Calvin Park Comet Communication
March 2, 2026
SNOW Much Gratitude
Thank you to everyone who helped make the 4th annual Calvin Park/LCVI Ski Trip a success!
At Camp Fortune we carved and laughed through snow so bright,
Thanks to careful counting that kept each dollar tight.
To helpers who tamed the online forms with care,
And Alpine Safety readers who kept us well aware.
To staff back home who kept each classroom strong,
And early birds who packed our skiers before dawn.
To bus attendance callers, every name in place,
And rental adjusters fitting boots just right to lace.
To hill supervisors, and Calvin Comets too,
Your support and spirit helped our confidence grow.
Because of our Calvin crew, steady, kind, and true,
This 2026 trip was unforgettable—thanks to you.
Eco Club Presents at School Advisory Council Meeting
Big thanks to Mr. Candela and students - Emily, Victoria, Arfah, Maeve, and Aarushi - from Eco Club who came to the February School Advisory Council Meeting to give an update about the Habitat Garden. We appreciate you sharing with us about progress and next steps.
Calvin's Closet
We are proud to introduce a new pilot project for our learning community: Calvin’s Closet — a school‑based thrift and clothing‑swap initiative designed to support our students, strengthen community connections, and promote sustainability.
A reminder that we are collecting donations from families and community partners. We welcome items such as gently used and clean coats, pants, T‑shirts, long‑sleeve shirts, sweaters, dress clothes, as well as hygiene products, and new underwear and socks. Our goal is to open Calvin’s Closet in early March. Once open, students will be able to visit during recess and nutrition breaks on designated days.
Calvin’s Closet will also accept monetary donations, though these are entirely optional and never required for students to access items. Funds received will support community‑oriented projects, including the purchase of a new washer and dryer for the school, as well as other Calvin Park programming needs.
At Calvin Park, our greatest strength has always been our tight‑knit community and the way we lift each other up. Thank you for your generosity, kindness, and ongoing support as we launch this initiative. Go Comets!
Clubs & Athletics Updates
Basketball
Congratulations to all members of the A and B Basketball teams for your strong effort this season. You represented Calvin Park very well with your excellent sportsmanship, respect for your teammates and opponents, and positive attitude. Well done, Comets!
Congratulations to our Girls Basketball A Team on winning the Division 2 Championship! We are so incredibly proud of the outstanding sportsmanship, determination, and teamwork you demonstrated all season long. You represented our school with class and heart every step of the way.
Congratulations to the Boys Basketball who won the Division 1 title on Thursday. Great team play led to a strong finals victory over Vanier.
Eco Club
- Eco Club has started a food waste composting program:
- Wednesday and Thursday: compost bin (food waste) and bucket (paper plates) in the cafeteria
- Friday: compost bins in each of the three hallways.
Scents at school - Calvin Park/LCVI is a scent free school. We have students and staff who experience severe physical reactions when exposed to artificially made scents. The most severe reactions stem from colognes, perfumes, and body sprays. Please do not wear scents at Calvin Park/LCVI, do not apply them before you come to school, and do not apply them while at school. Thank you for your help with this.
Traffic Reminders for Drop-Off/Pick-Up
The front of our school is very busy in the morning and at dismissal. Please take care when entering and exiting the front laneway. A reminder that the front lane way is for quick drop-off and pick-up. Cars are not permitted to be parked or idling in this area. At the end of the school day, if your student is not ready to be picked-up, you must move along to maintain traffic flow.
Consider picking up your student 5-10 minutes after dismissal to help reduce congestion. Or consider dropping off/picking up your student at pre-arranged meeting spot in the surrounding neighbourhood. Thank you for your help keeping everyone safe.
School Advisory Council Update
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We are looking for some volunteers to help with upcoming pizza lunch fundraisers. Please contact Betty Betts at bettybetts@live.ca if you are available to help with pizza days. Thank you!
Pizza Lunch Fundraiser: The School Advisory Council is running a pizza lunch fundraiser to raise funds to support Grade 8 Graduation and technology purchases. Slices are $3.00 each and available for pre-order on School Day.
Our next School Advisory Council meeting is Monday, April 20 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm in the Library. All are welcome!
Thank you to the following people for taking on an executive role this year.
- Co-Chairs: Melissa Hudson & Yanina Kanevsky
- Indigenous Representative: TBD
- Secretary: Lisa Thibeault
- Treasurer: Bibhian Caraballo
- Fundraising Coordinator: TBD
- Volunteer Coordinator: TBD
- Public Relations/Communications Coordinator: Julia Krolik & Ali Darrach
- Program/Event Coordinator: Rechell Bernales
- Members at Large/Divisional Representatives: Betty Betts, Ali Darrach, Mark Foster, Tessa Morrison, Haley Somerville, Zannatin Tazreen, Sara Wellwood
- PIC Representatives: Melissa Hudson (LCVI) & Haley Somerville (Calvin Park)
Information For Grade 8 Students and Families
Comet Response
This year we have introduced a new safety response school protocol called the “Comet Response.” A Comet Response may be announced over the PA system when a student is having a challenging moment and needs space and support to ensure everyone's safety. When this happens, staff clear the hallways so the student can get the help they need. During a Comet Response, classroom doors are locked as a precaution, and learning continues as usual inside the classroom. A follow‑up announcement lets everyone know when the Comet Response has ended and regular movement through the hallways can resume. Thank you to students and staff for your patience at these times. Your cooperation helps make Calvin Park a safe and supportive place for everyone.
Mental Health Resources
Did you know that our students can access mental health support at school? Emily Landon is a Student Support Counselor (SSC) and Tiff Idems is a Social Worker who provide support services to our students. Sometimes, students will tell us if they or one of their friends need help; at other times, we rely on students' caregivers to help us get the fuller picture. If you think your student would benefit from speaking to someone, please connect with your child's teacher to contact the Calvin Park office. Also, please encourage your students to let their teacher know right away if any of their friends are talking about concerning topics or overwhelming stressors. They should not have to carry that weight alone, and help is available.
We are happy to partner with some community organizations, as well:
Family Foundational Services Winter 2026
Mental Health Services Winter 2026
Winter Workshops At A Glance 2026
Free Webinar Series for Parents & Caregivers
We are excited to share a valuable opportunity to support your child’s well-being. School Mental Health Ontario is offering a free webinar series as part of the By Your Side Learning Hub, designed to help parents and caregivers navigate important topics to support their children’s mental health.
This expert-led series will provide insights and practical strategies on:
✅ balanced device use
✅ vaping
✅ body image
✅ anxiety
The webinars will also include answers to questions that parents/caregivers can provide ahead of the webinar, giving you the chance to ask questions and gain practical guidance.
📅 Sessions run March to June
We encourage all parents and caregivers to participate in this informative series. Together, we can support the well-being of our children and communities.
Upcoming School Events
March 2
- 8A Field Trip to Art Gallery
- Grade 8 Challenge Field Trip to Queen's University
March 9-11
- HOSA Club at Competition in Toronto
March 11
- Youth Gambling Awareness Program (YGAP) for Grade 8 Core
March 13
- Grade 8 LEAP Field Trip to Queen's University
March 16-20
- Spring Break
March 23
- IEPs Go Home
March 24
- Challenge Science Fair in Cafeteria
April 7-10
- Grad Photos
June 23 - Graduation Save the Date
Significant Dates
February 17 to March 3
- Chinese New Year
February 17 to March 19
- Ramadan (Islam)
February 18 to April 2
- Lent (Christianity/Western)
March
- Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
- Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month
March 2-3
- Purim (Judaism)
March 4
- Holi (Hinduism0
March 8
- Daylight Savings Time Begins (Clocks spring forward 1 hour)
- International Women's Day
March 15
- International Day to Combat Islamophobia (United Nations)
March 16-22
- Neurodiversity Celebration Week
March 19
- Two Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQQIA+ Awareness
March 20
- Eid-ul-Fitr (Islam)
- Spring Equinox
March 21
- Naw Ruz (Baha’I New Year)
- Nowruz (Ismailis) (Islam)
- Nowruz (New Year’s Day) (Zoroastrianism)
- International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
- World Down Syndrome Day
March 26
- Epilepsy Awareness Day -wear purple
March 29
- Palm Sunday (Christianity/Eastern/Western)
March 31
- National Indigenous Languages Day
- International Transgender Day of Visibility
Our Daily Schedule
At Calvin Park PS, we have three 100 minute blocks of instructional time, in addition to two nutrition breaks and recesses. Attendance and promptness are so important for students' learning. We encourage students to give themselves plenty of time to get ready and get out the door in the morning. If a student does miss a class, they should check in with their teacher and try to catch up as soon as possible.
Time | Period / Activity |
|---|---|
8:15 to 9:05 a.m. | Period 1 |
9:05 to 9:55 a.m. | Period 2 |
9:55 to 10:15 a.m. | Grade 7 Recess, Grade 8 Nutrition |
10:15 to 10:35 a.m. | Grade 7 Nutrition, Grade 8 Recess |
10:35 to 11:25 a.m. | Period 3 |
11:25 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. | Period 4 |
12:15 to 12:35 p.m. | Grade 7 Recess, Grade 8 Nutrition |
12:35 to 12:55 p.m. | Grade 7 Nutrition, Grade 8 Recess |
12:55 to 1:45 p.m. | Period 5 |
1:45 to 2:35 p.m. | Period 6 |
2025-2026 LDSB School Year Calendar
A PDF version of the 2025-2026 School Year Calendar is available online.
