Spring Energy Around the School

It’s hard to believe we’re already moving through another full week of April, but the energy around the school certainly shows it. Classrooms are buzzing with spring projects, outdoor learning is picking up again, and students seem to be soaking up every bit of sunshine that finds its way onto the yard. There’s a wonderful sense of momentum as we head toward the final stretch of the month.

Last Thursday evening the School Council hosted a Family Movie Night. A huge thank you to the volunteers who made this fun, family event possible. Almost 150 people attended the event - out biggest showing ever! This event was funded through the use of the money raised by the parents/caregivers who volunteer at the BINGO shifts. As a result of many hours of dedicated volunteer time, pizza and popcorn were provided to all who attended. Events like this cannot take place without the help of volunteers. Please see the information below about how to become a volunteer for BINGO and be sure to join the virtual School Council meeting on Monday, April 27th at 6:15. The link to that meeting will be sent out in The Wildcat Word that day.

The Welborne Road Racers are getting ready for the Bayridge Road Race on April 28th and the LCVI Road Race on May 6th. Racers should check in with their coaches for more information.

As always, thank you to our families for staying connected, supporting school events, and helping keep routines running smoothly at home. This week’s newsletter includes a few reminders, updates, and opportunities happening both at school and in our wider community. We hope you find the information helpful as we continue learning and growing together this spring.

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

Welborne BINGO Volunteers Needed!

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.

Thank you for supporting our school community!

Your time helps create opportunities and experiences for every student.

VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS — QUICK GUIDE

📅 Mark Your Calendars! Upcoming SAC Sponsored Community Events

📝 Registration Details

Registration for the Caregiver Engagement Series will take place through School-Day.

• Caregiver Engagement Series:
  RSVPs are required, especially so we can plan childcare appropriately. There is no cost to attend.

🤝 Caregiver Engagement Series

Join us for two interactive sessions designed to support caregivers. Attend one or both—whatever fits your interests!

Part 1: Sensory & Regulation
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
6:00–7:30pm

Part 2: Executive Functioning
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
6:00–7:30pm

• Childcare provided
• Light refreshments available
• RSVP required - Available under the EVENTS tab

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