As the temperatures gets cooler, please remind your student to dress for the weather and wear a jacket. We are outside for recess twice per day and want our students to be comfortable and enjoy their time outdoors.
Staffing Updates: We are pleased to welcome Ms. Jasmine Phang teaching Grade 7 Challenge. Note that Ms. Allison Gladu (vice-principal) is currently on leave. Thank you to Ms. Wilma Pettingill (retired Calvin Park administrator) who is filling in at this time.
Thank you to our School Advisory Council for the generous donation of new sports equipment for recess time. We are loving our new basketballs, volleyballs, soccer balls, frisbees, bouncing balls, and more! Thanks as well to families who donated gently used sports equipment for recess. We appreciate your support.
Artwork by Grade 8 CORE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Off Property Lunch
This year, we will be offering students the opportunity to go off-property for lunch on assigned days. On off-property days, students can leave school property from 12:15-12:55 with guardian and school permission. During this time, they can walk home or go to a nearby restaurant or store to purchase lunch. Only students who return this signed consent form (School-Day or paper permission form) will be permitted to go off property. Please note that students are welcome to stay at school during this time and follow their regular lunch break/recess routines.
The off-property lunches will start on the following days:
● Wednesday, October 29 - Grade 7 (and every Wednesday thereafter)
● Thursday, October 30 - Grade 8 (and every Thursday thereafter)
Opportunities to make public transactions, such as the purchase of lunches at a restaurant or store, help students develop their financial literacy skills while also showcasing that they are becoming increasingly responsible and independent. With that being said, please note that Calvin Park PS staff do not provide off-property supervision.
Going off-property for lunch is subject to school approval in conjunction with guardian permission. We have been so appreciative of students representing Calvin Park PS in kind, respectful manners on field trips and school outings. When off-property, students must behave responsibly and appropriately, cross roads safely following pedestrian signals, eat their lunch off property, and return to school on time. Students are not permitted to store any leftover food or drinks in their lockers, so purchases must be consumed off school property. Students are aware that the opportunity to go off-property is a privilege which may be withdrawn if inappropriate conduct is demonstrated.
Reporting Student Absences
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.
Costume Reminders:
For students who choose to wear a costume on Friday, please be mindful. We know that people do not pick out a costume with the intention of being insensitive or hurtful, but it can happen. This can be avoided with awareness, thoughtfulness, and empathy. We ask that our whole community, including staff and students, avoid costumes that do the following:
1. Depict identities and cultures that are not our own. Identity and cultural appropriation can include costumes that depict another person's traditional clothing, ethnicity, nationality, gender, socio-economic status, disability, and religion.
2. Depict and perpetuate harmful stereotypes of marginalized and minoritized people.
3. The following website is a good resource for students and families that you could also go over with students if you wish: http://www.lspirg.org/costumes
Along with the previous three points, do not bring any props that involve weapons (ie. fake knife, toy gun), or any masks that cover the whole face.
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 |
Expectations & Reminders
At Calvin Park, we have high expectations for student behaviour. Key topics were reviewed at grade assemblies in September.
- Culture of Respect & Inclusion: We are committed to creating an equitable, inclusive, and accessible school for everyone. We value our diversity and know it enriches our experiences and our school.
- Vaping/Smoking is not permitted on school property or within 20 metres of school grounds. Vape detectors in washrooms alert administration.
- Washrooms: Students are not permitted to congregate or hang out in washrooms.
- Cell Phones: As per the Ministry of Education's direction, cellphones are NOT to be used during instructional time. Cellphones shall be stored in student lockers and either powered off or set to silent during the instructional day. Parents/Guardians will be contacted if their student is not abiding by this directive.
- 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.
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
Congratulations to all the hard working cross country racers who battled the elements on Fort Henry hill earlier this week. Comets showed awesome grit and determination on a cold and muddy course. Way to go, runners!
Students who are interested in participating in Volleyball Skill Development should sign up on the Athletics Board by Wednesday, October 29. Skills sessions will begin the first week of November. (People already on school vball teams are not eligible).
Eco News
Our school’s Eco Club is off to a fantastic start with over sixty grade 7 and 8 students signed up. Ms. Tang and Mr. Candela are looking forward to another exciting year. We plan to maintain our Ecoschools certification as well as have a nature focus with many of our campaigns. For the next few months we will work on the following projects:
- CPPS/LCVI Habitat Garden year 4
- Hydroponic Tower year 3
- Plant a Seed for Little Forests Kingston year 2
- National Geographic Slingshot Challenge year 1
Bus Notes
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.
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.
New Pedestrian Crossing on Sir John A. Macdonald Blvd
Message from City of Kingston:
The newly installed mid-block pedestrian signal along Sir John A. Macdonald Blvd makes it easier and safer for pedestrians and students to cross the road.
This is a two-stage crossing with a median waiting area for pedestrians.
1. Press the button to activate the walk signal for the first half of your crossing.
2. When you reach the median, press the button again to activate the walk signal for the second half.
Benefits of a two-stage crossing:
- Shorter, safer crossing distance with an accessible waiting area
- More time for pedestrians to cross compared to a traditional single-stage crossing
- Improves traffic flow by reducing vehicle wait times in each direction
To learn more, visit the City of Kingston’s Pedestrians webpage
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 at the front of the school. A reminder that the front lane way is for quick drop-off and pick-up. Cars should not 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 time to help reduce congestion. Or consider dropping-off-/picking up your student at a pre-arranged meeting spot in the neighbourhood. Thank you for your help keeping everyone safe.
School Advisory Council Update
Our next School Advisory Council meeting is Monday, October 27 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:
Upcoming Events ...
Monday, October 27:
- Spirt Day - PJ Day
- School Advisory Council Meeting (6-7:30 pm)
Tuesday, October 28:
- Bus Safety Presentation
- Visit LCVI's Haunted Hallway (optional)
Wednesday, October 29:
- Off Property Lunch - Grade 7
- Visit LCVI's Haunted Hallway (optional)
Thursday, October 30:
- Off Property Lunch - Grade 8
Friday, October 31:
- Spirit Day - Dance/Games
Friday, November 7:
- Grade 8 Core Field Trip
Tuesday, November 11:
- Remembrance Day assembly
Thursday, November 13:
- Progress Reports sent home
Friday, November 14:
- PA Day
November 20-21:
- Grade 7 Immunizations (please return forms asap)
2025-2026 LDSB School Year Calendar
A PDF version of the 2025-2026 School Year Calendar is available online.
