110 hours of supervised placement, two additional 100‑hour unsupervised placements, and the opportunity to earn six secondary school credits where applicable. Successful completion of the provincial PSW exam is required.Since September 2024, 78 students have enrolled, with a 71% completion rate and a 100% employment rate among graduates, exceeding provincial targets. Wrap‑around supports help reduce barriers by covering items such as scrubs, footwear, transportation, rent, and groceries. Strong provincial and local demand for PSWs was noted, particularly in light of upcoming long‑term care builds. The program meets provincial curriculum standards and has completed quality assurance certification. Ms. Turcotte spoke to the supportive learning environment, the value of the living classroom model, and the program’s focus on dignity, independence, individualized care, privacy, and safety. Ms. Xavier Vandermeer shared her experience as a recent graduate, highlighting the program’s high standards, strong supports, and impact on her personal and professional development. Chair McGregor thanked the team for their presentation and opened the floor to questions.</div></details><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">Reports From Officers</h3><details open="false"><summary>Chair's Report</summary><div data-lexical-collapsible-content="true">"As we gather for our February meeting, I want to take a moment to recognize the energy across our schools as we begin a new semester. Hallways and classrooms are buzzing, and it’s been wonderful to see students engaged in winter activities that support learning, well-being, and connection during these colder months.Looking ahead, we will soon be launching our 2026-2027 budget survey. This is an important opportunity for members of the public to share their feedback and perspectives as we begin planning the budget for the next school year. Community input plays a meaningful role in informing our budget-making process, and we encourage families and community members to participate when the survey opens.I would also like to highlight Pink Shirt Day on February 25. Schools across the district will be recognizing this day as a visible show of our shared commitment to kindness, inclusion, and respect. We are proud of the many ways our schools foster safe and welcoming environments where every student feels they belong.Thank you to our students, staff, and school communities for the positive start to the semester and for the important work happening each day across our district. That concludes my report.”</div></details><details open="false"><summary>Director's Report</summary><div data-lexical-collapsible-content="true">Director Burra stated: “Good evening Trustees and the viewing public. It is hard to believe, but we are already a few weeks into the second half of the 2025-2026 school year. First term and first semester report cards have been sent home or are going home this week, secondary students are making course selections for next year, Choices at 9 programs have completed their processes, Choices at 7 programs will be making decisions soon, March Break is just around the corner, and planning is well underway for the 2026-2027 school year. Preparations for next year will continue to ramp up and we eagerly await the release of the budget for next school year that may well be delayed given Queen’s Park is in recess until March 23. I have a number of highlights and upcoming events that I would like to share this evening. One significant highlight occurred on February 4 just before our EPOC meeting when a Black History kick-off event was held at LCVI. While I know Senior Staff and some Trustees were able to attend the most of the event due to our EPOC meeting, there were several performances highlighting the significance of Black History in Canada and the local region.  It should also be noted that this February is the 30th anniversary of Black History Month in Canada. A big thank you to teacher consultant Andrea Barrow and students and staff of LCVI for hosting this event. I should also note that the very impressive banners highlighting significant Black Canadians that were displayed at the event are now part of a travelling historical exhibit that will be making the rounds at different secondary schools this month and some elementary schools in the spring. Andrea Barrow has also created a range of resources to support Black History Month in LDSB schools, as well as resources to support curriculum delivery in schools.A significant upcoming event is what we are hoping will be an outstanding Skills Competition at St. Lawrence College next week on February 25 and February 26. Almost 500 Limestone students, Grades 4 to 12, will be participating across over 25 secondary events and six elementary events. The Skills Competition is yet another example of community partnership that showcases critical skills events and the local community college.Winter KASSAA seasons have either ended or will be ending prior to March Break. Tomorrow evening the girls volleyball championships will be held at St. Lawrence College, and Friday evening St. Lawrence hosts the boys’ basketball finals. It should be noted that LDSB has one team in two of the finals and both teams in the other two finals.I would like to also highlight Limestone’s participation in larger community initiatives that involve multiple local partners in supporting more services for children and youth in areas across Limestone. The Unnamed Youth project and the ACES and Resilience Coalition of KFL&A. Both of these initiatives bring together partners to better serve children and youth. This is exciting work that provides hope and support for many youth requiring improved services and/or access to services.One final highlight that I will draw Trustees’ attention to is our continued emphasis on collecting voice from the communities we serve. Tonight, Associate Superintendent Gollogly will share an overview of the school year calendar feedback and look for Trustee approval of the 2026-2027 calendar. As mentioned by Chair MacGregor, in the next couple of weeks or so, we will be providing an opportunity for input on the 2026-2027 budget. Additionally we will also gauge interest from families in virtual school programming for next year. And finally, in the spring, all Limestone families will have the opportunity to respond to a family engagement survey. Limestone school communities and staff are critical partners, and our schools are representative of the communities we serve; we have a responsibility to be responsive to community voice and changing circumstances. And on a final note, I would like to thank all Limestone staff who contributed to the 2025 United Way campaign. We just received the final tally and LDSB staff contributed almost $50,000 to the campaign which provides critical supports to meet the needs of some of the most vulnerable people in KFL&A, including students and families we serve.Thank you, Chair McGregor. That concludes my report."</div></details><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">Reports</h3><details open="false"><summary>OPBSA Report</summary><div data-lexical-collapsible-content="true">Chair McGregor shared that she will be attending the OPSBA regional meeting scheduled for February 28, to be held virtually. The meeting will review proposed draft changes to the organizational structure including an opportunity to provide input regarding the inclusion of representation from each board at local regional tables. Following this meeting, the membership will vote on the proposed amendments on March 12, 2026.</div></details><details open="false"><summary>Student Trustees' Report</summary><div data-lexical-collapsible-content="true">Student Trustee Ismail stated: “Good afternoon, Trustees and members of the public. We held our Interschool Council (ISC) meeting February 10, chaired by Mia Comeau and Rachel Kolosov. It was a special meeting to host elections for incoming Student Trustees for the 2026-2027 school year. This year, elections took place differently, as there were partial Tri-Board Transportation cancellations on that day. As a result, the elections took place in a hybrid format. Candidates were able to participate in the elections remotely or in-person to ensure the elections remained accessible for students. We’ve had a total of 13 candidates; three Indigenous, four Rural, six Urban, who’ve shown interest and took part in elections for the Student Trustee. It has increased from previous years and shows that more students are feeling empowered to take part in governance and student leadership. During the election period, we had set a goal to increase visibility and the number of applications, made possible especially thanks to the efforts of the communications team. Within the Council as well, we have spent time during our meetings to brainstorm ways schools can raise awareness for the positions as well. Last month, the Interschool Council was invited to support a board initiative connected to a provincial conference for Directors and Supervisory Officers across Ontario, centered on the theme Leaders as Agents of Change. The goal of the project, run by Associate Superintendent Sartor and Ms. Grange was to create a short compilation video that gathers student voices and lived experiences. We were able to gather participants from Kingston Secondary School, Granite Ridge Education Centre, and Napanee District Secondary School, and over the past few weeks, those students shared their thoughts and experiences to a variety of prompts. Their voices, representing local student perspectives, are valued and being brought to conversations provincially. This concludes our February ISC report. Thank you.</div></details><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">Reports for Action</h3><details open="false"><summary>Recommended School Year Calendar 2026-2027</summary><div data-lexical-collapsible-content="true">Associate Superintendent Gollogly presented a report recommending approval of the 2026-2027 school year calendar. It was reported that approximately 3,700 responses were received through the consultation process, with the majority submitted by families (approximately 80%), followed by staff (approximately 20%), and a small percentage from other community organizations.It was noted that, across the three boards, Option 1 was consistently rated as the preferred calendar. However, Option 1 was identified as having financial implications for certain employee groups due to a proposed August start date. As a result, alternative options were reviewed to balance interest group feedback with operational and financial considerations.Option 2 was presented as the recommended calendar, as it most closely aligns with Option 1 while avoiding significant financial impact. It was noted that Option 2 begins on September 1, includes standard Professional Activity days, provides a board‑designated break day prior to March Break, and concludes with a Professional Activity day on June 29. Based on consultation feedback and operational considerations, approval of Option 2 for the 2026-2027 school year calendar was recommended.MOTION MOVED by Trustee Ruttan and seconded by Trustee Neill that Trustees approve the recommended Calendar Option 2 for the 2026-2027 School Year Calendar. Carried.</div></details><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">Reports for Information </h3><details open="false"><summary>Trustee Distribution</summary><div data-lexical-collapsible-content="true">Superintendent Young presented a report regarding Trustee determination and distribution in preparation for the 2026 municipal election. It was noted that this report is brought forward on a cyclical basis and that Trustees who served during the previous review in 2021-2022 were acknowledged for their work, as the last process involved extensive discussion and adjustments to electoral boundaries.Trustees were directed to the agenda package, which includes background information on electoral boundaries, legislative requirements, and key timelines related to the upcoming municipal election. It was reported that the Ministry has advised that it will not be issuing a new Trustee determination and distribution report for 2026, therefore, the existing 2022 report remains the reference document. Key dates outlined in the report provide a general timeline for nominations, filings, and voting, noting that specific dates may vary slightly.Superintendent Young reported that LDSB currently has nine elected Trustee positions, consistent with provincial legislation governing boards with an electoral population between 100,000 and 149,999. Based on current projections, the Board’s electoral population for 2026 is approximately 141,856, and as a result, the allowable number of elected Trustees will not change for the upcoming election. The Board will continue with nine elected Trustees, in addition to the Indigenous Trustee.Legislative requirements were reviewed, including the Board’s obligation to pass a resolution regarding the designation of low‑population municipalities. It was noted that Limestone has, for several elections, designated the northern portion of the Board as low‑population municipalities in order to ensure reasonable representation, and this approach remains consistent with past practice.Trustee responsibilities in advance of the 2026 election were outlined, including finalizing the determination and distribution, approving Trustee honoraria for the next term, and appointing a compliance audit committee. These items will be brought forward in future reports for Trustee approval.Trustee distribution maps and population data were reviewed, including ward‑level information for Kingston. It was noted that there has been no notification of changes to Kingston’s electoral wards and that only minor population variations were identified since the previous election. While some student populations were not fully reflected in the current data, these figures will be updated in a subsequent report. Overall, it was reported that the existing ward‑to‑Trustee distribution remains well-balanced, reflecting the effectiveness of the adjustments made during the previous review.</div></details><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">Adjournment</h3>MOTION MOVED BY: Trustee Lloyd and seconded by Trustee Godkin that the meeting adjourn. Carried.The Meeting Adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

2026-02-20 15:21:55.775 +0000 UTC

Summer 2026 Travel for Credit: Grade 10 Civics and Careers in the Canadian Maritimes

Limestone District School Board is excited to share that we have partnered with EF Tours Travel for Credit program again this summer. Students currently in Grade 8 or Grade 9 can earn their Civics and Careers credits this summer by participating in three weeks of virtual (asynchronous) learning plus one week of travel with EF Tours with stops in Halifax, Moncton, and Charlottetown.Key Dates:  Summer School Dates: Monday, June 29 to Friday, July 24, 2026 Travel Dates: Wednesday, July 8 to Tuesday, July 14, 2026Visit the <a href="https://www.eftours.ca/tour-website/3029510AX" target="_blank" class="editor-link">Canadian Maritimes Trip website</a> for additional information, or <a href="https://rsvp.eftours.ca/hkdhxy2?utm_source=ptk_meeting_1&_gl=1*sram2m*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NzEwMDUwNDYuRUFJYUlRb2JDaE1Jb3MzTzVJUFhrZ01WREZuX0FSMnZUUm1fRUFBWUFTQUFFZ0xOUWZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*OTU0NTk4NzA2LjE3Njg1NzQwMDEuMTkxNzA3OTA4MC4xNzcxMDA1MzQ3LjE3NzEwMDUzNDc.*_ga*MjExMTE0NjU0MS4xNzY4NTc0MDAx*_ga_9JLH500JCE*czE3NzEwMDUzNDkkbzUkZzEkdDE3NzEwMDU2MjckajQkbDAkaDA." class="editor-link">join us for an upcoming virtual information session</a> to learn more about this exciting opportunity. The session will cover everything you need to know about summer school dates, structure, travel dates, destinations, itineraries, pricing, and more. Travel for Credit Information Session Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026 Time 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Location: Online Teams Meeting Families must register online in advance for the Information Session:  <a href="https://rsvp.eftours.ca/hkdhxy2?utm_source=ptk_meeting_1&_gl=1*sram2m*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NzEwMDUwNDYuRUFJYUlRb2JDaE1Jb3MzTzVJUFhrZ01WREZuX0FSMnZUUm1fRUFBWUFTQUFFZ0xOUWZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*OTU0NTk4NzA2LjE3Njg1NzQwMDEuMTkxNzA3OTA4MC4xNzcxMDA1MzQ3LjE3NzEwMDUzNDc.*_ga*MjExMTE0NjU0MS4xNzY4NTc0MDAx*_ga_9JLH500JCE*czE3NzEwMDUzNDkkbzUkZzEkdDE3NzEwMDU2MjckajQkbDAkaDA." class="editor-link">Register today!</a>Ask Questions: If you have questions, contact <a href="mailto:%20summer912@limestone.on.ca" target="_blank" class="editor-link">Kate Myers by e-mail.</a> <img src="/images/47774c9d-80ff-42ef-a493-bd6161b430a1" alt="2026 02 13 2026 Travel For Credit" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block">

2026-02-17 21:00:25.025 +0000 UTC

Land Acknowledgement

The Limestone District School Board is situated on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek and Haudenosaunee. We acknowledge their enduring presence on this land, as well as the presence of Métis, Inuit, and other First Nations from across Turtle Island. We honour their culture and celebrate their commitment to this land.