A Great Start to the School Year
What a wonderful start we have had at Joyceville!
It has been great to have our students back in the building, reconnecting with friends and staff and settling into the routines of a new school year. There has been such a positive feeling throughout the school, and we are very proud of how well our students have adjusted.
I also want to sincerely thank our families for the many kind messages we have received about our start-up. Your encouragement and support have meant a great deal to our staff.
A positive start to a school year really is a team effort. Our staff work incredibly hard to create safe, welcoming and engaging environments for students, but families and students are equally important members of that team. From establishing routines at home and encouraging independence, to communicating with us and supporting the work happening at school, we all have a role in helping our students feel safe, connected and ready to learn.
Thank you for your patience, flexibility and partnership. We are very proud of the start we have had together at Joyceville.
A Few Reminders for Families
Morning Arrival, Supervision & Parking
A reminder that morning supervision begins at 9:00 a.m. Students should not be dropped off or arrive on school property before that time, as staff supervision is not available.
Our parking lot can become very busy during arrival and dismissal. Please drive slowly and cautiously, watch carefully for students and families, and ensure that areas required by our school buses remain clear.
When dropping off or picking up, please keep stops as brief as possible so traffic can continue to move safely. Thank you for your patience with one another and for helping us create a safe arrival and dismissal for everyone.
Changes to After-School Plans
We know that occasionally family plans change during the school day. If your child will be picked up rather than taking the bus, or there is another change to their regular dismissal routine, please contact the school before 3:00 p.m.
After 3:00 p.m., our office and classroom staff are very busy preparing students for dismissal, and we cannot guarantee that a phone call, email or message regarding a change will be received and communicated to your child in time.
Whenever possible, please ensure that changes to after-school arrangements are communicated to us before 3:00 p.m. Thank you for helping us keep dismissal safe and organized.
Data Verification Forms
Data Verification Forms will be coming home with students in the coming days. These forms contain very important information that we rely on throughout the school year, including family contact and emergency information.
Please carefully review the information, make any necessary changes and return the form to the school as soon as possible.
Having accurate and up-to-date information is extremely important, particularly if we need to contact you during the school day.
Attendance, Punctuality & Our School Day
Regular attendance and arriving at school on time are important parts of a successful school year.
Morning supervision begins at 9:00 a.m., and we encourage students to arrive with enough time to join their classmates in their designated area before the school day begins at 9:10 a.m. Arriving on time helps students begin the day calmly, connect with their classmates and participate in classroom entry and opening routines right from the start.
When students arrive late, it can be difficult for them to enter a class that has already begun learning, and it can also interrupt the routines teachers are working hard to establish. This is especially important during the first few weeks of school as students become comfortable with new classrooms, expectations and daily routines.
Regular attendance is equally important. Being at school consistently helps students build relationships, develop routines and keep up with their learning. It also gives teachers the opportunity to better understand each student's strengths and needs and provide support when it is needed.
We know there will always be times when children are sick or when appointments and family circumstances make an absence unavoidable. Whenever possible, we ask families to schedule appointments outside of school hours and make regular attendance a priority.
We also recognize that sometimes there are challenges that make regular attendance difficult. If this is the case for your child, please reach out. Working together is always the best way to help students feel supported and successful.
Every school day matters, and we appreciate families working alongside us to make regular attendance and being on time a shared priority.
Our Daily Schedule
9:00 a.m. – Morning supervision begins
9:10–10:50 a.m. – Learning Block 1
10:50–11:30 a.m. – Recess & Nutrition Break
11:30 a.m.–1:10 p.m. – Learning Block 2
1:10–1:50 p.m. – Recess & Nutrition Break
1:50–3:30 p.m. – Learning Block 3
3:30 p.m. – Dismissal
Reporting Student Absences – SafeArrival
One of our most important responsibilities is making sure every student is safely accounted for each day. Limestone District School Board uses the SchoolMessenger SafeArrival system for reporting student absences and late arrivals.
All parents and guardians are asked to report every student absence, regardless of the reason.
SafeArrival can be used to report:
- a full-day absence
- an extended absence
- a late arrival
SchoolMessenger App
Families can download the free SchoolMessenger app and create an account using the same email address that has been provided to the school.
Once signed in, select Attendance, choose Report an Absence and follow the prompts.
Families can also access SchoolMessenger through the LDSB mobile app.
SchoolMessenger Website
Families can also report absences through the online portal:
SchoolMessenger SafeArrival Portal
Please use the same email address the school has on file. If a different email address is used, you may not be able to access your child's attendance information.
By Telephone
Absences can also be reported using the automated toll-free telephone system:
1-855-257-9349
SafeArrival is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and future absences can also be entered in advance.
Whenever possible, please use SafeArrival rather than calling the school directly to report an absence. This helps our staff quickly account for all students and makes our safe-arrival process much more efficient.
Late Arrivals
If your child will be arriving late, please use the Late Arrival option in SafeArrival and include the expected arrival time.
When students arrive after the school day has begun, they must check in at the office before going to class. This allows us to update our attendance records and know that the student has safely arrived.
Additional resources are available here:
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Using the SchoolMessenger App for SafeArrival
- Setting Preferences in SchoolMessenger/SafeArrival
- Video: Creating a SchoolMessenger Account
- Video: Reporting an Absence in SchoolMessenger
Medical Plans of Care
If your child has a medical condition requiring a Plan of Care, please ensure that the appropriate forms are completed and returned to the school as soon as possible.
Limestone has Plans of Care for students with anaphylaxis, asthma, diabetes and epilepsy, as well as a General Plan of Care and additional forms for students who require medication or medical procedures at school.
Current forms and information can be found on Limestone's Medical Procedures page:
Limestone Medical Procedures & Plans of Care
If you are unsure which forms your child requires, please contact the school office and we will be happy to help.
Food, Treats & Allergy Safety
We want celebrations at school to be fun and inclusive while also keeping all of our students safe.
We ask families not to send food or treats into school for birthdays, holidays, classroom celebrations or other special occasions. With a growing number of allergies, dietary restrictions and medical needs within our school, food brought in for sharing can create unnecessary risks for students.
There are lots of wonderful non-food ways to recognize special occasions, and we appreciate families helping us keep celebrations safe and inclusive for everyone.
Joyceville is also a nut-safe school environment. Please do not send foods to school that contain peanuts or tree nuts. Individual classrooms may also have additional allergy considerations depending on the needs of students.
While no school can guarantee an allergen-free environment, we all have an important role to play in reducing risk for students with serious allergies.
Thank you for your continued care and cooperation.
Volunteering at Joyceville & Vulnerable Sector Checks
We are always grateful for the support of family and community volunteers at Joyceville. Throughout the year, there may be opportunities to help with field trips, classroom activities, special events, extracurricular activities and other school programs.
Please note that a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) is required for anyone who wishes to volunteer in the school or with students. This includes volunteering in classrooms, accompanying classes on field trips, helping with school events, coaching or assisting with extracurricular activities, and other volunteer opportunities involving students.
When a VSC is first submitted to the school, it must have been completed within the previous six months. Once we have it on file, it is valid for three years. During the years in between, volunteers will be asked to complete the required annual Declaration of Offence and Oath of Confidentiality.
If you think you may be interested in volunteering at any point this school year, we encourage you to complete the process early. Vulnerable Sector Checks can sometimes take time to process, and having everything in place ahead of time makes it much easier when opportunities arise.
Families who would like to begin the process can contact Mrs. Scott in the school office for a volunteer letter and further information.
Thank you for considering volunteering your time. The support of our families adds so much to the experiences we are able to provide for students.
Student Accident Insurance
Limestone District School Board requires students participating in extra-curricular activities to have accident insurance coverage. Before students can take part, families must confirm that they have their own coverage for expenses not covered by the Provincial Health Plan, or purchase student accident insurance.
Each year, families have the option of purchasing Student Accident Insurance through Reliable Life Insurance Company. This coverage can help with expenses such as dental injuries resulting from accidents, fractures and other costs that may not be covered through OHIP or a family workplace benefit plan.
Families are encouraged to review their existing coverage and decide what best meets their needs. The Board does not provide accident insurance for students and is not permitted to do so under the Education Act.
Information and application forms are provided to students at the beginning of the school year. Families can also purchase coverage online at:
A family plan is also available for families with three or more students, provided at least one child attends a Limestone District School Board school.
Human Development and Sexual Health
As part of Limestone's commitment to keeping families informed about student learning, parents and guardians are encouraged to review the Human Development and Sexual Health expectations within the Ontario Health and Physical Education Curriculum.
Form 325-D outlines the Human Development and Sexual Health curriculum expectations for students in Grades 1–8.
Families who wish to have their child exempted from instruction related to these specific expectations may do so by completing and returning Form 325-B for each child at least five school days before the instruction begins.
Classroom teachers will let families know in advance when Human Development and Sexual Health expectations in Strand D will be taught.
Families looking for additional information can also review Administrative Procedure 325: Exemption From Human Development and Sexual Health Instruction on the LDSB website or contact the school with any questions.
School Advisory Council
Thank you to the parents and guardians who joined us for our first Joyceville School Advisory Council meeting on Tuesday, September 8.
Our School Advisory Council is an important way for families to become involved in our school community, hear about what is happening at Joyceville, share ideas and provide input.
Parents and guardians do not need to hold an elected position on Council in order to attend meetings. Everyone is welcome, and we hope to see both returning and new families at meetings throughout the year.
Information about upcoming SAC meetings will continue to be shared with families.
Private Music Lessons 🎸
Ready to make some music? 🤘
Derek McGowan is a member of the Joyceville community, a dad to two JPS students, and for the past four years, he’s been bringing private music lessons right to Joyceville on Mondays!
Derek is a full-time Guitar, Bass & Ukulele teacher with over 30 years of experience. Whether your child is just picking up an instrument for the first time or ready to take their playing to the next level, Derek keeps lessons fun, encouraging and tailored to what they actually want to play.
From Pop, Hip-Hop and Country to Blues, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal — there’s something for every future musician (and rock star 🤘).
Interested in getting your child playing? Reach out to Derek directly for more information, availability and how to get started.
Let’s make some noise! 🎶🎸
905-699-3121
Looking Ahead
Thank you again to our students, families and staff for helping make the beginning of the school year such a positive one.
Joyceville is a special community, and the partnership between our school and families is such an important part of what makes it that way. We appreciate the support, patience and kindness families have shown as everyone settles into the routines of a new year.
We have lots to look forward to and are excited about the learning, activities, experiences and opportunities ahead for our students.
We look forward to a wonderful year together!