2019/2020 Parent/Student Handbook - A GOOD REFERENCE SOURCE - CBE
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Tuscany School 990 Tuscany Drive NW T3L 2T4 t | 403-777-8060 f | 403-777-8061 e | Tuscany@cbe.ab.ca 2019/2020 Parent/Student Handbook A GOOD REFERENCE SOURCE Throughout the School Year Please refer to the school website for up to date information http://school.cbe.ab.ca/school/tuscany/Pages/default.aspx
Tuscany School 2019-2020 Parent/Student Handbook
Dear Parents:
A warm welcome goes out to all students and families of Tuscany School.
Tuscany staff is dedicated to meeting the needs of our students and providing
exceptional educational opportunities and programming that actively engage and
support students to reach their fullest potential.
This handbook has been developed to provide key information you and your child
will need for a successful experience at Tuscany School. We hope you will find
this handbook helpful and informative. Parent communication is critical to the
parent/child/school relationship and we encourage you to review the information
found within carefully.
We look forward to meeting you during the orientation in September through
Parent/Teacher Conferences and subsequent Celebrations of Learning throughout
the year. Information about our school, School Council, Tuscany School
Enhancement Society (TSES), special events, parent-teacher conferences, and
access to the school newsletter and annual report will be available on our website
at http://school.cbe.ab.ca/school/Tuscany/Pages/default.aspx
Sincerely,
Cindy White
Principal
Page 2 | 15Tuscany School 2019-2020 Parent/Student Handbook
TUSCANY SCHOOL
990 Tuscany Drive, NW
Calgary, Alberta T3L 2T4
Telephone No: (403) 777-8060
Fax No: (403) 777-8061
Office: (403) 777-8060 press “0”
Attendance Line: (403) 777-8060 press ‘1’
Noon Supervision Line: (403) 777-8060 press ‘3’
School E-mail:
Tuscany@cbe.ab.ca
School Website
http://school.cbe.ab.ca/school/Tuscany/Pages/default.aspx
Principal: Ms. Cindy White
Assistant Principal: Mr. Grant Jorgensen
Assistant Principal: Ms. Ruth Radetzky
Page 3 | 15Tuscany School 2019-2020 Parent/Student Handbook
Page 4 | 15Tuscany School 2019-2020 Parent/Student Handbook
Page 5 | 15Tuscany School 2019-2020 Parent/Student Handbook
Our School
School Access
The main door of the school is open from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Monday through
Thursday, and 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM on Early Dismissal Fridays. All other doors remain
locked during the day so we can monitor who enters our building.
Anyone visiting the school, including parents, is required to sign-in
at the main office.
Parents are asked not to access the school building through any door other than the
main office. This is due to security reasons. We need to account for the individuals
within the school and we ask all visitors to sign in at the office and use your volunteer
badge for identification purposes. This includes all reasons for coming to the school
even if it is for 5 minutes. Parents wishing to volunteer or visit their child’s classroom
are welcome to make arrangements in advance with the teacher and enter through the
main office for signing in. Should you need to drop off items or share information with
your child’s teacher please check at the front desk and our receptionist will be happy to
contact the teacher.
Morning Supervision
Supervision is provided on the school playground between 8:15 -8:30 AM by teaching
staff. Please do not drop off children prior to 8:15 AM as no supervision is available
prior to 8:15. There is no after school supervision. We ask that morning Kindergarten
students and families dismissed at 11:16 AM be aware the school playground and
fields are often used for outside physical education activities on a daily basis and are
accessed by lunchroom students. All students and community children are welcome to
access our playground after 2:55 PM.
Lunchtime Supervision
Students who go home for lunch may return to the school at 12:05 PM. The lunchroom
staff provides supervision for those students in the lunch program before this time.
Teachers are only on supervision duty from 12:05 to 12:20 PM for all children.
Returning students must access the school grounds and play on the main playground
where supervision is available. Please do not have students line up at 12:05 PM at the
southwest doors as there is no direct supervision on that side . Students going home
for lunch on inclement weather days may access the building through the main doors
on their return.
Emergency Information
Please notify the school as soon as possible if you have a change of address, email
address, home or work phone numbers or a change in your child’s emergency contact,
or the contact’s phone number.
Child Custody
If you have custody arrangements for your child, please make sure that the schoo l has
the appropriate documentation or directions on file. The purpose is so the school can
clearly identify who has permission to pick up children from school and who has access
to student information.
Lockdowns
All CBE schools are required to practice lockdowns in the same way that we practice
fire drills. The procedures for lockdowns are developed with the Calgary Police
Service and are part of each school’s Emergency Response Plan. If you have
Page 6 | 15Tuscany School 2019-2020 Parent/Student Handbook
questions about lockdown drills or lockdown procedures, please contact your principal.
Evacuation Procedures
In the event that the school needs to be evacuated for any reason, all staff have been
trained according to CBE standards. All schools have a primary and a second ary
evacuation site. In the event of an evacuation, you will receive an email, phone or SMS
notification from the school via SchoolMessenger.
Health & Wellness
It is important that you call the school if your child is absent or arriving late. Please
report all absences to the Attendance Line at 403-777-8060 ext. 1.
Medical Alerts & Collecting Information at the School Level
Parents of children with severe allergies or medical conditions that could impact them
at school are required to advise the principal and classroom teacher at the beginning of
the school year. We must have emergency contact information, a recent photograph,
and other pertinent information so that the school can have an appropriate plan on file
as well as emergency procedures in place. Medical forms must be completed on an
annual basis. Students who require an EpiPen on site should consider wearing one in a
fanny pack each day, as well as having one stored in the infirmary. Students are often
well away from the building during recess, lunch breaks and outdoor physical education
periods. In the interest of immediate intervention, if ever required, a supervisor who is
trained to administer the EpiPen could access the EpiPen immediately from the fanny
pack.
Allergy Awareness
Tuscany School is an allergy aware school. This means that Tuscany staff work with
students and staff to create a safe and healthy environment for all students. It is
important to inform the school office and your child’s teacher regarding any allergies or
medical information that might impact them at school. Parents with children with
allergies and/or a medical condition complete the Student Health Emergency
Response Protocol Form each year and submit it to the school office.
Medical information is shared with all staff. Staff will make reasonable accommodations
for students with allergies. Although the school cannot ban certain kinds of foods, we
strongly recommend students to do not send food with peanuts to
school. Alberta Health has provided a guide for peanut free snacks. If you have
specific concerns please contact your child’s teacher for classroom questions and the
main office for lunchroom and school-wide concerns.
Please do not send food to school for your child to share with others due to food
allergies and sensitivities. If teachers anticipate having food in the classroom for
special events, parents will be notified.
Medication & Dispensing
Parents need to be aware that school personnel are not authorized to dispense
medication without the written consent of the parent on a Student Health Emergency
Response Protocol Form. It is necessary to complete this form if your child has any
medication, such as an inhaler which can be self -administered. This form is available
from the office and must be completed each school year. If children are required to
receive simple, straight forward medication (including Ventolin inhalers) during the
school day, the classroom teacher and office must be informed. Medication should be
kept in the school office instead of backpacks unless absolutely necessary (for instance
an epi-pen).
Page 7 | 15Tuscany School 2019-2020 Parent/Student Handbook
Severe Allergy & Asthma
All students with asthma must have their puffers available at all times. Student with
severe allergies must have two EpiPens located in the school at all times for safety,
one in the office and one in their classrooms. We strongly recommend that our
severe allergy children wear a fanny pack to keep their medication with them at
all times.
Communicable Disease
If your child does become ill, for the protection of your child and that of classmates,
keep him/her at home until treated and/or recovered. If your child becomes ill at
school, parents or designated emergency contacts will be notified to come and take
your child home. We are unable to supervise children who are sick at school for
extended periods of time. Under the Health Act some diseases such as chicken pox,
whooping cough, measles and pink eye require exclusion for specified lengths of
time.
Accidents & Injuries
Should your child be involved in an accident at the playground or in the school, staff will
assess the situation. Minor injuries will be treated appropriately. In the case of more
serious injuries, parents will be notified immediately. If necessary, staff may call 911 to
seek qualified medical assistance. Children may be transported to the hospital by
ambulance. Should this be necessary BBE covers the cost of the ambulance ride.
Forms are available in the office to ensure this happens. CBE staff are not permitted to
transport sick or injured children to the hospital.
Lunchtime
Please remember to call the lunchroom line 403-777-8060 extension 3 to report full
time lunch users going home.
Lunch Program
All students who access the program must register and pay the fee to ensure we
have enough staff to provide adequate supervision. Students bring their own lunches
from home. We are unable, in the interest of time and safety, to provide microwave or
hot water service. Children are welcome to bring hot food to school in a thermos.
Tuscany School offers a supervised lunch program. Lunchroom supervision will be
provided to students in the classrooms from: 11:30 AM to 11:55 PM.. All students eat
lunch at their desks and will proceed outside from 11:55 AM to 12:20 PM. Please
ensure that lunch kits are labeled with full names and that students have appropriate
outdoor clothing.
Parents, who have not yet registered their children for the lunch program, pleas e do so
during the first week of September. We are able to provide drop-in services when
families are in need of the occasional lunchroom stay at a cost of $5.00 . We provide a
4-day program only as Fridays are Early Dismissal and PD days and we dismiss at
12:40.
Please remember to call the lunchroom line 403-777-8060 extension 3 to report full
time lunch users going home.
When signing students out at lunchtime, we ask that you do so by 11:15 AM. We need
to know that your child is safe with you. If you have any concerns, please contact the
school office.
Student expectations in the lunchroom
• Treat both students and supervisors with respect and courtesy
Page 8 | 15Tuscany School 2019-2020 Parent/Student Handbook
• Bring their own lunch.
• Wash/sanitize hands.
• Sit down at their designated spot.
• Talk quietly.
• Stay in seats.
• Listen and follow the requests of the lunchroom supervisors and adult caregiver.
• “Please and Thank You” will be encouraged and expected.
• Use appropriate table manners at their desk in the classroom ensuring a pleasant,
safe and secure environment for all students and supervisors.
• Clean up after oneself.
Lunchroom supervisors and teaching staff treat all students with dignity, kindness and
respect. In the event students engage in inappropriate behaviors in the lunchroom,
students will be given an opportunity to change their behavior. Should the behavior
continue parents will be contacted to help support their child in the program.
Fun Lunches
Our fun lunches gives our students an opportunity to eat lunch, socialize with their
friends at school and take part in special activities. To sign up for Fun Lunches, visit
the healthy hunger website. If you have questions, you can reach us via email
at tuscanyfunlunch@gmail.com.
These days would not be possible without our awesome volunteers! If you are able to
help on the Fun Lunch day and/or the Treat Day, please refer to the website for sign up
information.
Allergies
Learn more about allergies and other health concerns on our Illness & Medical page.
Milk Program
The milk program will start on Monday, September 30th. If your child wishes to switch
from white to chocolate milk or vice versa, please send a note to the teacher or you can
email the lead lunch supervisor at yomansey@cbe.ab.ca.
Lunch Items
Due to the large number of lost lunch packs, containers, water bottles and ice packs,
please write the student’s full name on all their lunch items. This will greatly help us in
getting those lost lunch packs and belongings back to the right students as quickly as
possible.
Attendance
Attendance Line: 403-777-8060 ext. 1.
When students are going to miss classes due to illness, medical appointments or family
emergencies, parents / guardians must call the office at the number above. Leave a
message including your child’s first and last name, grade, classroom teacher and the
reason for the absence/late. If we have not received a call regarding your child’s
absence, we will attempt to contact you to verify the absence. We will phone the work
and home number of the number one contact person which you have listed. Your
attendance phone call is very important. Help us by keeping us informed of any
changes to your contact information.
The Telephone - For - Safety Program is in operation. Call our 24-hour answering
Page 9 | 15Tuscany School 2019-2020 Parent/Student Handbook
service at 403-777-8060 and dial extension “1” to leave a message indicating your
child’s name, name of your child’s teacher and reason for absence or late. This line is
checked frequently throughout the day. If your child is absent or late and we have not
received a phone call or other notification from you, we will attempt to phone you at
home or at work to ensure your child is safe.
Arriving Late / Leaving Early
If your child is going to be late please notify the school at 403-777-8060 (press "0‟).
Late students are to enter through the front doors to report to the main office, collect a
late slip and then proceed to their classroom.
If your child is going to leave early please notify both the school at 403-777-8060
(press "1‟) as well as your student’s teacher through their CBE email account. The
office and teacher will make every effort to ensure your child is sent to the office for the
requested time. This procedure will limit classroom interruptions. A parent or other
adult must go to the main office and record the early departure on the Student In/Out
sheet. All students leaving during school hours will need to be signed out. If students
are leaving over lunch hour and normally stay for lunch please send a note or sign the
student out and meet them in the main office.
School Telephone Use
Please ensure that your child has arranged after school plans with you before coming
to school, as telephones are designated for school business. Students may use the
phone in cases of emergency or at the request of a staff member.
For safety reasons, we do not confirm the enrollment of a child at our school over the
telephone. This becomes very difficult when parents phone to ask us to pass along
messages, as we cannot always identify the caller. If your child needs to go to a
location other than home at dismissal time please make these arrangements ahead of
time and with the classroom teacher if possible. A note in the agenda is very
helpful and greatly appreciated.
Attendance in MyCBE / PowerSchool
Our student information system, MyCBE / PowerSchool provides parents and students
with access to detailed attendance information. For help creating an account or signing
in, please visit Technical Support for Students & Parents.
Attendance records are available in Grades and Attendance or Attendance History.
Common attendance codes are:
• A = Absent-Unexcused
• IE = Illness-Excused
• LU = Late-Unexcused
• MA = Medical Appointment
• P = Present
A legend of all the attendance codes are available at the bottom of th e attendance
charts in PowerSchool. To discuss any discrepancies, please contact the school office.
Attendance Expectations at the CBE
We believe there is a strong correlation between attendance and effective education.
The CBE Administrative Regulation 6020 - Attendance of Students regulation applies
to all of our students, and outlines the responsibilities for students, par ents and school
staff.
Page 10 | 15Tuscany School 2019-2020 Parent/Student Handbook
Inclement Weather Days
Advisory for Cold Weather
During the winter months cold temperatures, wind chill and snow can make getting to
and from school challenging.
Our school and other CBE schools rarely close due to snow or cold weather. Assume
we are open unless you hear otherwise from us. Information regarding any school
closures due to weather will also be posted on the CBE website, on Twitter
(@yyCBEdu) and shared with local news media.
During the winter season, we remind parents/guardians of the following:
• Children should be well prepared for the weather and not left unattended at bus
stops for any period of time, under any circumstances
• Families should ensure that they have back-up care arrangements if
transportation is delayed. Children should have a warm place to stay before
and after school (i.e. with a neighbour or a nearby relative).
• All CBE schools will remain open to provide a safe, warm and secure
environment for students
Learn more about Using Transportation in Cold Weather and Outside Activities
Guidelines for Cold Weather.
Current Calgary Weather
The Calgary weather forecast that appears on our website is provided by Environment
Canada through one of its two Calgary weather stations, and is not school specific.
The CBE has standardized the weather to use Environment Canada to
create continuity for parents, employees and schools. We know that temperatures can
fluctuate around our city and we want to ensure that we are all accessing and
viewing the same information.
Guidelines are provided for students and cold weather, but if circumstances change,
the principal has the final decision.
Blue Day Procedures
It is important that your child has outdoor clothes appropriate for the weather at all
times. Children will be expected to wait outside before school in the morning and at
lunch unless weather is -20 or below. During extreme cold or other inclement weather
situations, students will enter the building on arrival and proceed directly to their
classrooms (students should not arrive at school before 7:50 AM).
Look for the blue signs on each door advising of inclement weather.
In extreme cold weather only, please access the school by the nearest entry door.
Teachers will be available to supervise at these times. Please remind your child to
take all mitts, hats, boots and gloves with them to their classrooms.
Dress Code
Indoor/Outdoor Shoes
In order to keep the school clean and safe, children are required to keep a pair of
running shoes at school for indoor use only. These shoes must have light colored
soles. If students are unable to tie their own shoes they should have slip-ons or Velcro
straps.
Page 11 | 15Tuscany School 2019-2020 Parent/Student Handbook
Personal Belongings
**Please label all of your children’s belongings to prevent
them from falling into the lost and found bins. If items are
labeled they can be returned to your child easily and quickly.
Please help us keep the lost and found down to a minimum
this year.
**All items left over at the end of the school year will be donated to those in need.
Backpacks
Each student is encouraged to use a backpack to carry things between home and
school. The regular use of a backpack ensures that books, student agendas,
homework, and other items are protected from the elements and ret urned to school
and home in good condition.
Cell Phones
Cell phones should be turned off at all times when in the school unless used for
instructional purposes. Students' cell phones are to be kept in their backpacks at all
times during instructional hours. Absolutely no pictures or videos of students or school
activities should be taken using cell phones without teacher direction and approval.
Lost & Found
The school is not able to safeguard valuables brought to school by students. Please
encourage your children to keep toys and other personal items at home. For easier
identification, please label all articles of clothing, lunch kits, etc. We do have a charity
box where all lost or left items will be placed that students and parents can check. The
contents of this box will be boxed and donated to the Salvation Army or other charities
periodically throughout the year.
Bicycles, Scooters, Skateboards & “Heelys”
Children may ride their bikes to school. They are to walk their bikes on the school
grounds and on the sidewalk in front of the school and should be aware of the rules of
bike safety, including the mandatory use of helmets. Locks must be provided for each
bike and the students must use the bike racks at the school. The school does not
assume responsibility for the security of bikes.
According to school board regulations, skateboards, rollerblades and scooters are
prohibited from school board property. Please do not bring these items to school.
Bicycles should not be ridden on school grounds at any time.
Personal Electronic Devices
Our school has a Digital Citizenship plan and an Acceptable Use Policy that addresses
the appropriate use of electronic devices at school. Students who disregard this policy
will have that device confiscated and returned at the end of the day to either the
student or his/her parent.
Games and Toys
For safety reasons students are asked to leave lacrosse sticks, hockey sticks, etc. at
home. We encourage all students to leave expensive electronic games and toys at
home. A focus on physical activity and cooperative play is encouraged at recess and
lunch time. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Games and toys must
Page 12 | 15Tuscany School 2019-2020 Parent/Student Handbook
be kept in student’s backpack during instructional time and through entry and dismissal
times. Games, toys, etc. should not:
1. Create distractions in class for the owner or other students.
2. Cause students to miss teacher instruction at entry and dismissal times.
3. Create or contribute to student disputes for any reason
Should any of these situations occur:
1. The student will be requested to put the game or toy away.
2. Should this occur a second time the teacher will collect the item and return it at the
end of the day.
3. The third time a problem occurs with a toy or game, the teacher will collect the item
and it will be returned to the parent only and the student will no longer be able to
bring it school.
4. In any situation that creates an issue either in the school or outside on the
playground and the staff is unable to determine responsibility for a problem in any
situation. The process noted above will be followed as outlined for all students
involved.
School Property
We take great pride in keeping a tidy school; both inside and out. We ask all our
students to be good citizens by putting garbage and recycling where it belongs, and
helping to keep our classrooms and playground clean.
Also, a reminder that smoking is not permitted on CBE property. Parents and family
members may not smoke anywhere outside of the school. This includes sidewalks.
Your cooperation is both appreciated and expected.
Playground Rules & Expectations
As a school, we consistently review our playground rules and expectations with our
students as needed throughout the school year. Please take a moment to review these
with your child(ren):
• If it looks unsafe, we will ask you to stop
• Rocks and snow stay on the ground
• Stay inside school boundaries at all times
• All students can play at all playgrounds
Use of School Equipment, Open Spaces & Play Areas
Students are expected to use school and recreational equipment
appropriately. Students are expected to play safe games that will not potentially
endanger themselves or others. Students are expected to respect the rights of
participants in organized games and not to disrupt the activity.
Parking/Driving
The parking lot south of the school is reserved for staff 24 hours a day. Students
should not be in the parking lot and it should not be used as a drop off or pick -up area
or as a place to tie your dogs. Please do not cut across to the main sidewalk in fro nt of
the garbage bins to access the school grounds. The parking lot can be a dangerous
place and we would like to ensure the safe access of our students to our playground.
Parking in front of the School (bussing zone) during school days is prohibited
and monitored by Calgary Parking Authority.
Page 13 | 15Tuscany School 2019-2020 Parent/Student Handbook
Get Involved
Volunteer with Us
We welcome volunteers in the classroom, on field trips and with certain tasks at school
or at home. Certain activities or field trips would not be possible without the active
participation of our volunteers. Contact us about ways you can volunteer with our
school.
Visit the CBE website for more information on volunteering, including the required
registration and Police Information Check. (Please note, guest speakers or visitors to
the school, and parents/guardians assisting their own child only are not considered to
be volunteers and do not require a police information check.)
Volunteering for an Off-Site Activity
If you want to volunteer for an off-site activity, please keep in mind:
• Volunteers on an activity are considered representatives of the Calgary Board
of Education and are subject to the same expectations as staff
• Volunteers are subject to the requirements of CBE Administrative Regulation
5003 – Volunteers, which includes an application and a police security
screening check
• Volunteers are covered by the CBE’s liability insurance policy while performing
their assigned duties
• Volunteers are covered by WCB while performing their duties
• Volunteers receive direction from and are accountable to the teacher -in-charge
Volunteering at Tuscany School
Volunteers at Tuscany School play a very special part in our educational programs.
Your help enables us to enrich learning and teaching in a number of ways. Children are
provided with extended opportunities individually and in small groups. Programs are
enhanced immeasurably with resources and materials that volunteers help provide. We
ask that volunteers turn off cell phones in the school and refrain from texting while
volunteering.
Volunteer registration and security clearance is required for all volunteers. The process
of registering as a volunteer consists of two parts. The first is the completion of
a Volunteer Registration Form. By completing this form the volunteer agrees to abide
by the conditions that protect the safety, confidentiality and working environment of the
school. This form needs to be completed every school year. The second part is the
completion of the Consent to Search and Disclosure of Personal Information Form that
permits the Calgary Police Service to perform a criminal record check. This clearance
is valid for five years. This process begins with an authorization letter issued by your
child‟s school upon presentation of current identification. Volunteers are not able to
volunteer in the school until the security clearance is complete and all documentation is
on record and the application has been approved by Calgary Police Services. Please
note Calgary Board of Education policy, which indicates that siblings are not able to
accompany volunteers when they are working in the school.
Check out the volunteer opportunities at our school.
Page 14 | 15Tuscany School 2019-2020 Parent/Student Handbook
Volunteers in the Learning Commons
A sincere thanks to all the volunteers who continue to help each day in the Learning
Commons. If you would like to volunteer to shelve books, please visit Signup Genius to
sign up. Security clearance is required for you to volunteer in the Learning Commo ns.
School Council
One of the most important ways parents/guardians and community members can make
a meaningful difference for students is by participating on the school council. Under
the School Act, a school council is a collective association designed to advise the
principal and the CBE Board of Trustees on matters related to the school. School
councils have legislated advisory and decision-making authority. They are different
from Parent Societies & Associations, whose main function is to raise funds fo r the
school. You can find more details in the CBE School Council Handbook.
As a parent or guardian, you are eligible to be a member of the School Council. The
School Council and the School Administration work closely together to support the
initiatives and goals of both the school and the council. This is the primary vehicle
where parents provide input and feedback to the School Administration and where
many decisions regarding events and programs are made.
Please try to attend a council meeting to get a better understanding of the workings
and organization of the school. The School Council will post parent information in the
school; on this page; on their blog or their Facebook page.
Meeting Dates/Schedule
Meetings take place monthly usually every second Thursday of the month, at 6:30 PM.
• Sept. 12, 2019
• Oct. 10, 2019
• Nov. 14, 2019
• December - no meeting
• Jan. 09, 2020
• Feb. 06, 2020 (due to Teachers Convention landing on the 13 th)
• March 12, 2020
• April 09, 2020
• May 14, 2020
• June 11, 2020 (AGM)
Parent Society
One way parents/guardians can make a meaningful difference for students is by
participating on our school’s parent society. Under the School Act, a parent society is a
formal group of parents, incorporated under the Societies Act for the purpose of raising
funds for the school. A society is a separate legal entity from the school council. The
school principal is not part of this group. More information can be found in our CBE
Administrative Regulation 5001 – School Councils and School/Parent Societies.
Our Parent Society is Known as the Tuscany School Enhancement
Society.
Meetings take place monthly usually every second Thursday of the month, at 6:30 PM.
Page 15 | 15You can also read
