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Amherst Island Weekly Family Update

<h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">What's Happening at Amherst Island PS? </h2><img src="/images/a803a71a-b14a-4fe5-a6b3-283e309491c8?fingerprint=ppb20251217014559" alt="Elementary students working in a garden outside" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"> <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Welcome Back New and Returning Students and Families</h2>As the new school year begins, we are thrilled to welcome both new and returning members of our school community. Whether you're stepping into our halls for the first time or returning after a well-deserved summer break, we’re so glad you’re here.This year promises to be full of learning, growth, and connection. Our dedicated staff have been working hard to prepare engaging lessons, exciting activities, and a supportive environment where every student can thrive.We encourage families to stay connected through our newsletters, school events, and classroom updates. Your involvement makes a world of difference, and we’re grateful for your partnership.Here’s to a fantastic year ahead—let’s make it one to remember! <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;">Hot Lunch Orders</h2>Hot lunch days are back! We are happy to be able to provide the opportunity to order a hot lunch again this year through LunchBox. We will continue with the pizza restaurant, and possibly adjust our options later this term. If you missed out on our first Pizza Day order, you can still set up an account with LunchBox, and order for the hot lunch days to come. The LunchBox website is very user friendly and it should only take a couple of minutes to<a href="https://identity.schoolcashonline.com/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2Fconnect%2Fauthorize%2Fcallback%3Fclient_id%3DLunchBoxClient%26redirect_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.lunchboxorders.net%252Fauthorization-code%252Fcallback%26response_type%3Dcode%2520id_token%26scope%3Dopenid%2520profile%2520UserProfileInfo%26state%3DOpenIdConnect.AuthenticationProperties%253D7FDFf6vWJ33dvrAAdqn6xKgkG5ePVAaX1AVO_P5Mo1sETYlyhOg6nt6CwPHMcFJHgH1W4-rwNXklxXdXF3pnPP1jHDYIv-YJJ4tLJgf8JxmRPUYsnVUPqJqQL4Rc6_cshUSb3l1uRvwHQ5SZFqY3BNHCJOBPy-vIoskIwPQmAXJ_5YdEJjkUV4nqrUIYiR6b6SNnuAP67k4rzcHoHMfWyopW4xbc_dAlK7ps4qMDCYiFdldz3L2RwAq8U9TfwjIJ%26response_mode%3Dform_post%26nonce%3D638912244487653090.NGI0ZDhiNGUtMDg5MC00Yzc4LWJjNjMtZTUxNDgwYTQzOWZmZDEwOWIxZmItNjQxNi00NWU2LTk0YWUtOTMxMDhlM2UxNDI3%26x-client-SKU%3DID_NET461%26x-client-ver%3D5.3.0.0" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"> set up an account online</a>. If you already have an account, please re-assign your child to the appropriate teacher for this school year. Hot lunch orders will continue to support student activities with a small portion of each sale coming back to our school. <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;">Peak at the Week</h2>Monday, September 2<ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">Labor Day - Schools are closed</li></ul>Tuesday, September 3<ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">P.A. Day - No classes for students</li></ul>Wednesday, September 4<ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">First day of school </li></ul>Thursday, September 5<ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">Track practice for Junior Boys and Junior Girls </li></ul>Friday, September 6<ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">Theme Day: Dress in your school colours to show your school spirit! </li></ul><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Looking Ahead: Terry Fox Run, Walk, and Roll September 2025</h2>Our Terry Fox Run, Walk, and Roll will take place on Friday, September XX from XX:XX to XX:XX p.m. We are very excited to take part in this annual tradition that supports cancer research while building school spirit. Families who plan to join us should let their classroom teachers know in advance. Families can support our school's fundraising efforts by <a href="about:blank" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">making a donation online</a> - thank you for your support! <h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">2025-2026 LDSB School Year Calendar</h2>A <a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/documents/7291ab76-99b5-43a1-8f2b-edaade7c53e8/2025-04-07-LDSB%20School%20Year%20Calendar-2025-2026.pdf?fingerprint=ppb20251217014043" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">PDF version of the 2025-2026 School Year Calendar is available online</a>. <img src="/images/1161a439-a52c-4144-ad44-b2b141f1f967?fingerprint=ppb20251217013147" alt="2025 2026 LDSB School Year Calendar" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">School Day Schedule</h2><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 157px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">Time</th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">Learning block</th></tr><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 157px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">8:55 a.m.</th><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 350px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">Supervision begins on the yard</td></tr><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 157px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">9:10 to 10:15 a.m.</th><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 350px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">100-Minute learning block</td></tr><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 157px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">10:50 to 11:30 a.m.</th><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 350px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">Recess and nutrition break</td></tr><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 157px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">11:30 a.m. to 1:10 p.m.</th><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 350px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">100-Minute learning block</td></tr><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">1:10 to 1:50 p.m.</th><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 350px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">Recess and nutrition break</td></tr><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">1:50 to 3:30 p.m.</th><td class="editor-tableCell" style="width: 350px; border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;">100-Minute learning block</td></tr></tbody></table><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr">Allergen Awareness - Nut-Free School</h2>Thank you for packing nut-free snacks! Please communicate with teachers before sending any treats in for your student's class. <img src="/images/77143b36-64d5-4f80-a9f2-cf2bf339fb88?fingerprint=ppb20251217014110" alt="Nut Free School" width="387" height="553" style="width:387px;height:553px;display:inline-block">

2025-08-28 11:00:20 +0000 UTC

Report a Student Absence

One of our greatest priorities is ensuring that all students arrive safely to school every day. To improve our safe arrival process, Limestone District School Board has made some changes to our SafeArrival absence reporting management system. The most significant of which is the addition to report half day absences.Elementary parents/caregivers now have a new option for the type of half day absence being reported:<ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">Late Arrivals - If your elementary or secondary student will be away for the morning, report a Late Arrival, with the arrival time being the expected time the student will arrive at the school. </li></ul>Please note, each student signing in or out of the school will still need to do so from the main attendance office.<a href="/go/f76047ab-9771-5563-9a8a-b20a4d0bb17c" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" data-permalink="" class="editor-link">More information about our SafeArrival absence reporting management tool</a> is available online.

2023-10-25 00:00:00 +0000 UTC

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Last Day of School for Students

P.A. Day - No Classes for Students

Last Day of School for Students

P.A. Day - No Classes for Students

About Our School

Welcome to Amherst Island Public School where we are small in number but large in spirit! We are a Kindergarten to Grade 8 school located on picturesque Amherst Island, once named one of the prettiest towns in Canada. Our school is within the local hamlet of Stella on the protected north central shore. A regular ferry service connects us to the mainland at Millhaven. Our school yard is spacious and open and includes a skating rink in the winter.

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What's New at the District

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Message to Families- June 18, 2026

Dear Families,As we move towards the last week of the 2025-2026 school year, I want to share a few important updates and reminders as we wrap up the year and begin looking ahead to September.2026-2027 School Year Budget At last night’s Regular Board Meeting, the Board of Trustees approved the Limestone District School Board’s 2026-2027 budget, prepared in accordance with Public Sector Accounting Board standards. The budget includes total revenues of $340.98 million and total expenditures of $345.76 million and is compliant with Ministry of Education requirements.The full <a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/budget_committee-1719463885020" class="editor-link">Budget Committee Agenda Package is available on the Limestone DSB website</a>, along with a new resource, <a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/budget___financial_statements" class="editor-link">Budget Overview – Your Guide to Understanding School Board Funding available on the LDSB Budget and Financial Statements webpage.</a>The Budget overview document provides a more visual summary of the budget with highlights.Motion Passed by Board of TrusteesThe Board of Trustees passed a motion at last night’s meeting recognizing the challenges present in many classrooms and their impact on students, frontline educators, and support staff. The motion directs the Chair to write to the Ministry of Education, the Minister of Education, the Premier, local MPPs, OPBSA, CODE, and union partners, requesting additional funding to support the hiring of more frontline staff and will highlight that Limestone annually spends approximately $10 million beyond provincial funding to support special education.Reminder: P.A. Day – Friday, June 26, 2026 A reminder to families that Friday, June 26 is a P.A. Day and there are no classes for students.Tri-Board Transportation: School Bus Information for the 2026-2027 School Year School bus information for the 2026-2027 school year will be available to families in July through the <a href="https://triboard.ca/student-portal/" class="editor-link">Tri-Board Student Portal</a>. New students, as well as those with a change of address or school, must apply online by August 5 to ensure transportation is in place for the first day of school. Please visit <a href="https://triboard.ca" class="editor-link">triboard.ca</a> to apply for transportation and to access your student(s)’ busing details for September.Year-End Letter to Students and Parents from The Honourable Paul Calandra, Minister of Education and a Congratulations Letter from Edith Dumont, The Lieutenant Governor of OntarioAs we move toward the end of the 2025-2026 school year, <a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/news/year-end-letter-to-students-and-parents" class="editor-link">The Honourable Paul Calandra, Ontario’s Minister of Education, has shared a message with students and families</a> to mark this occasion. We have also received a <a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/news/congratulations-letter-from-edith-dumont-the-lieutenant-governor-of-ontario" class="editor-link">congratulatory letter for the Class of 2026 from Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario</a>.Thank you for your continued support throughout the school year. As we approach the final days of classes, we wish all students, families, and staff a positive end to the school year.Thank you,Krishna BurraCEO/Director of EducationLimestone District School Board

2026-06-18 20:00:01.681 +0000 UTC

Board of Trustees Approves 2026–2027 School Year Budget

At its regular meeting on June 17, 2026, the Limestone District School Board of Trustees approved a $340.5 million budget for the 2026–2027 school year. This is a deficit budget balanced through the use of reserve funds.The approved budget complies with Ministry of Education requirements and includes:<ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">Operating expenditures of $316.8 million, representing a $73,000 decrease compared to the previous year.</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">Capital expenditures of $23.7 million, allocated to school condition improvements and renewal projects.</li></ul>The vast majority of the operating budget is directed to student instruction and relates directly to classroom support. Capital funding is used to fund school condition improvements and school renewal projects.The Board continues to face financial pressures in several key areas, including:<ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">Special Education</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">Staff Replacement</li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem">Student Transportation</li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem">Statutory Benefits</li></ul><h2 class="editor-heading-h2">Resources:</h2><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/documents/cc327962-05b2-4cac-b89e-711e1e75ca27/2026-06-16-Budget-Overview.pdf?fingerprint=ppb20260618134224" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">2026-2027 Budget Overview</a> (PDF)</li></ul>

2026-06-18 13:49:18.755 +0000 UTC

Year End Letter to Students and Parents

The Honourable Paul Calandra, Minister of Education has shared a letter for students, parents and families: Dear Students, Parents and Families,To our amazing students: well done on finishing another school year! This is a good time to celebrate everything you have accomplished over the past several months. You worked hard, took on challenges, learned new things and continued to grow. You should be proud of all you have achieved this year.As you begin your summer break, take time to rest, explore your interests, and enjoy time with family and friends. However you choose to spend your summer, I hope you make the most of the months ahead.To the graduating Class of 2026, congratulations on reaching this important milestone. Graduation marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Whether your next step is college, university, an apprenticeship, the workforce or another pathway, I wish you every success in the years ahead.As families look ahead to September and the start of a new school year, there are a few things to keep in mind. Ontario schools will continue to focus on helping students build strong foundations in reading, writing and math while preparing them for success beyond the classroom. Students in elementary schools will learn from the same core materials and benefit from a revised Kindergarten curriculum focused on foundational literacy, math and science skills. In Grade 7 and 8, updated History courses will include new mandatory content on the history of Black Canadians.In high schools, students in Grade 10 History will have new learning about Black history, the Holocaust and Holodomor. Students will also be required to demonstrate financial literacy as part of earning their high school diploma. To help provide clearer expectations and a more comprehensive picture of student achievement, high school students will complete written final exams during a dedicated exam period, and attendance and classroom participation will form part of their final grade. Together, these changes will help students stay engaged in their learning and be better prepared for life after graduation.I hope the summer ahead provides an opportunity to recharge and enjoy some well-earned time together. I wish you and your family a safe, happy and enjoyable summer.Sincerely,The Honourable Paul Calandra Minister of Education <a href="/documents/1fba83f3-9f1b-4d60-a77c-3bc15cd094c8/Year-End-Letter-to-Students-and-Parents.pdf?fingerprint=ppb20260617152216" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">Year End Letter to Students, Parents, and Families from The Honourable Paul Calandra, Minister of Education - English</a> (PDF)<a href="/documents/1466db2e-00ea-40f2-b63d-8d3f65d04a0d/Lettre-concernant-la-fin-de-l-ann-e-scolaire-l-intention-des-l-ves-et-des-parents.pdf?fingerprint=ppb20260617152354" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">Year End Letter to Students, Parents, and Families from The Honourable Paul Calandra, Minister of Education - French</a> (PDF)

2026-06-17 15:22:45.539 +0000 UTC

Land Acknowledgement

The Limestone District School Board is situated on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek and Haudenosaunee. We acknowledge their enduring presence on this land, as well as the presence of Métis, Inuit, and other First Nations from across Turtle Island. We honour their culture and celebrate their commitment to this land.