Comet Communication Newsletter November 30

Calvin Park Public School Comet Communication

November 30, 2025

Calvin Cares

It's that time of year again - Calvin Cares is back! In the spirt of the holiday season, Calvin Cares will once again be supporting our school community. The Calvin Cares campaign collects food items and new toys for families in our community for whom the winter holiday season may be a challenging one for. From December 1-12, Calvin families that are able to are strongly encouraged to bring in non-perishable food items and new toys (see posters below). In addition to the support this brings to our community, students receive one ticket for food items and five for a toy, tickets to then put in the cup of a staff member to receive a pie to the face. Thank you for helping Calvin Cares bring kindness, laughter, and community spirit to our school this season.

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 not wear scents at Calvin Park/LCVI, apply them before you come to school, or apply them while at school. Thank you for your help with this.

Thank you to Ms. Tang and students in the Challenge program for performing at the November LDSB Board Meeting. Students played Coldplay's Viva la Vida on glockenspiels and xylophones. We are grateful to borrow these instruments from the LDSB arts lending library. Way to go, Comets!

Dress for the Weather

Remember to send your students to school every day prepared for the weather. We have 40 minutes of outdoor recess every day and classes may enjoy gym time outside.

Inclement Weather Days

Our first "snow day" of the year came early this year, a reminder that winter weather is here. Please note that you can sign-up to receive notifications of cancellations to your student's specific bus route at https://triboard.ca/. If your students is going to stay home on an inclement weather day, please remember to report their absence through School Messenger to help us track attendance and ensure student safety.

Prayer Time Update

Calvin Park Dhuhr prayer time is in the Cafeteria or lower library from 12:45 pm-12:55 pm.

Food Sharing Program

The Food Sharing program is continuing this year with snacks available in coolers placed daily in each classroom. These snacks are for all students to enjoy; all Food Share items are free.

Extra-Curriculars

eSports Update

Congratulations to everyone who competed in the Provincial Smash Bros eSports Tournament this weekend! Shout outs to Florian, Liam, and Kobe for taking home 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively, and to Jack, Fernanda, Yash, Eloise, and Chase for making the top 16 tournament. Way to go, Comets!

Volleyball

All the best to our four volleyball teams at the LESAA competitions this week!

Eco News

Our Habitat Garden and Hydroponic Tower projects will require us to raise money. For our first fundraiser we would like to invite you to purchase TruEarth’s eco-friendly laundry detergents. Our school will earn 20% of every sale. 

To order please visit https://tru-earth.sjv.io/CalvinParkPS

Black Friday Special! 30% off True Earth fundraiser for Eco Club is on until Monday, December 1.

Bus Notes

For students requesting a bus note to go on another student's bus, both sets of guardians must provide written permission. Notes must be handed in to the Calvin Park office no later than 12:00 pm.

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.

Choices at Seven:

Please share with younger siblings and friends! Current grade 7s are also welcome to apply! More information can be found here:https://www.limestone.on.ca/choices_at_7

Human Development And Sexual Health

• As part of LDSB's commitment to ongoing transparency and communication with families, please follow the link to Form 325-D on the LDSB website. It outlines the Human Development and Sexual Health curriculum expectations for Grades 1-8.
• Families can request to have their child or children exempted from instruction related to Human Development and Sexual Health expectations by completing and returning an exemption form for each child (Form 325-B) five school days before the start of instruction.
• Prior to instruction, your child's classroom teacher will inform parents/guardians when the expectations related to the Human Development and Sexual Health expectations in Strand D will be covered.

Here is the LDSB Math Newsletter below which includes clickable live links: November Newsletter 2025

 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

Our next School Advisory Council meeting is Monday, January 19 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)

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:

• Maltby Centre
• School Mental Health Ontario
• Youth Diversion
• Kids Help Phone

You’re Invited: Level Up! Skilled Trades Career Fair Open House

Limestone families – explore student opportunities in the skilled trades!

Join us for the Level Up! Open House and:

Get up close: Watch skilled trades professionals in action during live demonstrations and explore using tools and machinery.

Meet the experts: Chat one-on-one with employers, apprentices, tradespeople, and instructors who share real-world insights and personal journeys in the skilled trades.

Plan student pathways: Explore apprenticeship pathways with expert guidance and resources provided by Skilled Trades Ontario.

When: December 2, 2025, 3:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Where: Kingston, Slush Puppie Place, 1 The Tragically Hip Way, Kingston

Who: All Limestone families welcome

Upcoming School Events

December 9

• Choices at 7 Information Night at Calvin Park (6:00 pm)

December 13

• First Robotics Competition at LCVI/Calvin Park

December 15-19 is Winter Spirit Week

• Monday, December 15 - Twin Day
• Tuesday, December 16 - Blizzard Day (wear blue and white) & milkshakes
• Wednesday, December 17 - Plaid and camo Day
• Thursday, December 18 - Holiday sweater Day
• Friday, December 19 - PJ Day

December 20-January 4

• Winter Break

January 7

• Photo Retake Day

January 13

• LCVI's Choices at 9 Information Evening

January 19

• School Advisory Council Meeting at 6:00 pm

January 21-22

• Coffee House Evening Performances

February 26

• Calvin Park/LCVI Ski Trip - sign-up coming soon

Significant Dates

December 3

• International Day of Persons with Disabilities

December 6

• National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

December 10

• International Human Rights Day

December 14-22

• Hanukkah (Judaism)

December 21

• Winter Solstice/Yule

December 25

• Christmas (Christianity and Canadian Holiday)

December 25-January 2

• Chanukah (Judaism)

December 26 to January 1

• Kwanzaa (Pan African celebration)
  

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.

2025-2026 LDSB School Year Calendar

A PDF version of the 2025-2026 School Year Calendar is available online.