A

A IS FOR ATTENDANCE

/ Call : 416 - 396 – 2460 and press #1, then:
·  Press option #1, if your child is in Gr. 1-3
·  Press option #2, if your child is in Gr. 4-5
·  Press option #3, if your child is in JSK
·  Press either option if you have children in various grades

Please telephone the school every time your child is going to be absent from school.

·  Telephone our ‘Safe Arrival’ number at 416-396-2460 before 8:30 a.m. and before 12:30 p.m. Please let us know why your child is absent and how long he or she will be away.

·  ‘Safe Arrival’ is a 24 hour line. You can call any time if you know your child will be absent. Please help us to keep your child safe by informing us of every absence.

·  When you child returns to school, please send a note to the teacher explaining the reason for the absence. If a student has had an infectious disease, a note from the doctor stating that the period of contagion has passed would be appreciated.

·  A student who is late must go to the office for a late slip.

Please remember that your child needs to come to school every day on time to learn.

A

Thorncliffe Park PS Extended Absence Protocol

Regular attendance is essential for student

success.

Our school discourages extended student absences for personal reasons, such as family vacations, during the school year.

If you choose to remove your child from school for an extended period of time, you

·  may be putting your child’s education at risk

·  may lose your child’s place for a special program, for example, Reading Recovery

Remember:

·  Please inform the school office at least two weeks prior to removing your child for an extended absence.

·  You will need to complete an Extended Absence Form.

·  When you return, you will need to re-register your child. There is no guarantee that your child will be placed with the same teacher.


B

C

B IS FOR BICYCLES

Most of our students are within walking distance to school. Students must leave their bicycles at home. The school does not accept responsibility for bicycles.

C IS FOR CHARACTER Development

We encourage the following traits in our students:

/ ·  Respect
·  Responsibility
·  Empathy
·  Kindness and Caring
·  Teamwork
·  Fairness
·  Honesty
·  Cooperation
·  Integrity
·  Perseverance

C

C IS FOR COMMUNITY PARTNERS

/ School Settlement Worker
A Settlement Worker is in our school Monday to Friday from 8:30 – 3:30 p.m. She can help you with information about:
·  Community services
·  Health clinics
·  Daycare referrals
·  Employment information (i.e. job search)
·  English classes – ESL and LINC
·  OHIP / SIN
·  Other settlement related supports
For more information, please call Thorncliffe Park P.S. 416-396-2460 ext. 20189.
The head office number for the settlement program is 416-421-3054.
Services are free and translation / interpretation is available.
/ Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office (TNO)
TNO is located at 18 Thorncliffe Park Drive. TNO helps community residents of all ages with programs and services to enhance life in Thorncliffe Park.
For further information, call 416-421-3054.
/ 53 Division, Toronto Police
Our police officers remind us that:
1.  Children under the age of 12 need to be supervised at all times, at home and outside. Please walk your children to school and pick them up at the end of the day.
2.  Children and adults must cross at the crosswalk or at traffic lights.
3.  All children under the age of 8 need a car seat or booster seat when travelling in a car.
Our school community officer is: Officer Marcie.
Telephone: 416-808-5333.


C

/ Toronto Public Health, Dental Care
·  Dental hygienists come to the school once a year to provide dental screening.
·  Parents are informed before the screening and questions or concerns can be directed to the community health nurse.
·  For urgent dental conditions, dental care is available for children 0-18 years of age. Call the Toronto Health Unit at 416-397-4746.
Please remember:
·  Children need to brush their teeth 2 times a day.
·  Children need to eat healthy foods which are very low in sugar.
·  Children need to drink tap water which has fluoride.

C

C IS FOR CURRICULUM

You can learn about what your child is studying at Curriculum Afternoons. They are held in the month of September.

Ontario Curriculum

You can view Ontario Curriculum Documents from the Ministry of Education and Training through the Ministry website at: http://www.edu.on.gov.on.ca

Curriculum programs are available in:

1.  Language

2.  Mathematics

3.  The Arts

4.  Science and Technology

5.  Social Studies

6.  Kindergarten Program

7.  Physical and Health Education

8. French as a Second Language (Core French)

.

We offer:

1. English as a Second Language (ESL)

·  Children in grades 1 – 3 who have little or no knowledge of English study in a Newcomer class for half a day. After 10 days in this program, children will spend more time in their home class and continue to receive Resource support.

·  Children in grades 4 & 5 may be placed in a Newcomer class or in the Literacy Enrichment Academic Program (L.E.A.P.) class. Students receive extra support in language and a variety of other curriculum areas for half a day.


2. French

The Ministry of Education requires French instruction starting in grade 4. Grade 4 and 5 students study French for 40 minutes each day.

3. Library

Thorncliffe Park Public School has an excellent library resource centre, with a wide variety of books and materials. We also have a good collection of dual language books.

·  The students receive instruction from our teacher-librarians in library and research skills.

4. Physical and Health Education

In the primary grades, the physical education program has a focus on gross motor skill development. Team sports are introduced in the junior grades.

The health component covers a wide variety of topics including community, family, individual development, healthy life styles, interpersonal relationships, peer relationships, body awareness, and drug education.

·  At the beginning of the year, parents complete and return a medical form so their child can participate in physical education.

·  Parents: please ensure that your child comes to school prepared for the physical education program. This includes wearing running shoes, T-shirt, and comfortable pants.

C

5. Special Education Programs and Services

Meeting the needs of all students is a high priority for our school. Classroom teachers and special education teachers support students who experience academic difficulties.

·  Individual needs are met in the classroom through accommodations and differentiated instruction. In some cases, an Individual Education Plan (I.E.P.) may be developed to support students with special needs.

·  The In-School Strategies Team, made up of school staff and administration, discusses strategies and makes recommendations to support students with special needs.

·  Parents are informed of recommendations and are asked to provide consent for their child to receive a variety of more intensive supports in Special Education Programs.


D

D IS FOR DATES TO REMEMBER

·  September

o  Sept. 8 First day of school

·  October

o  Oct. 12 Thanksgiving

·  November

o  Nov. 13 P.A. Day for Staff Development

·  December

o  Dec. 4 P.A. Day

o  Dec. 21 – Jan. 1 Winter Holidays

·  January

o  Jan. 4 Classes resume

·  February

o  Feb. 15 Family Day

·  March

o  March 5 P.A. Day Reporting

o  March 15 - 19 March Break Holidays

·  April

o  April 2 - 5 Easter Holidays

·  May

o  May 24 Victoria Day

·  June

o  June 29 Last day of Classes

Watch for more important dates in “What’s Happening”,

our school newsletter.


F

F IS FOR FIELD TRIPS

Field trips provide our students with

experiences that enhance and improve

curriculum connections.

·  Some excursions are local walks to nearby libraries, schools, stores, or the valley.

·  Other excursions are farther away and classes go by TTC or chartered bus.

·  During field trips, a teacher will supervise the children, with the assistance of other responsible adults. We welcome parent volunteers on class field trips.

A “Parent/Guardian Permission for Excursion Form” is signed by a parent/guardian for class field trips. A “Walking Excursion Form – Immediate Community” is signed at the beginning of the school year for local trips near the school. Parents are informed of the details and purpose of all trips through a letter from the teacher.


H

H IS FOR HOMEWORK

/ Student Agendas
·  Each year, grade 3, 4 and 5 students use an agenda.
·  The agenda helps students organize their assignments and homework. Students are taught how to use the agenda effectively.
·  Parents and the teacher also use the agenda to communicate with the teacher.
/ Friday File Folders
·  Students in kindergarten, grade 1 and grade 2 receive a plastic folder. Teachers put important communications in the folders, such as books or newsletters, each Friday.


H

H IS FOR HOURS

/ 8:55 a.m. / Entry
/ 11:30 a.m. / Morning kindergarten dismissal
/ 11:40 a.m. / Grades 1 – 5 dismissal for lunch
/ 12:40 p.m. / Afternoon entry
/ 3:15 p.m. / Afternoon Kindergarten dismissal
/ 3:25 p.m. / Grades 1 – 5 dismissal

PARENTS: You are responsible for your children’s safety at the end of the

school day.

An adult must pick up Kindergarten children at 11:30 a.m. or 3:15 p.m.

Students in Gr. 1-5 are dismissed at 11:40 a.m. for lunch, and at 3:25 p.m.

Children should know who is picking them up every day.


L

L IS FOR LOST AND FOUND

Lost and Found

·  Lost and found box is found in the hallway beside the office.

·  Keys and all other valuable items are kept in the main office.

·  Please remember to put your child’s name on his or her coat, shoes or boots, and backpack.

·  At the end of each term, all lost and found clothes are put in the front entranceway. Unclaimed articles will be donated to charity.

Please label all clothing and backpacks with your child’s name.

Please also remember that students should not bring valuable items to
school. Electronic games, electronic toys and trading cards must remain at
home.
The school will not assume responsibility for loss or damage to such
items.


L

L IS FOR LUNCH

Lunchroom supervision is provided for families in which
·  Both parents work or study full-time
·  No caregiver is available
Special circumstances may be discussed with the
administration of the school

Please remember:

·  A Lunchroom Supervision Form must be filled in by the parent. This completed form will be approved by the school administration.

·  Students staying for lunch must remain on school grounds during the lunch time from 11:40 to 12:40 p.m. each day and must follow the lunchroom rules. If students do not respect the rules of the lunchroom program, they may be asked to leave.

·  Students going home for lunch need to be under the supervision of a responsible caregiver. They should not go to the mall or eat in a public place on their own.

·  If a student requires lunch supervision on an occasional basis, a note to the vice principal requesting supervision must accompany the student.


M

M IS FOR MEDICAL

/ Immunization
The Public Health Unit of the City of Toronto maintains immunization records on each student attending a Toronto District School Board school. The immunization records are collected when a student registers. Parents must ensure that all immunizations are completed by the family doctor. Students who have not had their shots/needles may be suspended from school.
·  The Public Health Unit directly deals with all suspensions and notices. For more information, please contact the Toronto Public Health Unit at 416-392-1250.
·  By law, all children in Ontario must have proof of immunization against Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Mumps and Rubella. Exceptions to the above law are only considered on medical or religious grounds. Immunization can be obtained through the family doctor.
1.  Initial series of 3 doses of "Quad" vaccine in the first year of life (combined Diphtheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough and Polio)
2. Booster, Quad vaccine - age 18 months
3. Booster, Quad vaccine - age 4 - 6 years
4. Booster, Combined tetanus, Diphtheria and
Polio - every 10 years following
5. M.M.R. (combined Measles, Mumps and
Rubella) - after first birthday.
Newly arrived residents to Canada can receive advice at the Flemington Health Centre, 416-397-4777.


M

/ Medical Alerts
·  If your child has a serious medical condition, please tell the teacher and the office immediately.
·  A confidential form will be completed, with the student’s photo, and it will be available to the staff members who work directly with your child.
·  Please keep us informed so that we can keep your child safe.
/ Epipen
If your child needs an epipen, please make sure that he or she has one at school.
/ Please remember: No nuts, nut products, or Nutella at school. This is for the safety of all students.


P

P IS FOR PARENT RESOURCE CENTRE

The Parent Resource Centre has books, puzzles, games, and tapes for families to borrow. These materials help you support your child’s early literacy and numeracy skills at home. The Centre is staffed by volunteers. Please ask your child’s teacher or the office for its hours.

P IS FOR PARKING

The street in front of the school is posted with no parking signs. Please observe the signs to help keep our children safe and to teach them respect for the law. Please remember that you may not leave or park your car at the front of the school.