Frequently Asked Questions

While we think we’ve done a pretty good job of providing lots of useful information on this Web site, we know we aren’t perfect. If you have a question you'd like answered, let us know by completing our contact form. We’ll get back to everyone and post the most popular questions here.

What happens if my child gets sick during the day at school?

If a child is sick at home, we ask that parents keep them home. Obviously, we don’t want to spread the germs to other students and staff. If a child isn’t feeling well at school, the teacher will send them to the office. Sometimes, if they lay down for a while, they feel better and go back to class. If they have been physically sick or are in obvious discomfort, we will call parents to come and pick them up. If parents don’t respond, we go through the series of home, work, and cell numbers provided on each student’s emergency contact form.

Does my child go outside when it’s really cold outside?

As the cold weather continues, it is important for parents to understand how the school responds to cold weather conditions including extreme temperature and wind chill. Parents are to expect that daily attendance includes outdoor activities at recess and that students dress appropriately for winter weather (i.e., boots, hats, scarves, and mitts). As Principal, I check the conditions in advance of recess to assess the appropriateness of the weather conditions.

When we determine that extreme conditions exist, our first step is to reduce the length of the recess. It is very important for students to get a fresh air break throughout the day. By the time students get dressed and make their way outside for morning recess, they are usually outside for approximately 15 minutes, and for most weather conditions, this is a reasonable length of time outside, even on a cold day. Periodically, we will shorten the lunch recess so that the students will only be outside for 15- 20 minutes.

On extremely cold days, we will keep students in for recess, especially if the wind chill is extreme as well. Principals usually make these decisions on a local basis. Some school locations warrant different decisions, even compared to neighbouring schools.

We ask that parents be sensitive to the demands placed on our school office staff and not call the school to inquire about indoor recess, but rather that parents send their children to school dressed appropriately for outdoor winter weather.

Learn more about wind chill.

The Environment Canada Wind Chill Chart applies a “safety buffer” ensuring that students, who are dressed appropriately for the day, are not put at risk of frostbite due to wind-chill.