What a great end to April we've had! The last couple of weeks have been busy with the annual BSS Road Race, a Blood Donor Clinic, Earth Day activities, as well as exciting news for our Guitar Ensemble, Coding competitors, and students Gabe Bergeron and Charly Crausen. We have a tremendous amount to be proud of Blazers!
Bayridge Guitar Ensemble
The Bayridge Guitar Ensemble has been selected for the Virtual Ontario Provincial finals in Small Ensembles class, and received a local Kiwanis Award and prize. Representatives from the ensemble attended the 'Red Carpet Ceremony' at the Isabel Centre for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, April 28th.
Blazers in the News
Bayridge's very own Gabriel Bergeron has been awarded the prestigious Schulich Leader Scholarship. This scholarship is one of Canada's most prestigious undergraduate STEM scholarships, valued at $120,000, awarded to entrepreneurial-minded high school graduates. Congratulations Gabe!
A special congratulations to Charly Crausen who is the newest addition to the Kingstonist's "next gen" journalism program! Special thanks to Mr. Cusson for reaching out to the BSS Writers' Club and helping Charly set up this co-op. Please see below for Charly's first article:BSS Pairs Coding Invitational
Earth Week
Bayridge's Ecoteam celebrated EarthWeek from April 21-25. Many events occurred throughout the week. The pledge for sustainable travel started the week, while the house challenge, teamed up with Student Council Spirit Events, was a huge success to end the week. Other events were a Nature Gallery with Arts Council, a blue and green spirit day and classes went outside for walks. Throughout the week, conversations of how small changes can have real impacts on the planet resonated with many students. Huge thanks to staff and students who made it all occur!
On Earth Day, Bayridge held its annual Schoolyard Clean up. All staff and students participated and collected over 250 lbs of waste. It was wonderful to see everyone take part and share a common goal to clean up our community. Thank you to the Grade 12 and Grade 9 Geography Classes and Ecoteam for organizing!
Geography News
On Monday, April 27th, two Grade 9 geography classes went to Little Cataraqui Conservation Area to experience Forest Therapy. Both trips were amazing adventures and all students appreciated being outdoors! We were especially thankful for the beautiful weather!
BSS Road Race
The BSS Road Race has been running since the 1980s! We thank our countless staff and student volunteers for making this a success for the 1,000+ elementary school-age students who participated. It was so busy we forgot to take photos! (-:
Blood Donor Clinic
Bayridge SS hosted a Blood Donor Clinic today. It was an incredible success with many first-time donors. Blood Services staff and volunteers commented on how lovely it was to get to know our Blazers and support them through their first-time donations. Thank you to all students and staff who donated, and Student Council Community Events who promoted and supported the event. Thank you Blazers for giving back to the community! One donation saves three lives!
Looking Ahead
May 4-8 Mental Health Week
May 4-8 Teacher Appreciation Week
May 5 National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People (Red Dress Day)
May 5 YPI Finals
May 6 Meeting for Grade 12 Graduates
May 18 Victoria Day Holiday
May 19 Bayridge Elementary Computer Competition
May 19 School Council Meeting
May 22 Blazers Giving Back Day
Reminders
Midterms and June Exam/Culminating Activity Schedules
Students received their midterm report cards today, and the June exam and culminating activity schedules by email. Please see the email from VP Tiffiny Donnan for more information. Schedules are also attached below:
BSS June 2026 Course Culminating Tasks
"Senior Assassin"
The following message was sent to our grade 12 students and contacts earlier this week. We thank our Senior Blazers in advance for their cooperation and support in ensuring everyone's safety.
As we approach the end of the school year and graduating students prepare for their next steps, there is understandably a great deal of anticipation and excitement for the future.
As part of this celebration, graduating students, as well as younger secondary students, are recognizing graduates’ achievements in a variety of ways. However, we want to inform students and families about one particular activity that has become increasingly concerning from a safety standpoint.
“Senior Assassin” is a popular game among graduating students across North America that involves students “assassinating” one another using water guns, gel projectiles, or foam darts. The last person who avoids being “assassinated” wins. While the game is intended to be harmless, many of the imitation weapons used closely resemble real firearms.
Police services are warning that these replica firearms pose significant safety risks, particularly in public spaces.
As reported in a recent CBC article, Senior Assassin game ‘creates risk’ of public mistaking water guns for real guns, WRPS warns, Waterloo Regional Police note that participants often follow others, hide in bushes or behind vehicles, or run through neighbourhoods while carrying realistic-looking devices that resemble firearms.
In the article, a Waterloo Regional Police officer explains that it can be extremely difficult for police or members of the public to distinguish imitation firearms from real firearms, particularly at a distance or in high-stress situations. As a result, any report involving a possible weapon must be treated as real until proven otherwise, creating serious risk for everyone involved.
With this in mind, we ask that graduating students refrain from participating in the “Senior Assassin” game. Student and staff safety are always our top priority, and we encourage students to recognize and celebrate achievements, including graduation, in ways that ensure everyone remains safe.
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 at Bayridge Public School
Please take extra precautions if you choose to drive to/from school. We’ve had reports of some fast driving in our roundabout, and concerns in the Bayridge Public School parking lot, so we kindly ask families to use our school’s parking lot instead and help keep everyone safe during busy pick‑up and drop‑off times. If our roundabout is busy, please avoid blocking the road and park in our parking lot to wait.
For our student pedestrians, please ensure you adhere to traffic rules and common sense, by crossing roads at lights and avoid cutting in front of vehicles.
BSS parents and students should not be accessing the Bayridge Public School parking lot.
Limestone International Education
Hosting an international student is a meaningful way to bring the world into your home while making a real difference in a young person’s life. Limestone homestay families are carefully matched with students, supported by dedicated Limestone staff, and guided throughout the placement so families are never on their own. Hosting offers cultural exchange, meaningful relationships, and a monthly stipend to help offset costs. Currently we have several students from Germany and Mexico who are looking to attend Bayridge SS and need a family to stay with. Learn more about how hosting works, the supports in place, and why many local families choose to open their homes by visiting: https://internationaled.limestone.on.ca/homestay_program
Code of Conduct
Please see attached for LDSB's Code of Conduct:
Spirit T-Shirt
Yearbooks
This is a reminder that Yearbooks are for Sale! Don't miss out; Get your yearbook for the 2025-2026 school year. Yearbooks will be on sale until the beginning of May but get your order in soon so you don't forget.
There are two ways to order. You can order your yearbook through your School-Day account, or order directly through Edge Imaging. Please see the attached flyer if you would like to order through Edge.
The cost is the same whether you order through School-Day or Edge Imaging and the yearbook will also be delivered to the school either way in early to mid June.
Please see Mrs. Stewart in the Library Learning Commons if you have any questions.
BSS Co-Op – Students “In Action”
Co-Operative Education helps students gain hands-on experience in a professional environment, developing skills directly applicable to the workplace. Co-Op lets students "try out" a career to see if it fits, helping them make informed decisions about future university, college, or apprenticeship pathways.
Any students Interested in learning about a career or occupation in a real-world co-op setting during the regular school year or summer should speak to Student Services or Mr. Cusson.
Upcoming Events
Mental Health Week
This theme highlights the importance of meaningful social connection as a protective factor for mental well‑being. Research consistently shows that fostering a sense of belonging can enhance resilience, reduce stress, and support overall health across all age groups.
Throughout the week, our school will be engaging students in activities that promote inclusion, positive relationships, and supportive school environments. These daily initiatives are designed to strengthen classroom and schoolwide connections, encourage empathy and kindness, and reinforce that every member of our community is valued.
We invite families to join us in recognizing Mental Health Week by taking moments at home to connect, whether through conversation, shared activities, or simply checking in with one another. Together, we can help create a community where all students feel safe, supported, and connected.
Here are some related resources from School Mental Health Ontario that you may find useful:
- https://smho-smso.ca/parents-and-caregivers/
- https://smho-smso.ca/online-resources/info-sheet-helping-your-child-manage-digital-technology/
- https://smho-smso.ca/online-resources/easy-and-fun-mental-health-activities-for-home/
National Day of Awareness for MMIWG2S+ Peoples
May 5th is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People, also known as Red Dress Day. On this day, we take time to wear red and come together to remember, honour, and give voice to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirited (MMIWG2S) individuals. May 5th is a day where we intentionally raise awareness about the ongoing crisis of MMIWG2S, take action, and remember those who have lost their lives to colonial, gender-based violence, as well as the families and communities who continue to grieve.
YPI Finals
The Civics classes have their YPI finals on May 5th - the winning teams from each grade 10 class will compete in a presentation about local charities to win upwards of $5000 in donation funds for that charity! It is a huge honour and a very special opportunity to have students involved in making real civic change in our communities. Many thanks to Kinsmen who have donated to this worthy endeavour.
LDSB Family Engagement and Climate Survey
The Limestone District School Board’s Family Engagement and Climate Survey is now live and we invite families to share their experiences with their student’s school and with the school board. Your feedback helps Limestone understand what is working well and where we can improve, and supports welcoming, safe, and supportive school communities. The survey is open from April 30 to May 11 and is available online. Paper copies are also available at your school’s administrative office.
Access the Family Engagement and Climate Survey online.
Participation is voluntary and anonymous. You may skip any questions you choose, and no identifying information is collected.
Thank you for sharing your voice and helping strengthen Limestone schools and school communities.
BCSP Heads Back to Science Rendezvous
For the fourth year in a row, Bayridge Computer Specialist Program students have been invited to take part in the Kingston Science Rendezvous on Saturday, May 9th at Slush Puppie Place—and we couldn’t be more excited!
As Canada’s largest science festival, this is a huge honour. This year, 17 BCSP students will be there sharing their work and running interactive activities for the community.
One of the best parts of the day? Watching elementary students crowd around our booth to try out student-created video games—often refusing to leave until they’ve beaten the high score. It’s always a highlight and a great reminder of how fun learning can be.
Bayridge 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!
Summer School Registration
Summer Session is a great option for students who wish to complete 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.
Limestone Course Offerings:
Grade 10: MPM 2D, ENG 2D, CHV 2O (1/2 credit) and GLC 2O (1/2 credit)
Grade 11: NBE 3C, NBE 3U, MCR 3U, SBI 3U
Grade 12: ENG 4C, ENG 4U, OLC 4O, SBI 4U
Summer Session Registration:
- 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
Community Connections
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
Kingston Chorale Society
Into the Dreaming
May 3, 2:30 PM The Spire, 82 Sydenham St.
Tickets: $30 (adult/senior) $20 (students) 16 & under free. $40 Premium Seating
& Discounts for Groups Available (Limited)
Lavish, soothing, & imaginative music to bring your dreams to life: Dreamweaver by Ola Gjeilo, The Dreams that Remain by Thomas La Voy, & music by Morten Lauridsen & Eric Whitacre.
Accompanied by Clare Marion & a string ensemble.
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:
- Monday April 27 (2-4 p.m.): Hybrid, City Hall/Zoom
- 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!
Mayor's Award for Youth Volunteerism
Nominations are still open for the 2026 Kingston Civic Awards! From lifelong volunteers to emerging young leaders, the Civic Awards celebrate the people who help Kingston thrive. These awards recognize individuals who give their time and energy across culture, heritage, sports, education, and many other areas that strengthen our community.
Call for nominations: Mayor’s Award for Youth Volunteerism
Know a young person (24 and under) who is making a positive impact in Kingston? Nominate them for the Civic Award for Youth Volunteerism before May 8.
Submit a nomination at CityofKingston.ca/Awards.
Completed nomination forms must be submitted by 12 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026. Civic Award recipients will be celebrated at a City Council meeting this summer.
Thank you for helping celebrate outstanding volunteers in our community!
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.
Kaleidoscope
Kaleidoscope is an exhibition dedicated to uplifting and celebrating the voices, experiences, and creativity of queer youth. The show aims to provide an inclusive and affirming platform where young artists can explore identity, community, and self-expression through visual storytelling.
Kaleidoscope is now accepting 2D and New Media submissions (meaning anything that can be hung on a wall or displayed on a TV/monitor), via this submission form: https://forms.gle/NoZfTqop3VoDT7pu7
Are you 18 or under and based in the Kingston/Katarokwi area? We’re inviting young queer artists of all backgrounds and experience levels to submit work for an upcoming exhibition.
Submissions open: April 26, 2026
Deadline to apply: May 14, 2026
No prior experience is needed - whether you’re just starting out or already creating regularly, we’d love to see your work.
Exhibition dates: May 24 – June 27, 2026
Opening reception: May 17, 2026
Submit your work, share your perspective, and be part of a supportive and inclusive show. Special interest will be given to family made artwork, and for artists in the 11-18 age range.
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.