It is beginning to look a lot like winter! At our grade forums at the end of November, we addressed many shared concerns and information items with our students. Topics included parking lot safety (for pedestrians and drivers), the relationship between artificial intelligence and academic integrity, the value of time spent in class, embracing the struggle (only 23 more classes until exams!) and shared all of our successes with the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test, fall sports seasons, participation in extracurricular arts and clubs and growing the Frontenac school community. Above all else, we talked about being kind to others with our words and actions with classmates, teachers, visitors and our neighbouring community. Moving ahead we are looking forward to our annual Winter concert on Friday, December 12th, the continuation of KASSAA sports in the winter season and the rest of our planned activities as we say goodbye to 2025 and look forward wrapping up semester 1 in January.
FSS Semester 1 Exam Schedule- January 2026
We are pleased to share with families that the FSS January 2026 Exam Schedule is now available. All students are expected to be available to attend and write their final exams, as these are critical components of their courses.
Please note that exam start times are slightly adjusted this year to allow students who require additional time to be accommodated within the regular exam space with their classroom teacher. Exams will start at 8:15am and 11:30am.
We are aware that a few students will have scheduling conflict (e.g. two exams at the same time). Mrs. Morris-Pocock will connect with these students well ahead of exam time to adjust their individual schedules. Any students with questions about exam conflicts should come see Mrs. Morris-Pocock in the main office.
FSS Academic Integrity
At our November grade forums, we had a conversation with students about academic integrity. As educators, our goal is not only to prepare students to be successful in their classes at Frontenac, but also to acquire skills to be successful after graduation as well. Students that submit work that is not their own are being academically dishonest and teachers cannot accurately assess their understanding or skill development. Academic dishonesty may happen in many forms (e.g. students copying work from others, using unapproved electronic devices or memory aides while completing a test, intentionally allowing others to use their own work, using artificial intelligence such as ChatGPT to produce summative work, etc.).
At Frontenac we respond to breaches of academic dishonesty in the following ways:
- Teachers or administration will meet with the student and will document the details of the incident.
- Administration will record the breach on a tracking form held in the main office.
- Guardians will be notified- either by the teacher or by administration.
- Academic counselling may be provided for the student as appropriate.
- The teacher, together with administration, will determine how the curriculum expectations will be assessed (e.g. an alternative assessment, reassessed another way later in the semester if possible, assess any components of the work that were completed honestly). In some cases, the opportunity to reassess may not be possible, and the credit may be at-risk.
Subsequent incidents of academic dishonesty for a student will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and will involve progressive discipline up to and including a possible loss of the credit.
We encourage all parents and guardians to have conversations at home regarding the importance of submitting work that is their own. We appreciate your efforts to help our students learn how to be responsible when it comes to academic integrity.
FSS Arts
The Winter Concert will take place in Library/learning commons on Friday December 12th, 2025. From 7pm to 9pm, experience the musical, dramatic and dance talents of both Acadie and Frontenac students. This showcase will feature all of the FSS performing arts ensembles running currently, as well as all of the different classes. From guitar to jazz band, from vocal ensemble to the improv group there will be something for everyone!
Suggested entrance donation of $2. We will also be hosting a silent auction and 50/50 draw, so you may want to bring a few extra dollars. Debit is also accepted.
If you are interested in donating an item please speak with Mr. Davey.
The Specialist High Skills Major Arts and Culture students and the FSS Tech Club participated in a lighting design and technician intensive last week. Students learned about different stage lights, design choices, and the technical aspects of changing and focusing lights, as well as programming a lighting board.
They spent half a day learning at the Isabel Bader Centre, where they practiced hanging, focusing, and designing with a professional lighting setup. We all learned a lot and are excited to bring our expertise back to FSS to provide effective stage lighting for our events and the upcoming Frontenac production of Treasure Island in March!
FSS Music went on tour this past week! The concert band, percussion ensemble, string ensemble, and vocal ensemble visited the gyms of local elementary schools, including Collins Bay, Holsgrove, Welborne, Sinclair, Acadie, Henderson, and Cataraqui Woods. We performed a total of 9 concerts for students and invited them to join in with body percussion, singing, and dance. A great time was had by all!
Student Services
Dual credit applications are due Wednesday, December 10th. If you need help with this, please check in with the Student Services team.
Thursday, January 15th Frontenac Secondary School will be hosting our annual Grade 8 night for parents and students for the class of 2031. The information session will begin at 6:30 pm beginning in the Library. This night provides prospective students to get a sense of what it means to be a Falcon and provides an opportunity to ask staff questions about Frontenac Secondary School. Please share this information with families that are considering to attend Frontenac beginning in the fall of 2026.
Queen's University Black Legacy Program
The Black Legacy Mentorship Program (BLMP) is a student-led initiative launching its pilot year at Queen’s University. It connects Black youth in Kingston (Grades 9–12) with Black student mentors from Queen’s University. Together, they explore leadership, identity, and future goals through engaging, culturally affirming activities. Sessions will take place monthly at Queen’s University from January to March 2025, with free transportation and meals provided.
Time Commitment
- 2 mentees will be assigned to 1 mentor at a time
- Mentees are required to participate in small mentor meetings, up to 1.5 hour bi-weekly and be engaged participants in discussions and events (online or in person)
- Mentees will be required to attend a 1 monthly 2-hour session with their mentor hosted at Queen’s University. These will take place on January 29th, February 26th, March 26th.
Eligibility
- Be full-time high school student (Grade 9 – 12) in Kingston
- Self-identify as Black
Here is the link for local Black secondary school students to be considered as a mentee:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf4WYDQ1fWcKKeMga1fdS2sNZELD_dpyfsLIrXJoHJjmIGB8A/viewform
Social Sciences
Mr. Campbell’s and Ms. Gavel’s classes recently took part in the Holodomor National Awareness Tour, an initiative of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation and its partners, supported by the governments of Canada, Ontario, and Manitoba. The tour’s goal is to raise awareness of the Holodomor—a famine-genocide in Soviet Ukraine in 1932–33—and promote Canadian values of human rights, civility, and democracy. Students explored the Holodomor Mobile Classroom, a state-of-the-art interactive learning space, gaining a deeper understanding of this tragic event and its relevance to building a diverse and tolerant society.
FSS to Costa Rica
FSS is going to Costa Rica at the 2027 March break – and we would love it if you would like to join us! Bruce Patry, Charles Macdonald, Keli Kasper and Aaron Kenney have more information about the trip and welcome any inquiries you have. In addition to cultural explorations; volcano watching, rainforest hiking and zip lining, kayaking, swimming and horseback riding are on the itinerary. Click the QR code to find out more information!
FSS Girls Night In
What a night! We had over 120 female students participate in our annual Girls Night In, hosted by the Ophelia Club. 💜 Lots of laughter, so many snacks, zumba, pizza, karaoke, visits with therapy dogs, crafts, scavenger hunt and so much more!!! Thank you to ALL the Ophelia Club leaders and teaching staff who brought kindness and good energy to the event and helped make memories for our students. Thank you to all the parents who picked up their daughters on time 😀
Southeast Health Unit
Upcoming Events at FSS:
December 12th: Winter Concert at FSS in the Library 7:00 pm
December 16th: School to Community Lunch FSS Cafeteria
December 15th-19th: FSS hosts Grade 8 Feeder Schools
December 17th& 18th: Foods Classes host Holiday Cheer, FSS Cafeteria
December 19th: Last Day of classes for 2025
January 15th: Grade 8 Night at Frontenac in the Library 6:30 pm
January 21st: Last day of semester one classes
January 22nd: Exams begin