Student Agenda
           
Message from the Administrative Team
           

Welcome students to a New Year at St. Matthew's Elementary!  It is our hope that this year will be the best ever, filled with fun, exciting activities, and of course, learning!

This handbook has been prepared to assist you in developing your organizational skills, as well as to familiarize you and your parents with our school's organization, policies, procedures, and services. We request that parents sign the appropriate area to indicate that you have read and discussed with your child the contents of the handbook.

During your years at St. Matthew’s you will grow more physically, socially, and academically than any other time in your life.  School is one of the strongest tools for educational growth.  Like any tool, how we value, care for, and use it will decide how well it does the job.  Keep it sharp as you “Strive For Excellence”!  Make it work for you!  Take pride in your school! Take pride in yourself!  Your teachers and parents are here to help and guide you along the way but the decision for excellence lies with you.

Wishing you a successful year!
Kyran Dwyer, Principal
Sharon Vivian, Assist. Principal

           
           

Mission Statement
           
The mission of St. Matthew's School is to strive to provide an environment that promotes the holistic development of all students by endeavouring to create a partnership including home, school, and community.
           
           

School Day and Bells
           
It is essential that students be on time for classes in the morning and after lunch. Parents please note that supervision of students begins at 8:15 A.M. Students should not arrive at school before this time.
    8:15 --------  Doors Open  
    8:35 --------  Instruction begins  
    10:05 --------  Recess  
    10:20 --------  Classes resume  
    11:50 --------  Lunch  
    12:35 --------  Return to class  
    12:40 --------  Classes resume  
    2:40 --------  Dismissal  
           
           

SCHOOL CALENDAR - 2010/2011
           
    Sept. 7th Administration Day    
    Sept. 8th First Day of School  
    Oct. 11th Thanksgiving Day  
    Nov. 11th Remembrance Day  
    Dec. 22nd Classes conclude for Christmas Vacation.
    Jan. 4th Classes begin after Christmas Vacation.
    April 21st Classes conclude Easter Break.
    May 2nd Classes Resume after Easter Break.
    May 23rd Victoria Day  
    June 23rd Last day of School for Students  
    June 24th Administration Day
           
           

Student Safety
           
Reporting Absences    
  Due to the limited number of phone lines available to our school we have serious concerns that emergency calls are not getting through. Therefore, if your son/daughter is absent from school for a day or two, we ask you to send a note to your child's teacher explaining the absence when your child returns to school. If your son/daughter will be absent for a prolonged period of time you are asked to call and inform your child's teacher or office personnel.
School Visits        
  When visiting the school or classroom we request that you check in with the office as you arrive.
           
Picking Up Students        
  If you are sending someone to pick up your children please inform the teacher by sending a note to that effect. Children will not be released to individuals other than a parent or guardian without the written permission of parents.
           
When Children are Ill        
  In fairness to all, please do not send your child to school if there are definite signs of ill health in the morning. We have neither the facilities nor the personnel to care for sick children. Good health is necessary for effective learning. Students who are ill should receive proper medical attention and should not attend school until their health is reasonable. Students who are ill during the day are to go directly to their teacher. Our policy is to get students who are ill home as soon as possible. Our practice will be to call parents and ask that the students be either picked up or given parental permission to go home. For this reason, it is important that parents keep work and emergency phone numbers current.

If there are health problems that your child may be experiencing and that you feel we should be made aware of, please notify us of such.
           
Medication Policy        
  On occasion we have been asked by a parent to ensure their child receives prescribed medication. Please be aware that in order to do so, we require the completion of the Request Form/ Administration of Prescription Drugs. If your child has to take medication during school hours, please send to the school office only the dosage required for the day with your child's name, the name of the drug, and the instructions for administration clearly marked. Students must not keep medication of any type, prescribed or otherwise, in their classroom. If a student requires an inhaler or some medication that he or she must have with him/her at all times, please inform your child's teacher of this in writing. This policy is intended for the safety of all our children.
           
School Closure        
  In the event of power failures, inclement weather, water problems, etc. please listen to our local radio stations for school information.
           
Telephone Use        
  Students are not permitted to use the office telephone unless it is an emergency. We must encourage our students to take responsibility for bringing to school the items they require for the day and knowing how they are to get home after dismissal. If a student forgets his/her lunch we can provide one at school and he or she can pay the next day.
           
Supplies and Textbooks      
  All students are responsible for providing their basic school supplies as requested on the supply list. In addition students are loaned textbooks during the year. Students are asked to treat these books with care, as they will be charged for textbooks that are damaged or not returned.
           
Lost and Found        
  Frequently items such as lunch bags, clothing, and equipment are mislaid. If the items are labeled with names, it greatly assists in their speedy return. A lost and found box is kept in the entrance for mislaid items and we encourage students and parents to check this box if something has been misplaced. Smaller items, such as keys, are normally kept in the office. Please note that lost and found items will only be kept in the school for approximately one month after which they will be disposed or donated to charity.
           
Protocol for Parent Concerns      
  A cooperative effort between home and school has always been evident at St. Matthew's. As a staff we strive to keep you, our parents, informed and we encourage you to contact us whenever necessary. If you require clarification on any point concerning your son/daughter we ask you to follow the protocol outlined below.

You are asked to contact the teacher involved and discuss the matter with him/her. If you are not satisfied, an appointment may be made with an administrator so that all parties can work to resolve the issue. An unsatisfactory resolution at this time may lead you to contact personnel at Avalon East District Office. Our goal is to work with you to reach a solution that is mutually satisfying to all parties. The interest of the child must always be at the centre.
           
           

Discipline Policy
           
Philosophy        
  At St. Matthew's our aim is to develop respectful, responsible, self motivated learners in a safe, caring, Christian environment. We believe that in disciplining students, we maintain the child's dignity and self worth and that the home and school be active partners. We believe that children should be motivated to strive for acceptable behaviour and accept responsibility for their behaviour. We further believe that our discipline policy should be delivered in a consistent, supportive manner that allows for individuality while conforming to school expectations. All stakeholders (students, teachers, and parents) should work towards the following statement: "I not only have the right to have my rights respected, I also have the responsibility to respect the rights of others."

St. Matthew's has adopted a school wide discipline procedure, which we believe reflects the above philosophy.

The majority of students behave responsibly most of the time. Some students, however, may err in their judgement of what is acceptable behaviour. The school wide discipline policy is designed to help students understand that they have chosen to behave inappropriately and to encourage them to acquire and apply more acceptable alternatives.

Staff members of St. Matthew's will endeavor to use informal or "on the spot" discipline procedures to prevent a misbehaviour from continuing or escalating and to restore classroom order. For example, an informal procedure would be responding to students who are running in the halls, or talking inappropriately in class. For more serious student misbehaviour a more formal approach will be followed. These usually include open defiance of authority, abuse of others, and continuous disruptive behaviour.
           
School wide Expectations      
  1. We are expected to show respect, consideration, and courtesy to others
    and their property.

2. We are expected to be punctual, dressed appropriately, and prepared for
    class.

3. We are expected to abide by school rules and be responsible for our own
    behaviour.

4. We are expected to be ready for cooperative, active learning.
           
Procedure for Major Offences      
  Major offenses are those behaviours that threaten the orderly function of the school or are threatening the well being of others. These usually include open defiance of authority, abuse of others, and continuous disruptive behaviour.

Major offences will be handled by a formal process:

Step 1
The teacher will speak to the child privately and establish consequences that will be implemented should the behaviour occur again. (Record informally)

Step 2
If misbehaviour re occurs the agreed upon consequence will be implemented. Parents will be informed. (Record informally)

Step 3
After a third occurrence of misbehaviour the teacher will contact parents to inform them of recent happenings. The teacher will seek parent input. (Parents' response will be recorded. The teacher and parent will agree on a plan of action to try to modify the behaviour.)

Step 4
Continued occurrence will result in administrative involvement. A plan of action involving parents, teachers, student, and administrator will be established to handle the concern. (Formal recording)

Throughout the process teachers are encouraged to consult with colleagues, counselors, parents, and administrators.

Immediate administrative involvement will result if students are fighting or in some way endangering the safety of others. Parents will be contacted and students will be sent home for the remainder of the day.
           
           

LUNCH TIME POLICY

           
At St. Matthew's we strive to create and maintain a safe and pleasant atmosphere for all students. To ensure the lunchtime atmosphere is indeed safe and pleasant for all we have developed the following policy:

1. It is recommended that students go home to lunch whenever possible.

2. All students requiring a lunch order from the kitchen must place their order in an envelope
    that should have the following information on the outside: Name, Homeroom, and Order.
    All students must have the correct amount of money in the envelope.

3. Students in Grades 5 and 6 eat in the cafeteria on alternating days. The remaining Grades
    eat in the classroom.

4. While in the cafeteria (12:00 12:20) students will NOT be permitted to leave. (No returning
     to classrooms, lockers, bathroom, checking schedules, etc.)

5. If students have intramural games at 12:25 the classroom teacher will allow them to change
    at 11:55 if necessary.

6. All students are expected to keep the tables and floor clean.

7. Students participating in the Friendship Club, Big Buddies, Peer Tutoring, intramural
    games, choir, chess, etc. will be permitted to go directly to these activities after they are
    dismissed from the cafeteria.
           
           

Purpose of the Agenda

           
St. Matthew's School is issuing Agendas to all students in grades 2 to 6. The purpose of the Agenda is to help students learn to manage their time and plan their days. In addition, we want to keep you, parents and guardians, informed of your child's school activities.

St. Matthew’s School requires that students keep their Agendas with them throughout the school year. Individual teachers may ask parents or guardians to sign or initial the Agenda on a daily or weekly basis.

To indicate that you have read through this handbook, and have discussed its contents with your child, please sign the space below. Thank you!


__________________________
(Parent's or Guardian's Signature)

__________________________
(Date)