Bayridge Bulletin - October 12, 2026

Dear Families,

We hope you had a nice Thanksgiving weekend (if you were participating).

October has been filled with excitement and learning! Our spirit team logo contest is complete and we will announce the winners on Tuesday and we are still collecting new socks for Socktober (with black bear team in the lead).

We need your help with our washrooms at school and speaking with your student about proper washroom etiquette. As part of our Safe and Caring schools initiative, Ms. Corea (our head custodian) is checking our washrooms twice a block (6 times a day) for cleanliness and safety.

FALL FUNDRAISER - MITCHELL'S SOUP COMPANY:

Our Fall fundraiser with Mitchell's Soup Company is almost half way to our goal. Order HERE by clicking the link to start ordering. All money raised will go toward the newly improved courtyards. Our vision is to make one a sensory space and one a learning space with shade - items for these spaces are very expensive. Ordering will close on October 29th and items will be shipped to the school and sent home with your student once received in early November. Thank you in advance for your orders! 

A MESSAGE FROM THE CITY OF KINGSTON RE: E-SCOOTERS:

“E-scooters are easy to find, but they aren't toys and aren't designed for kids. In Ontario, you must be at least 16 years old to ride wherever e-scooters are permitted. In Kingston, e-scooters are not currently permitted. The City is developing a Micromobility Regulations Strategy — with updated rules around e-scooters, e-bikes and other lightweight, rideable transportation — to support safe, accessible and sustainable travel around Kingston. The strategy, which considers public engagement feedback and research into best practices, will be presented to Council for consideration later this year. Find out more at Micromobility Regulations | Get Involved Kingston by Communications & Public Engagement.”

Sara Lagacé (she/her/hers), Supervisor, School Area Safety

Transportation & Transit, City of Kingston

MILKSHAKES (OCTOBER & NOVEMBER):

Milkshakes are still available for purchase for the month of October, and we have added the first two weeks of November. All money raised goes toward Grade 8 graduation (boat cruise and trip). Milkshakes are $3.50 and available in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Please order on School Day as we are unable to accept cash in advance or day of. The grade 8's thank you in advance for your purchase. Please note, any milkshakes ordered on Monday, October 26th will be given to students on Tuesday, October 27th.

SPOOK-A-THON- OCTOBER 29TH:

Save the date for the first annual Spook-a-thon Dance on October 29th from 5-7! Appropriate costumes please and no scary objects (e.g., no masks, weapons, knives, sill spray, etc.). Students must be accompanies by an adult. Ms. Huntley and Mrs. Asselstine had a great idea to raise money for Lexia licenses for grades 1-3 we already purchased (over $3000 in cost!). You can donate $5.20 on School Day or whatever increment in person: $1, $2, $5, $10, $25, $100, or more! If we earn more than $3000, we could purchase SK's get licenses too! For example, if we earn $1000, students get a classroom dance party AND an extra recess. We can't wait to see you then!

LUNCHBOX LUNCH PROGRAM IS LIVE!

Lunchbox Lunch Program is available to purchase Tuesday through Friday at www.lunchboxorders.net Thank you for your patience as we updated class lists and completed a vendor change. Please remember to place your student’s lunch order in advance for the days you would like them to participate. and UPDATE THE CLASSROOM TEACHER! You can place an order for the upcoming week, month, or for the year. 

Check out the Smoke 'N Barrel additions on Thursday: we've added mac and cheese and nuggets and fries.

Please note, if school buses are cancelled due to inclement weather, the Lunchbox Lunch Program is cancelled too and they will issue you a refund directly - please do not contact the school. 

All money raised goes toward student resources. Last year, we were able to purchase and install goal posts for our junior yard thanks to you!

PA DAY: MONDAY, OCTOBER 26TH, 2026 (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS)

Have a great week!

Be you, belong, believe, be a bear!

Ms. Stephen, Mrs. Asselstine & The BPS Team

School Timetable - Balanced Day

The School Advisory Council (SAC) Needs You!

SAC Elected Members & Next Meeting

The next SAC Meeting of the 2026-2027 school year and Elections will take place on Wednesday, October 14th at 5:30 pm.

*We are still looking for a SAC chair/co-chair (will be chaired by admin until determined), Indigenous Representative, and Event-Coordinator.

Everyone who is part of our Bayridge PS family is welcome to attend any of our meetings this year. We look forward to hearing your voice! In September, SAC spent their BINGO funds on:

• Transportation for 8 classes to attend field trips to Gould Lake $1,696.18
• Replacement Gym mats to code $6,663.16
• Tier One items (alternative seating, learning tools, self-regulation tools to support students with unique needs) $1,500.00
• Spirit wear for our student population $2,919.56
• T-shirt folder for spirit-wear $25.00

Thank you to our SAC members and all of our volunteers for BINGO @YGKPlay!

All meetings take place at Bayridge PS from 5:30-7 pm. Our SAC Dates are:

• October 14, 2026 
• November 11, 2026 
• December 9, 2026 
• January 20, 2027 
• February 17, 2027 
• March 24, 2027 
• April 14, 2027 
• May 12, 2027 
• June 9, 2027 

Monday, October 12:

• Thanksgiving Monday - no school for students or staff

Tuesday, October 13 (Day 3):

• Tony's Pizza & Subs
• Running Club 3:30-4:00 (for registered students)

Wednesday, October 14 (Day 4):

• Edo Japan (sushi and bowls)
• SAC Meeting 5:30-7:00 pm @ BPS

Thursday, October 15 (Day 5):

• Smoke 'N Barrell (quesadillas, mac and cheese, nuggets)
• Gould Lake Day: Ketcheson, Stone, Quaresma, Cotton
• Regional Race (Running)
• Karate Kids® Lunch-Time Program Continues (Gym)
• Running Club 3:30-4:00 (for registered students)

Friday, October 16 (Day 1):

• Bear Wear or BPS colours!
• Gino's Pizza & Chicken fingers

Coming Soon

October

• October 20: Fall Photos (Individual) w/ Edge Imaging / Gould Lake Day / Championship Race (Running)
• October 25: Anniversary of the Haldimand Treaty of 1784
• October 26: PA Day (correct date)

November

• November: Indigenous Education Month / National Indigenous Disability Awareness Month / BPS Little Caesar's Fundraiser Begins
• November 1: All Saints Day
• November 2-6: Treaties Recognition Week
• November 7: Inuit Day
• November 8: Diwali / Bandi Chhor Diwas / Indigenous Veterans Day
• November 9: Grade 7 & 8 Immunization Clinic
• November 9-15: Rock Your Mocs
• November 13: Progress Reports & COLs to Families  
• November 16: Louis Riel Day
• November 18: Retakes & Class Photos w/ Edge Imaging
• Novemeber 20: PA Day
• November 24: Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji

December

• December 4-12: Hanukah
• December 9: Big Bear Creek Land Claim Anniversary
• December 21: Winter Solstice
• December 24: Christmas Eve
• December 25: Christmas

January

• January 4: National Ribbon Skirt Day
• January 15: Birthday of Guru GObind Singh Ji
• January 29: PA Day

February

• February 5: BPS Kingston Frontenacs Game Evening & Fundraiser (Choir & Jersey Toss)
• February 6: Lunar New Year
• February 7-March 8: Ramadan
• February 10: Ash Wednesday
• February 12: Term 1 Report Cards & COLs to Families
• February 14: Have A Heart Day / National Day of Remembrance for MMIWG2S+
• February 21: International Mother Language Day

March

• March 9: Anniversary of the Longwoods Treaty
• March 9-10: Eid-ul-Fitr
• March 20: Nowruz (Ismailis) / Nowruz / Spring Equinox / Two-Spirit Celebration & Awareness Day
• March 21: Naw-Ruz
• March 22: Holi / World Water Day
• March 22-23: Purim
• March 26: Good Friday
• March 29: Easter Monday
• March 31: National Indigenous Languages Day

April

• April 1: Graduation Photos – Edge Imaging / Anniversary of the Simcoe Deed / Treaty 3½
• April 14: Vaisakhi
• April 21-29: Pesach/Passover
• April 21-May 2: Ridvan
• April 22: Mother Earth Day
• April 23: PA Day
• April 30: Holy Friday

May

• May 5: Red Dress Day / National Day of Awareness for MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+ Peoples
• May 10: Bear Witness Day / Spirit Bear's Bearthday
• May 16: Eid-al-Adha / Moose Hide Campaign Day
• May 19: Anniversary of the McKee Treaty of 1790
• May 20: Wesak
• May 27: Discover Kindergarten 4:30-6 pm & Scholastic Book Fair
• May 31: PA Day

June

• June: National Indigenous History Month
• June 3: Anniversary of the Final Report of the National Inquiry into MMIWG 10-12: Shavuot
• June 6: Anishinaabe Giizhigad / Anishinaabe Day / Blue Jean Jacket Day
• June 14-15: Ashura
• June 21: National Indigenous Peoples Day
• June 25: Term 2 Report Cards & COLs to Families
• June 29: PA Day

Concussion Protocol - UPDATED!

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 any physical activity (i.e., physical education, DPA, recess) until cleared (signed off) by a caregiver and/or medical professional using Form 142-D: Documentation of Medical Examination. 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.

The Concussion Protocol has been updated to align with the Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport (2024) and current international concussion guidance. The changes simplify the Return to Learn (RTL) and Return to Physical Activity (RTPA) process and support a safe, gradual, symptom-informed return to school and activity.

Key changes include:

• Simplified RTL and RTPA stages: Several stages have been combined to create a clearer and more consistent progression for students, families, and staff. • Earlier return to school: Students may return to school as early as Stage 2, with appropriate supports and monitoring of symptoms.

• Symptom-informed progression: Mild and brief increases in symptoms during Stages 1–3 may be acceptable if symptoms resolve within one hour.

• Earlier medical clearance: Medical clearance from a medical doctor or nurse practitioner is required after successful completion of RTPA Stage 3 and before beginning Stage 4.

• Symptoms after medical clearance: If symptoms return during Stages 4–6, the student must return to Stage 3 and be reassessed by a medical doctor or nurse practitioner.

• School responsibility: The designated lead is responsible for monitoring the student's progression through the RTL/RTPA stages and ensuring medical clearance is received before Stage 4.

• Parent/guardian responsibility: Parents/guardians are responsible for communicating changes in symptoms and providing written medical clearance following RTPA Stage 3.

Medical Plans of Care for 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.

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 2, 2026. Please email your student's completed medical forms tobayri@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 their 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 student during the upcoming school year. Please email your student'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

Medication (e.g., pills, inhalers, etc.) must be brought in/signed off by caregivers. Please do not send medication in your student's backpack.

We are happy to support families with anything related to students' medical needs, such as plans of care or medication - please reach out.

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.

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 Development & 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 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

For the safety of our students and school community, all volunteers are required to have a recent vulnerable sector police check completed within 6 months of their volunteer start date. Existing CPICs are valid for 5 years.

To help make the process easier, we will provide prospective volunteers with a letter to take to the police detachment that serves the area where they live. The letter must be completed by a school representative before you take it to the police.

Once you receive your completed police record check, please upload it to the LDSB Police Record Check Portal. Human Resources will review the record check and will contact you if any additional information or follow-up is required. Thank you for helping us create a safe and welcoming environment for all of our students!

Indigenous Self-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.

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. Carroll 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.