Dear Families,
Happy February! February is Black History and Futures month. This is a time to celebrate the numerous accomplishments of Black Canadians. It is an opportunity to amplify Black voices and recognize how they have contributed to our history. This month, teachers will be sharing these stories in their classrooms to continue this important learning.
Last week was Literacy Week. Although the week was shortened with a inclement weather school closure on Monday, the school was still buzzing with energy celebrating literacy! Reading buddies between classrooms allowed for the younger "little buddies" one-on-one attention and fluency modeling, while the older "big buddies" gained so much confidence and leadership experience by sharing books they used to love. It was also fun seeing teachers pop into different classrooms to share their favourite stories. Finally, students participated in a writing activity to prompt them to think about how words matter; that even the smallest kind words can make a big impact! Last week was more than just a break from the routine; it was a celebration that brought the whole school community together.
As the cold temperatures and abundance of snow continue to be a presence, please continue to send your children to school with warm layers of clothes and reminders about appropriate and safe winter play on the school yard. Families, your support and partnership in everything we do at NPS is noticed and appreciated. Stay warm and cozy and welcome to February!
Yours in Education,
Jennifer Osborne, Principal, and Tanyelle VanderSchoor, Vice-Principal
Black History and Futures Month
Lost and Found Items
Our lost and found bin is over flowing! If you see any items that belong to your family, please come and retrieve them from the school or have your child(ren) take them home. Thank you.
Important Reminders
When dropping your child(ren) off in the morning, we kindly ask you to drop your child(ren) at the gate with Ms. VanderSchoor and not in the yard area or the front of the school where the buses are unloading. This will ensure a speedy drop-off and allow supervising staff to supervise students in the yard. If you have a message for the teaching staff, please use your child's agenda or contact the school directly. Thank you for your help with this.
Bus Delays and Cancellations
As the weather gets colder, please be aware that buses may be delayed or cancelled. Families should ensure they are signed up to receive direct notifications, either by email, or Tri-Board’s app. Delays and cancellations are also posted to Tri-Board’s Website. Please have a back-up plan and transportation home if your child's bus is cancelled! A reminder that supervision of students is not available until 8:45 am. Please do not drop off your child at school before that time.
Learn more about how to prepare for winter weather and manage bus cancellation days on our website.
· Subscribe by email to specific bus routes
· Instructions on how to download the BusPlanner Delays App
Winter Play
Winter is definitely here and with it comes the very cold and wet weather. Please ensure students come dressed for the weather. We will go outside for extended periods, even when it is very cold. In temperatures above -23 with the wind chill, we will play outside so ensuring your children are dressed for the weather appropriately is essential. We encourage all families to send appropriate outdoor play clothing (boots, snowpants, hats, mitts, warm jackets, extra socks) that are labelled with your child's name. If you are in need of any warm clothing for your children, please do not hesitate to reach out to the school.
Keeping student safety at the forefront in all seasons is essential. At first snowfall staff will take time to review elements of outside play in terms of both safety and conduct to establish a positive tone for winter yard play. Our play structures and climbers are now closed for the winter months. Students are reminded to be dressed appropriately for winter play. This includes snow pants and boots.
Reminders about safe play while out on the yard and in the snow are frequently reviewed by school staff and yard supervisors. Families can help reinforce these messages when students are playing both before and after school. Please take some time to review the guidelines below with your child and reinforce a positive, safe recess play:
- Snow stays on the ground, no throwing or kicking of snow at others
- Hands off - it is even more essential in slippery conditions that students are in control of their own bodies. Pushing or shoving others can put them at great risk for injury as they are not able to brace their fall when they are not prepared for the loss of balance. When pushing or shoving occurs staff will often shut down a snow hill.
- Be respectful of the creations of others. While there is no ownership of snow, it is not polite or caring to purposely destroy the work of others, or steal snow. The fields have an abundance of snow available, taking other's snow is not necessary.
- No snow forts on top of the hills or tunnels at the bottom - this creates unsafe situations with access to forts and the use of the hill for all. Digging tunnels at the bottom of the hill is not permitted.
- It is inevitable that snow structures will not stand the test of time for various reasons. Role-playing or talking through the potential emotions and reactions to this may be helpful for your child. We often remind students that part of the fun of snow is to rebuild something new or add on to make structures even better the next time.
Important Dates
All these dates can also be found on our school's website in the calendar section of the website.
Thursday, February 5 - Grade 5/6 and 6/7/8 Class Trip
Wednesday, February 11 - SAC Meeting 6:15
Friday February 13 - Term 1 Reports go home
Monday, February 16 - Family Day Holiday - No school for students
Wednesday, February 18 - NDSS Open House for Grade 8 students
Monday March 16 - Friday March 20 - March Break - No school for students
Monday, March 23 - Term 2 IEP's go home to families for consultation
March 31 and April 1 - Rocks and Rings Curling for grade K-8
Upcoming School Presentations
Curling Physical Education Games
On March 31 and April 1 Rocks and Rings Curling Canada will be at Newburgh teaching students in grade K-8 about curling. Egg Farmers Rocks & Rings presented by Curling Canada is an interactive physical education program that transforms your school gym into an iceless curling rink for a full-day workshop. Our programs visit participating schools with unique floor curling equipment that provides a true curling experience. Your students will love learning about curling!
PALS @ NPS Is Here!
Playground Activity Leaders in Schools (PALS) is an elementary school, student leadership program. It provides opportunities to help foster a sense of belonging and inclusion among students, while engaging them in physical activity in the school yard. The program motto is “There’s always room for one more.” Students have been trained and PALS will be on the yards this week! Thanks student leaders for shining bright!
Kingston Frontenacs Discounted Tickets Opportunity
Kingston Frontenacs are offering the families of Newburgh PS the opportunity to purchase game tickets at a discounted price on the following days:
January 30th, February 21st, and March 18th
The If you are interested in purchasing tickets for any of the listed game days, please follow the link below.
https://am.ticketmaster.com/frontenacs/promotional-page?id=MTczNQ==
Grade 8-9 transitions
It's time for our intermediate students to start planning for their transition to secondary school! Course selection, guidance team visits and Parent nights to all Limestone District Secondary schools is happening throughout January and February. Please check out the information poster below for more information.
Newburgh Hot Lunch and Milkshake Days
Newburgh School will be offering pizza lunches and now hamburger lunches! Monies raised will go back to the school to support students. If you would like your child to participate in pizza or hamburger days, each can be ordered through School Day.
When there is a tri-board announcement that all buses are cancelled in the Limestone District School Board and it falls on a hot lunch day, the hot lunch day will be rescheduled. If your child attends school on that day, please prepare them a lunch.
February 4 Pizza Day
February 11 March Pizza Day Closes
February 13 Milkshake orders due
February 18 Pizza Day
February 23 Burger orders due in school day
February 26 Milkshake Day
February 27 Burger Day
Curriculum Connection
Ministry and Board Resources for Math and Literacy
There are many resources available designed to support your students’ learning in math and literacy, offering engaging activities that can make learning fun and effective for students and families. Visit Limestone’s Online Learning Resources and Tutoring webpage to learn more.
Words Matter
We are thrilled to announce that our school has been chosen to participate in the Words Matter Campaign this year! This year-long initiative is designed to reduce the incidence and impact of harmful and discriminatory language in our school community. Our goal is to create a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for everyone and gain tools to support your children in using words that uplift and empower.
The Words Matter Project seeks to address the nuances of language that can perpetuate harm, bias, and discrimination. By fostering open dialogue and education about the power of words, we aim to create a culture of mindful communication. This campaign will involve not just students and staff but also parents and caregivers, emphasizing the crucial role that families play in promoting respectful interactions. Look for information to be sent in our newsletters bi-weekly.
School Advisory Council Fundraisers
Our next School Advisory Council meeting will be on Wednesday February 11th @ 6:15pm
Here are your 2025-26 SAC executive members:
Chair: Stephanie Cornish
Secretary: Patty MacDermaid
Treasurer: Maria Evans
Teacher Rep: Olivia Cotman
We warmly welcome all parents to be a part of any and every council meeting, whether you are an elected member or a parent who would just like to listen in and hear more about what is going on at Newburgh PS. Meetings usually include an administrator's sharing component, reports from members in particular positions (treasurer, chairs etc) and some discussion items. Babysitting for school age children will be available.
Your SAC is fundraising with Mabel’s Labels! If you’re not familiar with Mabel’s Labels, they are personalized, durable, waterproof labels. They are great for everything from shoes, clothing tags, water bottles and backpacks. To support our fundraiser, visit campaigns.mabelslabels.com and select Newburgh Public School (ON). You can pick out whatever labels or product you want, and it will ship directly to your house! The fundraiser doesn’t expire, so just keep it in mind whenever you need labels next.
Newburgh continues to offer our families a new secure portal to complete permissions and payments online. With School-Day: Permissions & Payments, you will be able to complete permission forms and payments from any web browser using your SmartPhone, tablet, laptop or desktop.
Through this online portal, you will be able to pay for items such as:
· Field trips
· Sporting events
· Student cards/athletic fees
· Hot lunch (where applicable)
The new easy-to-use portal will remove the risks associated with sending money to school with students, the frustration of lost or missing permission forms, and significantly reduce the amount of paper our school consumes.
If you have not yet signed up for School day, please call the main office and a secure code information sheet will be sent home with your child. Use the instructions in it to sign up for a School-Day account at www.school-day.com and connect to your child’s events and activities.
How Do I Report An Absence
Please use the Safe Arrival system to report your child's absence; do not call the school to report an absence. If your child is going to be absent from learning, please ensure you use the Safe Arrival system to report the absence. If your child will be late, please report a full day absence and then we will sign them in when they arrive. You cannot indicate a half day absence.
How to report your absence:
1. Toll-free telephone
- Call 1-855-257-9349 toll-free to report an absence using the automated phone system.
2. School Messenger App
- Use your mobile device to download and install the free SchoolMessenger blue app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store, the SchoolMessenger website portal, or from within the LDSB mobile app.
- The first time you use the app, you must select Sign Up to create your account. Please ensure you use the same email address your student’s school has on file. If you do not use that same email address, you will not be able to create an account, or may not be able to see the "Attendance" option. You may have already created an account when we introduced the Communicate broadcast system.
- Select Attendance, then select Report an Absence and follow the prompts.
3. SchoolMessenger SafeArrival Website Portal
- Visit the SchoolMessenger website portal.
- The first time you use the app, you must select Sign Up to create your account. Please ensure you use the same email address your student’s school has on file. If you do not use that same email address, you will not be able to create an account, or may not be able to see the "Attendance" option. You may have already created an account when we introduced the Communicate broadcast system.
- Select Attendance, then Report an Absence and follow the prompts.
Important School Information
Time | Activity/learning block |
|---|---|
8:45 a.m. | Supervision begins on the yard |
9:00 a.m. | Entry to school |
9:00 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. | 100-minute learning block |
10:40 a.m. to 10:55 a.m. | Recess |
10:55 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. | 50-minute learning block |
11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. | Lunch (20 minutes) and recess (40 minutes) |
12:45 p.m. to 2:25 p.m. | 100-minute learning block |
2:25 p.m. to 2:40 p.m. | Recess |
2:40 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. | 50-minute learning block |
3:30 p.m. | Dismissal |
Newburgh PS Staff 2025-26
Principal: Jennifer Osborne
Vice-Principal: Tanyelle VanderSchoor
Office Manager: Vicki Clement
(JK/SK) Leah Birk & Chantelle Shook (ECE)
(1/2) Hannah Sutherland
(2/3) Brianna Ziehl (Stephanie McEwen on leave)
(4/5) Ashley Morrow
(5/6) Cathleen Caza
(6/7/8) Olivia Cotman
French: Faith Moore
Student Support Teacher: Tanyelle VanderSchoor
Student Support Counsellor: Jamie Lopes
Special Education Coordinator: Matt Aylsworth
Planning Time Teacher: Karla Tynski
Educational Assistant: Crystal Blanchard
STEA (Short Term Educational Assistant): Jessica Crouse
Head Custodian: Erin Hickey
Night Custodian: Sonja Wood
STUDENT MEDICAL PLANS
We ask families to notify the school about their child's emergency medical conditions and complete the Plans of Care linked below. Updated Plans of Care for students with existing medical conditions will be sent home with your child on the first day of school.
https://www.limestone.on.ca/medical-procedures
PHYSICAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION CURRICULUM
The Limestone District School Board (LDSB) is committed to delivering health and physical education to all elementary students, using the Ontario Curriculum: Health and Physical Education, Grades 1-8, 2019. LDSB is committed to building positive school cultures that support student achievement and wellness. The Exemption from Human Development and Sexual Health Instruction, Grades 1 to 8 Procedure (the “Procedure”) was developed in response to the Ontario Ministry of Education’s Policy/Program Memorandum (PPM) No. 162 which requires school boards to develop a procedure that allows for students to be exempted, at the request of their parents/guardians, from instruction related to the Human Development and Sexual Health expectations found in Strand D of the Ontario Curriculum: Health and Physical Education, Grades 1-8, 2019 (the “Curriculum”). Classroom teachers will inform families of the timeline for delivering Strand D Human Development and Sexual Health Instruction, and an exemption letter will be provided. Below is a link to the expectations by grade.
2025-2026 LDSB School Year Calendar
A PDF version of the 2025-2026 School Year Calendar is available online.
Check out the School Mental Health Family Resources following the link below
DON'T FORGET YOU CAN ORDER NEWBURGH WEAR ALL YEAR LONG WITH THIS LINK
https://newburghpublicschool.entripyshops.com/
