Bright Moments in the Heart of Winter

As we step into the third week of February, there’s a noticeable shift in the air—not quite spring, not quite winter, but a cozy in‑between that invites us to slow down, reconnect, and find joy in the small things. February may be the shortest month, but it’s packed with moments that brighten our days: Valentine’s celebrations, Family Day, Pink Shirt Day, Black History Month learning, and all the little classroom traditions that make this time of year feel special.

Of course, February also brings its fair share of grey skies and chilly mornings, so we’re leaning into activities that help beat the winter blues. From spirit days and outdoor play to creative challenges, kindness initiatives, and hands-on learning, our students are finding fun and energy in every corner of the school. It’s a wonderful reminder that even in the heart of winter, our community knows how to stay warm—together.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at welba@limestone.on.ca

Warmly,
Ms. Fraser, Mrs. Swan-Pressnell, and Ms. Hart

A few highlights for the week ahead

• Hot lunch - Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday
• Tallack's Karate Kids on Wednesday
• Welborne Wednesday Spirit Day

Please help students stay comfortable and ready for learning by sending them with:

A full change of clothes

A hat and mitts each day

Our school’s extra supply is running low, so having these items on hand ensures everyone stays safe, dry, and prepared for winter weather.

Thank you for supporting our students and helping make sure everyone has what they need this season.

Welcome back Tallack's Karate Kids!

We are excited to be welcoming back the Tallack's Karate Kids program. Keep an eye on your student's backpack for permission forms and payment information, directly from Tallack. The program will begin on Wednesday, January 28 and run every Wednesday at second recess until the end of April. Payments for this program are made directly to Tallack, not the school. Call 613-634-9277 or e-mail at tallackmartialarts@hotmail.com for to register your child for Karate at Welborne!

Graduate Photos

Lifetouch will be at Welborne on Tuesday, February 24th at 9am for grade 8 grad photos. Be sure to mark the date if your student is in grade 8.

2nd annual Carnaval d’Hiver

On February 26th, Welborne will burst into winter fun with our 2nd annual Carnaval d’Hiver—snow gods permitting, of course.

Students will spend one full block outdoors diving into all kinds of frosty fun:

• Mini stick hockey
• Soccer
• Obstacle courses
• And a few surprise activities to keep everyone smiling!

Please make sure your child comes dressed for the weather—hats, mitts, layers, the whole cozy bundle—so they can enjoy every chilly minute of this outdoor adventure.

General School Related Information

Kindergarten Registration is Now Open

https://www.limestone.on.ca/news/kindergarten-registration-is-now-open-2026

FREE webinar series for parents/caregivers – Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health from School Mental Health Ontario 

We are excited to share a valuable opportunity to support your child’s well-being. School Mental Health Ontario is offering a free webinar series as part of the By Your Side Learning Hub, designed to help parents and caregivers navigate important topics to support their children’s mental health.  

This expert-led series will provide insights and practical strategies on:  

✅ balanced device use 

✅ vaping 

✅ body image 

✅ anxiety 

The webinars will also include answers to questions that parents/caregivers can provide ahead of the webinar, giving you the chance to ask questions and gain practical guidance.  

📅 Sessions run March to June  

💻 Register for free today   

We encourage all parents and caregivers to participate in this informative series. Together, we can support the well-being of our children and communities.  

🚸 Safety First: Protect Our Students!

As we continue to prioritize the safety of all students, staff, and families, we kindly remind drivers to avoid entering the school parking lot during posted drop-off and pick-up times. This area becomes especially busy with pedestrian traffic, and vehicle entry during these windows poses serious safety risks.

Additionally, please remember that buses have the right of way in the designated bus lane, and vehicles may not pass buses in this area. Respecting this rule helps keep our students safe as they arrive and depart each day.

Your cooperation helps ensure a safer environment for everyone—thank you for doing your part!

Please help us to spread the word by sharing this information with any caregivers or family members who help your family with drop-off/pick-up.

📣 School Advisory Council Meetings

Families, you're warmly invited to join us at the next School Advisory Council Meeting - Monday, February 23rd at 6:15pm. This is a wonderful chance to stay informed, share your ideas, and help shape the direction of our school community. Whether you're a regular attendee or joining for the first time, your presence makes a difference.

Join the meeting here

Supporting Smooth Morning Transitions

Timely arrival plays a key role in helping students begin their day with confidence and ease. We ask that all children arrive on time and join their class cohort in their designated zone. Late arrivals can disrupt classroom routines—especially as students are still learning the flow of morning entry and settling in.

If your child does arrive late, please ensure they sign in at the office and proceed promptly to class. To support a calm and focused transition, we kindly encourage parents and guardians to keep drop-offs brief. A quick goodbye helps us guide students directly to their classrooms and maintain a consistent start to the day.

If you remain in the front lobby with your child, we assume you are actively engaged with them. In these moments, staff may step away to assist other students who are already in the process of transitioning to class. This helps us ensure that all children receive timely support and direction.

For our Kindergarten families, please make sure a staff member is present with your child before leaving the building.

Thank you for your cooperation and continued support in helping all students start their day successfully!

Report An 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.

Grade 7 and Grade 8 Lunch Privileges

Historically, the students in grades 7 and 8 have the opportunity to get parent permission to leave the school property during recess/eating break on designated days. Additional information and a permission form has been sent home to families of students in grade 7 and 8. Students must return these forms to their homeroom teacher.

What’s Happening in Our Community

Through the Kingston Music Office and our community partners, we facilitate monthly workshops, networking opportunities, youth programs, and special initiatives that bring musicians and industry together. From panels with industry professionals, to hands-on skill-building sessions, to youth-led creative projects, these events are designed to spark collaboration, share knowledge, and strengthen Kingston's music scene. 

Upcoming Youth Open Mics:  

Sunday, February 8, from 1 to 3 pm at the Broom Factory. 

Sunday, March 8, from 1 to 3 pm at the Broom Factory.

Sunday, April 12, from 1 to 3 pm at the Broom Factory. 

Whether you’re a seasoned performer or stepping onto the stage for the first time, the Youth Open Mic is your platform to showcase your creativity and passion. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to connect with other local youth musicians and expand your network. Bring your family and friends, admission is free! 

Register here: Youth Open Mic registration form. 

Presented in partnership with Long & McQuade Kingston