Parents/guardians are welcome to visit our school or our staff. We ask however that you do not drop by your child’s classroom to discuss their progress during the school day as this interferes with the smooth running of the classroom and is very distracting for all students. The office will relay any urgent messages for you or will inform your child if you need to see them.

A newsletter will be sent home at the beginning of each month informing you of school events.

Separate notices will be sent home for special activities. Each teacher will require a signed permission slip for activities outside the regular school program.

Parents are asked to participate in specific projects such as family life education, school fund raising and our Home and School Association.

Parents will be invited at scheduled times to meet their child's teacher as part of our regular parent-teacher interviews. Notices will be sent to you suggesting an appointment time. Please confirm the appointment by signing and returning the notices.

Parents initiating conferences should do so by appointment. Staff members are involved in a variety of curriculum meetings and university course work and are not readily available for unscheduled meetings.

To make an appointment call Sharon Cronin, Administrative Assistant at 368-6985.

If you are picking up your child, please wait in the front lobby to alleviate congestion and confusion in the hallways. It is very distracting for your child and other students to have people waiting in the hallway while they are engaged in classroom activities. If you are picking up your child for an appointment, and they are not ready, please go the office, and we will page them to join you.

If you are dropping off forgotten items, such as lunch or homework, please leave these in the office, so as not to disturb classes.

Six-Day Cycle
St. Jean Elementary operates on a six day cycle. This means that each day has a number from 1 - 6. The cycle begins on the first full day of school in September and continues through the year. Any holiday, teacher workshop day, or day cancelled due to a storm are not counted. Only days the students are in school are included in the cycle.

Children are expected to attend school on all designated school days during the year except if they are ill. Parents must inform the school if their child is absent for any reason. Please call the school at 368-6985 before 9:00 a.m. if your child will be absent or late.

The following applies to all activities taking place on school days. "Everyday is a regular school day regardless of field trips, festivals, etc. Pupils are expected to be at school unless parents are notified to the contrary

Notes are requested from parents asking for permission for a child to stay indoors at noon or recess because of illness.

One Hour Delay
In cases where a decision cannot be made by 7:00 am, a one hour delay will be announced. This means that all schools and busses will operate one hour later than the usual time. A further announcement regarding delays will take place before 8:00 am.
When school is delayed one hour there is no supervision before 9:20 am and children should not be dropped off or sent to the school before that time.

*All Grade 4 students are offered a vision check, as this is an age when changes in vision may occur.

Communicable Disease
- There may be a individual, or classroom inspection for control of communicable disease, such as scabies, head lice, etc.,
Health Teaching
-May be conducted individually, or in classroom setting.
Immunization
- We are currently continuing Hepatitis B immunization for all Grade 3 students who have not been immunized for Hepatitis B. Specific consent forms will be sent to parents. The nurse must have the signed consent returned before this will be given.
Family Life Education
-May assist Grade 6 teachers in carrying out family life program, outlined by the Department of Education.
- Follow up of children with specific health conditions, such as diabetes, reactions, (i.e. Anaphylaxis, etc.,)
-Parents are encouraged to contact the school health nurse if they have any concerns about their child. Ms. Taylor may be contacted either through the school, or at the Public Health Nursing office at 368-4530.

The main features of the policy that call for the support and understanding of families are as follows:
-Snacks and lunches will be eaten at breaks after recess and at noon. All food will be consumed inside the building.
-Lunches should not include food with little or no nutritional value such as candy, marshmallows, gum, chips, cheesies, pop, and dry noodles.
-Nutritional recess snacks and lunches are encouraged
-Gum is not permitted in school.

The Board recognizes that student learning and staff productivity are improved by a positive learning environment. Behaviors that infringe upon the rights of students and/or staff will not be tolerated. In all cases of reported violation, immediate and ongoing attention and care will be given to meet the needs of the victims.

Discipline at St. Jean is fair and consistent. Children are expected to show respect for staff and fellow students. The supervising teacher has the responsibility of assuming the role of a judicious parent in situations where a child is misbehaving or when an injury takes place.

As stated in the PEI School Act (section 72) students have the following responsibilities:
-To observe the code of conduct and other rules and policies of the school board and of the school;
-To attend classes regularly and punctually and participate
-To be diligent in pursuing the student’s studies;
-To respect the rights of others

Countless personal interactions occur in Eastern District schools every day, and these interactions are the focus of this policy. The policy guides the way people in our school communities treat each other, and the expectations for behavior for all members of the school community are similar: that we will demonstrate regard, concern, and respect for each other in all our interactions – both inside and outside the classroom – and that we will respect the unique differences and worth of every individual.

Achieving and maintaining this positive climate is the responsibility of everyone involved in education in Eastern District schools -- students, parents, teachers, support staff, and trustees. There are high expectations for all members of school communities, and these expectations are met and exceeded daily on a regular basis. We continually strive to work hard to make sure that our schools are inclusive, supportive, and healthy for all.

The Caring Places to Learn policy covers such specific areas as verbal abuse, violence, bullying, discrimination, sexual abuse, threats, trespassing, and weapons. Within these areas, the policy dictates what steps should be taken when allegations of violations of this policy are made. These allegations may involve student to student incidents, student to staff incidents, staff to student incidents, and staff to staff incidents.

Parents in particular are encouraged to inform us immediately about situations which would negatively affect the school's healthy and supportive environment. Sometimes parents are reluctant to contact the school when students may be having a difficult time with a situation, and the situation worsens. We can't guarantee that we can "fix" every situation, but if the school knows about problems early, we can often take steps to prevent the problem from becoming worse.

Parents are encouraged to become involved with their school to help maintain its safe and caring atmosphere. It's a responsibility of the entire school community.

l. The Driver is in full charge of the bus and pupils. His instructions are to be obeyed.
2. Do not talk to the Driver; conversation in normal tones is permitted between pupils
3. Keep any seat that may be assigned to you by the driver. Do not stand or move about while the bus is in motion.
4. Do not extend hands, arms or head out of the bus window or throw articles from the bus.
5. Assist in keeping the bus safe and sanitary. Damage to seats, etc. must be paid for by the offender.
6. Learn how to get off the bus quickly and safely in case of emergency.
7. After leaving the bus, cross the road at a point at least ten feet in front of the bus.
8. Walk well over to the left side of the road when coming to meet the bus.
9. Never stand or play in the roadway when coming to meet the bus or when returning home.
10. The bus cannot wait for late students. Please be on time.
11. Use of tobacco in any form is not permitted on the school bus while pupils are being transported.
12. The aisle of the bus must be unobstructed at all times.
13. No student shall cause a disturbance or interfere with any other student while entering, leaving or traveling on the school bus.
14. Violations of any of the above regulations will be reported to the school principal by the bus driver.
15. If your child needs to travel or get off the bus at a different stop, a note or phone call must be received at the office.

Concerns re: student behavior and conduct are handled by the Principal or Vice Principal. If a student loses his/her riding privileges, it is the responsibility of the parent to arrange for transportation of the student to and from school.
Our buses are normally full. Students are assigned seats and changes are made by the bus driver. There is little room to accommodate extra students for special events such as birthday parties, sleepovers, etc. Students are expected to go home from school and make transportation arrangements from there.

Any questions concerning coverage should be directed to Aon Red Stenhouse Inc.: 1-800-448-2539.