Bayridge Bulletin - Feb. 16, 2026

Dear Families,

We hope you had a great Family Day weekend and Valentine's Day! Only a four day week ahead.

Last week was filled with a primary math morning, Valentine's day dances, and a full week of learning! This week, we have a School Advisory Council Meeting on February 18th at 5:30 pm in Room 2 at Bayridge PS - all BPS caregivers are welcome!

Report cards and communication of learning reports went home on Friday, February 13th. Please reach out to your student's teacher directly about reports this week if you would like a follow up conversation. According to the Growing Success Ministry document, an A (level 4) means above provincial standards, a B (level 3) means at provincial standard, a C (level 2) means approaching provincial standard, and a D (level 1) means significantly below provincial standard. Students with modified academic goals and alternate goals received a copy of their IEP with their report, while others received an attendance letter and/or IPRC review waivers.

Madame Alicia Bacile is currently on leave and is expected to return in early April. If you have questions regarding report cards, we kindly ask that you hold those inquiries until her return, at which time she will be happy to follow up with you directly. We will be hiring for her position this week; in the meantime, Mr. Andrew Hilton has been teaching the classes. Ms. Megan Richmond is still accessible via email should the Grade 4 families need to reach out to her regarding report cards.

LESAA has scheduled both our girls and boys senior basketball tournaments on February 17th. Mr. Fields-Young and Mr. Andrew will be supervising students - thank you for providing this opportunity for our students. Permission form are live on School Day!

On Tuesday, February 17th and Wednesday, February 18th there will be dental screening visits to Bayridge PS. Dental screening involves a quick look inside the mouths of students in Junior and Senior Kindergarten, Grade 2 and Grade 7, as well as some students identified as having a dental problem in previous years. The screening is in accordance with Ontario Regulation 570 School Health Services and Programs under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. A no-touch technique is used where the hands of the dental hygienist do not touch the child’s mouth. A new sterile mirror is used for each student. The goal of dental screening is to reduce the incidence of dental disease through early detection. As per the Oral Health Protocol (2021), the family is contacted if visible decay is observed. A dental treatment plan is supported, including enrolment in Healthy Smiles Ontario (when eligible).

We are excited to share a valuable opportunity to support your child’s well-being. School Mental Health Ontario is offering a free webinar series as part of the By Your Side Learning Hub, designed to help parents and caregivers navigate important topics to support their children’s mental health. This expert-led series will provide insights and practical strategies on:  

✅ balanced device use 

✅ vaping 

✅ body image 

✅ anxiety 

The webinars will also include answers to questions that parents/caregivers can provide ahead of the webinar, giving you the chance to ask questions and gain practical guidance. Sessions run March to June.Register for free today   

 Our office hours have changed to 8:15 am-4:15 pm Monday through Friday. Mrs. Carroll, our office administrator, takes her lunch from 12-1 pm each day. A reminder that staff have 48 hours to respond to emails and phone calls. If you need immediate assistance, please call and speak to someone directly.

Sometimes, the cold weather requires schools to keep students indoors for recess. For more information on how to stay healthy during extreme cold, please visit theExtreme Temperatures page on the KFL&A website. We kindly ask families to help students come to school dressed appropriately for the conditions. We have many students in -20 and colder come to school without appropriate winter gear! Students go outside for recess whenever it is safe to do so, and being prepared with weather-appropriate clothing-such as coats, hats, gloves, winter boots, scarves, etc. 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.

On an inclement weather day, when your student cannot make it to school because TriBoard transportation is cancelled, students can still engage in learning activities at home to keep the continuity of learning going. These activities may include:

Literacy

• Respond to a reading prompt (written, drawn, or audio recorded) or journal
• Create a short story, poem, or comic
• Practice spelling or vocabulary through word sorts or games
• Record a read-aloud or retell a story in their own words
• Complete a simple writing prompt (opinion, narrative, or reflection)
• Log on to Lexia or Epic Books to read to yourself or a furry friend, sibling, and/or adult

Mathematics

• Practice math facts using online platforms or flashcards or fluency strategies learned at school
• Solve real-life math problems (e.g., measuring ingredients, telling time, budgeting with pretend money)
• Play math games or puzzles (Sudoku, number riddles, logic games)
• Create and solve their own math problems or log on to Knowledgehook

Science

• Observe and document the weather or seasonal changes
• Conduct a simple at-home experiment (sink or float, plant growth, shadows)
• Watch an assigned science video and respond with a drawing or short explanation
• Explore nature outdoors and record observations

Social Studies

• Create a map of their home or neighbourhood
• Research a community helper or historical figure
• Interview a family member and share what they learned
• Reflect on daily routines and responsibilities

Visual Arts

• Draw, paint, or build a model related to a learning topic
• Create music using household items
• Design a poster or infographic showing learning from the day

Physical & Social-Emotional Learning

• Follow a guided movement or yoga video
• Set and reflect on a personal goal for the day
• Complete a mindfulness or gratitude activity
• Help with age-appropriate responsibilities at home and reflect on the experience

Please do not park in the bus lane during the following times due to Triboard school buses and vans entering and exiting:

• after 8:40 am
• after 3:15 pm
• between 12:30-1:00 pm

Thank you for your understanding and ensuring everyone's safety.  

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.

We look forward to a great week!

Be you, belong, believe, be a bear!

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

We have four classes (Mrs. Hart, Mrs. Quaresma, Ms. Ketcheson, and Mrs. Nada's classes) participating in BGC (Boys & Girls Club) group mentoring. These sessions will run weekly for 8 weeks and permission forms are LIVE on School Day. We did send out permission forms again as we had a glitch with School Day last week!

Grade 3/4 class: Sportsmanship, Tuesdays

Grade 4 class : Sportsmanship, Wednesdays

Grade 5/6 class: Healthy Relationships, Thursdays

Grade 3 class: Fundamentals of Mental Health, Fridays

More information can be found HERE!

Shé:kon, 

I am writing to inform you of an upcoming community event: Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults: A Community Evening with Author Monique Gray Smith, taking place on March 12, 2026, at Queen’s University.

This special evening is led by the Limestone District School Board Indigenous Education Team in partnership with the Limestone Learning Foundation and Queen’s University’s Faculty of Education.

We are pleased to welcome Monique Gray Smith, who will provide an in-person public talk inspired by her book, Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults, an adaptation of Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.

This gathering will bring together educators, families, students, Indigenous partners, teacher candidates, and community members to reflect on care, reciprocity, and connection to land and one another.

We look forward to seeing you then!

Liv Rondeau

Vice-Principal of Indigenous Education

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION OPEN!

Kindergarten registration is now underway at elementary schools across the district! We can't wait to welcome you to Bayridge PS for Kindergarten!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES

HELP END PARKING LOT CONGESTION!

Lunchbox Program - Tuesday through Friday!

Lunchbox Lunch Program

• Tuesdays: Boston Pizza (pizza & pasta)
• Wednesdays: Edo Japan (sushi and bowls)
• Thursdays: 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, February 16:

• Family Day - no school for staff and students

Tuesday, February 17 (Day 5):

• Boston Pizza - Lunchbox Program
• Lunar New Year
• Dental Screening JK, SK Gr. 2 & 7
• Coding Club for Grades 6, 7, and 8 @ First Recess
• Senior Girls Basketball Practice @ 1:05 pm
• Basketball Tournaments - Boys & Girls w/ Mr. Fields-Young & Mr. Andrew
• BCG to Grade 3/4 (middle block)

Wednesday, February 18 (Day 1):

• Edo Japan - Lunchbox Program
• Ramadan / Ash Wednesday
• Dental Screening JK, SK Gr. 2 & 7
• Coding Club for Grades 6, 7, and 8 @ First Recess
• PALS Meeting @ 1:05 pm in the gym - running shoes required
• Art Club 1:05-1:45 in the LC
• BGC to Grade 4 (first block)
• SAC Meeting @ 5:30 pm - Room 2

Thursday, February 19 (Day 2):

• Smoke 'N Barrel - Lunchbox Program
• BGC to Grade 5/6 (middle block)

Friday, February 20 (Day 3):

• Gino's Pizza & Chicken Fingers - Lunchbox Program
• BPS Spirit Wear and/or BPS colours (blue and green)!
• BCG to Grade 3 (first block)

Bollywood for Grades 4-8: February 24th

As part of our ongoing commitment to affirm, empower, and embrace diverse identities, and to ensure inclusivity and equity through meaningful engagement, we reviewed LDSB student survey data for Grades 4–8.

Using this data, we identified elementary schools with higher populations of students who selected the following identity factors: Hindu religion, Indian ethnicity, languages spoken (Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati), and South Asian descent. Our school was one of the identified sites.

Dance 'N Culture will be visiting Bayridge PS for the day on February 24th to offer Bollywood workshops to our students in Grades 4-8. Teachers have been provided with checklists for the workshops which will be used for student assessment for dance in term 2, as well as other learning resources.

We look forward to welcoming Dance 'N Culture to our school to enjoy a fun-filled day of dance!

Coming Up

February

• February 22: School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
• February 24: Bollywood with Shivani (Dance 'N Culture) for Grades 4-8
• February 25: Pink Shirt Day

March

• March 1: Pesach/Passover
• March 2: Purim
• March 4: Holi / Treasure Island Performance @ FSS (Travers & Fields-Young)
• 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 13 & 14: Rocks & Rings Curling
• April 14: Vaisakhi
• April 21: Ridvan (12-day Baha'i Festival)
• April 22: Administrative Professionals Appreciation Day

May

• May 4: Teacher Appreciation Week
• May 6: Virtual Celebration of Dance
• 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, February 18th 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.

• 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

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.