Bayridge Bulletin - Aug 31, 2025

Welcome to the 2025-2026 School Year, Bears!

Dear Families,

We are excited to welcome you for the 2025/26 school year! The first day of school for all students is Wednesday, September 3rd. School starts at 9:05 am and staff will be outside ready to greet students at their line up spot beginning at 8:50 am. There will also be vested staff present on the pavement to help students locate their class. Attendance will be taken once all classes head inside with their teachers.

Main Office

Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am-4:00 pm. The office will be covered for an hour throughout the day. You can email us at bayri@limestone.on.ca or call 613-389-6900. Emails and phone messages will be answered within 48 hours. For immediate assistance, please call back and to speak to someone. Bayridge Public School is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment. Harrassment, discrimination, violence, or abuse towards staff will not be tolerated. Please review the LDSB Code of Conduct below. Thank you.

Class Placements

Class placements and line-up spots will be communicated to families via Aspen (email) by staff on Tuesday, September 2nd. Please note Tuesday, September 2nd is a PA Day - there is no school for students. As always, starting class placements are subject to change if actual enrolment numbers require school reorganization. There has been lots of care, consideration, and collaboration with staff when working on class placements.

Medical Plan of Care

If your student had an existing Medical Plan of Care, we sent home blank copies of all of the necessary documents with report cards in June! If you require new medical documentation, please visit https://www.limestone.on.ca/policies-procedures under Section 300 (Student Related Forms) for Medical Forms or reach out to the office for a copy of the documents. Any questions, please email bayri@limestone.on.ca. We are happy to support families with their completion if needed. Medication needs to be brought in/signed off by caregivers and not sent in student backpacks.

Data Verificaton Forms & Computer Use Agreement

Hard copies of Data Verification Forms will be sent out in September to ensure we have the most up to date information in our Aspen database. If your contact information has changed over the summer, please provide us with an update via email before the start of school. A walking permission form will be sent out the first week via School Day while we wait to send home Data Verification forms. Families who have a student in JK or are new to BPS will receive a secure match key in order to access School Day.

Each year, we require families to sign off on our Computer Use Agreement in order for their students to access technology. This will be send out on School Day in early September.

Lunchbox Lunch Program

We will be using Lunchbox for our Lunch Program for efficiency of ordering and delivering. Although you are welcome to create an account and explore the www.lunchboxorders.net site now, please remember that class placements may change in the month of September as it requests a teacher name when you register. We are currently working with Lunchbox to source vendor and food options for Mondays. We have Edo Japan (bowls and sushi) on Wednesdays and Gino's (pizza and chicken fingers) on Fridays). Milkshake days can still be ordered on School Day at this time.

Food Share Program

We will be offering the Food Share Program to all of our classes. All students can access this program. Please reach out if your student has dietary restrictions. More information will follow about Grade 7 & 8 students leaving school property for lunch and the Grade 6-8 breakfast program.

School Supplies

Classroom supplies are provided to all students Kindergarten through Grade 8. Students will need to bring food for two 20 minute nutrition breaks (one in the morning and one in the afternoon), a lunch bag/box, a backpack, and indoor shoes. Indoor shoes are necessary to keep our classrooms clean. Outdoor shoes are not allowed to be worn in the gym for the safety of staff and students. Check the weather in the morning for appropriate dress for the day.

Service Dogs

Only service dogs are allowed on school property - this is standard practice across the Limestone District School Board in order to keep you, your dog, and staff and students safe. Owners with dogs without visible identification will be asked to leave school property. Thank you for your understanding.

We can't wait to see you soon!

Be you, belong, believe, be a bear!

Ms. Stephen, Mrs. Asselstine, and The BPS Team

School Timetable - Balanced Day

Tentative Staff Organization: 2025-2026

Thank Yous and School Updates

Over the summer, the custodiaal staff have been hard at work! A huge thank you to Mr. C, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Wolfe for summer cleaning work! Our school looks great!

A very special thank you to the staff and families who looked after the gardens over the summer. We appreciate you giving up your time to tend to the weeds, water the flowers, and nurture the plants/harvest.

While you were gone, school improvements were made:

• interior door project - new metal doors were installed
• gardens were tidied

Concussion Protocol

Click HERE to read the Flow Chart.

LDSB is committed to helping all students succeed and lead safe, healthy, and active lives. As part of its commitment to student safety, injury prevention, and well-being, the Ministry of Education supports concussion awareness, prevention, identification, management, tracking, and training in schools through legislation, policy, and resources. Click HERE for more information on the LDSB website. The office calls home for all students who have a head injury/suspected concussion. If a student has one or more symptoms of a concussion they are given an orange bracelet are will not particiapte in physical activity (i.e., physical education, DPA, recess) until cleared (signed off) by a caregiver and/or medical professional. We encourage all students with symptoms of a concussion to be picked up from school and monitored by a caregiver and assessed by a medical professional.

Cell Phones in Schools

We encourage students and families to use the office phones whenever possible, if they need to contact each other throughout the school day. However, we understand that there are certain circumstances in which a cell phone may be deemed necessary.

When can students use a mobile device: If a student is in Grade 6 and below, they can bring a mobile device to school but will only be able to use it before and after school.

If a student is in Grades 7-12, they must keep their personal mobile devices stored out of sight (i.e., in the teacher's locked closet) and either powered off or set to silent mode during instructional time, except when an educator grants explicit permission for use under the specified circumstances.

What parents/caregivers can do: You can teach your student about finding a healthy balance in using technology by limiting screen time at home. You can also:

• Read Media Smarts’ tips for managing your kids’ screen time
• Explore Centre for Addiction and Mental Health’s (CAMH’s) services and resources if you have concerns about your child’s use of technology
• Explore School Mental Health Ontario resources to help you manage your child’s screen time

Student Clothing

The Limestone District School Board is committed to upholding human rights and creating an equitable, inclusive, and accessible school climate that ensures all students and staff feel safe, comfortable, and accepted. Administrative Procedure 352: Student Clothing has been updated to reflect this commitment.

The Student Clothing Administrative Procedure will be applied in a fair and consistent way throughout schools in the LDSB in an effort to respect student clothing decisions within parameters and in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Prevalent Medical Conditions

This message is intended for the families of students with prevalent medical conditions (AP 314) where documentation is needed by the school:

Please read if your student is attending Bayridge Public School and has a medical condition. We are here to support students with medical conditions to fully access school in a safe, accepting, and healthy learning environment that fully supports their well-being.

In order to make sure we are able to support the needs of your child, we ask that you take the time to complete the appropriate medical forms that are applicable to each of your children. This year, we are moving to a digital format. Please email all forms to the school when completed.

All medical forms are accessible through the Limestone District School Board website, click HERE to access all the information and documentation we require you to submit to the school before September 4, 2024. Please email your child's completed medical forms to bayri@limestone.on.ca.

Please note the following:

• Form 311 (B, C, D, E) is the Plan of Care, which is required by all students with Epilepsy, Diabetes, Asthma and / or Anaphylaxis. Please make sure to fill out the correct form(s) for your child’s medical condition. This is a fillable PDF document, which you can fill out online and email back to the school email bayri@limestone.on.ca
• Form 311-A General POC
• Form 311-B - Epilepsy Plan of Care
• Form 311-C - Diabetes Plan of Care
• Form 311-D - Asthma Plan of Care
• Form 311-E - Anaphylaxis Plan of Care
• Form 314-A1 is the Authorization and Request for Administration of Prescribed Medication. If your child requires medication during school hours, this form MUST BE completed and signed by the physician. As you will not know the teacher or room number, please leave that blank for the office to complete. Please have the physician email it directly to the school at bayri@limestone.on.ca
• Form 314-A2 is the Authorization and Request for the Administration of Prescribed Medication. This form is for you to sign and give permission to the school to administer the medication indicated on Form 314-A1. If this applies to your child, please sign, and email the form to the school.
• Form 314-A3 is the Authorization and Request for the Administration of an Epi-Pen. This form is only required for students with Anaphylaxis. If this applies to your child, please sign, and email the form to the school.
• Form 314-B1 is the Administration of Medical Procedures. This form needs to be submitted if there is a certain medical procedure that needs to happen during school hours. If this applies to your child, please complete the form, sign, and email the form to the school.

These forms are extremely important for us to receive back from you so that we can support the needs of your child. No medication or procedures can be administered at school without the authorization forms signed and filed at the school.

In accordance with Limestone District School Board Policy, students at risk for anaphylactic reaction, and have prescribed epi-pens, are always to carry an epi-pen on their person. Please ensure that your student has his/her epi-pen with them and readily available to staff when they are at school. We store the second epi-pen at the main office.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the school. Thank you in advance for your attention to this important matter. We appreciate you gathering all this vital information and emailing it back to us in a timely manner so that we can fully support the needs of your child during the upcoming school year. Please email your child's medical plan and forms to bayri@limestone.on.ca.

Supplemental Forms:

Click below for necessary supplementary forms needed including:

• Form-314-A1: Authorization and Request for Administration of Prescribed Medication/Medical Procedures
• Form-314-A2: Authorization and Request Form for the Administration of Prescribed Medication
• Form-314-A3: Authorization and Request Form for the Administration of an Epi-Pen
• Form-314-A4: Asthma Management - Request and Authorization for the Administration of Reliver/Rescue Inhaler
• Form-314-B1: The Administration of Medication and/or Medical Procedures to Students: Record of Procedures

Student Accident Insurance

The Limestone District School Board requires that students have student accident insurance in order to participate in extra-curricular activities. Before students will be allowed to participate in these events, parents/guardians must confirm their own coverage for items not covered under the Provincial Health Plan, or purchase an insurance plan.

Each year a Student Accident Insurance Plan is made available to all students on a voluntary basis. The plan provides protection for dental damage due to accidents, fracture benefits and other important coverage, which are not covered under the Provincial Health Plan. Some parents may have dental plan coverage through their workplace but many of these plans are limited in one way or another, while this accident coverage is not. You should compare plans to make sure you have the coverage you need or desire.

In making this plan available, the Board wishes to make its position clear in the matter of insurance. Under the Education Act, the Board is not permitted to provide insurance coverage for accidents to pupils, therefore, the Board recommends consideration of this plan to any parent who wishes to obtain this kind of insurance. Although the policy has all the advantages of a group plan, it is essentially a direct contract between the parent and the insurance company.

A family plan is also available for three or more students which permits the enrolment of students in the family who are attending schools outside the jurisdiction of this Board as long as at least one child in the family is attending a school within the Limestone District School Board.

If you wish to subscribe to this insurance, you may do so by completing the form handed out to students the first week of school and mailing it directly to Reliable Life Insurance Company in the stamped envelope provided. Or, for your convenience, you may purchase directly online at www.insuremykids.com.

Human Deveoplment & Sexual Health

Parents/guardians play an important role in their children’s learning. As such, the Ministry of Education requires the Limestone District School Board to inform parents/guardians when instruction related to Human Development and Sexual Health will occur. Please read the list of expectations by grade before exempting your student from this strand in the Ontario health c curriculum using Form 325-B.

Form 325-A - Notice of Period of Instruction Grade 1 to 8

Form 325-B - Exemption Letter Parent Request

Form 325-C - Principal Acknowledgement of Exemption Request

Form 325-D - List of H.D. and S.H Instruction Expectations by Grade

Creed-based Accommodations

LDSB is committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment that promotes acceptance and protects freedom of creed for all individuals. This Administrative Procedure stipulates the process of requesting creed-based accommodation. LDSB will take all reasonable steps to ensure freedom of creed-based beliefs and practices consistent with the Code. It is expected that students and their families will help the Board to understand their creed-related needs and will work with the Board and its schools to determine appropriate and reasonable accommodations. Should your student require a creed-based accommodation, please reach out to the school to set up a time to meet and complete Form 106A: Creed-based Accommodation Request Form. More information can be found HERE.

School Trips and CPICs for Volunteers

Throughout the year, we may ask for parent/guardian volunteers on school trips or for various classroom and school activities. The wait time for obtaining a CPIC (background check with vulnerable sector screening) can be lengthy. As such, if you think you would be willing to assist with a trip or school event in the future, please consider obtaining a CPIC with vulnerable sector screening, beforehand.

IndigenousSelf-Identification

The Limestone District School Board (LDSB) invites students to voluntarily and confidentially self-identify as Indigenous. Elementary and secondary students with First Nations, Métis, and/or Inuit ancestry can self-identify HERE.

School board self-identification is based on any degree of Indigenous ancestry (Status, Non-Status, Métis citizenship, etc.). Self-identification can be withdrawn at any time. LDSB, in accordance with the Ministry of Education, Ontario, does not require proof of identity to self-identify.

The School Advisory Council (SAC) Needs You!

SAC Elections & September Meeting Date

It's that time of year - parents/caregivers! School Advisory Council (SAC) elections for Executive Positions are coming up very soon! The first SAC Council Meeting of the 2025-2026 school year and Elections will take place on Wednesday, September 17th at 5:30 pm. The elections will take place first in the Learning Commons with the SAC meeting following afterwards.

Please use the link below to submit nominations or drop by the school to pick up a hard-copy nomination form. Nominations are anonymous and you can nominate yourself or someone else for a position. If you are nominating someone, please ensure they are up for the position and have agreed to your nomination. The person you nominate must be available to be present at the meeting. Your nomination does not count as a vote; you must be present to vote. Nominations (for others and self) can be accessed HERE and are due by 12:00 noon on Wednesday, September 17th.

Positions for election are:

Chair/Co-Chair: Represents, works with and provides support to all school community and council committee chairs. This person works closely with the school principal and VP, school staff and parents to enrich the education of all students. Additionally, they preside over and conduct monthly council meetings, set agendas and schedule meetings (in consultation with the VP/Principal). The chair promotes discussion amongst council members and the community, receives and reports on correspondence sent and received by council. Acts as coordinator between the school board and council. Receives documentation from board and keeps council advised of board decisions, activities etc. Supports programs, initiatives and activities led by other council members and contributes to the monthly council newsletter.

Vice Chair: Presides at meetings in the absence of the chair or upon the incumbent’s inability to serve. Responsible for overseeing all sponsored events and programs.

Treasurer: Works with the council and coordinators in developing an operating budget, keeps a full and accurate account of receipts and expenditures and serves as the liaison with the Board of Education. Additional responsibilities include depositing/disbursing funds on behalf of the council, the preparation of monthly financial statements, and the preparation & filing of all necessary financial reports.

Secretary: Attends scheduled council meetings, records, maintains and distributes minutes of meetings, keeps non-financial records of council.

Fundraising Coordinator: Plans, manages fundraising activities of council. Works closely with the treasurer.

Indigenous Representative: This is a newer position with the SAC and will evolve and grow organically.

Divisional Representatives: Attends meetings and participates in many aspects of council activities, as prescribed by council. Voting member. Kindergarten, Primary, Junior positions available.

Everyone who is part of our Bayridge PS family is welcome to attend any of our meetings this year. Meeting dates will be shared out after the September 17th meeting.

We look forward to hearing your voice!

All meetings take place in the Learning Commons/Library from 5:30-7 pm. Our SAC Dates are:

• September 17
• October 15
• November 12
• December 10
• January 14
• February 18
• March 11
• April 15
• May 13
• June 10

First Week Schedule

Monday, September 1st

• Labour Day (no school for staff or students)

Tuesday, September 2nd

• PA Day (no school for students)

Wednesday, September 3rd (Day 1)

• First Day of 2025-26 School Year - Classes begin for all students - Grade K-8

Thursday, September 5th (Day 2)

Friday, September 6th (Day 3)

• Spirit Friday! Wear BPS wear or blue or green to show off your school spirit!

Coming Up

September

• September 9: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day
• September 13: Anniversary of United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
• September 19: Powley Day
• September 20-26: International Week of the Deaf
• September 22: Autumn Equinox
• September 22-24: Roshh Hashanah
• September 23: International Day of Sign Languages
• September 23: International Day of Sign Languages
• September 24: Rowan's Law Day
• September 25: Welcome & Terry Fox Assembly & Event @ 2 pm (Toonies for Terry on School Day)
• September 26: Fall Individual Photos - Edge Imaging
• September 28: Police and Peace Officers’ National Memorial Day
• September 29-October 3: National Truth and Reconciliation Week (Indigenous)
• September 30: Orange Shirt Day (Indigenous) / National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Indigenous)

October

• October 1: All Saints Day
• October 1-31: ADHD Awareness Month / Hispanic Heritage Month / Islamic Heritage Month / Women's History Month / K-2 Cyber Awareness Month (Provincial) / Learning Disabilities Awareness Month
• October 2: School Custodian Appreciation Day / Yom Kippur
• October 4: National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls/Sisters in Spirit (Indigenous)
• October 5: World Teachers' Day (LDSB Educators' Day)
• October 6-13: Sukkot
• October 6-9: Scholastic Book Fair
• October 9: Open House
• October 10: PA Day / World Mental Health Day
• October 12-15: Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah
• October 17-22: Secret Path Week (Indigenous)
• October 19-25: Canadian Down Syndrome Week
• October 20: Diwali / Bandi Chhor Diwas
• October 20-26: Local Government Week
• October 21: Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day

November

• November 5: Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji
• November 13: Progress Reports Home to Families
• November 14: PA Day
• November 19: Educational Support Staff Appreciation Day
• November 27: Individual Retakes & Class Photos - Edge Imaging

December

• December 24: Christmas Eve
• December 25: Christmas

January

• January 14: Bus Safety Presentations (last block)
• January 20: Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
• January 30: PA Day

February

• February 2: Term 2 Begins
• February 6: School Crossing Guard Appreciation Day
• February 13: Term 1 Reports & COLs Home to Families
• February 17: Lunar New Year
• February 18: Ramadan / Ash Wednesday
• February 22: School Bus Driver Appreciation Day

March

• March 1: Pesach/passover
• March 2: Purim
• March 4: Holi
• March 20: Eid-ul-Fitr
• March 21: Naw-Ruz (Baha'i) / Nowruz (Ismaili)

April

• April 1: Principal Appreciation Day / Wesak (Buddha Day)
• April 10: Holy Friday (Eastern Orthodox)
• April 14: Vaisakhi
• April 21: Ridvan (12-day Baha'i Festival)
• April 22: Administrative Professionals Appreciation Day

May

• May 4: Teacher Appreciation Week
• May 22: Shavuot - Day 1
• May 23: Shavuot - Day 2
• May 25: Grade 8 Graduation Photos - Edge Imaging
• May 28: Discover Kindergarten: 4:30-6 pm
• May 29: PA Day

June

• June 22: Grade 8 Graduation & Boat Cruise
• June 24: Term 2 Reports & COLs Home to Families

Safe Arrival - Reporting a Student's Absence

There are three options for families to use to report a student's absence:

• SchoolMessenger App on your phone.
• SchoolMessenger website portal.
• call the automated attendance phone line at 1-855-257-9349

**Always enter "lates" as a full day even if the child will only be absent for half a day. It will adjust automatically once the student arrives.
For more information on how to report an absence please watch the video below or contact Mrs. Graham in the office.

Resources for Families

Order 'Bear Wear' Online

Bear wear is always available to families - order online here!

We Have an Early On Centre at Bayridge PS

Get more information on LDSB's website about the Early ON Child and Family Centre located in Bayridge PS.