Hello Ernestown Intermediate & Secondary School families,
As we head into the coming days, we’d like to remind families that there is no school due to the upcoming PA Day. Secondary midterm marks will be sent home on Friday, May 8th, providing an important check-in on student progress. We are also incredibly proud of our student actors for their recent success with The Hatchetts — their hard work truly shone on stage. Please see below for some great updates and exciting things happening at Ernestown.
LDSB's Summer School Registration is Open
Registration for LDSB‑offered courses is now open. Students can register by completing the form linked on the LDSB website. If a student is interested in taking a course that is not offered by LDSB, they must visit Student Services to see Ms. Stinson or Ms. Hamilton to be registered through PRISM.
There is also a separate form for students interested in Summer Co‑op. Please note that students must already have a job secured in order to register for Summer Co‑op. The poster below includes QR codes that students can scan to access both registration forms.
Ernestown at Dramafest
Dramafest was a fantastic experience for our students, filled with workshops, teamwork, and lots of fun along the way. Our students showed their stuff in a production of "The Hatchetts." Congratulations to Gabe Kalyn on receiving a District Award of Excellence for acting! See photos below.
Opportunity from the University of Toronto
Summer Mentorship Program (SMP): Designed for students who identify as Black or Indigenous, SMP provides hands-on learning in health sciences, mentorship from professionals, and skill-building workshops.
Eligibility:
- Grade 10 or 11 student
- 16 years old by June 30
- Completed Grade 10 Science (Academic) or any Grade 11 science course. Contact smp.outreach@utoronto.caif you have any questions about the program.
STEAM-D Program: STEAM-D introduces students to science, technology, engineering, arts, and math in health-related contexts, emphasizing diversity and innovation.
Eligibility:
- Priority for students who are Black, Indigenous, Latin American, Filipino or facing socio-economic barriers
- Grade 10 or 11 student
- 16 years old by June 30
- Completed Grade 10 Science (Academic) or any Grade 11 science course. Contact steamdesign.oao@utoronto.ca if you have any questions about the program.
Students Receive:
- $1600.00 upon completion
- Grade 12 high school SNC4M Credit
- TTC Presto Pass for the month in the program
For Indigenous students residing outside the Greater Toronto Area, we provide on-campus housing and transportation within the city. Collaboration with the Office of Indigenous Health and First Nations House ensures these students remain connected to their community during their stay. While tuition and residence costs are covered by the Office of Access and Outreach, students are responsible for transportation to and from Toronto, meals, and personal expenses.
Food Sharing Fundraiser- May 2nd
Please see the attachments below for a great fundraiser from The Food Sharing Project which partners with local schools across Limestone to ensure students have access to healthy meals and snacks every day. They source and purchase nutritious food, coordinate volunteers to pack orders, and deliver food directly to schools at no cost, supporting nutrition programs that are accessible to all students. See link for more info.
Girls System Mentorship- Opportunity
We had Amanda come speak about Girls SySTEM Mentorship at our recent Grade forums. Girls System Mentorship is a non-profit organization based in Canada that strives to bridge the gap between men and women in STEM. We believe that early intervention at a young age is critical for young women interested in STEM. The program provides a space for encouragement and aims to increase diversity in the STEM workforce by pairing self-identifying young women in grades 7-12 (ages 12-18) with professional mentors from a diverse range of STEM fields. In doing so, mentees can gain first-hand knowledge of STEM early on, which we believe is vital in building the confidence to succeed in the future.
Some of the benefits of becoming a mentee include:
· Free one-on-one mentoring with a professional in STEM
· Access to monthly workshops and events to further your STEM interests
· A platform to connect with other like-minded individuals
Applications to become a mentee for the Winter 2026 program year are now open. Apply to become a mentee here. Although the program targets self-identifying young women, it is open to students of any gender. Students are expected to be able to commit 1-2 hours a month. Our program is hybrid, therefore we provide virtual and in-person opportunities to accommodate everyone. Mentees will be paired with the mentor that we see most fitting based on shared interests and goals, hobbies, and overall compatibility. More information can be found on our website.
Sarahi Gomez- Loyalist Township Junior Citizen of the Year
Congratulations to Sarahi Gomez, who was recently awarded the The Junior Citizen of the Year Award is presented to an individual, under the age of 18, who has demonstrated significant volunteer efforts within Loyalist Township through arts, heritage, sports, or citizenship. The Recognition and Awards Ceremony will be held on July 1, 2026, at the Bath Canada Day celebration. The ceremony will take place on the Main Stage, located in the event area (217 Church Street, Bath) during the Opening Ceremony, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Way to go, Sarahi!
Limestone International Education
Limestone is proud of our long tradition of hosting students from other countries. The demand for Loyalist Township and Canada, as a learning destination is rapidly growing. Students from over 15 different countries are here now staying with great homestay families throughout Limestone District School Board. Our International Education team is looking for more families to become homestay hosts to great international students.
We currently have 19 students on our waiting list that have applied to Limestone for 2026-2027 and need a home. They range from one semester to one year stays and are from Germany, Spain, Japan, Brazil, Slovakia, Czechia, Italy and Denmark. Host families will be paid a tax-free monthly stipend to host students. All students in the program attend local intermediate or secondary schools and range in age from 12 to 17 years old. Our International Education team works hard to make a great match for your family, that can last a lifetime.
Families can learn more by visiting Limestone’s International Education website or phoning the International Education offices at 613-544-7745 ext. 288.
Dungeons & Dragon Club
Whether you’re a seasoned hero or brand new to the game, the Dungeons & Dragons Club is always recruiting! Join the party every Monday after school in the library—no experience required. See Mr. Seguire in the music room for more info.
For Information: Summer 2026 Travel for Credit: Grade 10 Civics and Careers in the Canadian Maritimes
Limestone District School Board is excited to share that we have partnered with EF Tours Travel for Credit program again this summer. Students currently in Grade 8 or Grade 9 can earn their Civics and Careers credits this summer by participating in three weeks of virtual (asynchronous) learning plus one week of travel with EF Tours with stops in Halifax, Moncton, and Charlottetown.
Summer School Dates: Monday, June 29 to Friday, July 24, 2026
Travel Dates: Wednesday, July 8 to Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Visit the Canadian Maritimes Trip website for additional information, or join us for an upcoming virtual information session to learn more about this exciting opportunity. The session will cover everything you need to know about summer school dates, structure, travel dates, destinations, itineraries, pricing, and more.
Ask Questions: If you have questions, contact Kate Myers by e-mail.
HYPE Tutoring
HYPE Tutoring is a Queen’s student-run club offering free tutoring services to families who are interested. We are reopening our Tutor Request Form (linked below) for the second high school semester. See Tutor Request Form.
Responding to Tragic Events- List of Supports
In response to tragic events, locally or globally, students may experience a wide range of emotions, including sadness, confusion, worry, or questions about what they may be hearing from others. Students may react in different ways depending on their age, experiences, and how connected they feel to the situation. With time, reassurance, and support from caring adults, these reactions often ease. We encourage families to keep lines of communication open at home, to invite questions, and to offer reassurance as needed. If you have concerns about your student or would like support, please refer to the following resources:
· Supporting Your Child’s Well-being
· Caring for yourself while caring for others: A parent’s guide to self-care
· By Your Side (parent/caregiver resources to support mental health learning)
· Kids Help Phone (Call 1-800-668-6868 or Text “Connect” to 686868)
If you are worried about your student’s immediate safety, or the safety of others, please seek urgent assistance by calling 9-1-1, your local mobile crisis service (613-354-7388), or by going to the nearest emergency department.
At a Glance- Events Coming up at Ernestown Intermediate & Secondary School
- April 15-16: Ontario Literacy Test (Spring Writes)
- April 17: PA Day (No Classes)
- April 21: Mac & Cheese Cookoff (all secondary students)
- April 23: Grade Forums for all students
- April 24: Mental Health Symposium at Ernestown (Intermediate students)
- May 8: Grade 8 Day at Ernestown
- May 15: May Mania for all students
- May 20-21: Stratford Field Trip (secondary students)
- May 21: Immunization Clinic (Intermediate students)
- May 26: Zoo Field Trip (secondary students)
- May 22: MADD Presentation (secondary students)
- June 3: Evening of the Arts
- June 5: Gould Lake Field Trip (Intermediate classes)
- June 22: Grade 8 Graduation & Boat Cruise
- June 25: Grade 12 Graduation
Kind regards,
Ernestown Administration