Calvin Park Comet Communication
November 6, 2026
Dear Families,
With the first week of November already behind us, our students are well settled into Calvin Park routines, and it has been wonderful to see their learning, effort, and growth across classrooms and activities. Progress reports will be sent home on Friday, November 13. These early snapshots show how your child is progressing in the first part of the year and share next steps. We encourage you to use this as an opportunity to sit down with your child to celebrate what they are doing well, reflect on areas for growth, and set goals for the rest of the year. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's teacher or the school office. We also look forward to coming together as a school community for our Remembrance Day ceremony on Wednesday, November 11, as we pause to honour and remember those who have served and sacrificed for our country.
Upcoming School Events
November 11
- Remembrance Day Ceremony
November 13
- Progress Reports sent home with students
November 16
- School Advisory Council Meeting at 6:00 pm
November 17
- LDSB Pink Shirt Day
- Beaver Computing Challenge
November 20
- PA Day (no school for students)
Extra-Curriculars
Eco Club News
Our Eco Club officially started two weeks ago. We are excited to have fifty grade 7 and 8 students interested in helping us make Calvin Park a more environmentally friendly school. For the next two months we will focus on:
- Habitat Garden and Little Forests
- Nutritower (hydroponic vertical farming)
- Outdoor Learning
- Climate Leadership
Beaver Computing Challenge
We have 70 students from all 4 programs participating in the University of Waterloo's Beaver Computing Challenge this year. The contest will be written on Tuesday, November 17, 2026 from 10-11:15 am, and we are holding weekly practice sessions leading up to the contest.
There are many extra-curricular opportunities for students to get involved in. Rec Volleyball, Competitive Volleyball, Coffee House rehearsals, Smash Bros eSports, Book Club, Rocket League, and more are in full swing!
LDSB Concussion Protocol
The Limestone District School Board is committed to helping all students succeed and lead safe, healthy, and active lives. As part of its commitment to student safety, injury prevention, and well-being, the Ministry of Education supports concussion awareness, prevention, identification, management, tracking, and training in schools through legislation, policy, and resources.
Please review the LDSB Concussion Protocols and Resources here: https://www.limestone.on.ca/concussion_protocols
School Advisory Council
The next meeting is Monday, November 16 from 6:00 - 7:30 pm in the Library. All are welcome!
Calvin Park Pizza Lunch Fundraiser
The School Advisory Council is running a pizza lunch fundraiser to raise funds to support Grade 8 Graduation and technology. Pizza Pizza slices are available to pre-order ($3.00 per slice). Order information is on School Day. Unfortunately, if your child orders pizza and is away that day, we are not able to issue a refund, but Mr. Wartman will save their pizza and they can pick it up later in the week. If buses are cancelled due to inclement weather , the pizza order will be cancelled so please send a lunch if your student goes to school. Thank you for your support!
Traffic Reminders for Drop-Off/Pick-Up
THANK YOU, FAMILIES! We have noticed a real improvement at the front of the school in recent weeks. Thank you for keeping the front laneway moving and for not parking or idling during drop-off and pick-up. Your cooperation helps traffic flow smoothly and keeps our students safe. Please keep up the great work!
Entrepreneurship Workshop Series
Students: Do you have a great idea? Have you ever thought about starting your own business, creating a product, offering a service, or solving a problem in your school or community? You’re invited to take part in our Entrepreneurship Workshop Series, a hands-on opportunity to explore your ideas and learn what it takes to turn an idea into something real.
Throughout the series, you’ll have opportunities to:
💡 Generate and develop ideas based on your interests, skills, and the problems you want to solve
🎯 Explore your customer and opportunity to find out who might want your product or service and why
🛠️ Build your business idea by thinking about your product or service, costs, pricing, branding, and next steps
🚀 Develop your pitch and learn how to confidently share your idea with others
Who should participate?
Students who are curious, creative, interested in entrepreneurship already have an idea, or simply want to try something new. No previous business experience is required.
Fall Sessions: All sessions will be offered at Limestone District School Board Education Centre - 220 Portsmouth Avenue from 6:30pm to 8pm. The sessions will be hybrid (you will get the link upon registering)
Session 1: November 10th - Ideation, Turning Your Idea into an Opportunity
Session 2: November 17th - From Idea to Opportunity – Who and Why?
Session 3: November 24th - Build Your Business – Make it Happen
Session 4: December 1st - Pitch Your Idea –Tell Your Story
Bring your ideas, your interests, your questions, and your creativity. Your idea could be the start of something amazing!
Entrepreneurship Program - Limestone District School Board Main Website
Scents at School
We are asking everyone to take this seriously. Please do not wear scents at LCVI/Calvin Park! Do not apply them before you come to school, and do not apply them while at school. Thank you for your help and for looking out for one another.
Student Accident Insurance
School Board Policy states that participation on school sports teams (both elementary and secondary) is conditional on obtaining at least the basic student accident insurance coverage for the student or proof of external private coverage through your family plan. The cost of basic coverage is approximately $17.00 per year. This covers the student while attending school during the school day. The time spent by students participating on school-sponsored teams is considered part of the school day, even if the games and/or practices are held outside of the regular school hours. It is recommended that all parents consider this program. Visit www.insuremykids.com to get this inexpensive and highly recommended insurance.
Attendance
Please use the Safe Arrival system to report your child's absence or late arrival.
If your child needs to leave early for an appointment, please email both the classroom teacher and Calvin Park office (calvp@limestone.on.ca).
How to report your absence:
1. Toll-free telephone
- Call 1-855-257-9349 toll-free to report an absence using the automated phone system.
2. School Messenger App
- Use your mobile device to download and install the free SchoolMessenger blue app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store, the SchoolMessenger website portal, or from within the LDSB mobile app.
- The first time you use the app, you must select Sign Up to create your account. Please ensure you use the same email address your student’s school has on file. If you do not use that same email address, you will not be able to create an account, or may not be able to see the "Attendance" option. You may have already created an account when we introduced the Communicate broadcast system.
- Select Attendance, then select Report an Absence and follow the prompts.
3. SchoolMessenger SafeArrival Website Portal
- Visit the SchoolMessenger website portal.
- The first time you use the app, you must select Sign Up to create your account. Please ensure you use the same email address your student’s school has on file. If you do not use that same email address, you will not be able to create an account, or may not be able to see the "Attendance" option. You may have already created an account when we introduced the Communicate broadcast system.
- Select Attendance, then Report an Absence and follow the prompts.
COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS
Support is available in the community for families who may be looking for additional support for their student(s). Please see some of the available resources below.
Reaching out to a trusted adult, family member, friend, or support professional can also make a meaningful difference when someone is struggling. Encouraging help-seeking and connection can be an important protective factor for students.
- Kids Help Phone – Call or text 988 for 24/7 support across Canada
- Kids Help Phone – Text CONNECT to 686868 or access live chat at kidshelpphone.ca
- Maltby Centre (March 17 Kingston Walk-in Clinic; March 18 Sydenham Walk-in Clinic)
- One Stop Talk – Call 1-855-416-8255 or connect online
- Resolve Counselling Services in Kingston and Napanee
- One Roof Kingston (ages 12 to 25)
- Lennox and Addington Youth Hub (ages 10 to 24)
- In an emergency, call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department
Food Supports
Check out this new website to find food support in Kingston: https://kingston.food-help.ca/
Upcoming Significant Dates:
November: Indigenous Education Month, Hindu Heritage Month
November 1-7
- Holocaust Education Week
November 2-8
- Treaties Recognition Week in Ontario
November 7
- International Inuit Day
November 8
- Diwali (Hinduism)
- Bandi Chhor Diwas (Sikhism)
- Indigenous Veterans’ Day
November 5-11
- Veterans’ Week
November 11
- Remembrance Day
November 15-21
- Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week
November 16
- Louis Riel Day (Ontario)
November 17
- LDSB Pink Shirt Day
November 20
- Transgender Day of Remembrance
November 24
- Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Sikhism)
November 29
- Advent (Christianity/Western/Eastern)
