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Pancake Breakfast in Gym during Kindness Week

Parent Council serving pancakes to our students during Kindness week.

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News From the Tiger’s Den - April 13th to 17th

Dear Tiger Families, <img src="/images/88144695-b50b-4435-ad37-dddc9e1b20f5" alt="2026April13" width="282" height="376" style="width:282px;height:376px;display:inline-block;float:right">Last Friday, we concluded the week with our April Success assembly. There was lots to celebrate this month. Mrs. Dafoe and Mrs. Grant's Kindergarten classroom performed a song that they had been learning in music class with Mrs. Bush. They enjoyed shaking their egg shakers to the music and by the end of the song the audience was clapping and singing along. Ella D., Ronzy E., and Grace R. were celebrated with Sunshine Awards. This group of students took it upon themselves to clean up our school yard when the snow melted. We are very proud of their environmental stewardship. There were a record number of "Tigers in the Spotlight" this month. Stripes was thrilled to celebrate 15 students with the award this month. These students were nominated by school staff because of their work ethic, goal setting, empathy and/or their determination to do hard things even when they think no one is watching. Congratulations to Abigail G., Kinzy E., Kash S., Taylee B., Iris T., Cohen A., Aria C-S., Innila E., Oliver M., North C., Coltyn H., Lilyalex S., Ajay R., Quentin W., and Ruby F. WAY TO GO TIGERS!The School Council is hosting Nature Night on Tuesday, April 14th from 5 pm to 7 pm in collaboration with Gould Lake Outdoor Centre. There will be an opportunity to participate in workshops, plant your own plants and make your own trail mix. This is a free event that is being sponsored by a Parent Reaching Out Grant.In other School Council news, reminder that Wednesday is the last day to order pepperoni sticks. The minutes of the last School Council Meeting are also included below.As always, please reach out to us if you have questions or need support. Take care,K. Esford, Principal<img src="/images/e80ec91d-e021-4720-9116-780b7466bd71" alt="2026April17" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/c18ad9ee-77db-4041-8bf9-882709a535fe" alt="2026April16" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2">School Council Meeting Minutes</h2> Meeting Date: March 24, 2026Time: 6:30- 7:30Location: Odessa Public School Library1. Welcome and IntroductionsChairperson’s welcomeAttendance: - Caregivers Present: Stacey Waldram, Katie Ramoutar, Rachel Moser, Courtney Sauve; Hailey DaCosta, Lindsay Kerr, Erin Truesdell, Courtnie Storms - Staff Present: Courtney Bush, Krista Esford - Guests: No Guests2. Principal’s Report-Have been holding success assembly each month, kids are really understanding our school’s goals around literacy, wellbeing and math-We were aiming to get 50% of kids to at or above reading- currently at the mid point we are 43% at or above their required reading level. This is 18 kids moving up in their reading level/fluency.- We are meeting with all teachers and giving them a chance to dig into the data and create support/challenge plans for kids who are doing well, and create progress plans to support those who are approaching or below their reading level. This will help us reach our goal of 50%.-Math – working on number fluency. Targeting 15 mins of daily number fluency for all classes. Supporting kids to be good problem solvers and good understanding of numbers. Educators are learning new strategies to build knowledge and skills and understanding of math.-PA day in April will focus on mathematics.- Bingo and games at lunch has ended for grades 3-6. Bingo will be run for grade 2 kids starting this month. -Road race starts soon, Races are end of April and in May. Students will get a prize for running 10km.-Basketball girls has started, boys tryouts are this week.Indigo grant was entirely spent- almost $11,000 worth of books for classrooms and the library.-Stripes is the new name of our tiger mascot-Sounds abound- new music resources like xylophones have come to the school. 3. Treasurer’s Report Krista to confirm winter day transfer - $150Brave money still has not been taken out- Krista to confirmCommunity Grant accepted and is in review! Might have to go to a pitch meeting. Confirming the date for receiving the grant (May vs June). 4. Committee ReportsPRO Grant – April 14th confirmed with Gould Lake visiting the school. Archery, music, touch table. Planting seeds (this is where the money would go to). Coincides with Earth Day. We can do an easy registration, to get a sense of numbers.- Send out form this week to the community. See how many parents and kids would want to come.- 5-7pm- Will decide on drop in, or sign up activities based on the numbers of rsvps- Have some food and drink available- build your own trail mix bar- Courtney and Krista to volunteer, a couple of parent council volunteers needed.- Purchase paper pot makers from lee valley- Seeds for vegetables and flowersHallinda’s- Start fundraiser this week leave open for 2-3 weeks.Fun Fair - Decision made to skip vendors this year.- Next Month’s meeting will focus on fun fair planning. Expect to have confirmation of grant by then.5. AdjournmentTime adjourned: [7:25]<img src="/images/8742affc-a9be-49ec-ba97-35be682fad44" alt="2026April7" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2"><img src="/images/2217496f-a032-4d7c-88e3-6f38ae49cd28" alt="2025October22" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></h2> <img src="/images/f8a8e6cf-4a86-46df-90d2-97b26665c474" alt="2026March14" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/ba58c2da-1893-481a-82cf-e0e835c23829" alt="2026April2" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"> <img src="/images/c740ef84-4013-4aa3-9b44-adbdb8b44de3" alt="2026April12" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"> <img src="/images/a299816a-67d1-4149-b9fd-0e9c31ce56c2" alt="2026February31" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2"> </h2> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Odessa Lost and Found</h2> <img src="/images/d330f6d2-7ea9-4e02-997a-9ac59cfb27ca" alt="2026February9" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Important Links for Families</h2> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr"><a href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fodessapublicschool.entripyshops.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cesfordk%40limestone.on.ca%7C9249cf4f26894cf7037408ddf1373da3%7Ce1f4165febae4d82a73ca0de593830be%7C0%7C0%7C638931941822133075%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ecy5PgJbemRaTCQDcQW2cVBEJiBGMYvAWoHD3RV%2BZsI%3D&reserved=0" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link" dir="ltr">Odessa Public School Spirit Wear eStore</a></h2> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.school-day.com/" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link" dir="ltr">School Day</a></h2> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.loyalist.ca/media/lf4ps1su/autumn-guide.pdf" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link" dir="ltr">Loyalist Township Online Registration Guide</a></h2> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">How to Order Hot Lunch through LunchBox</h2><ie-document data-lexical-document-id="8c734ab0-3399-4236-840e-05e9a7800e18"></ie-document><ie-document data-lexical-document-id="6ee06426-d7c5-4020-9c16-469b0b20dea7"></ie-document><img src="/images/da9d84be-6a63-471a-a33c-61be171ec859" alt="2026April6" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"> <img src="/images/cfa429ca-36bb-4ecd-94ce-6dbe7168089f" alt="2026April15" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Events for the Calendar</h2> <img src="/images/72152f54-5590-472b-b05b-f3059bbe9ca5" alt="2026April14" width="409" height="306" style="width:409px;height:306px;display:inline-block;float:right">Monday, April 13th- Rescheduled Trip for Mrs. Carrrier and Mrs. ZarzeckiTuesday, April 14th- Family Nature Night from 5 pm to 7 pmWednesday, April 15th- Halenda's Pepperoni orders dueFriday, April 17th- PA DayTuesday, April 21st- Staff Meeting at 2:30 pmTuesday, April 28th- Bayridge Road RaceThursday, April 30th- Gould Lake Trip (Schneider and McLeod)Wednesday, May 6th- LCVI Road Race, Welcome to Kindergarten 5 pm to 6 pmFriday, May 8th- Success AssemblyMonday, May 11th- School Track & Field DayMonday, May 18th- No School TodayTuesday, May 19th- School Council Meeting at 6:30 pmWednesday, May 27th- Blue Jays Game Trip (Coulas/Legge/Allen)Friday, May 29th- PA Day (No School Today)Monday, June 1st- Fun FairWednesday, June 3rd- Region 2 Track & Field MeetTuesday, June 9th- District Track & Field MeetTuesday, June 16th- School Council Meeting at 6:30 pmWednesday, June 24th- Report Cards Go HomeThursday, June 25th- Success Assembly at 8:30 am <img src="/images/71945fd1-3f7d-4cae-b49c-3f01439c261a" alt="Welcome To Kindergarten (3)" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Contact Us</h2> 10 North St.Odessa, Ontario, K0H2H0613-386-3022odesa@limestone.on.ca <img src="/images/50ffcf70-7ef1-46f4-a824-35d7c4f9a68e" alt="Odessa1" width="187" height="187" style="width:187px;height:187px;display:inline-block;float:right">Visit us on the web at <a href="https://www.odessa.limestone.on.ca/" class="editor-link" dir="ltr">odessa.limestone.on.ca</a>

2026-04-13 11:44:39.918 +0000 UTC

News From the Tiger’s Den - April 6th to 10th

Dear Tiger Families, <img src="/images/d47ee070-93a2-404a-a29a-54a18b28da32" alt="2026April10" width="325" height="433" style="width:325px;height:433px;display:inline-block;float:right">As we welcome the arrival of Spring, our students are spending more time outdoors during recess enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. With this increased outdoor activity, it's important to be mindful of ticks, which can be found in grassy areas like our playground. We kindly remind you to perform tick checks on your children each night to help keep everyone safe and healthy.We have collected more lost and found items over the last few weeks. We will be donating any remaining winter items including hats and mitts this Friday if they have not been claimed. We are very excited about the Nature Night that the School Council is hosting on April 14th. This is a great opportunity to come out to the school for some free activities and treats. The link to RSVP to Nature Night is in the information below. We hope to see you there! Don't forget that the School Council is also running a Halenda's Pepperoni fundraiser for the next few weeks if you are interested in participating.As always, please reach out to us if you have questions or need support. Take care,K. Esford, Principal <img src="/images/8742affc-a9be-49ec-ba97-35be682fad44" alt="2026April7" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block">Our School Council has organized a Family Nature Night in collaboration with the staff from Gould Lake Outdoor Centre. It will take place on Tuesday, April 14th from 5 pm to 7 pm at Odessa Public School. This is a free event for families that is being supported by a Parents Reaching Out (PRO) Grant. It is important that we have accurate numbers of people who will be attending the event so that we have enough materials and supplies for everyone.  Please RSVP to the Family Nature Night using the form in the link below by Friday, April 10th.<a href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fforms.office.com%2Fr%2FVmqwuSUiJ2&data=05%7C02%7Cesfordk%40limestone.on.ca%7C81ced9e02ed741a92a7f08de8e74970c%7Ce1f4165febae4d82a73ca0de593830be%7C0%7C0%7C639104828790603627%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C4000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=srZkhMD6HFDb%2BKRX68CibtSPAuLCNyH4s5oF7kQXX54%3D&reserved=0" class="editor-link" dir="ltr">RSVP Form for Family Nature Night</a>The School Council will be organizing a planting station so that each child who attends will have the opportunity to plant seeds and take their plant home to watch it grow. Everyone in attendance will also get an opportunity to build their own trail mix. Below is a description of the workshops that will be offered by Gould Lake Outdoor Centre. Introduction to Archery (1 hour session)Join us for an hour-long archery session tailored for Grades 4-6 and their families, perfect for both beginners and experienced archers! Safety is the priority, with trained instructors guiding participants through a quick tutorial that will cover all the essential safety protocols and proper shooting techniques. Following the tutorial, shooters will be given ample opportunity to hone their skills through a series of instructor led shooting rounds. This enjoyable hour-long experience will allow participants to challenge themselves and strive for a personal best or choose to have friendly competitions with friends and family all while getting a sample of what the amazing sport of archery can offer. Please note, that due to equipment restraints, the maximum number of participants for each hour-long session will be 20 people.Music MadnessAll grades and their families are welcome to join us for a lively hour-long music session, led by LDSB’s very own professional musician Nate Zahn. Participants will enjoy group sing-alongs, bucket drumming, and a chance to explore new instruments like the ukulele, boom whackers and more. The focus is on having fun while learning about music, fostering community spirit, and creating unforgettable memories together. Don’t miss out—sign up now!A Touch of Nature- Discovery StationAn engaging drop-in activity where students and their families can explore local wildlife by touching and holding animal furs, bones, and other nature-related artifacts. This short but sweet hands-on experience allows participants to learn about local animals through tactile interaction. Perfect for curious minds, this educational and entertaining display will offer fun for everyone as they discover the wonders of nature together.<h2 class="editor-heading-h2"><img src="/images/2217496f-a032-4d7c-88e3-6f38ae49cd28" alt="2025October22" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></h2> <img src="/images/f8a8e6cf-4a86-46df-90d2-97b26665c474" alt="2026March14" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/ba58c2da-1893-481a-82cf-e0e835c23829" alt="2026April2" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"> <img src="/images/a299816a-67d1-4149-b9fd-0e9c31ce56c2" alt="2026February31" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2"><img src="/images/f05f0e70-9777-4085-8ef0-aac5affa75ab" alt="LDSB Kindergarten Student Registration Website Graphic" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></h2> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Odessa Lost and Found</h2> <img src="/images/d330f6d2-7ea9-4e02-997a-9ac59cfb27ca" alt="2026February9" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Important Links for Families</h2> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr"><a href="https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fodessapublicschool.entripyshops.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cesfordk%40limestone.on.ca%7C9249cf4f26894cf7037408ddf1373da3%7Ce1f4165febae4d82a73ca0de593830be%7C0%7C0%7C638931941822133075%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ecy5PgJbemRaTCQDcQW2cVBEJiBGMYvAWoHD3RV%2BZsI%3D&reserved=0" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link" dir="ltr">Odessa Public School Spirit Wear eStore</a></h2> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.school-day.com/" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link" dir="ltr">School Day</a></h2> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.loyalist.ca/media/lf4ps1su/autumn-guide.pdf" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link" dir="ltr">Loyalist Township Online Registration Guide</a></h2> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">How to Order Hot Lunch through LunchBox</h2><ie-document data-lexical-document-id="8c734ab0-3399-4236-840e-05e9a7800e18"></ie-document><ie-document data-lexical-document-id="6ee06426-d7c5-4020-9c16-469b0b20dea7"></ie-document><img src="/images/da9d84be-6a63-471a-a33c-61be171ec859" alt="2026April6" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Events for the Calendar </h2><img src="/images/08626c36-1bb8-456f-8e6b-bfe1eee08a09" alt="2026April9" width="357" height="476" style="width:357px;height:476px;display:inline-block;float:right">Monday, April 6th- No School TodayFriday, April 10th- Success Assembly at 8:30 amMonday, April 13th- Rescheduled Trip for Mrs. Carrrier and Mrs. ZarzeckiTuesday, April 14th- Family Nature Night from 5 pm to 7 pmWednesday, April 15th- Halenda's Pepperoni orders dueFriday, April 17th- PA DayTuesday, April 21st- Staff Meeting at 2:30 pmThursday, April 30th- Gould Lake Trip (Schneider and McLeod)Wednesday, May 6th- LCVI Road Race, Welcome to Kindergarten 5 pm to 6 pmFriday, May 8th- Success AssemblyMonday, May 18th- No School TodayTuesday, May 19th- School Council Meeting at 6:30 pmWednesday, May 27th- Blue Jays Game Trip (Coulas/Legge/Allen)Friday, May 29th- PA Day (No School Today)Monday, June 1st- Fun FairWednesday, June 3rd- Region 2 Track & Field MeetTuesday, June 9th- District Track & Field MeetTuesday, June 16th- School Council Meeting at 6:30 pmWednesday, June 24th- Report Cards Go HomeThursday, June 25th- Success Assembly at 8:30 am <img src="/images/71945fd1-3f7d-4cae-b49c-3f01439c261a" alt="Welcome To Kindergarten (3)" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Contact Us</h2> 10 North St.Odessa, Ontario, K0H2H0613-386-3022odesa@limestone.on.ca <img src="/images/50ffcf70-7ef1-46f4-a824-35d7c4f9a68e" alt="Odessa1" width="187" height="187" style="width:187px;height:187px;display:inline-block;float:right">Visit us on the web at <a href="https://www.odessa.limestone.on.ca/" class="editor-link" dir="ltr">odessa.limestone.on.ca</a>

2026-04-02 16:22:57.733 +0000 UTC

Welcome to Kindergarten

Spread the word! Welcome to Kindergarten Information Night is Wednesday, May 6th from 5:00 to 6:00 PM. If you have a child starting JK in September, please be sure that you have completed the online registration application. We look forward to meeting our new JK students and their parents!To register your child, please click on the following link: <a href="about:blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">https://www.limestone.on.ca/registration</a><img src="/images/71945fd1-3f7d-4cae-b49c-3f01439c261a" alt="Welcome To Kindergarten (3)" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block">

2026-03-30 17:07:12.164 +0000 UTC

Upcoming Events

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EQAO Math Session for Parents/Guardians of Junior Students (FREE)

P.A. Day - No Classes for Students

EQAO Webinar for Parents and Guardians of Elementary School Students (FREE)

Victoria Day - No Classes for Students

P.A. Day - No Classes for Students

EQAO Math Session for Parents/Guardians of Junior Students (FREE)

P.A. Day - No Classes for Students

EQAO Webinar for Parents and Guardians of Elementary School Students (FREE)

Victoria Day - No Classes for Students

P.A. Day - No Classes for Students

Last Day of School for Students

P.A. Day - No Classes for Students

About Our School

Welcome to Odessa Public School – Home of the Tigers! We are proud to be a Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 school, located beside Ernestown Intermediate & Secondary School in the vibrant and growing community of Odessa. Our dedicated staff work together to create a positive and engaging learning environment, offering a rich educational experience for every student. The Odessa Tigers enthusiastically represent our school in a variety of athletic competitions and special events throughout the District.

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Message from the Director - March 5, 2026

Dear Families,With March now underway, and March Break fast approaching, I would like to share a few updates with families:School Year Calendar is ApprovedThe Ministry of Education has approved Limestone’s recommended 2026-2027 school year calendar. The school year will begin with a P.A. Day on September 1, 2026, with the first day of classes for students on September 2, 2026. A <a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/school-year-calendar" class="editor-link">printable version of the calendar is available on Limestone’s website</a>.Budget SurveyTrustees are seeking feedback on the Limestone District School Board budget planning process for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. Families are encouraged to take a few minutes to provide feedback on areas or priority. The survey is anonymous and can be accessed online at <a href="https://bit.ly/2026-2027LDSBBudgetSurvey" class="editor-link">bit.ly/2026-2027LDSBBudgetSurvey</a> . The survey closes March 23, 2026.Video: Limestone’s Student Achievement Plan in Action – EQAO HighlightsAs previously shared, the Ministry of Education released the 2024-2025 Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) results in December, and we are pleased to share that Limestone has achieved its strongest performance in four years, with gains across every testing category.Limestone’s results are consistent with provincial trends in many areas and show meaningful improvement in others, including among specific student groups. In fact, Limestone is performing at or above the provincial average in nearly all measures.These results reflect the collective efforts of Limestone educators, Educational Assistants, program teams, and school leaders—supported by the ongoing commitment of students and families across our district. We are extremely proud of the dedication and hard work that contributed to these achievements.We are pleased to share a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1qQcIXSyFU" class="editor-link">video update with families on Limestone’s Student Achievement Plan in Action – EQAO Highlights</a>. This <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1qQcIXSyFU" class="editor-link">short video</a> provides an overview of Limestone’s Student Achievement Plan and how it guides our shared work to support student learning and well-being.Through insights from members of the Limestone Senior Team, families will learn about the key priorities shaping our efforts, the thinking behind our actions, and how collaboration, evidence, and reflection help us improve. The video highlights how data, professional learning, and shared leadership work together to move learning forward, while keeping students, belonging, and continuous growth at the centre. It offers a look at how planning connects to practice as we work together toward positive outcomes for all Limestone students.Revisions to Grades 7, 8, and 10 History CurriculumThe Minister of Education has announced updates to the Grades 7, 8, and 10 History curriculum for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year.With these updates, in Grades 7, 8, and 10, students will learn about significant contributions of Black individuals and communities to Canada’s foundation as a nation, and the obstacles they faced in the pursuit of building an inclusive and prosperous country. The Grade 10 History course will also have new learning on extreme political and social ideologies, the Holocaust and rising antisemitism, and the Holodomor famine in Ukraine.Learn more about the updated curriculum on the <a href="https://www.dcp.edu.gov.on.ca/en/" class="editor-link">Ministry of Education’s Curriculum and Resources website.</a>Become a Homestay and Host an International Student: A Meaningful Experience for You and Your FamilyEach year, LDSB welcomes more than 120 international students into schools across the district from countries around the world, including Brazil, Italy, China, Germany, Japan, Mexico, France, Vietnam, Rwanda, and many others. Hosting an international student is a meaningful way to bring the world into your home while making a positive difference in a young person’s life. Limestone homestay families are carefully matched with students and supported by dedicated Limestone staff throughout the placement, so families are never on their own. Hosting offers opportunities for cultural exchange, the development of lasting relationships, and a monthly stipend to help offset costs. To learn more about how hosting works, the supports in place, and why many local families choose to open their homes, visit <a href="https://internationaled.limestone.on.ca/become_a_homestay" class="editor-link">internationaled.limestone.on.ca/become_a_homestay</a>.Ministry Resources for Reading and MathThere are many resources available to support your student’s learning in math and literacy, offering engaging activities that make learning both fun and effective for students and families. To explore these tools, visit Limestone’s <a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/tutoring" class="editor-link">Online Learning Resources and Tutoring webpage</a>.Thank you for your continued partnership and support of student learning and well-being across Limestone. We are grateful for the role families play in helping students feel supported, connected, and successful, and we look forward to continuing our work together.Krishna Burra

2026-03-05 21:30:00.475 +0000 UTC

Limestone District School Board Welcomes 2026–2027 Student Trustees

The Limestone District School Board (LDSB) is pleased to announce the appointment of its 2026–2027 Student Trustees, who will be formally welcomed at the April meeting of the Board.Student trustees play an important role in bringing student perspectives to board-level discussions, helping ensure that student voice is reflected in decision-making across the district. For the upcoming term, LDSB looks forward to working with three engaged and passionate student leaders who represent rural, urban, and Indigenous student communities:<h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Audrey Bateman – Rural Student Trustee</h2>A message from Student Trustee Bateman: I'm so excited to be your rural student trustee this year. This role is such a great place to create lasting change for the current and future classes. I'm really looking forward to connecting with the trustees and students from across the board to try and make school a more fun, inclusive, and memorable experience where we can.  Everyone's voice matters!<h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Victoria McCourt – Indigenous Student Trustee</h2>A message from Student Trustee McCourt: I applied for the Indigenous student trustee position because I feel that having a voice to represent Indigenous students, their issues and concerns is important. I would like to help celebrate and honour the Indigenous students in the Limestone District School Board. I look forward to helping create more opportunities for Indigenous students and I want our youth to feel proud of who they are and their Indigenous identity. <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Mathew Katz – Urban Student Trustee</h2>A message from Student Trustee Katz: I applied to become a student trustee to advocate for issues that both I and students from across LDSB are passionate about. I specifically hope to be able to work on issues related to environmental sustainability and anti-racism. Ultimately, I want to ensure students’ voices are heard and meaningfully represented.The Limestone District School Board congratulates Audrey, Victoria, and Matthew on their appointments and looks forward to welcoming them at the April Board meeting as they begin their term as student trustees for the 2026–2027 school year.<img src="/images/6101cb72-005e-4aad-b211-341230a8738b" alt="2026 2027 Student Trustees" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block">

2026-03-04 14:48:09.694 +0000 UTC

Message from the Director - February 20, 2026

Dear Families,I hope everyone had a good, short week following the Family Day Weekend. We have had a small taste of warmer weather recently, though we know there may still be more winter days to come. As we head toward the end of February, I would like to share a few updates with Limestone families:2026-2027 School Year CalendarThank you to everyone who took the time to fill out the 2026-2027 School Year Calendar Survey. Approximately 3,700 responses were submitted from families, staff, and community members. We appreciate your time and providing the feedback.As shared previously, the school year calendar for 2026-2027 presents unique challenges, with Labour Day falling unusually late on September 7, and Easter occurring just four days after March Break. Across all three school boards (Limestone DSB, Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic DSB, and Hastings and Prince Edward County DSB) Option 1 was the preferred choice, and Option 2 ranked second and third, with only marginal differences in support.Following further review of the potential calendars, and considering potential financial implications, it was determined that implementing Option 1 would create additional costs for all three boards. Given that Option 2 very closely aligns with Option 1, differing by only one day and without the associated financial implications, all three boards supported Option 2, with the school year starting September 1 (P.A. Day) and the first day of classes for students on September 2.At Wednesday night’s Board Meeting, the Limestone Board of Trustees approved <a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/documents/375540e1-d8af-4e1c-a856-7035ab3f1e4b/2026-2027-School-Year-Calendar-Final.pdf" class="editor-link">Option 2 for the 2026-2027 school year calendar</a>, and this calendar will be submitted to the Ministry of Education for final approval.You Are Invited: Community Event: An Evening with Monique Gray Smith, Author of Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults – March 12, 2026Students, families, staff, and community members are invited to a free in-person evening with author Monique Gray Smith. This special event will bring our community together to learn about care, reciprocity, connection to the land, and connection to one another.  Date: March 12, 2026 Time:   6:30 p.m. - Vendors and refreshments                6:45 p.m. - Doors open                7:00 p.m. - Speaker begins Location: Queen's University, Duncan McArthur Hall, 511 Union St., KingstonLight refreshments will be provided, and the first 50 attendees will receive a free copy of her book. <a href="https://bit.ly/LDSBMoniqueGraySmithEvent" class="editor-link">Registration is required</a>. Please <a href="https://bit.ly/LDSBMoniqueGraySmithEvent" class="editor-link">register online</a> in advance — we look forward to seeing you there!This event has been made possible with the support of the Limestone Learning Foundation, Queen’s University Faculty of Education, and the Limestone District School Board.2026-2027 Virtual School SurveyFamilies interested in enrolling their students in virtual school for the 2026-2027 school year should complete the <a href="https://ca1.voxco.com/S2/?st=fu443Fws9prkkUlLZrFDxwJzvjfy6JjISrxBQtOLRo8%3D&mod=0&dlang=en" class="editor-link">Virtual School Survey.</a> This helps with early planning for the next school year. This virtual school survey is not for registration and families will need to <a href="mailto:virtualk8@limestone.on.ca" class="editor-link">contact Elementary Virtual School to officially register their students for next year</a>. If you have more than one student interested, please complete the survey for each student. The survey will remain open until Friday, March 13, 2026. Families can <a href="https://ca1.voxco.com/S2/?st=fu443Fws9prkkUlLZrFDxwJzvjfy6JjISrxBQtOLRo8%3D&mod=0&dlang=en" class="editor-link">access the survey online</a>. If you require a printed survey, please contact Principal <a href="mailto:myerskm@limestone.on.ca" class="editor-link">Kate Myers by e-mail</a>.                <a href="https://ca1.voxco.com/S2/?st=fu443Fws9prkkUlLZrFDxwJzvjfy6JjISrxBQtOLRo8%3D&mod=0&dlang=en" class="editor-link">Access the survey online.</a>Ministry and Board Resources for Math and LiteracyThere are many resources available 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. <a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/tutoring" class="editor-link">Visit Limestone’s Online Learning Resources and Tutoring webpage</a> to learn more. Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement in Limestone school communities. We truly value the strong partnership we share with families and look forward to the second half of the 2025-2026 school year continuing positively for students, families, and staff.Krishna BurraDirector of Education

2026-02-20 21:00:23.337 +0000 UTC

Land Acknowledgement

The Limestone District School Board is situated on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek and Haudenosaunee. We acknowledge their enduring presence on this land, as well as the presence of Métis, Inuit, and other First Nations from across Turtle Island. We honour their culture and celebrate their commitment to this land.