The Big 5 Codes

 

 

Safe Welcome Program @ Central

In the interest of safety and to support a welcoming learning environment for our students and staff, the Grand Erie District School Board will implement Safe Welcome Program – locked door policy for all Grand Erie District School Board Elementary schools.

System Overview:

1. All perimeter doors will be locked and a new security access device will be in place at school main entrance doors.
2. The school main entrance will be equipped with a Video / Intercom access system. This system will allow school staff to identify visitors. It will provide additional building safety measures for our students, staff and school community.
3. The access system allows for the visual identification of any visitors requesting entrance into the school prior to their approved access.
4. All perimeter doors are to be locked and secured during the school hours. (e.g., 15 minutes before and until 15 minutes after final bell time).
5. The Video / Intercom access system has a 2-way audio/video communication system from the main door to the main office, complete with an electric door release.
6. The Video / Intercom access system software will be installed on the main office computers.

 

In Grand Erie We Value these Character Attributes:
 

Respect

Treat yourself, others and the environment with dignity and reverence.

Integrity

Be honest, sincere, trustworthy and reliable. Ensure actions and words align.

Responsibility

Be accountable to yourself, family and friends. Be dependable. Share, give and volunteer in your community.

Perseverance

Act with courage, tenacity, determination and with a commitment to hard work.

Never give up. Believe in yourself. Try your best.

Compassion

Demonstrate kindness, care and thoughtfulness. Empathize with others.

Humility

Be humble and recognize your limitations. Strive for mutual benefit.

Inclusiveness

Create an environment where we honour differences and diversity. Be fair and equitable.
 

Student Handbook

Attendance

As part of our Safe Arrival Program parents MUST phone the school if your child is going to be absent. The school phone number is 519-752-8819 We do have an answering machine to record messages if you call before or after school hours. This program helps us ensure that all students at Central Public School are safe!

Students who arrive late must report to the office to sign in. Students who are not in their classrooms by the end of the second song played in the morning will be marked late and will be expected to stay in our homework room after school. Parents will be notified if their child is expected to attend the homework room.

Parents will be notified by letter after frequent lates and absences. Habitual lateness and absences will lead to the involvement of the Board’s attendance counsellor.

When a student is away, it is his/her responsibility to catch up on missed work or assignments during their own time. Homework buddies are recommended. Students who miss over 5 days will be expected to attend our homework room for a week or until they can demonstrate they are completely caught up in their studies. Our homework room runs every day from 3:15 to 3:45 in the library. Any student can attend.
 

Code of Conduct

The Grand Erie District School board and Central Public School support the provincial standard of behavior which include all of our Character Attributes.

Students and staff at Central Public School create rules, rewards and consequences together. See The Spartans' Big 5 for more information on student behaviour and discipline.

Central Public School also follows the agreements of the ‘Tribes’ philosophy: Mutual Respect, Attentive Listening, Appreciations, No Put Downs, and Right To Participate.

Role of School Staff

• To demonstrate care and commitment to academic excellence and a safe teaching/learning environment;
• To act as role models and to hold everyone to the highest standard of respectful and responsible behavior;
• To maintain a consistent standard of behaviour respectful of human rights of all participants;
• To communicate regularly and meaningfully with all members of the school community;
• To demonstrate respect for all students, staff and parents;
• To prepare students for the full responsibilities of citizenship.

Role of Students

• To attend school prepared, on time, and ready to learn;
• To show respect for themselves, others and to those in authority;
• To refrain from bringing anything to school that may compromise the safety of others; To follow established rules and take responsibility for their actions.
• Role of Parents/Guardians
• To show an active interest in their child’s school work and progress;
• To communicate regularly with school personnel;
• To help their child be neat, appropriately dressed and prepared for school;
• To ensure their child attends school regularly and on time;
• To promptly report to the school their child’s absence or late arrival;
• To become familiar with the Code of Conduct and school rules, and assist their child in following these rules of behavior.
   

Bullying

Bullying is typically a form of repeated, persistent and aggressive behavior directed at an individual or individuals that is intended to cause ( or should be known to cause) fear or distress and or harm to another person’s body, feelings, self-esteem, or reputation. Bullying occurs in a context where there is a real or perceived power imbalance. Bullying will not be tolerated.
 

Progressive Discipline

Grand Erie District School Board takes a progressive discipline approach to promote positive student behaviour. Progressive discipline is a whole school approach that utilizes a continuum of interventions, supports and consequences that include opportunities for reinforcing positive behaviour while helping students make good choices. A progressive discipline approach includes:

• early and ongoing intervention
• strategies addressing inappropriate behavior
• opportunities for students to learn from choices.

 

Physical Safety

Weapons: All students must:

• not be in possession of any weapon
• not use any object to threaten or intimidate another person
• not cause injury to any person with an object

Alcohol and Drugs: All students must:

• not be in possession or under the influence of or provide others with, alcohol or illegal drugs

Physical Aggression: All students must:

• not inflict or encourage others to inflict bodily harm on another person.
   

Student Mobile Phone Policy

The Central School staff recognizes that mobile phones are an ever increasing part of the daily lives of Canadians. We understand that some parents feel more comfortable knowing that their child has a mobile phone with him or her while walking to and from school.

As the number of students bringing mobile phones to school increases, so does the potential for these phones to stop being a tool and start to become a distraction. To ensure a calm and positive learning environment as free from distraction as possible, the following policy addressing Student Mobile Phones is in place at Central School.

• Students are permitted to use their phones as learning tools during instructional time only with specific teacher permission.
• Students are not permitted to text during class time.
• If a teacher determines that the mobile phone is distracting the student or others, or is being used inappropriately, students will be instructed to hand over their phone to the teacher.
• Students refusing to hand over their phone will be referred to the office and will be instructed to hand over their phone to the principal.
• Repeated issues will result in the parent needing to come to the school and personally collect their child’s phone.
• Parents are asked to respect our school day and refrain from texting or calling their child during class time.
   

Visitors

All visitors, parents/guardians and volunteers must enter the front doors of the school and report to the office.
 

Parent Drivers/Volunteers

The Grand Erie District School Board requires all parents and guardians wishing to participate in or out of school activities to produce an up-to-date Criminal Background Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening. Forms are available in the office.

According to Board Policy, parents and other volunteer drivers using their own vehicles to transport students must carry adequate third-party liability insurance. All parent drivers must have a valid police check.
 

Parking and Student Drop-off

For the safety of your children, we require your vigilance, cooperation and care when dropping off your child at all times. Parents are asked not to enter the parking lot for the safety of students walking through it.
 

Bicycles

• Bike locks are recommended.
• All riders must dismount and walk their bikes across school property;
• Roller blades, skateboards, scooters etc. are not allowed for use on school property during regular hours.

 

Crossing Guards

Crossing guards are hired to help students crossing at busy intersections. Students are expected to respect and follow the crossing guards’ directions at all times.
 

Anaphylaxis (Severe Allergic Reaction)

We have students in our school with severe life threatening food allergies. This is a medical condition that causes a severe life-threatening reaction, and could be fatal within minutes. Although this may not affect your child’s class directly, the entire school will follow safety precautions to ensure the safety of all students. Your cooperation is essential.

CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHOOL IS A NUT-SENSITIVE ENVIRONMENT. PLEASE DO NOT SEND FOODS THAT CONTAIN OR MAY CONTAIN NUTS/NUT PRODUCTS OR TRACES OF THESE.
 

Medication

Medication (Epi-pens, pills, liquids) cannot be administered to students by staff unless proper Board forms are completed and signed by a physician and parent. Please request such forms from the office. A revised form shall be completed each school year, or whenever a modification of the prescribed medication is directed by a physician.
 

Perfumes/Sprays

Aerosol products such as deodorants, perfumes, and body sprays are not permitted at school.
 

Pediculosis (Head Lice)

Pediculosis or head lice is a nuisance rather than a health problem. We will continue to have a trained group of staff and/or parents check all students on a regular basis.

Parents are urged to check their child’s head regularly. You are asked to contact the school if there is a case in your family. Note: It is the policy of the Grand Erie District School Board to exclude from school property, students who show any evidence of head lice (live or nits). It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to ensure that their children are properly and thoroughly treated, and nit-free before returning to school.
 

Dress Code

• no inappropriate language, graphics, logos on clothing
• no halter or spaghetti strapped tops
• no showing of undergarments: underwear and bras
• shorts and skirts as long as one’s hands at side of body
• shoes on at all times

If in doubt...don’t wear it!

Please remember to dress your student appropriately for weather conditions.
 

Personal Property

Cell phones, iPods, MP3 players, cameras & toys are not to be used during the school day unless specific permission is given by school staff members. Electronics may be confiscated and parents may be asked to pick up these items. See our Mobile Phone Policy here.

Central Public School cannot assume responsibility for the loss of personal items of value such as money, jewelry, or electronics. We encourage students to leave such items at home.
 

Lost and Found

We have a lost and found area which children are regularly reminded to check for lost items. It’s amazing how much turns up here. Labeling items, especially clothing, would help us return lost items to their proper owner. Several times during the school year all the items collected are displayed for identification and retrieval.

Unclaimed items are recycled through local agencies. More expensive items such as watches and jewelry that are found are kept at the office until they are identified and claimed.
 

Student Information Sheet

Early in September, you will be asked to update a Student Information Sheet. Please ensure that the office is informed of any changes such as emergency contact, phone numbers, places of employment. Up to date records ensure that we will be able to contact you if we need to do so.
 

Student Insurance

Each year insurance packages are available to parents and guardians. The forms will be sent home at the beginning of the school year outlining a variety of options. Participation in this program is recommended but completely voluntary. School trips with an increased inherent safety risk require proof of insurance. Completed forms are mailed directly by you to the company.
 

Newspaper Coverage

We are always looking for opportunities to highlight our students’ achievements. Occasionally, we are fortunate enough to be featured in the local news. Names of students are published as a result of this process. If you do not wish your child’s name to be included in any such article or photo, this should be indicated on the Student Information Form sent home in September.
 

Student Photos

Early in the school year, a photographer will be taking school photos. The photographer is chosen by the School Advisory Council.
 

Newsletters and Bulletins

In addition to classroom newsletters that teachers send home to families, the school produces a monthly calendar and newsletter with upcoming events. To be conscientious about the use of paper, we are encouraging families to access the newsletter from the school website.
 

Inclement Weather

When weather conditions are such that Grand Erie cancels transportation, the school is closed to both students and staff.

Information pertaining to delays, early departures or cancellation is available on local radio stations.

The most up to date and accurate information about closings can be found on the Transportation website. Central Public School is in Zone 4.
 

Early School Closing

In the event of early school closing, parents, guardians or emergency contacts will be notified through the school “fan out” system and arrangements will be made to determine how your child will arrive safely home. A student will never be left unsupervised.
 

School Supplies

The school supplies many materials for daily use. In addition to these, each division will send home a list of suggested supplies that will be needed. Textbooks are very expensive. Students are asked to take special care to return assigned texts in the same condition in which they were received. The cost of replacing lost or damaged materials will be the student’s responsibility.
 

Library

Reading and research are an integral part of learning. Access to the library is important. Please see that books and materials are returned on a regular basis. For lost or damaged books, a replacement cost fee will be charged to the student who is responsible.
 

Physical Education

All students are required to participate in daily physical activity. Students are required to have proper athletic wear, including running shoes.
 

Extracurricular Activities

There are numerous ways that students can become involved at Central Public School. There are many school teams, clubs and activities available for participation all year long. Please encourage your child to participate.
 

Recess and Nutrition Breaks

Every day, students will have two 20 minute outdoor breaks and two 20 minute nutrition breaks. All students are expected to take part in these breaks and remain outside for the assigned time. Please ensure that your child is appropriately dressed for the weather.