Transcript RMES Handbook 2014

WELCOME TO RMES 2014/2015
Ready to Launch!
RMES Handbook:
Please view, read and discuss
together!
Dear Parents and Students,
The purpose of this handbook is to provide guidance and
insight into the operation, procedures and expectations at Rocky
Mountain Elementary. Much of the content within has been passed
down to us and little has been altered for the time being. Read and
review it with your child(ren) so that you are all aware of our rules and
expectations. At RMES we care about your child and are committed to
helping your child become a successful learner, friend and positively
contributing citizen.
Myself and James Lund (vp) are new to Elkford, the kids
and staff. We have also been overseeing the building of our new school
and our temporary facilities at ESS and the Banquet Hall. We’ve had to
make many adjustments to accommodate the fact that our school
won’t be ready. These extraordinary circumstances have been
exacerbated by a delayed start up . We have a lot to learn from all
stakeholders and will likely make mistakes. We will also likely make
changes if necessary. We appreciate your patience and flexibility
during these transitions, however, if at any time you wish to meet with
us to discuss any concerns, please call the school at 865-4625 to make
an appointment. Your child’s teacher is also available and can be
reached at this same number or by email.
Our staff, PAC and volunteers will endeavor to make
Rocky Mountain Elementary School, the ”best little school anywhere!”
In addition to the hard work our classroom teachers do, our school
provides a wide range of fine arts courses, volunteer and club
opportunities, athletics, fundraising and special events.
I sincerely hope that your child(ren) have a successful
year. Let’s work together to ensure a safe caring and orderly school
where students have opportunities to excel and explore their personal
interests.
Sincerely,
Mr. Dean Chandler, Principal
Mr. James Lund , Vice-Principal
MISSION STATEMENT
VISION STATEMENT
VALUE STATEMENTS
The mission of Rocky Mountain
Elementary School is to provide a quality
education which will enable all students
to reach their full potential within a caring
environment. In achieving that end, we
focus on the core subject areas, bully
prevention, emotional-regulation and
social/emotional competence.
The commitment of RMES is to provide
successful learning experiences, which
will enable students to become
responsible members of society.
We value:
• Students and staff engaged in life-long
learning.
•Opportunities for collaboration,
cooperation and leadership for all
learners.
•A positive, safe and happy learning
environment.
•Respect for self, for others and for
property.
OUR SHARED MISSION, VISION AND VALUES
Lets strive to keep these in mind as we work together to engage students at
home and school. We can also review these annually and make necessary
changes as well as include new contributions from our RMES community.
SCHOOL STAFF 2014-2015
Class
Teacher
K
K/1
1
1/2
2/3
3
3/4
4/5
5/6
6
Library/Tech
Fine Arts
Student Services
Counselor
Ms. D. Nelson
Ms. P. Ross-Nelson
Ms. Swail
Ms. A. Nelson
Ms. T. Roberts
Ms. Madsen
Ms. Bowker
Ms. Wickens
Mr. Lund/Chandler
Mrs. L. Durand
Ms. M. Hansen
Ms. J. Foy
Ms. D. Campbell
TBA
SUPPORT STAFF
Role
Name
Speech/Language Pathologist
Speech/Language Assistant
Principal
Vice Principal
Secretary
Education Assistant
Education Assistant
Education Assistant
Education Assistant
Youth Care Worker
Library Clerk
Aboriginal Support WorkerNoon-hour Supervisors
Custodian
Custodian /MaintenanceBus Driver
Ms. A. Barbaro
Ms. H. Peebles
Mr. D. Chandler
Mr. James Lund
Ms. S. Lemke
Ms. Gloria Shiosaki
Ms. K. Reker
Ms. S. Huisman
Ms. K. Osmachenko
TBA
Ms. R. Hooper
TBA
Ms. K. Murray, Ms. C. Smith, Ms. J. Wenda
Ms. W. Ratudradra
Mr. D. Osmachenko
Ms. G. Scott
Our school team will endeavor to make Rocky Mountain Elementary School Great!
RMES PAC
The Parent Advisory Council (PAC) is the legally recognized voice of the parents
(or guardians) in our school system. It is a partnership between the educators
(school and school board), parents and students. Any parent who has a child
enrolled in our school is a member of the PAC. Parents have the opportunity to
participate in determining policies, services, achievement levels and
enjoyment for their children at school. The School Planning Council (SPC)
works with the principal to develop, monitor, and review the annual school
plan. They help to shape and support the goals of the school.
Presently the PAC helps to enhance your child’s school experience by providing
such things as: school agendas, the hot lunch program, the milk and cookie
program, the Welcome Back BBQ, the King and Queen of the Hill event,
supporting science fair, reading club, purchasing of school uniforms, providing
t-shirts for Kindergarten and new students, bringing in special guest
performers and speakers (enhancing cultural education). The PAC’s fundraising
efforts provide financial support for the goals determined by its members.
It is our right and responsibility to share in the mission of educating our
children. Meetings are the second Tuesday of each month September-June at
6:00 pm please check school newsletter for any changes. EVERYONE IS
WELCOME to attend our meetings.
Join us on Facebook - Rocky Mountain Elementary PAC for up to date
information on current events and activities!
2014-2015 PAC Executive:
Chair – Jennifer Gernon (250-865-4686)
Vice Chair – Nicholle Auger
Treasurer – Kim Bauer
Secretary – Andrea Gagnon
Fundraising – Denise Reker & Nicole Sharpe,
Three for ME – Jamie Chamberlain
SCHOOL PLANNING COUNCIL
School District No. 5 (Southeast Kootenay) believes that parent involvement is
important to provide the best possible education for students and to improve
student success at school.
Members of the School Planning Council include:
• the principal of the school
• three parent representatives
SCHOOL DAY SCHEDULE
8:00
8:10
8:40
8:45
11:21
12:11
1:51
2:06
2:56
3:07
3:35
3:30
Secretary arrives
First bus arrives
Warning Bell-Students admitted into the school.
Morning Registration/Classes begin.
Lunch.
Afternoon registration.
Recess
Classes resume
Dismissal
First bus leaves
Second bus leaves
Secretary leaves
School District 5
2014-2015 Annual School Calendar
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Alternate Calendar Days
(Schools Not in Session)
Spring Break/Winter Break
Professional Development Days
Stat Holidays
Administrative Day
Amended June 10, 2014
RMES SUPPORT PROGRAMS
In addition to the regular classroom instruction RMES
provides a wide variety of assessments and services
that address students who need additional supports
Student Services Teacher: Denise Campbell
•LEARNING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:
Available for children who have specific difficulties in
academic areas such as Language Arts and
Mathematics.
•SPECIAL EDUCATION:
Ms. Campbell along with the School Based Team
(SBT) and parents develop individual educational
programs (IEP) to meet the particular needs of each
child enrolled in the program.
•YOUTH CARE WORKER
Provides direct and indirect
support to teachers, administrators,
parents, students, community and others in
the management of behaviors which
interfere with personal, educational and social
growth. They work in cooperation with the
School Based Team, Director of Instruction Student Services, and the community.
•EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANT
Provides direct and indirect supportto teachers in the
implementation of educational
programs for students.
•ABORIGINAL EDUCATION SUPPORT WORKER
Provides direct and indirect support to teachers, administrators,
parents, students and the community. Works in cooperation
with the School Based Team, Director of Instruction – student
services, the aboriginal community and other agencies to
support aboriginal students. They also play a role in helping all
students understand aboriginal history and culture.
SPEECH LANGAUGE PATHOLOGY – Amy Barbaro
What do Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) do?
Within the school environment SLPs work with students, their families and the staff
to support them with any communication difficulties they may have. Areas include:
•Articulation/pronouncing words clearly
•Expression of language (e.g. grammatical errors, short sentence length, vocabulary,
word finding difficulties, etc.)
•Understanding of language (e.g. following instructions, vocabulary, retaining
information, etc.)
•Stuttering
•Early literacy skills
•Use of language for social interaction
•Development of play skills
•Communication difficulties as a result of hearing loss
Any communication difficulty is a barrier to education. Communication skills are
essential for success in work and play.
The speech-language Program at RMES
Amy Barbaro, SLP is at RMES once or twice a week for the calendar year. Holly
Peebles, SLP Assistant, is also at RMES once a week during the school year. Holly and
Amy work with children individually, in small groups and in the classroom.
Two speech pathology programs that are run across all schools in the district are also
offered at RMES. These are the ‘Sound Connections’ program (an early literacy,
speech and language program for kindergarten students) and the ‘Reference and
Regulate’ program (for children with Autism).
HOSPITAL-HOMEBOUND
Students who are away from school for ten (10) or more
consecutive days because of illness may be eligible for home
instruction.
VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL
•Visitors are asked to check in at the office. Since class disruptions
should be kept to a minimum, visitors are asked to leave messages or
items brought to school at the office, complete with the student's
name.
•Volunteers at Elkford Schools are requested to complete a criminal
records check. This is a district initiative to ensure the safety of our
children.
•Our temporary office is located in the main hall between the ESS
office and staff room
BIKE RULES
Note: It is the law that helmets are to be worn
at all times, but it is the parents’ responsibility
to enforce this.
1. No bikes are to be ridden on school
property.
2. No one should be staying in the bike rack
area. Bikes have been vandalized and injuries
have resulted. Students are to drop their bike
off and leave the bike rack area.
SCOOTERS AND SKATEBOARDS
Can be ridden to school but not on school
property. We strongly encourage proper
safety equipment (helmets and pads) but it is
the parents’ responsibility to enforce this. If
these modes of transportation are used on the
school grounds they will be confiscated and
brought to the office where parents will be
requested to pick them up.
INJURIES, FIRST AID and MEDICAL ALERT
•Injuries and accidents during the year are
inevitable. Our procedure for reporting
and handling accidents or injuries is very
thorough. All children injured while on the
school grounds will receive immediate
attention. Parents will be informed by
phone of any serious injury their child has
sustained. In case of injury where medical
attention is required, the child will be
transported to the Medical Clinic. Parents
will be notified forthwith of any action
taken in this regard.
•Please communicate with the school any
allergies, medical alert and/or life
threatening conditions your child has. We
will complete a “Medic Alert Planning
form” so that the school has a complete
understanding of procedures and
responses in the event of an emergency.
LEAVING SCHOOL GROUNDS
Once students arrive at school, it is expected that they
remain on the school grounds until dismissed to go
home for lunch or until after school dismissal.
Students may not leave the school premises without
written permission. Students are expected to go
directly home after dismissal. They are encouraged to
walk home with a friend.
LOST AND FOUND
A container for lost and found clothing is located in the hallway. Other
valuables are turned in at the office. Unclaimed items are sent to local
social agencies or disposed of in December and June. Students are not
encouraged to bring valuables to school; and if they do, they do so at
their own risk.
ATTENDANCE
From our point of view, it is vital that children attend school regularly and punctually. Absence from school impedes a
pupil’s progress. If absent, students are required to bring a note, signed by their parent, stating the reason for the
absence. This note should be given to the classroom teacher on the day that the student returns. Each
morning/afternoon the secretary verifies all unaccounted absences. Your co-operation in communicating any absences
or sending a message with a sibling is requested.
PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF STUDENTS
In order to avoid a serious safety hazard for our students we ask
parents to ensure that students are neither picked-up or dropped-off
in the bus drive through zone in front of the school. If you are picking
up or dropping off your children, please do so at the “visitors” parking
lot next to the portable, above the school on Deerborne, or along side
the school on Balmer (during school hours). Students and supervisors
will be using RMES’s playground for morning, recess, lunch and after
school even while we’re attending school at ESS.
SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS
All students are to go directly to the RMES playground when they
arrive at school in the morning. No students should be waiting at their
classroom doors at the front of the building, as there is no supervision
for them there. Parents bringing their children to school and who wish
to stay until the morning bell rings should also make their way to the
playground area until the morning bell sounds.
LUNCH STUDENTS
Students staying for lunch will remain in the designated area for the
eating period and will remain on the school property throughout the
lunch period. Students who choose not to follow the lunch rules
and/or display inappropriate behaviour will be required to meet with a
principal to determine a course of action in consultation with the
parents and supervisors.
INDOOR DAYS
Due to extremes in weather, there are times when we allow students
to come into the school when they arrive, at recess, or at lunch.
Although it is difficult to make hard and fast rules, the general
guidelines for an "indoor day" are as follows:
- minus 20 C or colder
- minus 10 C or colder if there is a wind factor
- wet snow or rain conditions which would result in children getting
soaked.
On "indoor days" all students must remain in the school because both
supervisors are in the building.
We are hesitant to call “indoor days” too often because children need
fresh air and a chance for some activity to balance the rest of their
school day. Please help us by ensuring your children are dressed
appropriately in cold weather.
TEXT and LIBRARY BOOKS
Students are loaned texts, books and
supplementary resource materials
during the year. We endeavor to
keep these books and resources in
good shape. Our students are
expected to return their texts and
supplementary resources in good
shape. Students are expected to
replace damaged or lost school
resource material.
DRESS CODE
In an effort to make our school a comfortable, safe
place for everyone, we believe home and school need
to cooperate in the matter of dress. All staff and
students at Rocky are expected to wear modest clothing
that is appropriate to an elementary school
environment.
The following specific guidelines help clarify the dress
code:
1. No clothing with vulgar, violent or suggestive logos.
2. Straps on tops must be three fingers in width. No
low cut tops, halter-tops, backless tops, or tube tops.
3. No exposed underwear.
4. No exposed midriffs.
5. Length of skirts, shorts, and dresses must meet the
fingertip rule. (With your hands at your side the length
of the garment must be at least to the end of your
fingertips).
6. No hats or bandanas are to be worn inside at RMES.
7. Items that are disruptive or distracting at the
discretion of the classroom teacher and/or principal.
8. A pair of inside shoes must be worn daily for safety
reasons.
Parents are also asked to remove hats when entering
the school.
The Dress Code is to encourage appropriate decision
making for a productive, educational environment and
reduce distractions in the classroom.
TOBACCO FREE DISTRICT
The Board recognizes that the
use of tobacco products is a
health, safety and
environmental hazard for
students, employees, visitors
and school facilities.
No student, staff or school
visitor is permitted to use any
tobacco product on the school
ground at any time including
non-school hours.
USE OF CELL PHONES AND DIGITAL DEVICES
Students may carry cell phones or other digital devices and
may use them as follows:
1) Cell phones and other digital devices may be used during
non-instructional times only. Non-instructional
times would include: before class, during breaks, during
lunchtime and after school.
During instructional time, whether the student is in class or
on a spare, all cell phones and other
digital devices will be turned off and will be out of sight.
2) Cell phones and other digital devices will not be used in
change rooms or washrooms at any time.
3) The use of digital devices, other than cell phones, will be at
the discretion of the classroom teacher.
Violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action being
taken and confiscation of the cell phone or digital device by
the classroom teacher or school administration. Confiscated
items shall be returned to the student only after a conference
with the parent/guardian, student and school personnel.
Students may carry cell phones or other digital products but
they must be turned off inside school buildings, on school
buses, on field trips, and at any other at school-sponsored
activities. School Principals may grant approval for students to
use cell phones for emergency purposes only.
Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action being
taken and confiscation of the cell phone or digital device.
Confiscated items shall be returned to the student only after a
conference with the parent/guardian, student and school
personnel.
INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY (INTERNET)
The Internet is a world-wide group of hundreds of thousands of
computers accessible by your child. The school and School District
do not control the content of the Internet. If your child violates
the rules concerning Internet usage set out by the school, he/she
will be subject to disciplinary action.
Rocky Mountain Elementary School
School District #5 – Code of Conduct
Please review our code of conduct with your student. If you
have any concerns, contact Mr. Chandler.
Our code of conduct can be found on our website at:
RMES Code of Conduct