Handbook

DAILY CLASS SCHEDULE

**Students are supervised by staff beginning at 8:45 am., during all recess breaks, lunchtime, and until all busses have departed.  Town students should not arrive before 8:45.

General Expectations

•  Courteous manners are expected of everyone at Walter Aseltine School . The school environment offers many opportunities to be gracious and respectful. Please use appropriate language at all times in all school activities.

•  We will strive towards a bully-free environment. Students are encouraged to ask for help from adults if they are being bullied or see others being bullied.

•  Good behavior will be observed in the classrooms and hallways as each student walks to his or her destination in a quiet orderly manner. Rough behavior on the playground or in the school is inappropriate at all times.

•  Students and guests are expected to remove their hats while in the school building.

•  Students who arrive before 8:50 a.m. are expected to remain outside unless their home room teacher is present in the classroom. Students are welcome to drop off their book bags before returning outside.

•  A student phone is available by the office. Students are allowed to use the phone for valid reasons where permission has been granted by the teacher. After school arrangements should be made at home before students arrive at school.

•  Students waiting for a bus are to wait in an orderly fashion. Town students are expected to use the sidewalk along the bus ramp and only use the designated safety patrol crossings.

•  Guests to our school are expected to report directly to the office, where we will be able to assist them in a timely manner.

Restitution

At Walter Aseltine School we believe in working with students to help them become caring, competent and responsible young people. Using the techniques of restitution we help students think through their behavior in relation to what we believe in the school. By focusing on the solution and allowing students to fix their mistakes, conditions are created to assist the student in growing and become a better person.

Bottom Lines

Bottom Lines are used when individuals go against our school's beliefs. They are used sparingly, when we have been unable to create the conditions for the person to think and to manage themselves in a responsible, non-hurting manner; or when we encounter situations where restitution is not appropriate or would not be effective. Walter Aseltine School has identified the following “bottom lines”:

•  Bullying (including fighting and sexual harassment)

•  Deliberately endangering others

•  Stealing

•  Vandalism

•  Defiance to authority

•  The use of drugs and alcohol

Anti-Bullying Policy

The staff and students of Walter Aseltine School strive to create a safe, caring and respectful environment. Any bullying behavior is in direct violation of our school beliefs and will be treated seriously. A person is being bullied when they are exposed repeatedly, over time to negative actions on the part of one or more persons.

• Bullying is intentional.
• Bullying is an attempt to inflict injury or humiliation on another.
• Bullying involves a power imbalance.
• Bullying may be physical, verbal, social or psychological.

All members of the Walter Aseltine School Family have the right to learn, work, and develop in a bully-free environment.

Our responsibilities include:

• being role models in words and actions
• being aware of potential issues and bullying situations
• reporting any incidences or suspected incidences of bullying
• getting help
• refusing to be involved in acts of bullying
• refusing to be a bystander
• speaking out against bullying
• learn non aggressive methods of resolving conflict

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Curricula

At Walter Aseltine School we implement Saskatchewan Learning's Core Curriculum from Kindergarten to Grade 6. This includes the required areas of study (English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Health, Arts Education and Physical Education). Programming for students also includes computer literacy.

Assessment and Reporting

We look upon assessment to be an important and integral part of the learning process.  Continuous assessment of student progress is both formative (during the learning) and summative (when learning is complete).  Teachers assess students on a daily basis using a variety of assessment techniques. 

In November, March and June, teachers report the students' progress to parents. Tri-conferences are scheduled for October and March.

It is our desire to maintain frequent communication between home and school. Parents are encouraged to telephone the school if they have questions or concerns. Your support and input are of great benefit in our joint efforts to provide your child with a sound education.

Home-School Communications

Besides the school newsletter, class newsletters are often sent home to inform you of events occurring in your child's classroom. Students in Grade 4, 5 and 6 also have a Daily Planner which they use to highlight activities and assignments.

A Meet the Staff night is scheduled early in September. Tri-Conferences, which include the parents, student and teacher, are scheduled twice during the year. Parents are also welcome to drop in to the school when it is convenient.

Phone calls between parents and teachers are encouraged throughout the school year to enhance understanding, clarify expectations or to discuss concerns. Working together is very important to the progress of our children.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child's progress please discuss this with the teacher first. Most concerns will be dealt with at the classroom level. If it cannot be dealt with then contact the Principal or Vice-Principal.

Questions or concerns regarding the school can be directed to the Principal or Vice-Principal directly.

School Volunteers, Parent and Community Involvement

The staff at Walter Aseltine School appreciate and encourage parents, grandparents and community members to offer their services as volunteers. Without volunteer help, many of the special activities that take place at our school would not be possible. Please let the school know if you are interested in helping. We can then support you when completing the required paperwork, which includes a criminal records check.

There are many ways a parent can become meaningfully involved in their child's school life. The way each parent chooses will depend on their own personality, lifestyle and available time. Visible support for learning and for the school is the most powerful means of involvement (reading, helping with homework, encouraging and letting students take responsibility).

Parents also have the opportunity to become involved as a Room Parent and as a member of the School Community Council.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Attendance

It is in your child's best interest to attend school regularly. Students are expected to be at school on time. If your child is late please remind them stop at the school office to aid us in tracking attendance.

If you know of your child's absence please call the office at 882-2644 to inform us. We will phone home if your child's absence is unaccounted for.

Students will be considered present in the morning and in the afternoon if they are in attendance for at least 1 ½ hours respectively.

Bikes

Because of the distance that many students live from the school, they often ride their bicycles to and from school. We encourage students to wear bicycle helmets. For safety reasons, students are asked to walk their bikes when they are on the school grounds. Bikes are to be kept in the bike racks provided on the east and west ends of the playground. Students in Grade 2 and above have the privilege to ride their bikes to school.

Community Bulletin Board

We receive numerous flyers regarding activities for children and families. These announcements will be posted on the community bulletin board near the front entry. If you wish to have information posted please deliver it to the office for approval.

Dress and Appearance

The school expects dress and grooming to be in good taste. Clothing should be appropriate for an elementary school and promote the positive values we believe in. We rely upon the good judgment of parents in determining what kinds of clothing children should wear.

Students are expected to be outside for the times before school, recess breaks and the noon hour break. They should be dressed appropriately for the weather. T he staff will decide if the weather conditions make it necessary for students to be inside.

We ask students to wear shoes at all times in school. This is particularly important in case of fire or fire drill. To keep the school as clean as possible students are to have separate footwear for inside the school. A clean pair of running shoes, slippers or other suitable footwear will suffice.

Emergency Drills

In the event of an emergency, or practice drill, an alarm will sound. All students must leave the school promptly and quietly. Once outside, move well away from the building and gather in an area specified by the teacher in order that attendance may be taken. The principal will give the “all clear" signal. Students are to reenter the building in an orderly manner. In the event of a lock down, the school will be sealed and no one will be allowed to enter or leave the building until the Principal or emergency personnel give an all clear.

Extra-Curricular Activities and Intramurals

Walter Aseltine School provides opportunities for students to become involved in extra-curricular groups and teams, such as cross country running and Lions Indoor Soccer. The range of activities may vary from year to year depending on the interest level of students, the availability of staff and the number of volunteers needed. As well we provide noon hour intramural house league activities for students.

Injuries

If a student is injured at school and needs medical attention, the parent will be contacted to take the child for medical treatment. If the parent is not available, the school will arrange for medical treatment by the family doctor if available, or the doctor on call at the time.

In Motion

Walter Aseltine is proud to be an In Motion school. Every day at 12:50 students participate in 15 minutes of physical activity, usually outdoors, that improves fitness and readiness to learn. In case of bad weather In Motion will be held inside.

Lunch Time Guidelines

•  Students will eat their lunches in their own classrooms at their own desks.

•  Lunch supervision is provided by the teaching staff. Students must remain in their classrooms until dismissed by the supervisor.

•  We encourage town students to eat at home whenever possible.

•  Microwaves are provided for Grade 4, 5, & 6 students. Students must have a microwave container in order to use the microwave. Each child must bring their own utensils (knife, fork or spoon).

•  We encourage lunches to be nutritious, consisting of food from the four food groups of the Canada Food Guide.

•  Juice, milk and other snacks are available for purchase in the servery to Grade 1 to 6 students.

•  Students are expected to use good table manners and common sense to create a pleasant lunchtime atmosphere.

Eating lunches at school is a privilege. If a student misbehaves they will be asked to eat in an alternate area. If the misbehavior continues, parents may be asked to make alternate lunch arrangements for their child.

Messages

In order to protect and maximize in-class instructional time, students and teachers will not be called from the classroom for phone messages except in special circumstances. Messages will be delivered to the classroom teacher at recess and break times. Thank you for your cooperation.

Nut Free Classrooms / Nut Aware School

We have a few students with life-threatening allergies at Walter Aseltine School . The teachers of these students have informed their classrooms of the precautions students and parents need to follow. It is difficult to make the entire school nut free, but all staff, parents and students should attempt to limit the nut products which may come to school. Thank you for your support for the safety of our students.

Parking and Traffic Safety

Visitor parking is provided at the west end of the school and street parking is available across from the school. We ask that the handicap loading area, bus ramps, and staff parking lots be kept clear. Please do not use these areas for student drop off and pick up.

The streets and alleys around the school tend to be busy places at dismissal times. Please be aware of students walking and riding bikes, as well as other vehicles and school buses. We do our best to teach our students about safety but occasionally students are not as aware as they should be. Please be attentive when driving a vehicle in the vicinity of the school and school grounds.

Bus Ramp Reminder

Typically more town students get rids to and from school throughout the winter months.  When winter arrives we remind parents parents that at no time between 8:30 and 9:00 a.m. and between 3:00 and 3:45 p.m. are cars to be on the bus ramp.  This time on the ramp is for the exclusive use of busses only.

Crossing the bus ramp as a pedestrian is not permitted at any time throughout the school day which is designated from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  We encourage parents to use the crosswalks of they park along the street as they are not to be crossing the boulevard. The preferred choice of parking would be to park at the East of West end of the school and use the sidewalks to the entrance of their choice.

Personal Belongings

We ask that all personal belongings be marked with the student's name whenever possible. Our Lost and Found tends to fill up quickly. Please feel free to check at anytime. Unclaimed items are donated to charity at the end of each school year.

Occasionally students bring items such as personal electronics, cameras, and phones to school. These items ideally should be left at home. If circumstances require that expensive items be brought to school, they should be kept stored away in backpacks or the teachers may provide storage for such items in their classrooms. The school will not be held responsible for loss or damage to personal items.

Resource Centre

Students are encouraged to take out books for reading enjoyment and research. Classes are scheduled to come to the library throughout the day. The library is open at 8:00 am , for a half hour at noon and closes at 4:00 pm . Returning books is very important. A fair replacement cost will be charged for lost or damaged books. We also accept donations of books and age appropriate videos.

Safety Patrol

The Walter Aseltine School Safety Patrol has been in operation since 1991. Several staff members coordinate the teams and work in cooperation with the Rosetown R.C.M.P.

Each team consists of 4 members; a captain who organizes and sees to it that his team has proper uniforms and performs the required duty, a lieutenant who blows the whistle to begin and end the patrol when the road is clear of traffic and two patrollers who carry STOP sign paddles and stand on the crosswalk.

The patrollers work hard in all kinds of weather to keep our students safe. Your cooperation and courtesy as a motorist is expected and appreciated.

School Cleanliness

We take pride in the appearance of our school. Caretakers are responsible for the maintenance of the building. However, everyone is responsible for school tidiness and cleanliness. Cooperation is required in keeping desks and shelves tidy, picking up papers and books, cleaning boards and brushes, and depositing garbage in proper receptacles. We also need assistance from our visitors in making sure their shoes are removed if the conditions are wet or muddy.

School Newsletter

The first Friday of every month the school publishes a monthly newsletter. We think it is important to keep parents/guardians and the community in touch with the school schedule. Our newsletter is also published on our school website. If you would like to receive the newsletter by email please contact the school office.

S.R.C. & Servery Activities

Walter Aseltine has a Student Representative Council (S.R.C.) for Grades 4, 5 & 6. Elections are held at the end of September.

Fundraisers include a variety of activities such as t-shirt and sweatshirt sales, cartoon lunches, as well as movie and various social nights. Students who work in the servery sell milk and ice cream every noon hour.

The money raised assists with field trip transportation and school activities.

Student Fees

Walter Aseltine School does not charge student fees. For special activities, such as ski trips, students are asked to pay the cost of the activity. Funding for students is available through the Rosetown KidSport organization.

Student Information

Any change in address, phone numbers (home & work), workplace, emergency contact person, bus billet information should be reported to the office at your earliest convenience. This information is a great asset and is used frequently by all staff members.

At the beginning of each school year a medic alert information sheet is made available to each family. As your child's well being is of utmost importance to us, the school appreciates your willingness to share medical emergency information.