February 2026
Hello Gryphon Families,
February marks the beginning of a new semester and term, as well as the renewal of academic pursuits across our K-12 community. With students transitioning into new courses, setting fresh goals, and teachers preparing dynamic lessons, this is a time for intellectual curiosity and growth. As we navigate the ever-changing winter weather that has kept us on our toes for the last number of weeks, we remain committed to fostering a supportive and inspiring learning environment. Let’s embrace this season as an opportunity to challenge ourselves, collaborate, and celebrate our achievements as a school. Here’s to a month filled with academic progress and enthusiasm!
Before & After School Program Survey Update
A sincere thank you to all families who completed our Before and After School Program interest survey. We had a positive response rate, and are happy to share that given the responses shared, we have entered the next phase. This phase includes an Expression of Interest that has been generated by the board and shared with the City of Kingston (our municipality for Early Years).
From here, the city of Kingston will share the expression of interest with third party providers, who, over the next 3-4 weeks will decide if they would like to apply to provide a program at our site. When the application phase closes, we will see if we have applicants, and process applications accordingly.
I will continue to update our school community at each phase. Any families with questions are welcome to contact the school. Please note that developing an expression of interest does NOT guarantee the establishment of a program. We still have some hurdles to jump - but we have a positive start!
More to come...
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten registration is now underway at all schools across Limestone - and that includes at GREC! If your child was born in 2022, now is the time to register your new student to start school in September! More details regarding registration can be found here: Kindergarten Registration is Now Open
We can't wait to meet our newest group of Gryphons!
GRADE 9 Information Night
We are very excited to host our annual Grade 9 Information Night on Wednesday, February 25th, 2026! This night is a chance for all current Grade 8 students and families to find out more about what high school is all about! The night includes information sessions, tours, community resources and more.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Messages from Tri-Board
We are very thankful for our partnership with Tri-Board Transportation in getting our students safely to- and from- school each day! Please see the important information below regarding transportation for our upcoming school year!
Dental Screening
Members of the Oral Health Team from Southeast Public Health will be visiting GREC on Wednesday, February 25th, to complete free dental screening for all students in Junior Kindergarten, Senior Kindergarten, Grade 2 and Grade 7.
DELICIOUS FUNDRAISERS!
It isn't too late to order pizza kits for home and support our Grade 8 graduation trip!
AND HOW ABOUT SOME DESSERT?!
MARCHING INTO MARCH!
Secondary Gryph Coins: Building Character
We have recently unveiled our own school currency: the Gryph Coin! We are excited to embark on this new adventure, allowing opportunities for students to be celebrated for positive attendance and positive character! Speak with your student to find out more about how and why they have received Gryph Coins and what they can do with it!
Looking forward to getting our Gryph-On!
HIPPY Program
The Kingston Native Center and Language Nest is now offering the Indigenous Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program.
Indigenous HIPPY works with Indigenous parents/caregivers by providing an in-home school readiness program designed to empower parents/caregivers of children aged 3-5. This program empowers parents to be their child's first and most important teacher through weekly in-home visits. The curriculum focuses on areas of math, science, literacy, gross and fine motor and language. The program builds the parents/caregivers capacity, confidence and provides community connections.
Each week a HIPPY home visitor will meet with the parents/caregivers to provide evidence-based programing. The program is free of charge and we supply all materials needed including books, games and toys, which are yours to keep!
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Kearstie Snary at kearstie.snary@kncln.ca
An Evening with Monique Gray
The Limestone District School Board Indigenous Education Team, in partnership with the Limestone Learning Foundation and Queen’s University’s Faculty of Education, are excited to offer a valuable evening: Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults.
"We are pleased to welcome Monique Gray Smith, who will provide an in-person public talk inspired by her book, Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults, an adaptation of Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer."
This gathering will bring together educators, families, students, Indigenous partners, teacher candidates, and community members to reflect on care, reciprocity, and connection to land and one another.
Supporting Mental Health
Free webinar series for parents/caregivers – Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health from School Mental Health Ontario
We are excited to share a valuable opportunity to support your child’s well-being. School Mental Health Ontario is offering a free webinar series as part of the By Your Side Learning Hub, designed to help parents and caregivers navigate important topics to support their children’s mental health.
This expert-led series will provide insights and practical strategies on:
✅ balanced device use
✅ vaping
✅ body image
✅ anxiety
The webinars will also include answers to questions that parents/caregivers can provide ahead of the webinar, giving you the chance to ask questions and gain practical guidance.
📅 Sessions run March to June
We encourage all parents and caregivers to participate in this informative series. Together, we can support the well-being of our children and communities.
Messages from Public Health:
Upcoming Dates
May 4 – Staff Meeting
May 18 – Victoria Day
May 19 – Welcome to Kinder event!
May 29 – PA Day
February 2026
- 4 - Immunization Clinic
- 9-13 - Spirit Week!
- 11 - Bake Sale
- 12 - Elementary basketball at NAEC
- 25 - Dental Screening (JK, SK, Gr 2, Gr 7)
- 25-26 - Grade 12 Graduation Photos
- 13 - Term 1 Report Cards Go Home
- 16 - Family Day Holiday
March 2026
- 2 - Grade 8 Graduation Photos
- 16-20 - March Break
- 23 - IEPs go home (Term 2)
April 2026
- 3 - Good Friday Holiday
- 6 - Easter Monday Holiday
- 16 - Parent Council Bingo Night!
- 17 - PA Day - No school for students
- 24 – Secondary Midterm Reports Go Home
- 24 – Elementary Jr BB Tournament @ NAEC (tentative)
May 2026
- 18 - Victoria Day Holiday
- 19 - Welcome to Kinder Event!
- 29 - PA Day - No School for students
June 2026
- 9 - Athletic Banquet - 5:00pm
- 16-17 - Grade 12 Final Summative Evaluations & Exams
- 18-24 - Semester 2 Final Examinations
- 23 - Grade 8 Graduation - 6:30pm
- 24 - Kindergarten Celebration - 1:30pm
- 24 - Final Elementary Reports Home
- 25 - Grade 12 Graduation - 11am
- 25 - Last day of school
School Year Calendars
Parent Council
Dear Parents & Guardians,
We invite you to join our first Parent Council meeting on the first Monday of each month, which will take place in the GREC Library or online via Zoom from 5:30-6:30pm.
The Parent Council is a group of parents, guardians, staff, and community members who work together to support and enhance our school environment. Through these meetings, we discuss important topics, share updates, and make decisions that shape our school community.
Your insights and ideas are invaluable to us. We believe that a range of perspectives strengthens our efforts, and we would love to see more voices represented. Whether you have suggestions, or questions, or simply want to listen in, your involvement makes a real difference!
Please consider joining us. We look forward to welcoming new and returning faces.
Prevalent Medical Conditions
Schools are required to have a plan of care on site for any student with a prevalent medical condition. If your student has a prevalent medical condition, please take the time to fill out the appropriate form below and return the form to the school. Forms must be updated annually so that the school is aware of changes to plans.
If your student requires daily medications, these should NOT be carried in backpacks, but rather stored in the main office. If medications are to be administered by school staff, additional forms are required. Please reach out to the school if you have any questions, or to make arrangements for administration of medications.
- Asthma Plan of Care
- Anaphylaxis Plan of Care
- Epilepsy Plan of Care
- Diabetes Plan of Care
- Generic Plan of Care
Late Arrival? Early Dismissal?
As you can appreciate, the office can be very busy at the beginning and end of each day. We ask that you notify your student's teacher (Elementary; note, email) or the main office (Secondary) about changes to regular routines ahead of time wherever possible. If there are unforeseen changes, please notify the office before 1:30pm. This will allow us to relay the information to the classroom in a timely manner.
All doors of the school building remain locked during the school day. Please continue to buzz at the front door for pick ups and drop offs during the day.
Reporting a Student Absence
Reporting Absences: There are three options to use to report a student absence:
- use the SchoolMessenger App on your phone, select "Attendance", then "Report an Absence"
- use the SchoolMessenger website portal
- Call the main office of the school
