School Routines

ATTENDANCE/ABSENCES/LATES

It is expected that every child will attend school daily, unless they are ill. Parents are requested to call and notify the school if a child is absent or late.
Punctuality is important and it is the responsibility of students to be on time for school.

If no call is received by 9:00 a.m., the school secretary, Mrs. Kurgan, is required by Board Policy to call and find out where the child is, to make sure the child is safe. Parents’ cooperation in calling the school or leaving a message on the answering machine (on 24 hours a day) is greatly appreciated.

The demands of the curriculum are such that learning gaps can occur if a student is absent from school for a significant number of days. If a student is away for a length of time, teachers will send homework, if requested. As well, teachers will attempt to help a student learn what has been missed, however, the group activities and lessons cannot to be duplicated for individuals who have been away.

STUDENT ORGANIZERS

Each student is given a student organizer (agenda) for use throughout the school year. This is to help students with organization, planning and recording homework, tests, assignments, projects. It is also a useful tool for communication between home and school. Parents and teachers can record information, observations, etc.

Please ask to see your child’s organizer so that you know what is happening. If pages are blank, it means that the student has not been completing it as requested. Discussing the benefits of the organizer with your child, letting them know you will be checking it regularly and calling the classroom teacher would be appropriate steps to take.

Students will be asked to make a contribution toward the cost of the organizer, with the balance being paid by the school.

HOME/SCHOOL COMMUNICATION

BLUE ENVELOPES - Each Thursday, a blue plastic envelope will be sent home with the youngest student in the family. This envelope will contain the monthly calendar, hot lunch order forms, notices of events, newsletters, etc. Having all information go home once a week in a package that parents know is coming, seems to be a useful way of improving communication between home and school. However, it does depend on the responsibility of the student to take it home and give it to the parent. Please ask for the blue envelope each Thursday evening.

MONTHLY CALENDARS - A monthly calendar of school events is sent home on the last Thursday of each month. If you do not receive one, please ask your child for it, or call the school to request one.

NEWSLETTERS - A newsletter is usually sent home once a month in the Thursday blue envelope. If you do not receive it, please call the school. Please read it with your child to find out what is happening at Pelham Centre.

CLASS NEWS - Some teachers make up a class news sheet with specific information about what students will be studying and what assignments/ projects are due.  As well some staff have opted to use an on-line web page to provide regular communication.  Please look for information from your child's teacher on the preferred method of communication.

CONCERNS/PROBLEMS - If you have a question about what a student is learning or a student’s work, please contact the classroom teacher or the subject teacher, by phone call or note, to discuss it. If you wish to see a teacher or the principal, calling ahead to make an appointment is always appreciated.

MEDICATION

At times it is necessary for students to have prescription or non-prescription drugs administered at school. This is done by the principal or his designate according to Board policy.

Parents/guardians will be required to complete a form, annually, giving authorization and specifying the medication, dosage, time(s) of medication, etc. All medication must be kept in the office, in its original container complete with prescription dosage.

SUPERVISION

Supervision begins each morning at 8:30 a.m. when the buses begin arriving. Two adults are on duty at each nutrition break.

Teachers supervise students while eating lunch in the classrooms. Lunch supervisors and a teacher are on duty from 10:50-11:20 and 1:15-1:45 on the playground.

A staff member is also on bus duty at 3:25 p.m. until the last bus leaves.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Physical Education is a mandatory subject and everyone must participate. Physical education is scheduled on the students’ timetable and should be recorded in the organizer to help them remember to be prepared.

Students are expected to dress appropriately for phys ed. They should change just before the phys ed class into shorts and a t-shirt and wear running shoes. After the phys ed class is over, students will change into other clothes. Outdoor running shoes are not permitted in the gym for health & safety reasons.

If a student is unable to participate, a note from the parent is required to explain why the student is not participating. A doctor’s note may be requested if there is a prolonged absence from Physical Education.

LUNCH/DRINKS/SNACKS

Students eat lunch in the classroom from 10:35-10:50 for break #1 and 1:00-1:15 for break #2. They go outside to play or participate in activities. Students are expected to share the responsibility for keeping the homeroom clean and exercising good manners. They are supervised by teachers while eating lunch. All students are expected to go directly outside at 10:50 and 1:15 unless they are participating in a school activity or are being supervised by a teacher in their classrooms.

HOT LUNCHES

The Grade 8 students sell pizza for $1.00 a slice on Wednesdays. The proceeds from the pizza sale go toward the Grade 8 trip (the year end trip).

The Hot Lunch Committee, comprised of parent volunteers, sets up a schedule for hot lunches (usually Fridays). Hot lunches are noted on the monthly calendar. The order forms for hot lunch will be sent home monthly in the blue envelope. Please watch the due date as no late orders will be accepted.

BICYCLES, SKATEBOARDS, SCOOTERS & ROLLER BLADES

It is important that all students observe the basic bicycle safety rules. With the narrow roads and no shoulders in Pelham, it even more critical that cyclists take care, riding in single file at the edge of the road. It is the law that all cyclists wear helmets for their safety.

The school cannot be responsible for bicycles that are brought to school. We strongly recommend that any bicycles brought to school be securely attached to the bicycle racks with a chain and lock. The bicycle area is out of bounds during recess and lunch. Bicycles must be walked on school property.

Students are not allowed to bring skateboards, scooters and roller blades to school.

PERSONAL POSSESSIONS

Valuable personal items, such as I-PODS, walkmans, watches, leather coats, electronic games etc. are best left at home. The school cannot be responsible for these items if brought to school.

CLOTHING

Students are expected to dress in accordance with the time and place. Outdoor footwear should not be worn indoors. Students must, however, have footwear on their feet at all times.

Names should be placed on all items of clothing and personal property. At the end of each term, all unclaimed items from the Lost & Found boxes are sent to local charities.

Students are expected to dress appropriately during the school day. Hats are to be removed upon entry to school. Clothing bearing any language, statement, picture, symbol, action, suggestion or article that is offensive to race, creed, religion, culture or sex will not be allowed. Clothing must cover undergarments, midriff, and back. Shorts or skirt hems should be fingertip length when the hand is extended. No coats or jackets are to be worn in class.

Students wearing inappropriate dress will be refused entry to class until such clothing is changed or covered. Parents will be notified of repeat offences.

CARE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY

Students are expected to take care of school property such as books, gym equipment, furniture, the building and its grounds. Any lost or damaged school property will be the student’s/or parent’s responsibility to replace/reimburse.

Students who litter will be expected to assist in the clean-up.

If a school or community member observes any act of vandalism, there is a District School Board of Niagara answering service to report such suspicions at 1-905-682-8065 or 905-563-1293. Phone calls may be made anonymously.

TEXTBOOKS/LIBRARY BOOKS

Each student will be provided with the required textbooks for his/her studies. The care and return of these books is the responsibility of each student. Books are to be returned in good condition. Payment will be made to replace lost or damaged books.

FIELD TRIPS

Throughout the year, teacher may take their classes on educational field trips approved by the Board. To ensure that parents are kept informed and approve of their children taking part, consent forms are sent home prior to each field trip.

VISITORS

Visitors are welcome in our school. All school doors will be locked from 9:00 a.m. to 3:25 p.m. Entry to the school will be by the FRONT doors only, where a security camera and buzzer system is in effect. The Security System was funded by the Ministry of Education’s Safe Schools Initiative to help ensure our children’s safety. In the interest of care, welfare, safety and security of our students, ALL VISITORS ( including parents and guardians) are asked to check in at the office when visiting our school. We greatly appreciate your co-operation in this matter as we want to maintain a safe and happy school environment for all students.