Dear Joyceville Community,
As we head into the final week before March Break, there is a sense of excitement building throughout Joyceville! With the promise of some warmer weather on the horizon, students and staff are looking forward to the change of season and a well-earned break. It has been a busy and productive few weeks at the school, and we are proud of the great work happening in our classrooms every day.
Hot Lunch Program – Lunchbox Registration
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.
Pizza Day Update
The missed pizza day from January 16 has been rescheduled for Monday, March 9.
Kindergarten Registration for September 2026
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.
Director’s Update – Key Highlights
The Limestone District School Board has approved the 2026–2027 school year calendar (Option 2), with:
- September 1, 2026 – P.A. Day
- September 2, 2026 – First day of classes for students
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.
Grade 8 Graduation – Save the Date
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 weeks.
In the Classroom: Focus on Writing and Math
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.
Upcoming Dates
- March 9- Make up Pizza date
- March 12 – Shamrock Shakes- free from our School Advisory Council!!
- March 30 – Country Fair Planning Meeting, 6:00 p.m. in the Library
- April 14 – Dental Screening (JK/SK, Grades 1, 2, and 7)
Director's Update
Posted on March 5, 2026
Dear Families,
With March now underway, and March Break fast approaching, I would like to share a few updates with families:
School Year Calendar is Approved
The Ministry of Education has approved Limestone’s recommended 2026-2027 school year calendar. The school year will begin with a P.A. Day on September 1, 2026, with the first day of classes for students on September 2, 2026. A printable version of the calendar is available on Limestone’s website.
Budget Survey
Trustees are seeking feedback on the Limestone District School Board budget planning process for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. Families are encouraged to take a few minutes to provide feedback on areas or priority. The survey is anonymous and can be accessed online at bit.ly/2026-2027LDSBBudgetSurvey . The survey closes March 23, 2026.
Video: Limestone’s Student Achievement Plan in Action – EQAO Highlights
As previously shared, the Ministry of Education released the 2024-2025 Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) results in December, and we are pleased to share that Limestone has achieved its strongest performance in four years, with gains across every testing category.
Limestone’s results are consistent with provincial trends in many areas and show meaningful improvement in others, including among specific student groups. In fact, Limestone is performing at or above the provincial average in nearly all measures.
These results reflect the collective efforts of Limestone educators, Educational Assistants, program teams, and school leaders—supported by the ongoing commitment of students and families across our district. We are extremely proud of the dedication and hard work that contributed to these achievements.
We are pleased to share a video update with families on Limestone’s Student Achievement Plan in Action – EQAO Highlights. This short video provides an overview of Limestone’s Student Achievement Plan and how it guides our shared work to support student learning and well-being.
Through insights from members of the Limestone Senior Team, families will learn about the key priorities shaping our efforts, the thinking behind our actions, and how collaboration, evidence, and reflection help us improve. The video highlights how data, professional learning, and shared leadership work together to move learning forward, while keeping students, belonging, and continuous growth at the centre. It offers a look at how planning connects to practice as we work together toward positive outcomes for all Limestone students.
Revisions to Grades 7, 8, and 10 History Curriculum
The Minister of Education has announced updates to the Grades 7, 8, and 10 History curriculum for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year.
With these updates, in Grades 7, 8, and 10, students will learn about significant contributions of Black individuals and communities to Canada’s foundation as a nation, and the obstacles they faced in the pursuit of building an inclusive and prosperous country. The Grade 10 History course will also have new learning on extreme political and social ideologies, the Holocaust and rising antisemitism, and the Holodomor famine in Ukraine.
Learn more about the updated curriculum on the Ministry of Education’s Curriculum and Resources website.
Become a Homestay and Host an International Student: A Meaningful Experience for You and Your Family
Each year, LDSB welcomes more than 120 international students into schools across the district from countries around the world, including Brazil, Italy, China, Germany, Japan, Mexico, France, Vietnam, Rwanda, and many others. Hosting an international student is a meaningful way to bring the world into your home while making a positive difference in a young person’s life. Limestone homestay families are carefully matched with students and supported by dedicated Limestone staff throughout the placement, so families are never on their own. Hosting offers opportunities for cultural exchange, the development of lasting relationships, and a monthly stipend to help offset costs. To learn more about how hosting works, the supports in place, and why many local families choose to open their homes, visit internationaled.limestone.on.ca/become_a_homestay.
Ministry Resources for Reading and Math
There are many resources available to support your student’s learning in math and literacy, offering engaging activities that make learning both fun and effective for students and families. To explore these tools, visit Limestone’s Online Learning Resources and Tutoring webpage.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support of student learning and well-being across Limestone. We are grateful for the role families play in helping students feel supported, connected, and successful, and we look forward to continuing our work together.
Krishna Burra
Have a wonderful week and March Break when it comes!
Mr. Morency