Bayridge Bulletin-December 7, 2025 Copy

SAC'S HOLIDAY SHOP - DEC. 16th!

DONATIONS ACCEPTED UNTIL MON., DEC. 15TH @ 4 PM!

Hello Bayridge Families!

We have received more generous donations and are SO grateful for them!

We would like to make note that a good portion of what we have received so far are toys. While we have MANY students who like to gift siblings, so these will be loved, we also have kiddos who would like to gift Parents, Grandparents and other adult relatives. If you have any items that would appeal to this crowd, we would love to have them to offer!

PLEASE do not feel like we are looking for you to shop for this! A candle that you have that is a lovely scent but not your favourite, a mug you don't reach for that someone else would love, costume jewelry from a phase you're no longer in, knick knacks that don't match your re-do, a multi-tool you have one too many of, holiday decorations you have extra of all make WONDERFUL gifts!!  

We have extended the gathering of gifts to include MONDAY, DECEMBER 15TH

Thank you all again for your very generous support!!!

Please reach out to Meg Redmond at megcarrharris@hotmail.com with any questions

Thank you again!

Your School Advisory Council

LIVE ON SCHOOL DAY UNTIL DEC. 12 -

SAC HONEY FUNDRAISER!

We would like to share that the SAC Bee-Generous honey fundraiser has been extended until Monday, December 15 until 4 pm on School Day as there are currently only a small number of orders. This extension gives families a little extra time to participate and support our school community. If you have not yet had a chance to place an order, we encourage you to do so before the new deadline. Thank you for your continued support and generosity—it truly makes a difference for our students.

SAVE THE DATE: DEC. 18! -

SAC'S FAMILY COOKIES & COCOA EVENT

Join us for an afternoon/evening (3:30-5:30) filled with card making, beading, storytime, cookie decorating, as well as donut and cookie eating! A huge thank you to Step Soup and Sandwiches in Kingston for the sugar cookie donation and the LDSB Indigenous Team for the donut donation.

We’re grateful to have an amazing crew of volunteers already lined up for set-up and clean-up, and run the activities. Thank you in advance!

Basic Traditional Indian Donut Recipe - Kahsherhón:ni (dough making) Made by the LDSB Indigenous Team

Ingredients

• 3 Eggs
• 1 cup Brown Sugar
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• 2 Teaspoons Butter (room temperature)
• ½ teaspoon Salt
• 3 ½ cups Flour
• 1 tablespoon Baking Powder
• 1 cup Buttermilk or sour milk*
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ginger
• 1 teaspoon Cinnamon

*Please note nutmeg is not a nut.

Dear Families,

As we approach the holiday season and winter break, we would like to extend our warmest wishes to all our families. This time of year can hold many different meanings, traditions, and celebrations, and we honor the diversity of experiences within our community. We hope the coming weeks offer opportunities for rest, connection, and reflection, whether that time is spent celebrating holidays, enjoying winter activities, or simply slowing down and being together. Thank you for your continued partnership and support throughout the year. The next family newsletter will be sent out on January 4th, 2026 @ 5 pm.

We would like to extend our sincere and heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Pamela Graham for stepping in as Office Administrator after her retirement and for generously stepping in the role over the past several years. Mrs. Graham’s dedication, reliability, and deep institutional knowledge have been invaluable. Her willingness to continue supporting the office during a time of transition, along with her steady presence, attention to detail, and positive attitude, has had a lasting impact on our team and daily operations. Ms. Graham's last day will be Tuesday, December 16th. We are truly grateful for everything Pamela has done and wish her all the very best.

Please join us in welcoming Mrs. Erin Carroll as our new Office Administrator as of January 5th. We are excited to have Mrs. Carroll join the team and look forward to the skills, energy, and perspective she brings to the role as she helps carry our office forward. Office hours will continue as 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. Please note, the office will be closed December 22 until January 2nd for the winter break.

As the weather changes throughout the year, we kindly ask families to help students come to school dressed appropriately for the conditions. Students go outside for recess whenever it is safe to do so, and being prepared with weather-appropriate clothing—such as coats, hats, gloves, rain jackets, or sturdy shoes—helps ensure they can play comfortably, safely, and stay healthy. Dressing for the weather allows students to fully enjoy outdoor time, stay focused during learning, and prevents unnecessary discomfort or illness. Thank you for your support in helping our students be ready for both the school day and outdoor activities.

For the month of December, we will be collecting non-perishable food items for the Kingston Food Bank. Items can be collected up until the Jingle Bell Walk, Run, and/or Roll Event on December 18th. Families are welcome to join us as we jingle our way around the BSS track at 2 pm. Families can meet their student at their line up spots (Kindergarten students will be on the primary pavement) beginning at 1:45 pm.

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.

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.

Bayridge Public School is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment. Harrassment, discrimination, violence, or abuse towards staff will not be tolerated. Thank you.

We wish you peace, good health, and moments of joy during the winter break, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed in the new year.

Be you, belong, believe, be a bear!

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

Participate in Student Council's Spirit Week - Dec. 15-19!

SAVE THE DATE: BPS Kingston Frontenacs Game - Jan. 16 @ 7:05 pm

Click HERE or use the QR CODE to purchase tickets!

We are looking for volunteers for the jersey toss! If you are interested in volunteering your time at the game, please email bayri@limestone.on.ca

More information to follow about students participating in the national anthem that evening.

Thank you for your support of our students at Bayridge PS. All money raised will go towards resources for students.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES

ATTENTION GRADE 6 & 7 FAMILIES:

Choices at 7

The Limestone District School Board's Choices at 7 programs offer opportunities for students entering Grade 7 to participate in a variety of unique learning environments.

Depending on the availability of places in the programs, students currently in Grade 7 may also apply to join a program for their Grade 8 year. The Choices at 7 programs that are offered include: 

• ATLAS (Applying Technology for Learning, Aptitude, and Success) 
• Challenge (Gifted and Academic Enrichment Program) 
• LEAP (Limestone Education through the Arts Program) 
• Extended French Immersion Program (for students entering Grade 7 only)

If you are interested in finding out more about these programs, you are invited to attend the information nights that are being held at each site (dates and times are listed below). For detailed information about any of the Choices at 7 programs, please visit the Choices at 7 webpage.

Application Process: 

The application form for the ATLAS Program, the Challenge Program, LEAP, and Extended French Immersion for September 2025 will be open from December 12, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. until January 12, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Application information and links will be available on the Choices at 7 webpage.

Choices at 7 Information Nights: 

• Extended French Immersion Program Information Night
• • Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
• Module L’Acadie - Extended French Immersion Program Information Night
• • Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.

ATTENTION GRADE 8 FAMILIES:

Lunchbox Program - Tuesday through Friday!

NEW THURSDAY VENDOR: Welcome Smoke & Barrel!

Lunchbox Lunch Program

• Tuesdays: Boston Pizza (pizza & pasta)
• Wednesdays: Edo Japan (sushi and bowls)
• Thursdays: New Vendor: Smoke & Barrel (quesadillas)
• Fridays: Gino's Pizza & Chicken Fingers

You can order your Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday. 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.

STUDENT COUNCIL'S SPIRIT WEEK!

Monday, December 15 (Day 1):

• Backwards Day
• SAC's BEE-GENEROUS Fundraiser - Orders Extended until 4 pm on School Day
• Drop Off Items for SAC's Holiday Shop Donations Extended until 4 pm @ BPS
• Chess Club AM Recess in the LC

Tuesday, December 16 (Day 2):

• Plaid Day
• SAC's Holiday Shop - ALL DAY
• Boston Pizza - Lunchbox Program
• Coding Club for Grades 6, 7, and 8 @ First Recess

Wednesday, December 17 (Day 3):

• Twin Day
• Edo Japan - Lunchbox Program
• Coding Club for Grades 6, 7, and 8 @ First Recess
• Art Club 1:05-1:45 in the LC

Thursday, December 18 (Day 4):

• Cozy Day
• No 9 Gardens Field Trip w/ Ms. Akey (ALL DAY) for Self-Identified Indigenous Students w/ LDSB's Indigenous Team, Bath PS, Molly Brant PS, & JG Simcoe PS
• Chess Club PM Recess in the LC
• Jingle Bell Walk @ 2 pm - BSS Track (Meet us @ 1:45 pm at our line up spots / Kindergarten on primary pavement)
• SAC & LDSB Indigneous Team Evening - Cookies & Cocoa Event: 3:30-5:30 pm

Friday, December 19 (Day 5):

• PJ Day
• Gino's Pizza & Chicken Fingers - Lunchbox Program

Coming Up

December

• 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: Gr. 5 & 6 PALS Training w/ Public Health (middle block gym closed) / 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 5: BPS Gould Lake Winter Day (Quaresma & Travers)
• 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

School Advisory Council (SAC) Exec & News:

• Chair: Kristy Kuhn
• Vice Chair: Vacancy
• Treasurer: Jenn Nguyen
• Secretary: Kayla Mae Primeau
• 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, Melissa Brooks, Melissa Muloin

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.

• 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.

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.

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.

Opportunities for Students

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.