october 2014 - yrdsb … · -2015 co-chairs roshan ganie and surees panchadcharam at:...
TRANSCRIPT
Go Thunderbolts Go
Principal: M. Matt Superintendent: R. Swarup Trustee: A. Tam 78 Beckett Ave Unionville, ON L6C 0T3 | 289-746-FARM (3276) | Fax 905 534 2334 School Hours for Students: 9:10 AM to 3:40 PM School Office Hours: 8:15 AM to 4:15 PM
Email: [email protected] Website http://beckettfarm.ps.yrdsb.ca Blog: http://beckettfarmps.wordpress.com/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/BeckettFarmPS School Council email: [email protected]
OCTOBER 2014
ADMINISTRATORS’ MESSAGE Welcome all! We have had a tremendous start to the first year of our school. For years, many of you have waited patiently for our doors to open. That day is finally here. I can tell you Beckett Farm PS is off to a great start where learning and character building occurs each day. The heart of any school is the people who fill it. Beckett Farm PS is lucky to be situated in this wonderful community, where education is the top priority. We are pleased to have warm and friendly families supported by an entire staff (caretakers, office assistants, EAs/DECEs and teachers) like no other. Each one understands and is sensitive to the importance of balancing both the academic and well-being needs of students. Furthermore, these skilled compassionate educators are flexible and committed to the success of every child under our care. That said, should any of you feel we are not meeting these expectations please do not hesitate to speak with us and be direct with your concerns. We too are learners and like everyone else have room to grow. This is a new subdivision where homes continue to close on a monthly basis. The result will be a substantial growth in our student population. The class changes that occurred in the month of September is a good example of what can continue to occur throughout this year and the next year. We will make every effort to minimize the reorganizations by creating classrooms with adequate space to that grow with each change. That said, once our classrooms fill up we will address the situation. The good news about our population growth is change is a positive force when optimistically approached. For example, besides the new students we add, there is also the opportunity to bring in new teachers whose knowledge and skill base will round out the talents we already have on staff. On this note, I would like to introduce two new staff members who were not listed in the letter send home in September. Congratulations to Mrs. Kniznik (teaching in our community class and doing preparation coverage) and Mrs. Logendran (teaching primary preparation coverage and intermediate science, history/geography, drama/dance) who have joined our school team.
Please be assured that at Beckett Farm we are committed to ensuring that every one of our students has the opportunity to grow and learn in a positive and safe environment. Our job is to help your children become the best they can be – the best learners and the best citizens. We know that we cannot accomplish this without your support and so we look forward, as always, to working with you in partnership in pursuit of this goal. This year we will continue to offer our newsletter online. The newsletter will be posted on the first of each month on our school website; http://www.BeckettFarm.ps.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/. On behalf of the entire staff at Beckett Farm PS, we look forward to working with our community and a successful and rewarding 2014-2015 school year.
Michael Matt Principal
E-NEWSLETTERS & EMAILS FROM THE SCHOOL The Beckett Farm PS newsletters will be published electronically. As a result, please provide us with an email address to ensure you are receiving the school newsletter as well as any important email messages. Please contact Ms. Cheung or email us at: [email protected]. Most email accounts are already registered as a result of paperwork families completed. However, please keep us informed of any changes or updates to your email accounts. Due to Canada’s Anti-Spam laws we require your permission to email you any electronic communications of a commercial nature (e.g., Field Trips, Fundraisers, etc). To receive such school related emails please go to the Beckett Farm PS website, www.yrdsb.ca/schools/beckettfarm.ps You will see the following icon at the bottom of the webpage to subscribe.
BECKETT FARM PS TWEETS
Beckett Farm and the York Region District School Board uses Twitter as part of our ongoing effort to enhance parent, family and community engagement in public education. Parents and students who are interested in learning more about what is going on at Beckett Farm on a regular basis or happenings within York Region public schools are invited to follow Beckett Farm PS and the York Region District School Board’s Twitter account. Visit www.twitter.com/BeckettFarmPS to follow our school’s twitter and see www.twitter.com/yrdsb to follow the York Region District School Board.
SCHOOL HOURS
We follow a 5 Day schedule. Supervision in the yard begins at 8:55 AM. There is no yard supervision after school which ends at 3:40 PM.
Morning Entry Bell 9:00 AM School Starting Time 9:10 AM Morning Recess 10:50 – 11:20 AM Lunch 1:00 – 2:00 PM Dismissal 3:40 PM
It is important that all students have a good breakfast and bring a healthy snack to eat during the first 10 minutes of the morning recess break each day as this will give them energy in the morning and allow them to focus as they engage in their learning until our late lunch hour.
SCHOOL ENTRY Entry bells will ring at 9:00 AM. Students are to line up in front of their entry areas in the mornings. They will also be dismissed from this entry door.
C Doors (Southeast) – Grade 1/2 classes, Kindergarten Community class
B Doors (Southwest) – Grades 2/3, 3/4, 4/5 classes
A Doors (Northwest) – Grade 5/6, 7, 7/8 classes
SAFE ARRIVAL PROGRAM Our school operates a safe arrival program that requires that we check the whereabouts of all students who are absent each day. It is important that parents let us know if their child is going to be absent. You may leave a message on our answering machine after 4:15 PM and prior to 8:15 AM. Please call the school at (289) 746 – FARM (3276) to reach the safe arrival mailbox to leave a message at anytime.
CROSSING GUARD Due to home construction, our subdivision is composed of unassumed roads. As a result, I am working with the school system, city representatives and developers to address the request for a crossing guard to assist students who are crossing the road as they walk to school.
ABOUT THE BECKETT FARM SCHOOL COUNCIL
The Beckett Farm School Council is comprised of volunteer parents, as well as community members and observers that participate in fundraising activities, assist with the planning of school events and provide advice and input to the administration on specific issues. The members of a School Council are accountable to the parents they represent and must:
Maintain a school-wide perspective on issues.
Regularly attend school council meetings.
Participate in information and training programs.
Act as a link between the school council, the community, and the school administration.
Encourage the participation of all parents within the school community.
Participate on sub-committees and assist with the tasks of the school council. Current News The School Council was established this September 2014 after three evening meetings. All parents are invited to attend our meetings which will take place on the second Wednesday of every month in the staff room at 6:30 PM. Specific meeting dates include: Oct. 15, 2014; Nov. 12, 2014; Dec. 10, 2014; Jan. 14, 2015; Feb. 11, 2015; Mar. 11, 2015; Apr. 15, 2015; May 13, 2015; and June 10, 2015. The School Council Executive is composed of:
Co-Chairs: Roshan Ganie and Surees Panchadcharam
Treasurer: Rajeev Panch
Secretary: Elaine Friesen
Contact us For more information about the School Council, or if you have comments or ideas on how to help your school, please contact the 2014 -2015 Co-Chairs Roshan Ganie and Surees Panchadcharam at: [email protected]
CURRICULUM NIGHT
THURSDAY, OCTOBER. 9th
, 2014 from 5:30 to 8:00 PM. Please come to meet your child’s teachers and learn more about the school program they will be involved in during this school year. Schedule: 5:30 to 6:00 PM – Parents to tour the school with the support of our student ambassadors 6:10 to 6:30 PM – Parents assemble in the gym – for Beckett Farm Staff Introduction and short presentation 6:30 to 7:00 PM – Rotation #1: Parents visit their child’s homeroom class to learn about curriculum and class routines 7:00 to 7:30 PM – Rotation #2: Parents visit their child’s homeroom class to learn about curriculum and class routines 6:30 to 7:30 PM – Parents are welcome to visit their child’s rotary teachers class. Please see flyer for class rooms 7:30 to 8:00 PM – Music Room is open Book Fair is open from 5:30 – 8:00 PM in the library
LUNCHTIME
Students who stay for lunch will eat in designated classrooms. Students who are leaving for lunchtime will be dismissed from their designated entry/exit doors. PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO BRING HIS/HER LUNCH IN THE MORNINGS. If you must drop off a lunch, please leave it on the lunch table by the front doors of the school. Lunches being dropped off should be labeled with the child’s complete name. Lunches should be dropped off by 12:55 PM and must include a spoon/fork (should such utensils be required) as the school does not supply these items. A litterless lunch is highly encouraged. Lunchtime is a busy time. Students have little time to chat and socialize while moving to their designated areas to eat their lunch. We ask parents/caregivers to drop off the lunch and then leave. We suggest you could leave a note inside the lunch if you wish to make contact with your child. Should you wish your child to participate in this initiative, the Beckett Farm Pizza Day will be every Wednesday this year and will include the Kindergartens. Pizza ordered will adhere to the Ontario Ministry of Education’s New School Food and Beverage Policy.
HEALTHY SCHOOLS – NUTRITION BREAK AT THE START OF EACH RECESS We know how important good nutrition is for optimum academic performance. Therefore we encourage your child to bring only nutritious snacks (e.g. fruit, vegetables, yogurt, etc.). Starting Tuesday October 14
th, students are given 10 minutes at the start of each
recess to stay in class and eat. The remaining 20 minutes of recess are spent outside.
EXTENDED STUDENT ABSENCE
As you may be aware, Bill 52, which delineates the government's plan for Learning to Age 18, also requires that the responsibility for extended student absent be addressed to ensure continuity of their learning. In the past, a student who had been absent for 15 consecutive school days, without appropriate supporting documentation, was typically removed from the attendance register. Bill 52 allows for any pupil of compulsory school age to remain on the register for 16 to 30 consecutive days of absence, but only after the principal has referred the case in writing to the attendance counsellor. Further, this may be extended for subsequent fifteen-day periods, if the principal receives reports from the attendance counsellor every 15 days that the file is still active.
The legislation underscores the importance of maintaining contact with absent students. We are not fond of the idea of extended student absences for the purposes of family holidays during the school year. However, if your child is going to be away for 15 or more consecutive days, parents must contact the school in order to receive a form they must complete in order to follow the requirements of Bill 52.
BUSSING FOR ELIGIBLE STUDENTS
All homes in the Beckett Farm PS boundaries are within walking distance. As a result the only bussing we have is for students with special needs.
ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES: WALKING, BUS AND PARKING LOT LOOPS WALKING For health/safety reasons and to reduce traffic congestion around the school it is preferred children walk to school. Where appropriate, children should be accompanied by an older responsible student or adult. When walking on school property please use all available sidewalks and crosswalks. Should you not be able to walk, please review the Drop-off/Pick-Up Loop instructions. Our supervision staff will also direct you as needed. Safety over speed is what we promote and expect of drivers. Thank you. BUS AND PARKING LOT LOOPS Student safety when dropping children off for school or picking them up after school is our shared priority. Please adhere to our driver/pedestrian procedures explained below – they are designed to be safe and efficient. We appreciate your patience during drop-off or pick-up – due to potential high volume, there are times when the loop may get lined up beyond the entrance and as a result it will move predictably slowly. Again, safety will always take priority over speed. Morning Drop-Off Tip, most cars will arrive between 9:00 AM and 9:10 AM. To avoid peak loop usage consider dropping off between 8:55 AM and 9:00 AM. Students are allowed to enter the school at 9:00 AM. The Bus Loop at the front of the school is off limits to all vehicles excluding school buses and clearly marked private mini buses that transport students to and from our school. Parent/Caregiver use of the parking lot: As the school grows in student population, so too will the number of our Beckett Farm staff who will use the parking lot. At the start of the year, there may be a few parking spots available to accommodate parent/caregiver usage; however, I expect this to reduce over time. As a result, it is requested that parents do not park in the school parking lot between 8:40 AM and 9:10 AM. Drivers remember, those who park in the lot, must escort children to the sidewalk in front of the school, via the loop crosswalk. Do not randomly walk across the loop at any time. Where to cross the Parking Lot Drop-Off & Pick-Up Loop/Never cross the Bus Loop: When walking to school at no time should parents or students randomly cross either loop. Please use the municipal sidewalk parallel to Brock Avenue to make your way to the school sidewalks which will safely lead you onto school property. When walking onto school property from the northeast corner by Brock Avenue and Foshan Avenue you are expected to follow the school sidewalks that cross the Parking Lot Loop via two crosswalks. These crosswalks are clearly marked. Remember, when crossing a road, the entrance to our driveway or our Parking Lot Loop, continually look both ways for moving vehicles. Safety must be everyone’s top priority. 8:55 – 9:10 AM: Drivers are to enter the parking lot loop and remain single file along the right curb side lane. Vehicles are not permitted to park, but are expected to come to a full stop before instructing their passengers to exit the vehicle by way of the passenger side doors only. Staff on duty will provide direction. Drivers are not to leave their vehicles (unless child safety locks are used) and must check their “blind spot” before proceeding out of the loop via the left lane. Also please remember to move slowly when entering/exiting the loop, stop at each crosswalk and focus solely on driving rather than looking over a shoulder to watch your child make his/her way onto the school grounds. 3:40 – 3:55 PM: Drivers are to enter the parking lot loop and remain single file along the right curb side lane. Vehicles are not permitted to park, but may stop and wait for their children who must enter the vehicle through a passenger side door. Staff on duty will provide direction. Drivers are not to leave their vehicles (unless child safety locks are used). Once passengers are safely buckled in the vehicle the driver must check his/her “blind spot” and then proceed out of the loop using the left lane. Drivers must remember to move slowly when entering/exiting the loop and to stop at each crosswalk. Lunch time (1:00 – 2:00 PM): The Drop-Off/Pick-Up Loops are closed during lunchtime due to lack of available supervision. Please park on the road and walk onto school property. Your effort to follow this expectation is appreciated. Further, students are encouraged to bring their lunches to school at the beginning of the day. Should lunch be dropped off during the morning hours a cart
will sit outside the front doors for parents to leave lunches (ensure the child’s name is clearly marked on them). For safety reasons parents will not be permitted into the school to hand off a lunch. Rather, a school lunch assistant will carry out this responsibility. STUDENTS WHO USE BICYCLES, ROLLERBLADES, SKATEBOARDS OR SCOOTERS to travel to school:
Must wear a helmet.
Must walk while on school property.
Should lock bicycles on the bike rack.
Must store rollerblades, skateboards or scooters in their locker or backpack. The school is not responsible for any lost or damaged personal items.
MFIPPA: MUNICIPAL FREEDOM OF INFORMATION & PROTECTION OF PRIVACY ACT
We celebrate student achievement by posting student work/pictures around the school throughout the year. If you would prefer that your child’s work or picture not be on display in any capacity, PLEASE CONTACT US IN WRITING.
ANAPHALAXIS AND EPINEPHRINE AUTO-INJECTORS
Beckett Farm strives to be a Nut Safe School. Parents are asked to inform teachers if their child has any allergies (eg., peanuts, dairy product, tree nuts, etc) – see the Beckett Farm Book of Forms. If so, you will be given an office form to complete indicating the type of allergy your child has, and provide an epinephrine auto-injector if necessary. Even if you have filled out the form previously, we need to update this at the beginning of each school year. The school keeps an epinephrine auto-injector for each child with allergies if the doctor
prescribes it, in case of emergencies. Epinephrine auto-injectors that are close to the expiry date will need to be replaced. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter. Further, students who require an epinephrine auto-injector should carry one with them at all times (this epinephrine auto-injector would be in addition to the one parents provide for the school). Parents are asked to check that their child is carrying his/her epipen when preparing to go on all school excursions. The teacher will ensure to bring the second epinephrine auto-injector the parent provides to the office for trips, etc.
KEEPING OUR SCHOOLS SAFE: In accordance with the Principal’s responsibilities under the Education Act to ensure a safe and orderly learning environment, the school has the right to search school property, such as lockers and desks, without notice to or permission of any person. From time to time, the police may be invited onto school property to conduct their own searches and these searches may be conducted without notice or permission of any member of the school community as per our Joint Board and Police Protocol. When conducting a search of school property, persons or personal property, the police are responsible for conforming to all legal requirements with respect to searches. (The Joint Board and Police Protocol asks principals to document the manner and dissemination of this information and that at the beginning of each term, all members of the school community are made aware of the school’s right in this area).
BUILDING SECURITY To protect our students from the risk of an intruder, it is important to call attention to Beckett Farm’s expected behaviour for all parents/caregivers and visitors. All visitors and volunteers, whether family members or other community members, sign in at the main office when entering the school. You will then get a “Visitor” badge to wear while you are here. Whenever students enter or leave school between 9:05 and 3:40 they must sign in/out in the main office. This is the only way the office knows if your child is actually in the building or not.
LOCKED DOORS POLICY In order to comply with the Board’s present Safe School’s Policy and in order to do the best we can to keep our students as safe as possible, all the perimeter doors except the front door will be locked during the school day. Entering though the front doors ensures that people have to make contact with the office before going to other locations within the school.
Parents/caregivers/visitors must not enter the school hallways or stairwells at any time without first requesting permission from the main office. WHEN ENTERING THE SCHOOL AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DAY EVERYONE EXCEPT STAFF AND STUDENTS MUST USE THE FRONT DOORS AND REPORT TO THE MAIN OFFICE TO SIGN IN. Student safety is the reason for enforcing this expectation. It can be virtually impossible to identify a dangerous intruder from a caregiver or visitor unless we screen everyone through the main office. Visitors are given special badges for identification. If you are stopped in the hall or stairwell by a staff member please remember we are doing this to ensure the safety of our students. On a related subject, it is expected that parents/caregivers will drop off and wait to pick up the children in their care just outside the entry/exit door assigned to the grade level. During inclement weather, parents/caregivers are welcome to wait in the front foyer to meet children before going to their child’s respective exit door just before the school dismissal bell rings. Should you have questions, please speak to any staff member or Mr. Matt. Thank you for following these expectations.
PHYSICAL CONDUCT EXPECTATIONS
In order to prevent physical injury and because of our concern for student safety, students at Beckett Farm P.S. are expected to avoid activities that involve aggressive play and touching. Activities that are not acceptable include wrestling, piggy-backing, tripping, pushing, shoving, body-checking, poking, punching, and other forms of play in stairwells, hallways and playgrounds. During recess breaks, students are able to play organized games such as basketball, soccer and foot hockey as well as activities such as skipping and tag.
LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
If you’ve got a ‘heart’ for books and a ‘heart’ for children, then the library is an awesome place for you to volunteer! There are many tasks and we’d love to have you help out. Some tasks include shelving, typing barcodes, working at the circulation computer, working at special events such as book fairs, and setting up displays. We will tailor a schedule to meet your needs. There are even opportunities to type labels at home! If you are interested in helping out, please call Mrs. Sofos at the school extension 227. No experience is necessary!
Use of Technology Cell Phone Camera Functions and Cameras – Board and School Policy
As per Board Policy, “Cell phone camera functions (and cameras) are not permitted to be used on school property. Cell phones, iphones, ipads etc. used in the classroom are for instructional purposes only. Any Photos or video clips that are taken must never be shared or displayed via the internet (e.g. Face Book, MSN, YouTube, etc.) or in any other way without the explicit consent of all people depicted. Abuse of this will result in consequences laid out in the Board’s Safe Schools’ Policy.Students needing to contact home during the day may ask permission to use the office phone. Infractions will be dealt with as student discipline, under the Safe and Supportive Schools Policy and Procedure. Inappropriate use of cell phones/cameras or technology may result in consequences as decided by the teacher and or Principal. Posting negative comments regarding school staff or other students on Facebook, using Skype to engage in conversations that affect the physical and/or social/emotional safety of staff and students OR using cell phones inappropriately to text during instructional time are NOT acceptable. Students MUST abide by the Acceptable use Agreement form they have signed.
Valuable Possessions Valuable possessions, such as electronic games, toys and Game Boys may interfere with the learning environment. Personal music players (M3Ps, Cell Phones and iPods) are not to be used inside the school building unless supervised and directed by a staff member. Students are discouraged from bringing these items to school. If they are brought to school, it is at the students’ own risk. If an item is confiscated, parents will be asked to pick it up at the school office. We are not responsible for loss or damage to personal effects that are not required for programming.
Safety Drills
We will be reviewing safety issues and practicing some specific safety procedures/drills with all of our students. As you know from previous years, schools across the province have engaged in Lockdown Procedures which prepare students for occurrences such as an armed intruder. Schools are required to practice 2 Lockdowns in addition to 6 Fire Drills per year. Our first Lockdown will take place later in the month and our fire drills will randomly occur throughout the year, with the first one occurring within the first 2 weeks of school. Our teachers do a great job of preparing our students for these drills so that anxiety levels are kept to a minimum.
