Parents' Corner
- General School Information
- Student Learning
- Commit to Character
- Code of Conduct
- Child Safety
- Parent Involvement
- Technology Use Guidelines
- Health & Wellness
- Protocols & Procedures
- Student Personal Information
- Safe & Healthy Schools
- Kindergarten
- Parent Resources
- Commit to Character
- School Councils
- Parent Involvement Committee
- Attendance Counsellors
- Secondary School Course Selection
- Parent eBulletin
- Circle of Learning Conference
Health & Wellness
The information in this section is reprinted from the student agenda that is distributed to all elementary students in the Simcoe County District School Board.
At all times the safety and well being of your child is our main priority. Students sometimes become ill at school or are involved in an accident. Depending on the nature of the injury, parents will be called. Emergency contact numbers will be used in the event parents cannot be contacted.
Nutrition & Physical Activity
Childhood is the best time to develop life-long healthy habits such as eating well and staying active!
• Start your children’s day with a balanced breakfast, including foods from at least 3
of the 4 food groups from Canada's Food Guide.
• Provide your children with healthy meals and snacks throughout the day.
• Be a good role model and eat healthy meals and snacks yourself.
Eating well and staying active are a winning combination for you and your children - your children will be more alert, ready for learning and more likely to stay healthy.
Making physical activity a part of the day is fun and healthy and will encourage life-long activity patterns. For children (5-11 years old) and youth (12-17 years old) the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology recommends:
• 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity daily.
• No more than 2 hours per day of screen time (watching television, playing video
games or playing on the computer).
• Limiting sedentary (motorized) transport, extended sitting and time spent indoors
throughout the day.
The best way to teach children to be active is to set a good example and be active yourself. Keep things simple – try bike riding, playground activities, running or swimming. Walking to school with a group of kids instead of driving is an easy way to increase physical activity and decrease sedentary behaviour at the same time.
Information: Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. Call Your Health Connection at (705) 721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 or visit www.simcoemuskokahealth.org.
Promoting Healthy Eating Choices in our School Communities
The school years are critical growth years for students. Having healthy foods available for students can be the boost they need to keep their attention focused and their minds alert. We know that good food is good for health and good health is the foundation for growth and development, learning and ongoing success.
To support students in making healthy food choices while at school, the Ministry of Education has introduced a new food and beverage policy requiring healthier choices be sold in all schools. The policy commences in September 2011 and applies to any food and drinks sold in schools. Three basic categories spell out what and how much food can be sold:
Sell Most - At least 80 per cent of the food and drink sold must be high in healthy
nutrients and low in fat, sugar or sodium (salt).
Sell Less - Moderately healthy food and drink can make up no more than 20 per cent
of what is sold.
Not permitted - Anything with few nutrients, tending to be high in fat, sugar or sodium
is simply off limits and can’t be sold.
This policy offers schools, families and communities an outline for everyday healthy eating that can prevent serious chronic diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Teachers, school staff, parent/school council members, school board administration, and foodservice operators are being trained to assess school food and beverage choices and to select healthier options to sell to students.
The policy does not apply to the foods students bring from home or buy while off the school property. Food that is sold at the school for non-school related events and food sold in staff rooms are also exempt. Schools will also have exemptions for up to 10 “special event” days when they can offer a wider variety of foods.
This new policy complements the Ministry of Education’s Foundations for a Healthy School, a framework to assist schools with addressing health issues such as nutrition, physical activity, injury prevention, etc. to build a healthier school environment. The framework recommends that health issues be addressed by students, parents, teachers, and administrators working together with the community to inform and support healthy choices with the assistance of the Ministry.
Web resources:
Policy and nutrition standards - http://healthy.apandrose.com
Healthy lunch and snack ideas - www.healthcanada.gc.ca/foodguide
Bake It Up! - www.eatrightontario.ca/en/Resources.aspx
Student Accident Insurance (Updated Sept. 2011)
All students must have one of the following before being permitted to participate in extra-curricular athletics:
• Student accident insurance purchased through Reliable Life Insurance Company.
The cost of the minimum plan, 'Bronze' is $12.00 for 365 days of coverage; or,
• Parental/guardian confirmation of coverage through an extended health and dental
plan. ; or,
• Parent/Guardian signature waiving participation in the insurance plan, with
knowledge of the risk involved.
All students participating in a field trip outside the province or country must purchase student accident insurance or be covered by an extended health and dental plan. The cost of the insurance and travel plan, 'Platinum' through Reliable Life Insurance Company is $26.50 for 365 days of coverage. Reliable Life Insurance Company contact information: 1-800-436-5437 or www.insuremykids.com.
No Exclusion Due to Inability to Pay
No eligible student will be excluded from a field trip due to extenuating financial services. In such cases, the principal shall arrange financial assistance or alternative financial arrangements.
Medication in School
Requests for school personnel to administer medication to students must be made through the principal. A special form is needed and is available at the school office. You must take the form to your doctor for authorization of the medication and the dosage to be administered. You are required to sign the form and bring it to the principal to discuss the procedure. Administration of short-term medications such as cold remedies, antibiotics, and pain relievers is also governed by this procedure. All medication will be kept locked in the office. Medication must be in its original labeled container. Please notify the office of any changes in the dosage, which your doctor has authorized.
Hand Hygiene
• The single most important thing anyone can do to control
infections is to keep their hands clean!
• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 15 seconds.
• To wash hands properly, rub all parts of the hands and wrists
with soap and water including in between fingers and under
the finger nails.
• Use alcohol-based hand rubs when access to running water
is limited.
Prevention of Illnesses at School
• Cough or sneeze into your arm or disposable tissue.
• Wash hands before eating, after using the washroom and after coughing or
sneezing.
• Keep children at home when they are sick.
• Stay up-to-date with children’s immunizations.
Notify the school when your child is absent due to a communicable disease. Some of these illnesses must be reported to the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. Fact sheets and brochures are available at www.simcoemuskokahealth.org .
Food Allergies
To ensure a safe environment for all students, do not send peanut/nut products in lunches and/or snacks. Read ingredients and check with supervising teachers before sending edible treats for any special occasions. Many schools implement “Reduce the Risk” programs to support students with potentially life threatening food allergies. Your co-operation is essential.
Kids are Unpredictable- Injuries Don’t Have to Be
Traffic Injuries are one of the most common causes of hospitalization and death in children under 14 years of age.
What Can We Do?
• Learn how injuries occur - Children under 9 have not developed the
ability to make safe decisions about how fast traffic is moving and
whether vehicles will stop.
• Create safer places for children - Find a safe place for children to play away from
the road. Place nets away from the road – it’s hard to concentrate on the game
and the road.
• Watch children closely - Know where your children are at all times and that they are
being supervised
• Create and follow family safety rules - Remove headphones when playing near the
road. Pay attention to surroundings. Save texting for when you are not driving or
walking. Walk in pairs or groups to and from school, you’re more visible to traffic.
Information: Safe Kids Canada 1-888-723-3847 or www.safekidscanada.ca
Playground Safety Tips (Drawstrings)
Each year, children get hurt when clothing or drawstrings get caught on playground equipment or fences. Loose clothing, hoods, scarves, drawstrings, mitten cords, ropes, skipping ropes and bicycle helmets are all strangulation hazards. Safety tips: remove cords and drawstrings on hoods, hats and jackets; tuck in all loose clothing; wear a neck warmer instead of a scarf. Ensure that children do not tie ropes to slides and other playground equipment; teach children how to use playground equipment and play safely.
Information: Safe Kids Canada 1-888-723-3847 or www.safekidscanada.ca
Laser Pointers Not Permitted
Laser pointers are useful tools for educators and for students when supervised in the classroom. However, laser pointers have been used by students in ways not intended by the manufacturer. Serious concerns have surfaced about the hazards of laser pointers, particularly with respect to the potential damage they may cause to eyes. Students are not permitted to bring laser pointers on to school property.
Head Lice Management
Like everywhere else, there are head lice in Simcoe County. The SCDSB has a common procedure for all elementary schools to follow in the management of head lice. Head lice screening is done in every school on designated days by trained volunteers under the supervision of the principal. Students are checked, sent home for treatment if they have head lice and re-checked upon return. Parents of a student with head lice are required to complete a form to indicate that his/her child has been treated and is free of lice and nits (eggs) before the child is allowed to return to the classroom.
Checking your child’s head weekly on a regular basis or more often during an outbreak will prevent the spread of head lice. Learn to recognize head lice.
• Head lice are tiny insects that live on the scalp, where they lay their eggs.
• Lice have three stages: the egg (nits), the nymph and the adult.
• Nits are whitish-grey, tan or yellow ovals about the size of a grain of sand. They are
glued to the hair shaft and do not flick off like dandruff.
• The nymph are baby lice which are transparent.
• The adult lice are the size of a sesame seed, dark brown in colour, flat, and have
wingless bodies.(www.cps.ca)
Please notify the school when you identify that your child has head lice. We will provide parents with an information sheet to help with the management of head lice. For more information about identification, treatment and prevention, contact your family doctor, local pharmacist, or Your Health Connection (Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit) at 705 -721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 or www.simcoemuskokahealth.org.
Further information: Your school principal.
Drinking Water Guidelines in Schools
To ensure safe drinking water within SCDSB schools and facilities, please review these Health and Safety guidelines and practices:
Common Use Drinking Water Sources
• Untreated and/or untested water for common use shall not be
distributed or available in board facilities.
• Bottled water or water coolers should be in sealed containers
and must not be reused.
• These containers of water should be stored in a cool (preferably refrigerated), clean
environment, away from heat and sunlight.
• This water should only be kept in quantities for one to two weeks.
• Water coolers are to be cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis (preferably
weekly).
• Single-use, cone-style cups from a dispenser shall be used for water from water
coolers.
Personal Use Drinking Water Sources (Individuals should not share bottles, cups or containers)
• Staff, students or visitors who provide their own sources of drinking water for their
own personal consumption are responsible for ensuring this water is acceptable
for their own consumption.
• It is important for individuals to clean their personal water containers on a daily
basis or to use single-use recyclable/disposable containers.
Immunization
• Vaccines are a safe and effective way to prevent many life threatening diseases.
• It is important to get all vaccines in the recommended schedule to provide the best
possible protection.
• When registering your child for school, parents are required to provide the Health
Unit with proof of completed immunization against tetanus, diphtheria, polio,
measles, mumps and rubella; or with the appropriate documentation if they
choose not to have their child immunized.
• It is important to contact the health unit each time your child receives
immunization(s) from your health care provider so their record at the Health Unit
can be updated.
• Students who do not have up to date immunization or a valid exemption on file at
the Health Unit may be suspended from school.
• Use the secure on-line form (www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/immsonline) to
update your child’s record or call the Health Unit at 705-721-7520 or
1-877-721-7520.
Get a healthy start with free dental care
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit has two no-cost dental programs for eligible children 17 and under – the Children in Need of Treatment (CINOT) program and the Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) program.
CINOT treats the urgent dental needs of children and youth whose families cannot pay for a dentist.
HSO offers a full range of dental services, including checkups, cleaning, fillings and more, through:
• a full-service clinic at the health unit’s Barrie office
• a participating dentist or dental hygienist, or
• the health unit’s mobile dental clinic that travels to communities in Simcoe
Muskoka.
To find out more about the programs, eligibility requirements and how to make an appointment, call the health unit Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 or visit www.simcoemuskokahealth.org.
Rabies
To protect yourself and your family from rabies:
• Avoid contact with and feeding of unfamiliar domestic animals and all wild animals.
• Do not allow pets to run loose outdoors.
• Keep your pet’s rabies vaccination up-to-date.
If you or a family member is bitten by any animal, immediately wash the wound well with soap and water, and then contact your physician. The Health Unit needs to be notified so that the incident can be investigated and assessed for rabies risk.
Visit www.simcoemuskokahealth.org to get more information on rabies.
Sun Awareness
Sun protection is important for children. It only takes one bad sunburn in childhood to increase the risk of developing skin cancer later in life. Here are some sun safety tips:
• Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. Apply the sunscreen 20
to 30 minutes before sun exposure. Always follow label instructions.
• Apply sunscreen to all exposed areas of skin including the nose, ears, back of
neck, tops of feet etc. Reapply every 2 to 3 hours and after perspiring.
• Use a sunscreen even on cloudy, hazy or foggy days.
• If possible, avoid being in the sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Harmful sun rays
are most intense at this time.
• When outside look for shade, stay under a tree, or use an umbrella.
• During outdoor activities, wear loose, long sleeved shirts and pants, a large-
brimmed hat and sunglasses.
• Remember to apply SPF 15 lip balm.
• Please note: Indoor tanning is no safer than tanning in the sun.
For more information you can call Your Health Connection at 721-7520 or 1-877-721-5720 and speak with a public health nurse.