Protocol to Deal with Concerns
School Hours
Daily Schedule
Attendance - Absence Tardiness
Medication
Allergies
Visitors

First, the matter should be raised by the parent with the staff member concerned to see if there can be a satisfactory resolution.

If the parent is not satisfied that the concerns have been addressed by the school administration then he/she may contact the Director of Educational Services.

The only exceptions will be for pupils having written permission from a parent.

If a child is absent, or will be absent, we would appreciate you notifying the school preferably in writing. If this is not possible, please call us before 8:45 a.m. at 653-2420. An answering service will be in operation every from 6:30 a.m. until 8:45 a.m. Therefore, leave your child's name, grade and teacher's name on the tape. If we do not hear from you, then we will call you to verify your child's absence. Pupils arriving late must report first to the office, before going to class.

Parents are requested not to send pupils to school who are not feeling well. Facilities at the school are not adequate to care for sick children. If your child is well enough to attend school, then (s)he is also well enough to take gym and go outside.

A LETTER IS TO BE GIVEN TO THE TEACHER AFTER EVERY ABSENCE.

For any changes to the students daily routine, for example if a child is to go to a friends' home after school, a letter from both parents authorizing this change is compulsory. Both letters should be given to the secretary. Should we not receive both letters, we will respect the regular routine of the students. Please note that the bus rules set by the board do not allow for a student to take a bus to which they were not assigned.

If a child must leave the school with parents during the day, please send a note in advance stating the time of departure. The teacher will then send the student to the office to await the parents' arrival. Any last minute chages to a child's regular schedule must be made before 2:00 p.m. so that we have sufficient time to advise the teacher and your child of the change.

If a parent wishes to speak with a teacher, please make an appointment in advance by calling 653-2429, so that a mutually convenient time may be chosen.

Would you please note that the staff of this school is NOT allowed to dispense any kind of medication to sick children in the school.

If for some reason your child is on medication (antibiotics, ect.), this medication should be given to him during the time he is at home before the start of the school day or upon arrival at home.

If your child has any special medical needs or suffers from allergies (food or medication), it is important to make an appointment and to complete the necessary forms at the office.

Children MUST NOT keep medication in their classroom, in the lockers or on themselves.

YOUR COOPERATION IS URGENTLY REQUESTED IN THIS MATTER.

As we are devoted to the well-being and health of children, we want to inform you of our wish to comply with medical recommendations concerning allergies to peanuts and other nuts. Since several of our students are extremely allergic to peanuts and other nuts, we are requesting your cooperation in omitting foods containing nuts and/or peanuts from your child's snacks and meals.

These measures are intended above all to provide a safe environment for these children, since even a minimal quantity of peanuts or other nuts can induce very severe allergic reactions. We understand that these measures may cause you some inconvenience. This is why, on behalf of these children, we wish to express our thanks and appreciation.

Foods than contain peanuts:

Peanut protein
Peanut butter and peanut meal
Artificial nuts and peanuts
Peanut oil
Mixed nuts

Many commercial products may contain peanuts, such as:

Almond paste
Cookies
Chocolate bars
Fruit bars
Pastries
Candies
Some granola bars

Labels should be read carefully in order to be certain of the ingredients.

All persons entering the school should do so via the FRONT doors.

You should immediately announce your presence and wishes at the front office. Parents wishing to deliver something or speak with a child are asked to please request that he/she be called to the office, or simply leave a message there.

Visitors or volunteers badges must be worn when circulating in the school. Visitors and volunteers are asked to sign a register indicating the time of arrival, time of departure and reason for visit.

All pupils are to enter and exit the building via the designated doors for their classroom.

ONLY THE MAIN DOOR WILL REMAIN OPER AFTER 8:15 a.m.

DO NOT PARK IN FRONT OF THE MAIN DOOR AS THIS AREA MUST BE CLEAR AT ALL TIMES IN CASE OF EMERGENCY OR EVACUATION.

Any decision in respect to the closing of schools under the RIVERSIDE SCHOOL BOARD is made by the Director General. The procedure is as follows:

If adverse weather conditions result in closure, the announcement will be made on the following radio stations before 6:30 a.m.

English: CIQC, Q92, CJAD, CJFM, CBM, CHTX, CHOM
French: CBF, CKAC

After pupils arrive in school

If it is necessary to close the school for such reasons as lack of heat, etc... and it is necessary to send the children home, the buses will be called to transport them. Our EMERGENCY TELEPHONE CHAIN will then be set in motion to inform parents that their child is on his/her way home. Please keep us up-dated if there are any changes to your telephone number.

We stress at this time that children know where to go if, for any reason, parents cannot be reached. This should be somewhere near your home as transportation cannot be provided to send them out of the area.

Should the school be closed, the daycare service will also be closed.

The telephone chain is activated as soon as the principal receives the call from the school board stating that the schools are closed.

PROCEDURE #2 - DURING SCHOOL DAY (BUSES NEED TO BE CALLED)

Callers call THE SCHOOL if they are unable to reach a family member. This is to insure that children are sent to a supervized home. Once they have confirmed with everyone on their list that there is someone at home, they call their leader. The school then checks with the leaders, for confirmation, before sending children home.

ORDER OF CALLS:

1. HOME
2. MOTHER AT WORK
3. FATHER AT WORK
4. ALTERNATE unless otherwise advised by the parents

Please notify the school of any changes IN PHONE NUMBERS.

Lost or damaged books will result in a fine:

New books: full price
Used books in good condition: 80% of cost
Used books in average condition: 50% of cost

A GOOD SCHOOL BAG WILL PROTECT BOOKS AND KEEP THEM IN GOOD CONDITION.

Before and after-school service for all students

Morning 7h00 to 8h10
After-school 14h25 to18h15.

Please contact Mrs. Anne Little at 441-4152 for further information.

PLEASE LABEL ALL CLOTHING ITEMS AND ALL OTHER ITEMS BELONGING TO YOUR CHILD.

Students go to the library once a week and are encouraged to take out books to read in class and at home. Lost or damaged books will result in a fine, and students will not be permitted to take out another book until overdue book fines are settled.

Our library is the work of many volunteers. Any questions about our library should be directed to Mrs. Muriel Comeau, our volunteer coordinator.

Personal experience is the best stimulus to learning. Class trips are taken throughout the year to places of interest. These outings will be presented to the Governing Board for approval.

Information about the trips, hours of departure, cost, etc., is always sent home prior to the event. A permission slip signed by the parents is required in each case.

Tank tops, halter tops and / or T-shirts with inappropriate pictures or words are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

Shorts, T-shirt, socks and running shoes should be worn.

Note: Articles of clothing (including running shoes) should be clearly marked with the student's name.

Evening of November 14
Day of November 15
To be determined
To be determined
No interviews

You will receive further information as to the time of the interviews.

1. PREPARING FOR A MEETING: Make a list of things you want to tell the teacher about your child, so that the teacher can understand the child better - health, attitudes towards school, hobbies and interests. Decide what you want to ask the teacher. Check with your spouse and decide which aspects of your child's work is worrying you. Both parents should attend, if possible with the child. Please try to arrange for a babysitter for younger siblings.
   
   
2. DURING THE MEETING: Don't hesitate to ask questions. Is my child working up to his/her ability level? How is my child progressing? What books are being used, what topics are being covered in different subjects? Does my child get along well with his classmates? How much homework is required? Ask how you can help at home and make notes of suggestions. Review with the teacher, at the end of the meeting, what can be done to help your child.
   
   
3. AFTER THE MEETING: Discuss the meeting with your child, pointing out first his/her strengths and suggesting improvements in a positive way. Follow up on recommended actions immediately. This might be finding books suggested by the teacher, checking homework, preparing a quiet area, doing homework or going over papers brought from school. Call the school to make an appointment if you wish to schedule a follow-up meeting.

Always feel free to telephone the school (653-2429) if you require information. Let the child know that you and the teacher are working together.

Evaluation is a very important process in learning and the teachers and students give it much time. Evaluation is composed of many facets and objectives. It helps us better understand the students style of learning and progress.

A workshop will be organized for the parents at the beginning of the school year to better understand the process of evaluation.

Homework is a valuable and necessary learning tool in all schools. It would be counter-productive for a parent to actually do any part of a homework assignment for the child, However, parents should take an active interest in their children's homework and should encourage them to develop healthy attitudes and efficient habits regarding homework and studying.

The parent's role is to supervise, encourage and support, but not to do any part of the actual work. The parents could also help by providing a supplementary explanation and by giving other examples to aid the child. Above all, the most important factors leading to successful homework and study habits are CONSISTENCY AND REGULARITY.

The following suggestions should prove helpful to achieve the above goals:

1. The child should be given a fixed place to study and do his/her homework. It should be equipped and organized to best suit your child's needs. (S)he should be encouraged to be in a comfortable position while studying.
   
   
2. A fixed time should be built into the child's daily schedule at home for studying and homework. This may vary from child to child based on individual preferences and needs, time for a snack, after school play and sports, music lessons, etc. However, once a schedule is fixed, the child should be encouraged to adhere to it.
   
   
3. Parents should clearly show their children that they take interst in their schoolwork in general, including homework assignments. Remember that praise is much more productive than criticism.
   
   
4. Parents should help their children organize and budget their time.
   
   
5. Studies have shown that short concentrated periods of study with breaks and relaxation are better than long periods without breaks.
   
   
6. The child is provided with an agenda for writing his/her daily homework assignments. Parents should check this notebook regularly.
   
   
7. Children do not like to be constantly asked whether they have finished all their homework, but parents still want to know. The child should be made responsible for his/her homework. The parents should sign the homework book after the child has finished his/her homework. Thus, a parent knows the "homework status" without constant questioning.
   
   
8. If a child has trouble finishing his homework, the parent should inform the teacher in writing.
   
   
9. Students should be encouraged to read daily even when there is no specific homework assignment. Regularity and consistency help develop more efficient study habits.
   
   
10. Parents should seriously consider declaring the television set "off-limits" for children during school nights. Children should be encouraged to read, play a musical instrument, and socialize with the family during the time freed by a silenced T.V.

Since it is not possible to ensure the security of the bicycles, those who do ride bicycles to school, do so at their own risk.

Those who do ride bicycles must observe the following rules:
Riding bicycles on the school grounds is strictly prohibited. Each rider, upon entering the school grounds must dismount and walk his/her bicycle to the alloted place where the bicycles may be parked. Riders are asked to walk their bicycles from Montarville or Roberval for safety reasons.

The same rule applies when leaving the school grounds.

Students in kindergarten who live more than one-half mile (0.8 km.) walking distance from the school and level 1-6 students who live more than one mile (1.6 km.) walking distance from school, are entitled to bus transportation.

Copies of bus routes are supplied to the students concerned.



SCHOOL BUS RULES

Children using the school bus should be made familiar with the bus routine. They should know the correct place to get on and off the bus and what they should do if the bus is late or fails to come.

1. Rules of behaviour are supplied (School Board pamphlet)
2. Sports equipment, if carried on the bus by the pupil, must be in a suitable case.
3. The cost of any repair to a school bus caused as the result of damages by a pupil will be assessed against the parents or guardian of the pupil.

VIOLATION OF ANY OF THE RULES WILL BE REPORTED TO THE PRINCIPAL AND MAY LEAD TO SUSPENSION OF BUS PRIVILEGES OR OTHER DISCIPLINARY ACTION.

ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE OFFICE.

CHILDREN ARE NOT PERMITTED TO TRAVEL ON A BUS OTHER THAN THE ONE ASSIGNED TO THEM. WE ASK FOR PARENTAL COOPERATION IN THIS MATTER.

Bus safety is taught at school, but should be reviewed at home by the parents.

The city provides crossing guards at some street crossings. Walking students are expected to respect the directives of the crossing guards.

This extra curricular programme is organized by the PPO, teachers, or parents. It offers our school children a chance to learn and enjoy sports, music, cooking, dance and much more.

Programmes may differ from year to year depending on sufficient registration.

The lunch programme has been put into place by volunteer parents. It would be greatly appreciated that parents respect the date limits for the orders. If you would like to help with the lunch programme, or if you have suggestions, please submit in writing to the attention of: Muriel Bremner-Comeau. Thank You.

On sale every day:

Milk .50
Jello .50
Juice .50
Crispers .50
Pudding .50
Yoplait Yogurt Tubes .50
Carrots/Dip .50
Oreo Cookies(4) .50

Children are not permitted to use the microwave.

• to provide a forum for parents to share ideas
• to promote collaboration of parents in developing, implementing, and periodically evaluating the school's educational project
• to participate in fostering their child's academic success.

May also advise the paretns on the Governing Board or be consulted by them on any matter of concern to them.

The PPO organizes many activities which are greatly appreciated, such as: cooking, music, scientific workshops for students, theater productions, etc.

Ther are also sub-committees for safety and health, fund raising and other special projects.

COMPOSITION:

In September, at a general assembly of parents, 7 parents are elected to sit on the Governing Board. In addition four teachers, a daycare representative, 2 representatives of the support staff and 2 community representatives are elected.

 

MEETINGS:

Meetings (minimum of 5 per year) are open to the public and a question period is allotted at each meeting.

**RESPONSABILITIES:

• Adopts, oversees the implementation of, and evaluates the school's educational project.
• Approves the student supervision policy.
• Approves rules of conduct and safety measures.
• Prepares and adopts an annual report and informs the community about the services provided by the school.
• Approves the approach proposed by the principal for the implementation of the basic school regulation.
• Approves the overall approach for programmes of studies.
• Approves the time allocation for subjects.
• Approves the programmeming of the school's educational activities.
• Approves the approach for implementation of student services and special educational services.
• Approves use of the premises of immovables placed at the disposal of the school.
• Adopts the school's annual budget.
• May enter into agreements concerning the pooling of goods and services or the holding of joint activities.
• May enter into agreements concerning extracurricular activities.
• May, in the name of the school board, solicit or receive sums of money.
• Be consulted on textbooks, and instructional material required for teaching programmes.
• Encourage communication of information and dialogue between students, parents, teachers, school staff, and community partners.

**SUBJECTS ON WHICH SCHOOL BOARDS CONSULT GOVERNING BOARDS:

• Amendment or revocation of the school's deed of establishment.
• Selection criteria for appointment of the principal.
• Recognition of the school's confessional status.

 

THE CHAIR:

Elected from amongst the parents, oversees the meetings and with the principal, prepares the agenda and the minutes of the meetings in French and in English. Assures a partnership between the members and collaborates with the principal on matters on hand.

Members of the Governing Board work in an atmosphere of respect and harmony so that the decisions taken will be in the best interest of the students and the school.

** Taken from the FCCPQ pamphlet