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February 27 Newsletter

<h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">Joyceville Public School Newsletter</h3><h4 class="editor-heading-h4" dir="ltr">A Message to Families</h4>It has certainly been a true winter week at Joyceville! With fresh snow on the ground, many of our students have been enjoying the continued winter fun at recess. While the snow has been great for outdoor play, the temperatures are still quite chilly. Please continue to send students with warm winter clothing (hats, mitts, snow pants, and boots) so they can comfortably enjoy their time outside.We were also grateful to only have one snow day this week — always a small victory in a Canadian winter! Despite the weather, it has been another busy and positive week of learning, teamwork, and school spirit here at Joyceville.Thank you, as always, for your continued support.<hr><h4 class="editor-heading-h4" dir="ltr">Hot Lunch Program – Lunchbox Registration</h4>Families who wish to participate in our hot lunch program must register through Lunchbox. If you require any assistance with registration, please contact the school office and we will be happy to help.<h4 class="editor-heading-h4" dir="ltr">Pizza Day Update</h4>The missed pizza day from January 16 has been rescheduled for Monday, March 9.<h4 class="editor-heading-h4" dir="ltr">Kindergarten Registration for September 2026</h4>If you have a child who will be starting Kindergarten next year, we strongly encourage families to register as early as possible. Early registration helps us plan staffing, classroom organization, and supports to ensure a smooth and successful start for our youngest learners. If you know families in the community with kindergarten-aged children, please help us spread the word.<h4 class="editor-heading-h4" dir="ltr">Director’s Update – Key Highlights</h4>The Limestone District School Board has approved the 2026–2027 school year calendar (Option 2), with:<ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">September 1, 2026 – P.A. Day</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">September 2, 2026 – First day of classes for students</li></ul>Families are also invited to a free community evening with author Monique Gray Smith on March 12 at Queen’s University. Additionally, the Virtual School Survey for 2026–2027 is now open until March 13 for families who may be considering that option.The Board continues to share math and literacy resources for families through the Limestone Online Learning Resources and Tutoring webpage.<hr><h4 class="editor-heading-h4" dir="ltr">Grade 8 Graduation – Save the Date</h4>Please note that our Grade 8 Graduation will take place on Tuesday, June 23 at 5:30 p.m. We look forward to celebrating this important milestone with our graduating students and their families.Mr. Guild will be sending more detailed information directly to Grade 8 families in the coming week.<hr><h4 class="editor-heading-h4" dir="ltr">Boys’ Basketball – A Season to Celebrate</h4>We are very proud of our boys’ basketball team for an outstanding season. The team competed with determination and sportsmanship and advanced all the way to the semi-finals of the district tournament.Thank you to our families for your continued support from the sidelines and behind the scenes. A special thank you to Mr. Guild for his commitment and coaching throughout the season. Most importantly, congratulations to our players for representing Joyceville Public School with such pride and teamwork.<hr><h4 class="editor-heading-h4" dir="ltr">LEGO Robotics Team Shines at St. Lawrence College</h4>Our LEGO Robotics team made us incredibly proud at their competition today at St. Lawrence College. The students demonstrated creativity, problem-solving, and perseverance throughout the event.Thank you to our families for supporting the team, to School Advisory Council for helping fund this opportunity, and to Madame for her dedicated coaching and leadership. We are so proud of our students for the way they represented Joyceville Public School.<hr><h4 class="editor-heading-h4" dir="ltr">JEDI Club Leadership During Black History Month</h4>Joyceville students have been engaging in meaningful learning and leadership through the work of our JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Club in recognition of Black History Month. Club members collaborated to research and create a series of student-friendly profiles highlighting influential Black Canadians and leaders.This work has been shared with classrooms across the school and is also proudly displayed in our main hallway. The display not only celebrates important voices and contributions but also serves as an authentic literacy opportunity, inviting students to read, reflect, and learn as they move through the building.We are very proud of our JEDI Club members for their thoughtful work, student leadership, and commitment to helping make Joyceville a welcoming and inclusive place for all learners.<hr><h4 class="editor-heading-h4" dir="ltr">In the Classroom: Focus on Writing and Math</h4>Across Joyceville, our staff continue to engage in short learning cycles in both writing and mathematics to better support student growth.In writing, teachers are implementing the SRSD (Self-Regulated Strategy Development) model. This approach helps students explicitly learn strategies for planning, organizing, and reviewing their writing while also building independence and confidence as writers.In mathematics, staff are using current assessment information to identify specific skill areas and provide targeted instruction during focused learning cycles. This work allows teachers to respond quickly to student needs and monitor progress closely.We are proud of the thoughtful, evidence-informed work happening in classrooms and look forward to sharing more about student growth in the months ahead.<hr><h4 class="editor-heading-h4" dir="ltr">Upcoming Dates</h4><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">March 4 – Grade 8 Graduation Photos</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">March 12 – Milkshakes for Sale (in support of Grade 8 Graduation)</li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem">March 30 – Country Fair Planning Meeting, 6:00 p.m. in the Library</li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem">April 14 – Dental Screening (JK/SK, Grades 1, 2, and 7)</li></ul>

2026-02-27 20:32:08.823 +0000 UTC

Joyceville Newsletter February 20

<h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Joyceville Public School Newsletter</h2>It is hard to believe that the first term is already behind us. We are incredibly proud of our students and the many accomplishments we have seen in classrooms, on the field, and in the gym over the past several months. Their growth, effort, and positive attitudes continue to shine.With report cards now having gone home, we have officially moved into Term 2. This is always an exciting time of year as we look ahead and support students in building on their progress. We are eager to see how far our students will grow between now and the end of the school year.<h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">Hot Lunch Program – Lunchbox Registration</h3>Families who wish to participate in our hot lunch program must register through Lunchbox. If you require any assistance with registration, please contact the school office and we will be happy to help.<h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">Pizza Day Update</h3><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">Today’s scheduled pizza day will be refunded to families.</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">The missed pizza day from January 16 has been rescheduled for Monday, March 9.</li></ul><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">Grade 8 Opportunity – Summer Travel for Credit</h3>The Limestone District School Board is offering an exciting Summer 2026 Travel for Credit opportunity for current Grade 8 students. This program allows students to earn their Grade 10 Civics and Careers credits while travelling through the Canadian Maritimes.The experience blends classroom learning with hands-on exploration of Canadian history, geography, and culture. It is a wonderful opportunity for students who enjoy experiential learning and travel.Families interested in learning more can visit the LDSB website for full details and application information.<h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">Kindergarten Registration for September 2026</h3>If you have a child who will be starting Kindergarten next year, we strongly encourage families to register as early as possible. Early registration helps us plan staffing, classroom organization, and supports to ensure a smooth and successful start for our youngest learners. If you know families in the community with kindergarten-aged children, please help us spread the word.<h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">Staff Update</h3>Mrs. Lavergne is currently away on leave, and we are hopeful to have her back with us very soon. We thank Mr. Bennett for the excellent work he has been doing in the Grade 3/4 classroom. Mr. Bennett will be returning to the Grade 3/4 class on Monday.<h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">Director’s Update – Key Highlights</h3>The Limestone District School Board has approved the 2026–2027 school year calendar (Option 2), with:<ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">September 1, 2026 – P.A. Day</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">September 2, 2026 – First day of classes for students</li></ul>Families are also invited to a free community evening with author Monique Gray Smith on March 12 at Queen’s University. Additionally, the Virtual School Survey for 2026–2027 is now open until March 13 for families who may be considering that option.The Board continues to share math and literacy resources for families through the Limestone Online Learning Resources and Tutoring webpage.<h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">Basketball Success and Upcoming Tournament</h3>Congratulations to Mr. Burnham and the girls’ basketball team on winning gold at the end-of-season tournament against Sinclair Public School. We are very proud of their teamwork and determination.Good luck to Mr. Guild and the boys’ team, who will be competing in their tournament this coming Monday. We are cheering you on!<h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">Lego Robotics Competition</h3>Madame Duazo-Cooper will be taking members of our Lego Robotics Club to St. Lawrence College on February 25 to participate in their end-of-season tournament. Best of luck to our students as they represent Joyceville!Thank you to our staff for organizing these valuable extracurricular opportunities and for the many hours they give to support our students. We also extend sincere appreciation to our School Advisory Council and Bingo Committee for generously funding these experiences.<h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">Winter Olympics Celebration</h3>Yesterday’s Joyceville Winter Olympics was a tremendous success. Students had an incredible time participating in outdoor activities and showing outstanding Olympic spirit throughout the day.A special thank you to our staff for organizing such a fun and engaging event, and to Mrs. Norman for her leadership in bringing the day together. We also appreciate our intermediate student helpers who supported the younger students with enthusiasm and care.Events like this remind us how strongly our students embody the true spirit of the Olympics — teamwork, perseverance, inclusion, and joy.Thank you as well to our SAC and Bingo Committee for their ongoing support, and to Tim Hortons for their generous donation of hot chocolate that helped keep our students warm and smiling.As you enjoy the Olympic events on television this weekend, we hope you feel proud of the spirit our Joyceville students demonstrated.Go Canada Go!<img src="/images/80ef307e-b577-4703-9c31-c595f8a4dbd8" alt="Screenshot 2026 02 20 135227" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block">

2026-02-20 19:22:32.62 +0000 UTC

Winter Olympics at Joyceville

Winter Olympics Spirit Day – Tomorrow!With beautiful winter weather in the forecast for Thursday, we’re excited to take advantage of it with our own School Winter Olympics Celebration!Students and staff are invited to wear Team Canada colours (red and white) or represent any Olympic country of their choice. Let’s fill the school with  colours and Olympic spirit!We will be heading outside for part of the afternoon, so please ensure students are dressed warmly with proper winter gear.A big thank you to Parent Council for generously providing hot chocolate for all students following the event. We truly appreciate your continued support of school spirit and community events.And a special shout-out to Mrs. Norman for pulling this together on short notice as we realized what a fantastic winter day Thursday is shaping up to be!Looking forward to a great afternoon together. Go Team Canada — and good luck to all countries represented!

2026-02-18 18:32:51.511 +0000 UTC

Upcoming Events

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EQAO Webinar for Parents and Guardians: What to Expect on the OSSLT

Community Evening with Author Monique Gray Smith

Spring Break - No Classes for Students

EQAO Literacy Session for Families: Focus on Writing

Good Friday - No Classes for Students

EQAO Webinar for Parents and Guardians: What to Expect on the OSSLT

Community Evening with Author Monique Gray Smith

Spring Break - No Classes for Students

EQAO Literacy Session for Families: Focus on Writing

Good Friday - No Classes for Students

Easter Monday - No Classes for Students

P.A. Day - No Classes for Students

Victoria Day - No Classes for Students

P.A. Day - No Classes for Students

Last Day of School for Students

P.A. Day - No Classes for Students

About Our School

Welcome to Joyceville Public School where we provide our students with a safe, caring, and cooperative learning environment. Working as a team, we strive to provide each student in our school an opportunity to achieve his or her potential personally, academically, and socially. Our teachers are a dynamic group who plan exciting lessons that challenge our Kindergarten to Grade 8 students to set high expectations for themselves and to work toward achieving those goals every day.

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Limestone District School Board Welcomes 2026–2027 Student Trustees

The Limestone District School Board (LDSB) is pleased to announce the appointment of its 2026–2027 Student Trustees, who will be formally welcomed at the April meeting of the Board.Student trustees play an important role in bringing student perspectives to board-level discussions, helping ensure that student voice is reflected in decision-making across the district. For the upcoming term, LDSB looks forward to working with three engaged and passionate student leaders who represent rural, urban, and Indigenous student communities:<h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Audrey Bateman – Rural Student Trustee</h2>A message from Student Trustee Bateman: I'm so excited to be your rural student trustee this year. This role is such a great place to create lasting change for the current and future classes. I'm really looking forward to connecting with the trustees and students from across the board to try and make school a more fun, inclusive, and memorable experience where we can.  Everyone's voice matters!<h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Victoria McCourt – Indigenous Student Trustee</h2>A message from Student Trustee McCourt: I applied for the Indigenous student trustee position because I feel that having a voice to represent Indigenous students, their issues and concerns is important. I would like to help celebrate and honour the Indigenous students in the Limestone District School Board. I look forward to helping create more opportunities for Indigenous students and I want our youth to feel proud of who they are and their Indigenous identity. <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Mathew Katz – Urban Student Trustee</h2>A message from Student Trustee Katz: I applied to become a student trustee to advocate for issues that both I and students from across LDSB are passionate about. I specifically hope to be able to work on issues related to environmental sustainability and anti-racism. Ultimately, I want to ensure students’ voices are heard and meaningfully represented.The Limestone District School Board congratulates Audrey, Victoria, and Matthew on their appointments and looks forward to welcoming them at the April Board meeting as they begin their term as student trustees for the 2026–2027 school year.<img src="/images/6101cb72-005e-4aad-b211-341230a8738b" alt="2026 2027 Student Trustees" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block">

2026-03-04 14:48:09.694 +0000 UTC

Message from the Director - February 20, 2026

Dear Families,I hope everyone had a good, short week following the Family Day Weekend. We have had a small taste of warmer weather recently, though we know there may still be more winter days to come. As we head toward the end of February, I would like to share a few updates with Limestone families:2026-2027 School Year CalendarThank you to everyone who took the time to fill out the 2026-2027 School Year Calendar Survey. Approximately 3,700 responses were submitted from families, staff, and community members. We appreciate your time and providing the feedback.As shared previously, the school year calendar for 2026-2027 presents unique challenges, with Labour Day falling unusually late on September 7, and Easter occurring just four days after March Break. Across all three school boards (Limestone DSB, Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic DSB, and Hastings and Prince Edward County DSB) Option 1 was the preferred choice, and Option 2 ranked second and third, with only marginal differences in support.Following further review of the potential calendars, and considering potential financial implications, it was determined that implementing Option 1 would create additional costs for all three boards. Given that Option 2 very closely aligns with Option 1, differing by only one day and without the associated financial implications, all three boards supported Option 2, with the school year starting September 1 (P.A. Day) and the first day of classes for students on September 2.At Wednesday night’s Board Meeting, the Limestone Board of Trustees approved <a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/documents/375540e1-d8af-4e1c-a856-7035ab3f1e4b/2026-2027-School-Year-Calendar-Final.pdf" class="editor-link">Option 2 for the 2026-2027 school year calendar</a>, and this calendar will be submitted to the Ministry of Education for final approval.You Are Invited: Community Event: An Evening with Monique Gray Smith, Author of Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults – March 12, 2026Students, families, staff, and community members are invited to a free in-person evening with author Monique Gray Smith. This special event will bring our community together to learn about care, reciprocity, connection to the land, and connection to one another.  Date: March 12, 2026 Time:   6:30 p.m. - Vendors and refreshments                6:45 p.m. - Doors open                7:00 p.m. - Speaker begins Location: Queen's University, Duncan McArthur Hall, 511 Union St., KingstonLight refreshments will be provided, and the first 50 attendees will receive a free copy of her book. <a href="https://bit.ly/LDSBMoniqueGraySmithEvent" class="editor-link">Registration is required</a>. Please <a href="https://bit.ly/LDSBMoniqueGraySmithEvent" class="editor-link">register online</a> in advance — we look forward to seeing you there!This event has been made possible with the support of the Limestone Learning Foundation, Queen’s University Faculty of Education, and the Limestone District School Board.2026-2027 Virtual School SurveyFamilies interested in enrolling their students in virtual school for the 2026-2027 school year should complete the <a href="https://ca1.voxco.com/S2/?st=fu443Fws9prkkUlLZrFDxwJzvjfy6JjISrxBQtOLRo8%3D&mod=0&dlang=en" class="editor-link">Virtual School Survey.</a> This helps with early planning for the next school year. This virtual school survey is not for registration and families will need to <a href="mailto:virtualk8@limestone.on.ca" class="editor-link">contact Elementary Virtual School to officially register their students for next year</a>. If you have more than one student interested, please complete the survey for each student. The survey will remain open until Friday, March 13, 2026. Families can <a href="https://ca1.voxco.com/S2/?st=fu443Fws9prkkUlLZrFDxwJzvjfy6JjISrxBQtOLRo8%3D&mod=0&dlang=en" class="editor-link">access the survey online</a>. If you require a printed survey, please contact Principal <a href="mailto:myerskm@limestone.on.ca" class="editor-link">Kate Myers by e-mail</a>.                <a href="https://ca1.voxco.com/S2/?st=fu443Fws9prkkUlLZrFDxwJzvjfy6JjISrxBQtOLRo8%3D&mod=0&dlang=en" class="editor-link">Access the survey online.</a>Ministry and Board Resources for Math and LiteracyThere are many resources available designed to support your student’s learning in math and literacy, offering engaging activities that can make learning fun and effective for students and families. <a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/tutoring" class="editor-link">Visit Limestone’s Online Learning Resources and Tutoring webpage</a> to learn more. Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement in Limestone school communities. We truly value the strong partnership we share with families and look forward to the second half of the 2025-2026 school year continuing positively for students, families, and staff.Krishna BurraDirector of Education

2026-02-20 21:00:23.337 +0000 UTC

Boardroom Briefs: February 18, 2026

Boardroom Briefs is intended to provide highlights of presentations, reports and decisions made at the regular meeting of the Limestone District School Board of Trustees. The following are highlights of the February 18, 2026 Regular Board Meeting. Agendas and meeting recording can be found on the website under <a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/board_meetings-1719463739654" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="editor-link">Board Meetings</a>.  <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Regular Board Meeting - February 18, 2026</h2><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Land Acknowledgement </h3>All meetings begin with a Land Acknowledgement: "The Limestone District School Board is situated on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek and Haudenosaunee. We acknowledge their enduring presence on this land, as well as the presence of Métis, Inuit, and other First Nations from across Turtle Island. We honour their cultures and celebrate their commitment to this land."<h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Private Session Report</h3><details open="false"><summary>February 4, 2026 EPOC Meeting and February 18, 2026 Board Meeting</summary><div data-lexical-collapsible-content="true">Trustee Lloyd stated: “During Private Session following at the February 4 Education, Policy, and Operations Committee (EPOC) Meeting, Associate Superintendent Hedderson and Associate Superintendent Blackburn provided a Legal and Property Update.There was no other business conducted, or motions passed in Private Session. Earlier this evening during Private Session, the private session minutes were approved from the January 14, 2026, Regular Board Meeting and the February 4, 2026, EPOC Meeting. Associate Superintendent Gollogly provided a Safe Schools, Superintendent Young provided a legal update, and Trustees discussed a Personnel update.There was no other business conducted, or motions passed in Private Session.”MOVED BY: Trustee Lloyd and seconded by Trustee Scott that the Private Session Report be received. Carried.</div></details><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Approved Absences</h3>Chair McGregor indicated that regrets were received from Trustee Morning to have her absence from tonight’s meeting be approved due to illness.<h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">Presentation/Delegation</h3><details open="false"><summary>LDSB Continuing Education: A Closer Look at the Personal Support Worker Program</summary><div data-lexical-collapsible-content="true"><img src="/images/1f82cff8-a9e2-40aa-aabd-7bec84bbe0a7" alt="Personal Support Worker Presentation Title Slide" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block">Associate Superintendent Blackburn welcomed Principal Kate Myers, staff member Caitlin Turcotte, and student Luciana Xavier Vandermeer. An overview of Continuing Education programs was provided, with a focus on the PSW program as a strong example of Ministry‑supported community partnership. Principal Myers outlined the six Continuing Education programs offered: International and Indigenous Languages, Adult English as a Second Language (ESL), Get Set (Skills Education and Training), teacher‑assisted self‑study/correspondence credits, fee‑for‑service interest courses, and the PSW program.The PSW program, normally tuition‑based, has been tuition‑free for approximately five years through Ministry funding, currently committed until March 31, 2026. The program operates as a “living classroom” in partnership with the County of Lennox and Addington at the John M. Parrott Centre long‑term care home, supported through multiple funding waves, with an additional application pending. The accelerated five‑month program emphasizes dignity, respect, compassion, and real‑world learning, integrating students early into the long‑term care environment. The program includes 330 hours of theory and lab instruction, 110 hours of supervised placement, two additional 100‑hour unsupervised placements, and the opportunity to earn six secondary school credits where applicable. Successful completion of the provincial PSW exam is required.Since September 2024, 78 students have enrolled, with a 71% completion rate and a 100% employment rate among graduates, exceeding provincial targets. Wrap‑around supports help reduce barriers by covering items such as scrubs, footwear, transportation, rent, and groceries. Strong provincial and local demand for PSWs was noted, particularly in light of upcoming long‑term care builds. The program meets provincial curriculum standards and has completed quality assurance certification. Ms. Turcotte spoke to the supportive learning environment, the value of the living classroom model, and the program’s focus on dignity, independence, individualized care, privacy, and safety. Ms. Xavier Vandermeer shared her experience as a recent graduate, highlighting the program’s high standards, strong supports, and impact on her personal and professional development. Chair McGregor thanked the team for their presentation and opened the floor to questions.</div></details><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">Reports From Officers</h3><details open="false"><summary>Chair's Report</summary><div data-lexical-collapsible-content="true">"As we gather for our February meeting, I want to take a moment to recognize the energy across our schools as we begin a new semester. Hallways and classrooms are buzzing, and it’s been wonderful to see students engaged in winter activities that support learning, well-being, and connection during these colder months.Looking ahead, we will soon be launching our 2026-2027 budget survey. This is an important opportunity for members of the public to share their feedback and perspectives as we begin planning the budget for the next school year. Community input plays a meaningful role in informing our budget-making process, and we encourage families and community members to participate when the survey opens.I would also like to highlight Pink Shirt Day on February 25. Schools across the district will be recognizing this day as a visible show of our shared commitment to kindness, inclusion, and respect. We are proud of the many ways our schools foster safe and welcoming environments where every student feels they belong.Thank you to our students, staff, and school communities for the positive start to the semester and for the important work happening each day across our district. That concludes my report.”</div></details><details open="false"><summary>Director's Report</summary><div data-lexical-collapsible-content="true">Director Burra stated: “Good evening Trustees and the viewing public. It is hard to believe, but we are already a few weeks into the second half of the 2025-2026 school year. First term and first semester report cards have been sent home or are going home this week, secondary students are making course selections for next year, Choices at 9 programs have completed their processes, Choices at 7 programs will be making decisions soon, March Break is just around the corner, and planning is well underway for the 2026-2027 school year. Preparations for next year will continue to ramp up and we eagerly await the release of the budget for next school year that may well be delayed given Queen’s Park is in recess until March 23. I have a number of highlights and upcoming events that I would like to share this evening. One significant highlight occurred on February 4 just before our EPOC meeting when a Black History kick-off event was held at LCVI. While I know Senior Staff and some Trustees were able to attend the most of the event due to our EPOC meeting, there were several performances highlighting the significance of Black History in Canada and the local region.  It should also be noted that this February is the 30th anniversary of Black History Month in Canada. A big thank you to teacher consultant Andrea Barrow and students and staff of LCVI for hosting this event. I should also note that the very impressive banners highlighting significant Black Canadians that were displayed at the event are now part of a travelling historical exhibit that will be making the rounds at different secondary schools this month and some elementary schools in the spring. Andrea Barrow has also created a range of resources to support Black History Month in LDSB schools, as well as resources to support curriculum delivery in schools.A significant upcoming event is what we are hoping will be an outstanding Skills Competition at St. Lawrence College next week on February 25 and February 26. Almost 500 Limestone students, Grades 4 to 12, will be participating across over 25 secondary events and six elementary events. The Skills Competition is yet another example of community partnership that showcases critical skills events and the local community college.Winter KASSAA seasons have either ended or will be ending prior to March Break. Tomorrow evening the girls volleyball championships will be held at St. Lawrence College, and Friday evening St. Lawrence hosts the boys’ basketball finals. It should be noted that LDSB has one team in two of the finals and both teams in the other two finals.I would like to also highlight Limestone’s participation in larger community initiatives that involve multiple local partners in supporting more services for children and youth in areas across Limestone. The Unnamed Youth project and the ACES and Resilience Coalition of KFL&A. Both of these initiatives bring together partners to better serve children and youth. This is exciting work that provides hope and support for many youth requiring improved services and/or access to services.One final highlight that I will draw Trustees’ attention to is our continued emphasis on collecting voice from the communities we serve. Tonight, Associate Superintendent Gollogly will share an overview of the school year calendar feedback and look for Trustee approval of the 2026-2027 calendar. As mentioned by Chair MacGregor, in the next couple of weeks or so, we will be providing an opportunity for input on the 2026-2027 budget. Additionally we will also gauge interest from families in virtual school programming for next year. And finally, in the spring, all Limestone families will have the opportunity to respond to a family engagement survey. Limestone school communities and staff are critical partners, and our schools are representative of the communities we serve; we have a responsibility to be responsive to community voice and changing circumstances. And on a final note, I would like to thank all Limestone staff who contributed to the 2025 United Way campaign. We just received the final tally and LDSB staff contributed almost $50,000 to the campaign which provides critical supports to meet the needs of some of the most vulnerable people in KFL&A, including students and families we serve.Thank you, Chair McGregor. That concludes my report."</div></details><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">Reports</h3><details open="false"><summary>OPBSA Report</summary><div data-lexical-collapsible-content="true">Chair McGregor shared that she will be attending the OPSBA regional meeting scheduled for February 28, to be held virtually. The meeting will review proposed draft changes to the organizational structure including an opportunity to provide input regarding the inclusion of representation from each board at local regional tables. Following this meeting, the membership will vote on the proposed amendments on March 12, 2026.</div></details><details open="false"><summary>Student Trustees' Report</summary><div data-lexical-collapsible-content="true">Student Trustee Ismail stated: “Good afternoon, Trustees and members of the public. We held our Interschool Council (ISC) meeting February 10, chaired by Mia Comeau and Rachel Kolosov. It was a special meeting to host elections for incoming Student Trustees for the 2026-2027 school year. This year, elections took place differently, as there were partial Tri-Board Transportation cancellations on that day. As a result, the elections took place in a hybrid format. Candidates were able to participate in the elections remotely or in-person to ensure the elections remained accessible for students. We’ve had a total of 13 candidates; three Indigenous, four Rural, six Urban, who’ve shown interest and took part in elections for the Student Trustee. It has increased from previous years and shows that more students are feeling empowered to take part in governance and student leadership. During the election period, we had set a goal to increase visibility and the number of applications, made possible especially thanks to the efforts of the communications team. Within the Council as well, we have spent time during our meetings to brainstorm ways schools can raise awareness for the positions as well. Last month, the Interschool Council was invited to support a board initiative connected to a provincial conference for Directors and Supervisory Officers across Ontario, centered on the theme Leaders as Agents of Change. The goal of the project, run by Associate Superintendent Sartor and Ms. Grange was to create a short compilation video that gathers student voices and lived experiences. We were able to gather participants from Kingston Secondary School, Granite Ridge Education Centre, and Napanee District Secondary School, and over the past few weeks, those students shared their thoughts and experiences to a variety of prompts. Their voices, representing local student perspectives, are valued and being brought to conversations provincially. This concludes our February ISC report. Thank you.</div></details><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">Reports for Action</h3><details open="false"><summary>Recommended School Year Calendar 2026-2027</summary><div data-lexical-collapsible-content="true">Associate Superintendent Gollogly presented a report recommending approval of the 2026-2027 school year calendar. It was reported that approximately 3,700 responses were received through the consultation process, with the majority submitted by families (approximately 80%), followed by staff (approximately 20%), and a small percentage from other community organizations.It was noted that, across the three boards, Option 1 was consistently rated as the preferred calendar. However, Option 1 was identified as having financial implications for certain employee groups due to a proposed August start date. As a result, alternative options were reviewed to balance interest group feedback with operational and financial considerations.Option 2 was presented as the recommended calendar, as it most closely aligns with Option 1 while avoiding significant financial impact. It was noted that Option 2 begins on September 1, includes standard Professional Activity days, provides a board‑designated break day prior to March Break, and concludes with a Professional Activity day on June 29. Based on consultation feedback and operational considerations, approval of Option 2 for the 2026-2027 school year calendar was recommended.MOTION MOVED by Trustee Ruttan and seconded by Trustee Neill that Trustees approve the recommended Calendar Option 2 for the 2026-2027 School Year Calendar. Carried.</div></details><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">Reports for Information </h3><details open="false"><summary>Trustee Distribution</summary><div data-lexical-collapsible-content="true">Superintendent Young presented a report regarding Trustee determination and distribution in preparation for the 2026 municipal election. It was noted that this report is brought forward on a cyclical basis and that Trustees who served during the previous review in 2021-2022 were acknowledged for their work, as the last process involved extensive discussion and adjustments to electoral boundaries.Trustees were directed to the agenda package, which includes background information on electoral boundaries, legislative requirements, and key timelines related to the upcoming municipal election. It was reported that the Ministry has advised that it will not be issuing a new Trustee determination and distribution report for 2026, therefore, the existing 2022 report remains the reference document. Key dates outlined in the report provide a general timeline for nominations, filings, and voting, noting that specific dates may vary slightly.Superintendent Young reported that LDSB currently has nine elected Trustee positions, consistent with provincial legislation governing boards with an electoral population between 100,000 and 149,999. Based on current projections, the Board’s electoral population for 2026 is approximately 141,856, and as a result, the allowable number of elected Trustees will not change for the upcoming election. The Board will continue with nine elected Trustees, in addition to the Indigenous Trustee.Legislative requirements were reviewed, including the Board’s obligation to pass a resolution regarding the designation of low‑population municipalities. It was noted that Limestone has, for several elections, designated the northern portion of the Board as low‑population municipalities in order to ensure reasonable representation, and this approach remains consistent with past practice.Trustee responsibilities in advance of the 2026 election were outlined, including finalizing the determination and distribution, approving Trustee honoraria for the next term, and appointing a compliance audit committee. These items will be brought forward in future reports for Trustee approval.Trustee distribution maps and population data were reviewed, including ward‑level information for Kingston. It was noted that there has been no notification of changes to Kingston’s electoral wards and that only minor population variations were identified since the previous election. While some student populations were not fully reflected in the current data, these figures will be updated in a subsequent report. Overall, it was reported that the existing ward‑to‑Trustee distribution remains well-balanced, reflecting the effectiveness of the adjustments made during the previous review.</div></details><h3 class="editor-heading-h3" dir="ltr">Adjournment</h3>MOTION MOVED BY: Trustee Lloyd and seconded by Trustee Godkin that the meeting adjourn. Carried.The Meeting Adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

2026-02-20 15:21:55.775 +0000 UTC

Land Acknowledgement

The Limestone District School Board is situated on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek and Haudenosaunee. We acknowledge their enduring presence on this land, as well as the presence of Métis, Inuit, and other First Nations from across Turtle Island. We honour their culture and celebrate their commitment to this land.