- Contact the School
- Staff Directory
- Teaching Staff Directory
- School Calendar
- Bell Schedule
- Principal’s Message
- Mission
- Code of Behaviour
- Policies & Procedures
- School Programs
- Safe Arrival
- Drop Off & Parking
- Lunch at School
- Health Matters
- School Boundaries
- Register Your Child
- Kindergarten Information
- Frequently Asked Questions
Policies & Procedures
The policies and procedures in this section are included in the front of your child’s agenda. We may have changed the wording slightly to make sure it’s user-friendly, but the meaning is the same.
- Homework Policy
- School Bus Policy
- Lunch at School
- Visitors and Student Safety
- Using the School Telephone
- Personal Property
- Safe Arrival/Student Absence & Lateness
- Student Health: Medications at School & Allergies
- Lost and Found
- Dress Code
- Physical Education Clothing
- School Lockers/Locks
- Field Trips
- Report Cards
- Parent Volunteers
Homework Policy
The staff, parents and students of Cornell Village Public School believe that homework is an essential part of a student’s education. We believe homework should
- Be a shared commitment among teachers, students, and parents;
- Extend and support in-school experiences through related out-of-school activities;
- Teach students responsibility, self-discipline, and the kinds of work habits and organizational skills which they need to be successful in school, and later in the work place;
- Encourage lifelong learning and extend learning beyond the school;
- Provide parents with insight into their child’s learning and active involvement in their child’s education
Responsibilities
Students will be responsible for their learning by:
- Writing down homework in an Agenda planner and asking for clarification/assistance as necessary;
- Completing the assigned work and meet timelines for homework completion;
- Developing a homework routine and study habits;
- Bringing the work back to school and handing it in.
Parents will assist students by
- Ensuring students read every night;
- Having the necessary materials available and providing a quiet place and time to do the work;
- Providing support and supervision if necessary and helping students organize homework routines;
- Encouraging effort and discussing the homework assignments with their child and/or teacher.
Teachers will support students and parents by
- Organizing a display where homework is written down for students to copy into their Agenda;
- Providing clear guidelines for homework completion and assigning homework on a consistent basis;
- Checking the completion of homework and contacting parents when necessary, if homework is not done;
- Monitoring the amount of homework and modifying expectations to meet different learning styles.
Homework: What to Expect
Kindergarten to Grade 3
Up to 30 minutes per day including nightly pleasurable reading
- Nightly reading to and by children (books: book bag, library, classroom, etc.)
- Review and practice of concepts taught and completion of unfinished class work;
- Assignments related to a theme and additional practice of spelling and number facts.
Grades 4 to 6
Up to 45 minutes + 30 minutes per day of pleasurable reading
- Reading assignments, review/practice of concepts taught, book reports and journal entries;
- Completion of unfinished class work and assignments/research/projects related to topics of study;
- Additional practice of spelling and number facts, or other areas of need;
- Studying for quizzes and tests.
Grades 7 to 8
Up to 90 minutes + 30 minutes per day of pleasurable reading
- Reading assignments, review/practice of concepts taught, book reports;
- Completion of unfinished class work and assignments/research/projects related to topics of study;
- Studying for quizzes and tests;
- Continued emphasis on independent study as a means of preparing students for high school.
School Bus Policy
Our school’s busing is arranged by Student Transportation Services. Busing information for eligible students can be accessed from a BUS ROUTES HOTLINE telephone number 1-800-BUSRTES or 1-866-287-7837 or via the INTERNET at www.schoolbuscity.com. The Student Transportation Services Hotline and Internet site are available 24 hours a day/7 days per week and will provide information on stop location, bus route number and time of pickup and drop off. Students must ride on the bus to which they have been assigned.
Bad Weather Conditions
During extreme weather conditions, we ask that parents make the decision whether to send their children to school, or to keep them at home. An announcement on the radio of an overall decision to run buses or maintain school programming should not override the parents’ own judgment for the particular situation. As an added safety precaution, we would encourage parents to ensure that bus students have, in fact, boarded the bus on days when the weather is so severe that they have doubts regarding the running of buses on the road.
If the buses are canceled in the morning due to weather, they will not run in the afternoon. If you choose to drop off your child on these days, you must arrange to pick them up at 3:30 pm.
If conditions of the roads force cancellation of bus service, the following local radio and TV stations will be informed as early as possible, and will broadcast pertinent information to the community:
640 AM, SRC 90.3 FM, CHUM 104.5 FM, CJCL 590 AM, Q107/107.1 FM, CKDX 88.5 FM, CHIN 1540 AM, NEWS 680 AM, CJBC 860AM, CHIN 100.7 FM, CITY TV Channel #7, CHFI 98.1 FM, CFRB 1010 AM, CJKX 89.9 FM, THE NEW VR Channel #3, KISS 92.5 FM, CKFM 99.9 FM, CJKX 95.9 FM, CFTO TV, CBC 99.1 FM, CHUM 1050 AM, CJEZ 97.3 FM, The Weather Channel.
In the interest of pupil safety, during extremely FOGGY CONDITIONS, pickups may not be made on busy highways.
AT ALL TIMES students should be aware of an alternative place to go should bus service be canceled or delayed, or should schools be forced to close due to an emergency.
School Bus Safety Procedures
- Be at the bus stop 5 minutes early.
- Watch for the driver’s signal before crossing the road.
- Board quickly using the handrail and go directly to your seat.
- Remain seated while the bus is in motion.
- Eating and drinking on the bus is prohibited.
- Keep the aisle clear and do not put anything out of the window.
- Shouting, horseplay and fighting is prohibited.
- When leaving the bus, stay off the roadway.
- If you must cross the road, walk 10 steps in front of the bus, wait for the driver’s signal, look both ways, then cross the road.
Missing the Bus
If your child misses the a.m. bus, we suggest that the student return home or go to a neighbour’s. If transportation cannot be arranged from there, have him/her call the school to report the situation.
If a student misses the bus at the end of the day, he/she is to report to the office. Parents/guardians will be contacted to make arrangements. For safety, the student should remain in the office until picked up.
Lunch at School
Students are encouraged to go home for lunch to provide a break in their day. For JK - Grade 8 students who stay at school for the lunch hour, lunch will be eaten in their classrooms from 12:50 - 1:10 pm. Adult School Assistants supervise the halls and classrooms. For the safety of the students, lunchtime rules include:
- Remain in seats during the twenty minutes provided to eat lunch.
- Clean up all lunch debris and leave the room in good order.
- Be courteous. Be responsible. Be safe.
At Cornell Village, the playground is supervised from 1:10 to 1:50.
The privilege of staying at school for lunch will be revoked if the rules are not followed. Students who bring their lunch to school may not leave school property during the lunch hour unless they have a note from their parents and the office is informed.
Students who go home for lunch on rainy days are asked to return approximately five minutes before the bell rings and come directly inside. Supervision will be inside on these days with no supervision on the yard.
Visitors and Student Safety (Policy #688.0)
ALL visitors (Parents, Guardians, Volunteers, other Y.R.D.S.B. Staff, etc.) to our school are expected to sign “in” and “out” at the office and pick up and wear an identification pass when in our school building. Students and staff encountering a guest in our building should be able to identify this guest by his/her “tag”.
Using the School Telephone
Students may make emergency calls, with the permission of the teacher, through the classroom phone. Parents/guardians may leave messages on the teacher’s voice mail. Teachers will respond to voice mail messages at their earliest convenience.
Parents/guardians may leave emergency messages with the school secretary. We will convey the message at an appropriate time. Every effort will be made to avoid interrupting classroom activities with messages. Students should make arrangements for after school activities the preceding day.
Cell Phones must be kept in lockers during the school day and accessed through teacher permission.
Personal Property
Students are asked to keep personal articles at home (e.g., iPods, cameras, radios, Walkmans, etc.). If you bring them to school, you do so at your own risk. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen personal items.
Roller blades, skate boards and wheelie-shoes are not permitted to be used on school property.
Safe Arrival / Student Absence & Lateness (Policy #606.0)
If a Student is Late
Students arriving at school late must:
- report to the office for an Admit to Class slip to be signed by a secretary
- state the reason for the lateness
If Your Child is Absent
If a student will not be at school because of illness or an appointment, parents/guardians are asked to notify the school office before 8:15 a.m. each day by phone with the reason for the absence.
A message may be left on our answering machine between the hours of 4:30 p.m. and 8:15 a.m.
Shortly after the morning and afternoon entry, the school secretary will contact parents of those absent children about whom we have received no information.
If your child is not at school and is not accounted for by a note or telephone call from an adult, the School Secretary will:
- Call home to check. If not accounted for,
- Call the parent at work. If the child is still not accounted for,
- Call the emergency number given. If still not accounted for,
- Call the York Regional Police.
Attending School and Arriving on Time
Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students. Please ensure that students arrive before the morning and afternoon entry times. Teachers begin their programs promptly and students who arrive after these times disrupt classmates and risk missing essential class time.
Students with serious illnesses that may prevent them from participating in physical education, recesses or other outdoor activities should remain at home until the condition improves. This will benefit the student concerned and prevent the spread of illness to others.
Leaving School Before the End of the Day
Parents/Guardians are asked to report to the office to pick up a child from the school before dismissal, so that we may record their signature in the Sign Out Book.
Older students who have a note from their parent/guardian may sign themselves out.
For safety, students will remain in the office until their parent/guardian escorts them from the building.
When special activities/events are planned to enhance and develop student development (e.g. sports day, dances, field trips), all students are expected to attend school.
Vacation/Long Illness Procedure
Parents/guardians of students who will be absent from school in excess of 15 school days are asked to please notify the office in writing of the expected duration of absence and intended date of return to school.
Teachers are not expected to plan programs for students on extended trips. Under parent supervision, students are expected to catch up work missed after the trip. Contact the teacher for assistance.
Student Health: Medications at School & Allergies (Policy #662.0)
Medication
Staff members are not permitted to administer ANY medication to students unless the appropriate forms are completed by the parent/guardian (Request for Administration of Medicine or Self-Administration of Medicine). Administration of medication is supervised and recorded. A signed form from the parents must be obtained and kept on file according to Board procedures. If your child needs to take medication, please call our school secretary and request the necessary form.
Students are not permitted to carry medication with them unless the office is made aware of an ongoing emergency medical condition. Please ensure that short term medication comes to the office immediately so that appropriate forms are filled out.
Please Note: Student medication MUST be picked up by the end of June. We will dispose of unclaimed medication.
Anaphylactic Reactions
It is the policy of the York Region District School Board that all students are entitled to safe and healthy environments, including an allergen safe environment, in our schools. This position constitutes a major challenge in locations where a student has a life-threatening allergy (Anaphylaxis).
Do not send foods containing nut products to school in snacks or lunches. We have several students who are very allergic to nut products, especially peanuts.
It is essential that parents communicate a life-threatening allergy to the school as soon as they become aware of it. Please notify the office and your child’s teacher so that we can take the steps to create office records and inform staff of the established protocol.
Download the Anaphylactic Reactions Protocol form (PDF 127 KB) which must be updated annually. The form also lists procedures regarding EpiPens at school.
Anaphylactic shock is an allergic reaction that may be fatal. It can occur when a susceptible individual eats or is exposed to foods to which he/she is allergic (e.g. peanuts, nuts, shellfish, milk, egg, or other foods); is stung by an insect (e.g. wasp, bee, hornet); or is given medication (e.g. penicillin, aspirin, etc.). Anaphylaxis affects multiple systems in the body. While it is impossible to create a risk-free environment, school staff and parents must take important steps to minimize potentially fatal allergic reactions.
Nut Allergies
Do not send foods containing nut products to school in snacks or lunches. We have several students who are very allergic to nut products, especially peanuts.
Anaphylaxis can result due to nuts, nut oil or nut butter and presents itself as a life-threatening allergy. This sensitivity can be so severe that eating/smelling nuts could trigger an anaphylactic reaction.
Even though these students show restraint and maturity in dealing with their problem by avoiding contact with these foods, we know you will join us in helping to provide a safe learning environment for all our students by not sending lunches or snacks that contain nuts, nut butter, or nut oil.
Learn more about food allergies.
Lost and Found
It is suggested that all student possessions be labeled to avoid loss. You can purchase labels for clothing, shoes, lunch boxes, backpacks, etc. from Lovable Labels an ongoing Cornell Village Public School fundraiser.
A lost and found box is maintained in the hallway outside the Office and upstairs in the main hall. Each student may visit the box to search for lost items. Parents are also asked to visit the school and search for family possessions. Items not claimed will be donated to a charitable organization.
Dress Code
Students are expected to be dressed properly at all school functions. The following clothing is not permitted.
- Clothing that portrays:
- Alcohol, tobacco or other restricted substances;
- Profanity or sexually explicit symbols;
- Written language, pictures and symbols that directly or indirectly demean an individual’s race, religion, culture, gender or ability;
- Overt symbols or references to gangs or gang language;
- Caps, hats, bandannas or other type of non-religious head covering worn inside the building
- Make-up worn in an inappropriate manner
- Clothing that reveals underwear or skin in inappropriate areas e.g. bare midriff, underwear straps or short shorts.
Students who arrive at school dressed UNSUITABLY will be asked to return home to change.
Physical Education Clothing
Students are required to participate actively in this subject area. They are expected to change into running shoes. We suggest that one pair of running shoes be left at school as “inside shoes”/gym shoes. These shoes must not have soles that leave marks on the floor tiles.
While the requirement to change into shorts or track pants and a T-shirt is up to the individual physical education teacher, most students begin changing in grade 4.
Students bringing a doctor’s certificate requiring exemption from any part of the Physical Education program will be assigned an activity related to the program.
School Lockers/Locks
Lockers are school property and will be assigned to students by the homeroom teacher. Students on the second floor will have lockers. There are no lockers on the first floor of the main school building or in the portables.
Depending upon availability, students may sometimes be requested to share lockers. Students should not store valuables in lockers. Students may only access their lockers at designated entrance and dismissal times or with special permission of a staff member.
Younger students, through grade 3, do not use locks. Instead, they use clips. These help keep the lockers closed without the child having to remember a combination.
Do not share your locker combination number with other students. Lock combination numbers are maintained to provide access by administration and/or police. Lockers may be opened with the administrator’s permission and/or the York Region Police.
Field Trips
Field trips are an important part of the curriculum and allow students to have experiences that add to what they are learning in the classroom. They are supervised class visits outside of the school usually at a minimum cost to the student. They give your child a learning experience that enriches your child’s program.
You will always be informed about these trips and must give written permission if your child is to participate. We encourage children to participate; however, if you choose not to have your child participate, they are expected to attend school and an alternate program will be provided.
Report Cards
There will be three reporting periods this year. A written report of your child’s progress will be sent home at the end of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd terms. The reporting dates for the 2008/2009 school year are:
- Term 1 November 25, 2008
- Term 2 March 11, 2009
- Term 3 June 23, 2009
The purpose of reporting is to promote and enhance learning and to inform parents of student progress. Conferences with teachers will be arranged formally during the fall. Students may be expected to participate in these formal conferences. Additional conferences will be on an ongoing basis, as required, or requested, by the teacher or parent/guardians.
Parent Volunteers
The staff and students at Cornell Village Public School welcome the help of parents, relatives, and senior citizens with open arms! Volunteer assistance is a significant and vital aspect of our daily programs. There are a variety of roles available to those who might like to donate some of their time.
Community members interested in volunteering should visit our Volunteer Tree on the wall on the east end our our north hall, first floor.
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