NCPS Newsletter October 2024
Communication to families regarding inclement weather days
Please note that APM A3020 – Inclement Weather, 3.1.2 states that “parents/guardians are to be reminded, in writing at appropriate times (October and January) each school year, that it is their responsibility to decide whether or not it is safe for their child(ren) to leave for school under severe weather conditions.”
Inclement weather and bus cancellation information reminder
All information regarding cancelled buses in Simcoe County is posted on the Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium (SCSTC)’s bus information website at www.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca. Our school is in the WEST zone. When buses are cancelled, schools remain open for student learning, unless otherwise noted. School staff are expected to plan for such emergencies in order to transition students who are unable to attend due to inclement weather, to their online platforms (Google Classroom and/or SCDSBhub [Brightspace by D2L]) and continue with academic programming. It is always a family decision whether or not it is safe for their child(ren) to leave for school under severe weather conditions.
The SCSTC and bus operators try to make the decision to cancel school buses before 6 a.m. and make every effort to post announcements before 7 a.m. Inclement weather cancellations are effective for the whole day and buses cancelled in the morning will not run at the end of the day. You can follow the SCSTC on Twitter @SCSTC_SchoolBus for bus cancellations and other information. You can also subscribe to receive bus delay notifications here: https://scstc.ca/Subscriptions/Login.aspx.
Safe Arrival program
The Safe Arrival program is in place in elementary schools to ensure that students arrive safely at school each day. Parent/guardian cooperation in reporting their child's absence is a requirement of the program. If the school is not contacted, an automated call will be made to the family and/or any emergency contacts on file to ensure the child is safe.
On days when buses are cancelled due to inclement weather, the Safe Arrival program remains in effect. For inclement weather days, parents/guardians are asked to contact the school if they receive an absence notification and believe their child should be in attendance. Otherwise, the school will assume the parent/guardian is aware of their child's absence. Families of walking students should always call the school if their child is not attending on the inclement weather day.
Regular student attendance matters
Missed days add up! Did you know if your child misses two days a month in elementary school, they will have missed an entire year of school by the time they enter high school?
Learn more about why student attendance matters at www.scdsb.on.ca/attendance.
SCDSB seeks parent/guardian representatives for new Safe Schools Committee
The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) prioritizes the safety of students and staff and is committed to creating inclusive school and work environments where everyone feels a sense of belonging. The SCDSB believes in working with the community on strategies that will continue to keep schools safe, address challenging behaviours, and ultimately reduce incidents of violence affecting SCDSB schools.
The SCDSB is seeking up to three parents/guardians and up to four individuals representing community organizations/associations to serve as committee members on the new Safe Schools Committee. Applications will be accepted from Sept. 24 to Oct. 7, 2024.
Visit the SCDSB website to learn more about the committee and how to apply: www.scdsb.on.ca/news/current_news/safe_school_committee_membership
Check out the SCDSB News video series
The SCDSB News is a weekly video series highlighting positive events, initiatives, and learning happening within school communities across the SCDSB. Follow the SCDSB on social media to catch all of these weekly episodes! Watch the video linked below showcasing Ophea Healthy Schools certification.
In case you missed it, over 100 SCDSB schools achieved Ophea Healthy Schools certification last year!
Watch below to see how SCDSB schools are continuing their focus on healthy active living and working towards maintaining and/or improving their Healthy Schools certification levels this school year! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS1n0qiQ3nY
Mobile devices in schools
Personal mobile devices are a significant distraction for students at school, especially in the classroom. They can lead to students being disengaged from their learning and isolated from their peers.
In September 2024, based on direction from the Ministry of Education, a new policy regarding mobile devices in school was reflected in the SCDSB Code of Conduct. As such, students and families need to be aware of the following expectations:
Students in Kindergarten to Grade 6
Personal mobile devices must be stored out of view and powered off or set to silent mode throughout the full instructional day except under the following circumstances:
- For educational purposes, as directed by an educator;
- For health and medical purposes; and/or,
- To support special education needs, as documented in the student’s IEP.
Students in Grade 7 to 12
Personal mobile devices must be stored out of view and powered off or set to silent mode during instructional time except under the following circumstances:
- For educational purposes, as directed by an educator;
- For health and medical purposes; and/or,
- To support special education needs, as documented in the student’s IEP.
Parents/guardians may contact the school’s main office to convey a message to their child.
Please be aware that after considering mitigating factors, and after multiple reminders by school staff, progressive discipline may apply if a mobile device is not stored out of view. For more information, please visit the SCDSB website.
School bus transportation information available from the SCSTC
In order to receive delay and cancellation notifications, families can check the Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium (SCSTC) website at www.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca or download the ‘BusPlanner Delays’ app from the Apple or Android app stores to receive delay notifications to their devices. Users would need to select Simcoe County STC as the transportation authority. The app will need to be forced closed, but you will be able to select your student(s) routes or school to receive delays.
The app will send a general notice for any cancellation in Simcoe County. You only need to know which ‘zone’ you’re in, so you would know which one to look out for in the app. You can find your student’s zone by visiting the School Bus Status page at www.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca and clicking the dropdown for the area you live in.
School Bus Safety Week and School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
School Bus Safety Week takes place Oct. 21 to 25, 2024. Please visit the Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium (SCSTC) website at main.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca for information on school bus safety and links to school bus safety resources. Oct. 23, 2024 is School Bus Driver Appreciation Day in the province of Ontario. It’s a great opportunity for the school community to thank our bus drivers for all their hard work transporting students to and from school safely.
Upcoming in-person Grade 1 French Immersion information sessions
The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) offers French Immersion (FI) at select schools throughout Simcoe County beginning in Grade 1. The goal of the FI program is to enable students to communicate in French with a high level of proficiency, enabling them to function with ease in both English and French.
Entry into the FI program will be determined through a digitally randomized lottery system. More information will be provided on the SCDSB website in the coming months. Visit www.scdsb.on.ca/cms/One.aspx?portalId=210982&pageId=12587752 to learn more.
Parents’ Guide to Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting
Learn to navigate the world of assessment, evaluation, and reporting with this guide for parents/guardians. Created to support parents/guardians understanding of assessment, this guide was designed to effectively empower you to actively engage in your child's educational journey. The guide has been posted to the Simcoe County District School Board’s website and can be accessed via the following link: https://tinyurl.com/2urcm2tm.
Licensed PA day and holiday school-age child care programs
Child care programs for children in Kindergarten to Grade 6 are provided by independent, third-party child care operators in some SCDSB schools. To support your child care needs, some operators offer child care on PA days and holidays including over the Winter Break, March Break, and during summer holidays. Registration in advance is required. Please contact the child care operator directly to discuss fees and to register. For more information visit: www.scdsb.on.ca/cms/One.aspx?portalId=210982&pageId=371957.
Interested in learning more about the ways that the SCDSB supports students with special education needs and their families? Join us for a virtual special education outreach series
The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) is hosting virtual special education outreach sessions to assist parents/guardians in learning more about programs, supports, and ways that we work together to support students with special education needs.
The first session, IEPs and school-based assessments – information for parents/guardians, will be held on Oct. 22 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. This virtual presentation will include an opportunity for participants to share some of their questions regarding IEPs and special education programming.
Participants are asked to register in advance. Information to access the sessions will be shared via email with individuals who have pre-registered. Learn more about upcoming sessions and how to register on the SCDSB website: www.scdsb.on.ca/elementary/special_education/special_education_outreach_sessions.
Online math resources for families
Have you tried Math at Home? Math at Home is an online resource for parents/guardians of SCDSB students from pre-school age to 16! This resource is updated monthly with games, problems, and number talk activities that reflect the math your child may be learning at school each month.
In October, activities in school and on Math at Home may include grade-level tasks related to representing whole numbers using different tools, and adding and subtracting whole numbers, fractions, decimal numbers, and integers.
Visit www.scdsb.on.ca/MathAtHome to support your child’s math learning at home! Knowledgehook is another digital math tool that provides more opportunities to practice math at home. Ask your child's teacher about how they can access their account at home.
October is Cyber Awareness Month
October is Cyber Awareness Month, and the topic is cyber hygiene. We want to emphasize the importance of being proactive to protect yourself and your family from potential cyber threats, especially with students back in school. This topic provides practical tips on maintaining strong passwords, recognizing phishing attempts, and using multi-factor authentication to safeguard personal information.
Access the ECNO Cyber Awareness tip sheet for October to stay informed about this month’s theme and explore additional resources: www.ecno.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ECNO-CAM-24-Infosheets-E-_Part1.pdf.
Homestay hosts needed for international education program
When international students are welcomed into SCDSB schools, our programs and community benefit, and students get life-changing Canadian experiences that positively shape their world views. Without you, the SCDSB can't deliver this exciting program. You can help by inviting international students to stay with your family while they study in our community.
To support homestay families, the SCDSB has partnered with the Canada Homestay Network (CHN), a not-for-profit, family-run, Canadian business that's been a leader in homestay since 1995. CHN provides cultural and first-language support to hosts 24/7, and an allowance to help offset expenses.
What you provide:
1. Access to nutritious meals and snacks
2. Utilities, internet, and laundry access
3. A private bedroom, desk, and closet
4. A patient, caring, and friendly Canadian family home atmosphere!
For more information about being a Canada Homestay Network host, please visit: whyihost.ca.
Get on the move
There are many benefits to walking or wheeling to school. Walking or wheeling to school reduces traffic, helps students establish healthy lifestyles, is better for the environment, and enhances community safety. Wherever possible, we encourage students within walking zones to get on the move and walk or wheel to school. For more information please visit the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit website here: bit.ly/3OC4CJ9
Information provided by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
October PA Day
Please note that Friday, Oct. 25 is a PA Day for all SCDSB students. Please refer to the 2024-25 School Year Calendar on the SCDSB website for more information: www.scdsb.on.ca/elementary/planning_for_school/school_year_calendar.
Below is a summary of the activities planned for the Oct. 25 elementary PA Day:
Length: full day, in-person
Topic: health and safety, mental health and well-being, literacy, mathematics
Host: Simcoe County District School Board
Presenter(s)/facilitator(s): School administrators/school and board staff
Health and safety (150 minutes)
Educators will participate in a half-day health and safety digital learning session focused on health and safety incident reporting and investigations with a particular emphasis on workplace violence prevention. The session will equip staff with the knowledge and tools to report incidents effectively and promptly, provide insights into the investigative and risk mitigation process, foster transparency and accountability, and highlight the critical role staff play in preventing workplace injuries.
Mental health and well-being (50 minutes)
Educators will engage in mental health learning with a focus on essential conditions and strategies that support student mental health and enhance learning. The resources shared will support staff in bridging theory to practice, and in fostering school environments where students feel safe, connected, and regulated and are available to learn. Learning will take place through large and small group formats with opportunity for discussion, reflection, and planning for effective practices in the classroom, with a focus on School Mental Health Ontario resources.
Mathematics (50 minutes)
All educators will engage in learning related to assessment tracking and responsive intervention strategies to support all learners in the math classroom, but specifically those with special education needs. Educators will collaborate on the identification of a process/tool to track the learning progress of students throughout the Course of Study unit. They will identify intervention practices to be used with students progressing below the provincial standard.
Literacy (50 minutes)
Kindergarten educators will continue to focus on foundational literacy practices in the Kindergarten environment. Grade 1 to 8 educators will continue to focus on the continued implementation of the revised Language Curriculum, The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 1-8, Language, 2023, including Tier 1 and Tier 2 instructional practices that support all learners.
SCDSB Days of Awareness
