Growing, Learning and Achieving Together
Hello Lynx Families!
There are few events during the academic year that are more exciting than the first day of school. Children eagerly anticipate the chance to catch up with old friends that they have not seen in a while and look forward to the prospect of meeting some wonderful new peers. All of us at Southview Public School would like to take this opportunity to welcome back all returning students and their families for the 2026-2027 school year. We would also like to extend a very special and warm greeting to all students and families who are new to Southview PS. Our school community is proud of its safe, supportive and inclusive atmosphere and we know that you are going to love it here. If there is anything we can do to help with your transition, please do not hesitate to ask!
The first three days of the 2026-2027 school year are in the books and we have gotten off to a fantastic start. The students have settled beautifully into routines and the atmosphere around the school is optimistic and welcoming. All of the staff have been providing daily feedback that is overwhelmingly positive and the entire school community is feeling energized about the learning ahead.
Well done, Southview!
We celebrated our first assembly on Friday September 4th to welcome everyone back to school and to introduce the staff. A few key messages were shared with students regarding the mindset we would like to continue to foster at Southview. The first message is that we are all capable of doing hard things! Developing confidence, resilience, teamwork skills and a growth mindset will be a focus for all classrooms as we engage in learning that is challenging and engaging. The next message is that we all need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. New learning can cause us to feel frustrated as we struggle through the various strategies associated with problem solving to achieve success. If during the learning process you are not feeling the discomfort associated with that struggle then perhaps you are not challenging yourself with enough new learning. Learning how to cope with being uncomfortable and that this is a normal part of the learning process will be key! The third important message is simply choose kindness. At Southview "All Are Welcome" and our goal is to foster a community where we all feel safe and supported in order to learn at our best. In all of our interactions with students and as we help them deconstruct conflict, we will be reinforcing the kindness option! Please help us to continue to make these important goals a part of your daily discussions with your children!
Two very important events are coming up in our school calendar: the Welcome Back to School Open House and the first School Advisory Council - SAC (Parent Council) meeting both taking place on September 24, 2026. More information about each of these activities is provided in the sections below. In addition, please consider becoming a member of the School Advisory Committee by completing the Nomination Form linked in the School Council section. If there is a role on SAC that you would like to fill but you do not see it listed, please indicate this in the comment section. There is room for everyone on the School Advisory Council!
Finally, we would like to thank Mr. Babcock's, Ms. Bridgen's and Ms. Hansen's three intermediate classes for providing the whole school with a rousing opportunity to participate in their "Egg Drop" activity. Not only was this an amazing display of the engineering ingenuity in our Intermediate students, but is was a highly engaging demonstration of how exciting and inclusive learning can be. Well done to all of our student and staff leaders!
Have a wonderful rest of the long weekend everyone!
Southview Public School
Teaching Team for 2026-2027
Kindergarten Teaching Team
Sara Lollar/Lesley Beaubien
Chelsea Cook/Amy Fitch
Keasha Milligan/Nicole Cruji
Ashley Lewis/Carrie Leduc
Primary Teaching Team
Amy York (Grade 1)
Jessie Carr (Grade 1)
Paige Mercanti (Grade 1/2)
Brooke Gaffney (Grade 2)
Diana Hall/Julia Hansen (Grade 2)
Shannon Collins (Grade 2/3)
Lauri Brown (Grade 3)
Jo Mace (Grade 3)
Junior Teaching Team
Ashley Glassford/Jen Zwiers/Sean Dunleavy (Grade 4)
Ashley Chapman (Grade 4)
Anna McKinney (Grade 4)
Cheryl Crouse (Grade 5)
Adam Morrow (Grade 5)
Melissa Michaud (Grade 5)
Beth Myers (Grade 6)
Melissa Hutcheson (Grade 6)
Aline LaRochelle (Grade 6)
Intermediate Teaching Team
Terry Dupuis (Grade 7)
Matt Hallford (Grade 7)
Matt Babcock (grade 7/8)
Julia Hansen/Matt Gallupe (Grade 8)
Tracy Bridgen (Grade 8)
French Teaching Team
Hillary Bullock
Allie St. Laurent
Christa Platz
Amanda Coulter
Faith Moore
Planning Time + Grade 4 Team
Sean Dunleavy
Jen Zwiers
Special Education Team
Mary Beth Duchene (Student Support Teacher)
Mandy Stinson (Student Support Teacher)
Caitlin Jones (Intensive Support Teacher)
Michelle Glenn (Intensive Support Teacher)
Educational Assistant Team
Logan Huyck
Sheryl Larkin
Coral Myers
Pam Fitchett
Mallory York
Kathy Burnett
Kim Grant
Hilary Meldrum
Erin McCullough
Crystal Downing
Kristen Andrews
REMINDER
These teaching and classroom allocations are based on those assigned by the LDSB in the Spring of 2026. School organizations and class assignments for students are created before registrations are finalized, and as such Limestone District School Board reviews all of their school populations in the first weeks of school. LDSB sometimes recommends reorganization of schools and classrooms after the second week of school to optimize learning for all students. If there is any student movement at Southview between classrooms, the team will share any initial diagnostics and assessments for learning with colleagues. Staff will be working on gathering information in the first two weeks and will collaborate to make transitions a positive experience.
It is important to share with your child that a transition and movement is a possibility in the third week of September.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to ensure the success of all students and staff at Southview PS.
Safety Reminder
Please remember that drivers must come to a complete stop when a pedestrian crossing light (walking person or flashing hand/orange hand) is active, yielding the entire roadway until pedestrians safely reach the other side.
Help us keep our students and their family members safe!
Please note the announcements/info posters in the sections below regarding the following topics/events/opportunities:
- The Ministry approved School Calendar for 2026-2027 has be provided below for your convenience.
- First Meeting of the School Advisory Committee for Parents. Information and Nomination Form link.
- OPEN HOUSE opportunity to visit classrooms and meet teaching staff.
- NDSS Youth Basketball registration information and link.
- Youth Darts activity for children and parents/guardians.
- Dental Care for children information form.
- Maltby Centre Virtual Open House
- 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.
- KidsInclusive Smart Hub information.
- School Mental Health Ontario information and resources for parents/guardians.
- Important information about new Southview Athletics Swag!
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!
2026-2027 School Calendar
What's Ahead...
September 2026
September 2 First Day of School for the 2026-2027 School Year
September 21 MADD Canada at Southview PS - "TRAPPED" (Grade 7/8)
September 24 First School Advisory Committee Meeting (Parent Council) - All Welcome! 6:00 p.m.
OPEN HOUSE - 5-6 p.m. Come out and visit classrooms and meet your child's teachers!
September 30 National Day of Truth and Reconciliation (Orange Shirt Day)
October 2026
October 9 Tentative Date for Terry Fox Walk/Run
October 12 Thanksgiving Day (School Closed)
October 14 Regional Cross Country Meet
October 15 Tentative Date for I.E.P.s to Relevant Families
October 20 District Cross Country Meet
October 26 PA Day (No Classes for Students)
October 27 School Photos - Edge Imaging
November 2026
November 4 Grade 7 & 8 Immunization Clinic
November 13 Kindergarten Communication of Learning-Initial Observations and Progress Reports Distributed to Families
November 20 PA Day (No Classes for Students)
December 18 Final Day of Classes before WInter Break
SCHOOL (PARENT) ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SAC)
School councils play a vital role in the education system in Ontario. They provide a forum through which parents, school staff, students, and other members of school communities can contribute to improving student achievement and well-being, and enhance the accountability of the education system.
Elections and the first meeting will be held , Thursday, September 24 at 6:00 p.m., in the school library.
Please consider nominating yourself, another Southview parent or guardian, or a community member for a position.
Click on the link below to see a description of School Advisory Council positions.
Hope to see you there!
School Council Representative Job Descriptions
Nomination Form for Southview School Advisory Council
(Please use this link to nominate yourself to someone else to the Southview PS School Advisory Council)
If you have any questions, contributions or suggestions for our School Advisory Committe, they can be contacted at the following e-mail address: sviewsac@gmail.com
Our first meeting of the 2026-2027 School Year will take place on September 24th, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the Southview Library.
Southview Open House - Thursday, September 24, 2026 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
The Southview PS Educator Team and students would like to invite all Lynx families to attend our "Back to School" Open House on Thursday September 24th, 2026 from 5-6 p.m. This event provides an excellent opportunity for parents and guardians to visit Southview PS have a look at your child's classroom and meet the teachers who are working with your children to help them achieve their academic, social and character development goals during the 2025-2026 school year. Many of our team members will be available, including class and planning time teachers, support professionals and administration, to answer questions about our school, the classroom routines and our plans for student achievement. Just a reminder that this is not an ideal time to speak to teachers regarding individual student achievement, however, out teaching staff are more than happy to schedule individual meetings at any time to discuss your child.
As an additional bonus, the Open House is running on the same night as the first School Advisory Council (SAC) meeting which all parents are invited to attend. The School Advisory Council meeting will run from 6:00 p.m. until approximately 7:30 p.m. in the school library and is your opportunity to have a voice at your child's school.
Please plan to attend this two important events!
NDSS Youth Basketball
NDSS Youth Basketball Registration Link
https://forms.gle/fyJQ6yedLNjp8y5s7
Youth Darts
Dental Care
Young People and Well Being - Public Health
MALTBY CENTRE
Maltby Resources:
Eyeglasses for Children
Reporting Absences
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: Reporting Absences
Southview Swag
Southview will be making Southview Athletic t-shirts available for purchase for any students grades 3-8 that are interested in participating in athletics this year and would like the opportunity to own their own t-shirt. Shirts are made of Dri-fit material, and will include the students last name and number on the back and Southview Athletics on the front. These shirts can be worn for most team and individual sports this year at Southview, however, they are not mandatory for participation. Shirts can be ordered at a cost of $30 via School Day until Sept. 18, sample sizes are available in the office to help with sizing.
KFL&A Public Health
The KLF&A Public Health website 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.
School Mental Health Ontario
Check out some of the Mental Health and Wellness Resources for Families