Dear Families,
Spring has arrived, and with it comes a wonderful energy across our school! Last week, students in all classes enjoyed Rocks and Rings, a hands-on experience that sparked curiosity and engagement throughout the building. Our Grade 6, 7, and 8 students also had an exciting and successful trip to the Blue Jays game—a memorable experience that connected learning, teamwork, and school spirit.
Across the school, we continue to intentionally incorporate meaningful real‑world connections into our learning. Students have been learning about Epilepsy and Autism Awareness, and throughout April we are celebrating and honouring neurodivergent brains—recognizing, accepting, and valuing people for who they are and how they think, feel, and act. These conversations help build empathy, understanding, and a strong sense of belonging for all.
As we move into the final months of the school year, there is so much to look forward to! Upcoming events include track and field, running club, Welcome to Kindergarten event, the Science Challenge Team, dodgeball teams, junior basketball, whole‑school Zumba, and many class trips to celebrate a year of learning and growth.
Our teachers continue to warmly welcome the community into their classrooms to share in new learning. We are excited for Ruthy’s Reading Room to visit our primary classes, as well as experiential, hands‑on woodworking opportunities for students in Grades 6, 7, and 8 and Indigenous Beading.
Grade 3 and Grade 6 EQAO provincial standardized testing will happen again this spring between May 5 and June 9, 2026. Specific EQAO dates for Newburgh PS will be determined by the teaching staff in the coming weeks and families will be notified. If interested, EQAO has offered the following parent information session:
Register for this free live webinar and learn about EQAO’s Primary and Junior Assessments of Reading, Writing and Mathematics. Participants will learn about the purpose of Ontario’s large-scale assessments. EQAO staff will explain the assessment format, highlight resources to support students, and answer questions from participants. The session is approximately 45 minutes, followed by a live Q&A with EQAO staff. (April 22, 2026) Webinar Registration - Zoom
So much is happening at Newburgh, and we are truly grateful for the ongoing support of our families. We look forward to a fantastic spring filled with learning, connection, and celebration!
We also wanted to extend special wishes and a peaceful time of reflection and celebration to everyone this past weekend who observed Pesach (Passover), Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Take good care and we hope the Easter Bunny was good to everyone!
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in learning.
Yours in Education,
Jennifer Osborne, Principal, and Tanyelle VanderSchoor, Vice-Principal
April Recognizes Neurodiversity
Neurodiversity is a term that recognizes that all brains work in different ways. Just as we celebrate differences in culture, language, and interests, neurodiversity reminds us that there is no single “right” way to think, learn, feel, or experience the world. Brain differences are a natural part of being human.
Some people describe themselves as neurodivergent, meaning their brains work differently from what society often considers “typical.” This can include individuals with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning or thinking differences. These differences are not deficits—they often come with unique strengths, perspectives, creativity, and problem‑solving abilities.
At our school, April is a time to honour neurodivergent brains and to reinforce the message that everyone deserves to be accepted for who they are and how they think, feel, and act.
Important Reminder
In the event that you need to drop off or pick up your child(ren) early during the school day, please buzz at the front office doors and stop by the office to sign your child(ren) in or out using the student drop-off/pick-up list. Ms. Clement will retrieve your child(ren) from their classroom(s).
If you have a message for the teaching staff, please use your child’s agenda or leave a message with the office. This helps ensure continuity of learning in every classroom.
As well, if you are dropping your child(ren) off in the morning before 9:00, please drop them at the end of the school in the gravel area.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Playground Updates
Exciting news that the playground climbers will now be open for play! With the arrival of spring and warmer weather comes plenty of mud and puddles. Therefore, we will continue to monitor and close sections of the school yard as needed so students can play safely. Please ensure your child(ren) come to school with extra clothes and appropriate outdoor gear to change into if clothing becomes wet or soiled and keep a close eye on the day's forecast, so children are dressed appropriately for this unpredictable time of year.
Upcoming School Presentations
Ruthy's Reading Room is a popular Canadian-based digital platform and community program designed to provide diverse, inclusive children's literature. Created in 2019 by Michelle McDonald, a local mother and educator, the platform aim to increase access to diverse stories for young children. Michelle will visit Primary classes at Newburgh on April 15.
Kindergarten Registration and Out Of Boundary Registration
Do you have a child ready to start Kindergarten this September? If your child is four- or five-years-old by the end of December (2026), now is the time to register. For more information, please visit limestone.on.ca/kindergarten.
In Limestone, students may be permitted to attend any school within the board when there is available student space, upon submission and approval of the proper application. Please note only one application per student can be processed; please do not submit more than one application for multiple school locations. If multiple applications are submitted, families will be contacted to select which school application they would like processed, and all other applications will be removed from the system.
The board is not responsible for the provision of any transportation for students outside of their regular school boundary area. This applies to both students within Limestone’s geographic boundaries (out of boundary), and students who live outside of those boundaries (out of district).
Limestone prioritizes mental health supports, we recognize this time of year can be challenging for students especially after a week away from support systems in the schools. The following resources are available in our communities for students and families:
- Kids Help Phone – Call or text 988 for 24/7 support across Canada
- Kids Help Phone – Text CONNECT to 686868 or access live chat at kidshelpphone.ca
- Maltby Centre (March 17 Kingston Walk-in Clinic; March 18 Sydenham Walk-in Clinic)
- One Stop Talk – Call 1-855-416-8255 or connect online
- Resolve Counselling Services in Kingston and Napanee
- One Roof Kingston (ages 12 to 25)
- Lennox and Addington Youth Hub (ages 10 to 24)
Important Dates
All these dates can also be found on our school's website in the calendar section of the website.
Thursday April 9 - SAC meeting 6:15
Monday, April 13 - Grade 1/2 and 2/3 Class Trip
Wednesday, April 15 - Milkshake Orders for April and May due in School Day and Pizza Orders Due
Thursday, April 16 - Dodgeball Tournaments (Junior @ Centreville and Senior @ Enterprise)
Wednesday, April 15 - Ruthie's Reading Room visits Primary Classes
Friday, April 17 - PA Day - No school for students
Tuesday, April 28 - Let's Talk Science Challenge
Thursday, May 7 - Grade 8 NDSS Visit
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.
March 3 Pizza Day
March 25 Pizza Day
March 27 Milkshake Day
April 8 Pizza Day
April 22 Pizza Day
April 30 Milkshake Day
May 6 Pizza 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.
School Advisory Council Fundraisers
Our next School Advisory Council meeting will be on Thursday, April 9th @ 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: Melanie Hagerman
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/
