Hello Ernestown Intermediate & Secondary School families,
What a great start to semester two! We enjoyed seeing so many of our secondary families at last night's parent teacher conferences. As well, we look forward to seeing our drama students showcase their one-act performance at tonight's Dramafest with their production of "The Hatchett" at the Gan Playhouse.
See below for some wonderful highlights from the past few weeks at Ernestown, and excellent opportunities ahead for students.
Congratulations Ms. Lawlor-Volleyball Coaching Award!
Congratulations to Ms. Lawlor on receiving the Pat Farrell Volleyball Coaching Recognition Award at last night's All-Star Volleyball game at Kingston Secondary School. In her role as a teacher, Department Head, and Athletic Director, Ms. Lawlor has dedicated countless hours volunteering her time and experience to volleyball and a wide array of other sports at Ernestown. Her support of Ernestown Athletics is unrivaled and is greatly appreciated by current and former staff and students! Erin is recognized as a KASSAA high school volleyball coach who exemplifies unwavering dedication to the sport of volleyball, a commitment to being a positive role model for athletes and coaches, and strong advocacy for student wellness. Congratulations and thank you, Ms. Lawlor!
Ernestown Attended in the Canadian Improv Competition
Way to go Ernestown's Improv Club, who attended the Canadian Improv Games Competition in February in Kingston. A great day was had by all!
Opportunity from Extend-a-Family
Hello friends & families,
Get ready to kick off your weekends in the most delicious way possible!
We’re thrilled to introduce our brand-new Friday Night Program, running every other week from 5–8 PM. It’s the perfect blend of fun, food, and relaxation—whether you’re looking to learn something new or just unwind after a long week.
Here’s what’s on the menu:
✨ Hands-on cooking experience – learn new skills and create something amazing
🍝 Enjoy a freshly made dinner – sit down and savor what you’ve cooked
🎬 Movie time – kick back and relax with a great film to end the night
Bring your appetite, your curiosity, and your love for a good time—this is one Friday night plan you won’t want to miss.
Spots are limited, so be sure to join us this Friday and be part of something special! See our flyer below for dates.
Is cooking not your thing? Well, you are in luck, we are still running Super Saturdays in April and May. See our flyer below for dates. 😊
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.
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.
Intermediates Let the Good Times Bowl
Strikes, spares, and plenty of smiles! Our intermediates had a great day bowling at Limestone Lanes. Thank you to Ms. Parsons for planning this exciting event for all of our intermediates to enjoy!
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.
Free Webinar for Families- Supporting Youth Mental Health
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. We encourage all parents and caregivers to participate in this informative series. Together, we can support the well-being of our children and communities.
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-June.Register for free today
Intermediate Pizza Fun Continues!
Mme. Lamarre brought a few classes down this week to show off their cooking skills while practicing en Francais! Bon travail!
Campfire Fridays- Only in Guitar Class!
Mr. Seguire and the guitar class enjoy a cozy Friday singing songs in front of the (safe for school) campfire! So fun! Guitar is open to new students, students are encouraged to sign up next year to strum away.
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.
Travel for Credit Information Session
Date: Thursday, February 27, 2026
Time: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Online Teams Meeting Families must register online in advance for the Information Session: Register today!
Ask Questions: If you have questions, contact Kate Myers by e-mail.
Message from Southeast Public Health- Healthy Relationships with Food
Basketball Clinic for Intermediate Students
All of our Intermediate students benefited from hearing from Connor Vreeken who came to speak to our classes about his journey from high school student in Kingston to professional basketball player. Connor shared his story about committing to personal growth, daily work habits to get there, and being a part of something bigger. Our students also got to enjoy a skills clinic from Connor afterwards. If you would like more information or to register please follow the links below or contact Connor via email at info@yxubasketball.com. The first 4 registrants who use code: “Ernestown25” will receive $25 off upcoming programs! See pics below.
Spring Skill Foundations Program (March 23rd-April 30th)
Summer Playing Foundations Program (May 4th-June 11th)
Field Trip Learning at Queen's
Ms. DeMelo & Ms. Tilley the Grade 11 Parenting class and the Grade 12 Human Development classes on a field trip to the School of Medicine at Queen’s University. While here, nursing students and program instructors led our students through interactive simulations in the lab. Students performed antenatal assessments, newborn assessments, and even supported a simulated birth. A huge thank you to our partners at Queen’s Nursing - Marnie Chapman, Alicia Papanicolaou, and their students Sarah, Geordyn, Paige, and Jeslyn - for providing this learning experience. See pics below.
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.
At a Glance- Events Coming up at Ernestown Intermediate & Secondary School
- Wednesday, March 4: St. Lawrence College Visit for students interested in SLC & Intermediate Kitchen Experience Day
- Monday, March 9: Intermediate Bowling Trip
- Wednesday, March 11: KEYS Employment Centre visits Ernestown
- Friday, March 13: Progress Reports go home for Grades 9 and 10 students and students whose credits are in risk for grades 11 and 12
- March 16-20: March Break
- Wednesday, March 25: Parent Teacher Conferences for Secondary Students, from 6:30-8pm in the Cafeteria. Bookings open NOW in School Day
- Wednesday, April 1: KWANIS Music Festival for Band
Kind regards,
Ernestown Administration