Sydenham P.S. Newsletter
September 2022
Welcome Back Message from Director Burra
We're almost there!
Happy end of summer everyone! We hope that you all have had time to rest, relax, and enjoy the long lazy days of summer.
We've been busy over the last two months in the school! Our caretakers, Mr Webster, Grace and Adam have been incredibly busy cleaning the classrooms and the school to make it ready for September 6th. Educators have also been busy, setting up classrooms ready to welcome students on Tuesday morning!
Here's a few bits of information for the beginning of the year:
WHAT DOES MY CHILD NEED?
Kindergarten
- A full-sized backpack/knapsack to carry everything they will need to pack up everyday.
- An insulated lunch bag, and a water bottle with spout.
- A peanut free/nut free lunch and snacks.
- Indoor and outdoor shoes they can put on and off themselves (e.g., Velcro or slip on)
- Comfortable clothes and a complete change of clothes in a Ziploc bag, just in case.
- Everything labelled with your child’s name.
- Schools will supply all school supplies such as pens, pencils, markers, crayons, erasers, glue sticks, etc.
Elementary Students
- A full-sized backpack/knapsack to carry everything they will need to pack up everyday.
- An insulated lunch bag with a peanut free/nut free lunch and snacks and a water bottle.
- Indoor and outdoor shoes.
- Optional for Grade 1 to 8 – Any personal school supplies, such as: pens, pencils, markers, crayons, eraser, glue stick in a pencil case or box. We will also supply these to students when needed.
OFFICE OPEN
Our main office is open 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Ms Bethune will be in to accept any new registrations or answer any questions you may have. Please ring the door buzzer at the front entrance to the school if you need to come in to drop off any registration documents. Please be patient with us as we may have stepped away from the monitor for a moment - but we will respond! Please also note that our door is not monitored at recess times (see below) and during the lunch eating period. Please flag down a staff member (wearing orange vest) if you need entrance during recess times. Visitors must self-screen for COVID and are strongly encouraged to call ahead.
SCHOOL SCHEDULE
8:40-8:55 Drop off period before the bell. Yard is supervised at this time. Please do not drop off students before 8:40.
8:55 Entry Bell - School day starts
8:55-10:35 Instructional Time
10:35-10:50 Recess
10:50-11:40 Instructional Time
11:40-12:00 Students eating lunch
12:00-12:40 Lunch recess
12:40-2:20- Instructional Time
2:20-2:30 Recess
2:30-3:25 Instructional Time
3:25 Dismissal
3:25-3:40 Yard is supervised for dismissal. If you are running late, please call the school. Students not picked by 3:40 are brought back inside and parents/guardians will be called.
SYDENHAM STAFF
Kindergarten - Ms. Bryson and Ms. Walker (Ms. Gray is on leave to Nov. 11)
Grade 1/2 - Ms. McCourt
Grade 2/3 - Ms. Bosica (mornings)/ Ms. Sheriff (afternoons)
Grade 4/5 and Empower program - Ms. Onyskiw
Grade 5/6 - Ms. Reid
Grade 7/8 - Ms. Chung
Core French and Planning - M. Emmerton
Planning - Mr. McCormac
Planning - Ms. Desarmia
Educational Assistant - Ms. Warren
Educational Assistant - Ms. Dippel
Short Term Educational Assistant - Ms. West
School to Community teacher (itinerant)- Ms. Ruta
English as a Second Language Teacher (itinerant) - Mr. Fox
School Support Counsellor (itinerant) - Ms. Mather
Office Administrator - Ms. Bethune
Yard Supervisor - Ms. Russell
Head Caretaker - Mr. Webster
Casual Caretaker (evenings) - to be determined
Vice Principal/Student Support Teacher - Ms. Marshall
Principal - Dawn Diamond
CLASS LISTS
Teachers will have their class lists on the yard on the first day of school. Ms Marshall will also be out to help support getting our students to their teachers.
SYDENHAM SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL (SAC)
We have an enthusiastic, welcoming and vibrant School Advisory Council here at Sydenham. They meet monthy or bi-monthly (schedule to be determined). There are many opportunities to help on our SAC, or just come out to find out what's going on in the school. Our SAC has been a successful recipient of LDSB's Parents Reaching Out grant, focusing on bringing new experiences and information workshops to our students and their families.
As a staff, we cannot express how grateful we are for our Sydenham SAC and their passion for our school and all who work, learn and play there.
PARKING AND TRAFFIC REMINDER
Traffic can become quite congested at drop off and pick up times. Families are encouraged to "Park and Stride". Please refer to the infographic below for more details and a map of potential parking spots. Please remember to keep the bus loading zone clear - this will be marked with orange pylons. Also, please do not stop in the middle of the road (Clergy St.) in front of the school to drop off your sudents. This causes dangerous traffic congestion that bleeds out onto Barrie St. and we have had some very near-miss accidents. Please be cautious of student safety at drop off and pick up times.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call the school (613-548-3491).
We can't wait to see you!
Cheers
Mrs. Diamond & Ms. Marshall and the Sydenham Staff
Sydenham P.S.
Email: syden@limestone.on.ca
Website: sydenhamps.limestone.on.ca
Location: 5 Clergy St E. Kingston, ON, Canada
Phone: 613-548-3491
Twitter: @SydenhamPS_LDSB