Lake Simcoe Public School

Lake Simcoe Public School
November 1, 2016
Heather MacLeod, Principal
Heather Rocca, Vice Principal
Communication
As a new school, it is extremely important to us that our parental community receive accurate information about our school’s
policies, goals, plans and special events, etc. from the school. We value the importance of developing a warm, welcoming and
caring school environment. We have an ‘open door policy’ and want to create a school culture where parents feel comfortable
coming to the office or speaking to school staff about their concerns or questions so we can address them in a timely, effective
and efficient manner and avoid speculation and rumours.
The school has several ways to communicate with the parental community:
School Website - las.scdsb.on.ca
School Newsletters – will be sent home monthly and as needed
Twitter - @LakeSimcoePS and @lksimcoepslib for the Library
Staff Communication via Twitter, Seesaw, class websites etc.
School Agendas and Communication Books
Phone Number 705-431-0668
School Council will post information in our school newsletters and on our School website.
Kiss’n Ride
We are very happy to see so many people using the Kiss & Ride as a drop-off and pick-up method for your families.
In an effort to keep it running smoothly, we would like to remind parents and guardians who are using the Kiss &
Ride to pull up as far as possible along the curb; this will allow more vehicles to unload at one time and ultimately
to speed up the process. Please remember, you are to remain in your vehicle and have your children get out on
the curb side, not into the driving lane beside. Should your children require assistance getting out of the car, we
ask that you park your vehicle in the parking lot and walk your children across to the fence.
PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN THE KISS & RIDE LANE.
For pick-up at the end of the day, if you don’t see your child waiting for you at the fence, please make another loop to allow other
drivers to pick up their waiting children. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Bus Zone and Student Safety
From 8:45 am to 9:30 am and 3:15 pm to 4:45 pm, during bus loading and unloading times, the driveway at the front of the school
on Webster Boulevard is for buses only. To ensure the safety of our students, walkers are asked to walk on the sidewalks only and
should not be crossing the bus zone driveway at the front of the school.
Students who ride their bikes to school are asked to walk their bikes on the sidewalks once they are on school property. Bike
riders should not be in the driveways or parking lots riding their bikes. Parents who are dropping off or picking up students are
asked to use the Kiss’n Ride instead of parking on Webster Boulevard. We thank you for your support!
Remembrance Day Assembly - 10:30 am
Some classes will present a song, poem or art work to honour those who have defended our country in
the past and present. At 11:00 am we will have a moment of silence.
Students will be provided with a poppy. Please send in a donation on November the 11th for the local
Legion to cover the cost of poppies.
All families are welcome to attend this important assembly.

Dogs
We need your help! We have had some recent difficulties
with local residents walking their dogs on school property
and not cleaning up after them. As you can imagine, this is a
problem when our students love to
play in the field. While we recognize
walking to and from the school is an
opportunity to exercise your dog, we
have several students who are not
comfortable around dogs and we want
to ensure their safety both physically
and emotionally. We are asking you to please refrain from
bringing your dogs on school property and appreciate your
cooperation.
Bike, Scooter and Skateboard Safety
According to Ontario Law, every cyclist under age 18
must wear an approved helmet. Riders under 16 years
old: a parent or guardian must make sure their child
wears a helmet. We have noticed several of our students
coming to school on their bicycle without a helmet.
Please remind your children if they are riding their bikes
to school, they must be wearing a helmet and abide by
the school rule of walking their bike, scooter or skateboard
while on school property. In order to keep all of
our students safe, no one should be riding their bikes,
scooters or skateboards through the bus loop or on the
sidewalks of the school.
It’s Almost Winter: Bus Cancellation Information for Parents
Winter is just around the corner in Simcoe County, and with it comes the possibility of severe weather, challenging
winter driving conditions and possible bus and school event cancellations.
All information regarding cancelled buses in Simcoe County is posted on the Simcoe County Student Transportation
Consortium’s bus information website at www.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca. Our school is in the
CENTRAL zone. When buses are cancelled, schools are still open for student learning, unless
otherwise noted.
The Consortium and bus operators try to make the decision to cancel school buses before 6 a.m.
and make every effort to post announcements between 6 and 7 a.m. Inclement weather
cancellations are effective for the whole day and buses cancelled in the morning will not run at the end of the day. You
can follow the Consortium on Twitter @SCSTC_SchoolBus for bus cancellations and other information. You can also
subscribe to receive bus delay notifications here: https://scstc.ca/Subscriptions
For school event cancellations in case of inclement weather, follow our school’s Twitter account at @LakeSimcoePS or
listen to local radio for event cancellation information.
Cross Country
Lake Simcoe’s first ever Cross Country team recently completed their first season! Their first meet
was on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 at Innisfil Beach Park where they raced against students from
grades four to eight in the surrounding area. Every single member of the team represented the
school well and showed great determination and school spirit! Five students placed in the top fifteen
in their age category: Jordan S, Grayson B, Sarah E, Jackson and Tyler M. They travelled to Mt. St.
Louis/Moonstone on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 to compete in the Cross Country Championships. At this meet they
raced against the top students from all over Simcoe County. They all completed their races with their fastest times of
the season. Special congratulations goes out to Sarah E for placing second in her age group!
Ms. Richards would like to thank the entire team for their hard work and dedication as well as all the parents/family
members that attended the meets to support the team and cheer them on! Way to go team!
School Grounds/Tarmac
Thank you to all parents who are dropping their children off at the
fence or at the end of the path to the tarmac. We appreciate your
help ensuring our school yard is safe, by keeping it strictly to school
staff before, during and after school. Our staff is clearly identifiable
by their safety vests and in the interest of safety for all of our
students your cooperation is essential. While you may be familiar
to some children, you are a stranger to others.
Drop Off
If you are dropping students off at the front of the
school on Webster Boulevard, we ask that you have
your child walk on the centre sidewalks to cross over to
the school sidewalk. It is unsafe for students to be
walking in the parking lot when buses are loading
(unloading).

Innisfil Songsters
Lake Simcoe PS has a new choir! Students grade 3 to 8 are invited to participate. Mrs. Ellis and Ms.
Bransfield will be organizing the choir for our school Remembrance Day Assembly. We have also
been invited to sing with the Huronia Symphony Orchestra for their Christmas Performance in Innisfil.
There will be more information coming about this wonderful opportunity. Keep the evening of
December 17th free for this amazing family event.
Pay for Field Trips, Lunch Days, etc. with SchoolCash Online
The School Cash Online program is available at our school. Parents can pay online for lunch days and
other items. Parents who sign up will receive a notification when a new item becomes available for
purchase. Items are personalized to each student. Parents use a secure online account to process
payments, and can either make a one-time payment for each item as it occurs, or load money to carry a balance in the
online account to make payments in the future. To create an online account, go to simcoecounty.schoolcashonline.com.
Letters are being sent home this week, please contact the school office with any questions.
Safe Schools Tool for Reporting
The SCDSB has an online Safe Schools Reporting Tool, which is available on our school website homepage, http://
las.scdsb.on.ca, as a Quick Access button. Students and parents can use this tool to submit a report online if they witness a
student engaged in inappropriate behaviour such as bullying, drug use or vandalism. Students are still encouraged to speak
to a trusted adult at school or home if they have any concerns. This form isn’t a substitute for having a discussion with your
teacher or principal.
Student safety and well-being is always our top priority. For more information please contact the school or visit
http://scdsb.on.ca/ReportAnIncident.
Message from the Health Unit: Stay Healthy This School Year!
Colds and Influenza spread easily from person to person. These germs can spread directly from person to person when
someone coughs or sneezes, or indirectly when germs land on hard surfaces like door knobs, desks, keyboards, or wet
tissues and then are touched by someone. These germs can then enter the body through the eyes, nose or mouth.
The most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick and stop the spread of germs to others is wash your hands
with soap and warm running water for at least 15 seconds. If your hands are not visibly dirty you can use alcohol based
hand rub “hand sanitizer” for 15 seconds. Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or cough into your sleeve or upper arm
and stay home if you are sick. Teach your kids to do the same!
For more tips to keep you and your family healthy this school year, contact Health Connection at 1-877-721-7520 or visit
the health unit’s website at www.simcoemuskokahealth.org.
Safe Arrival
We appreciate all of our families who call into our Safe
Arrival line to report their children’s absences daily.
A reminder that our Safe Arrival Line is available 24 hours a
day, seven days a week. If your child will be late or absent,
please let us know before 9:30 am.
Thank you for helping to keep our students safe.
New Staff
We would like to introduce our new staff members to the
Lake Simcoe community.
Ms. Laura Jones is now teaching grade 1/2, Ms. Anna Duda
is teaching planning time and Ms. Meghan Greer is
teaching grade 5, one afternoon per week.
Welcome to Lake Simcoe!

Kindergarten Projects
It's hard to believe that we've been at school for almost 2 months already. The children who came on those first few days
have grown and learned so much in such a short amount of time. We hope that you were able to visit your child’s classroom
during the open house, and look forward to meeting with you during conference times in November to discuss your child’s
progress so far.
You will quickly notice that the four kindergarten classrooms at LSPS follow a play and inquiry based program that focuses on
the interests and developmental levels of the students in each of the classes. Our programs include a combination of
educator lead and students led activities, in large and small groups. You'll find as the year progresses, that there will be
times where we do things as a school kindergarten group, however, there will be many times when each class will be doing
things that are different from the other classes. Please contact your child’s educators if you have any questions about the
program.
On the PD day in October, the four kindergarten teams had the opportunity to learn about the new kindergarten program
that was released this year. The revised document that we are working with looks at students learning through four frames;
belonging and contributing, self-regulation and well-being, problem solving and innovating as well as demonstrating literacy
and mathematical behaviours. This is a shift in thinking from separate subject areas such as math, science and the arts.
Along with the move to the four frames, we will be moving to a Province wide Communication of Learning at the end of the
first term that will reflect the four frames. For the November conferences, we will continue to use the Board generated
report which will be distributed to students in their second year of kindergarten (SK). Students in their first year of
kindergarten (JK) will not receive any formal communication until the end of the first term. All kindergarten students and
their families will have an opportunity to meet with their educator team in November. If you didn't have a chance to sign up
for a conference, please contact your child’s educators.
We want to thank you for your support as we have worked out the kinks of being a new team of educators in a brand new
school. We look forward to creating new traditions and relationships with the families of Lake Simcoe Public School.
Free Film Screening on November 22nd - Most Likely to Succeed
On November 22, the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) will hold public screenings of the film Most Likely To
Succeed. This film examines the history of education, revealing the growing shortcomings of conventional education methods
in today’s innovative world. The film explores compelling new approaches that aim to transform learning as we know it. To
learn more about the film and view a trailer, visit www.mltsfilm.org/.
The following schools will screen the movie:
Innisdale Secondary School
Nantyr Shores Secondary School
Bradford District High School
Alliston Union Public School
The screenings begin at 6:30 pm and the film is 90 minutes in length. Everyone is welcome to attend and the film is
appropriate for all audiences (please note that there is one profanity word in the movie). Please pre-register for the event at
www.scdsb.on.ca.
Terry Fox
On Friday, October 7th, Lake Simcoe Public School participated in it's first
Terry Fox Walk/Run event! It was a beautiful day, and the enthusiasm and
energy of our students was contagious. It was our school's first
fundraising event and we raised over $2,300 - WOW! A big thank you to
our school community for their support. The Terry Fox Foundation has
raised millions of dollars for cancer research over the years and we are
extremely proud of the participation efforts of our students.
Way to go, Lake Simcoe!
No Heelys at School Please
Students are reminded that Heelys shoes with
wheels are not to be worn at school.
These shoes are not appropriate footwear for
the indoors or the
outdoors.
Thank you for your
support.

The Green Team is off to a Great Start at LSPS!
Many thanks to our student leaders and Ms. Katie for their dedication and commitment
to our recycling program! Our goal is to begin composting soon.
Our first green initiative is to eliminate the use of plastic water bottles at our school.
“The production of water bottles uses 17 million barrels of oil a year, and takes 3 times
the water to make the bottle as it does to fill it.” (banthebottle.net). The school has
been provided with water bottle filling stations to help us meet this target. Members of
the Green Team will be on the look for staff and students who are using refillable drink
containers to give them a ballot. If you receive a ballot, your name will go in a draw for a
weekly prize!
Thank you in advance for your participation and support of our efforts.
Adopt a School Program
Scholastic Book Fair
We had our very first Scholastic Book Fair from Wednesday, September 28 until Friday,
September 30, 2016. Many teachers, students and families visited the book fair over
those 3 days. Mrs. Carl is happy to report that the book fair was a great success! As a
result of the fantastic support from the school community, we were able to purchase
over $1500 worth of books for our library. Thanks to everyone who came out to
support our first ever Lake Simcoe Public School Scholastic Book Fair!
Our school also recently participated in the Indigo Adopt A School Program.
From Sept. 18 to Oct. 9, our school community generously contributed to our
school library through this program. As a result, we will be able to purchase
approximately $550 worth of books (at a discounted rate) from Indigo. All of our
new books purchased through this fundraiser will proudly display an "2016-2017
Adopt a School Book Plaque". Thank you to everyone who contributed to our fundraising efforts by “buying
books” (donating money) and submitting “stories” (online). Your generosity also helped us reach targets allowing us to
receive additional “free” books offered to us by Indigo. We hope to participate in this fundraising program again in the
2017-2018 school year!
Leadership Camp
Our leadership team is coming together at Lake Simcoe
Public School, and it's exciting to see so many students,
grades 6-8, who want to have an active role in helping to
develop our school community! From September 27-30, six
of our grade 6 and 7 students, along with two of our
teachers, spent four days at the OELC Leadership Center
(camp) in Orillia. They participated in a variety of leadership,
character education, and cooperative games, which they
were able to bring back to our LSPS leadership group. Our
leadership team will be responsible for a variety of activities
at LSPS, including assemblies, spirit days, recycling,
technology, and more!
We are proud of our student leaders and their interest and
enthusiasm!
Girls and Boys Junior Volleyball
The Junior boys and girls volleyball teams had their
tournaments early this week at Saint Francis. Due to the
delayed construction of the gym the teams had a limited
number of practices in the gym with volleyballs. Even with
the short turnaround from practices to the
tournament both teams represented Lake Simcoe very
well. The girls did a great job playing three tough
games winning their very first set, but ultimately finishing
fourth in the tournament. The boys also did a great
job, winning the first game and narrowly losing the
second. With the 1-1 record the junior boys ended up in
the tiebreaker game, unfortunately they were not able to
secure a victory and finished third in their tournament.
Lake Simcoe is very proud of the effort and sportsmanship
both teams showed.

LAKE SIMCOE PUBLIC SCHOOL– AREA 3A
(705)431-0668 Press 0 for the Office and 1 for Safe Arrival
Principal Heather MacLeod
Vice-Principal Heather Rocca
Senior Admin Julieanne Patamia
Clerk/Steno Leslie McCallum
GRADE
Kindergarten
Primary
Junior
Intermediate
Librarian
SERT
SERT
SERT/PT
SERT/PT
Planning Time
French
EA
EA
EA
STAFF MEMBER
Ellis, Heather
De Peuter, Jessica
Sisson, Ashley
Roos, Jennifer
Ma, Heather
Paolucci, Jennifer
Miller, Kelly
Godschalk, Elizabeth
Hopper, Lindsey
Bowes, Sharon
Jones, Laura
Richards, Kathlene
Marjerrison, Leslie
Brandsma, Candice
Johnson, Cathy
Ballantyne, Tonia
Kearney, Ted
Yates, Heather
Lindros-Ivey, Katherine
Sawyer, Catherine
Duff, Megan
Novakovich, John
Carl, Lisa
Wright, Anne-Marie
Rocca, Heather
Hamilton-Bransfield, Mary
Preston, Karen
Duda, Anna
Demers, Tricia
Severs, Kerri
Jones Moran, Lynda
Murray, Jennifer
Peanut/Tree Nut Allergy Reminder
A reminder that our school is peanut/tree nut free. We have several students that are allergic to nuts.
Please ensure that your children are not bringing any snacks to school which may contain nut products.
If you would are sending treats for special occasions to school, they must be purchased from a store and
labeled with the nut free symbol.

November 2016
SCHOOL BUS WEATHER ZONE: CENTRAL — www.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
30 31 1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8
9 10 11 12
Class Picture
Day!
13 14
15 16 17
18
19
20 21
Kidney Clothing
Drive All Week
Drop off either:
8:00 - 10:00 am
3:00 - 5:00 pm
Parent Teacher
Conferences
P.A. DAY
No School for
Students
Parent Teacher
Conferences
22 23 24 25 26
Kidney Clothing
Drive Pickup!
27 28
29 30 1 2 3
School Council
6:15 pm
LAKE SIMCOE PUBLIC SCHOOL
1701 Webster Boulevard
Innisfil, ON
L9S 4W2
(705)431-0668
Press 1 for Safe Arrival
Heather MacLeod, Principal
Heather Rocca, Vice Principal
Julieanne Patamia, Senior Admin
Leslie McCallum, Clerk Steno

School Council
Kidney Clothes Donation Program
Lake Simcoe Parent Council is hosting a clothing drive. We are
collecting clothing, jewellery, accessories, handbags, linens,
comforters, shoes and even soft sided suitcases. Now is the time to
declutter your home for the upcoming holidays.
Our school will receive $0.13 for every pound of clothing donated.
Fill a bag or two and make a difference!!!
Donations will be accepted during the week of November 14 - 18,
2016 between the hours of 8:00 am and 10:00 am and again
between 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm. Donations will also be accepted
Thursday, November 19th during the evening and all day Friday,
November 18th during our Parent Teacher Conferences. Look for
signs in the front foyer beginning on November 14th!
Proceeds will go toward school initiatives i.e. athletics, music etc.
We thank you for your support!
School Council
Tamara Cresswell, Co-Chair
Lisa Suelzle, Co-Chair
Sarah Simon, Secretary
Amanda Dufour
Nancy Moses
Amy Pruchnicki
Amanda Renaud
Dawn Toth
Chelsea Chatwell
Kenneth Fowler
Sarah Hurst
Amanda Klauke
Heather MacLeod, Principal
Heather Rocca, Vice Principal
Anne Wright, Teacher
Next School Council Meeting
Our next School Council Meeting will take place on Monday, November 28, 2016 at 6:15 pm in the school library.
We hope to see you there!