Lambton Kent - District School Board

Congratulations to our International Education Program graduates. Last week students from LCCVI, NCIVS, and GLSS walked across the stage and celebrated their hard work. Please join us in saying well done to Maria, Francesca, Giulia, Alex, Andrea, and Camille. These amazing young people have been wonderful ambassadors for their countries and their families. We are so proud of you!

It’s official! 🎉 At last night's Board Meeting, the Lambton Kent District School Board proudly approved the name for the new K-12 school in Forest: Blue Coast District School! 💙🏫 Read the full story and learn more about the journey behind the name: https://www.lkdsb.net/article/10292

Live from tonight's Board Meeting in Chatham, students from across Chatham-Kent were celebrated for their outstanding artistic talents through the newly expanded art recognition program. For the first time, both elementary and secondary students were honored, with selected artworks to be displayed at the Chatham Regional Education Centre for a year. Each young artist received a monetary award, highlighting LKDSB’s commitment to creativity, student voice, and success for all.

🚗 Hands-On Learning in Action at AMSS! 🔧 We were thrilled to welcome representatives from Progressive Auto Group to Alexander Mackenzie Secondary School today! They brought along a couple of vehicles to support the school's Transportation students with hands-on learning and skill development. 🙌 These vehicles will also be on display TONIGHT at the AMSS Open House at 6 PM — come check them out and see our incredible programs in action! 📸 Pictured (left to right): Guy Wilkinson (Transportation Teacher), Mackenzie Horner (AMSS Vice Principal), Dave Metcalf (HR Director, Progressive Auto Group), Jim Keane (AMSS Principal), Bryce Simon (AMSS Transportation student), Joe McIntyre (Director of Fixed Operations, Progressive), and LKDSB Director Gary Girardi! A huge thank you to Progressive Auto Group for investing in our students’ futures! 🚘👨‍🔧👩‍🔧

2025 Youth Diversity Symposium - "The Mosaic Of Us" with the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History. Staff and students were inspired by our Keynote speaker - Jason Sole, meditation with Shawna Regan, storytelling with Michelle Robbins, mosaic art with Lee Highgate, and motivational music and dance with Saidat and DJ KZ!

🚀 Big things are coming to AMSS! Join us June 4 @ 6 PM for our Tech Hub Open House and get a sneak peek at the hands-on programs launching this fall! 🎓 Grades 10–12 can explore high-demand careers in: 🔨 Construction | 👩‍🍳 Culinary | ✂️ Hairstyling | 💉 Health & Wellness | 🌿 Horticulture | 🚗 Transportation 💡 Tour our new greenhouses, commercial kitchen, salon, auto bays & more! 📚 Learn about SHSM, double credits, and real-world co-op placements. Get future-ready — see how AMSS is building pathways to success! 📍 Alexander Mackenzie SS, Sarnia 🔗 Learn more by checking our the Newsroom on our website!

Director of the Lambton Kent District School Board Gary Girardi said the board celebrates opportunities that allow them to support not only current LKDSB families, but also future and potential LKDSB families. "Expanding access to child care and wraparound services reflects our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our community and we’re proud to play a role in creating supportive, inclusive spaces for children to grow and thrive," said Girardi in a news release. Read more at www.SarniaNewsToday.ca

🌞 Beyond the Bell: Summer 2025 at LKDSB! From exciting free camps for Grades 1–10 to summer school, readiness programs, and adult learning — there’s something for every learner this summer at the Lambton Kent District School Board! 💙💚 🔗 Find out more at our newsroom: https://www.lkdsb.net/article/9053

🎉 It’s Education Week across Ontario (May 5–9), and we’re celebrating BIG at the Lambton Kent District School Board! ✨ This year’s theme — “Supporting Students: From Registration to Graduation” — is all about the incredible journey our students take from day one of Kindergarten all the way to Grade 12 graduation (and beyond!). 🎒🎓 At LKDSB, education is more than textbooks and tests — it’s about building confidence, supporting mental wellness, exploring passions, and preparing for bright futures. 🌟 Whether it’s in the classroom, on the field, on stage, or through support services, we’re with our students every step of the way. 💙 👉 Follow along this week as we spotlight how we support success in every form. Let’ s celebrate the journey together! 🙌 #EducationWeek2025 #LKDSBProud #FromRegistrationToGraduation #LKDSBIsForTheFuture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YF8_x5V3bbY

The LKDSB International Education Program is actively seeking hosts for international students coming to the area in September. There is an urgent need for families in the Forest, Dresden, Sarnia, and Petrolia communities. We have students from Spain, France, Belgium, Taiwan, Italy, Germany, Brazil, Thailand, and Myanmar who would love to become part of your family. Students are coming for 1,3,4,5 or 10 months. Have you considered hosting?

On Monday, May 5, LKDSB will observe National MMIWG2S+ Awareness Day — a day to honour the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirited people. Originating in 2010 and symbolized by red dresses, this day is a powerful reminder of the individuals no longer with us and the urgent need for truth, reconciliation, and justice. In our schools, this day invites reflection and learning. It is a time to acknowledge systemic injustices, uplift Indigenous voices, and help students become thoughtful allies and advocates for change. To learn more about the significance of this day in educational spaces, please visit our newsroom: https://www.lkdsb.net/article/8925

LKDSB staff Caress, Amber, and Lindsey were ALL smiles as they got a head start on the fun, decorating those iconic Smile Cookies at Blenheim Tim Hortons in anticipation of the Smile Cookie Week kick-off! 😄 🍪 Tim Hortons’ Smile Cookie Week officially kicked off on April 28th and runs 'til May 4th! The local Tim Hortons locations supporting OSNP in Chatham-Kent (which helps boost the health and academic success of students across Chatham-Kent) include: ➡️ Blenheim (both locations), Thamesville, Ridgetown, and Tilbury!

Meet Quinn Sleightholm — a 5-year-old with a heart as bright as the glow sticks she ran with! 🌟 This Senior Kindergarten student from ICRPS raised an incredible $1,270 for Noelle’s Gift to Children, becoming the top individual fundraiser at the first-ever Light up the Night for Noelle – CK Edition. 🏃‍♀️💛 Quinn rallied support from family, friends, and her community to help kids in need — and she’s already planning to do it again! 🥇✨ Read more about Quinn’s amazing efforts and how she’s making a big impact at such a young age in our newsroom!

A Message from the Incoming Director of Education for the Lambton Kent District School Board: “Today is a significant day for the Lambton Kent District School Board as it marks Director John Howitt’s official last day after six impactful years with the board, and an incredible 33-year career in education. I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to Director Howitt for his outstanding leadership and dedicated service. John’s legacy is clear: he consistently put students first. His unwavering commitment to student success, equity, and well-being has left a lasting mark on our system, and I know I speak for many when I say we are grateful for his vision and integrity. As I officially begin in the role of Director of Education tomorrow, May 1st, I am both humbled and energized by the opportunity to lead a passionate and skilled team. I look forward to serving the incredible students, families and communities that call Chatham-Kent and Sarnia-Lambton ‘home’. I’m excited for what lies ahead, and I’m honoured to be part of this journey with you.” -Gary Girardi

🏅 Staff Spotlight: Bryan Cowden's Marathon Moment! 🏅 LKDSB's own Bryan Cowden crushed the 2025 Boston Marathon with a personal best of 2:52 – a goal 13 years in the making! 🏃‍♂️💨 From early morning runs to balancing work and training, Bryan's journey is an inspiration to friends, family and colleagues alike! 💪 When he's not running marathons, Bryan's giving back to the community, leading charity runs and inspiring the next generation of athletes. 🙌 Next stop? Chatham's first-ever Light Up the Night for Noelle run this Friday. April 25th! 🌟 Read his full story by visiting our newsroom!

🌍 Happy Earth Day! 🌱 Today, we’re proud to highlight Tomorrow’s Greener Schools, Today — a collaborative schoolyard greening initiative between the Lambton Kent District School Board, local public health units, and conservation authorities, with generous support from TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. This project reflects two of LKDSB’s four strategic priorities: 🌿 Sustainable Stewardship – optimizing human, financial, and physical resources 🤝 Trusting Relationships – strengthening relationships through respectful collaboration By working together, we’re transforming schoolyards into vibrant green spaces by planting trees that will grow into shaded play areas for students and communities to enjoy. 🍃 Elementary students are actively involved in planting, learning about ecology, environmental responsibility, and sun safety — all while making a real impact in their school communities. As these trees mature, they’ll help cool our schoolyards, improve air quality, and create habitats for local wildlife — a lasting legacy of learning, care, and collaboration. 🌳💚 *Check out our first tree plant of the season, which took place at Wheatley Area Public School last week!*

We are thrilled to celebrate LKDSB International Student Alumni. Continue to follow us to learn about our alumni and the amazing things they have accomplished since leaving LKDSB.

📣 Reminder: All LKDSB schools and facilities will be closed on Friday, April 18 and Monday, April 21 for the long weekend. Classes and regular hours will resume Tuesday, April 22. Wishing everyone a safe, happy, and restful long weekend. 🌞

Let's build something amazing! 🏗️✨ 📅 Kindergarten Registration for schools in Chatham-Kent and Sarnia-Lambton is coming up on Wednesday, May 28th from 4:00PM-7:00PM. | 🔗 Visit www.LKDSB.net/Kindergarten to register today! We can't wait to meet you!

We are thrilled to celebrate LKDSB International Student Alumni. Continue to follow us to learn about our alumni and the amazing things they have accomplished since leaving LKDSB.