May has been an incredibly busy and exciting month at Bayridge, with many events already completed and more still to come. We are grateful to our students for embracing both academic challenges and extracurricular opportunities, and to our dedicated staff and volunteers who support them every day.
Youth Philanthropy Initiative
The BSS Youth Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) Finals took place with all Grade 10 students and some Grade 9 students participating. A big thank you to our Civics teachers and classes for embracing this meaningful opportunity.
The following charities were presented:
- Dawn House
- Family Services of Frontenac, Lennox and Addington
- Interval House
- Maltby Centre
- Sexual Assault Centre Kingston
We are pleased to announce that Interval House received the $1,500 YPI donation. The winning group is excited to present to the Kinsmen Club of Kingston in hopes of increasing their total donation.
Since 2008, BSS has proudly donated over $85,000 to local grassroots social service charities in Kingston.
Playwright visit
Playwright Marcia Johnson visited our Grade 10 Applied English class through the magic of Zoom. Students have been studying her play 'Serving Elizabeth', which has been staged across Canada and explores an important question: Who gets to tell the story? More about the play: In Kenya in 1952, Mercy, a restaurant proprietor, is hired to cater the impending visit of Princess Elizabeth, soon to be Queen. In 2015, another story unfolds in London, England, where a young Kenyan-born Canadian, Tia, is working as an intern on a TV drama series about the British royal family – while also pursuing a writing project of her own. Is there a deeper connection between these two seemingly disparate worlds? An ingenious contemporary drama that keeps us guessing as it explores issues of colonialism, nationalism and the question of who gets to have a voice. Students benefited greatly from the opportunity to engage directly with the playwright.
Junior Mathletes News
A huge congratulations to our Junior Mathletes for their successful tournament! Olivia Ellerton earned herself an individual Bronze Medal , and Tadhg Stewart, Shenbo Wu, Tiger Yu, and Dylan Yu won 1st Place! (🎉🎉) A huge shoutout to Hamish, Evan, James, and Sam for all their help.
Teacher Appreciation Week
Teacher Appreciate week during May 1-5 gave us the opportunity to formally appreciate our educators. We are incredibly fortunate at Bayridge to have caring educators who go above and beyond every day to support student success. Thank you to our staff for their ongoing dedication and commitment.
BCSP at Science Rendezvous 2025
Students from Bayridge’s BCSP (Bayridge Computer Studies Program) proudly represented our school on Saturday, May 9th, at Kingston Science Rendezvous 2026, part of Canada’s largest science festival.
Being invited to participate in this event for the fifth consecutive year is a significant honour for Bayridge and a reflection of the creativity, skill, and dedication of our students and staff.
This year, BCSP students showcased a collection of video games they designed and programmed in class, giving visitors the chance to play and experience their work firsthand. The exhibit was especially popular with younger attendees, who enthusiastically lined up to try the games. Our students did an outstanding job welcoming visitors, explaining how their games worked, and encouraging young players as they explored the interactive displays.
The event provided an incredible opportunity for students to share their technical skills while also demonstrating communication, leadership, patience, and teamwork. Seeing our students confidently engage with the public and inspire younger children through technology was a proud moment for everyone involved.
A particularly meaningful highlight was seeing former Bayridge computer science students presenting their own work at Queen’s University exhibits—an inspiring reminder of the opportunities that can grow from experiences like these.
Thank you to the students who generously gave up part of their Saturday to represent Bayridge so positively in the community. Their enthusiasm, professionalism, and creativity made them exceptional ambassadors for our school.
Coding Competition Success for BCSP Students
This past Wednesday, Bayridge Secondary School’s computer science students delivered an outstanding performance at the 'Teams of 4 Coding Competition' hosted at St. Lawrence College.
Bayridge was proudly represented by five teams, competing against 16 teams from across the region in this challenging programming competition, where students worked collaboratively to solve a series of coding problems under time pressure.
Our students achieved exceptional results, placing 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 10th overall—an incredible showing that highlights the depth of talent within Bayridge’s computer science program.
A special congratulations goes to Sam, Milo, Gabe, and Hamish, whose teamwork, problem-solving, and programming skills earned them an impressive silver medal with a 2nd-place finish.
Competitions like this provide students with valuable opportunities to apply their coding knowledge in a fast-paced, collaborative environment while developing critical thinking, perseverance, and teamwork skills. We are incredibly proud of all of our students for representing Bayridge with such excellence, determination, and professionalism.
Congratulations to all of our competitors on an amazing day!
Ecoteam
Ecoteam is busy planting orange marigolds to showcase Bayridge Spirit. The outdoor classroom is nearing completion, with patio stones being installed to improve accessibility for everyone in the school to enjoy this wonderful space.
After working on the Canada Ecoschools application since October 2025, BSS submitted the application last week. We are hopeful to once again achieve Platinum Status. Huge thanks to Ecoteam students for their dedication to this process.
Looking Ahead
May 18 Victoria Day Holiday
May 19 Spirit Day 'Twin Day'
May 19 School Council Meeting, 6:00 pm
May 20 Spirit Day 'Wear your house colour'
May 20 Grade 8 BCSP Open House - a.m.
May 21 Spirit Day 'Beach Day'
May 22 Blorange Day - Blazers Giving Back Day
May 26 QSLMA Math Challenge
May 28 Bayridge Elementary Computer Challenge
May 29 PD Day
June 2 Evening of the Arts
June 8 Drama Showcase
June 9 Drama Showcase
June 10 Athletic Banquet
June 16-17 Grade 12 Final Summatives begin
June 18-24 Final Exams
June 25 BLC Graduation, 12 pm
June 25 BSS Graduation, 4 pm
June 26 PD Day
Reminders
Midterms and June Exam/Culminating Activity Schedules
Schedules have been sent out previously, and are attached below:
BSS June 2026 Course Culminating Tasks
Kingston Police Remind Youth to Stay Safe Online and Protect Personal Images
Kingston Police are reminding youth and families about the importance of making safe and responsible choices online, particularly when it comes to sharing personal or private images.
Sending intimate or personal photos over Snapchat, text message, social media, or other online platforms may feel private in the moment, but once an image is shared electronically, control over where it goes or who sees it can quickly be lost. Images can be saved, copied, screenshot, or shared without consent, which can have serious emotional, social, and legal impacts.
Police are also reminding young people that receiving a private image does not mean it can be shared with others. Forwarding, posting, or distributing someone else’s personal images without their permission can cause significant harm and can result in criminal consequences.
Kingston Police encourage youth to:
• Think before sending photos or messages online
• Never share someone else’s private images
• Talk to a trusted adult if they feel pressured to send images
• Report concerning behaviour to a parent, teacher, or police
• Use privacy settings and practice safe online habits
Parents and guardians are encouraged to have open, ongoing conversations with children about digital safety, consent, and respectful online behaviour.
Anyone who feels threatened, pressured, or victimized online is encouraged to seek help and report the incident. If a personal image has been shared online, individuals should report the content directly through the social media platform or website as soon as possible, request its removal, and seek support from a trusted adult, school official, or police if needed.
Resources and supports are available for youth, parents, and guardians who may have concerns related to online safety, image sharing, or digital harassment.
https://www.protectchildren.ca/en/
https://cybertip.ca/en/
Volunteer Hours for Graduating Students
We still have potential graduates who have not submitted their mandatory 40 community service hours. You cannot graduate without these. Grade 12s - don't leave this too late!
Parking Lot Concerns
Please take extra care if choosing to drive to and from school. Reports of speeding and congestion have been noted.
Families are asked to:
- Use the BSS parking lot (not Bayridge Public School’s lot)
- Avoid blocking the roundabout (please park in our parking lot if needing to wait)
Students are reminded to follow traffic rules and cross safely at designated areas.
Limestone International Education
Host an International Student with Limestone!
We currently have three international students that are wanting to attend Bayridge SS and don’t have a home yet!
● Grade 11 female student from Mexico,
● Grade 10 male student from Spain
● Grade 10 female student from Germany (semester I only).
For more information please call (613) 544-7745 (ext. 290)
https://internationaled.limestone.on.ca/become_a_homestay
Upcoming Events
IDAHOBIT 2026
On May 17, the world will mark International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) - a global moment to stand in solidarity with 2SLGBTQI communities and spotlight the urgent need to confront hate and discrimination.
This year, the call to action is more pressing than ever. Around the world, including Canada, we are seeing a continued rise in anti-2SLGBTQI hate, driven by mis-, dis-, and malinformation, coordinated efforts to roll back rights, and trans and queer communities becoming greater targets to harmful policies and rhetoric.
Amid this rising anti-2SLGBTQI hate, EGALE is calling on everyone to take action:
• Prioritize Safety and Intersectionality
• Understand Anti-2SLGBTQI Hate
• Take Action Against Anti-2SLGBTQI Hate
School Council
Our School Council will meet this coming Tuesday, May 19th from 6-7 pm. All parents and guardians are welcome to join us in the Library Learning Commons.
Graphic Design Guest Speaker
On Wednesday, May 20th at 9 am, Andrea Ruskin (Bayridge Parent and teacher of Graphic Design) and a student in the SLC Program, will be coming to Ms. Lees art class to give a brief presentation about the program. Arts & Culture SHSM and other interested art students are welcome to attend.
Choice Drawing Gallery & Evening of the Arts
Bayridge Elementary Computer Challenge Night
Mark your calendars! The BCSP will be hosting its annual Elementary Computer Challenge on Thursday, May 28th—and it’s always a fantastic night.
Grade 7 and 8 students from across Kingston will team up in groups of three to take on a variety of fun and challenging problem-solving tasks. It’s a great mix of teamwork, creativity, and just the right amount of competition.
Behind the scenes, many of our BCSP students help bring the event to life—volunteering as judges, proctors, and mentors throughout the evening. Their energy and leadership are a big part of what makes this event so special.
We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone for another fun-filled and memorable night at Bayridge!
BSS Charity Golf Tournament
We are looking for more teams to sign up for our Charity Golf Tournament. Please see information below, and join us for a fun event for a very worthy cause!
Community Connections
KFPL Roots and Shoots Community Fair
Event Highlights:
In the Garden: Join Kingston Community Health Centres for a free gardening workshop from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., offering practical tips for planting and maintaining a thriving garden.
- At the Library & Courtyard: Enjoy a free community lunch, live music, garden giveaways and a variety of activities including gardening-themed crafts and face painting.
Pride Celebrations
Limestone District School Board is proud to participate in Pride celebrations again this year, and we invite students, staff, and families to join us at upcoming Pride parades in Limestone communities. Everyone is welcome.
On-Line to Success-Ontario Program
Registration is now open for the 2026 summer cohort, beginning in July 2026. OLTS-Ontario is a transition program designed for Grade 12 students (graduating in 2026 or entering Grade 12 in Fall 2026) who have learning disabilities, ADHD, ASD, anxiety, depression, or other mental health disorders, and who are planning to attend college or university.
This online program helps students prepare for the transition to postsecondary education while developing a better understanding of themselves and their learning profile. For additional information, please see the attached registration package and program poster.
The registration deadline is June 19, 2026.
The registration form is below, which can also be accessed on our website: RARC OLTS-Ontario Program Page.
OLTS Ontario Summer Registration Package 2026
Summer School Registration
Please see the updated poster for LDSB course offerings, as there have been courses added to the original offerings.
CHV/GLC 2O in French
SNC 2D
SCH 3U and SCH 4U
SPH 3U
MDM 4U
MHF 4U
A reminder that Summer Session is an opportunity for students to earn an additional credit (new) or who may need to repeat a course during the summer. Summer Session courses are asynchronous e-learning courses offered through Minds Online and count as one of the online credits for that graduation requirement.
Courses are offered for students currently in Grades 9 to 12. Grade 8 students may reach ahead and register for the Gr 10 Civics (CHV 2O) and Careers (GLC 2O) half credit courses ONLY! Grade 8 students signing up for Civics and Careers must register for both courses with Summer Session.
Session Dates: Summer Session runs from Monday, June 29 to Friday, July 24 with no classes on Wednesday, July 1. Students are expected to be working on their course daily and can expect that completing the course will require approximately 5 hours of work each day.
- LDSB students can register for LDSB Summer Session courses using this Summer Session Registration Form. Students must complete the form using the Limestone Account and will need their OEN (available on report cards) to register.
- Students can register for at most 1 course in Summer Session (or both half credit Civics and Careers). Students registering for Civics and Careers need to choose carefully whether they are registering for both Civics (CHV 2O) and Careers (GLC 2O) or just one in the form.
- Students should ensure that they have the prerequisite for any course they are signing up for in Summer Session.
- Registration closes on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 12:00 p.m.
- All courses are conditional on teacher availability and sufficient enrollment. Students will be notified prior to June 29th if their course is not running.
Summer Session Co-Op:
- Co-Op starts on June 29th and can continue until August 7th.
- Students taking co-op should speak with their school co-op teacher before registering.
- Students must have their own placement prior to the start of Summer Session.
- Students interested in taking co-op in Summer Session, register by completing this Summer Co-Op Registration Form. Students must complete the form using their Limestone Account.
- Registration for Summer Session co-op closes on Friday, June 19, 2026
Interested in a course not offered by Limestone's Summer Session?
Please contact your school Guidance Counsellor as courses are available from other School Boards through the Ontario e-Learning Consortium (OeLC). Guidance Counsellor's will register students for OeLC courses through Prism. Students registering through Prism will be put on a waitlist and accepted when spots are made available.
It is important to note that students taking courses through the OeLC may not be able to access their courses if travelling outside of Canada during Summer Session depending on the parameters of access for each School Board.
Questions?
Contact your Guidance Counsellor or e-mail Kate Myers, Principal of Alternative and Continuing Education
The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) School Food Program
The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) School Food Program assists Métis parents and guardians, with providing for their children enrolled in K-12 Education in Ontario. Independent youth over 16 meeting eligibility requirements will also be considered. Successful candidates will receive support estimated at $400 per child. Note that this amount is subject to change based on program subscription.
Information is also available through:
EQAO Webinars for Parents and Guardians
EQAO Math Session for Parents and Guardians of Grade 9 Students
(May 20, 2026, 12:00 PM)
This session will focus on how EQAO assesses Grade 9 students’ math learning through a look at questions from the Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics. Participants will learn how assessment questions help assess the skills students are learning in their mathematics class. Staff will also highlight valuable insights and resources that can help parents and guardians support their child’s learning.
EQAO Literacy Session for Families: Focus on Reading
(June 3, 2026, 6:00 PM)
This session will explain how EQAO assesses students’ reading skills at key stages of their education. EQAO staff will discuss reading samples and questions from the literacy components of the primary- and junior-division assessments and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test. Participants will learn how these reading passages and questions help assess the skills students are learning in class. Staff will also highlight valuable insights and resources that can help parents and guardians support their child’s learning.
Screen Time & Academic Achievement on EQAO Assessments
(June 9, 2026, 6:00 PM)
EQAO is pleased to welcome the TARGet Kids! Research Team (www.targetkids.ca) as they present their work examining the relationship between children’s screen time and other health behaviours and academic achievement over time on EQAO's large-scale assessments of reading, writing and mathematics. Team members from EQAO and TARGet Kids! will answer participants’ questions about this important research. Live English to French translation will be available to participants.
EQAO Literacy Session for Families: Focus on Writing
(June 11, 2026, 12:00 PM)
This session will explain how EQAO assesses students’ writing skills at key stages of their education. EQAO staff will discuss writing prompts and questions from the reading components of the primary- and junior-division assessments and from the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test. Participants will hear how these prompts and questions help assess the skills students are learning in class. Staff will also highlight valuable insights and resources that can help parents and guardians support their child’s learning.
Youth Literary and Art Derby
The Bill Galvin Racing Alliance invites young creatives to celebrate their love of horses through art and writing! The Youth Literary Derby and Youth Art Derby encourage students to draw inspiration from Standardbred and harness horses while exploring their passion for the arts.
Open to Grades 3–12, both contests have a submission deadline of August 31, 2026.
- Youth Literary Derby (Grades 3–8): Submit a poem or short story about Standardbred horses. Junior (Grades 3–5) and Intermediate (Grades 6–8) divisions.
- Youth Art Derby (Grades 3–12): Submit an original drawing, sketch, or painting with a harness horse theme. Junior, Intermediate, and Senior divisions.
Mental Health 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)
- Maltby Centre
- One Stop Talk
- Kids Help Phone (Call 1-800-668-6868 or Text “Connect” to 686868)
- 2-1-1 Ontario
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.
School Mental Health Ontario Free Webinar
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. By Your Side webinar series spring 2026 Flyer
SouthEast Public Health
Camp Outlook
City of Kingston 2026 Municipal Election
2026 03 Clerks Kingston Votes Can Poster Web
We are connecting with local organizations to help ensure that more residents are aware of the opportunity to get involved in local government. Nominations open May 1 and the election will take place on October 26, 2026.
We’re hosting two information sessions for potential candidates. These sessions are designed for community members who are interested in running for municipal office and want to learn more about the role of City Council and School Trustees and what to expect during the election process.
Info Session Details:
- Tuesday May 26 (6-7:30 p.m.): Calvin Park Library Branch
Learn more and register for an info session by visiting the Candidate Info webpage!
Black History Month Special Exhibit, City of Kingston
January 20th - May 22, 2026
Market Wing Cultural Space at City Hall, 216 Ontario St.
Tuesday- Friday: Noon to 4 p.m.
Admission is free!
Please note: The exhibition contains images and text describing violence endured by enslaved peoples and includes documents with racist and colonialist language. This content may challenge and disturb visitors.
Adults with young children may wish to preview the exhibition beforehand.
Neurodiverse Family Connection for LDSB Families
Families in TRANSition
Community partners at Trellis and FACSFLA have been working on developing a group for parents and caregivers of Trans and gender exploring youth. This 10 week program launches in March and will run on Monday evenings.
LGBT YouthLine
YouthLine's Resource Library is an amazing tool for both students and educators. It's a great place to learn about 2SLGBTQ+ identities, coming out, self-care, Trans resources, wellness, and more. You can find links to a wide variety of articles, podcasts, and other amazing resources. Our resource library also has a referral database to help connect 2SLGBTQ+ youth with local services. This referral database is for in-person and location-based services, organizations, and collectives across Ontario.
Peer Support HelpLine
Our HelpLine is available for 2SLGBTQ+ youth under 30. It's staffed by peer support volunteers. These volunteers are all 2SLGBTQ+ youth aged 16-29, living across Ontario. They're trained in active listening, anti-racism, harm reduction, and topics related to gender and sexuality. Some common things people call, text, or chat to talk about include:
- Questioning gender identity and/or sexual orientation
- Coming out
- Mental health
- Relationships with friends, partners, and family
- Feeling socially isolated
- Seeking referrals to resources and supports online and in your community
- ...or just to chat!
You can access it by text at (647) 694 4275, or chat online at youthline.ca. The HelpLine is open from Sunday to Friday, 4:00PM to 9:30PM EST.
Queer Prom
Maltby Resources
Mental Health Services Spring 2026
Foundational Family Services Spring 2026
Community Autism Services Navigation Initiative
We are thrilled to share exciting news regarding the success in securing funding from the William James Henderson Foundation for The Community Autism Services Navigation Initiative. This grant will enable us to strengthen parental knowledge of autism services across Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington, while also addressing gaps and barriers that families face when trying to access support.
Our goals include:
- Increasing parental understanding of available autism services
- Mapping existing services and identifying gaps
- Gathering feedback from families to inform future planning
- Codeveloping new services and supports where needed
As a first step, we are sending a presurvey to families and caregivers to understand their current awareness of autism services in KFL&A and to identify barriers and gaps in service access.
The survey can be accessed here:
https://us.mar.medallia.com/?e=110003628&d=l&h=E68734CFB577D03
A Survey Information Package (posters and QR code cards) is attached to this email for your reference and use.
Your partnership will help us gather meaningful feedback, deepen our understanding of local needs, and guide future planning and service development across KFL&A.
Thank you in advance for your collaboration and your commitment to supporting families in our community. If you have any questions or would like suggested wording for email, social media, or website posts, we would be happy to provide it. Contact reception@maltbycentre.ca
Promotional Posters Eng and Fr
Habitat Kingston
At Habitat Kingston, students have the chance to gain meaningful, hands-on work experience while contributing to a cause that directly impacts local families. Our work focuses on building safe, decent, and affordable housing in our community—helping families build strength, stability, and independence through homeownership.
We currently have two student-friendly summer roles within our Kingston ReStore and three at our Napanee ReStore, where students can:
- Develop customer service and retail skills
- Gain experience in teamwork and workplace responsibility
- Learn about sustainability and social enterprise
- Contribute to a mission-driven, community-focused organization
Working with Habitat provides more than just a job—it’s an opportunity to build skills, give back, and be part of something meaningful. Many students find the experience valuable for future employment, post-secondary applications, and community involvement.
Students can explore current opportunities and apply directly through our careers page:
https://www.habitatkingston.com/about-us/careers
We also offer volunteer and co-op opportunities throughout the year. Co-op teachers can reach out to me directly to arrange co-ops.
Students aged 15 and older are also welcome to complete their community volunteer hours with us. To sign up for volunteer shifts, they can visit https://www.habitatkingston.com/volunteer
Turtles Kingston
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.
SLAP!
SLAP! Student Laptop Access Program is raising funds to offer free premium laptops to all students who need them. If you’d like to be added to the waitlist to receive a free laptop, please complete the application form at www.slap-kingston.ca right away.
Charitable Gaming
Bayridge SS is proud to be part of Charitable Gaming. Funds raised at Play! Gaming & Entertainment Centre help support our programs and make a difference in our community.
