White Haven P.S Family Handbook 2020-2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A Message From The Principal

Dear Parents/Guardians,

On behalf of the staff we would like to welcome back all of our families from last year and extend a very warm welcome to all of the new families joining our school community.

We want to thank you in advance for your support in our efforts to make the school an excellent and safe learning environment for everyone. We look forward to working with you to maintain the high standards that exist at White Haven and ensuring that your children achieve their personal best.

This handbook is a companion to the student agenda which your child will receive. While the student agenda has been written to be easily understood by children, this document will go into greater detail regarding our school policies. We know that you will find this information to be useful and practical throughout the year.

The staff at White Haven will continue to strive to challenge the students to further develop their intellectual and physical skills, and to become more aware of personal and social responsibilities. As education is a shared responsibility amongst students, staff, and parents we look forward to working with you.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding information found in this handbook or in the agenda, please do not hesitate to contact us at the school at 416-396-6645. For more information please also follow us at @TDSB_whitehaven

Have a great year!

SCHOOL HOURS
Morning:
Entry bell: 8:46 a.m.
Recess: 9:50 - 10:00 a.m (primary) 10:10 a.m. – 10:20 a.m. (junior/intermediate)

Lunchtime:
The lunch hour: 11:30 a.m. to 12:31 p.m.

Afternoon:
Entry for Kindergarten to Grade 8: 12:31 p.m.
Recess: 1:35 - 1:45 pm (primary) 1:55 p.m. – 2:05 p.m. (junior/intermediate)
Dismissal for Kindergarten: 3:00 p.m.
Dismissal for Grade 1 to Grade 8: 3:15 p.m.
Remediation: 3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

All students are expected to be on the school grounds approximately 5 minutes before the start of classes. Those students arriving after the bell rings should go immediately to the office for a late slip. This ensures that students arriving late are not marked absent and that the office staff does not worry parents with unnecessary phone calls regarding students who are actually in class.

Students who have appointments during school hours are required to inform the office before leaving the school. A note or phone call to advise school personnel should also be directed to the office.

AGENDAS
Student agendas will be available for purchase by students in Grades 1 through 4. Agendas will be provided at no cost this year. The student agenda is of great assistance in developing organizational and time management skills. It is also an excellent way to increase communication between the home and the school. Please check your child’s agenda regularly for important information as our teachers use it daily with the students.

ASSEMBLIES
Near the last school day of each month, students come together for a Recognition Assembly. Students are recognized for academic achievements and/or their success in the area of Personal and Social Responsibility.

Qualities and values that will be recognized each month are as follows:

ATTENDANCE, SAFE ARRIVAL AND LATES
It is extremely important that all children learn the value and importance of being punctual and attending classes regularly. As these are lifelong skills, we would ask that you assist and support us in reinforcing their importance with your child.

Teachers take attendance immediately following entry into the classroom and send the attendance to the office. Whenever a child is marked absent, and the school is unaware of the reason, the “School Connects” automated system will attempt to contact a parent or guardian at home or via cell phone to determine the child’s whereabouts and ensure that no harm has come to him/her on the way to school. Please make sure that the office has your current home and work numbers, as well as your designated emergency contact’s current home and work phone numbers so that we can reach someone at all times.

If we are unable to contact a parent/guardian or the emergency contact provided on the student’s emergency card, the TDSB Safe Arrival Policy directs the principal or vice-principal to contact the police and initiate a search for the missing student.

To avoid an unnecessary and/or embarrassing situation, please assist us by informing the school office whenever your child is absent. If the office is closed, a recorded message may be left on the school’s answering machine. In your message, please include your child’s name, teacher, the date and the reason for the absence. The school phone number is 416-396-6645.

The safety of your child is of prime importance. Please ensure that all contact numbers for you and anyone else involved with your child are up to date. Please also remember to inform the school immediately if any of your child’s contact names or phone numbers change.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
Parents are reminded that we do not allow students to bring birthday treats (pizza, candies, cupcakes, etc.) to school to share with their class. Many of our students have food allergies (e.g., nuts, fruits, etc.) and so bringing these items to class can endanger the health of other students. We encourage parents to celebrate their children’s birthdays at home. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions items cannot be distributed to students at school.

CODE OF CONDUCT
Students are expected to behave in a responsible and acceptable manner when they are at school or participating in a school event. Behaviour expectations are regularly reviewed throughout the year.

Consequences for infractions are also discussed with students, and parents need to be aware of the policies that govern our consequences. Please read the following sections in your child’s agenda, which include:

• Student Responsibilities on Excursions (page 5 of agenda)
• On-Line Code of Conduct and Consequences of Inappropriate Student Grid
(TDSB page 5-8 of agenda) so that you are able to discuss behaviour
expectations and consequences with your child.

By following our Code of Conduct, staff, students and parents make this policy a living document that guides our behaviour. We all have an important role to play in teaching children how to behave both responsibly and appropriately to continue to make White Haven a place to be.

Responsibilities of Students
- help maintain a safe and clean learning environment and dress
appropriately
- be prepared and ready to work with teachers and other students
- respect others by valuing the ideas and efforts of others regardless of race,
culture, religion, sex or language, and respect the property of others and the
school
- obey the rules developed in the Safe Schools Policy
- report any strangers or inappropriate behaviour immediately to a staff
member

Responsibilities of Staff
- be punctual and prepared, and be a positive role model for students
- provide a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment for learning
- comply with school rules and the completion of assigned duties
- communicate information about student behaviour, progress and
attendance to students, parents and administration, and ensure that each
child experiences success
- help each student develop a healthy confidence and self-image

Responsibilities of Parents/Guardians
- act as a partner with the school and ensure that students attend school
regularly and on time
- assist in preparing students for school through the provision of a proper,
nutritious diet and appropriate dress
- ensure that students have adequate sleep and a quiet place to work
- maintain communication with the school regarding changes in student
progress, attendance and other concerns that might affect the student’s
progress or behaviour
- encourage students to develop a positive and responsible attitude toward
school and school-related activities

DISMISSAL
The end of the school day for Kindergarten is 3:00 p.m. and for Grade 1 to Grade 8 is 3:15 p.m. unless classroom assignments have to be completed or if there is a co-curricular commitment. Please note the nights on which your child has an activity after school so that he/she will not have to use the office phone to remind you of their activity.

When your child leaves school at the end of the day, he/she must use his/her class’ dismissal door, not the front doors. Please arrange to meet your child at the dismissal door or at a pre-arranged spot outside the school building.

Arrangements should be made for brothers and sisters to go home when a sibling is involved in an after-school activity. There is no supervision for these brothers and sisters.