Attendance

In order to implement a greater measure of protection for our students, we ask families to report student absences, either through the Safe Arrivals Application on School Messenger, or by calling l the school at 519-752-8232 before 8:30 a.m. if your child will be absent for the morning, afternoon or the entire day. Our voicemail system is available for attendance messages 24 hours/day. Please report absences each day unless you can give the specific number of days for which your child will be away. This plan provides a measure of safety so that children sent to school and who do not report to their classroom are identified quickly so that parents/authorities can take action.

All children going home early or arriving late must report to the office to be signed in/out for their absence.

Lunch Procedures

Students must follow the rules of good taste when eating with theirs peers, and they are encouraged to bring environmentally conscious lunches. Students, whose parents expect them to stay for lunch, will not be allowed to leave at lunch without a note from their parents or parents signing them out. Our designated lunch hour is the second nutrition break. Students who do not return to school on time from lunch or are behaving inappropriately in the community will lose the privilege.
 

Allergy Alert

We do have children in our school with a severe life-threatening food allergy to peanuts, nuts and shellfish (anaphylaxis). This is a medical condition that causes a severe reaction to specific foods and could be fatal within minutes. Any contact with peanuts (or other nuts) could cause such a reaction. Although this may or may not affect your child’s class directly, we want to inform you so that you may choose to send foods to school with your child that are free from peanuts or nut products. Lunchroom and other arrangements will be made to ensure the safety of these children. As per GEDSB policy, imitation nut butters/products are also not permitted at school. Your cooperation and assistance in this matter will be greatly appreciated.
 

School Outings

During the school year, a number of special events will be planned for the students. Some activities include: class trips, fund-raising campaigns, athletic competitions, musical and dramatic presentations and other special “fun days”. It is always expected that students will demonstrate appropriate behaviour in order to be included in school outings and special events. GEDSB policy requires all permissions for trips to be given by guardians in written form only, using the waiver provided.  We cannot accept verbal permission. Students who do not conduct themselves according to academic and behavioural expectations will not be permitted to participate.

Student Drop-Off and Pick-Up

During the school year, you may pick up your child for appointments and other activities by coming to the office. ALL VISITORS AND PARENTS ARE REQUIRED TO CHECK IN WITH THE OFFICE STAFF UPON ENTERING THE SCHOOL. YOU WILL ALSO NEED TO SIGN IN AND OUT USING OUR VISITOR CLIPBOARD.

Students should not be arriving at school prior to 8:30 a.m. as there are no staff on supervision duty before that time. On rainy days, students are asked to arrive at school as close to the posted entry time as possible. (8:50 a.m.)

Please do not drop off and pick up children in the staff parking or in front of the school.
 

Valuables at School

Parents are encouraged to make sure students leave valuables and treasured items at home. Electronic games, cell phones, special clothing, toys or jewelry should not be brought to school. Often, these items end up missing and this causes a great deal of distress. Cell phones are to be turned off and in backpacks during the school day. 
 

Bicycles

Students may ride their bicycles to school but they are expected to walk their bicycles while they are on the school grounds. Similarly, students are not allowed to use skateboards, roller blades, or scooters anywhere on school property. Privileges will be suspended for a period of time if students fail to follow these rules.

The school cannot be responsible for these items if they are lost or stolen. Riders must dismount and walk their bikes, skateboards, etc across school property for the safety of all students.

There are bike racks available for use by students. This will provide them with a safe location for their bicycles. Locks are encouraged for all riders.
 

School Dress Code

Student dress guidelines apply principles of anti-oppression, anti-racism, anti-colonialism, equity and inclusion to what students wear to school and school functions. They support student health, well-being and safety and foster positive school climates, affirming the diversity of social and cultural identities reflected in student clothing and respecting student choice and freedom of expression.

Students are expected to show good taste in selecting clothing for school. While differences in seasons and school activities will require clothing suitable for the occasion, some clothes are not suitable for the classroom. Distasteful slogans or revealing clothes are not acceptable and students will be asked to change these. Hats must be removed when in the school building, unless for a specified activity. Footwear must be worn at all times and indoor shoes are recommended during inclement weather. We also remind primary students to pack an extra set of clothing in their back packs.

Volunteers

We welcome parent volunteers in a variety of ways and at all grade levels. Volunteers provide an avenue for getting the COMMUNITY involved in our school program. Volunteers are needed on a regular basis as well as for special event days, to assist teachers in the classroom, and during field trips. All volunteers are now required to provide a criminal reference check, with vulnerable sector screening, which needs to be updated every three years. A school letter is available for volunteers to take to the police station. Please pick them up from our clerical staff at the office. Iin addition, all volunteers must complete Accessibility training online (1 time only), and complete our volunteer checklist each year.
 

Medication

Students who require medication to be administered at school will be required to complete a medical form signed by a physician and bring the medication in the original container. This form is available at the office.

Medication will be kept in a locked cabinet and accessed by staff only.
 

Lost and Found

Lost and found boxes are located in the Library. Please check these bins regularly. At the end of each term, all unclaimed items will be sent to a charity.
 

Emergency Closing/Bus Cancellation for Zone 4

If the school is closed or buses are cancelled due to bad weather before school begins for the day, please visit one of the following:

Inclement Weather Information:

• Transportation: http://www.stsbhn.ca/
• For transportation delays, cancellations or school closures, visit: www.transinfobhn.ca/Cancellations
• If there are school or board facility closures, Grand Erie will post a notification by 6:30 a.m. on the Board’s website at: www.granderie.ca
• Information will be posted on Grand Erie’s Twitter (@GEDSB) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/GEDSB) accounts

• Find the Board’s Inclement Weather Policy here: bit.ly/2HoC1YX

Our school is located in Zone 4. If transportation is cancelled during the school day, we will use the “fan out” protocol which follows the instructions you have given us on the emergency forms sent home in September.
 

Emergency Evacuation and Lockdown Procedures

Six emergency drills are scheduled for the fall and spring of each school year. There will also be two lockdown drills per year. Students and staff practise evacuation routines in order to ensure safety during emergency situations. Please go over these procedures with your child.

1. Quietly, line up and leave the building. If not with your class, walk to the closest exit and find your class at the designated area.
2. If the regular route is blocked, students need to go to the closest exit.
3. Once in designated area, staff will take attendance and report back to the secretary any students missing. Students will return to class after the signal bell is rung that it is safe to return to class.

There may be an occasion when we might be required to evacuate the entire school for a longer period of time. Should such a situation occur, our emergency plan is to take students to Brantford Collegiate Institute High School.
 

Homework Policy

The Ontario curricula is “rigorous and demanding”. There may be times when students either do not finish classroom assignments or are required to research and complete project work. This will necessitate some homework on the part of students. 
 

School Council

The Ecole Dufferin Parent Council is an enthusiastic group whose talents and directions we draw upon to establish meaningful school programs and activities. The purpose of our meetings is to enhance the learning of our students. We meet monthly online, through the TEAMS platform. Check the school newsletter for meeting dates. All families at our school are welcome to join the meetings. Contact the principal if you would like to attend a meeting.