South March Parent Handbook 2020-2021

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How can my child be safe riding the bus?

Find out more about school bus safety <a href="http://www.ottawaschoolbus.ca/helpful-resources/school-bus-student-responsibility/">here</a>.

Additional Resources: How To Wash Your Hands Video

How to Wash Your Hands for Kids – WHO Technique - Coronavirus (COVID-19) Hand Washing video.

Click the picture above to learn how to properly wash your hands at home and at school.

All students must bring a water bottle with their name clearly labeled on it. We will have 5 water bottle filling stations for students to use throughout the day.&#160;

Indoor running shoes are not required at this time until the weather turns cold and boots are needed.&#160;&#160;

How do I screen my child daily before school?

Every morning you MUST Screen Your Child!

Parents are required to screen their children daily for symptoms of COVID-19 BEFORE SENDING THEM TO SCHOOL. We need to all work together, to ensure our school remains safe. Use this<a href="https://secureforms.ottawapublichealth.ca/School-Health-Sante-scolaire/COVID-19-Screening-Tool-for-Students"> online tool</a> provided by Ottawa Public Health to do daily screening. Anyone with one or more symptoms must stay home and follow public health directives about testing.&nbsp;Learn more on the&nbsp;<a href="http://track.spe.schoolmessenger.com/f/a/5CpGCgUygWx6nS-u1GOVuQ~~/AAAAAQA~/RgRjGgAzP0RcaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cub3R0YXdhcHVibGljaGVhbHRoLmNhL2VuL3B1YmxpYy1oZWFsdGgtdG9waWNzL25vdmVsLWNvcm9uYXZpcnVzLmFzcHg_X21pZF89MzIwNjRXB3NjaG9vbG1CCmEws8w4YenWseZSFWplZmYuZ2VydmFpc0BvY2RzYi5jYVgEAAAAAg~~">Ottawa Public Health website</a>

What if a child becomes ill at school?

Staff are required to follow the protocol identified by the Ottawa Carleton District School Board and Ottawa Public Health. If a child exhibits symptoms of COVID-19, the child will be placed in an isolation room. The isolation room is near the main office. The child will be supervised and if able, will wear a mask. If staff need to interact with the child, they will need to wear PPE equipment (gown, mask, face shield, and gloves.) Parents will be called and are required to pick up their child immediately. Please have a plan in place for someone to be available to pick up your child promptly. Please make sure that your contact information is always correct and current. When you arrive at school, use the door intercom to notify the office and your child will be escorted to you. Parents MUST contact Ottawa Public Health for next steps, which may include testing for COVID-19.

Additional Resources: Ottawa Public Health Screening Tool

Click the picture above to access the Ottawa Public Health Screening Tool.

Additional Resources: Bus Safety Resources OSTA

OSTA School Bus Rules

Buzzy the Bee’s Safety Certificate! School bus safety rules and behaviour expectations for first-time riders!

Buster's Safety Badge! School Bus Safety Rules and Behaviour Expectations for Primary Students!

A guide to school bus safety rules and behaviour expectations for junior students.

Optional Primary (K-3): "Just in Case Clothing"

Optional Junior (4-6): Charged personal device

Accidents will happen. To help eliminate the need to call home, all primary students are invited to pack a set of "Just in Case Clothing". This should include: a shirt, a pair of pants and/or shorts, socks and underwear. These items should be placed in a securely fastened plastic bag with your child's named clearly marked. These will be kept at school.

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board is a "Bring Your Own Device" school board. At South March Public School, we will be inviting our junior students to bring their own devices to use in the classroom. Stay tuned for more exciting information to come.

All students will have a designated door to ENTER and EXIT. They will use these doors to enter and exit the school at all times.&#160;

Throughout the day, all students will use their designated entry doors.

This year is very different and we want to reduce what students bring to school. Here are some materials that your child COULD bring:

- a backpack&#160; - Lunch bag - pencil case with pencils&#160; - erasers (preferably white)&#160; - ballpoint pens&#160; - coloured pencils/markers&#160; - scissors - calculator - glue -pencil sharpener These items should all fit into a pencil case and ALL have name labels.&#160; Please do not send extra supplies.

Kindergarten students are not asked to bring in school supplies at this time.

Perfume Free, Cologne Free and Scent Free

Our school is a scent-free building. Thank you for your cooperation in this area.

Our entire building is a nut-free environment. Please do not send any products containing nuts in your child's lunch.

We encourage you to attend School Council Meetings to keep informed about what is happening at SMPS and to have a voice about your child’s educational experience at South March P.S. Additional information on meeting formats and times will be shared soon.

School Website: <a href="https://southmarchps.ocdsb.ca/">https://southmarchps.ocdsb.ca</a> Follow us on twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/SouthMarchPS">@SouthMarchPS</a> Principal:&nbsp;Jeff Gervais Vice-Principal:&nbsp;Heather MacAskill Office Administrator:&nbsp;Susanne Crooks Office Assistant: Rita Abdul-Ghani

The following forms are VERY important. The first form needs to be completed online so that your child is able to access essential technology learning tools here at school. The second form informs us of your media preferences. The third form is to be completed if your child has a medical condition or medication which needs to be administered at school. You will have access to these forms on the first day that your child starts school. <a href="https://forms.ocdsb.ca/Forms/Use-of-Technology">Use of Technology Form</a> <a href="https://forms.ocdsb.ca/Forms/Media-School-Website-Consent-Form">Media Consent Form</a> <a href="https://forms.ocdsb.ca/Forms/Plan-Of-Care-For-Students-With-Life-Threatening-Medical-Conditions">Plan of Care For Students With Life Threatening Medical Conditions Form</a>

In-School Hours Pick-Up:

End of School Day Pick-Up:

1. Please email the office (heather.nichols@ocdsb.ca) and your child's homeroom teacher with the time that you will be arriving to pick-up your child. 2. Come to front door, buzz the office, and your child will be brought out to you.

Zone 1: Grade 2-6 students departing by car (with no kindergarten or grade 1 siblings).&nbsp;Pickup&nbsp;point is Sandhill Road. Please park and walk to the stairs. There will be a teacher at the bottom of the stairs, and when they see their parents, your child(ren) will be dismissed to walk up the stairs with you. This may be a slow process at first, and we ask for your patience. Zone 2: Kindergarten and grade 1 students (with their older SMPS siblings). Pickup point is the side parking lot. Parents are asked to park and wait behind the painted line in the "Kiss and Ride" loop (blocked off to cars). Educators will connects you to your child(ren) - kinder, grade 1, and older siblings - in a safe manner so we can ensure our youngest students are with their parents/caregivers. This may be a slow process at first, and we ask for your patience. Zone 3: Walkers. Students will gather with a teacher supervisor near the pathway off Marconi Ave. We ask parents to wait patiently as we make visual contact with parents and dismiss your child(ren) to you. As you wait, please stay safe by maintaining your distance from other parents.&nbsp;Older students (and some younger students who accompany them) will be released to walk home independently. Thank you for your cooperation. Our goal is to keep our community safe and healthy.

Click <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KouoqLut9Nmn46Jv5Q0KyzT9ADxCN0rnIwV5Ps37514/edit?usp=sharing">HERE</a> to see full-screen version of this zone map.

Let's make the school zone safer for all students by reducing parent/guardian traffic at the school.&#160;

What are the first day drop off procedures?

How Will My Child Know Who Their Teacher Is?

How Will My Child Find Their Class?

You will receive an email with your child's homeroom teacher's name. Please help your child remember this name.

Only staff and students are allowed on school property, including outdoor areas. Children will be directed by staff to the back yard, where other staff will help them to find their class line-up on the yard. In the event of rain, we will help them find their class inside.

The start and end times for South March Public School have not changed. Families are asked to drop their child/children off as close to 9:15 am as possible.

Attendance (613) 595-0543 x 1

Parents are asked to call before 9:15 am if their child will be absent or late. The school answering machine is also available 24 hours a day to take these calls when the office is not open. Should it be necessary for a student to leave the school early, a written note or permission must come from a parent or legal guardian. If you need to drop-off/pick-up your child during the school day please proceed to the main doors, ring the buzzer, and stay with your child until someone answers the door. The main doors will be locked at all times.

Lunches and snacks are not to be taken outside for exercise break and must be eaten inside only. The school focus is on healthy lunches and snacks with litter-less lunch. Students will bring home all containers and uneaten contents of their lunch. This supports recycling and allows you the opportunity to see what your child has eaten for the day.

Additional Resources: 2021-2022 School Year Calendar

We Can't MASK Our Excitement That You Are Coming!

The OCDSB is very aware that these are challenging times for everyone, especially our children. <a href="https://smho-smso.ca/covid-19/parents-and-families/">Here</a> are some additional MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES for you to explore with your child.

Parents and Families

Homework Guidelines

Homework can strengthen and intensify the learning acquired in school. It can also develop good work habits. Homework will be assigned by the teacher when appropriate, to complete unfinished class work, study for tests, and do projects. Homework guidelines can differ from class to class, depending on course of study and the time of year. Daily reading at home is strongly encouraged for all South March Public School students.

Student Birthdays At SMPS

Your child's teacher and classmates will be very happy to wish them a Happy Birthday. However… please DO NOT drop off birthday sweets and treats at school for your child.&nbsp;

How do I pick up my child at school?

End of School Day Pick-Up

The process of dismissal is going to be a little more lengthy this year. Families are asked to arrive by 3:35 pm at your child/children's dismissal ZONE.

Click<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KouoqLut9Nmn46Jv5Q0KyzT9ADxCN0rnIwV5Ps37514/edit?usp=sharing"> HERE </a>to get full-sized map.

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South March PS Parent Handbook 2022-2023

Updated: August 29, 2022

Home of the Proud, Positive, and Powerful Penguins!

Zone 1: Gr. 2-6 students (with no siblings in Kindergarten or Gr. 1) who are being dropped off by CAR will park on Sandhill Rd. and walk with their children to the stairs on South March Public School property. You may also use the small parking lot at Juanita Snellgrove Park and use the path to access school property.&nbsp; Zone 2: Kindergarten &amp; Grade 1 students and their siblings who are WALKING or being dropped off by CAR will use the Parking lot. Zone 3: Gr. 2-6 students (with NO siblings in Kindergarten or Gr. 1) who are WALKING to school will use the PATHWAY branching off from Marconi Ave. There will be no PICK UP OR DROP OFF ON KLONDIKE ROAD.

If your child is late, they must be brought to the front doors of the school. Simply BUZZ the office from the front door buzzer (located to the left of the doors) and wait for further direction from our office staff.

Recess / Inclement Weather

Students will play outside within the assigned boundaries on the schoolyard during our exercise / recess time. It is essential that they come dressed appropriately for the weather. We attempt to have the children outdoors as much as possible, however, occasionally due to inclement weather, we have indoor recesses.

Please do not send outdoor play equipment with your child.&nbsp;The school will provide the necessary (and approved) equipment for students to access at recess. 

Dogs (on-leash or off-leash) are prohibited on school grounds – especially during drop-off and pick-up times.&nbsp;

How will my child find their teacher/class?

Students will enter the school property through their assigned ZONE and meet their homeroom teachers on the field behind South March Public School. Each teacher will be standing beside an orange pylon with their name. Students will join their class line and in a socially distanced manner will enter the school following their teacher's lead. Only staff and students are permitted on school property including outdoor spaces.

<a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1-wH0L8DVBFIDwpQKUYXddUKxPIxL_rllonsIV73Zl_o/edit?usp=sharing">CLICK HERE FOR A LARGER IMAGE</a>

Homeroom teachers will reach out to families to determine what Pick-up Zone Families should use. Drop-off/Pickup zones are seterines by grade, if students are walking or being picked up.&#160;

<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1o50EwzjjT14Sdd6ZyBk8_76GzsFX8HZ0Eld1rVekfZw/edit?usp=sharing">Homeroom Teacher and Staff List for 2022 - 2023</a>

Keeping the Office Up-To-Date

To see a complete list of all staff at South March P.S. For easy access to staff contact information, please visit our school website.

Phones numbers, daycare providers, and emergency contacts are forever changing.&nbsp;Please ensure that the office has the correct and most current information so that the school is able to reach you at all times.

Transportation Communication

OSTA communicates important information about service issues, delays and cancellations.&nbsp; Parents can register for email notification of route delays<a href="http://www.ottawaschoolbus.ca/parents/"> OSTA Parent Web Portal</a>, as well as other general information like safety tips and snow days.&nbsp; Parents can also sign up for Facebook and follow OSTA on Twitter @ottbus.

ALL Students (JK- Gr 6) begin school on Tuesday, September 6th **There is no staggered entry for Kindergarten school this year in the OCDSB.

Please click <a href="https://www.ocdsb.ca/elementary/calendar">HERE</a> to see a the OCDSB Elementary 2022-2023 School Calendar.

9<a href="bookcreator://page/S6vJmqxPTPum5zdjrePvfw">. How will my child be safe inside the classroom?</a> 10<a href="bookcreator://page/S6vJmqxPTPum5zdjrePvfw">. How will my child be safe outside the classroom? </a> 11<a href="bookcreator://page/S6vJmqxPTPum5zdjrePvfw">. How will my child eat safely at school? </a> 12<a href="bookcreator://page/S6vJmqxPTPum5zdjrePvfw">. How will my child be safe during activity break?</a> 13<a href="bookcreator://page/S6vJmqxPTPum5zdjrePvfw">. How do I pick my child up from school? </a> 14<a href="bookcreator://page/CzIYzcpgR2i3sk8av90z6g">. What if a child becomes ill at school?</a> 15<a href="bookcreator://page/XhdthKrWTu-x6PF71rnCSg">. Additional resources</a>

Hello SMPS Families! I am looking forward to getting back to school and welcoming your children back to SMPS for the 2021-2022 school year. This year will again look very different - We have approximately 495 students attending in-person learning this year. Our amazing staff are preparing for a safe and sustainable return to classes with a focus on students learning and engagement while focusing on the mental health and well-being of students and staff. We are ready and excited to welcome students back to school! As school begins our #1 priority is the Health &amp; Safety of student and staff. All of our planning is based on ensuring a safe learning environment. I would like to thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we begin this new school year. Stay safe and take care! Jeff Gervais Principal

This text resource has been organized sequentially to address each scenario your child will encounter as they move through their day this year here at SMPS.

Additional Resources: How to Wear a Mask for Parents

1<a href="bookcreator://page/uS7x6-s7T3yxHAqZHrPJWw">.</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/O_74ruKOQxq_QV52Csk4zQ">A Message From the Office</a> 2. <a href="bookcreator://page/uS7x6-s7T3yxHAqZHrPJWw">When does my child start school/first day procedures?</a> 3<a href="bookcreator://page/Aw8wtqiAQI6HHp2EMSE8Qw">.</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/Aw8wtqiAQI6HHp2EMSE8Qw">How do I screen my child daily before school?</a> 4. <a href="bookcreator://page/-Xd_oFMYQQaonf89HZlryQ">How can my child be safe riding the bus? </a> 5<a href="bookcreator://page/JSBudE4CSaWKLbc2GTff3g">. What should my child bring to school?</a> 6<a href="bookcreator://page/Aw8wtqiAQI6HHp2EMSE8Qw">. </a><a href="bookcreator://page/T_LdUzgxTDWgLpk0lRtUeg">How do I drop off my child at school? </a> 7<a href="bookcreator://page/qCBFDrvPSfWXX0BpyaSKOA">. How will my child find their teacher/class?</a> 8<a href="bookcreator://page/Hn7fXqs_RXq0KV6F8WjNhQ">. How will my child enter the school?</a>

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