SAFE SCHOOL ENTRY

All school doors will be locked throughout the day. When picking up/dropping off your child during school hours, simply go to the front door of the school where you can buzz the office and a staff member will be there to meet you. If your child needs to go home throughout the day for any reason, school personnel will advise you on pick up procedures.   

STUDENT SUPERVISION BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL

Teacher supervision of students is provided for 15 minutes before and after school. Please make sure that your child arrives by 9 am for entry. 

LATE ARRIVALS AND EARLY DISMISSAL

When arriving late or leaving early, students will sign in/out electronically with one of our office staff members. If a student is ill, contact will be made by the classroom teacher or the main office.

At the end of the day, it is important for parents who pick up their children, to establish a pick up routine and location with their child.

LATES

Please ensure that your child is consistently arriving at school on time. Students are expected to arrive at school no later than 9:00 a.m. in the morning, but a goal of arriving before 8:55 will mean that they will be able to enter with their classmates and get the full benefits of learning throughout the day.

Students who arrive after 9:00 am are to enter by the front door and must report directly to the office to be admitted into the classroom.

Consistent unexplained late arrivals of a student will result in communication with home, a meeting with the administration and involvement with our attendance counselor.

FOOD AND ALLERGIES

As many of you are aware, a significant number of students in our schools have developed serious or life threatening allergies to foods and airborne scents. For these students, attending school can be a risk and one that we would like to reduce as much as possible.

As a courtesy to these students, please be aware of this when packing lunches and snacks for nutrition breaks. Although none of these students may be in your child’s class, they do come in contact on the playground and in the halls. As a way to reduce the risks of a reaction, we are requesting that you refrain from sending raw nuts of any kind or nuts in baked goods to school.

We appreciate your support in this manner as we want to ensure the safety and well-being of all our students. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call.

SENDING TREATS TO SCHOOL

In 2011, the Ontario Ministry of Education implemented The School Food and Beverage Policy (PPM 150)

As a result of this policy, food providers to the school, our lunch program for example, must follow strict nutritional guidelines around fat, sugar and salt. These standards are available at http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/healthyschools/policy.html.

The policy allows for 10 “special food” days throughout the school year. At Avenue Road Public School these days will be planned by the school staff and take into consideration allergies, and health/cultural/religious dietary requirements.

We appreciate that caregivers may want to send in treats for special occasions (birthdays) or holidays, and have the whole class share in the goodies. This is a kind gesture, but it is not a practice that we can allow due to PPM 150.  When treats are sent into school we are not able to control potentially dangerous allergens, or ensure the treats can accommodate all students with health/cultural or religious dietary requirements. We work hard to create a safe, healthy and equitable environment for all children and greatly appreciate your cooperation.

PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES

In consideration of the benefits and drawbacks of student smartphone use, and the fact that students have access to individual Chromebooks from grade 6-8 during the instructional day, the WRDSB Technology Acceptable Use Procedure, staff discussions, administrator response to various concerns and consultation with many stakeholders, it is the policy of Avenue Road Public School that:

Should students choose to bring their device(s) to school, they must be turned off and placed in their backpack/lockers upon arrival in the school where they will remain for the entire instructional day.

• Avenue Road Public School will not be liable or responsible for the theft, loss or destruction of any personal devices while at school or on school property. Users are responsible for securing their device while at school and if they feel they are unable to do so adequately they should NOT bring their device to school.
• Further information about the school board’s acceptable use policy can be found at: http://sss.wrdsb.ca/files/2014/04/AP4070_Acceptable_Use_Procedure_20091026.pdf (Use of these telecommunications services and computer technology is a privilege, not a right. The service is provided to students to enhance their educational experience and to staff to assist them in the performance of their jobs. The privilege may be revoked for unacceptable conduct and or staff may be subject to disciplinary action. Abuse of the technology may also lead to civil and/or criminal action.)

BICYCLES, SKATEBOARDS, ROLLERBLADES, AND SCOOTERS  

All wheeled transportation must be walked on school property and stored in the bicycle racks provided. Bicycles should be locked using the bike rack we have near the primary entrance. The school is not responsible for losses or damages to bicycles or other methods of transportation, or their accessories. Students are required by law to wear a helmet, if bicycling to and from school.

BUSSING

The school bus is an extension of the classroom. Riding a school bus is a privilege and not a right. 

Improper conduct may result in the withdrawal of this privilege. Restoration will be at the discretion of the school officials after consultation with the student and parent/guardian. Kindergarten children who ride a bus will be dropped off at their designated bus stop only if there is an adult to meet and supervise them.