School Procedures

Visitors to Our School
Visitors, particularly parents, are most welcome. In the interest of maintaining a secure, orderly school environment, we request the following:
All visitors must report to the main office when entering the school.
-In order to promote childhood independence we recommend that caregivers are not around the school yard at recess times.
-If you are please do not be offended if you are approached by staff and asked to identify yourself.
-We are trying to make classroom time sacred and believe it is unfair to parents to ask a teacher for an impromptu hallway meeting while other children are waiting. Teachers will be glad to provide an appropriate time to address any concerns. Please phone ahead for an appointment.
Parents who wish to have their child/ren leave the school with them must first notify the administrative staff who will advise the classroom teacher.
-Should you require that your child leave the school before the regular dismissal time, please provide the teacher with a signed and dated note. Your child will wait for you in the office or pick-up.
-If you arrive at recess time please do not take your child out of the yard without notifying the administrative staff in the office. Report to the office and your child’s teacher will be informed by our secretary. Your child will meet you in the office. All students will be signed out by the office staff.
-The classroom teacher will refer visitors who ignore the above procedures and who arrive directly at the classroom to the office. No contact with the student will be allowed until the Principal and/or designate has verified the visitor’s identity and right to access. Office staff will sign out all students.
-All visitors will receive a visitor button/sticker to wear during their visit to our school.

Updating of Student Information
Change of address, phone numbers, emergency contact phone numbers, etc.
Your children are under continuous supervision all day by the teachers, both in the building and in the schoolyard. Regardless of the supervision, accidents can and do occur. Under these circumstances, it is essential that we be able to contact you.
It is very important that our student data records reflect current information. Please report all changes, especially work phone numbers and emergency contact numbers to our school secretary at 416-393-5325.
James Culnan Student Information Form

Lunch Room Procedures
Students in the Primary grades eat their lunch in their classroom, while students in grades 4-8 eat their lunch in the cafetorium. If your child remains at school during the lunch hour, he or she must remain on the school property from the period between 11:45 AM TO 12:45 PM. For safety reasons we will not accept notes to go to the restaurant or another child’s home.

Liturgical Celebrations
The staff and students look forward to another year of liturgical celebrations at St. James the Great Catholic Church with Father Koroway. Our teachers will be reviewing with the students the Order of the Mass and behavioural expectations, while at mass. We look forward to participating in the liturgy. Join us as we celebrate our faith at St. James Church. Our school masses are scheduled regularly and are publicized in our monthly newsletter and this website.

Bus Behaviour
Parents we ask you to please review with your child/ren the basic bus rules:
-Remain seated at all times while on the bus.
-Keep your hands to yourself. Do not push, hit or punch anyone.
-Refrain from shouting on the bus.
-Allow the bus driver to drive the bus safely
-Students are expected to be polite and courteous to the bus driver while they are on the bus.
-Students are expected to board and depart from the bus at the assigned stop.
Remember, using the bus is a privilege! Students who do not cooperate with the bus driver risk having their bus privileges suspended. In such an event parents will be required to provide alternate transportation. Three written warnings by the driver and the principal or vice principal, will be given before privileges are suspended.

Bus Information
There are bus loading zones in front and back of the school on Willard Avenue and Windermere Avenue. Be mindful not to park in the bus loading zones. The safety of our students is our prime concern. We request you to wait for your child outside of these zones. We appreciate your cooperation in this very important safety matter.

Safe Arrival Program
If your child is unable to attend school, you are asked to contact the school secretary at 416-393-5325 and advise that your child will not be coming to school. If we do not hear from you, you will be contacted as to your child’s whereabouts. You may call the school after hours and leave a message on our auto attendant. When reporting the absence please include your child’s name, grade, teacher’s name and reason for absence.

Physical Education
All children are expected to participate in gym classes properly dressed, unless the school has received a note from a medical practitioner stating otherwise. Proper clothing consists of running shoes (with white soles), shorts or track pants, and a light top. Please provide these necessary items or your child will not benefit from this important programme.

School Property
Students will be provided with textbooks, notebooks, pens, pencils, and other necessary instructional materials. It is expected that the students do not misuse these items. Students are to treat the school grounds and building with respect. If school property is damaged or lost, the student may be held responsible.

Behavior Code
The focus of the approach and attitude towards student discipline lies in the development of the Christian dimension and self-discipline of each child at James Culnan Catholic School. The co-operation of home and school will ensure progressive achievement towards these goals. Let us work cooperatively in this area. We expect students to follow the 3R’s:
-Be respectful of self
-Be respectful of others
-Be responsible for their actions
The following types of behaviour are unacceptable in the school, classroom, schoolyard, bus or during school related functions:
-Using foul, rude or abusive language
-Disrupting classes
-Leaving school premises without permission at any time
-Being late or truant
-Smoking on school premises. Cigarettes, lighters, matches and knives must not be brought to school
-Neglecting classroom responsibilities
Breaking of the Behaviour Code may result in the following types of consequences:
-Appropriate detentions
-Phone calls or letter home
-Request for parent interviews
-Persistent or habitual disregard for the Behaviour Code may result in suspension
-Withdrawal of privileges such as: school teams, special events, etc. Individual teachers will deal with breaches of discipline. The Principal or Vice-Principal will deal with those whose behaviour is of a serious nature. We appreciate the co-operation of parents in disciplinary matters.
-REMEMBER RULE NUMBER ONE: KEEP YOUR HANDS AND FEET TO YOUSELF!

Permission to Leave School
If your child is to leave during some part of the school day, please send a note to your child’s teacher. Parents, however, are encouraged to make appointments or plan special activities outside of school hours when possible. Parents must report to the office.

Excursions
Throughout the school year, your children may have the opportunity to go on educational trips and excursions as part of their school programme. Before each of these trips you will receive a letter of explanation and a consent form. A parent meeting may precede an overnight excursion.

Emergency Closing of School
The school may be closed or classes may be cancelled for a temporary period in the case of an emergency arising out of: inclement weather, fire, breakdown of heating plant, the failure of an essential utility or similar emergency when the health, welfare or safety of children are in jeopardy. In such cases:
The school staff will endeavour to contact the parent or guardian to ensure that the child is picked up, and where this will occur.
In cases where no adequate supervision can be ensured, the children will remain in the care of the principal and staff until the parents can assume responsility.

Library
Students are responsible for the care and return of all library materials borrowed.

Lost and Found
In order to prevent students from misplacing their belongings, it would be helpful to have all boots, gym clothes, and coats, etc. labelled. A lost and found box is maintained in the school. Children should look there for missing items.

Registration
All registrations require the following documents:
-Original or photocopy of your child’s Roman Catholic Baptismal Certificate
-Birth Certificate
-Student Health Card Number, Doctor’s name and telephone number
-Telephone numbers of your home, both spouses’ place of business, and an alternate telephone number of someone to call in case of emergency.
-Public Health requires your child’s Immunization records.

Homework
Homework in moderation can be beneficial to the children in many ways. It can help children to:
-Develop a sense of responsibility
-Teach organization
-Provide practice of skills
-Complete work begun in school
-Pursue personal interests through projects related to subjects studied in school
Homework can also provide communication between parent and child enabling you to know what your child is being taught in school. You can aid your child through your interest and by ensuring a quiet time and place for homework to be done.

Child Abuse
By law, we are required to report any disclosure or suspicion of alleged child abuse. We have no discretion in this matter.

Freedom of Information
As part of the normal ongoing curriculum activities, samples of students’ work will be displayed in and out of the school for public appreciation. From time to time, student achievement is also publicly acknowledged in school and community publications. This is a valuable process but if you object to the disclosure of identification information, please contact the Principal or Vice-Principal.

Special Events
During the school year, your child will have an opportunity to participate in extra-curricular sports activities and other activities such as W5H. These activities sometimes require after school practice and preparation. We strongly encourage involvement in such activities, and would request parental permission for your child’s participation. If for any reason you choose not to have your child become involved in these activities, parents are requested to send a note to this effect.

© 2006 Toronto Catholic District School Board