Woodlands Elementary School Handbook 2011 - 2012 in pdf format
HOURS OF INSTRUCTION AND SUPERVISION
STUDENT BEHAVIOUR EXPECTATIONS
SCHOOL SPORTS TEAMS AND INTRAMURALS
WOODLANDS SCHOOL PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL
NOTES THAT GO HOME FROM SCHOOL
While fostering a positive and creative climate for learning, the staff will work to:
I Develop a positive self-concept in students.
II Develop in each student, the ability to think critically, read, communicate and compute.
III Encourage each student to adopt a healthy lifestyle, which will enable him/her to become a valuable, contributing member of society.
IV Develop in each student understanding, tolerance, and a sense of responsibility towards others.
V Cultivate interests in each student that may be the basis for personal development and leisure pursuits.
Academic Period - 9:00 - 10:40
First Nutrition Break - 10:40 - 11:00
Activity Break - 11:00 - 11:20
Academic Period - 11:20 - 1:00
Second Nutrition Break - 1:00 - 1:20
Second Activity Break - 1:20 - 1:50
Academic Period - 1:50 - 3:30
Agendas & Clean-up - 3:30 - 3:40
The bell will ring at 8:45 a.m., 11:20 a.m., and 1:50 p.m., at which times students are to enter the school quickly and quietly. The time from 8:45 to 8:55 a.m., is to be used for getting ready for classes.
Town students will be dismissed at 3:40 p.m. Bus students will be dismissed at approximately 3:45 p.m., (as soon as the high school buses arrive).
Attendance will be maintained at the office. Attendance slips will be picked up and taken to the office at 9:00 a.m. and 1:50 p.m. Students arriving late must check in at the office before going to their class. If students are not accompanied by an adult they must have a note stating why they are late. If a student is absent for the day, please phone the office at 383-5674 before 9:00 a.m.
All students are expected to be responsible for the completion of assignments in and out of class. It is hoped that all students will take pride in their work. All students will use this agenda to record assignments and tests.
Homework is a basic part of the instructional program. It may consist of such activities as make-up work, projects, collecting materials for classroom projects, or completing work begun in class. Questions regarding homework assignments should be directed to the classroom teacher involved. Some purposes of homework are to stimulate independent study habits, to develop responsibility and self-direction and to reinforce school learning by providing necessary practice for developing skill and proficiency. Homework is the student’s responsibility. Parents are encouraged to assist students in fulfilling this responsibility and provide a suitable place for study.
Students are assessed and evaluated by a variety of methods, which
include monitoring of daily performance and participation in all
activities. In Grades 7 and 8, formal assessments will be conducted in
the four core subject areas. They will be administered according to the
following schedule:
February: Social Studies and Science
May: Language Arts
June: Mathematics
These formal assessments shall count for 20% of the total course mark.
An overall awards system is in place to provide incentive for all students to strive to achieve their maximum potential. They are as follows:
1. Citizenship Award (K-8) – Given for consistently showing the strong attribute of good citizenship.
2. Ellen “Marlene” Olson Memorial Award (K-8) – Presented to a student who has been or is a Resource Student and is caring, respectful, responsible, kind and courteous, hard working and who sets a good example by following school rules.
3. Honour Certificate (5-8) – Given to students who have maintained an average of 80% or better throughout the year in the four core subjects areas (Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science).
4. Academic Award (5-8) – Presented to the student in each grade with the highest average.
5. Excellence Award (5-8) – Presented to all students who have maintained a 90% or better average throughout the year.
6. General Proficiency Award – Presented to the Grade 8 student who has demonstrated the best-combined academic/athletic abilities.
7. Service Award – Presented to students who have contributed to the school's well being.
8. French Award (5-8) – Presented to the student who has achieved the highest standard in the study of the French language at each Grade level.
9. Athletic Award – Presented to a male and a female student in Grade 7 or 8 who have displayed excellence in athletic ability, sportsmanship and attitude, while maintaining an acceptable level of academic performance.
10. Sportsmanship Award – Presented to the athlete, in Grade 7 or 8 who demonstrates the highest level of sportsmanship and positive attitude towards his/her team-mates and opposition.
11. Student Proficiency (K-7) – Presented to the student in each grade who has demonstrated the best-combined academic/athletic abilities.
12. Most Improved – Presented to a student who has improved academically, socially and/or behaviourally from September through to June.
13. Perseverance – Presented to a student who demonstrates the ability to keep trying even though a subject or task may be difficult.
The Woodlands Elementary discipline procedures and behavioural expectations for students is based on the philosophy and guidelines of the Interlake School Division Student Code of Conduct.
Students are not allowed to have cell phones in school. Cell phones should be turned off and stored in a safe place until after final dismissal. It is not advisable for students to bring IPOD/MP3, DS or other electronic devices to school. However, we acknowledge that they do help pass the time on the bus. However, as with cell phones, these devices must be stored in a safe place for the day. They will be confiscated if seen on school grounds, in hallways or classes. The school does not accept any responsibility for the protection or loss of these devices.
No dangerous or disruptive behaviour will be permitted on the playground. For example: pyramid building, piggyback/horseback rides, no wrestling, no contact sports.
Anystudent causing problems while playing with older or
younger children will not be allowed to play with those children.
Teasing, fighting or swearing will not be tolerated.
Drugs, alcohol or smoking will not be tolerated.
Students must obey all the teachers, teaching assistants, and noon hour supervisors in the school.
Parking lot and the schoolground behind it, plus the area behind the propane tanks are off limits.
Specific playground rules are usually posted on the
doors in the link.
1. I will be responsible for myself and my property.
2. I will respect others and their property.
3. I will be on time, be prepared, and try to do my best.
4. I will conduct myself in a quiet, orderly fashion throughout my school.
5. I will be kind and courteous.
Textbooks, workbooks and library books are provided for students' use. Students who lose or abuse books will be expected to reimburse the school for the loss or damage.
Binders, notebooks, etc. should be kept neat and free from scribbling.
Desks are expensive to replace, and are not to be scribbled on, scratched on, or abused in any way. Vandalism to desks will result in cleaning (if possible) by the student(s) or reimbursement for permanent damage.
The Grade 8 students (and Grade 7 if enough lockers are available) are assigned school lockers. It must be noted that lockers are school property and may be subject to searches. Depending on student numbers, two students may need to share one locker.
Students are strongly encouraged to bring a combination lock and keep the locker locked at all times.
Students are expected to have a second pair of shoes at school at all times. Students must change their outdoor shoes upon entering the school. Their gym shoes (not platform) should only be worn inside the school.
Students are expected to dress in a manner appropriate for school. Clothing that causes disruption and is deemed unsuitable will be prohibited. Too short, too tight, and too revealing clothing is not acceptable attire. Clothing may not advertise alcohol or tobacco. Jackets are not to be worn during class time and the wearing of hats/caps/toques are not allowed inside the school.
Gum and sunflower seeds are not allowed at Woodlands School.
There are 10 fire drills and at least one school evacuation drill during the school year in order to follow proper Fire Drill procedures. Other safety drills include bus evacuation, tornado and an intruder alert drill as well. Students are expected to exit and re-enter the school in a quiet and orderly fashion.
The resource program is designed to assist students experiencing learning difficulties. The Resource Teacher will provide diagnostic testing, programming and individual help for those students in need of this program.
Guidance focuses upon the social/emotional development of the students. The Guidance Counsellor will provide support for those students needing individual counselling, as well as working with whole classrooms and their needs.
This program is for Grade 8 students, building skills in home economics, and woodworking.
Woodlands students travel to Warren Collegiate at 12:30 every Day Six to use the facilities for this program. They return at approximately 3:30 p.m.
Students in Grade 6 will be trained as conflict managers, as part of the social emotional portion of their health curriculum. They will team together to patrol the playground at recess keeping an eye out for minor upsets (non physical problems) with younger (K-3) students. These mediators will help to resolve situations on the playground as they practise the life long skills of working with others.
An intramural program is run in conjunction with the Physical
Education program, as well as the fielding of teams for divisional
competitions in volleyball, basketball, badminton, cross country, and
track and field. Students must demonstrate they can
consistently comply with class and school regulations before they
represent our school in an individual or team event.
K-4 students must have gym runners for classes. Students in Grade 5-8
are required to have a change of clothing for Physical Education class.
(T-shirt, shorts or sweats and gym shoes.)
Students may use the library anytime during the school day, with the supervising teacher's permission. Regular library classes have been scheduled for all grade levels to encourage the use of the facilities.
Library staff are both scheduled to be in the library on a regular basis, and are responsible for the organization and daily function for the library.
Students may sign out books for 1 six-day cycle, and if they are not finished they may renew the book for one week.
Replacement costs will be charged for lost books.
Woodlands School Advisory Council is a group of parents and community members that meets once a month during the school year, along with the principal and a teacher representative, to discuss important issues regarding our school and school division. Fundraising is not our primary goal but rather to have input into school activities. Any parent or community member is more than welcome to attend any or all meetings to see what’s happening at Woodlands School. Hope to see you there!
Parent/guardians will be notified of all impending field trips, as well as any costs involved. A permission slip, signed by the parent/guardian, will be required in order for a student to be able to participate.
The school will recycle soft drink cans, paper and plastic. Bins are set up at the front door, in the link and at the primary end.
Students will have two nutrition breaks – the first at 10:40 a.m. and the second at 1:05 p.m. Research has shown that two equally nutritious small meals is very effective at keeping students alert and able to think and learn.
Students will be supervised as they eat in their homerooms during each of the breaks. Students are to remain in their desks and follow school rules.
The canteen is open during the second nutrition break on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Healthy snacks, and juice are available for students to purchase. A drink machine (juices, water and sports drinks – no pop) is also available during the break times only. Students are to bring their own forks and spoons.
Milk (chocolate and white) will be available for students to purchase for seventy cents ($0.70). For your convenience, we have milk cards available at a cost of $14.00 for 20 tickets. They may be purchased at the office.
If a child is required to take oral medication during school hours,
it must be sent to the office with the following:
- written authorization by the parent/guardian
- the medicine bottle must carry the official label from the pharmacist
stating the child's name, the physician's name, the name of the drug,
the dosage to be administered, and if possible, the time of day it is to
be given. We cannot administer Tylenol or any other non-prescription
medication.
Notes from home are required for the following:
1. In case of absenteeism.
2. To go to the store or post office.
3. To change buses (phone calls to the school to cover this are not
allowed according to Interlake School Division #21 policy).
4. When someone picks up student(s) other than a parent/guardian.
5. When early dismissal is required (when picking up students, parents
are asked to report to the office).
Notes are to be dated and signed by a parent/guardian. If you do not
wish your child to go out, due to illness, please send a note that:
1. is signed and dated
2. states the nature of the illness
3. states the number of days the child should stay in
During the winter, we monitor the temperature and wind condition through Environment Canada. If the temperature, with or without a windchill, goes below -25C, students will remain indoors. Between -20 to -24C, may go outside for a maximum of 15 minutes. It is extremely important that all children are clothed properly for outdoor conditions.
All notes that come home from Woodlands school that require a signature or need to be returned to the school for any reason will be printed on blue paper. Please watch for these as all blue forms will require your attention.
All minor accidents will be attended to by our staff. However, should
a child receive a more serious injury, the following procedure is
followed:
(a) Parents/guardians, or the designated emergency contact person, will
be contacted. If possible, they will transport the child to the family
doctor or to the hospital.
(b) Should no one be available for us to contact, we will transport the
child to the doctor or hospital indicated on the student information
sheet for emergency medical assistance.
(c) Should we believe that ambulance service is required, we will not
hesitate to call one.
The bin is located beside the boot rack in the link area of the school. Unclaimed items will be sent to the Salvation Army on the last day of school in June.
Volunteers are needed during the year to assist in various school activities such as Hot Dog Day, classroom activities, etc. A letter is sent home at the beginning of each year asking for volunteer support. A coordinator will contact you and set up a schedule convenient to you.
1. Weather Related:
i) The transportation supervisor consults the weather office and does a
test drive in the community.
ii) The transportation supervisor consults the Department of Highways
for a report of road conditions.
iii) The superintendent will be contacted and a decision will be made
based upon relevant information. An attempt will be made to make a
decision to cancel bussing before 0630 hours.
iv) The transportation supervisor and superintendent will contact
designated radio stations and inform them of the cancellation for the
division. All parents, students and staff should be notified in this
manner before 0700 hours.
2. Other Emergencies:
The transportation supervisor will follow the notification procedures as
outlined for weather related cancellations.
3. Individual Route Cancellations:
The bus driver will contact the transportation supervisor and advise of
the situation. In the event the route is cancelled the bus driver will
immediately make every effort to notify all parents/guardians on the
route of the cancellation. The transportation offices will notify the
affected schools.