2016-2017Information Handbook

Phone: 306-283-4455Fax: 306-283-4108

School E-mail Address: langhamelem@spiritsd.caSchool website: http://www.spiritsd.ca/les/School Division Website: www.spiritsd.ca

Special Events 2016-2017

Meet the Teacher Night Thursday, September 8th Halloween Celebrations Monday, October 31st Progress Reports sent out Friday, November 18th Progress Conferences Wednesday, November 23rd (evening)

Thursday, November 24th (evening)Christmas Luncheon Friday, December 16th Winter Carnival Friday, February 17th Progress Reports sent out Friday, March 17th Progress Conferences Wednesday, March 22nd (evening)

Thursday, March 23rd (evening)Hi Lo Meet Thursday, June 8th

Day Camp Friday, June 23rd Grade 5 Farewell Wednesday, June 28th Report Card Day Friday, June 30th

Langham Elementary School Staff

Mrs. L. Prefontaine PrincipalMr. B. Dunville Grade 5Ms. C. Fleischhacker Grade 5Mrs. K. Lewans Grade 4Mrs. K. McGurk Grades 3/4Ms. M. Perozuk Grade 3Mrs. M. Stehr Grade 2Ms. B. Collin Grades 1/ 2Mrs. J. Olson Grade 1Mrs. B. Turgeon KindergartenMrs. L. Yellowlees Learning FacilitatorMrs. Bond Special EducationMrs. H. Buikema Counsellor – WednesdaysMrs. A. Criss Educational AssociateMrs. J. Chudyk Educational AssociateMrs. C. Crabb Educational AssociateMrs. C. Fairbrother Educational AssociateMrs. S. Wiens-Neufeld Administrative AssistantMrs. L. Fehr Custodian

PRAIRIE SPIRIT DIVISION OFFICE PERSONNEL

Prairie Spirit School Division Office Phone: 306-683-2800121 Klassen St. East, Box 809 Fax: 306-934-8821Warman, Sask. Website: www.spiritsd.caSOK 4SO

Director of Education Mr. John Kuzbik Phone: 306-683-2902 Email: john.kuzbik@spiritsd.caSuperintendent of Schools and Learning Tracey Young Phone: 306-683-2903

Email: tracey.young@spiritsd.ca

Our MissionAcademic and social programs provided in a safe, caring environment; creating lifelong learners and

promoting positive school and community relationships.

Our Vision“A community engaged in academic development and personal growth.”

Our Belief StatementsWe believe in quality education which strives to meet the unique and diverse needs of individual students.

We believe in ongoing, consistent communication among parents, school and community.

We believe that everyone needs to be heard and has a valuable voice.

We believe that our school plays an important part in the community where everyone shares the responsibility for developing student relationships and future leaders.

Principal's Message

Dear Parents/Guardians, Welcome to the 2016-2017 school year! This handbook outlines the policies and procedures that are followed at Langham Elementary and serves as our communication link for these policies and procedures. I encourage you to read it thoroughly. The purpose of this handbook is to share useful school information with parents and guardians. If you think there is other information that should be included, please contact me at the school.

I look forward to working together with you as we strive to be a community where students are growing, learning, caring and sharing.

Sincerely,L. Prefontaine, Principal

A. SCHOOL COMMUNITYBeliefs and ExpectationsAs expressed in our mission statement Langham Elementary strives to be a safe and caring school community that promotes positive relationships. With the help of adults in the school community, students learn to become responsible for their own behavior. Every member of the community has a specific role to fulfill. Students are here to learn and teachers are here to teach and to be examples of life-long learners. All members of the community have the right to be respected and to be treated as special. Every member of the community also has the responsibility to create an environment in which all people are encouraged to learn, in which all are treated with respect and in which all feel safe. In a positive school community students learn to show empathy, respect and courtesy to other members of the school community.

School DisciplineWithin the school community, discipline encourages personal growth and develops a student’s desire to take responsibility for his/her actions and emphasizes the importance of positive relationships. Effective discipline emphasizes restitution, problem-solving, and correction.

Each classroom teacher has a discipline plan that they use in their classroom.

When a child makes a poor choice on the playground, the recess supervisor or student will fill out a STOP and THINK form that outlines how the student can correct their behavior. Students who make a poor choice will be asked to make the situation better and identify what needs to happen so the mistake is not repeated. This may involve making restitution, working at solving the problem, taking time by oneself to reflect on the problem, completing a work job that helps the school community or talking/walking with a recess supervisor. The key question in this process is asking the student “How can you correct this mistake?”

If the principal (or designate) receives two STOP and THINK worksheets regarding the same child within two weeks, the principal will meet with the student and put a plan in place. The plan will outline what the student should do the next time. The plan also outlines the positive consequences if the student follows through on the plan and outlines the negative consequences if the student does not follow through on the plan. Parents will be contacted by the principal to discuss the plan.

If a student is involved in a significant conflict or action, the principal (or designate) will contact the parents that same day. Students will be expected to make restitution, to work at solving the problem, to take time by oneself to reflect on the problem and/or complete a work job that helps the school community.

If a child is having great difficulty making appropriate choices, teachers, parents and administration may decide to use a behavioral contract or a behavioral modification program to track the student’s behavior. These tools give the student constant feedback about their appropriate and inappropriate choices. Other programs such as social skills training and/or counseling services can also be used to teach children how to make positive choices.

Students who have damaged others’ property, the school’s property or have taken items which do not belong to them will be asked to pay the cost of replacement or repair. In order to maintain a safe and positive environment for everyone, items like toys, knives, and matches should be left at home.

B. PROCEDURES & POLICIES

The School Day - Bell Times: 8:30 ----- Teachers are available to supervise students on the playground 8:45 ----- Class preparation bell 8:50 ----- Classes begin10:30 ----- Recess bell10:43 ----- Recess ends 12:00 ----- Noon hour begins12:20 ----- Dismissal for outdoor playground12:40 ----- Class preparation bell12:45 ----- Classes begin 1:45 ----- Recess bell 1:58 ----- Recess ends 3:05 ----- Dismissal bell for bus students 3:10 ----- Dismissal bell for town students

ClothingWe believe how we dress affects our attitude. Students are requested not to wear clothing containing expressions or pictures which are unsuitable for a school setting. Clothing must be suitable for age and activity. For safety reasons, students should wear socks and shoes or sturdy sandals at all times. Students are required to wear non-marking running shoes for Physical Education class.

Hat Free SchoolWe ask that hats are removed when entering the school.

Smoke Free EnvironmentAccording to provincial legislation, Langham Elementary School building and school yard are tobacco-free. Smoking or the use of other tobacco products is prohibited anywhere on school property during and after school hours.

PetsFor the safety of our students and staff, please keep all pets off school property. Pets are not to be on school property as per bylaw of the Town of Langham.

BicyclesTown students who ride their bikes to school should park their bikes in the designated bike racks. They are encouraged to wear helmets. Students should not play in the bike parking area during the day to ensure that bikes are not damaged. Students are expected to walk their bikes on sidewalks and on the tarmacs to ensure the safety of all.

Lost and Found - Labeling of ItemsAll lost and found items will be stored in containers found behind the boot room doors. Please check these often and take only what is yours. Unclaimed items are donated to charity at interview time, Christmas time and at the end of the school year. Please assist us by labeling all coats, boots, shoes, and school supplies. We discourage students from bringing toys to school as they may be lost or damaged.

Inside RecessesAll students are expected to be outside during recess. During periods of unusual weather conditions, the recess supervisors in consultation with administration may allow students to stay indoors. During winter months we will be outdoors for recess unless wind chill is -27ᵒ or colder according to the Environment Canada website. Unusual weather conditions could include thunderstorms, blizzards, extreme cold, heavy rain, extremely windy conditions, etc.

If your child is too sick to go outside at recess time, please remember that he/she is too sick to be at school as they will be infecting others in the school community.

Clean SchoolIn order to keep our school looking great, students and visitors are asked to remove their outside footwear when they arrive at school. As well students are asked to leave gum and sunflower seeds at home.

Please write us a note in the agenda if: your child is not permitted to participate in any school activity. town children are staying in school to eat lunch. parents are going to be picking students up before the end of the school day. alternate pick-up arrangements are occurring.

Lunch Hour ProcedureStudents eat lunch in their classrooms from 12:00-12:20. Town parents should notify the classroom teacher with a note in the agenda if they wish their student to eat lunch at school. Bus students and students who have been sent with a lunch must stay in the school unless written permission has been sent advising the teacher otherwise. Healthy lunches help students work effectively throughout the day. Junk food does not increase a child’s capacity to learn. When packing lunches please remember that the school does not have a microwave for student use.

Allergy Aware Policy Due to the fact we have students with life threatening allergies to egg, peanuts and tree nut products, we are an allergy aware school. We ask parents to pack lunches and purchase treats for the special activities in the classrooms that are nut and egg free. Our Hot Lunch Committee will be working to ensure that our hot lunches are safe as well.

Please always read the label and ask your child to avoid sharing their snacks and lunches. Thank you for your assistance in creating an allergy aware school.

AbsenteeismA daily record is kept to monitor school attendance. Since the school is responsible for your child from the time he/she leaves home until the time they return home, it is very important that parent/guardians communicate any absenteeism to the school by phone or with a written note in the agenda. Students who have three or more unexcused absences will be brought to the attention of the Prairie Spirit School Division truancy officer. We have a message manager and the messages are retrieved by 9:00 a.m. on school days.

If your child has contracted a communicable illness (ie. strep throat, chicken pox, pink eye, flu), please let the office know. This allows us to alert students and parents and prevents the further spread of the illness. If we do not know why your child is absent, we will contact you to ensure that they are safely with you.

Bus Students - leaving the school groundsBus students are not to leave the school property without parent permission. Parents are requested to send the classroom teacher a note in the agenda.

Administering Medication to StudentsPrairie Spirit School Division believes it is necessary to balance a student's right to go to school with the responsibility that is placed upon staff members to administer enabling medications and procedures. If it is necessary for your child to take prescription medication on a daily basis during the school day, please contact administration to see what documentation is necessary to be completed.

Telephone ProceduresPlease call staff members before 8:45 a.m. and after 3:10 p.m. or at recesses and noon hour. The time in between is valuable instructional time. Phone messages will be received during class time and passed on to students and teachers during the recess breaks. Students and parents are encouraged to pre-arrange after-school plans. The student phone is to be used only with staff permission.

Morning - Recess - After School ProceduresStudents are asked to put their book bags in the boot room when they arrive between 8:30 and 8:45 in the morning. Teachers are available to supervise students on the playground beginning at 8:30 a.m.

During recess, students are asked to go to the bathroom, get drinks and go outside as quickly as possible. Students re-enter the school at recess after the bell rings or with permission of the outside supervisor. Students are allowed to bring water bottles to use at their desk.

When bus students are dismissed at 3:05 p.m., they are encouraged to load their buses immediately. Buses should be gone or leaving by the time town children are dismissed at 3:10 p.m. Town students riding bikes are requested to leave their bikes in the stands until the buses have left the loading area. Town students walking home are asked to proceed in an orderly manner and use sidewalks and crosswalks properly.

Emergency Contacts & BilletsAll students should have two emergency contacts, other than a parent, listed on their registration form. There needs to be someone available at all times to pick your child up from the school for situations that may arise such as illness or injury. In case of sudden storms or inclement weather, bus students require a town billet. Students need to know the people they are to stay with. When you are selecting your billet, please pick one that will be home during the day. Parents must also keep the school informed when their billet or emergency contact changes.

Dismissal PolicyPrincipals, in consultation with the Director of Education, may dismiss school at any time before the usual dismissal time where the health, safety, or welfare of students or staff is threatened. Parents or legal guardians are allowed to pick up their children unless public safety officials have declared that there is some reason why access to the facility is restricted.

During any emergency, school personnel will maintain as safe and normal an environment for children within the school as is possible.

School is not automatically canceled in emergency situations.

Children will only be released to their parents, legal guardians, or an authorized person who is identified on the child’s registration form. Children will not be released to individuals who are not authorized on the student's registration information, even if a phone call is made to authorize. Langham Elementary School staff will ask for identification when the child is released.

* ** No students will be released to parents/guardians or authorized individuals during a Hold and Secure or Lockdown occurrence until administration has deemed that the situation is “all clear.”

Textbook and Library Book PolicyStudents use a variety of resources. Our library is an important part of our school program. Students are encouraged to borrow a variety of materials both for enjoyment and for class research assignments. Students are responsible for the materials that they use and borrow. Students damaging or losing school resources will be asked to pay for the lost or damaged resources.

School Activity and School Supply FeesA school activity fee of $28.00 for students in Grade 1 to Grade 5 is required this year to pay for classroom field trips. Kindergarten fees are $20. We appreciate our parents’ willingness to contribute to the school in this way. This reduces our need to fundraise when special opportunities arise for our students. The students look forward to exciting and valuable learning opportunities outside of the classroom.

Consumable school supplies are purchased in bulk for all our students at Langham Elementary School. A school supply fee for students in Grade 1 to Grade 5 is $37. Kindergarten fees are $20.

Internet Prairie Spirit School Division policy requires that a Permission Form be signed by parents or guardians before students are allowed access to the internet. Langham Elementary School policy requires that all students should be supervised by an adult while using the internet. Our belief is that there is no substitute for adult supervision to monitor the proper use of the internet. Inappropriate use of computer technology or intentional damage to hardware or software will result in a loss of computer privileges.

Sport SafetyThe Sports Safety Policy of our school division is very extensive. The list of safety requirements is too lengthy to include in this handbook. Please see www.spiritsd.ca if you are interested in the complete document. The most important reminders for our students are listed below:1. Students are not allowed to wear necklaces, chains, bracelets, or large hair clips. Small pierced

earring studs and medic alert bracelets are allowed.2. Mouth guards for floor hockey, badminton and other racquet sports are recommended, but are

not mandatory.3. A C.S.A. approved helmet is required for skating and curling.

4. Eye protection is mandatory for racquet sports, floor hockey and road hockey whether during PE classes or at recess time. The school will supply sport goggles when activities require eye protection.

Emergency Closing and CancellationsThe normal practice of Prairie Spirit School Division is that schools do not close for reasons of inclement weather. Infrequently it may be necessary to close the school because of faulty plant operation. When storms or inclement weather make it difficult for buses to run, the following guidelines shall be used:

1. Busses shall not make the morning run if the weather poses a significant hazard due to impassable roads or severe wind-chill. If busses do not run in the morning, they usually do not run in the afternoon.

2. By September 30th each year, parents with children traveling to school by bus will be asked for the name of a billet with whom their children will stay in the event that buses cannot return them home.

3. Should inclement weather develop during the course of the day and the hazards referred to in section 1 above become significant, the driver in consultation with the conveyance manager determines whether or not the afternoon run will proceed.

Bullying and HarassmentBullying is repeated harassment. It is unwanted physical, verbal, psychological, or sexual treatment which is repeated over time. Bullying means that there is an imbalance of power. Power may be on the basis of age, physical size, status or position, or ability. This imbalance of power makes it difficult for the target to defend him or herself. Bullying can occur from one individual toward another, from a group of people toward one individual or from one group of people toward another group of people.

Students have a responsibility to create a safe environment for everyone. Communication is vital when dealing with bullying and harassment within the school and/or on its property. Please notify your child’s teacher or the administration immediately if your child is experiencing situations of this nature.

For more information about the Prairie Spirit School Divisions Harassment Protocol, please go tohttp://www.spiritsd.ca/parents/APPS/Harassment%20Protocol-Sept%2007.pdf

Progress Reports and Conferences

1st Reporting PeriodProgress Reports Issued: Friday, November 18th Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences: Wed., November 23rd PM

Thursday, November 24th PM

2nd Reporting PeriodProgress Reports Issued: Friday, March 17th Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences: Wednesday, March 22nd PM

Thursday, March 23rd PM

3rd Reporting PeriodProgress Reports Issued: Friday, June 30th

Special EducationThe job of the special education resource teacher (SERT) is to collaborate with all persons involved with a student to program for special needs, and/or to facilitate the progress of students who are experiencing road blocks or enhancements in their learning. The process of referral works like this:

1. A student is referred to the special education resource teacher (SERT) by the classroom teacher or a parent.2. The special education resource teacher (SERT) may observe the student, collaborate with classroom teacher, and

collect information via formal or informal assessments.3. Based on observations and assessments, a classroom plan is developed to improve student success. The plan may

include maximizing the students’ strengths, accommodating materials or the environment, or targeting teaching for specific areas. The plan is developed by a team which may consist of classroom teacher, educational associate, parents, student, SERT, or counsellor.

4. The team will implement strategies in areas of need and monitor and document progress.5. The SERT will consult with the division personnel who may suggest additional strategies or further assessments.6. The team will implement such strategies/assessments in areas of need and monitor and document progress.7. If the student continues to struggle, the SERT will refer the student for a formal educational assessment to be

completed by an educational psychologist.

All students have strengths and gifts to share. The role of special education is to be a part of the school team that assists all students in realizing their full potential.

School CounselorOur school counselor this year is Mrs. Heather Buikema. She is available to meet with students about personal, family and school issues. She is in our school once a week (usually on Wednesday). Parents are invited to talk to the school counselor directly if they would like to discuss family or personal issues that are affecting their child. Information about how to contact the school counselor is available from the school administrative assistant.

New Policy – Use of Front Doors OnlyEach Prairie Spirit school provides a safe environment for students and staff, while offering a learning environment that is welcoming to visitors. In September 2015, Prairie Spirit launched the new Safe and Secure Protocol, which promotes safety and restricts unauthorized access to the school building. As a result, there were some changes in the way students and parents access their school. These changes were recommended by the RCMP and better align our practices with our partner school divisions in the Saskatoon and area Community Threat Assessment Support Team (CTAST). During the school day, access to the school will only be allowed through the main entrance doors. If a student is late for school, they are to go to the main doors. As the protocol is being implemented, staff will be directed to check for young students who may be waiting outside their usual entrance.

School Newsletters

Together with W. W. Brown High School, we publish a newsletter nine times a year. The newsletter contains important information for parents. The newsletter is distributed through the post office to all members of the Langham community. We also post our current and past newsletters on our website, blogs.spiritsd.ca/les. Please read it carefully. If you have community announcements you would like included in the newsletter, please contact the administrative assistant at one of the schools at least a week in advance of publication. Newsletters are often published the first Friday of the month. If you would like to purchase advertising space in the newsletter please contact the administrative assistant at Walter W. Brown School (306-283-4434).

September 1, 2015

Dear Parent and/or Guardian:

Re: Community Threat Assessment and Support Protocol (CTASP)

Prairie Spirit School Division is committed to providing safe and caring learning environments in each of our schools. As part of this commitment, Prairie Spirit works with other local school divisions and a variety of community organizations to put best safety and prevention procedures into place. This collaborative work, called the Community Threat Assessment and Support Protocol (CTASP), involves the entire community to support our safe schools and neighbourhoods.

As part of the protocol, we are committed to following established safety procedures in our schools. Our principals are required to complete a threat assessment to determine the immediacy and the level of risk whenever a student makes a significant threat to harm themselves or others. The purpose of the assessment is to determine how best to support high-risk students so that their behavior does not become hurtful or destructive.

The protocol facilitates sharing of information between community organizations (for example, the Ministries of Social Services, Education and Justice, as well as local police services and other organizations) when a student may pose a risk of violence towards themselves or others.

All of our principals and vice-principals, as well as many other school leaders, have benefited from training in this area called Violence Threat Risk Assessment. Because of our shared understanding and commitment to safety, we are well equipped to intervene and respond to a student in crisis.

We will continue to work with you and with our community partners to provide safe and caring schools for our students. If you have further questions about this protocol and our procedures, please contact your principal. For more information about our strategy for safe and caring schools, please go to our website: www.spiritsd.ca/safeschools.

Sincerely,

John Kuzbik

Awards

The Ervin Wiebe Award is given to a Grade 5 student who contributes positively throughout his/her school life in the following areas:

Academic works to the best of his/her ability; is always prepared (ie. homework completed, materials prepared for class) completes quality work during classroom time has a positive attitude toward academic workSportsmanship participates to the best of his/her ability encourages other students to do their best plays well with students during free timeCitizenship is respected by peers shows leadership in all areas is willing to help staff and students makes meaningful contributions to class discussions participates in classroom and school activities with enthusiasm.

The Ervin Wiebe Award recipient will also assume the responsibility to decide, in cooperation with Langham Elementary School staff, how to allocate a specified amount of money set aside each year towards bettering the Langham Elementary School community.

The Albert Emel Athletic Award is presented to two Grade Five students who display a keen interest in athletics, demonstrate good sportsmanship and strive to be the best that they can be.

School Community Council:

The goal of the Langham Elementary SCC is to promote the learning success and well being of our students in a safe and caring environment through parent and community engagement.

Langham Elementary School Community Council’s Guiding Principles:o The School Community Council must be an integral, purposeful and valued component of school division

governance. o The School Community Council must be inclusive of the community and representative of the students in the school. o The School Community Council roles are clear and well understood. o The School Community Council aligns its work with provincial, division and school goals and initiatives. The School

Community Council is accountable, transparent and responsive in its relationship with parents and the school community.

o The School Community Council understands and recognizes the professional roles and responsibilities of the principal and the school staff.

o The School Community Council recognizes the importance of collaborative work with the School Community Council of Walter W. Brown High School.

o Any matter concerning an individual student or staff member must be directed to the teacher or the principal. It is not the responsibility of the School Community Council to deal with concerns or complaints about individuals other than to direct the concern to the appropriate individual.

The purpose of the Council is to serve in an advisory capacity. It collaboratively helps develop and actively supports the delivery of the School’s Learning Improvement Plan. In support of the school and its Learning Improvement Plan, the Council may initiate and/or take part in projects and fundraising activities which benefit students, parents and/or the community. The Council will advise the school and the division board on those issues identified in the legislation, such as school fees, fundraising, grade discontinuance, religious instruction, and language of instruction.

School Volunteer Program

Prairie Spirit School Division Policy requires volunteers who are not parents/guardians, to submit a current criminal record check to the school office. Parents or non-parents who are solely responsible for the supervision of students (ie. volunteer drivers) will also be asked to submit a current criminal record check to the school office. Once a current criminal record check has been completed, it remains on file at the school from year to year.

Parental Concerns – A Protocol to FollowIf students or parents have concerns or questions about an issue at school, please follow this communication process:

The class teacher is to be the first person to hear and address any concerns from a student or parent. If the issue cannot be resolved with the teacher, the Principal is to be contacted. If the matter remains unresolved, the parent may request a meeting with our superintendent, Tracey Young

(306-683-2903) If further discussion is required, the parent may ask to meet with John Kuzbik, the Director of Education. Finally, the parent may request the issue to be heard by the Board of Education.

Classroom PlacementsPlease approach the administration with class placement concerns before the middle of May. Although we are not always able to accommodate requests, having the chance to explain placements is beneficial to all parties.