FORT QU’APPELLE ELEMENTARY COMMUNITY SCHOOL
Prairie Valley School Division #208
Box 1130, Fort Qu’Appelle. Sask. S0G 1S0
Phone: (306) 332-5566 Fax: (306) 332-6044
E-mail:
ADMINISTRATORS’ MESSAGE
Welcome to Fort Qu’Appelle Elementary Community School. We are looking forward to another exciting year with our students.
The purpose of this handbook is to provide you with as much information as possible about the operation of our school. Not every situation is able to be covered in handbook form, but we hope this information will give you a better understanding of what we do. Feedback and constructive suggestions are always welcome regarding the contents and organization of the handbook.
The teachers and staff at FQECS focus on student learning in a safe and secure environment. We encourage excellence in academics and provide students ample opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities and after school programming.
We are fortunate to live in a community where positive relations exist between home and school. Please continue to contact teachers regarding your child’s progress or contact the office if you have any questions regarding school procedures.
We look forward to working with you and your child to ensure an exciting and fun filled year of learning and growing.
Mr. Don Jewitt
Mrs. Julie Sedo
SCHOOL VISION STATEMENT
To encourage academic and personal success through respect and cooperation
SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT
Working and Learning Together for All Children in Our Community
2010-2011 Staff
Principal: Mr. Don Jewitt
Vice Principal: Mrs. Julie Sedo
Classroom Teachers:
Ms. Terry Robinson – Pre Kindergarten / Mrs. Carolyn Breti – Grade 5Mrs. Brenda MacPherson - Kindergarten / Miss BrieAnn Vollman – Grade 5
Mrs. Shelley McLean – Grade 1 / Mr. Ron Dong – Grade 6
Mrs. Michelle Van Luven-Radwell – Grade 1 / Mr. Tatroy Lerat – Grade 6
Miss Marlo Graham – Grade 2 / Miss Shannon McKinney – Grade 6
Miss Camille Howden – Grade 2 / Mrs. Roberta Gehl – Grade 7
Mrs. Carla Edwards – Grade 3 / Mrs. Shannon Kennedy-Maurice – Grade 7
Mrs. Karen Dickie – Grade 3 / Mrs. Twyla Waldbauer – Arts Ed
Ms. Leanne Lucyk – Grade 4 / Mrs. Annelies Bertsch – Arts Ed
Mrs. Julie Buium – Grade 4
Special Services:
Ms. Amie Ferguson – Student Services
Mrs. Lori Matity – Student Services
Mrs. Angie Smith – Teacher Librarian
Ms. Tami Janz-Sargees – Community School Coordinator
Mrs. Brandi Clark – School Social Worker
Ms. Cheryl Lowe – Nutrition Worker
Ms. Kayla Breti - Community Youth Worker
Ms. Melissa Boys – Speech and Language Pathologist
Ms. Sacha Lingenfelter – Psychologist
Administrative Assistants: Prairie Valley School Division
Mrs. Jean Vindevoghel Board Member:
Mrs. Shannan Gay Mr. Gerald Hoffart
Library Technician:
Mrs. Elaine Lacasse
Education Assistants:
Mrs. Norma Jean Robb
Mrs. Becki Brassington
Mrs. Heather Brailean Ms. Tish Jennings
Mr. Greg Ciortan Mrs. Mihaela Vint
Mrs. Eriko Parker Mrs. Chris Whiting
Mrs. Grace Schneider
Custodian:
Mr. Mark Dufour
Hours of School
Grades K – 7
9:00 a.m. – 12:10 p.m. (8:55 bell)
(Recess – 10:30 –10:45)
(Lunch – 12:10 – 1:00) 12:55 bell
(Recess 2:30 – 2:45)
3:30 bus, 3:33 town students’ dismissal
Town students are asked not to arrive at school before 8:45 A.M. Teacher supervision is provided, beginning at 8:40 a.m.
If school is cancelled for any reason, or if buses are not running, an announcement will be made on Regina radio stations, CKRM (620) and the Wolf 104.9 and CJME (980).
Lunch Policy
Lunch begins at 12:10. Students who finish lunch at 12:25 are able to go outside. All students should have finished lunch by 12:30, and are then expected to go outside for fresh air and exercise.
Starting at the end of October, noon times will be available for students in the gym, the library and the computer lab.
Students staying for lunch are not allowed to leave the school grounds. In the occasional event that your child needs to leave school during the noon hour, written parental consent must be provided for the homeroom teacher.
Illness/Absenteeism
Good school attendance has a positive effect on school performance. Parents should be aware that every day at school can and should be a valuable learning experience for their child. If we feel that a student is suffering academically because of poor attendance, parents will be notified to arrange a meeting to discuss the situation. We ask that parents send notes, or phone the school if they know their son/daughter is going to be absent. If parents have not contacted the school by 9:15 a.m. in the morning, or 1:15 p.m. in the afternoon, the school will contact the parents. For safety purposes, if your child is going to leave the school during the school day, we would like an adult to sign the child out at the office. Since attendance is taken each morning and afternoon and sent to the office, students arriving late to school in the morning and afternoon are required to sign in at the office so that their presence is made known. Parents will be notified by the school if their child is found to be skipping classes. Consequences will be administered by the classroom teacher or, if necessary, administration.
Phone Calls
Please make after school arrangements before your child arrives at school. If it is an emergency and you must contact your child at school, a message may be left with the secretary.
Library
We encourage proper care and handling of books. If a student loses a library book, fees must be paid before borrowing privileges will resume.
Footwear
All students are asked to remove outside shoes upon entering the school. Students will require a pair of indoor shoes for health and safety purposes. Non-marking/white soled runners are necessary to participate in Physical Education and would be suitable to wear at all times indoors.
Fluoride Mouth Rinse
In cooperation with the Regina Qu’Appelle Health District, our school offers a fluoride mouth rinse program to help reduce tooth decay. Participation is entirely voluntary and requires a consent card signed by a parent or guardian. These forms are kept on file until the student leaves the school. Information and cards are available from the school secretary.
Milk Program
There will be a daily milk program available at the school. Students may purchase white or chocolate milk for $1.00 or purchase a card for $20.00 (giving the student 20 milk purchases). Yogurt tubes are available for 75 cents.
Snack Program
Students are allowed to eat a morning snack. Parents are encouraged to send nutritious snacks with their children. Snacks are available at the school for those families who are unable to provide snacks to their children. Sunflowers seeds are not allowed at school. Gum is not allowed at school.
Fundraising Lunches
Throughout the year, hot lunches will be available for sale. Lunches include hotdogs ($1.50), smokies ($2.00), pizza pops ($1.50), corn dogs ($1.50) as well as special pizza and barbeque lunch days. You will be made aware of the lunches and dates in the monthly newsletter. These sales raise funds for special school projects.
School Community Council &
Division Board Representative
FQECS and BFCHS have joined forces in the formation of a joint School Community Council. This council is made up of about 5-9 people and meets six times a year. The members of our SCC are dedicated in their work as an advisory group, helpful and supportive of our schools. If you are interested in attending a meeting or becoming a member, please contact the office. Our school is represented at the Prairie Valley School Division board table by Mr. Gerald Hoffart of Balcarres.
Lunch Program
On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays a hot, nutritious lunch is offered to students who are not able to bring lunch. The school will also provide bagged lunches for those students who are not able to bring lunch. Town students are encouraged to go home for lunch whenever possible. Parents wishing to volunteer to assist with this program are invited to contact the school.
FQECS Reading Club
The staff encourages all students to take part in this library reading program. At the beginning of the school year, students receive a Club 10 chart which shows they have read to, or with, their parents for at least fifteen minutes. When completed, students return the Club 10 chart to the library, receive a prize and progress to the next level.
Play Day/ Track and Field
Students in Kindergarten – Grade 2 participate in a variety of team events during the morning. Each student receives a participation ribbon. Races are held during the afternoon.
Students in Grade 3 – 6 participate in Track and Field events. The first and second place winners go on to compete in the Division Track Meet. A canteen selling hot dogs, smokies, hamburgers, drinks, ice cream, etc. opens at noon. Parents, grandparents or other family members are encouraged to attend.
School Counselor/Social Worker
FQECS is fortunate to have a full time counselor, to assist students and their families. If you would like to learn more about our counseling services please contact the school.
Field Trips
A student’s attendance, behavior and effort/attitude will be considered when determining participation in field trips. It is a privilege to attend these events and we enjoy rewarding those students who try their best throughout the year. Classroom teachers, administrators and parents will be involved in signing permission forms before a child will be allowed to participate in special events.
Classroom Placement
Teachers spend a great deal of time and energy each year to determine your child’s room placement. Many factors are taken into consideration. If you have serious concerns we request that you contact the school administration by the first week in June. No changes in classroom placement will be made after Orientation Day.
Electronics
Due to concerns about theft, lost items, privacy and appropriateness, the use of digital cameras, regular cameras, MP3 players, CD players, hand held games, etc., is prohibited during school hours (including noon and recess). CEL phones, if necessary, are to be stored in the child’s backpack or locker and are only to be used in an emergency with permission of the teacher. Other items may be used with permission of the teacher if it is part of the child’s academic program.
Student Services
At various times throughout a child’s school year various services may be needed to assist students with their diverse needs. We have access to a variety of educational services to assist students with their educational, social, and emotional needs:
· Speech/Language Pathologist
· Psychologist
· Social Worker
· Family Support Worker
· Occupational Therapist
· Nutrition Worker
Please contact the school if you require additional information.
Use of School Facilities
School facilities are available for community/organization use. If you wish to use the school please contact the office for further information.
Visitors & Entryways
Parents and visitors are welcome in our school. Please check in at the office first.
Please be advised that all school doors will be locked for the duration of the school day. The one exception to this is the Main Entrance near the office.
Communications
FQECS encourages regular communication between home and school. Parents and guardians are welcome to become involved in school activities. If concerns arise during the year, parents are urged to contact their child's teacher. Teachers will contact parents with concerns and also when there are positive changes.
Pupil progress is formally reported three times throughout the year – November, March & June. Parents are encouraged to attend parent-teacher interviews throughout the year.
Newsletters will be sent out once a month. Other informational letters will be sent out as the need arises.
We believe that open lines of communication between the school and home will increase opportunities for students to be successful.
Bussing Safety
Students riding on the bus on a daily basis or on special occasions must follow the regulations as outlined by the Prairie Valley Schools in their policy manual. The policy is available from the school on request. It must be remembered that the student is responsible to the bus driver for his or her actions at all times. Students are also accountable to the principal for their actions on the bus. Safety is, and will always be, the foremost concern of everyone who is involved in the transportation of the students.
Fort Qu’Appelle Elementary Community School, with support from the RCMP, operates a Safety Patrol at 3:20 pm. Patrol duties are carried out by volunteer grade 6 students. We request parents support our Safety Patrol by insisting their children obey the Safety Patrol and cross at the supervised crosswalks.
Posters
All posters must be approved by the office before being displayed.
After School & Noon Hour Programs
Fort Qu’Appelle Elementary Community School is very proud of the outstanding After-School and Noon Hour Programs that we provide for our students, parents and community members. Be sure to keep a copy of the After-School Calendar handy. Our Community School Coordinator and Youth Workers are constantly on the look out for activities that are fun and interesting. If you have any ideas or would like to volunteer for an After School or Noon Hour Program please contact the After School Programmer at 332-5566.
Illness / Injury Procedures
If a student becomes ill or injured while at school, the following procedures will be followed:
· Minor injuries will be dealt with at the school.
· Depending on the age of the student and the seriousness of the illness or injury, a member of the staff will attempt to make contact with the parent/guardian or with the person listed for emergencies.
· If the parent/guardian cannot be reached, the child will be made as comfortable as possible at school. If the injury/illness appears serious, a medical emergency centre will be contacted and their advice will be followed. If so advised, the child will be taken to the hospital, by ambulance if necessary.
Clothing
Students may wear hats to school but are required to remove them upon entering the school building. Bandanas are not allowed. Clothing must be school appropriate. Please be sure logos are free from profanity, any reference to drugs or alcohol, and are not degrading in any manner.