Absence/Lateness (Safe Arrival Program)
As part of our Safe Arrival program, parents/guardians are asked to call the school before 8:45 am if their child is going to be absent or late. An answering machine will record messages outside of regular school hours. If your child is absent from school and we have not heard from a parent/guardian, we have a "Safe Arrival Policy" of telephoning parents. We will telephone you at home and/or work in order to ensure that your child is safe. In the event that we are unable to contact a parent/guardian we will call the emergency contacts provided on the Student Information Form.
An explanatory note before (if the absence is planned), or when the child returns, is required to be given to the homeroom teacher.
Late students must report to the office to obtain a late slip for admission to class. Habitual absence or lateness is reported to Student Services at the Board Office.
Allergy Awareness
Please contact the school immediately if your child has any health problems which may restrict participation in school activities, or conditions, which may give rise to an emergency situation (e.g., allergies to certain foods, perfumes, flowers, bee stings, cardiac problems, hemophilia, respiratory difficulties, etc...).
We strive to make the whole school Peanut-Safe.
At the October 16, 2001 meeting, the Queen Victoria School Council strongly recommended that our school become a peanut safe school. This decision was made due to the number of children who are attending our school who have severe allergies to peanuts. The School Council is aware that peanut butter and peanut butter products are staples in many homes. However, for a child with a peanut allergy, contact with peanut products can be life threatening. The Queen Victoria School Council, Administration and the Staff appreciate parents' support in making Queen Victoria peanut safe. In the event that a student brings a peanut product to school, they may be asked to eat something else provided through the school snack program, such as a bagel. In extreme cases where there is no other option the child will be required to eat at the office.
Bicycles
Students who ride bicycles to school must walk the bicycles onto and off school property. All students riding a bike to school must wear a bike helmet. Failure to do so will result in the child not being allowed to bring their bike to school until they comply with the law. Bicycles should be walked on the side of the school with the basketball posts (and not on the gym side of the school). Bicycles are to be parked and locked in the racks near the portables. During the school day, students are to remain away from the bicycle racks. Roller blades, heelies, skateboards and scooters are not allowed on school property. Students, who use these as transportation to and from school, may do so as long as they are stored at the office during the day. Following these rules will increase safety for all.
Cell Phones/iPods/Personal Property
Students are strongly discouraged from bringing valuables and personal property (e.g., money, jewellery, CD players, pagers, cell phones, expensive sporting equipment) to school. As well, students are not allowed to bring trading cards of any kind to school. The school cannot assume responsibility for loss or damage to a student's personal property.
If a student needs to bring a cell phone to school, the phone must be turned off upon reaching school property.
Community Information
Information about events and registrations taking place in our community are found on our website and/or posted on the bulletin board outside of the main office.
Eco Schools
Queen Victoria is working towards becoming an Eco School. Students are encouraged to participate in our "Bounce Back" snack and lunch program.
- Students are encouraged to bring all food and drinks in reusable containers (e.g., instead of a single-use ziplock bag or single-use water bottle)
- Non-reusable containers are to go home in the student's lunch bag (e.g., a single use water bottle would go home to be recycled)
- All paper should be recycled rather than thrown into garbage cans
- You can sign up for the e-mail version of our monthly newsletter . Your child would not receive a paper-version to take home (saving about 7 photocopies per student each month!)
Field Trips
From time to time, teachers take students on field trips to support the classroom curriculum. Such an activity may be as simple as a walk in our local neighbourhood, to the park across from the school or a bus trip out of town.
On rare occasions, a field trip may be more recreational, such as an excursion as a reward at the year's end. On a case-by-case basis the administration may deny students who have been suspended, or who has been involved in inappropriate behaviour.
Gym Clothing and Footwear
Students should have proper gym clothing and footwear at school. Proper gym clothing includes a t-shirt, shorts/track pants and running shoes/sneakers. It is advisable for students to keep a pair of sneakers at school for use in the classroom and the gymnasium. Changing shoes when students come in from outdoors answers a number of health and safety concerns and makes the maintenance of the building easier. We advise that wearing flip-flops can be unsafe.
Hallway Behaviour
- Students are expected to travel through the halls quietly.
- Running is not permitted in the halls.
- When using the stairs, staff and students are asked to stay to the right.
- Food / gum are not to be eaten / chewed in the hallways.
Head Lice
Pediculosis (head lice) occurs occasionally and is very contagious. If your child has head lice, please notify the school immediately so that we can encourage parents of all children in the class to check their child's hair. Instructions for care are available from the school office. Children with pediculosis must be excluded from school until proper treatment has been given and the child is nit free. The school secretary will call you to notify you that your child needs to be picked up immediately. When a case of pediculosis is discovered in a classroom, a letter will go home with each child in the class in order to ensure that parents can be diligent in checking their child's hair.
After a student has been sent home because of pediculosis a parent/guardian must bring and remain with the student at school until the pupil has been determined to be nit free. If the student, after being checked, continues to have nits the parent/guardian will need to take the student home.
Homework
The following recommendations may be helpful in developing effective homework habits:
- set aside a place and an amount of time each weekday night to allow relatively uninterrupted work - avoid television, telephone calls, etc. during this time
- begin by completing unfinished class work or assignments that are due the next day
- work on assignments and projects that are due later in the week or month
- update notes or review course material
- use any remaining time for reading
Staff members at Queen Victoria Public School recognize and appreciate the following facts in regard to homework:
- homework completion is a Learning Skill as indicated on the report card
- our students already have a long day and should not be subjected to excessive amounts of homework
- with the exception of special projects, most homework will be the completion of work that has been assigned in class
- many students have busy schedules outside of the school and some flexibility of deadlines may be considered if students negotiate this with their teacher ahead of time
- preparation for tests is part of homework
- school planners are a valuable aid for teachers with the assistance of parents/guardians to teach students how to organize their time
- students are expected to use their planners to keep track of assignments and help organize their time
- daily reading at home will help to develop students' literacy skills
NOTE: All students should be doing some homework each night - this includes reading.
Students going on extended vacations will be provided with the anticipated math work for the period of the absence. All other missed work can be collected upon the students return from vacation.
Inclement Weather
If buses are cancelled due to poor weather, schools are still open. However, parents are asked to keep in mind the following:
- Parents who drop their children off at school are responsible for picking them up at the end of the day.
- Parents are asked to bring their children into the school to sign them in and to ensure a member of the teaching staff is present.
- Students are given a grant day in regards to attendance on days when buses are cancelled - as such missing school on a bus day will not penalize a student aiming for perfect attendance.
Any bus cancellations are announced on 91.9 FM (BOB FM) after 6:30am.
Internet Use
Trillium Lakelands District School Board has an Internet Use Policy in place that clearly states expectations and responsibilities with respect to student use of internet in schools. A form which is to be signed by both student and parents / guardians will be sent home at the beginning of each year.
Leaving School Property
Students leaving school property during the day must bring a signed note from their parent or guardian and have it signed by their homeroom teacher and the principal or secretary. The note must be placed in the binder envelope at the office where students must sign out and then sign in when they return.
Students should only be leaving school property for Lunch during our 2nd (second) Nutritional Break (12:45 p.m. to 1:25 p.m.).
Library
Students have access to the school library and may sign out books for leisure reading or for school-based projects. Students are expected to return their library books in a timely fashion. Students who have not returned books will be charged a replacement cost. Books or the replacement fee must be paid in order to receive the final report card.
Lost and Found
Many articles of clothing find their way to the Lost and Found. It is helpful if the student's name is clearly marked on his/her possessions. There is often a reluctance to retrieve articles from the Lost and Found Box. Parents are urged to check to see what treasures might be waiting there. Students are discouraged from bringing expensive items to school. Items not claimed after a reasonable time will be donated to a local charity.
"Lunch" Time (2nd Nutrition Break)
As of the 2009-2010 school year, Queen Victoria's traditional "lunch hour" will be replaced with 2 - 40 minute Nutrition/Recess breaks. Students will be permitted to sign out and go home during the second (2nd) Nutrition/Recess break (from 12:45 p.m. to 1:25 p.m.). A student who regularly stays at school for lunch must have a written note from a parent giving permission to leave school property during the 2nd Nutrition/Recess break. These students must send their note to the office with the morning attendance. The student must sign out at the office and then report to the office immediately when returning to sign in. Students who arrive late may lose their privilege of leaving school property during the 2nd Nutrition/Recess break. Students who forget their lunch notes will not be permitted to call home. We do not have a lunchroom at Queen Victoria. Students who stay for lunch will eat in their classrooms unless they have been selected to be a room monitor.
Medication
A request to administer oral medication (less than 10 school days) must be made in writing. The parents must recognize that a person without medical training provides the service. A request to administer oral medication (more than 10 days) must have forms completed by the physician as well as the parent. Forms are available through the school office. All medications including puffers must be kept at the office where they can be locked in a cabinet for safety.
Newsletters
Newsletters will be sent home at the beginning of each month. Included in the newsletter will be a monthly calendar highlighting upcoming events and activities. It is the responsibility of the student to take the newsletter home.
Parents are strongly encouraged to sign up for the e-mail version of the monthly newsletter (which helps to reduce the amount of paper photocopied and reduce our school's carbon footprint).
Physical Education Clothing
A change of t-shirt, shorts and indoor (non marking) running shoes must be brought for physical education classes. In cold weather students may wear track tops and pants outdoors. In warm weather, when classes are held outside, hats, sunscreen and water bottles are appropriate. Note: Indoor shoes are required for all QVPS students to wear to class at all times all year.
Playground
Students will...
- enter and exit through designated doors.
- leave sticks, stones and other objects on the ground
- remain within the school yard boundaries
- treat our natural surroundings with care
- food or drinks brought outside must be eaten/consumed on the school walls, near garbage cans
Progress Reports
Formal report cards are sent home three times during the school year in November, March and June. Interviews, letters and phone calls may also be used to communicate student progress throughout the year. Parents / guardians should feel free to contact teachers at any time to review their child's progress.
School Council
The 2008-9 School Council will remain operational until the new council will be formed in September 2009. The Council consists of the following members:
Chairperson
Vice Chair
Treasurer
Secretary
Parent
Representative at Large
We welcome all parents to these meetings and welcome nominations for new executive. Nomination forms will be provided in a handout given to students on September 8th. The School Council usually meets once a month with each meeting lasting approximately 1 to 2 hours.
Supplies
Students will be provided with a list of needed supplies (pencils, pens, duo-tangs, etc...) at the end of June. Students are responsible for having these items for the duration of the school year. Supplies may need to be refilled through the school year.
Supervision
In addition to classroom hours, supervision is provided between 8:30 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. and during nutrition and activity breaks. We are most concerned with students who arrive on school property prior to 8:30 a.m., as they are unsupervised by an adult at these times. For your child's safety, children should not arrive at school before 8:30 a.m.. Children should be picked up promptly at the 3:05 p.m. dismissal.
Teams, Clubs, Activities
During the year, QVPS staff members supervise a variety of extra-curricular activities in such areas as sports, music, drama, and academics. Students are encouraged to participate in one or more of these activities.
Students who wish to represent the school in extra-curricular activities are expected to be good citizens of QVPS.
Telephone
There is a telephone in the main office. It has been placed there in order to assist students for reasons such as illness. The phone is only to be used with the permission of the homeroom teacher and the principal or school secretary.
Textbooks
Each year we spend a great deal of money on the purchase of textbooks at an average price of $50.00 each. When a student is issued a textbook, it is expected to be returned in good condition. If it is lost, or turned in and it has not been properly taken care of, the student will be expected to pay the cost of a replacement.
Visitors
It is the TLDSB policy that all visitors to the school report to the office as soon as they enter the building. This will ensure the safety of all in the building and ensures that classes will not be interrupted. In accordance with the Safe School Policy, badges marked with "VISITOR" will be issued to all parents and volunteers who will be working in the school. An unknown person without a "visitor" badge will be escorted to the main office.
Volunteers
There are many opportunities for parents and guardians to volunteer at Queen Victoria. Some areas to volunteer at include:
- Volunteering in Classrooms
- Parent Council
- Nutritional Snack/Breakfast Program
- Fundraising
- Headchecks
- Class Trips
All volunteers require a police check.
Website
The school maintains a website for use by parents and students as well as our own staff. On it you will find important information. Please bookmark the website as soon as possible and keep checking for updates.
