Message from the Director - February 2023

Limestone Learning Foundation
Message from the Director - February 2023
Posted on 02/16/2023

For a version of this message to translate into additional languages, please click here.

Dear Families,  

It has been an exciting and fast start to 2023, and as we approach Family Day weekend, I would like to provide some updates for Limestone families.    

While we are just over half-way through the 2022-2023 school year, we continue to make preparations for 2023-2024. Kindergarten registration is underway, as is secondary course selection, and enrolment in secondary expanded opportunities. In addition, first term/semester report cards for elementary and secondary students will be sent home this week or early next week.

While we continue to enjoy a more regular school year in 2022-2023, change continues to be a very present theme. Global events, and in particular, the devastating earthquakes that occurred in Turkey and Syria, provide us all reason to be thinking about those impacted on the ground, but also friends and family of those in the region that live in our community. It is events like this that provide all of us with an opportunity to reflect on what matters in our lives and to consider the plight of others. 

 

2023-24 School Year Calendar Survey Now Open with Two Options  

Planning for the next school year has begun and the LDSB is seeking feedback from families on two potential options for the upcoming school year calendar. The options include one with a student and staff start date of September 5, 2023; or a student start date of September 6, 2023, after a PA Day on September 5.

While we are not considering a different school year calendar model for 2023-2024, we are exploring a potential idea for a future school year calendar. Our thinking is to start the school year the week prior to Labour Day at the end of August, which would allow us to create a fall break at the end of October or early November.   We are exploring this option due to increases in absences that typically occur in November for LDSB students and staff. Other well-being data also suggests that breaking up the period from Labour Day to the December/January break may be beneficial for students and staff.  We would greatly appreciate your thoughts on this idea. For more information and to provide your feedback in the survey, please visit the School Year Survey for 2023-2024 page on the LDSB website. 

 

Special Education Review 2023  

Our Educational Services Leadership Team is embarking on a Special Education Review between February 2023 and April 2023. The purpose of this review is to:

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    • Examine our current special education supports and services and identify areas for refinement and enhancement to meet the needs of learners within an inclusive learning environment. 
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    • Gather student, family, staff, and community partner voices to identify priorities and key areas which may impact the success of students with special education needs.

     

As with previous Special Education Reviews, the goals of this review are to examine resource allocation, strengthen partnerships, leverage supports, and identify professional learning opportunities for staff.   

The survey will be available for students with special education needs and their families between February 27 and March 3, 2023, and then it will be available to Limestone staff and community members and partners starting April 24 to April 28, 2023. Results will be shared publicly in the fall of 2023.  

For more information, please visit the Special Education Review 2023 page on the LDSB website.

In the coming weeks, you will also receive an opportunity to provide input as part of the annual budget consultation process to help guide the planning for the 2023-2024 school year. More information will follow in March. 

 

KFL&A Public Health Guidelines  

The LDSB continues to work closely with KFL&A Public Health to communicate up-to-date information about the current state of respiratory viruses and actions that students, families, and staff can take to reduce transmission of illness within our communities.  

KFL&A Public Health continues to encourage public health measures: 

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    • Monitoring daily for symptoms and staying home when sick 
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    • Wearing a well-fitted mask in all indoor public spaces is strongly recommended, including schools and childcare settings 
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    • Students and staff returning to school after being sick should wear a well-fitted mask for a total of 10 days after the start of any illness in all public settings (including schools and childcare settings) and avoid non-essential activities where mask removal is necessary 
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    • Staying up to date with vaccines 
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    • Washing your hands regularly 
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    • Cleaning high-touch surfaces regularly 

Masks and rapid antigen tests (RAT) continue to be available for all LDSB students and staff.

Additional information can be found on KFL&A Public Health’s website.

As this coming Monday, February 20, 2023, is Family Day, there will be no classes for students and staff. I hope you have an opportunity to enjoy this long weekend by spending time with family and/or friends, and to hopefully enjoy the outdoors if the weather cooperates.  

Enjoy the long weekend when it arrives, 

Krishna Burra 

Director of Education 

The Limestone District School Board is situated on traditional territories of the Anishinaabe & Haudenosaunee.