Call Back Programme

This programme ensures that the parents and school know the whereabouts of each child, and provides the earliest possible alert in the event of a missing child.

Parents are asked to notify the school (898-3688 local 1) if their child is going to be absent or sick.  Messages can be left night or day.  If your child is absent  when teachers check attendance at 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM and the school has not been informed of the child’s absence, then the school will make a phone call  home. 

If your child arrives to school late then they must report to the office before  going to their classroom.  This lets the office know not to phone home on a  marked absence when the student has arrived late.

Telephone Use

All classrooms have telephones from which emergency calls may be made, teachers may be contacted, and to which voice mail messages may be sent.  We  ask that phone calls are kept as short as possible during busy times.

Students should be using the telephones for emergencies only.  Social arrangements for after school time should be made the night before.  Teachers also ask that parents not call through to the classroom during class time.  You may call the office and be transferred to leave a message for your child’s teacher.  All teachers check their messages throughout the day.

REPORTING TO PARENTS

Written Reports

Formal “Reporting to Parents” session occurs three times each school year:  in November, March, and June.  These reporting sessions are seen as an opportunity to exchange home and school information in an attempt to better  serve the student’s needs.

The primary progress reports describe in relation to curriculum:

• what the student is able to do

• areas of learning that require further attention or development, and

• ways the teacher is supporting the student’s learning needs (and, where appropriate, ways the student or parents might support the learning).

The intermediate progress report contains a description of:

1. what the student is able to do
2. the areas requiring further attention or development, and
3. ways of supporting the student’s learning.

The reports directly relate to Learning Outcomes from the B.C. Ministry of Education prescribed curriculum (Integrated Resource Packages, ‘IRP’) set out the knowledge, ideas, concepts, skills and attitudes for each subject.  They are statements of what students are expected to know and be able to do in each grade.

Teachers are required to indicate whether a student is developing within appropriate expectations as described in Supporting Learning:  A Resource for
Parents and Teachers, 1992. 

For both primary and intermediate students, the Levels of Achievement for each
Learning Outcome are as follows:

Exceeds expectations

• Growth & development of skills and understanding are beyond program  expectations.
• New concepts and skills are mastered, applied and extended.

Minimally Meets Expectations

• Some students although meeting expectations, are doing so only at a minimal level.
• Further support and encouragement to ensure continued success are required.

Not Yet Meeting Expectations

• Growth and development of skills and understanding are lower than programme expectations.
• New concepts and skills are not yet mastered or sufficiently understood.

Meets Expectations

• Growth and development of skills and understanding are at the level of program expectations.
• New concepts and skills are understood and applied.
• Frequent teacher encouragement and support are needed in most aspects of the programme.

Parent - Teacher Conferences

Conferences are held at these reporting periods to discuss your child’s academic, social and personal progress, and general attitude towards school.  Teachers and/or parents may request conferences at these times.  Additional informal reporting to parents occurs as needed throughout the school year. Conference appointments (15 minute meetings) are made by calling the school secretary.  It is appreciated by all if the tight schedule is adhered to.    

These conferences are between parents/guardians and teachers.  There may be other forms of conferencing through the school year that include students, such as Student-Led Conferences.  Your child’s teacher will alert you to these opportunities.

On conference days the children will be dismissed an hour early.  See school
calendar.

Home / School Communication

The newsletter is one of the methods utilized by the staff and parent group to keep parents informed of school policies, programmes and activities.  It is sent  home every Wednesday with the youngest or only member of each family.  There are a number of additional ways to obtain information about current  events at school:

• Check the notice board placed in front of the school as you drop off your  children in the morning.  
  
• School News on Options Menu when you phone in to the school
• Homework Hot line for each class in Grades 3 - 7
• Our school Website
• Our school email address
• PAC Bulletin Board across from the computer lab
• Many teachers regularly send home summaries of what they have done  and notice of upcoming events
• school calendar in the front of your student’s agenda
• Parent Teacher Conferences are scheduled at regular intervals in the  school year.  However, parents are encouraged to contact their child’s  teacher at any time about any concerns.  It is advised that parents  maintain a partnership role with the classroom teacher in supporting  learning and advocacy issues.
• The Parent Education Committee is a forum for receiving more  information about and  discussing education.  It is a very active committee  working to address effective communication and collaboration relating to educational issues.