We wish all Lambton-Kingsway families an enjoyable, safe, and happy holiday season. We wish everyone time for rest, relaxation, and good health.
This Week’s Update:
Winter Holiday – December 18 – January 2
Covid – Holiday Hubs – Pick Up of PCR Tests
The Importance of Daily Reading
Students Returning from Travel Outside of Canada
A Message From – Minister of Education, Medical Officer and Toronto Public Health
Parent Council
Winter Holiday – December 18 – January 2
A reminder to all families that the Winter Holiday for students and staff occurs from December 18 – January 2. During this time the schools are closed to students. Teachers will also be on holidays during this time.
This past week, Lambton-Kingsway JMS was alive with the holiday spirit. We thank our Student Council who ran the Winter Wonderland for our Kindergarten to Grade 5 students under the supervision of Mr. Ross and Mr. Littlejohn. Our candygram sale which was run by our Grade 8 classes was a huge success. Thank you to all those who participated. Throughout the week our students demonstrated their creativity with decorative masks, festive ‘fits and holiday sweaters. It was great to see our students enjoying these activities.
The one constant that we have seen in the last two years of the Covid pandemic is change. Despite the constant change, students, families, and staff do our very best to be prepared. This week TDSB families received a message from the Associate Directors and heard in the news that students should take home all their belongings, resources, and notebooks to be prepared for the possibility that classes will be virtual at some point. There has been no decision or direction about virtual learning at this time. It is important to remember that if we need to move to virtual learning that we have done this before. We have learned a great deal about what leads to success and what our students need in order to learn to the best of their ability. We all hope that we are able to return to our Lambton-Kingsway classrooms with friends and peers. Any announcements or further guidance will be communicated in the media and through email to parents and students.
If requested, students have been sent home with a Chromebook, in preparation for the possibility of virtual learning. If you find your child is in need of a Chromebook and a decision is made to move to virtual learning, further information will be provided about how, when and where to pick up the device, prior to January 3, 2022.
Dr. Grant: Earlier this month we informed the Lambton-Kingsway community of Dr. Grant’s retirement. As we work to complete the staffing process, Ms. Westover will take on the teaching duties until a teacher has been confirmed by Employee Services.
Ms. Quinn: We congratulate Ms. Quinn on her promotion to acting Vice-Principal at Glenview Senior Public School. We are working with our Employee Services department to confirm the teacher who will be assuming the teaching duties of the class.
Covid – Holiday Hubs – Pick Up of PCR Tests
Sick Kids Hospital has provided our school with PCR tests for students and staff. As the school will be closed for the holiday, Sick Kids has set up ‘Holiday Hubs’ for parents to pick up and drop off PCR tests. If you need a PCR test, please access one of these locations.
The history of Christmas is as complex and varied as many holidays celebrated around the world. Christmas is a sacred religious holiday, but it has also become a tremendous commercial phenomenon. Christians celebrate Christmas as the birth of Jesus. Presently Christmas is celebrated on December 25th around the world where people worship, gather with families, celebrate with food and by exchanging gifts. The holiday season often begins early in December and concludes a few days prior to New Year celebration. More information about the history of Christmas is widely available through in internet search.
In 1966, Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of Black Studies at California State University created Kwanzaa by combining the celebrations of several countries. The holiday is a weeklong from December 26 – January 1. The 7-day holiday is based upon the 7 principles or values of African culture which contribute to building and reinforcing community among people of African heritage. Each family celebrates Kwanzaa in its own way, but the holiday time may include story telling, drumming and large traditional meals. More information about the history of Kwanzaa is available here.
The Importance of Daily Reading
In our December 3rd Friday Flash, the benefits of daily reading were highlighted for our students and families. A break from school does not mean the fun and learning that occurs through reading should stop. Daily reading continues to be most important for elementary students. There are many benefits of daily reading such as expanding our vocabulary and building our creative thinking. We hope all students have an opportunity to read each day during the holiday season.
Travelling during the holidays is a personal decision that is made by each family. If your family chooses to travel during the holiday, please ensure that you review Canadian government requirements for a safe return to Canada frequently as changes to the procedures are taking place frequently.
Message from The Minister of Education, The Medical Officer and Toronto Public Health
The following message with links was sent to parents from the TDSB earlier this week. “Dear Parents/Guardians, We have been asked to share two letters with you in advance of the winter break with information related to COVID-19 and the rapid antigen tests that all TDSB students will be receiving, as well as other COVID-19 related information. You can read the letters from the Minister of Education and Chief Medical Officer of Health and from Toronto Public Health on our website.
Student Health Pass is available on the main landing page of the TDSB website. More information about the daily health screening is available here.
Back to School Confirmation Form – If a child is home or sent home from school with symptoms of Covid this form should be completed and brought to school on the first day of return.
Lambton-Kingsway JMS 2021-2022 Parent Council
Spirit Wear: Thank to all those families who ordered spirit wear. All items were distributed to students in the classroom on Friday, December 17th unless special instructions were given for a different method of delivery. Thank you to Amanda Brown and her team for all the work organizing our spirit wear.
Holiday Cheer: Our Parent Council facilitated holiday gifts for our Lunchroom supervisors, crossing guards and support staff at the school. Those who received your kindness were extremely appreciative of your generosity and wish all our parent community a very happy and safe holiday.
LKS Parent Council 