Locked Door Policy
RVCA continues to strive for safety of students and staff and place this as one of our top priorities. Doors will be locked from 8:30 am – 2:30 pm daily with a “door bell” system set up to allow parents/visitors to enter the building. When you arrive at the front door you will be able to alert staff of your arrival. As we adapt to safety measures in place at area schools, we ask for your continued support and thank you for entrusting your children’s education and well-being to our care. We wish to assure you, our families are always welcomed to visit the school anytime.
Cold Weather Recess
Students need to come to school dressed appropriately to play outside during recesses. They should be dressed for cold weather (hats, scarves, mitts, boots, etc.). It is advisable for students to bring extra pants and socks in order to change if they are in the habit of getting wet.
The school administration keeps a close eye on weather conditions, including wind chill. When conditions become intolerable, students will remain inside for recesses. We would ask that parents send their children dressed for outdoor play and trust the judgment of RVCA. All students who come to school will be expected to be well enough to go outdoors for all recesses. Students will not be permitted to remain indoors during recesses unless for medical reasons.
Hot Sunny Weather Recess
During hot sunny weather, students should protect themselves by wearing a hat and suitable clothing that covers their skin, putting on sunglasses (that provide UV protection) to protect their eyes and applying sunscreen before exposure to the sun. RVCA recommends that sunscreen have a SPF of 15 or more to block UVA.
Transportation and Parking Policy
It is the responsibility of the parent to arrange transportation for their child to and from school. Please contact the teacher by note or by phone, if there is a change in traveling arrangements that your child is unaware of.
Anyone picking up students at RVCA must adhere to the parking areas, which are located on the side and front
of the outside parameters of the parking lot. Please back into your parking space to ensure visibility of children
when exiting RVCA.
Field Trips
Field trips are planned each year with a view to expanding students’ knowledge and adding understanding to their studies. Field trips may range from a short walk within the community to a full day. They are always carefully planned to be a valid learning experience and an integral part of the classroom program. We normally ask parents to cover the costs of these opportunities. No child should be excluded for a school field trip because of parent’s inability to pay. Should there be an issue regarding this, you are asked to contact RVCA. You will always be informed when a field trip is taking place and permission/consent forms for your child to participate will always be sought. We will often request that parents join the class as chaperone/supervisors. Verbal permission for a student to participate in a field trip is discouraged. While on outings away from the school, students represent RVCA. As such, the school’s Code of Behavior remains in effect and students are expected to demonstrate responsible behavior. As well, ongoing behavioral concerns during the school year may result in the withdrawing of school-organized trips.
Tardiness
A student who is not in the classroom by 8:30 am is considered tardy. Three (3) tardy days equals one (1) day absent for attendance records. Continued tardiness may result in a conference with parents.
Homework Policy
At RVCA we believe that homework is an essential part of your child’s education. Homework provides students with opportunities to review concepts and strengthen skills. In addition, homework encourages responsibility, self-discipline and the development of effective time management strategies that will be of benefit for the future. Help your child develop the “homework habit” early. Schedule a homework time each night and at some point over the weekend. Provide a quiet location where your child will be free of interruptions.
Homework should be an extension of what your child is doing in school. Any unfinished work should be completed at home on the day it is assigned. Where, in the older grades, a long-term assignment is given, help your child to manage his/her time appropriately. Work with your child to determine what needs to be done, how much time will be needed for each component of the long term assignment, and how s/he should best chunk the time to ensure cramming at the last minute will be unnecessary. Homework that is incomplete, upon discretion of the teacher, may require a “Homework Incomplete Detention Slip”. After four detentions within four weeks the following will result: 1, A letter sent home to inform the parents that if a detention is issued up to two more times within the next 2 week period, an in-school suspension will occur. 2. After next two detentions have been issued, in-school suspension will go into effect.
Homework enhances the partnership that parents have with the school in educating children. Parents are encouraged to become involved in their child’s reading or “tell” you about a book, discussing a television program you watch with your child, talking to your child about your work or even cooking together are not thought of as traditional homework activities. Yet these simple activities build bridges of understanding between parent and child and incidentally reinforce what children have learned at school.
Kindergarten students 5-10 minutes to practice phonics and numbers.
Grades 1 & 2 students – 20 – 30 minutes per day
- Nightly shared reading with a parent
- Word, spelling or math games
- Completion of class work as required
- Sharing or reading class work with a parent
Grades 3 & 4 students – 30 – 45 minutes per day
- A minimum of 15 minutes reading daily
- Completing word study activities
- Completion of class work as required
- Practicing math concepts or facts
- Independent study with emphasis on research skills
Grades 5 & 6 students – 45 – 60 minutes per day
- A minimum 20 minutes reading daily
- Completion of class work as required
- Short, daily review of assignments
- Regular review in preparation for tests
- Organizing notes and notebooks
- Research and preparation for long-term assignments and presentations
Grades 7 & 8 students – 75 – 90 minutes per day
- A minimum 30 minutes reading daily
- Completion of class work as required
- Regular assignments to extend or reinforce material covered in class
- Research and preparation for long-term assignments and presentations
- Regular review in preparation for tests
- Maintaining organized notes and notebooks
Completion of homework will be part of the school’s evaluation process and will be reflected in the student’s report card each term. It is our belief the amount of homework given will vary from one student to another just as the rate of learning varies. The time allotted for homework nightly is also dependent on the learning style of the individual child. The format of the homework assigned will depend upon your child’s grade level.
Lunch Expectations
Students eat in classrooms from 11:50 – 12:05. Supervision is provided. Parents are encouraged to send a nutritious lunch. Microwaves are available in each classroom for students to use to heat up lunches. Students are dismissed to the playground and remain outside until 12:30 pm. Teachers and staff supervise students during this time. All lunches must be prepared at home. No Easy Mac, Mr. Noodles, Cup-A-Soup, microwave dinners, etc. that needs preparation at school.
Parental Engagement
At RVCA, parents are our most important partners in educating children. In keeping with this philosophy, there are many ways for parents to become involved in RVCA and their child’s education.
We encourage parents to discuss their children’s day at school on a regular ongoing basis. We also recommend that every parent read their child’s agenda each evening so as to know what homework has been assigned, when assignments are due and if the teacher has requested anything from either you or your child.
We are always looking for volunteers at RVCA. If you are interested in helping out at the school inform your child’s teacher or feel free to call the office. We are delighted to receive help from our parents. RVCA has implemented that all volunteers working with children have the required Policy 701 training.
Physical Education
All students are required to participate in the Health and Physical Education program unless they have a medical note. At the beginning of each year the PE teacher will inform students of the required attire. Sneakers are necessary for fall and spring PE classes. During the winter months, programs involving winter sports such as skating, sliding etcetera plus indoor sports such as bowling. Parents may be asked to help transport students to these activities. Students will be required to attend all winter activities unless excused by a doctor due to a physical condition. Winter Physical Education marks on report cards will evaluate students’ sportsmanship, attitude and skill.
Playground Supervision
Students are instructed to remain within the school’s boundaries where the staff is supervising. The parking lot is always out of bounds to students.
Students Leaving School
If a student needs to leave the school prior to regular dismissal time, s/he must have a note or verbal notification by the parent/guardian with teacher /office. No student will be permitted to leave without permission of the parent/guardian.
Text Books
Textbooks and library resources are provided to students on a loan basis. It is the responsibility of the student, in conjunction with parents, to ensure these are returned in the same condition in which they were issued. Where loss or damage occurs, the student will be required to provide replacement costs.
General Information:
Pets on School Property
Some of our parents and small children are not as comfortable around pets as others might be. Larger animals sometimes intimidate smaller children. Being aware of those around us will prevent anyone from being unnecessarily frightened. Just a reminder that all dogs must be on a leash, be kept outside the school, and that consideration should be given to leaving your pets at home.
Telephone Use
Student use may be restricted to emergencies only. Classes should not be disrupted and parents are asked not to phone students during class time unless it is absolutely necessary.
Vacation
Before withdrawal for any vacation not on the school calendar, check with your child’s teacher to find out what effect a prolonged vacation may have on your child’s progress. Teachers cannot be expected to prepare special work in advance for individual students. You may ask the homeroom teacher to suggest educational activities. Children may be responsible for completing modified assignments upon their return to school. A prolonged absence of more than one week will require written or verbal notification to the principal.
Head Lice
Head lice or pediculosis are common in school-aged children and are not a communicable disease. All families must take responsibility for regular head checks and treating their children if head lice are found. Checking for lice takes patience, diligence and plenty of time. Always be sensitive to the child’s feelings. Head lice can infest anyone regardless of social class or level of personal cleanliness. When lice are identified at school, parents are contacted so treatment can commence. Children are allowed to re-enter the class only when all the nits have been removed from the hair. .
Medication
It is the responsibility of the parent of a child to administer medication. Treatment regimes should be adjusted to avoid administration of medication during school hours. When this is not possible, parents may request the assistance of school personnel. If your child requires medication during school hours, please leave it in the school office labeled with your child’s name and the correct dosage. Parents must inform the school if their child is bringing medication to school (asthma puffer, Epi pen, Tylenol, etc.) Students are not permitted to carry medication with them unless the office is made aware of an ongoing emergency medical condition.
Middle School Students Information Technology Acceptable Use Agreement
Information technology is an integral part of our literacy priority. It is a shared and valuable instructional resource and is made available in our schools for educational purposes. The agreement is designed to ensure a safe and supportive school environment and network integrity. All students and their parents are required to acknowledge in writing that they have read, understand and will support the requirements/conditions/rules concerning the use of school/Board technology.
Students are accountable for:
- Respecting others’ privacy and personal information when using school/Board technology;
- Keeping personal information private (e.g. not publishing photos, names, addresses, or phone numbers) on the Internet;
- Responsibly using computer resources, Internet, and electronic communication tools for specific projects, research methods, or other educational purposes outlined by a supervising teacher or other designated staff member;
- Treating school board technology with respect;
- Reporting known technical, safety, or security problems to a supervising staff member; and
- Respecting information obtained on the Internet by incorporating all references in a bibliography, footnote, or other form of citation.
The term “school/Board technology” as used in this section refers to, but is not limited to, computer networks, computers/laptops, peripheral devices, digital media, and storage devices (flash drives, CD’s, and mass storage devices).
Staff may access student work and communications for assessment purposes, to maintain system integrity, and to ensure that students are using the system responsibly and safely. As a result, students should not expect that stored files or messages are private.
Students and parents must be aware of requirements for the safe and wise use of the information technology resources in our schools. Actions that are not in accordance with the Board’s Safe Schools Policy and the school’s Code of Conduct may range from withdrawal of privileges to suspension from school.
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