Table of Contents
- Participation
- General Procedures
- Rules & Regulations
- Medical
Participation
PAC
All parents and guardians are automatically part of our JT PAC and have a voice in all PAC related activities.
The election of PAC officers is held each June for the following year and all positions are for a one year term.
The PAC holds monthly meetings in the school library. The dates and times of these meetings are announced in the newsletter.
Please support your PAC by attending monthly meetings and let your voice be heard. Without parent support PAC programs will suffer or disappear.
PAC Executive 2007/2008
Co Presidents: Rhonda Gendron and Nikki Potesta
Vice-President: Shelly Foster
Treasurer: Karen Ann Martin
School Based Team
Our School Based Team provides a support network to teachers and parents of student's with special needs and students with learning and/or behaviour concerns.
Students are referred to SBT by their classroom teachers. Our Special Education teacher then contacts parents to set up a meeting time and gathers together the team.
The SBT is made up of parents, classroom teacher, the SPED teacher, the principal, an advising teacher, and various members of District or Community agencies when appropriate.
The team reviews strengths and concerns of the student and puts together strategies and a plan to further their learning.
The student's progress is reviewed and assessed periodically throughout the year by the SBT.
Parent Volunteers
Parents are a vital part of our Learning Community. We value their presence and assistance throughout James Thomson.
We appreciate volunteers who offer their time, assistance and expertise to make learning more enjoyable and beneficial.
The following guidelines were developed to assist volunteers at JT.
- The use of volunteers in the classroom is at the teacher's discretion.
- A volunteer is defined as a person who assists with James Thomson related activities. The volunteer works with teachers, other members of the staff and/or PAC. The relationship is a professional one, one of mutual respect and confidence.
- The classroom teacher is responsible for education program content and learning strategies, and therefore volunteers may carry out tasks such as working with a group of children, photocopying, assisting with field trips etc.
- Volunteers may ensure the safety and well being of the students, but must report discipline concerns to JT personnel who will deal with them.
- Volunteers respect the rights of others. Parents, staff and students have the right to respect, privacy and to confidentiality. Should you have concerns regarding your children and their involvement in activities taking place, please fell free to discuss your concerns with the child's teacher and/or the principal.
- Volunteers express any differences of opinions to staff privately.
- Volunteers do not compare and/or criticize staff and/or students.
- Please become familiar with the general operation of JT, e.g. bell times, Code of Conduct, dismissal procedures, etc., so you may work within these guidelines and provide a positive role model to the children.
- Volunteers are asked to be punctual and reliable as students and teachers rely on volunteers.
Our Learning Community
JT is a place for all sorts of learning. The staff take great pains to provide a well-balanced program of learning to address every student's stremgths and talents.
James Thomson PAC has played an active and supportive role at JT for many years and enjoys a strong and committed bond with both staff and adminstration.
Our parents are unceasing in their time and energy to support the school and provide many opportunities for students that would otherwise be unavailable.
James Thomson Staff and PAC are proud of the many programs they provide for students:
- Breakfast program
- Cross Country Training
- Extra curricular sports
- Book Fairs
- House System
- Silent Auction
- Recycling
- Hot lunch
- May Day
- Trash Busters
- Carnival
- Literacy Day
- Field Trips
- Team Uniforms
- Soap Box Derby
- Playground Equipment
- Christmas Concerts
- Music Festival - Choral and Speech arts
- Drama
- Home Reading - Book Bags
- Parent Appreciation Tea
- Christmas Craft Day
- Student Call Back Safety program
- Buddy Reading
- Swimming Program (Grade Three)
- Choir
- Terry Fox Run
- Pancake Breakfast
- Student Leaders
- Ambassadors
General Procedures
Reporting Academic Progress
We report student academic progress to parents and guardians five times per year.
We have two informal and three formal reporting periods a year.
Parent Teacher interviews in the Fall and Student Led Conferences in the Spring make up our two informal reports.
Three written Report Cards in late Fall, Spring and June constitute our formal reports.
In the Primary Grades (K through 3) progress in Learning Outcomes is indicated by numbers:
The numbers mean that the student:
- 4 - is exceeding grade level expectations
- 3 - is meeting grade level expectations
- 2 - is meeting grade level expectations at a minimal level
- 1 - is not meeting grade level expectations
In addition there are sections for anecdotal comments and to indicate how the home and school can work together to assist student learning.
In the Intermediate Grades (4 through 7) progress is indicated by letter grades and numbers:
The letter grades mean that the student:
- A - is demonstrating excellent or outstanding performance
- B - is demonstrating very good performance
- C+ - is demonstrating good performance
- C - is demonstrating satisfactory performance
- C- - is demonstrating marginally acceptable performance
- I - is not yet demonstrating minimally acceptable performance (additional time and/or work will be given)
- F - is not demonstrating minimally acceptable performance
The numbers mean that the student:
- 4 - is exceeding grade level expectations
- 3 - is meeting grade level expectations
- 2 - is meeting grade level expectations at a minimal level
- 1 - is not meeting grade level expectations
In addition there are sections for anecdotal comments and to indicate how the home and school can work together to assist student learning.
Of course you may contact your child's teacher at any time for an informal report on how your child is progressing, or concerns you may have about their learning.
We warmly welcome your feedback and questions on your child's learning during reporting periods and at any other time.
Assemblies
Our assemblies will be held bi-weekly on Fridays at 2:15 pm
We warmly invite you to come and celebrate our successes and enjoy our achievements at our assemblies.
We have a monthly focus on academic and social skills and our assemblies will include student recognition for growth in these areas. We also try to highlight student talent, classroom productions and community events at our assemblies.
Our newsletter provides up to date information about upcoming assemblies.
Student Absence/Lateness/Sign Out
If your child is going to be absent from school or late for any reason we would appreciate a call to the school.
You may call the school at 604 483-3191 and leave a message on our answering machine before classes begin.
We have a PAC "Call Back" program that helps us ensure student safety. Our dedicated parents phone all students, who have not left a message, reported absent or late first thing in the morning by their teacher.
We also ask that you come to the office and sign out your child if you
are taking them out of the school during the day. We also ask that you
sign them in if you return to school that day.
Newsletters
Our newsletter, Top of the Hill, is published on a monthly basis. and is sent home the first Monday of each month.
Newsletter Schedule:
- September 8
- October 6
- November 3
- December 1
- January 12
- February 2
- March 1
- April 5
- May 3
- June 7
We try to keep you as up to date as possible about all the JUST TERRIFIC things that are happening around the school.
Your newsletter will contain a monthly calendar of events, student recognition awards, upcoming events, assembly information and student contributions.
We will also publish our Monthly Focus so you can assist your child to achieve that particular area.
Student Planners
All students in Grades 3/4/5/6 are supplied with a student planner at the beginning of the year. There is no charge for this planner.
This planner serves as a Homework book and a Communication book between school and home. To ensure effective and ongoing communication we ask that parents read and sign the planner each night. Thank you for your partnership in Learning.
Lost & Found
We usually have a large collection of shirts, jackets, shoes, socks, Tupperware and assorted items in our Lost and Found hamper. Over the year it takes on the aura of an archaeological dig.
At the end of each term and at the end of the year we donate all Lost and Found articles to a charity.
If all items of student wear were labelled with your child's first and last name we could easily match all the "Losts" with their owners. A laundry pen works well for this purpose and your child could easily be given the task of labeling their own items.
School Supplies
There is a list of school supplies for each grade at JT. As well, individual classroom teachers may request specific supplies n September. We appreciate your cooperation in providing students with the correct tools for their learning.
We find that a good plan to help the supplies last is to spread them out over the year. Please do NOT send all school supplies to school at once in September unless the teacher requests this.
- Keep some supplies at home for when the initial supply is used up.
- Please label all school supplies with your child's name
Rules & Regulations
Supervision and Student Safety
James Thomson grounds are supervised Monday through Friday by teachers, SSA's and the principal during the following times:
Before classes commence - 8:45 am to 9:00 am
Recess - 10:30 am to 10:45 am
Lunchtime - 12:10 pm to 12:38 pm
After dismissal - 2:45 pm to 3:10 pm
A reminder that the grounds are unsupervised at all other times before and after classes.
We often have sightings and see evidence of bears and cougars in our wooded area and field.
There are often times groups of older children present after school on our grounds.
To ensure your child's safety we request that students arrive at school no earlier than 8:45 am and leave by 3:00 pm.
Activities that occur before or after classes, are under the supervision of a teacher are of course encouraged and supervised.
Transportation
Many children come to JT independently, by foot or bicycle. For safety reasons we require that children who ride bikes to JT;
- Wear bike helmets while riding bikes
- Obey the rules of the road to and from school
- Lock their bicycles to the bike racks
- Refrain from riding bikes on the school grounds
We allow students who ride scooters to JT to follow the rules for bicycles with the exception that they may store their scooters in their classroom cloakrooms.
Roller blades and skateboards are not permitted on JT grounds.
Pick Up and Drop Off
Parents often pick up and drop off students by car. We have an extremely limited parking lot and for safety reasons, we appreciate your cooperation in parking your car on the street to pick up and drop off students.
Please ensure your child crosses at the crosswalk if they are being picked up by car.
Please do not park in the crosswalk and obey the speed zone of 30 km when dropping off and picking up children.
Bus Transportation
Bus transportation is provided for students who live north of Wildwood and full day Kindergarten students. These students are issued with SD #47 bus passes. Only students with bus passes are allowed to ride the bus.
The bus driver is entrusted with the safety of the students while they are on the bus. If you have ever driven a group of children any distance you know what a nerve wracking experience can occur when the children do not obey your rules.
Students are expected to obey the directions of the bus driver at all times.
All cases of misbehaviour are reported by the bus driver to the principal, who will contact the parents by phone and/or letter. Repeated instances of misbehaviour on the bus by a student will result in consequences ranging from a day's suspension to a term's suspension from riding the bus.
Riding the bus is a privilege and all JT students are expected to follow a Bus Code of Conduct while on the bus.
JT Bus Code of Conduct
- Conduct must be orderly and respectful at all times.
- There is to be NO MOVING AROUND while the busses are in motion.
- Students must remain in their seats until the bus comes to a complete stop.
- Students will take seats assigned to them by the bus driver when told to do so.
- Students are not allowed to put any part of their body out of open windows.
- There is no eating allowed on the bus.
- Students may talk to their seatmate in a quiet and well behaved manner. Shouting, turning around, horseplay and foul language is not allowed.
- Hockey sticks, walkmans, skateboards, scooters are NOT allowed on the bus.
- Students must board the bus at the stop nearest their homes. Students may not board the bus at different stops.
- Students must bring a note signed by a parent if they wish to get off at a stop that is not their regular stop.
- When leaving the bus the students must leave from the back to the front seats in an orderly fashion, no pushing or shoving.
- When getting off the bus students must cross in front of the bus while its lights are flashing.
- Any damage caused by a student to a bus will be paid for by the student or their parents.
Social Responsibility and Discipline at JT
We work with you to instill and reinforce a high standard of Social Responsibility in our students.
Our Code of Conduct:
- Take Care of Yourself
- work hard at your studies - always do your personal best
- be true to your values - don't let others pressure you
- make sure you are ready for class, homework done, assignments at school, necessary supplies at school
- respect yourself - solve problems peacefully
- make sure you get enough sleep and eat a good breakfast
- Take Care of Others
- respect others rights and feelings
- help classmates and friends with their classwork
- respect the rights of others in the classroom to learn
- respect and obey class and JT rules
- help others solve problems in peaceful ways
- Take Care of Our Place
- recycle materials
- do not litter
- take pride in your school
We use a problem solving approach to teach our students how to solve problems peacefully and how to become caring and responsible citizens.
Most problems can be worked out in this manner and consequences are designed to fit the problem.. However some problems have fixed and pre-determined consequences.
Physical abuse bullying/fighting will result in student suspension. Parents will be contacted and notified as to the manner and length of the suspension.
Foul language - We consider this verbal abuse. Bad language/swearing will result in a phone call home and a written apology to the abused person. Swearing directed at a staff member will result in suspension.
We will explore different dimensions of Social Responsibility throughout the year on a school wide basis and we will keep you up to date about our activities and our progress in our Newsletters and through our assemblies.
Medical
Student Health
JT is not equipped to care for sick children.
We appreciate your consideration in keeping your child home if they are running a fever or have a contagious illness.
Children who become ill at school have their parents and/or alternate contacts phoned and are sent home.
If your child has a condition diagnosed by a physician that may be potentially life-threatening and/or that may interfere with your child's learning, health or behaviour, please contact the office so that we are aware and can take appropriate action.
Medical Alert forms are maintained in the office so students with special health needs, e. g. allergies to bee stings, may be monitored on a continuing basis.
Parents wishing school personnel to administer medication of any sort must have their doctor complete, sign and return a medical consent form. Forms are available from the office.
Accident Procedures
If a student suffers an "Owie, minor First Aid, a band-aid or ice, will be administered at the school.
If additional treatment is required parents will be contacted. If we cannot contact a parent, the Emergency Contact person indicated by the parent will be contacted.
Where neither the parent nor the Emergency Contact person can be reached, the student will be taken to the hospital for treatment unless the parents have given different instructions.
Head Lice
The presence of Head Lice does not suggest uncleanliness. A smart head louse prefers a clean head to a dirty one.
Head Lice are a nuisance, but not a serious health hazard. They are easily passed from child to child during play, at school or at sleepovers. At JT we deal with them in the following manner:
All children are checked by our trained volunteer team at the beginning of each term.. The results of the head checks are confidential.
Parents of children who have lice or nits detected are contacted by phone. A letter is sent home to all students in that class to alert parents to watch for signs of Head Lice.
Children with head lice must receive treatment and be rechecked before they are allowed to return to class. We provide a brochure suggesting treatments and people to contact for information on treatment.
It would be of enormous help if parents/guardians who find signs of lice in their children's hair were to inform the office immediately so that the school may take appropriate action quickly.
Please remember that anyone - teacher, parent or student, can get head lice.
Emergency Response Plan
Students practise Fire Drills and Earthquake Drills regularly throughout the year.
In the event of an earthquake or other emergency occurring during regular school hours, the following procedures will occur:
- The buildings will be evacuated and students will be moved to the playing field.
If the building is declared safe:
- students will be brought back to their classrooms
- students will be dismissed at the regular time
If major damage has occurred to the building and busss are not running:
- students will remain at school until picked up by a parent/realtive, or emergency contact designate.
If directed by the Provincial Emergency Coordinator:
- Students will be taken to the designated reception center for our area, the Italian Hall and may be collected by a parent, relative, or emergency contact designate.
Information will be broadcast on the local radio station.
