Welcome Back!
After our first full week of school, it's safe to say that routines are settling in, lunches are being unpacked a little faster, and our students are already experts at finding the lost-and-found bin! As we head into the fourth week of September, our classrooms are buzzing with learning, laughter, and plenty of stories. It has been wonderful to see new friendships forming, curious minds asking great questions, and eager learners diving into school life.
Open House - Thursday from 5:30-6:30
We look forward to welcoming you on Thursday evening. The School Advisory Council (SAC) will have a table set up inside the front door. Be sure to stop by and say hello. Reminder - Open House is a brief opportunity to meet and greet and a look around the classroom as each teacher is meeting up to 29 families. If you need more fulsome info about your child and their learning, please reach out to your child's teacher anytime.
While we are settle into routines, here are a couple of reminders for students and families that continue to be raised as concerns:
Bikes and Scooters Need to be Walked while on School Property
We are thrilled to see so many students and family using active transportation to get to school! For the safety of everyone, we ask that students and adults walk beside their bikes/scooters while on school property.
š Parking Lot & Paved Loop Reminder
To keep our students safe during the busiest times of the day, the school parking lot and paved loop are closed from 8:30ā9:30 a.m. and 3:00ā4:00 p.m. During these windows, only school buses, vehicles with accessible parking permits, and staff vehicles are permitted entry. Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and smooth start and end to each school day.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to make this a fantastic year. Here's to another great week ahead, filled with learning, growth, and hopefully fewer missing water bottles! š
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at welba@limestone.on.ca
Ms. Fraser, Ms. Rondeau, and Ms. Hart
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, September 22
- Bus Patroller Training
- Sr. Boys Soccer Tournament
Wednesday, September 23
- Jr. Girls Soccer Tournament
Thursday, September 24
- Open House 5:30-6:30PM - come and walk through the school and visit your student(s) classroom(s).
Friday, September 25
- Sr. Girls Soccer Tournament
Monday, September 28
- Grade 7 Immunization Clinic
- School Council Elections & Meeting 6:15PM
Wednesday, September 30th
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, recognized as Orange Shirt Day
Friday, October 2nd
- Welborne Terry Fox Run Day
Join us for our Open House!
Thursday, September 24th
5:30 - 6:30 PM
Families are invited to the Welborne Avenue PS Open House.
This is a chance for caregivers to meet the teacher and see the classrooms their child(children) learn in.
š¾ Wildcat Families, We Need Your Voice!
š School Advisory Council Elections & First Meeting
š
Monday, September 28, 2025
š 6:15 PM
š» Virtual Meeting (Attend from the comfort of your couch, favorite chair, or while wearing your coziest slippers!)
As we settle into another exciting school year, we're inviting all Wildcat parents and guardians to join us for our first School Advisory Council (SAC) meeting of the year. Whether you're a returning council member, a first-time parent, or simply curious about how you can get involved, we'd love to have you join us.
The School Advisory Council plays an important role in supporting student success, strengthening our school community, and bringing family voices to the table. Plus, it's a great way to meet other families and have a direct impact on life at Welborne.
š¢ The meeting link will be shared in the Wildcat Word on the day of the meeting.
š³ļø Interested in Joining the Council?
We're currently accepting nominations for several School Advisory Council positions.
ā
Nominate yourself
ā
Nominate another parent or guardian (with their permission)
Complete the Nomination Form by 11:00 AM on Monday, September 28:
š NOMINATIONS FORM: School Advisory Council Elections ā Fill out form
Please note that submitting a nomination is not the same as voting. Parents and guardians must attend the virtual meeting to participate in the election process.
Additional nominations and volunteers will also be accepted during the meeting.
If you have questions about any role, please contact past Co-Chairs Sherry McAuley or Maggie Hunter, or Principal Alison Fraser.
š Positions Available
Chair
Lead the council, work closely with school administration, support council initiatives, facilitate meetings, and help guide the council's vision throughout the year.
Vice Chair / Co-Chair
Support the Chair, lead meetings when needed, and help coordinate council-sponsored events and activities.
Treasurer
Manage council finances, prepare financial reports, oversee budgets, and ensure funds are handled responsibly.
Secretary
Record meeting minutes, maintain council records, and help keep everyone informed and connected.
Indigenous Representative
A meaningful and evolving role that helps bring Indigenous perspectives and voices to the council. This position is open to individuals who self-identify as Indigenous.
Members at Large
Represent Kindergarten, Primary, and Junior divisions and contribute to discussions, decisions, and school initiatives.
Fundraising Coordinator
Organize fundraising opportunities, work with council members, and help support programs and experiences that benefit students.
Community Representative
A member of the local community who lives within the school catchment area and does not currently have children attending Welborne.
š¬ Why Get Involved?
Because your ideas matter.
Because every child benefits when families and schools work together.
Because a few evenings a year can help shape memorable experiences for hundreds of students.
And because it's one of the only meetings where attending in pajama pants is completely acceptable. šš¾
We hope to see many new and familiar faces on September 28th! Together, let's make the 2026-2027 school year a fantastic one for all our Wildcats. š¾š
Friday,
October 2nd
In 1980, Terry had a dream of a world without cancer. Forty-five years later, Terry's Marathon of Hope lives on. If we work together, we can make such a difference in the lives of so many. Please help fund critical cancer research in Canada by supporting our participation in the 2026 Terry Fox School Run.Ā https://schools.terryfox.ca/131488
Crossing the finish line means hope for everyone with cancer. Together, we canĀ Finish It
To ensure student safety, students should only seek donations from people they know. We kindly request that they refrain from participating in door-to-door fundraising activities.
š Drop-Off & Pick-Up Reminders: Parking Lot Safety First
š« Parking Lot Access
To protect our students during high-traffic times, the school parking lot is
closed to parent and guardian vehicles during drop-off and pick-up.
Only school buses, vehicles with accessible parking permits, and staff vehicles are permitted entry. This helps reduce congestion and keeps pedestrian pathways clear and safe. We truly appreciate your cooperation in keeping our school community safe.
š¶ Morning Drop-Off
Parents/guardians may walk students to the yard, where supervision begins at 8:50 a.m. We kindly ask that families drop children off at the foot of the path, allowing students to walk independently to their designated zones. Staff will be flexible during the first few days, especially for students new to Welborne who are still learning the routines.
š Afternoon Pick-Up
Please arrange to meet your child in the same location each day. If your child is walking home with siblings or older students, help them plan a consistent meeting spot. Older students will exit through their designated doors and walk around the outside of the building to meet younger siblings.
š Connecting with Teachers
Teachers are focused on student safety during drop-off and pick-up, so we ask that families please respect that the educators are responsible for the safe dismissal of all children in their care and cannot engage in a conversation with you about your child during this busy time. If you need to speak with your childās teacher, please email welba@limestone.on.ca or call the officeāweāll be happy to help coordinate a time.
š² Active Transportation Encouraged
Whenever possible, we encourage families to walk or bike to school. Bike racks are available at the front of the building.
š Bus Transportation
Families eligible for bussing should have received details from Tri-Board. You can log in to the Tri-Board portal to view stop locations and times. If you havenāt yet applied, please note that late submissions may be processed after the second week of school.
š Vehicle Drop-Off Options
If youāre driving your child to school, please observe city parking signs and consider using one of our nearby walking paths located on Bicknell Crescent, Glen Castle Road, or Nordic Avenue.
Kingston Police remind the public that e-scooters are not currently permitted on municipal roads, sidewalks, trails, pathways, or other public spaces within the City of Kingston.Ā
Daily Schedule
It is very important that children arrive on time for school and gather with their class cohort in their designated zone. Lateness causes disruptions to the classroom routines, particularly as children are learning the flow of entry and opening routines.
Regular attendance is essential for academic success and personal development. It helps build knowledge, responsibility, and routine, while enabling teachers to better support individual learning needs and foster a connected classroom environment.
Families can support attendance by encouraging daily participation, reserving absences for illness, and scheduling appointments outside school hours when possible.
We recognize that some students may face challenges that affect regular attendance. By working together with schools, we can ensure students receive the support they need. Every school day matters and together we can make a difference by making attendance a shared priority.
Visitors to Welborne Avenue Public School
We welcome visitors to our school. We do ask that all visitors, parents/guardians included, sign in with the main office and remain in the front lobby until directed/escorted by a staff member.
All LDSB elementary schools are equipped with a Safe Welcome system which requires all external doors be locked during the school day. All visitors are required to report to the schoolās main entrance and request access using an intercom and buzzer system.
When it is necessary for a student to leave school during the day, a note is required from a parent or guardian. The note must be given to the homeroom teacher or the office. If parents/guardians of students are coming to pick up/drop off your child, you are asked to wait at the main office. If necessary, office staff will alert your childās classroom. These measures are in place to help keep all students safe and minimize disruptions to learning.
LDSB Concussion Protocol
The Limestone District School Board is committed to helping all students succeed and lead safe,Ā healthy, and active lives. As part of its commitment to student safety, injury prevention,Ā and well-being, the Ministry of Education supports concussion awareness, prevention,Ā identification, management, tracking, and training in schools through legislation, policy,Ā and resources.Ā
Please review the LDSB Concussion Protocols and Resources here: https://www.limestone.on.ca/concussion_protocols
Volunteering for your child's class & Vulnerable Sector Checks
Parents Volunteers
Throughout the school year, classes participate in off-site learning activities on various field trips as well as after school events.
During these excursions and events, teachers will be looking for parent volunteers to accompany the class. If you would be interested in participating, we require a Vulnerable Sector Check to be on file at the school. These VSCs are valid for 3 years once we have them on file, however they must be within 6 months of the report date when you first bring them to us.
After we have your VSC on file we will ask you to complete a yearly Oath of Confidentiality as well as the Declaration of Offence.
If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to Ms. Hart at welba@limestone.on.ca for a volunteer letter from the school.
Report a Student Absence
One of our greatest priorities is ensuring that all students arrive safely to school every day.Ā To improve our safe arrival process, Limestone District School Board has made some changes to our SafeArrival absence reporting management system.Ā All parents/guardians are asked to report their studentās absence regardless of the reason.
How to report an absence
In some instances, students may need to be away from school for illness, appointments or other events. Parents/caregivers can use the SafeArrival system to report a full day absence, an extended student absence and also a late arrival to school. When reporting an absence for a secondary student parents/caregivers will also be able to select an early departure. To report an absence, use one the following methods:
School Messenger application
- Use the email address you provided to the school.
- UseĀ yourĀ mobile device to download and install the free SchoolMessenger blue app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store,Ā the SchoolMessenger website portal, or from within the LDSB mobile app.
- Tap Sign Up to create your account. Please ensure you use the same email address your studentās 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.Ā You may have already created an account when we introduced the Communicate broadcast system.
- Select Attendance from the menu,Ā then select Report an Absence and follow the prompts.
SchoolMessenger SafeArrival website portal
- Use the e-mail address you provided to the school.
- Go to the websiteĀ SchoolMessenger website portal.
- Click Sign Up to create your account. Please ensure you use the same email address your studentās school has on file. If you do not use that same email address, you will not be able to create an account,Ā or may not be able to see the "Attendance" option. You may have already created an account when we introduced the Communicate broadcast system.
- Select Attendance from the menu, then select Report an Absence.
Interactive toll-free telephone
- CallĀ 1-855-257-9349 toll-free to report an absence using the automated phone system.
- 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 timeĀ 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 methodĀ allows us to best track student attendance to ensure safety.
The SafeArrival system makes it easier for you to report your studentās 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.
Additional resources
Allergen Awareness - Nut-Free & Scent Free School
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.
Hot Lunch
We will resume hot lunch in October. You will be able to order selections through your school-day account.
