King George VI Public School Handbook

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Safe Schools & Conduct

From the Ministry of Education’s Code of Conduct:

A school is a place that promotes responsibility, respect, civility, and academic excellence in a safe learning and teaching environment.

All students, parents, teachers and staff have the right to be safe, and feel safe, in their school community. With this right comes the responsibility to be law-abiding citizens and to be accountable for actions that put at risk the safety of others or oneself.

Here are our roles and responsibilities:

Principals, under the direction of their school board, provide leadership by:

• demonstrating care and commitment to academic excellence and a safe teaching and learning environment;

• holding everyone, under their authority, accountable for their behaviour and actions;

• communicating regularly and meaningfully with all members of their school community.

Teachers and School staff, under the leadership of their principals, maintain order in the school and are expected to hold everyone to the highest standard of respectful and responsible behaviour. As role models, staff uphold these high standards when they:

• help students work to their full potential and develop their self-worth;

• communicate regularly and meaningfully with  parents;

• maintain consistent standards of behaviour for all students;

• demonstrate respect for all students, staff and parents;

• prepare students for the full responsibilities of citizenship

Students are to be treated with respect and dignity. In return, they must demonstrate respect for themselves, for others and for the        responsibilities of citizenship through acceptable behaviour. Respect and responsibility are demonstrated when a student:

• comes to school prepared, on time and ready to learn;

• shows respect for themselves, for others and for those in authority;

• refrains from bringing anything to school that may compromise the safety of others;

• follows the established rules and takes responsibility for his or her own actions.

Parents play an important role in the education of their children and have a responsibility to support the efforts of school staff in maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment for all students. Parents fulfill this responsibility when they:

• show an active interest in their child's school work and progress;

• communicate regularly with the school;

• help their child be neat, appropriately dressed and  prepared for school;

• ensure that their child attends school regularly and on time;

• promptly report to the school their child’s absence or late arrival;

• become familiar with the Code of Conduct and school rules;

• encourage and assist their child in following the rules of behaviour;

• assist school staff in dealing with disciplinary issues

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Standards of Behaviour

Respect, civility and responsible citizenship

All school members must:

• respect and comply with all applicable federal, provincial and    municipal laws;

• demonstrate honesty and integrity;

• respect differences in people, their ideas and opinions;

• treat one another with dignity and respect at all times, and  especially when there is disagreement;

• respect and treat others fairly, regardless of their race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability;

• respect the rights of others;

• show proper care and regard for school property and the property of others;

• take appropriate measures to help those in need;

• respect persons who are in a position of authority;

• respect the need of others to work in an environment of learning and teaching.

In addition to the above, we are governed by the Lambton Kent District School Board’s Violence-Free Schools Policy, copies of which are available for parents.

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Dress Code

The expectations for school dress reflect common sense and regard for each child’s comfort, safety, cleanliness, and sense of propriety.  Parents and staff collaborated on the guidelines, believing that there is a strong link between neat, appropriate attire and a positive learning  environment.

• Shirts / tops will cover abdomen, back and shoulders.

• Shorts will be of an appropriate length.

• Clothing or accessories will not display offensive language or images, and not advertise products which students may not legally purchase.

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Access to the School

We are keenly interested in maintaining the integrity of our learning  environments, and are committed to safeguarding them from unnecessary interruption.  We are also committed to ensuring that our students and staff feel secure in our school, and come into contact only with those authorized and having made arrangements to do so.  A number of our children require a higher level of security than you might expect, but all are entitled to a certain threshold.  To this end, the following guidelines are now in place:

Staff - enter the building via the single door on the south side of the building, adjacent to the parking lot.

Students - enter the building through designated doors according to their grade levels. These doors may remain locked during the day.

Visitors - are to use the main entrance on the north side of the building near the flagpole. All visitors are expected to report to the office and sign the register upon entering the building. When picking up students from school during the instructional part of the day, please report to the office.  Your child will be paged to come and meet you. Lunches and other items are to be left at the office, and students will be paged to pick them up at break time. All volunteers will wear clearly identifiable identification badges. Staff and students will direct anyone not wearing a badge to the office for assistance. While waiting to meet children at dismissal time, we ask that parents, guardians, and caregivers remain outside the building.  Children in JK, K, and grade one will be brought to the exits by their teachers to meet those picking them up.  All other students should have a prearranged location outside the building at which to meet their parent, or sibling if they are responsible for escorting them home. Parents wishing to meet with staff should check in at the office to determine availability.

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Arrival and Departure

Children are welcome at school at the time the teachers begin their outside supervision of the school yard.  For the safety of the children, we ask that they arrive no earlier than 8:30 am.  Students who wish to participate in the breakfast program, may enter the school beginning at 8:10 am, but will not return to the yard until at least 8:30.

We share with our families the responsibility of making sure that our students arrive safely at school, and if they don’t attend on a given day, that we communicate that information with each other.  Please call if your child will not be attending school.    If it’s more convenient for you, a message can be left before or after office hours, on our answering machine.  We really appreciate your help with this.  The school office number is 354-2440.

In addition, a number of primary teachers ask that you let them know who will be picking up your child.  If this is part of the classroom procedures for your child, further information will be provided in an   upcoming classroom newsletter by your child’s teacher.  We invite you to share with us, any special arrangements that are needed with regard to the arrival or dismissal of your child.  Together, these approaches will help us to provide a more secure environment for our students, and peace of mind for everyone.

Students who arrive late to school must report to the office to obtain an admit slip for class, and to ensure that we have an accurate record of student attendance each day.  Students who are late without a reasonable explanation will be expected to make up their time at recess or after school.

Once students have arrived at school, they are not allowed to leave the property without permission from the school office.  Parents are         required to send a note if a child needs to leave early for an appointment with clearly stated expectations.

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After School

The school yard is not supervised after school to accommodate the play of children who wish to remain when classes are over.  Children and families are welcome to make use of our playground after hours, but students are expected to go home when school is over.  They may return on their own time afterwards.

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Playground Guidelines

Teachers will actively supervise the playground and inside the school during recess and lunch breaks.  We encourage children to spend their break time with one or more friends, and to be involved in an    activity that is fun, and safe.  If they are making use of playground equipment, or are involved in playground games using equipment, their safety and that of others is the top priority.  Students at King George VI are taught to seek help from a teacher, or one of our playground leaders if they need assistance for any reason.

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Safety Patrols

Safety patrols are provided to assist children in safely crossing the street.  Their work takes great care and concentration, and requires the complete co-operation of the students.  Please encourage respect for and obedience of our patrols.  Our thanks to those parents who regularly use our crossings, and set a great example for students.

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Nutrition Breaks

The Balanced Day schedule calls for two nutrition breaks.  The first one is scheduled for 10:20 to 11:00 a.m., and the second for 12:40 to 1:20 p.m.

The first nutrition break is the one designated for students to have snacks and take part in house league sports. On the second break students may go home for their break and are expected to go directly to their homeroom upon returning to school.

We will continue to sponsor special food days, and families will have a chance to order in advance for these meals.  Check the monthly newsletter for details about special food days.

Students eat in the classroom for the first 20 minutes of each break.  Food not consumed is put away and finished in the second nutrition break.  Enough food needs to be packed for two breaks.  No food is permitted to go outside.  Students are expected to follow the clearly defined lunch rules at break times.  The second part of the break is spent playing on the yard.

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School Rules

We have four basic rules to follow at school:

1. Respect yourself and others.

2. Keep hands and feet to yourself.

3. Follow instructions the first time.

4. Use appropriate language and gestures.  

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Recess Programs

At King George VI, we have a number of recess programs designed to enhance the safe enjoyment of this time for students.

Playground Leaders are students from grades six, seven, or eight, who are trained to assist on the primary yard with students who need a minimal level of support.  Their intervention may involve such things as answering questions, or providing a band-aid, to helping to solve a disagreement, or reminding a group to play in a safer or more friendly way.  Leaders are taught to refer the more complicated concerns to the teacher on duty.

Playground Pals are students from our junior or intermediate grades who are trained to organize and run a variety of games and activities for primary children during the lunch break.  The pals are active during the times of the year when the weather is favourable for the activities involved.

While our primary students benefit from the above programs, our junior and intermediate students are the focus for our intramural   programs.  Sports such as soccer, volleyball, and basketball are offered during the nutrition breaks by teacher volunteers during the regular season for each.  Other low-organization types of games may also be included in the intramural offerings.  These programs are ongoing throughout the school year.

Clubs and other special activities may also be included in our plans as indicated by student interest and staff availability.

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Class Placement / Teacher Requests

The King George Staff works together to organize classes for September.  The goal is to provide each teacher with a well-balanced, heterogeneous group of children which allows for each learner to have an appropriate learning  environment.  The school does not accept requests for  specific teachers.  Parents are welcome to share any information with the school that they feel would be helpful in determining their child’s placement by sending a note to the office prior to May 1st.

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Inclement Weather

In the event that weather conditions force the cancellation of classes or the closure of schools, notice will be given over the local radio station - CKSY (94.3 FM), in the early morning.

Our inclement weather zone number is 8.  This number will be used on the radio if the notice refers to our school community.

If weather conditions force the early dismissal of students during the school day, we will contact you before releasing your child from school.  Again, notice will be given over the radio.

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Volunteers

Each teacher determines their class’ particular needs for volunteer assistance, and serves as their own volunteer recruiter.  If you’d like an opportunity to help out at school, we invite you to mention it to your child’s teacher.

In addition to classroom volunteers, and help on class trips, we would welcome assistance with our special lunch days, and with our breakfast program.  Please call the school office if you’d like to help with an aspect of this.

Our District has developed a volunteer policy which determines how volunteer involvement is to be handled.  Of utmost importance in all situations is the safety and comfort level of the students.

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Medication

For many reasons, students may need to receive medication while at school.  We are prepared to assist by keeping the medication in the office, and seeing that it is provided to students at the appropriate time.  Each year, or with a change in prescription, a permission form signed by a parent or guardian and the doctor who has prescribed the medication, must be provided.  Forms are available from the school office.  Please call us if you need one, and we’ll send it home with your child.

Staff are trained yearly in the use of an epi-pen.

For reasons of safety and security, we ask that parents deliver medication to school rather than sending it with students.

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Allergies

Several of our students have severe peanut and nut allergies which if triggered, could cause a potentially deadly reaction.  To minimize the risk for these children, we ask that no food items containing peanuts or nut oils, be brought to school.  Alternative snacks which are considered safe to bring include the following:                                     

• Chips, pretzels, cheesies - plain

• Arrowroot cookies

• Cheese & cracker packs - plain

• Ritz crackers / Ritz bitz

• Vanilla & butterscotch pudding

• Graham crackers

• Teddy grahams - chocolate & honey

• Yogurt

• Rice Krispie squares - plain

• Fruit & fruit juice

We also have staff and students in the school who react to perfume and cologne.  This type of allergy can cause serious illness.  We ask that staff and students avoid wearing perfumes and colognes. “What smells good to some causes a reaction in others.”

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Head Lice

Head lice can be such a nuisance, as anyone who has dealt with them will tell you.  We want to make sure that if head lice appear this year, that we respond quickly and  appropriately, to limit their spread.  We will be making head checks a regular part of classroom routine, and contacting parents or guardians in the event that head lice is detected in a child’s hair.  It will be necessary at that point, for the child to be withdrawn from school  until a shampoo treatment has been given, and all nits have been removed.  Students may return to class after these steps have been taken, and following a head check by school staff.    A note will be sent home with students in affected classrooms.  We also appreciate hearing from parents when head lice are detected in a child’s hair at home.  Regular checks are encouraged.  We have lots of information to share about dealing with head lice, for parents who are interested.  Please contact us for details.

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Fundraising

Each year we endeavour to raise enough funds to provide our   students with program extras such as field trips, and dramatic or       musical presentations.  Details about the fundraising for this year will be shared with families once plans have been made.

It is also customary for our grade seven and eight students to sell chocolate bars in the spring to earn money toward their end of year field trips.  This effort helps to defray the overall cost of the activity.

We recognize how fundraising has become such a part of life for many organizations, including schools.  The principal and staff in consultation with our School Council will decide on the method of fundraising. 

We realize that there are often many requests for money (school clothing, fundraising, school pictures, food days, field trips etc.)  Please in no way feel pressure to partake in all of these.  Many of these options are available as a service to you and your family.

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Illness or Injury

In the event of a child becoming ill at school we will first attempt to contact the parents at home or work. If a parent cannot be reached, we will contact the person designated as an emergency contact by the parent. If no one can be reached, the child will be made as comfortable as possible at the school. No student will be sent home ill unless it has been confirmed that a responsible adult is there to receive the child.

Students injured while at school are cared for in the following ways:

An injury may be inspected by the teacher, who may keep the student under observation in the classroom.

The child may be sent to the office for first aid.

Parents are routinely notified in the following cases:

• any blow to the head

• any injury to the eye

• bee or insect sting

When serious injuries occur, the parent or emergency designate is contacted and is informed of the need for emergency medical attention. In cases of emergencies requiring immediate medical attention and   telephone contacts are unavailable, the child will be transported to the hospital by ambulance.

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Bicycles

Bicycles left in the bicycle racks need to be locked.  The school cannot assume any responsibility for lost or stolen bicycles especially if they are left in the racks without locks. We’ve seen enough sad faces of young bike owners who have left their valued possession unlocked.    Bicycles must be walked while on school property.  The school parking lot is not to be used by  bicycles or pedestrians.  Students are to use the bicycle rack closest to their exit.

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Personal Property

                School staff discourage students from bringing personal belongings such as phones, cd players, skateboards etc. to school.  The school cannot take responsibility for lost, stolen or broken items.

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Homework

We believe, based on research findings and our own experience, that homework has value for our students, and this is supported in the homework policy of the Lambton Kent District School Board.

There are some key considerations though, in ensuring that the efforts of our students are well-directed.

First, we recognize that people lead busier lives these days, and that there are often multiple priorities   facing  families, with homework being just one of them.  Second, it is important to recognize that standards within our schools have been raised, and that attention to school work,  including what’s done at home, is critically important to the academic success of students.  Homework assignments give parents insight into the school curriculum and offer a greater opportunity for student learning to occur.

One of the key variables in the research on homework that leads to student success is the involvement of parents.  If you as a parent or guardian are able to be with your child as they work, or be available to them, they’ll do a better job, and will attach more importance to it.  This helps to strengthen the learning skills of initiative and responsibility that will serve them well throughout their school career, as well as later in their chosen field.

We all want success for our students.  Homework places responsibility with the learner, and gives students an opportunity to extend their learning.

We offer the following as standards that we will strive to meet in making homework an effective part of your child’s school experience:

How much is reasonable? 

For primary students, a period of 10 to 20 minutes is a fair guideline.  Junior students may be expected to spend 30 to 45 minutes usually, while intermediate students approach an hour or so. 

What kind of work can be expected?

There are times when a student’s efforts at home are directed toward completing work which was not completed during the school day.  On other occasions, students will be preparing for tests, or working on projects during their homework time.  There may also be times when a student has brought home some work which is designed to reinforce the learning of a concept which they have not yet mastered.

Tips for Parents

Pick a place - A regular place for doing homework should be set aside.  It should have lots of light, and be relatively quiet.  Have work materials handy.

Remove distractions - Some children may work well with quiet background music, but many really benefit from a work space that is free from intrusion by sound or activity.

Depending upon the assignment, you may need to sit with your child while they get started, and then check back with them intermittently as they work, to ensure that they are on task and making progress.

Check their work when they have finished, and sign their planner to indicate that you’ve done so.

If your child is still developing their reading skills, a few minutes of shared reading time each night can make a significant difference for them.  Working with word lists can also be beneficial.

If your child’s class is involved in home reading or home math programs, strive for consistency in the completion of the activities.

Communicate with your child’s teacher if you have any questions.

What are we doing, as your child’s educators, to support their efforts at home?

We will continue to use students planners, from first grade through eighth grade, to record assignments,  or special events, and to communicate with parents.  The planner is to be taken home every night and returned every morning.

When your child has completed their homework, we ask that you sign the planner to indicate that you have checked their work.  We will check again, and will   ensure that the work is reviewed and any needed corrections are made.

We will strive for balance in the amount of homework assigned.  Where students have more than one teacher assigning homework, we will   co-ordinate our efforts with regard to workload, project due dates, and test schedules.

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A Note to Our Families

A child’s success in school depends upon many factors, but two of them are critical in the overall picture of things.

The first is the involvement of parents or guardians in the life of the school.  Certainly this includes attending student-led conferences at the first reporting period, as well as special events, and when possible, taking advantage of the opportunity to volunteer.

It also includes talking each day to your child about their day at school, about how things went, and what they learned.  For younger students, it involves reading with them on a regular basis, helping to give them the gift of literacy.  It also includes providing a place and a regular routine for the completion of homework.

The second critical factor is the maintaining of a positive working relationship between home and school.  A commitment to doing what’s best for students, and a focus on identifying best solutions will help to build these relationships.  We share the responsibility of educating your child, and the better the job we do of working together, and supporting each other, the better the outcomes for your child.

We have very much looked forward to this school year, and hope to provide the best yet for our students.  This year will have a different look and feel to it in a number of ways, but our goal has always been the same:  To provide the best possible learning experiences for our students in a supportive, caring, environment.  We invite your skills and energy in helping us to meet this goal

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