Rideau Heights Public School

<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Limestone District School Board students showcased their outstanding skills and talent at the 2026 Skills Ontario Competition, held in Toronto on May 4 and 5, 2026.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Skills Ontario Competition offers a unique opportunity for top students from across the province to demonstrate that they are truly the best in their field. Over two and a half days, competitors impress educators, family members, friends, and potential employers through hands-on, real‑world challenges. Medalists are awarded gold, silver, or bronze medals, with some also receiving monetary awards and the opportunity to advance to the Skills Canada National Competition, and potentially the WorldSkills Competition.</span></p><h2 class="editor-heading-h2"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Limestone District School Board Participation and Results</span></h2><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Limestone students returned home with an impressive showing across elementary, secondary, and post‑secondary categories:</span></p><h3 class="editor-heading-h3"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Elementary Competition</span></h3><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Limestone District School Board had 16 Elementary Students attend Skills Ontario in the areas of:</span></p><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Construction</span></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Horticulture and Landscaping</span></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">VEX Robotics</span></li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Lego Mechanics</span></li></ul><h3 class="editor-heading-h3"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Secondary Competition</span></h3><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">In secondary Limestone District School Board had representation in the following competitions:</span></p><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Coding</span></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Electrical Installations</span></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Plumbing</span></li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Carpentry - Team - Team of 2</span></li><li value="5" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Vex V5 Robotics - Team of 4</span></li><li value="6" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Culinary Arts</span></li><li value="7" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Graphic Design - Presentation</span></li><li value="8" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Hairstyling</span></li><li value="9" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Photography</span></li><li value="10" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Prepared Speech</span></li><li value="11" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Home and Team Building - Team of 4</span></li><li value="12" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Auto Collision Repair</span></li><li value="13" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Auto Painting</span></li><li value="14" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Auto Service Technology</span></li><li value="15" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Cabinetmaking</span></li><li value="16" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Outdoor Powered Equipment</span></li><li value="17" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Welding</span></li><li value="18" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Baking</span></li><li value="19" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Computer Aided Manufacturing</span></li></ul><h4 class="editor-heading-h4"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Secondary Results:</span></h4><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Gold – Computer Aided Manufacturing:</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Jacob O’Reilly</span></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Silver – Home and Team Building (Team of 4):</strong></b></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem editor-nested-listitem"><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Quinn Sproule</span></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Clarke Lemke</span></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Parker Beeg</span></li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Jasper Keller</span></li><li value="5" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Bryden Thibodeau (competed with the team at Limestone Skills Competition)</span></li></ul></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Bronze – Auto Painting:</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Amanda Neddow</span></li></ul><h3 class="editor-heading-h3"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Post‑Secondary Competition</span></h3><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Gold:</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Alisha Haaksman</span></li></ul><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Congratulations to all competitors, educators, and programs involved for their dedication, preparation, and commitment to excellence. Limestone is proud to see students thrive, demonstrate their skills, and represent the board so well on the provincial stage.</span></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Limestone District School Board is deeply saddened by the passing of Trustee Jim Neill, who served as a Trustee since 2022. Jim passed away on Sunday, April 26, 2026.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">During his time on the Board, Trustee Neill demonstrated a commitment to public education and to supporting the work of the Board in service of students, families, and communities across Limestone. He was a long-time educator in the Upper Canada District School Board, as well as a served for multiple terms as a City of Kingston Councillor. We are grateful for the contributions he made as a Trustee.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">We extend our sincere condolences to Trustee Neill’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">“We are saddened by the passing of Trustee Jim Neill,” said Board Chair Karen McGregor. “Jim brought a thoughtful presence to the Board and a genuine interest in public education. We are grateful for his service as a Trustee and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.”</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">As a mark of respect, the LDSB Education Centre (Board Office), as well as Kingston Secondary School and its family of schools, will fly their flags at half-mast until end of day on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Trustee Jim Neill’s </span><a href="https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/48232322/james-frederick-neill" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">obituary is available online.</span></a></p>

<p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The Limestone District School Board is inviting families to take part in the </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Family Engagement and Climate Survey</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. This survey gives families an opportunity to share their experiences with their student’s school and with the school board.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The feedback helps us understand what is working well and where we can improve. It also supports schools and school councils in building welcoming, safe, and supportive school communities.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The survey includes questions about:</span></p><ul class="editor-list-ul"><li value="1" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">How schools communicate and share information</span></li><li value="2" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Whether families feel welcome, included, and connected</span></li><li value="3" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Barriers to taking part in school activities, such as time, childcare, language, accessibility, or cost</span></li><li value="4" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Safety and bullying, including reporting and follow‑up</span></li><li value="5" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Licensed Before and After School Programs, including questions to help inform future planning</span></li><li value="6" class="editor-listitem"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Some questions ask about family background to help us better understand different experiences across our communities</span></li></ul><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Participation is </span><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">voluntary and anonymous</strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">. Families may skip any questions they choose. No names or identifying information are collected. Results are shared only as grouped summaries and are used to support learning, planning, and improvement at the board, school, and school council levels.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><b><strong class="editor-text-bold" style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The survey will be open from May 1 to May 11 and will be available online. Families will receive an e-mail on May 1 with a link to the survey. </strong></b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Paper copies will also be available at your school’s administrative office starting May 1.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">The survey was developed with input from families and advisory committees, including the Parent Involvement Committee, to reflect a wide range of perspectives. Families are encouraged to </span><a href="https://youtu.be/kKxSsDtggew" class="editor-link"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">watch this short video about the survey.</span></a></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you for sharing your voice and helping strengthen our schools and school communities.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Patty Gollogly</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Associate Superintendent of&nbsp;Curriculum &amp; Program Services: School Climate &amp; Community Engagement</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Limestone District School Board</span></p>