Glenburnie Family Update
Dear Glenburnie Families,
As we wrap up another busy week, I wanted to share a few updates and reminders with everyone. November always seems to move quickly, and there continues to be lots of great learning and activity happening throughout Glenburnie.
A Special Remembrance Day at Glenburnie
I want to take a moment to thank our students and staff for the wonderful Remembrance Day ceremony held at Glenburnie this week.
Remembrance Day is an important opportunity for our school community to slow down, reflect and think about the sacrifices made by so many. Our students approached the ceremony with a great deal of respect and thoughtfulness, and I was very proud of the way they represented our school.
A special thank you to the staff and students who helped prepare and lead the ceremony. There is a lot of work that happens behind the scenes to bring these moments together, and your efforts helped make it a meaningful experience for our entire school.
Welcoming New Faces to Glenburnie
We are very pleased to welcome Mrs. Asselstine and Mrs. Hogan to their new roles at Glenburnie!
Mrs. Asselstine will be joining our JK/SK classroom, taking over for Mrs. Ford as she begins her maternity leave. We wish Mrs. Ford all the very best as she begins this exciting new chapter, and we will be sure to share the happy news with our school community when her little one arrives!
Mrs. Hogan has also joined our Grade 1/2 classroom, where she will be filling in for Mrs. Flannigan for the foreseeable future while she is on leave. We are very happy to have Mrs. Hogan with us and know she will be a wonderful support to our students. We also send our best wishes to Mrs. Flannigan while she is away.
Please join us in giving Mrs. Asselstine and Mrs. Hogan a warm Glenburnie welcome!
Progress Reports Are Coming Home
Progress Reports will be coming home soon, and I wanted to provide families with a little context about what these reports are intended to tell us.
The fall Progress Report is different from the Provincial Report Cards students receive later in the school year. At this stage, the focus is not on assigning a final level, letter grade or percentage. Instead, it provides an early picture of how your child is progressing toward the curriculum expectations, along with important information about their learning skills and work habits. Ontario identifies those six learning skills as Responsibility, Organization, Independent Work, Collaboration, Initiative and Self-Regulation.
In the different subject areas, you will see whether your child is Progressing with Difficulty, Progressing Well or Progressing Very Well. The report is really meant to help answer some important questions: What is going well? Where is my child right now in their learning? What are they working toward next?
I encourage families to take some time to review the report with their child and celebrate the growth that has already taken place during these first few months of school. There is still lots of learning ahead of us this year.
If you have questions about your child's Progress Report or would like to talk more about their learning, please don't hesitate to reach out to their classroom teacher. That ongoing communication between home and school is an important part of supporting our students.
PA Day – Friday, November 20
A reminder that Friday, November 20 is a PA Day, and there will be no school for students.
While students are away, our Glenburnie staff will be engaged in professional learning and School Achievement Planning. We will spend time examining current student data, talking about what we are noticing in our classrooms and planning the next steps in our work together.
Our focus continues to be on our school goals in literacy, mathematics and student well-being. These days give us an important opportunity as a staff to step back from the day-to-day busyness of school, look carefully at the evidence of student learning in front of us, and ask some important questions: What is working? Where are our students showing growth? Where do we need to adjust our instruction or provide additional support?
Ultimately, the goal is to make sure the work we are doing as a staff is responsive to the students sitting in front of us every day.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support of our students, our staff and Glenburnie Public School. There is a lot of good work happening throughout the building, and I continue to appreciate the partnership we have with our families.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Morning Arrival, Supervision & Parking
A reminder that morning supervision begins at 9:00 a.m. Students should not be dropped off or arrive on school property before that time, as staff supervision is not available.
Our parking lot can become very busy during arrival and dismissal. Please drive slowly and cautiously, watch carefully for students and families, and ensure that areas required by our school buses remain clear. Please be sure that when parking at GPS accessible parking spots are left for those that have a valid parking pass to use them. Thank you for making sure these spots are left available for our families who need them.
When dropping off or picking up, please keep stops as brief as possible so traffic can continue to move safely. Thank you for your patience with one another and for helping us create a safe arrival and dismissal for everyone.
After-School Playground Use
If you are picking up your child at the end of the day, we kindly ask that children wait until all buses have left before heading to the playground equipment.
Our staff need to be able to quickly account for students and know which children still need to board a bus. When students who have already been picked up begin playing on the equipment while buses are loading, it can be difficult for supervising staff to know who still needs to get on a bus.
Once the buses have departed, families are welcome to use the playground.
Thank you for helping us keep dismissal safe, calm and organized.
Changes to After-School Plans
We know that occasionally family plans change during the school day. If your child will be picked up rather than taking the bus, or there is another change to their regular dismissal routine, please contact the school before 3:00 p.m.
After 3:00 p.m., our office and classroom staff are very busy preparing students for dismissal, and we cannot guarantee that a phone call, email or message regarding a change will be received and communicated to your child in time.
Whenever possible, please ensure that changes to after-school arrangements are communicated to us before 3:00 p.m. Thank you for helping us keep dismissal safe and organized.
Please note that we cannot call students down early to be ready. We will call them to the office once you arrive at the school.
Outstanding Forms to be Returned
Data Verification Forms
Medical Forms
Acceptable Use Notification Forms
Please review/complete and return to the school as soon as possible.
Attendance, Punctuality & Our School Day
Regular attendance and arriving at school on time are important parts of a successful school year.
Morning supervision begins at 9:00 a.m., and we encourage students to arrive with enough time to join their classmates in their designated area before the school day begins at 9:10 a.m. Arriving on time helps students begin the day calmly, connect with their classmates and participate in classroom entry and opening routines right from the start.
When students arrive late, it can be difficult for them to enter a class that has already begun learning, and it can also interrupt the routines teachers are working hard to establish. This is especially important during the first few weeks of school as students become comfortable with new classrooms, expectations and daily routines.
Regular attendance is equally important. Being at school consistently helps students build relationships, develop routines and keep up with their learning. It also gives teachers the opportunity to better understand each student's strengths and needs and provide support when it is needed.
We know there will always be times when children are sick or when appointments and family circumstances make an absence unavoidable. Whenever possible, we ask families to schedule appointments outside of school hours and make regular attendance a priority.
We also recognize that sometimes there are challenges that make regular attendance difficult. If this is the case for your child, please reach out. Working together is always the best way to help students feel supported and successful.
Every school day matters, and we appreciate families working alongside us to make regular attendance and being on time a shared priority.
Our Daily Schedule
9:00 a.m. – Morning supervision begins
9:10–10:50 a.m. – Learning Block 1
10:50–11:30 a.m. – Recess & Nutrition Break
11:30 a.m.–1:10 p.m. – Learning Block 2
1:10–1:50 p.m. – Recess & Nutrition Break
1:50–3:30 p.m. – Learning Block 3
3:30 p.m. – Dismissal
Reporting Student Absences – SafeArrival
One of our most important responsibilities is making sure every student is safely accounted for each day. Limestone District School Board uses the SchoolMessenger SafeArrival system for reporting student absences and late arrivals.
All parents and guardians are asked to report every student absence, regardless of the reason.
SafeArrival can be used to report:
- a full-day absence
- an extended absence
- a late arrival
SchoolMessenger App
Families can download the free SchoolMessenger app and create an account using the same email address that has been provided to the school.
Once signed in, select Attendance, choose Report an Absence and follow the prompts.
Families can also access SchoolMessenger through the LDSB mobile app.
SchoolMessenger Website
Families can also report absences through the online portal:
SchoolMessenger SafeArrival Portal
Please use the same email address the school has on file. If a different email address is used, you may not be able to access your child's attendance information.
By Telephone
Absences can also be reported using the automated toll-free telephone system:
1-855-257-9349
SafeArrival is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and future absences can also be entered in advance.
Whenever possible, please use SafeArrival rather than calling the school directly to report an absence. This helps our staff quickly account for all students and makes our safe-arrival process much more efficient.
Late Arrivals
If your child will be arriving late, please use the Late Arrival option in SafeArrival and include the expected arrival time.
When students arrive after the school day has begun, they must check in at the office before going to class. This allows us to update our attendance records and know that the student has safely arrived.
Additional resources are available here:
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Using the SchoolMessenger App for SafeArrival
- Setting Preferences in SchoolMessenger/SafeArrival
- Video: Creating a SchoolMessenger Account
- Video: Reporting an Absence in SchoolMessenger
Medical Plans of Care
If your child has a medical condition requiring a Plan of Care, please ensure that the appropriate forms are completed and returned to the school as soon as possible.
Limestone has Plans of Care for students with anaphylaxis, asthma, diabetes and epilepsy, as well as a General Plan of Care and additional forms for students who require medication or medical procedures at school.
Current forms and information can be found on Limestone's Medical Procedures page:
Limestone Medical Procedures & Plans of Care
If you are unsure which forms your child requires, please contact the school office and we will be happy to help.
Food, Treats & Allergy Safety
We want celebrations at school to be fun and inclusive while also keeping all of our students safe.
We ask families not to send food or treats into school for birthdays, holidays, classroom celebrations or other special occasions. With a growing number of allergies, dietary restrictions and medical needs within our school, food brought in for sharing can create unnecessary risks for students.
There are lots of wonderful non-food ways to recognize special occasions, and we appreciate families helping us keep celebrations safe and inclusive for everyone.
Glenburnie is also a nut-safe school environment. Please do not send foods to school that contain peanuts or tree nuts. Individual classrooms may also have additional allergy considerations depending on the needs of students.
While no school can guarantee an allergen-free environment, we all have an important role to play in reducing risk for students with serious allergies.
Thank you for your continued care and cooperation.
Student Accident Insurance
Limestone District School Board requires students participating in extra-curricular activities to have accident insurance coverage. Before students can take part, families must confirm that they have their own coverage for expenses not covered by the Provincial Health Plan, or purchase student accident insurance.
Each year, families have the option of purchasing Student Accident Insurance through Reliable Life Insurance Company. This coverage can help with expenses such as dental injuries resulting from accidents, fractures and other costs that may not be covered through OHIP or a family workplace benefit plan.
Families are encouraged to review their existing coverage and decide what best meets their needs. The Board does not provide accident insurance for students and is not permitted to do so under the Education Act.
Information and application forms are provided to students at the beginning of the school year. Families can also purchase coverage online at:
A family plan is also available for families with three or more students, provided at least one child attends a Limestone District School Board school.
Human Development and Sexual Health
As part of Limestone's commitment to keeping families informed about student learning, parents and guardians are encouraged to review the Human Development and Sexual Health expectations within the Ontario Health and Physical Education Curriculum.
Form 325-D outlines the Human Development and Sexual Health curriculum expectations for students in Grades 1–8.
Families who wish to have their child exempted from instruction related to these specific expectations may do so by completing and returning Form 325-B for each child at least five school days before the instruction begins.
Classroom teachers will let families know in advance when Human Development and Sexual Health expectations in Strand D will be taught.
Families looking for additional information can also review Administrative Procedure 325: Exemption From Human Development and Sexual Health Instruction on the LDSB website or contact the school with any questions
Every Monday - Every Monday is Mickey Monday. Wear your Mickey Mouse attire
Every Wednesday - Paradiso Hot Lunch Day for those that ordered through LunchBox (see below for instructions on how to order)
Every Thursday - Second nutrition break - Volunteers will visit classrooms to distribute "hot food" items donated by the Food Sharing Project. We never know what food option we will receive. Please advise your child and your child's teacher if you do not want them to participate. At this time The Food Sharing Project program is not able to provide recipes.
Every Friday - Paradiso Hot Lunch Day for those that ordered through LunchBox (see below for instructions on how to order)
December 2026
Fri 5 - International Volunteer Day
Sun 6 - White Ribbon Day
Mon 14 - Red & Green Day
Mon 14 - Candy Cane Lane
Mon 14 - Grizzly Grams
Tue 15 - Favourite Holiday Character
Tue 15 - Candy Cane Lane
Tue 15 - Grizzly Grams
Wed 16 - Ugly Sweater
Wed 16 - 5:30-6:30 Holiday Concert
Thu 17 - Snowflake/Sparkle Day
Fri 18 - PJ Day
Mon 21 - Winter Break
January 2027
Mon 4 - Back to School
Tue 19 - EA Appreciation Day
Wed 20 - Future Me Day
February 2027
Wed 3 - Onsie Wednesday (wear your favourite onsie)
Fri 12 - Red/Pink/Love Day
Fri 12 - Report Cards go home
Mon 15 - Family Day
Tue 23 - Grad Photos (SK & Grade 8)
March 2027
Thu 11 - St. Patty's Day
Fri 12 - Fri 19 - March Break
Fri 26 - Good Friday
Mon 29 - Easter Monday
April 2027
Wed 14 - Black & White Day
Fri 23 - PA Day - no classes for students
May 2027
Fri 7 - Crazy Hair Day
Fri 21 - Class Colour Day [K-orange, Flannigan - purple, Kervin - blue, Pare - green, Crawford - red, Spiers - black]
Mon 24 - Victoria Day
Mon 31 - PA Day - no classes for students
June 2027
Mon 28 - Last Day of School
Tue 29 - PA Day -no classes for students
July 2027
August 2027
Printable School Calendar for 2026-2027
Join Our School Advisory Council (SAC)
We would love to see both returning and new families get involved. Parents and guardians do not need to hold an elected position to attend SAC meetings. Everyone is welcome to join us, hear about what is happening at the school, share ideas and be part of the conversation.
Our School Advisory Council is a great way for parents and caregivers to become more connected to Glenburnie and have a voice in our school community. SAC brings families and school staff together to share information, exchange ideas and support opportunities for students.
You do not need previous experience, and you do not need to commit to attending every meeting to become involved. New members and new ideas are always welcome.
We encourage all Glenburnie families to follow our School Council Facebook page, Glenburnie School Council, for updates, meeting information, and community initiatives. You can follow the page here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1bNQeFwaUP/
Contact us by e-mail: glenb.council@gmail.com
School Council plays an important role in supporting our students and school, and this is a great way to stay informed about events, fundraising efforts, and opportunities to get involved. Thank you to our School Council for all that you do to support Glenburnie Public School!
We hope to see you there!
Stay Connected
For multiple ways to keep updated about what is happening in the school please click on Stay Connected
Volunteering at Glenburnie & Vulnerable Sector Checks
We are always grateful for the support of family and community volunteers at Glenburnie. Throughout the year, there may be opportunities to help with field trips, classroom activities, special events, extracurricular activities and other school programs.
Please note that a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) is required for anyone who wishes to volunteer in the school or with students. This includes volunteering in classrooms, accompanying classes on field trips, helping with school events, coaching or assisting with extracurricular activities, and other volunteer opportunities involving students.
When a VSC is first submitted to the school, it must have been completed within the previous six months. Once we have it on file, it is valid for three years. During the years in between, volunteers will be asked to complete the required annual Declaration of Offence and Oath of Confidentiality.
If you think you may be interested in volunteering at any point this school year, we encourage you to complete the process early. Vulnerable Sector Checks can sometimes take time to process, and having everything in place ahead of time makes it much easier when opportunities arise.
Families who would like to begin the process can contact Ms. Merkley in the school office for a volunteer letter, if required, and further information.
Thank you for considering volunteering your time. The support of our families adds so much to the experiences we are able to provide for students.
We are now looking for volunteers to help out in our library and for our food share distribution. All help is greatly appreciated. Please contact Heidi Carfa at 613-331-2852 if you are interested in helping in any way.
Tri-Board and Bus News
School Boundary and Transportation Eligibility
For further information please click TVO Mathify
Are you looking to purchase some school swag? If so, check out the merch at https://trophiesgraphics.com/ then click the Custom E-Stores button and use the drop down menu to choose Glenburnie Public School.
Ready to make some music? 🤘
Derek McGowan is a member of the Joyceville community, a dad to two JPS students, and for the past four years, he’s been bringing private music lessons right here to Glenburnie on Tuesdays!
Derek is a full-time Guitar, Bass & Ukulele teacher with over 30 years of experience. Whether your child is just picking up an instrument for the first time or ready to take their playing to the next level, Derek keeps lessons fun, encouraging and tailored to what they actually want to play.
From Pop, Hip-Hop and Country to Blues, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal — there’s something for every future musician (and rock star 🤘).
Interested in getting your child playing? Reach out to Derek directly for more information, availability and how to get started.
Let’s make some noise! 🎶🎸
905-699-3121
