Sydenham High School

<h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">SHS students have been working hard on a hilarious new murder mystery comedy directed by teachers Janice Keene and Tyler Elliott.</span></h2><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Please come and join us for this hilarious and heartwarming show!&nbsp;</span></h2><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In&nbsp;</span><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Murder by the Book</em></i><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">, the town of Two Spruce is about to lose their beloved library! A team of volunteer actors come to its rescue by staging a murder mystery. But on opening night a real murder most foul threatens to thwart their fundraiser. Lucy the Librarian and a team of quirky volunteer actors scramble to solve the crime before the curtain rises and the library is lost&nbsp;forever! The script comes compliments of mystery writer Louise Penny &amp;&nbsp;playwright Laura Teasdale who created the&nbsp;play&nbsp;to help raise money&nbsp;for&nbsp;libraries everywhere (SHS will be raising money for our school library!).</span></h2><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Performances are December 3-5 from 7:00 - 8:30pm in the Drama Room. Tickets are $10.00 and are available NOW on School Day. The show is suitable for ages 12 and up.&nbsp;We hope to see you there!</span></h2><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/566d3830-fd6c-478b-9877-caf2398388cc" alt="IMG 1396" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>

<h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">What's Happening at Sydenham High School</span></h2><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">November 2025</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/939609bb-0496-4f64-8fc4-886e988a21b9" alt="school image" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">November is here! </span></h2><hr><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We had a very busy October with many fun events for our students: Grade 9 Day, Bubba Bowl, Academic Awards, Fall Pep Rally, Field trips, Parent/Guardian night, and more! </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Our sports teams are wrapping up their fall season, good luck to our Football teams entering play-offs this week, and our teams who are advancing to EOSSA! A big congratulations to our Girls Field Hockey team who won Silver at KASSAA Finals this past Friday in a very close 1-0 game. Also, a big congratulations to Claire Wang who competed at OFSAA and finished 87th out of a huge number of athletes. Congrats Claire! </span><img src="/images/4c0fb607-c73d-4f39-a024-5af195fb706f" alt="image000001" width="242" height="236" style="width:242px;height:236px;display:inline-block;float:right"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It was a big weekend for our Eagle Mascot who handed out candy to local children on Halloween, and then on Sunday, our Eagle attended the Kingston Frontenacs hockey game for Barrack the Bears birthday! </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Midterm report cards are also coming up. We encourage families to discuss progress with your student and make plans with classroom teachers if your student is struggling. We are here to offer support, and want to work together to ensure your student's success. Remember that daily attendance improves academic achievement so continue to promote regular school attendance. If needing to be away for an extended period of time, students are required to fill in an extended absence form accessed from the main office.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/47bc4675-686e-46ba-ba64-781f140b080c" alt="IMG 6148" width="157" height="210" style="width:157px;height:210px;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/d98d3183-9569-471d-bb9b-3162662856be" alt="IMG 0820" width="275" height="207" style="width:275px;height:207px;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/87fb432d-851f-4ac9-be19-b2e19d3343b5" alt="IMG 6143" width="154" height="206" style="width:154px;height:206px;display:inline-block"></p><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Remembrance Day - Nov. 11th</span><img src="/images/23909fea-8587-4424-8db8-5777a15e1d82" alt="web1 rem day facts" width="300" height="202" style="width:300px;height:202px;display:inline-block;float:right"></h2><hr><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">As we head into November, we are preparing for our annual Remembrance Day ceremony. Every year, we recognize family members of our staff and students who have served in the Canadian Military Forces. If you have a family member that you would like acknowledged during our service, please email mcdougallr@limestone.on.ca. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you Play YGK!</span></h2><hr><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you for supporting our athletic programs! </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/1beee038-8abb-4c83-8428-10de228f8fd9" alt="October Social" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Department News - Technology</span></h2><hr><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Every month we will be spotlighting a department in our school. This month we are highlighting our Technology Department.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This time of year is busy in tech classes as students practice and learn new skills. Students are preparing for the upcoming Holiday Showcase, November 29</span><sup style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span>th</span></sup><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">&nbsp;at Sydenham High School, making cutting boards and shelves, sweet treats and take home cooking kits, as well as 3D printed keychains and ornaments. The auto shop is lined up with student, faculty and community member vehicles getting ready for cooler weather driving conditions.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The collaborative and special skills workshops taken on by students so far this year have been incredible and diverse, everything from chainsaw certification, to working at heights, to Haudenosaunee beading techniques. we also had a staff member, Mr. Moelker, who was recognized for supporting an Indigenous Art Project.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/c13262b1-5afb-4b0b-91ca-e3ad584a0ca0" alt="Art Walk 2025" width="154" height="224" style="width:154px;height:224px;display:inline-block;float:right"><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </em></i><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </em></i><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">"I would like to take this time to thank the SHS Technology Department for your help with my Indigenous Art Project. This project was designed around the theme “Every Child Matters” and was displayed on the “Wild Art Walk” during the “Battersea Pumpkin Festival” Oct 4th&nbsp;2025, where it was viewed by more than 300 participants." </em></i></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><i><em class="editor-text-italic" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">James Robert Chambers, Retired LDSB teacher, Adjunct Professor, Instructor for Technological Education CTE, Queens University, Faculty of Education</em></i></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/6de91e1a-ce1c-4613-b406-52abe64d48df" alt="processed 70D95945 26B1 4C8C B31F DC028EE4A3A7" width="379" height="505" style="width:379px;height:505px;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/d39a9698-c16d-474f-931d-1a11216c9dc3" alt="processed A4599486 FA37 4E5C 87F9 2AA4281BCF1A" width="379" height="505" style="width:379px;height:505px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/0f9fcf81-11f6-4a60-95d2-775061ca6475" alt="IMG 9480" width="146" height="260" style="width:146px;height:260px;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/e2ab6a12-57e7-482c-98be-a81d26944429" alt="IMG 9479" width="144" height="256" style="width:144px;height:256px;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/5c1a5059-7330-42eb-8fbd-ebe6eff986a9" alt="IMG 9410" width="190" height="253" style="width:190px;height:253px;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/2c6d0106-f420-4810-8935-59528b84727c" alt="IMG 9475" width="144" height="256" style="width:144px;height:256px;display:inline-block"></p><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><br></h2><hr><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/a77e8142-9399-456b-b430-373adcef8a14" alt="Holiday Showcase Poster with Fireplace Mantle" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Upcoming Dates</span></h2><hr><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Nov. 2 - Nov. 9 - Treaties Recognition Week</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Nov. 4 to the first week of Dec. - Grade 10 Literacy Test</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Nov. 6 - First day of Term 2 begins for Careers and Civics classes</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Nov. 11 - Remembrance Day</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Nov. 12 - Drive Thru Flu Shot Clinic</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Nov. 14 - PA Day - No School</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Nov. 17 - School Council 7 PM</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Nov. 20 - Syd's Cafe</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Nov. 21 - Mid term Report Cards</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Nov. 24 - 28 - Student Census</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Nov. 29 - Holiday Showcase for SHSM</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Student Census Survey - See Yourself in Limestone</span></h2><hr><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Limestone is committed to creating safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments for all students. To help us better understand how students’ identities and experiences relate to their achievement and well-being, we are launching our second See Yourself in Limestone Student Census Survey this fall.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The census is a voluntary and confidential survey for students in </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Grades 4 to 12</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">, running from </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">November 24 to 28, 2025.</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> It gathers information about students’ identities and their experiences at school. This data is then paired with academic information to help us understand what school is like for different groups of students.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Important information for families:</span></p><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The survey is </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">optional</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Responses are </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">confidential</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> and students can skip any questions they do not wish to answer.</span></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Students will complete the survey during class time.</span></li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Students who do not participate will be provided with an alternative activity.</span></li></ul><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Families who do not want their student(s) to complete the survey must contact their school principal by </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Friday, November 14, 2025</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. Opting out means the student will not receive the survey in their e-mail inbox.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">By better understanding students’ identities and experiences, we can remove barriers and better support students in accessing what they need to succeed.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Learn more about the Student Census and how it supports equity in Limestone:</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/student_census" class="editor-link"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">limestone.on.ca/student_census</strong></b></a></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">School Council 2025-2026 &amp; Elections</span></h2><hr><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We had our first School Advisory Council SAC on Sept. 22, 2025. We are happy to share the results of our elections:</span></p><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Chair: Vanessa Wood</span></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Vice chair: Darren Rayner</span></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Secretary: Derek Snider</span></li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Treasurer: Molly Slate </span></li><li value="5" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Indigenous Family: vacant </span></li><li value="6" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Safe Schools: Julie Bomba</span></li><li value="7" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">PIC: Vanessa Wood</span></li></ul><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Future Meeting Dates (7 PM SHS Library)</span></p><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">November 17</span></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">January 19</span></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">February 23</span></li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">April 20</span></li><li value="5" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">June 1</span></li></ul><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr"><br></h2><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">2025-2026 LDSB School Year Calendar</span></h2><hr><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A </span><a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/documents/7291ab76-99b5-43a1-8f2b-edaade7c53e8/2025-04-07-LDSB%20School%20Year%20Calendar-2025-2026.pdf" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">PDF version of the 2025-2026 School Year Calendar is available online</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/1161a439-a52c-4144-ad44-b2b141f1f967" alt="2025 2026 LDSB School Year Calendar" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><hr><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Concussion Protocol</span></h2><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">SHS is committed to student safety, injury prevention, and well-being, and supports concussion awareness, prevention, identification, management, tracking, and training. Our point of contact is Ms. Ash Ward, Vice Principal.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Our </span><a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/concussion_protocols" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">LDSB Concussion Policy/Concussion Code of Conduct </span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">is here as well to ensure we work together to support our students if a concussion is suspected or diagnosed. </span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/d2d534f2-a37f-4106-a903-2977022c738c" alt="thumb cef5db28763b3ff1d271b5f827629038" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><hr><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Allergen Awareness - </span></h2><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Nut-Free &amp; Scent Free School</span></h2><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/77143b36-64d5-4f80-a9f2-cf2bf339fb88" alt="Nut Free School" width="205" height="293" style="width:205px;height:293px;display:inline-block;float:left"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/20f12d85-2a46-4137-bd1e-ab4d5273e2c1" alt="Scent Free" width="206" height="256" style="width:206px;height:256px;display:inline-block;float:right"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></p><hr><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><h2 class="editor-heading-h2" dir="ltr" style="text-align: start;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Threat/Risk Assessment Notification and Process</span></h2><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Limestone District School Board and community partners are committed to making our schools safe for students and staff. As a result, schools will respond to all student behaviours that pose a potential risk to other students, staff, and community members. The Community Violence Threat Risk Assessment Process is designed to be proactive in developing intervention plans that address the emotional and physical safety of those involved. Families are asked to review the steps of a&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/safe-caring-schools" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Threat/Risk Assessment online</span></a><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></p></p><hr><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><br></p><figure><a href="https://specialtytrophies.ca/sydenhamhighschool/" target="_blank" title="Spirit Wear"><img src="/images/93a00b71-9d11-44c1-88dc-c7bfba2579cd" alt="Spirit Wear" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></a></figure></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/a25e9f58-b0ae-4c6a-9c8e-96863f2e3e0a" alt="New Land Acknowledgement" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Indigenous Language Learning Opportunity</strong></b></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Working with the Indigenous Education Team and dedicated language teachers, we are excited to offer Indigenous language programming through Microsoft Teams for Indigenous students across the LDSB! Students can learn Kanyen'kéha&nbsp;with Tahnee Bennett&nbsp;or Anishinaabemowin with Ashley Nadon&nbsp;in a supportive and interactive online setting. Tahnee and Ashley welcome students at all levels of their language learning journey.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">These programs are best suited for students in Grade 3 and up&nbsp;and will begin mid-October. However, we will do our best to accommodate younger learners. If your child is interested in joining, please reach out to our school administrators to inquire. </span></p>