Welcoming May: A Month of Growth, Sunshine, and Safety

May has arrived, and with it comes that wonderful mix of fresh energy, longer days, and a sense that the school year is beginning its final, exciting stretch. Classrooms are buzzing with spring projects, outdoor learning is back in full swing, and students seem to be soaking up every bit of sunshine that finds its way onto the yard. It’s a great time to reset, refocus, and enjoy all the growth this season brings.

As we move into May, we also wanted to share an update about our mandatory safety drills for the year. Schools are required to complete six fire drills and two lock-down drills annually to ensure everyone knows what to do in an emergency. In the fall, Welborne students successfully completed three fire drills and one lock-down drill. Over the coming month, we will be carrying out the remaining required drills.

To help students feel prepared and comfortable, staff will be reviewing procedures and the purpose behind these drills in an age‑appropriate way. Our goal is to ensure everyone understands the importance of these safety practices while keeping the experience positive, calm, and supportive.

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

Track and Field Information

Welborne Meet: Friday, May 8th, 9:30 - 3:15  

All grade 3 - 8 students are participating. 

Grade 3 & 4: Atom

Grade 5 & 6: Bantam

Grade 7 & 8: Senior

Dress for the weather! Please wear running shoes but NOT cleats.  Cleats are not allowed at any of the meets.  Be sure to have sunscreen, a hat, and water. Electronics are not allowed. 

 ***The Welborne Track and Field team will be chosen based on commitment, coachability, attitude, as well as skill. Up to four students per event for each division will be selected for the team.

Dates for the area meets:

        Region 5 Meet - Monday, June 1st

        District Meet - Tuesday, June 9th 

For information on divisions, rules, and times, and to check for cancellations due to weather (lightning storms) go to the Limestone Athletic site: https://lesaa.limestone.on.ca/

Mental Health Week - May 4 - 10

Mental Health Week, led by the Canadian Mental Health Association, will be recognized from May 4-10, with this year’s national theme being “Come together, Canada – Stronger Connections. Better Mental Health.” 

This theme highlights the importance of meaningful social connection as a protective factor for mental well‑being. Research consistently shows that fostering a sense of belonging can enhance resilience, reduce stress, and support overall health across all age groups. 

Throughout the week, our school will be engaging students in activities that promote inclusion, positive relationships, and supportive school environments. These daily initiatives are designed to strengthen classroom and schoolwide connections, encourage empathy and kindness, and reinforce that every member of our community is valued. 

We invite families to join us in recognizing Mental Health Week by taking moments at home to connect, whether through conversation, shared activities, or simply checking in with one another. Together, we can help create a community where all students feel safe, supported, and connected.  

Here are some related resources from School Mental Health Ontario that you may find useful: 

• https://smho-smso.ca/parents-and-caregivers/ 
• https://smho-smso.ca/online-resources/info-sheet-helping-your-child-manage-digital-technology/ 
• https://smho-smso.ca/online-resources/easy-and-fun-mental-health-activities-for-home/ 

Your child will not be attending Welborne in September? please let us know

We are beginning to organize classes for the upcoming school year, and having accurate enrolment information helps us build balanced classroom rosters.

If you already know that your student will be moving or not returning to Welborne Avenue PS, please complete this form: Students Who Will Be Moving Away from Welborne Avenue PS by September – Fill Out Form.

Thank you for helping us plan effectively for September.

LDSB Family Engagement and Climate Survey

The Limestone District School Board’s Family Engagement and Climate Survey is now live and we invite families to share their experiences with their student’s school and with the school board.

Your feedback helps Limestone understand what is working well and where we can improve, and supports welcoming, safe, and supportive school communities.

 The survey is open from April 30 to May 11 and is available online. Paper copies are also available at your school’s administrative office.

                Access the Family Engagement and Climate Survey online.

Participation is voluntary and anonymous. You may skip any questions you choose, and no identifying information is collected.

Thank you for sharing your voice and helping strengthen Limestone schools and school communities.

School Advisory Council News

Join the fun • Support the school • Make a difference

The School Advisory Council (SAC) is looking for new volunteers to help with Charity BINGO—our school’s largest fundraising source. These funds directly support student activities, events, programs, and enhancements throughout the school.

Purchase your Welborne Avenue PS BBQ tickets in School-Day!

Thank you for supporting our school community!

Your time helps create opportunities and experiences for every student.

VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS — QUICK GUIDE

General School Related Information

Kindergarten Registration is Now Open

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

🚸 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.

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

🌿 Community Invitation: Family Bird Festival at Lakeside Community Garden

Our friends at Lakeside Community Garden and Little Forests Kingston are inviting Welborne families to a fun and educational community event on Saturday, May 9th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the corner of Days Road and Front Road.

To celebrate World Migratory Bird Day—and Kingston’s designation as a Bird Friendly City—families are invited to learn more about the birds that share our neighbourhoods. The event includes hands‑on activities, learning stations, and opportunities to explore how we can support local bird habitats.

📣 Event details & RSVP:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-birds-are-back-a-family-bird-festival-at-lakeside-tickets-1986277829457?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true#organizer-card

Highlights include:

• Family‑friendly bird‑themed activities
• Learning opportunities led by Little Forests Kingston
• A chance to take home a free tree or shrub to plant and support local bird species
• A welcoming community atmosphere—free for all participants

Kaleidoscope is an exhibition dedicated to uplifting and celebrating the voices, experiences, and creativity of queer youth. The show aims to provide an inclusive and affirming platform where young artists can explore identity, community, and self-expression through visual storytelling. 

Kaleidoscope is now accepting 2D and New Media submissions (meaning anything that can be hung on a wall or displayed on a TV/monitor),

 via this submission form: https://forms.gle/NoZfTqop3VoDT7pu7

Are you 18 or under and based in the Kingston/Katarokwi area? We’re inviting young queer artists of all backgrounds and experience levels to submit work for an upcoming exhibition.

 Submissions open: April 26, 2026

 Deadline to apply: May 14, 2026

No prior experience is needed - whether you’re just starting out or already creating regularly, we’d love to see your work.

Exhibition dates: May 24 – June 27, 2026

Opening reception: May 17, 2026

Submit your work, share your perspective, and be part of a supportive and inclusive show. Special interest will be given to family made artwork, and for artists in the 11-18 age range.