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Four students learning with one teacher at a table with safety equipment on and tools on the table

One hair styling student working on cutting a wig of hair in a classroom

One student sitting at a desk coding on their computer

Four computer development students learning from a teacher at a table with computers and robotics

Three hairstyling students working on short haircut

Two automotive students smiling in an automotive shop

Loughborough PS Students Learn Woodworking through Cookbook Stand Project

<img src="/images/2502728a-1e9e-448f-8380-d614e3d2fd79?fingerprint=ppb20260715150011" alt="Three students in a classroom working on cookbook stand project. Additional students in the background." width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block">Earlier this spring, Grade 5 students in teacher Sheri Campbell’s class at Loughborough Public School participated in a hands-on woodworking project, creating their own cookbook stands. Here is what some of the students had to say about the experience:Emily  “Building a wooden cookbook stand with my classmates taught me the importance of teamwork and perseverance. At first, I found measuring the wood pieces hard and I made a few mistakes, but my classmates helped me, and together we kept practicing until I became more confident and our project turned out well.  I began to understand how different construction tools are used and why they are important. At first, measuring was confusing for me, but working on a hands-on project helped me improve in ways I never expected. I learned how important accuracy is when building something.    Safety equipment was very important during the project. We wore goggles to protect our eyes from wood shavings while sawing, and gloves helped prevent splinters, cuts, scrapes, and bruises.  This project also helped me focus more during class time. Working standing up on this hands-on project helped me fidget less during class. I felt happier and less stressed. I felt proud of my work.” <img src="/images/2a3ba652-1ce2-438b-acee-d268295ba264?fingerprint=ppb20260715150027" alt="Three students in a classroom working on cookbook stand project. Additional students in the background." width="360" height="480" style="width:360px;height:480px;display:inline-block;float:left">Ryerson  “At first, I found sawing difficult, but later I became the designated person to saw. My group’s first wooden cookbook stand had some wrong angles, but we persevered and found a way to fix them by slowing down and double-checking our measurements until they were correct. This project helped me with my patience, perseverance, and focus. It also helped me become more responsible, because if I was goofing around, someone could get hurt. This project helped me better understand how to use materials, tools, terminology, and safety procedures. For terminology, it helped me learn the meaning of measurements, pilot holes, alignments, sanding, and finishing.  It was so much fun learning new skills and persevering through our problems.” Isabel  “I learned how to measure and cut angles. This was challenging at times, but I got better at it. I learned how to use a hammer and nails. It was harder to make sure the nails didn't bend while hammering the wood, but we got through it. This project helped me learn how to use a drill and how to be safe with this tool. I learned how to follow instructions better than before.    Working with wood helped my mental health because I gained more confidence in myself. I was learning new things like knowing how to use a mitre box or sawing wood. I learned how to be a good teammate in group assignments, and how to help others when the objective is hard. <img src="/images/52a9cc95-ef05-48f9-919f-7f826ba11cd4?fingerprint=ppb20260715150012" alt="Three students in a classroom working on cookbook stand project. Additional students in the background." width="311" height="415" style="width:311px;height:415px;display:inline-block;float:right"> Another thing I gained was the ability to focus on what I was doing in the present moment. While working on this project, I had to hold the wood down to let the glue dry, and my group had to persevere because we cut a piece of wood too short, so we used wood filler to fix the problem. This project helped me relieve stress because it helped with my frustration tolerance and how I dealt with it. Overall, this part of woodworking was a big step in life and in how I deal with the future.”Brea  “When our group first started, we didn't really know how to use a measuring tape properly, but now we measure with patience and integrity. This project helped me understand how builders and designers have to be very precise and know what they want. They also need to know what supplies are needed. This project helped me be in the shoes of people who are carpenters or build things for a living.  I felt proud of myself, my group, and everyone who got to experience this woodworking accomplishment. Overall, making the wooden stands was one of the best things we have ever done at school, and I hope we can do more projects like this. Now I know how to use tools if we do more projects in the future.”<img src="/images/b11e7660-7895-40cc-b229-0abcad08843f?fingerprint=ppb20260715150024" alt="Three students in a classroom working on cookbook stand project. Additional students in the background." width="700" height="525" style="width:700px;height:525px;display:inline-block">

2026-07-15 15:08:16.935 +0000 UTC

Expanded Opportunities Showcase

LDSB families and students learn more about secondary school opportunities by visiting the expanded opportunities showcase. Find out about Specialist High Skills Majors, apprenticeships, dual credits and more. When: Thurs. Feb. 2 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.Where: Cataraqui Centre - 945 Gardiners Rd, Kingston, ON<img src="/images/d3694da2-e2b6-4891-ab8b-01ba926228a5?fingerprint=ppb20251217014946" alt="SHSM Showcase 2023" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block">

2023-07-23 19:11:03 +0000 UTC

Congratulations Ty!

Join us in congratulating Ty who graduated from <a href="https://twitter.com/ndsshawks" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="editor-link">@ndsshawks</a> earlier this week with an SHSM Red Seal Diploma. Good luck on your next adventure in the Heavy Equipment program at <a href="https://twitter.com/FlemingFrost" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="editor-link">@FlemingFrost</a> in January! <img src="/images/7827b55c-7720-4fe3-a2d3-e474cf6f5e79?fingerprint=ppb20251217014125" alt="Congratulations Ty" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block">

2023-01-25 20:19:50 +0000 UTC

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About LDSB Expanded Opportunities

In Limestone, we value every program pathway that students follow to find meaningful careers and become valued members of our society. Our goal is to support students in high levels of achievement in programs that lead toward their life destinations.

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Message to Families- June 18, 2026

Dear Families,As we move towards the last week of the 2025-2026 school year, I want to share a few important updates and reminders as we wrap up the year and begin looking ahead to September.2026-2027 School Year Budget At last night’s Regular Board Meeting, the Board of Trustees approved the Limestone District School Board’s 2026-2027 budget, prepared in accordance with Public Sector Accounting Board standards. The budget includes total revenues of $340.98 million and total expenditures of $345.76 million and is compliant with Ministry of Education requirements.The full <a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/budget_committee-1719463885020" class="editor-link">Budget Committee Agenda Package is available on the Limestone DSB website</a>, along with a new resource, <a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/budget___financial_statements" class="editor-link">Budget Overview – Your Guide to Understanding School Board Funding available on the LDSB Budget and Financial Statements webpage.</a>The Budget overview document provides a more visual summary of the budget with highlights.Motion Passed by Board of TrusteesThe Board of Trustees passed a motion at last night’s meeting recognizing the challenges present in many classrooms and their impact on students, frontline educators, and support staff. The motion directs the Chair to write to the Ministry of Education, the Minister of Education, the Premier, local MPPs, OPBSA, CODE, and union partners, requesting additional funding to support the hiring of more frontline staff and will highlight that Limestone annually spends approximately $10 million beyond provincial funding to support special education.Reminder: P.A. Day – Friday, June 26, 2026 A reminder to families that Friday, June 26 is a P.A. Day and there are no classes for students.Tri-Board Transportation: School Bus Information for the 2026-2027 School Year School bus information for the 2026-2027 school year will be available to families in July through the <a href="https://triboard.ca/student-portal/" class="editor-link">Tri-Board Student Portal</a>. New students, as well as those with a change of address or school, must apply online by August 5 to ensure transportation is in place for the first day of school. Please visit <a href="https://triboard.ca" class="editor-link">triboard.ca</a> to apply for transportation and to access your student(s)’ busing details for September.Year-End Letter to Students and Parents from The Honourable Paul Calandra, Minister of Education and a Congratulations Letter from Edith Dumont, The Lieutenant Governor of OntarioAs we move toward the end of the 2025-2026 school year, <a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/news/year-end-letter-to-students-and-parents" class="editor-link">The Honourable Paul Calandra, Ontario’s Minister of Education, has shared a message with students and families</a> to mark this occasion. We have also received a <a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/news/congratulations-letter-from-edith-dumont-the-lieutenant-governor-of-ontario" class="editor-link">congratulatory letter for the Class of 2026 from Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario</a>.Thank you for your continued support throughout the school year. As we approach the final days of classes, we wish all students, families, and staff a positive end to the school year.Thank you,Krishna BurraCEO/Director of EducationLimestone District School Board

2026-06-18 20:00:01.681 +0000 UTC

Board of Trustees Approves 2026–2027 School Year Budget

At its regular meeting on June 17, 2026, the Limestone District School Board of Trustees approved a $340.5 million budget for the 2026–2027 school year. This is a deficit budget balanced through the use of reserve funds.The approved budget complies with Ministry of Education requirements and includes:<ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">Operating expenditures of $316.8 million, representing a $73,000 decrease compared to the previous year.</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">Capital expenditures of $23.7 million, allocated to school condition improvements and renewal projects.</li></ul>The vast majority of the operating budget is directed to student instruction and relates directly to classroom support. Capital funding is used to fund school condition improvements and school renewal projects.The Board continues to face financial pressures in several key areas, including:<ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem">Special Education</li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem">Staff Replacement</li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem">Student Transportation</li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem">Statutory Benefits</li></ul><h2 class="editor-heading-h2">Resources:</h2><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><a href="https://www.limestone.on.ca/documents/cc327962-05b2-4cac-b89e-711e1e75ca27/2026-06-16-Budget-Overview.pdf?fingerprint=ppb20260623145224" rel="noreferrer" class="editor-link">2026-2027 Budget Overview</a> (PDF)</li></ul>

2026-06-18 13:49:18.755 +0000 UTC

Newburgh Public School Students Build Three Little Community Libraries

<img src="/images/ee7ff92e-0151-4ecf-96bc-16e5f96cf1e4?fingerprint=ppb20260617153610" alt="A little community library is displayed outside the front of Newburgh PS" width="514" height="685" style="width:514px;height:685px;display:inline-block;float:left">The Grades 6, 7, and 8 students at Newburgh Public School have built three Little Community Libraries, now installed and active in front of the school, at the local church, and at “The Hilltop” near the gas station, bakery, and pharmacy. Teacher Olivia Cotman said that students, staff, families, and community members are encouraged to “take a book, leave a book,” from these new libraries.  “The idea came to be last year during a professional development day, where I learned about the Limestone District School Board’s Expanded Opportunities (EO) team,” she says. “I learned that there were hands-on learning projects that students could take part in, which highlight different career pathways. I knew I had to bring an experience back to my class.” Cotman says she and the students spent time brainstorming a meaningful hands-on project and chose to build community libraries. “With no public transportation in this rural community, libraries are sometimes inaccessible to students,” she says. “There are many avid readers in my class who thought this would make a sustainable way for community members to recycle their books and improve access to reading.”<img src="/images/fdb2c174-3d84-46b7-9010-a01fbe93f4d3?fingerprint=ppb20260617153605" alt="Two Newburgh PS students work on the little community library project" width="370" height="493" style="width:370px;height:493px;display:inline-block;float:right">Jason Quenneville and Jeff Cardy, experiential learning consultants on the EO team, supported the project in a variety of ways including building a prototype, and providing blueprints, materials, and cut lists to help guide students. Through EO program funding, students had access to teaching support from Jason and Jeff to be able to build three libraries for the community.  Students learned how to hammer shingles, wrap weatherproofing, use staple guns, drill pilot holes, use impact drivers, saw wood on various angles, use fractions and use math as a daily practice in measuring, maintain a clean workshop, and work collaboratively as a team for the community. <img src="/images/6063e766-92bc-4582-8d92-a0197a735b1f?fingerprint=ppb20260617153609" alt="One Newburgh PS student works on the little community library project" width="348" height="464" style="width:348px;height:464px;display:inline-block;float:left">“As a finishing touch, each student group voted on a quote to represent them, and Jeff used a CNC to laser the quotes into a plaque to be displayed on each library, as well as created wooden strips with the students’ initials for each library,” Cotman says. “Students built resilience, teamwork, strategies in delegating roles, and took so much pride in their work throughout this experience.” Once the libraries were complete, Cotman extended the learning by introducing students to the many pathways available in high school, including the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, Specialist High Skills Major programs, dual credit opportunities, and co-operative education. “We had so many rich discussions about how students can find something they love and apply it to the world of skilled trades,” Cotman says. “They were so surprised to learn how many skilled trades there are, and that they could start working toward a career path while still in high school. “These real-world connections to curriculum really help concepts ‘click’ for students and help them understand the ‘why’ behind some of our learning,” she adds. “Thank you to Jeff, Jason, and the Expanded Opportunities team for sharing your passion, talents, and expertise with us.”<img src="/images/ffa03da3-59c3-4519-a8a2-0e1301064e93?fingerprint=ppb20260617153621" alt="One Newburgh PS student smiles at the camera and holds up a laser-cut plaque qhile working on the little community library project" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/4067203d-14d0-42fd-9e0d-f34582bbf6f2?fingerprint=ppb20260617153607" alt="Two Newburgh PS students work on the little community library project" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"><img src="/images/260e8353-eecc-41cb-abf6-2e90448e43bc?fingerprint=ppb20260617153612" alt="Three Newburgh Public School students stand beside a completed little community library they built, displayed outside of a store." width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block">

2026-06-17 15:40:15.756 +0000 UTC

Land Acknowledgement

The Limestone District School Board is situated on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabek and Haudenosaunee. We acknowledge their enduring presence on this land, as well as the presence of Métis, Inuit, and other First Nations from across Turtle Island. We honour their culture and celebrate their commitment to this land.

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