Bayridge Bulletin-January 4, 2026

Dear Families,

Welcome back to Bayridge Public School & Happy New Year - 2026! We hope everyone enjoyed a restful and joyful break with family and friends. As we begin this new year, we are excited to welcome our students, staff, and families back for more learning, growth, connection, and fun! The start of 2026 brings new opportunities, fresh goals, and continued success.

A reminder that there will be a new face in the main office on January 5th as we welcome Mrs. Erin Carroll, Office Administrator, to the BPS team. With Mrs. Carroll being new to BPS, please have your identification available when signing out your student. 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. 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 in advance.

Some Grades 5 and 6 students have signed up to be PALS trained by Public Health on Tuesday, January 6th during the middle block. Proper footwear is required in order for your student to participate. Students will begin to run organized games during recesses for our younger students.

Individual EQAO results will be sent home this week for students who participated in Grade 3 & 6 assessments of reading, writing, and math during the 2024-25 school year.

Initial IPRCs meetings have also been scheduled with Ms. Stephen, Mrs. Asselstine, Mrs. Laird, and Mrs. Huntley in the new year. IPRC waivers will be sent home with the Term 1 report cards in February.

To date, only 18 tickets have been purhcased for the BPS Kingston Frontenacs Evening Game on January 16th. We have lots of students who have signed up for the choir, and in order for them to participate, a ticket is required for them and a family member. We are also looking for volunteers for the Jersey Toss who will receive a complimentary game ticket. Interested volunteers should email bayri@limestone.on.ca so they can be provided with more information.

We want to thank our School Advisory Council (SAC) for putting together a Staff Appreciation Treat Day for our amazing staff the day before the winter break! We had so many goodies to fuel the day and we cannot thank our community enough for thinking about all of us. Your kindness is very much appreciated!

We also want to extend our gratitude to the SAC for an amazing Holiday Shop and Cookies and Cocoa Event for our community. We watched your students select the perfect treasure for you and we enjoyed many delicious cookies donated by Step Soup & Sandwiches and donuts from the LDSB Indigenous team - December was a great month! More events to come by our SAC in 2026 like a dance in February and an art show in March!

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.

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.

Wishing our Bayridge community a happy, healthy, and successful New Year. Let’s make 2026 a great one!

Be you, belong, believe, be a bear!

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

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

HELP END PARKING LOT CONGESTION!

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.

Monday, January 5th (Day 1):

• Chess Club AM Recess in the LC
• Foodbank Donation Pick Up

Tuesday, January 6th (Day 2):

• Epiphany (Christianity/Western)
• Boston Pizza - Lunchbox Program
• Gr. 5 & 6 PALS Training w/ Public Health & Ms. Stephen (middle block gym closed)
• Coding Club for Grades 6, 7, and 8 @ First Recess

Wednesday, January 7th (Day 3):

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

Thursday, January 8th (Day 4):

• Chess Club PM Recess in the LC

Friday, January 9th (Day 5):

• BPS Spirit Day - BPS t-shirts & green and/or blue!
• Gino's Pizza & Chicken Fingers - Lunchbox Program

Coming Up

January

• 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 4: SAC Dance
• 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 12: SAC Art Show
• 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, January 14 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:

Illness

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.

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.