Bayridge Bulletin-November 2, 2025

Black & Orange Day / Halloween Success!

Featured Class: Ms. Nada's Grade 5/6 Class Got Spooky with Writing & Art!

SAC Fundraiser This Tuesday: November 4th!

Dear Families,

Welcome, November!

November is Indigenous Education Month and Hindu Heritage Month. This week is Holocaust Education Week, Treaties Recognition Week (Ontario), and the beginning of Veterans' Week.

Our School Advisory Council is organizing a Gourd and Pumpkin Drop-Off Fundraiser on Monday, November 4 from 8:30-9:30 am and 3-6 pm. Families are invited to drop off any unwanted and unpainted gourds or pumpkins to help support our sustainability and fundraising efforts. Payment can be made by CASH or CARD at the drop-off location: $5 for one and $10 for 3. Thank you for helping us make the most of the fall harvest while supporting student resources!

On November 11th, Bayridge Public School welcomes families to our Remembrance Day ceremony at 10 am in the gym. A huge thank you to Mrs. Collins and Ms. Huntley for organizing this assembly for our staff, students, and community.

A reminder to families that Friday, November 14 is a Professional Activity (PA) Day for all Limestone students. There will be no classes for students on this day.

We have been receiving many requests for students to ride the bus home with friends. Please note this is not a guarantee and involves 1) consent from BOTH families in writing (email or note) and 2) permission from the bus company to ensure there is room on the bus. Once both are confirmed, a bus permission slip through Triboard is granted at the main office.

Attendance is important at Bayridge PS. We strive to have students maintain at least a 90% attendance rate to ensure consistent academic progress and participation in school activities. Late arrivals and extended absences can cause significant gaps in understanding and make it difficult for students to keep up with classwork and assessments. We meet with our attendance counsellor monthly and may reach out to families who require support. Thank you for your understanding.

Information was shared with families by the Director regarding the upcoming See Yourself in Limestone Student Census. The census is a voluntary and confidential survey for students in Grades 4 to 12. Please note, there was one error in the message shared with you regarding the dates of the Student Census. The correct dates are November 24 to 28, 2025. As a reminder, families who do not want their student(s) to complete the survey must contact their school Principal by Friday, November 14, 2025. Opting out means the student will not receive the survey in their e-mail inbox. By better understanding students’ identities and experiences, we can remove barriers and better support students in accessing what they need to succeed. Learn more about the Student Census and how it supports equity in Limestone: limestone.on.ca/student_census

There are many ministry and board resources available that are designed to support your student’s learning in math and literacy, offering engaging activities that can make learning fun and effective for students and families.Visit Limestone’s Online Learning Resources and Tutoring webpage to learn more. 

As we approach the inclement weather months (roughly early November to early April), our transportation partner, Tri-Board Student Transportation Services (Tri-Board), works closely with their school bus companies to determine if it is safe to offer school transportation on inclement weather days. School buses function differently than other vehicles, and sometimes, although it is safe for the average family vehicle to travel, it is not safe for a school bus to be on the road. Due to the geographic size of our district, weather conditions can vary significantly from one region to another. As a result, there are times when transportation cancellations may only apply to specific areas experiencing adverse conditions, while other regions remain unaffected. Having to cancel school transportation is understandably disruptive to families, but Tri-Board always puts the safety of their 30,000-plus bus riders first and foremost in their decision-making. Learn more about how to help make the winter season and bus cancellation days easier for families to manage on our website.

As the weather continues to shift this fall, we encourage all students to dress appropriately for the changing temperatures. Layers, waterproof jackets, and proper footwear help keep students comfortable and ready for outdoor play and learning. We often go outside for recess and learning even with a mild drizzle - we love the fresh air and the oppotunity to move around outside.

We ask that special personal items, such as stuffed animals, mini cars, Pokémon cards, or other small treasures, stay at home. While we understand how comforting or exciting these items can be, they are easily lost or misplaced during the busy school day. We want to avoid upset students or missing belongings, so please help us by keeping these special items safe at home.

Finally, as students continue to build friendships and grow socially, we are gently reminding everyone of the importance of respecting personal space and keeping hands and feet to themselves. These are important parts of fostering safe, kind, and inclusive peer relationships for all.

Be you, belong, believe, be a bear!

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

Don't Forget! Set Your Clocks Back by 1 Hour on Nov. 2!

Lunchbox Lunch Program

We have ADDED two vendors for Tuesdays and Thursdays to our Lunchbox program. These should be available to order now for delivery the week of November 4th.

• Tuesdays: Boston Pizza (pizza & pasta)
• Thursdays: Tahini’s Middle Eastern (shawarma wraps)

You can order your Tuesday through Thursday Lunchbox for our Lunch Program already! Orders are due by noon on Sunday. Please create an account and explore the www.lunchboxorders.net site now - there is no obligation to order. We still have Edo Japan on Wednesdays and Gino's Pizza & Chicken Fingers on Fridays.

On Monday: Wear Your Blue Jays Gear and/or BPS Blue!

This Week's Schedule

Monday, November 3 (Day 2):

• Blue Jays Day! Wear your BPS blue and/or your Jays gear to celebrate an awesome season!
• Cotton, Huntley, & Moscrop - Joe's MILL Music "Experience Musical Instruments"
• Senior Girls Volleyball Practice @ 1:05 pm

Tuesday, November 4 (Day 3):

• Boston Pizza - Lunchbox Program
• Art Club 1:05-1:45
• Senior Boys Volleyball Practice @ 3:30 pm

Wednesday, November 5 (Day 4):

• Edo Japan - Lunchbox Program
• Senior Boys Volleyball Practice @ 1:05 pm
• Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Sikhism)

Thursday, November 6 (Day 5):

• Tahini's Middle Eastern - Lunchbox Program
• Senior Girls Volleyball Practice @ 3:30 pm

Friday, November 7 (Day 1):

• Gino's Pizza & Chicken Fingers - Lunchbox Program

Meet Our School Advisory Council (SAC) Exec!

• Chair: Kristy Kuhn
• Vice Chair: Vacancy
• Treasurer: Jenn Nguyen
• Secretary: Kayla Mae
• Fundraising Coordinator: Zrinka Vukadinovic
• Indigenous Representative: Vacancy
• Divisional Representatives: Lindsay Hanna (Junior) - Kindergarten, Primary & Intermediate Vacancies
• PIC Representative: Meg Redmond
• Members-At-Large: Alison Kuiack, Amber McCready

Anyone who is part of our Bayridge PS family as a caregiver is welcome to attend any of our meetings this year. The next SAC Council Meeting will be on Wednesday, November 12th at 5:30 pm in the Learning Commons/Library.

SAC Dates:

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

• November 12 - Coming Up!
• December 10
• January 14
• February 18
• March 11
• April 15
• May 13
• June 10

Bayridge Public School is a proud and grateful partner of Play Gaming & Entertainment, a charitable gaming organization. Our roster is in need of 8-10  new volunteer members! Your commitment to the Bingo Team involves a brief online training, 2-hour shifts as often as you can be involved but ideally 2-4 shifts over the next 7 months. The contract year for bingo, is April 1 - March 31st the following year. Our Bingo shifts range from Thursday evenings, and Saturday and Sundays between 12 pm and 10 pm. Please connect with Kristen Collins at collinskd@limestone.on.ca if you are interested in joining the team! The financial support (shares) from bingo supports the purchase of technology, the cost of bus transportation, field trip expens important school-wide events, and so much more at BPS. We thank you in advance for your support and time.

Help Shape Our Accessibility Plan

The Limestone District School Board is committed to fostering accessibility and inclusion for all. We are currently developing our next Multi-Year Accessibility Plan and invite feedback from students, staff, families, and community members.

Your input will help ensure our goals reflect the diverse needs and lived experiences across our school communities. Please visit HERE to provide input. The survey is open until November 10, 2025.

Important Information:

Primary Yard Climber Closed & Update

The LDSB deemed the purple and green climber on the primary yard unsafe. As a result, the climber is CLOSED before, during, and after school hours. Through a capital project, the contractor hired by LDSB plans to commence and complete the replacement of rubber for mulch within the next month.

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 from 12-1 pm. 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.

Service Dogs Only

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.

BPS Fundraiser!

School Timetable - Balanced Day

Staff Organization: 2025-2026

Messages from KFL&A:

Vaccines

Glasses

Getting to School Safely

Concussion Information:

Click HERE to read the LDSB Concussion 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

We still have many outstanding Medical Plans of Care for students who have been identified in our Aspen database as requiring medical support at school. In order to make sure we are able to support the needs of your student, we ask that you complete the appropriate medical forms that are applicable to your student. 

Plans of Care:

• 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 student’s medical condition. This is a fillable PDF document, which you can fill out online or print and complete 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

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
• 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. Please have the physician email it directly to the school at bayri@limestone.on.ca or fax it to us: 613-389-4291.
• 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. 
• Form 314-A3 is the Authorization and Request for the Administration of an Epi-Pen Glucagon, and Emergency Seizure Medication. This applies to students with a plan of care for anaphylaxis, epilepsy, and diabetes. 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.
• Form 314-A4 is the Authorization and Request for the Administration of Reliever/Rescue Inhaler. This applies to students with a plan of care for asthma. 
• 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. 

No medication or procedures can be administered at school without the authorization forms signed and filed at the school.

We are here to support students with medical conditions and paperwork to ensure your student can fully access school in a safe, accepting, and healthy learning environment that fully supports their well-being.

Please check with the teacher before sending consumables for the whole class.

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 student’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

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.

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.

Coming Up

November

• November 8: Indigenous Veterans' Day
• November 9-15: Rock Your Mocs
• November 11: Remembrance Day - School Ceremony @ 10 am (Families Welcome)
• November 13: Progress Reports Home to Families
• November 14: PA Day / World Diabetes Day
• November 16: Louis Riel Day (Ontario)
• November 17-21: Bullying Awareness & Prevention Week
• November 19: Individual Retakes & Class Photos - Edge Imaging / Educational Support Staff Appreciation Day
• November 20: Transgender Day of Remembrance
• November 21: LDSB Pink Shirt Day
• November 24: Student Census Week Grades 4-8
• • Opportunity for families to opt students out of the Voluntary Student Census
• November 25-December 10: 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
• November 30: Advent (Christianity/Western/Eastern)

December

• December 2: International Day of the Abolition of Slavery
• December 3: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
• December 6: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
• December 10: International Human Rights Day
• December 21: Winter Solstice/Yule
• December 24: Christmas Eve
• December 25: Christmas
• December 25-January 2: Chanukah (Judaism)
• December 26-January 1: Kwanzaa (African American)

January

• January 1: New Year's Day
• January 4: National Ribbon Skirt Day
• January 6: Epiphany (Christianity/Western)
• January 14: Bus Safety Presentations (last block) / Orthodox New Year
• January 17: Raoul Wallenberg Day (Holocaust Education)
• January 20: Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
• January 24: International Day of Education / Bell Let's Talk Day
• 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.