Joyceville Public School

<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Limestone District School Board students showcased their outstanding skills and talent at the 2026 Skills Ontario Competition, held in Toronto on May 4 and 5, 2026.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Skills Ontario Competition offers a unique opportunity for top students from across the province to demonstrate that they are truly the best in their field. Over two and a half days, competitors impress educators, family members, friends, and potential employers through hands-on, real‑world challenges. Medalists are awarded gold, silver, or bronze medals, with some also receiving monetary awards and the opportunity to advance to the Skills Canada National Competition, and potentially the WorldSkills Competition.</span></p><h2 class="editor-heading-h2"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Limestone District School Board Participation and Results</span></h2><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Limestone students returned home with an impressive showing across elementary, secondary, and post‑secondary categories:</span></p><h3 class="editor-heading-h3"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Elementary Competition</span></h3><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Limestone District School Board had 16 Elementary Students attend Skills Ontario in the areas of:</span></p><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Construction</span></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Horticulture and Landscaping</span></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">VEX Robotics</span></li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Lego Mechanics</span></li></ul><h3 class="editor-heading-h3"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Secondary Competition</span></h3><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In secondary Limestone District School Board had representation in the following competitions:</span></p><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Coding</span></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Electrical Installations</span></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Plumbing</span></li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Carpentry - Team - Team of 2</span></li><li value="5" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Vex V5 Robotics - Team of 4</span></li><li value="6" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Culinary Arts</span></li><li value="7" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Graphic Design - Presentation</span></li><li value="8" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Hairstyling</span></li><li value="9" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Photography</span></li><li value="10" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Prepared Speech</span></li><li value="11" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Home and Team Building - Team of 4</span></li><li value="12" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Auto Collision Repair</span></li><li value="13" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Auto Painting</span></li><li value="14" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Auto Service Technology</span></li><li value="15" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Cabinetmaking</span></li><li value="16" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Outdoor Powered Equipment</span></li><li value="17" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Welding</span></li><li value="18" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Baking</span></li><li value="19" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Computer Aided Manufacturing</span></li></ul><h4 class="editor-heading-h4"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Secondary Results:</span></h4><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Gold – Computer Aided Manufacturing:</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Jacob O’Reilly</span></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Silver – Home and Team Building (Team of 4):</strong></b></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem editor-nested-listitem"><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Quinn Sproule</span></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Clarke Lemke</span></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Parker Beeg</span></li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Jasper Keller</span></li><li value="5" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Bryden Thibodeau (competed with the team at Limestone Skills Competition)</span></li></ul></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Bronze – Auto Painting:</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Amanda Neddow</span></li></ul><h3 class="editor-heading-h3"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Post‑Secondary Competition</span></h3><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Gold:</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Alisha Haaksman</span></li></ul><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Congratulations to all competitors, educators, and programs involved for their dedication, preparation, and commitment to excellence. Limestone is proud to see students thrive, demonstrate their skills, and represent the board so well on the provincial stage.</span></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Limestone District School Board is inviting families to take part in the </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Family Engagement and Climate Survey</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. This survey gives families an opportunity to share their experiences with their student’s school and with the school board.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The feedback helps us understand what is working well and where we can improve. It also supports schools and school councils in building welcoming, safe, and supportive school communities.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The survey includes questions about:</span></p><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">How schools communicate and share information</span></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Whether families feel welcome, included, and connected</span></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Barriers to taking part in school activities, such as time, childcare, language, accessibility, or cost</span></li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Safety and bullying, including reporting and follow‑up</span></li><li value="5" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Licensed Before and After School Programs, including questions to help inform future planning</span></li><li value="6" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Some questions ask about family background to help us better understand different experiences across our communities</span></li></ul><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Participation is </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">voluntary and anonymous</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. Families may skip any questions they choose. No names or identifying information are collected. Results are shared only as grouped summaries and are used to support learning, planning, and improvement at the board, school, and school council levels.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The survey will be open from May 1 to May 11 and will be available online. Families will receive an e-mail on May 1 with a link to the survey. </strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Paper copies will also be available at your school’s administrative office starting May 1.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The survey was developed with input from families and advisory committees, including the Parent Involvement Committee, to reflect a wide range of perspectives. Families are encouraged to </span><a href="https://youtu.be/kKxSsDtggew" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">watch this short video about the survey.</span></a></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you for sharing your voice and helping strengthen our schools and school communities.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Patty Gollogly</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Associate Superintendent of&nbsp;Curriculum &amp; Program Services: School Climate &amp; Community Engagement</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Limestone District School Board</span></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Dear Families,</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">As we enter the spring season and final third of the school year, we are reminded of this season’s promise of renewal and growth, and the key role schools and families have together in supporting student learning and well-being. This time of </span><a href="about:blank" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">year</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> brings many opportunities for learning both inside and outside of the classroom, along with the return of outdoor extracurricular activities. While this week has been very wet and rainy, the warmer temperatures of spring are upon us.&nbsp; I would like to take this opportunity to share a few important updates with you:</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">P.A. Day – Friday, April 17</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A reminder to families that tomorrow, Friday, April 17, is a P.A. Day. There will be no classes for students, and we look forward to welcoming them back to school on Monday.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Family Engagement and Climate Survey – Coming in May</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In early May, Limestone will be inviting families to take part in a Family Engagement and Climate Survey. The optional survey is anonymous, and families can choose which questions they want to answer.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The survey asks about topics such as feeling connected to school, family involvement, safety and bullying, communication, before- and after-school programming, and how technology like artificial intelligence is used in schools.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The feedback shared through this survey helps schools and the school board understand what is working well, what could improve, and what may make it harder for some families to take part. Your feedback helps strengthen communication, support student well-being, and improve school experiences for everyone.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">More information will be shared leading up to the survey being live in early May. </span><a href="https://youtu.be/kKxSsDtggew" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Families are encouraged to watch a short video</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> featuring Senior Staff and a Parent Involvement Committee (PIC) Co-Chair, who share more about the Family Engagement and Climate Survey and why family voice is so important.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Human Rights Information</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Launched in October 2022, the Limestone’s Student Human Rights Reporting Tool provides a way for students, families, caregivers, and staff to report human rights concerns involving LDSB students, including matters related to discrimination and harassment. Reviewing and analyzing this information helps support safe, welcoming, and inclusive school environments and supports the board’s obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code. The&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/documents/dff6803b-6f2d-4d36-a758-68758a63ceb3/2026-04-09-Student-Human-Rights-Data-Summary-for-2024-2025.pdf?fingerprint=ppb20260409164623" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Student Human Rights Reports – 2024-2025 Summary is now available online</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;and can be accessed by families.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Student Census 2025 Update</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In November 2025, Limestone completed the See Yourself in Limestone: Student Census 2025, a voluntary and confidential survey that helps us better understand students’ identities and school experiences. The findings support planning and decision-making that promotes equity, well being, and student success across Limestone schools. An overview of the Student Census 2025 was presented to the Board of Trustees at last night’s board meeting. Families are encouraged to </span><a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/news/see-yourself-in-limestone-2025-student-census-update-20260416133605" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">visit the Limestone District School Board website to review the full Student Census summary</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> and learn more about how student voice is helping shape our work.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Mental Health Supports Available for Students</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In response to tragic events, locally or globally, students may experience a wide range of emotions, including sadness, confusion, worry, or questions about what they may be hearing from others. Students may react in different ways depending on their age, experiences, and how connected they feel to the situation. With time, reassurance, and support from caring adults, these reactions often ease.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We encourage families to keep lines of communication open at home, to invite questions, and to offer reassurance as needed. If you have concerns about your student or would like support, please refer to the following resources:</span></p><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><a href="https://smho-smso.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Supporting-your-childs-well-being.pdf" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Supporting Your Child’s Well-being</span></a></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><a href="https://smho-smso.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Caring-for-yourself-while-caring-for-others.pdf" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Caring for yourself while caring for others: A parent’s guide to self-care</span></a></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><a href="https://smho-smso.ca/parents-and-caregivers/" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">By Your Side</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> (parent/caregiver resources to support mental health learning)</span></li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem"><a href="https://maltbycentre.ca/" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Maltby Centre</span></a></li><li value="5" class="editor-listitem"><a href="https://onestoptalk.ca/" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">One Stop Talk</span></a></li><li value="6" class="editor-listitem"><a href="https://kidshelpphone.ca/" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Kids Help Phone</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Call 1-800-668-6868 or Text “Connect” to 686868)</span></li><li value="7" class="editor-listitem"><a href="https://211ontario.ca/" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">2-1-1 Ontario</span></a></li></ul><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If you are worried about your student’s immediate safety, or the safety of others, please seek urgent assistance by calling 9-1-1, your local mobile crisis service (613-354-7388), or by going to the nearest emergency department.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you for your continued support of Limestone schools and their communities. Your partnership, feedback, and engagement play an important role in strengthening student learning and well-being across Limestone. Limestone staff remain committed to collaborating with families to create safe, inclusive, and supportive school communities where every student can learn and see themselves in Limestone.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Krishna Burra</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Director of Education</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;</span></p>