Gator Tracks - Sept. 21-25

Dear AVPS Families, 💚💛

Rolling Into Fall, Gators! 🐊

What a fantastic start to the school year, Gators!

As we head into our third week of school, our halls are full of energy, laughter, and learning. It has been wonderful to see students settling into routines, building connections, and showing what it means to be part of the Amherstview Public School community. Thank you to our staff and families for working together to help make this such a positive start to the year.

We also have some great news to share. We have now heard back from the LDSB staffing committee, and our current school organization will remain in place with 6 English classes and 19 French Immersion classes. This means there will be no class reorganization, allowing students and staff to continue building strong relationships and routines without disruption. We know stability matters, and we are pleased to be able to continue moving forward together as one team.  A warm AVPS welcome to Chris Wiens and Emma Campbell who have joined the AVPS Gator Staff Team.  A sincere thank-you to Claire Juguet for supporting 2FI in starting the school year. Please see the updated 2026-2027 AVPS Staff list below.

Like any good Gator, we're keeping our eyes forward and heading confidently into the fall! There are lots of exciting things around the corner!

Please join us for our fall Open House on Wednesday October 21. The Scholastic Book Fair will run from October 21-23.

We have included information about volunteering below and the process for sahring police checks (CPIC).

📋 A Few Important Reminders

Thank you for returning any paperwork and forms to us as soon as you can.  If your child requires support for asthma, anaphylaxis, or another medical condition, please ensure the appropriate Medical Plan of Care form is completed by your child's physician. Without physician authorization, staff cannot legally administer medication, including inhalers, EpiPens, or other prescribed treatments at school.

🐊 Cross Country Running - Go Gators!

Coaches are in the process of sending information home for cross country at AVPS.  It’s time to get moving, have some fun, and show that Gator spirit! 💚💛

🏃 Grades 3–4

Practices take place Tuesdays and Thursdays during nutrition/recess from 11:05–11:25 a.m.

🏃 Grades 5–8

Practices take place Tuesdays and Thursdays after school until 4:00 p.m.

Important: Students in Grades 5–8 must have a completed permission form returned to the school before they can participate in after-school practices.

Let’s get out there, Gators!

Terry Fox Walk/Run/Roll

In 1980, Terry Fox showed us that one person can make a difference if they try. Now, it's our turn to do our best to help those affected by cancer.  On September 28 our school will participate in the annual Terry Fox Walk, Run, Roll. Together we can make a difference.

Learn more about Terry's amazing legacy at Terry Fox Run Info and donate to the AVPS challenge at Donate to AVPS Terry Fox Run. Thank you for your generous support!

AVPS School Organization 2026-2027

🐊 Our Amazing Educational Assistants

·      Nichola Harkness

·       Jeff Dunn

·       Kareen Ferguson

·       Lenna Field

·       Jyoti Sengar

·       Kaela Simpson

·       Jeff Bilow

·       Brittany Cuthill

English Program

Kindergarten

·       JK/SK – Chelsea Sneep & Crystal Bedford

Primary Division

·       Grade 1/2 – Nicole Knight

·       Grade 2/3 – Jessica Irwin

Junior Division

·       Grade 4/5 – Piper Conner & Katie Pollitt

·       Grade 5/6 – Roxanne Salvary

Intermediate Division

·       Grade 7/8 – Elizabeth O'Rourke

French as a Second Language (FSL)

·       Natasha Mackey

·       Emma Campbell

French Immersion Program

Kindergarten

·       JK/SK – Kelsey Sullivan & Gerry McGrath

·       JK/SK – Meredeth Hoogsteen & Erin Bond

·       JK/SK – Rachel Jaynes & Sarah Hall

·       JK/SK – Val Vander Baaren & Julie Sauve

·       JK/SK – Meagan Midghall & Brooke Hodgson

Grade 1

·       Katherine Lemoine

·       Lisa Ramsvik

·       Carly Sullivan

Grade 2

·       Chris Wiens

·       Kim Leppik

·       Natalie Romanet

Grade 3

·       Mary Louise Davis

·       Hailey Jaynes

Grade 3/4

·       Meg Hawley

Grade 4

·       Melissa Lecompte

Grade 5

·       Ryan Greenly

·       Lauren Honcoop

Grade 6

·       Cassidy Scott

·       Matt Saunders

English to French Immersion Support

·       Melissa Pace

·       Chris McEwen Smith

·       Melina Morhovitis

·       Katie Pollitt

Student Support Team

·       Intensive Support Teacher: Argini Boulieris

·       Student Support Teachers: Julie Leeder, Lyndsey Mackenzie

School Operations Team

·       Head Caretaker: Chris Smith

·       Caretaking Team: Jeff Frink, Josh Cruse, Kyle Rae

·       Office Administrator: Dani Andrews

·       Assistant Office Administrator: Alexis Akey

School Administration

·       Vice Principal: Christine Kennedy

·       Principal: Brigid Steele

We are excited to welcome both familiar and new faces to our Amherstview Public School team for the 2026-2027 school year! 🐊💚💛

Volunteering at Amherstview Public School

We love volunteers! If you intend to volunteer at our school this year, please ensure that your Vulnerable Sector Check was completed within 6 months of the date you start volunteering.

A new process in place in Limestone District School Board. If you are interested in volunteering, you will need the new LDSB school letter to attach to your application when you apply.  Please reach out to your child's teacher every three years update CPIC and years in alternate years volunteers are asked to complete an offence declaration.  AVPS to obtain the LDSB school letter.

Once you have your police record check back, you must submit it to Police Record Check Portal. Once it is submitted you will be able to volunteer all year.

We apologize and know it is time consuming but safety is our first priority. We hope to see you on school trips and in the building soon!

As always, thank you for your ongoing support, partnership, and trust. Schools are strongest when families and staff work together, and we're grateful to have such an engaged and caring community behind our Gators.

Here’s to another great week, Gators! Chomp Chomp! 🐊💚💛

Brigid Steele Principal, Christine Kennedy VP & the AVPS Gator Staff Team

👥 School Advisory Council (SAC)

Our first School Advisory Council meeting will be held on:

Wednesday, September 23 at 6:00 p.m. in the library

We will also be holding elections for a variety of SAC positions. Nominations are due by 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22. Additional information about available positions and the nomination process can be found below.

✨ Positions for election are:

Nominations are anonymous. You can nominate yourself or someone else. If you nominate someone, please ensure they agree to it and can attend the meeting. Nominations are due by 12:00 noon on Monday, September 22. 

Please send any nominations to amstv@limestone.on.ca

Please note: nominations do not count as votes; you must be present at the meeting to vote.

🐊 School Council Roles

Chair

Leads council meetings, works collaboratively with staff, and helps guide council priorities and activities.

Vice Chair / Co-Chair

Supports the Chair and helps coordinate council events, initiatives, and programs.

Treasurer

Manages council finances, including the budget, financial records, and reporting.

Secretary

Records meeting minutes and helps share council information and updates with members.

Indigenous Representative

Brings Indigenous perspectives, ideas, and voices to council discussions. This is an evolving role that will continue to develop with the council.

Members at Large / Divisional Representatives

Represent a division of the school (Kindergarten, Primary, or Junior), bring forward family perspectives, and support council activities and initiatives.

Fundraising Coordinator

Coordinates fundraising initiatives, including planning, communication, organization, and follow-up.

Volunteer / Hot Lunch Coordinator

Recruits and coordinates volunteers and oversees the planning and organization of the hot lunch program.

Coming up this week:

Upcoming Dates

September 2026

28 – Terry Fox – AVPS Run, Walk, Roll Event

29 - Terry Fox – AVPS Run, Walk, Roll Event (Rain Date)

30 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day

October

2 – Bus Safety Presentation Grades 1-3

8 -- Bus Patroller Training

19 & 20 – Photo Day – Class & Individual

Safety Drills

Each fall and spring, LDSB schools are required to complete three practice fire drills along with other safety drills, including hold and secure and lockdown. We will begin practicing these drills in the coming weeks. Educators will prepare students in development mentally appropriate ways for these important drills. We practice these drills so that we can be prepared, if we need to use them.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

and Orange Shirt Day

Wednesday, September 30th, 2026, is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.  

This day invites us to intentionally engage in learning about the Residential School System, and the true history of relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. It is a time to mourn the children who never returned home, and to honour the Survivors, their families, and their communities. 

Concussion Awareness Week is coming up: September 27–October 3, 2026

Please see information about what to do should a child get a concussion.

·       Concussion guide for Athletes

·       Concussion guide for parents and caregivers

·       Signs of a concussion poster

Human Development & Sexual Health Curriculum

As part of LDSB's commitment to ongoing transparency and communication with families, please follow the link to Form 325-D on the LDSB website. It outlines the Human Development and Sexual Health curriculum expectations for Grades 1-8.  Families can request to have their child or children exempted from instruction related to Human Development and Sexual Health expectations by completing and returning an exemption form for each child (Form 325-B) five school days before the start of instruction. Prior to instruction, your child's classroom teacher will inform parents/guardians when the expectations related to the Human Development and Sexual Health expectations in Strand D will be covered. For a more detailed overview of this process, please refer to Administrative Procedure 325: Exemption From Human Development and Sexual Health Instruction (listed under the Policies and Procedures section of the LDSB website), or contact the school.

Dates of Significance

The Limestone District School Board is dedicated to promoting human rights, equity, diversity, and inclusion for all staff and students. We celebrate the diversity of our community and recognize the importance of significant dates throughout the year, offering opportunities to learn about the religious, cultural, and awareness days observed within our district.

LDSB prioritizes dates that impact learning, ensuring these events and observances enhance students' educational experiences. By focusing on these dates, we aim to foster meaningful learning, reflection, and engagement, while integrating them into the curriculum. Learning resources are continually developed and made available to educators for classroom use The following dates highlight secular and creed-based observances and holidays, significant events and celebrations, public holidays, and other important dates. Please note that the list is not exhaustive and may be updated as needed. Please follow the link below to access dates of significance each month.

 Dates of Significance

🤝 Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers play an important role in making our school a welcoming and vibrant community. If you’re interested in getting involved, please click the link below to learn more every bit of support makes a difference. There are different options for as little or as much as you would like !

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5jeQ9p9T9N02tra3l9xL_80wMRrXCCxXC8CyPoS6YPtKwBQ/viewform

💬 Did You Know?

We have School Advisory Council Representatives for each division! If you have a question, concern, or aren’t sure who to ask, reach out to your division rep they’re here to help!

·         Kindergarten: Kaileigh Babcock – kaileighbabcock@gmail.com

·         Primary (Grades 1–3): Britta Flood – brittaflood@gmail.com

·         Junior (Grades 4–8): Gelareh Monajemi – gelareh@goldtalentagency.com

For general inquiries, email us anytime at avpssac@outlook.com

Follow Us on Facebook

Amherstview Public School Advisory Council https://www.facebook.com/AVPSAC  NEW!! Follow Us on Instagram AVPSSAC

🍕🥪 Hot Lunch Will Be Back

Our amazing hot lunch program will be back this year starting in October, more information on account setup and our offerings will be coming soon so Stay Tuned!

Prevalent Medical Conditions

To help us gather important medical information about your child, we ask that you select the correct Plan of Care form below, complete it and return it to the school as soon as possible. If you require us to administer daily medication, you will also need to complete the necessary paperwork for us to be able to do this.

Daily medication will need to be dropped off at school. Students cannot carry medications in their backpack, at any time. Please call the school to make arrangements for dropping off.

**Be sure to also include the supplementary forms if medication may need to be administered by school staff.

The health and safety of our students is our top priority. Thank you for helping us stay informed on your child's medical conditions and Plan of Care.

Supplemental Forms

Click below for necessary supplementary forms needed including:

·       Form 314-A1 - Authorization and Request for Administration of Prescribed Medication Medical Procedures

·       Form 314-A2 - Administration of Medication

·       Form 314-A3 - Administration of Epi-Pen

·       Form 314-B1 - The Administration of Medication and or Medical Procedures to Students Record of Procedures

·       Form 314-B2 - Medical Procedure Form

New Requirements Regarding Cell Phones and Vaping

To promote healthy and welcoming school environments, please use the link provided to view the  PPM128: The Provincial Code of Conduct.

More information is available on LDSB's website.

School Hours

Main Office: General hours are 8:15 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.

School Hours: Our school day starts at 9:05 a.m. and ends at 3:25 p.m. We operate on a balanced day schedule with three instructional blocks of uninterrupted learning time separated by two recess/nutrition breaks.

Schedule

9:05 to 10:45 a.m. - Instruction

10:45 to 11:25 a.m. - Recess/Nutrition Break

11:25 a.m. to 1:05 p.m. - Instruction

1:05 to 1:45 p.m. - Recess/Nutrition Break

1:45 to 3:25 p.m. - Instruction

Late Arrival? Early Dismissal?

End of Day Dismissal Changes for Students

To help us manage the busy start and end of the school day, please let your child’s teacher know in advance about any changes to their regular routine by note or email.

For unexpected changes, please contact the office before 1:30 p.m. so we can ensure the information is shared with your child’s classroom.

Pick-Ups During Recess/Nutrition Breaks

If you are picking up your child during 10:45–11:25 a.m. or 1:05–1:45 p.m., please send a note or email to your child’s teacher in advance. This ensures your child knows to come to the office.

Please do not pick up your child directly from the yard. All student pick-ups must be coordinated through the office so attendance can be properly tracked.

Pick-Ups and Drop-Offs

Please buzz at the SIDE DOOR, which is currently our temporary front entrance for daytime pick-ups and drop-offs. It is located on the left-hand side of the school when facing the building from Fairfield Boulevard.

Reporting A Student Absence

Reporting your child’s absence through School Messenger is an essential part of our daily attendance process and helps us ensure the safety and well-being of all 370 students. Whether your child is away due to illness, a family commitment, or participating in a school activity such as a sports tournament, it’s important that their absence is recorded. For students attending school-sponsored events, coaches or supervising teachers will update attendance records so these absences do not count against them. However, we still ask families to report these absences through School Messenger to help us maintain accurate records and confirm each student’s whereabouts. Your cooperation supports a safe and organized school environment.

To report an absence, use one the following methods:

School Messenger application

1.     Use the email address you provided to the school.

2.     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.

3.     Tap 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.

4.     Select Attendance from the menu, then select Report an Absence and follow the prompts.

Interactive toll-free telephone

1.     Call 1-855-257-9349 toll-free to report an absence using the automated phone system.

2.     Follow the instructions to report an absence.

These options are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For any school day in the school term up to the cut-off time on the day of the absence. Future absences can be reported at any time using any one of these methods.

Please do not call the school directly to report your student's absence.

Reporting late arrivals

Parents/caregivers are instructed to report late arrivals using the new Late Arrival option, including the expected arrival time to school. When a student arrives, they are expected to sign in at office and staff make the amendment in our student information system. When a student leaves early, again they are expected to sign out (with parental permission) and again the amendment is made in our system. This method allows us to best track student attendance to ensure safety.
The SafeArrival system makes it easier for you to report your student’s absence, reduces the time it takes for our school staff to verify student attendance, and responds to unexpected or unplanned student absences. This time savings makes it faster and more efficient to account for all students and their safety.

School Messenger Links

Parking for Families and Visitors and Pick Up for Walkers

The school parking lots are CLOSED to families between 8 to 4 p.m. Please park at the ball field across the street or a few blocks away from the school.  There is NO parking in the small, paved area to the left of the front of the school.

·       When the bell rings at 3:25 p.m., walkers will be dismissed from the meeting class meet up spot and staff will release students to parents/guardians as they see them. Please ensure your child makes eye contact with or waves to their educator before leaving.

Human Rights Reporting Tool

Harassment, discrimination, and hate have no place in Limestone schools. As a school board, we are committed to providing all students, staff, and families with a positive school community environment.

As a reminder, the LDSB has the Student Human Rights Incidents and Reporting Tool available to students and families to report any incidents or complaints.

Gator Gear

We are working with our provider to create a new design for our Gator Gear. Stay tuned!

Allergy Alert

We have several students with life-threatening allergies. A reminder that our school is nut aware: please ensure that your child's snacks and lunch do not contain any nut products. Classroom teachers will communicate any additional food allergies that families will need to be aware of. Thank you for your support in keeping all of our students safe!

Visitors

All visitors must buzz at the side entrance (Left hand side of the school when you are looking at the front of the building on Fairfield Boulevard) and sign in in the visitor book in the main office. You will receive a visitor tag. Please note all volunteers require a CPIC with vulnerable sector check.

Indigenous Self-Identification

Please see the link below for more information and to self-identify, if you wish: https://ldsb.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9U2iaUl9GIFILb0

Join Team Gator

Looking for Paid Yard Supervisors & Food Share Volunteers

We are looking for people to work as lunch and yard supervisors for 1 or 2 hours a day. Please call the school or e- mail amstv@limestone.on.ca

Criminal Police Background Check (CPIC) with vulnerable sector check required.

We are also looking for volunteers to assist with food preparation for our Food Share program. Please email the school if you are interested in helping out!

At Amherstview, We Care!