South March Parent Handbook 2020-2021

A Message From Your Principal

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 & 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.

9. How will my child be safe inside the classroom?

10. How will my child be safe outside the classroom?

11. How will my child eat safely at school?

12. How will my child be safe during activity break?

13. How do I pick my child up from school?

14. What if a child becomes ill at school?

15. Additional resources

A Message from the Office

Important Forms

School Website: https://southmarchps.ocdsb.ca

Follow us on twitter @SouthMarchPS

Principal: Jeff Gervais

Vice-Principal: Heather MacAskill

Office Administrator: 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.

Use of Technology Form

Media Consent Form

Plan of Care For Students With Life Threatening Medical Conditions Form

A Message from the Office

Homeroom Teacher and Staff List for 2022 - 2023

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. 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. Parents can register for email notification of route delays OSTA Parent Web Portal, as well as other general information like safety tips and snow days. Parents can also sign up for Facebook and follow OSTA on Twitter @ottbus.

A Message from the Office

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.

Nutrition Breaks

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.

A Message from the Office

Play Equipment

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. The school will provide the necessary (and approved) equipment for students to access at recess.

Dogs at SMPS

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

A Message from the Office

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.

A Message from the Office

Perfume Free, Cologne Free and Scent Free

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

School Council

Nut Allergies

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.