School Handbook

Contents
School Schedule

Staff

Mission Statement

Beliefs

School Fees

Attendance Policy

Illness

Medication

Dress Code

Internet Access

Field Trips

Newsletters

Lockers

Visitors and Volunteers

Personal Property

Use of Cell Phones and Electronic Devices

Exam Exemptions – Junior High

Cold Weather Policy

Dropping Off of Picking Up Your Child

Inclusive Education

Student Contact Information

Kindergarten

Playschool

Student Leadership Team

Swimming Lessons

School Council

Community Library

Physical Education

Progress Reports

Awards
Homework Parent Support

SCHOOL SCHEDULE

Movement Break: 8:28 am - 8:35 am
Period 1: 8:35 am - 9:15 am
Period 2: 9:15 am - 9:55 am
Recess: 9:55 am - 10:10am
Period 3: 10:10 am - 10:50am
Period 4: 10:50 am - 11:30am
Recess: 11:30 am - 12:00 pm
Lunch: 12:00 pm - 12:20 pm
Period 5: 12:20 pm - 1:00 pm

Silent Sustained Reading/Buddy Reading: 1:00 pm - 1:20 pm
Period 6: 1:20 pm - 2:00 pm
Recess: 2:00 pm - 2:15 pm
Period 7: 2:15 pm - 2:55 pm
Period 8: 2:55 pm - 3:35 pm

Bells ring signaling the beginning and end of each recess, lunch break, and dismissal. The first Monday of each month is dismissed at 3:00 pm to accommodate the monthly staff meeting. As a result of our long school day, students receive some Fridays off in lieu of the extra time spent in class (CSW). A Compressed School Week (CSW) results in an organizational base of nine school days per two-week block, rather than five school days per one-week block.

STAFF
Principal: Mrs. Tanya Walker - Teacher of Gr 7-9 Math and Options, Gr 4-9 PE

Mrs. Jodie Funk - Teacher of Gr 7-9 LA, Science, Health, and Options, Gr 3-4 Science
Miss Carolyn Kelly - Teacher of Gr 5/6, Gr 4-9 French, Gr 4-6 Art

Mrs. Crystal Crowe - Teacher of Gr 3/4, Gr 1-6 Music, Gr 7-9 Social
Mrs. Judy Gundersen - Teacher of Gr 1/2, Gr 1-3 Art and PE
Mrs. Laci Goodbrand - ECS (Kindergarten) Instructor and Education Assistant
Mrs. Heather Smith - Administrative Assistant and Library Assistant
Education Assistants: Mrs. Kim Lunn, Mrs. Wendy Toews, Mrs. Rodi Murray

Community Librarians: Mrs. Michelle Gillis, Mrs. Cathy Potvin

Ms. Angie Sanderson - County of GP Playschool Instructor

Mrs. Elexis Forget - Custodian

Bus Drivers:
Mrs. Gayle Belcourt (Bus #397)

Mrs. Patti Jo Collett (Bus #425)

Mrs. Rodi Murray (Bus #373)

MISSION STATEMENT

At Elmworth School, students experience meaningful relationships with peers, educators, and the community. While at Elmworth School students are free to develop their true sense of self in a safe and caring learning environment. The vision we share is one that promotes community-minded independent learners who are confident in their abilities and passionate about learning.

BELIEFS
At Elmworth School we believe that:
1) Students should be confident, capable learners.
2) Students should develop a sense of self-worth, self-control, and self-respect.
3) Students learn in a variety of styles and at different times.
4) Students learn most effectively when the home and school support each other.
5) All students have the right to effective education.
6) Every student should have the opportunity to excel in an area of their choice.
7) High learning expectations challenge all students to learn and achieve.
8) Every child can and should experience success.
9) Children must become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and positive risk-takers.
10) Students should have the opportunity to learn in a safe, secure, and caring environment.

SCHOOL FEES

Parents will be advised of fees or costs, if any, associated with any field trips or extracurricular activities prior to the event as they occur. Students are responsible for replacement costs for any lost or damaged books, resources, or electronic devices assigned to the child for the school year.

ATTENDANCE POLICY
Regular and punctual school attendance is expected and necessary for success in school. Parents/guardians are responsible for notifying the school if their child will be absent, for any reason, or if he/she will be leaving the school early or going home by alternate means of transportation. The person in charge of picking up a child must sign him/her out at the office. The bus driver should also be notified, by the parent, of any changes.

ILLNESS
A student exhibiting symptoms of an illness must not attend school. In the event that a student develops or begins to exhibit symptoms related to an illness, the child will be isolated and parents or the emergency contact person will be contacted by the school and asked to take the child home.

MEDICATION
Staff members may not administer medication of any kind to students without parental consent. Please contact the school and complete the necessary medical forms if your child requires medication at school. This includes all prescription and non-prescription drugs. Prescription medication must be accompanied by written instructions.

DRESS CODE
Standards of dress and personal hygiene must be maintained while in attendance at school. The appearance of any young person is the responsibility of that individual and his/her parents. We expect students to maintain an appearance that is NOT distracting or offensive to classmates, other students, or staff, or detrimental to the educational process at school. Where the student's attire is felt to be inappropriate he/she will be informed by a staff member and, if necessary, parents will be contacted. “Beer shirts” and T-shirt “artwork” that are considered to be distracting or articles of clothing too revealing are not allowed to be worn at school. Both of these regulations are supported by the executive parent members of the School Council. All students must have a pair of non-marking soled shoes restricted for indoor use. These can be the runners they use for Physical Education.

INTERNET ACCESS
All students are given the opportunity to access information via the Internet and are provided with the electronic devices necessary to do so. Failure to comply with the terms and conditions stated in the Internet Acceptable Use Agreement and the Student Chromebook User Agreement will result in a limit or a total ban of this privilege. A number of online programs are used to enhance student learning experiences and may require specific parental consent, in addition to the consent given on the student's registration form, for students under the age of 13. Permission is valid only while attending Elmworth School and will be required yearly.

FIELD TRIPS
Various out-of-classroom experiences may be planned for the students throughout the year as a supplement to the school program. Parents will be notified in advance of all field trips requiring private or public transportation prior to their occurrence. A completed permission slip is required from each child for any field trip that extends a radius of 80 km from the school or if the field trip is outside the regular school day before he/she can attend. “Blanket” forms may be used for repeat trips such as sports events. This consent form is your authorization for your child’s participation. Students not returning permission forms will be accommodated in other classes. All field trips are under the supervision of at least one staff member.

NEWSLETTERS
In an effort to help keep you informed of the many events and happenings at the school, we will be emailing a monthly newsletter to our subscriber list around the first day of each month. Those wishing to receive the newsletter can visit the Elmworth School website to subscribe. The newsletter will be published on the website and a link to the newsletter will also be posted on Facebook. If you prefer a paper copy, please contact the school.

LOCKERS
Students and parents should be aware that school lockers, including those in the gym change rooms, are the property of the school and maybe opened by administration at any time. Lockers are not one hundred percent secure and valuables are best left at home. Locks are available at the school for student use and must be returned at the end of the school year.

VISITORS AND VOLUNTEERS
For safety and security reasons, please be aware that all visitors are required to sign in at the office. Volunteers are also required to sign in at the office due to workers' compensation regulations. To protect the privacy of students and staff, volunteers are required to fill out a volunteer confidentiality agreement which will be kept on file at the school. If you would like to volunteer at the school, please contact the office.

PERSONAL PROPERTY
School personnel will not accept responsibility for the personal property of the students. Please label all of your child's belongings, including all outerwear, footwear, and school supplies, with the student's full name. Students are strongly discouraged from bringing expensive personal property to the school. This includes jewelry, video games, electronic devices, etc.

USE of CELL PHONES and ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Students are required to hand in their cell phones upon arrival at school and are able to retrieve them after dismissal. All electronic devices are to be used responsibly and respectfully. We promote digital citizenship.

EXAM EXEMPTIONS – JUNIOR HIGH
Students in Grades 7, 8, and 9 who meet the criteria described below may be exempt from writing their final exams.

The criteria for exemption include:
• 80% or higher year-end average in the subject to be exempted from before exams and a minimum of 68% average in every subject
• Special exemption from the principal

COLD WEATHER POLICY
In the interests of student safety, parents/guardians are to ensure that all students riding on school buses during the winter months be appropriately attired, including proper footwear, headwear, and gloves. Recess will only be indoors if the temperature exceeds -25°C, with or without wind chill. It is your decision to allow your child to ride a bus during inclement weather. If you choose to keep your child home or transport your child to the school using alternate means, share your decision with your bus driver and the Transportation Office. In the case of inclement weather, even though buses may not run, parents have the option of transporting their children to school. Please note that if buses do not operate, it is the parents’ responsibility to pick up their children at the end of the school day.

COLD WEATHER BUS CANCELLATION: -40°C, excluding wind chill, or -48°C with wind chill. For more information, please see the Determining When To Cancel Buses publication found on the school website.

DROPPING OFF or PICKING UP YOUR CHILD
Students who are dropped off in the morning after the school buses have arrived are required to walk behind the last bus in the bus lane. If buses have already left, students are to use the main entrance and notify the office of their late arrival. Parents who are picking their children up at the end of the day are asked to park their vehicles outside of the bus lanes during bus arrival and departure times. There is a sign posted on the building to indicate times for bus lane usage. Students are asked to walk behind the last bus in the lane or wait until all buses have departed.

INCLUSIVE EDUCATION
The purpose of the Inclusive Education Team is to assist students who appear to be struggling with achieving grade-level expectations in one or more areas of their educational program. Classroom teachers may recommend students requiring assistance work with specified staff, individually or in small groups. Parents of students needing additional learning support will be consulted prior to the implementation of an individual program plan. Through continuous evaluation, the student’s progress is closely monitored and his/her programs are modified as required. Other program modifications may be designed and implemented by their teacher within the classroom.

STUDENT CONTACT INFORMATION
In order to maintain an efficient level of communication, please keep the school office informed of any changes to student information such as emergency contacts, phone numbers, addresses, and pertinent medical information as soon as they occur.

KINDERGARTEN
Kindergarten will be in session every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the school year, including an additional 8 Fridays. Each kindergarten day will be a full day of classes and is an integral part of our school program.

PLAYSCHOOL
Playschool is operated by FCSS (Family and Community Support Services), through the County of Grande Prairie, and is held at our school on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. For more information, please contact Angie Sanderson at [email protected].

STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM
Junior High students possessing strong leadership qualities who volunteer to be a member of the Student Leadership Team help run a variety of school programs. They, with the support of a designated staff member, make decisions regarding recess and intramural activities and are responsible for planning special event days. All students are encouraged to share their ideas for ways to make their experience at Elmworth School more enjoyable with the members of the Student Leadership Team.

SWIMMING LESSONS
To fulfill the aquatic component of the elementary physical education program, and by request of the parent members on the School Council, each year students in grades 1-6 travel to the Beaverlodge Recreation Centre for swimming lessons with a certified swimming instructor. All students are encouraged to participate, although it is not mandatory, as it will provide the students with the opportunity to complete one swimming level if all skills required to complete that level have been mastered, as evaluated by the instructor.

SCHOOL COUNCIL
All parents are encouraged to take part in School Council activities. The function of this body is to help provide effective communication between parents and staff to ensure the best educational experience for all children. This is the forum for you to provide input regarding the direction our school should be taking. The first meeting in September is the AGM when new members of the executive for the upcoming school year will be elected. For further information, please feel free to email the current School Council Chair at [email protected] or contact the school and you will be directed to the appropriate member of the executive.

COMMUNITY LIBRARY
The Elmworth Community Library provides free memberships to all students. It is located in the school and is open to the public Tuesday -Thursday 2:00 pm -8:00 pm and Friday and Saturday 11:00 am - 4 pm. The Elmworth Community Library belongs to the Peace Library System, which allows students to access books from libraries across Alberta through the interlibrary loan program. The Community Library hosts many different events throughout the year for both community members and students to enjoy. Volunteers are needed to continue this service in our community.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Evidence increasingly points to the value of physical activity in promoting overall achievement and well-being. To this end, we are continuing to develop a strong physical activity program with an emphasis on participation and involvement. Physical education is a mandatory part of the education program, and as such, only in very specific instances, such as physical injury or incapacitating health considerations, will students be excused from participation. Long-term exemptions must be accompanied by a doctor’s note. To promote healthy personal hygiene practices, all grade 7-9 students are expected to have a change of clothes for physical education class, it is optional for the grade 4-6 students. All students require a pair of non-marking soled shoes for use in the gym, which can also serve as their indoor footwear.

PROGRESS REPORTS
Progress reports, or report cards, will be issued to students three times a year, supplemented with Parent/Teacher Interviews in October and March. Report Card #1 will be sent home in November, Report Card #2 in March, and Report Card # 3 will be handed out on the last day of school in June. Parents of junior high students will be able to monitor their child’s progress via the internet on PowerSchool. A letter will be sent home with grade 7 students during the first week of school with the information needed to sign up for a PowerSchool account.

Parent/Teacher interviews will be held after school from 3:40 pm -9:40 pm. Prior to each set of interviews, a note will be sent home asking parents/guardians to contact the school to make an appointment. Parents are encouraged to keep these interviews to 15 minutes per child. If more time is needed, an additional meeting with the teacher can be arranged.

Contact from parents is encouraged whenever there are concerns regarding the welfare and progress of a child. Please feel free to contact your child's teacher at the school if there is good news to share or if problems occur, and his/her teacher will do the same. This sharing and communication process is a vital part of each student's social/emotional well-being and academic success.

AWARDS
An award ceremony is held in June for the junior high students following the celebration of the Grade 9 graduating students.

PARENTAL HOMEWORK SUPPORT
Parental involvement is paramount in fostering a child’s interest in lifelong learning. Parents/guardians can support their children by encouraging good study habits and providing a positive learning environment in the home. Ways to achieve this goal are:

Provide a quiet, well-lighted place for your child to do homework.
Help your child budget time so that a regular schedule is set.
Take an active interest in what your child is doing in school. Ask for an explanation of particular assignments and what is being learned. Compliment good work or when improvement is shown. Make constructive suggestions, but avoid severe criticism and undue pressure. A positive attitude from parents will encourage the students to do their best.
Encourage and guide your child with assigned homework. Under no circumstances should you do it for your child.
Regular school attendance is important for your child’s continued learning.
Consult your child’s teacher as soon as a problem arises.