École Arbour Vista Public School

Hello Arbour Vista Families,

Mme Languedoc and I would like to welcome you back to another exciting school year! We hope you had a wonderful summer filled with relaxation and fun. As we dive into this new school year, we’re eager to support each student’s growth and learning. 

Together, let’s create a vibrant and engaging learning environment where everyone can reach their full potential. Here’s to a fantastic start and a year full of exploration and success!

School Communication

Please take a moment to read through the information in this letter.  A lot of information is posted here all at once to start up for school.  In the future, please look at the school website weekly, where information will be updated as it becomes available. The school calendar is updated regularly, and events will be posted as needed.  

If you prefer to access the school information that is posted directly to the website in another language, please note that this is possible by clicking on the arrow on the top right next to where it says English and select the language of your choice.

Faith Days During September

Acknowledging and celebrating days of faith is an important aspect of many religious traditions and cultures. Different faiths have their own holy days, festivals, and observances that hold significance for their followers. During the month of September, please see the days that will be acknowledged and celebrated by some members of our school community. Please note that there is diversity within faith communities and that no one list can represent all faith traditions or observances.

*Please note that we acknowledge Labour Day, International Literacy Day, International FASD Awareness Day, Powley Day, Terry Fox National School Run Day, Franco-Ontarian Day,  Rowan’s Law Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day and other significant dates during the Month of September. These are not included on the chart above, as they are not days of faith/religious holidays.

Bell Times

Yard Duty Times: The following are the times when our playground is supervised by school staff.

Please Note: there is no yard supervision until 8:05 

8:05 a.m. - 8:20 a.m. 

10:00 a.m. - 10:40 a.m. 

12:20 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. 

2:40 p.m. - 2:55 p.m.

School Routines and Protocols Lates 

Research shows a negative correlation between academic achievement, chronic tardiness, and attendance. While we understand that there are appointments and other commitments, we respectfully ask that appointments be made outside of school hours and that students arrive on time. Should your child be struggling to attend school please notify us as soon as possible so that we can work together and plan how we can help them with the transition.

Arrival Procedures: We are asking that parents/ guardians remain in their vehicle while dropping child(ren) off in our Kiss’n Ride lane. Getting out of the car in the Kiss’n Ride lane is not permitted as it clogs traffic onto the street and creates an unsafe situation. Students should exit their car from the right side of the vehicle and immediately make their way to the schoolyard. Students who arrive after the bell must enter through the front door and check in at the office. 

Dropping Off Medication: Student medication can be brought to the front office. Please note that a permission form must be filled out and signed before the school can administer any medications. Please let us know if you would like a form, and we will send it to you with your child. 

Peanuts and Nuts: Please abstain from sending any foods containing nuts due to the many students with life-threatening allergies. We ask that you avoid sending allergen alternatives, products that mimic the taste, smell, and appearance of the allergen.

Students with Life-Threatening Medical Conditions UGDSB Policy 518: 

This policy outlines the roles and responsibilities of all in the educational community to support students with possible life-threatening medical conditions. The prevalent medical conditions covered under this policy are Asthma, Anaphylaxis, Diabetes and Epilepsy/ Seizure Disorders. If your child has one or any other life-threatening medical condition, please visit www.ugdsb.ca/ board/ policy (and look for Policy 518) or contact the school as soon as possible. We will work with you to develop a Plan of Care to support your child.

Life-Threatening Allergies 

Our school has children with potentially life-threatening allergies (anaphylaxis) to various foods and other materials. Anaphylaxis is a medical condition that can cause death within minutes. In recent years, anaphylaxis has increased dramatically among students. Although this may not affect your child’s class directly, we are letting you know so that you are aware that we aim to create an allergy-safe environment at our school. If your child is in a classroom with an anaphylactic child or has anaphylaxis, you will be informed by the classroom teacher. Our school has procedures in place for the prevention and management of anaphylactic reactions. If your child has health concerns of any kind, please tell your child’s teacher or the office, and we will take the necessary health protection steps. Thank you for being so understanding in ensuring an allergy-safe environment for all our students.

Food Programs 

Food items are purchased through School Cash Online. Please stay tuned. More information to follow.

School Driveway For Buses 

Please do not use our bus lane at any time of the day. The bus lane is only for school buses and emergency vehicles. Police have been ticketing vehicles in our bus lane as it is a safety concern. Thank you for respecting this rule and helping us keep our kids safe.

Student Verification Forms 

Verification forms, for verification of student information, are generally sent home with the First Day Packages. This year the verification process has changed. There will be more information to come.

Notifying the School of a Student Absence

Schools operate a Safe Arrival Program in conjunction with daily attendance. The parents’/guardians’ responsibility is to notify the school in writing or by telephone when a child will be late or absent. Parents are expected to provide the names and current telephone numbers of emergency contacts to be notified in the case of an unexplained absence. In all cases where a child is absent from school, the school will initiate phone calls in this order unless parents make an alternate request: child’s home number, parent/guardian’s cell number, parent/ guardian’s work number, emergency contact, or police (as necessary). Please ensure the school has updated contact names, emails, and numbers if changes occur during the year.

Picking up Students from School To Ensure Student Safety  

If you are picking up your child early from school, please give yourself some extra time to allow for your child to be called to the office with their belongings packed. Students will be called down from class upon your arrival.

Volunteers

We acknowledge the value of volunteers in schools and encourage parents to join our team of volunteers.  Volunteers are needed in order for school trips to proceed and are crucial to these excursions.  Any volunteer that comes into contact with a student will need a Vulnerable Sector Check or Offence Declaration.  New Volunteers must also complete a Volunteer Application and Agreement Form. You may request a hard copy of these forms from the office. 

Visiting the School

When visiting the school, enter through the front door, and please sign in at the Office. Only visitors with a Visitors Badge can leave the main foyer area. This process is to ensure the safety of all students.

Smoke and Vape-Free Environment

The Upper Grand DSB provides a smoke- and vape-free environment for its students, staff and others while on Board property, per the Smoke-Free Ontario Act and Board Policy 208. This policy refers to all forms of tobacco and any processed tobacco that may be smoked, inhaled or chewed, including e-cigarettes. Smudging is the tradition of using sacred smoke from sacred medicines (e.g., tobacco and sage) that forms part of the indigenous culture and spirituality. Smudging is allowed in schools under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act. Parents will be informed, using the school’s usual forms of communication, when smudging occurs in our school. Participation by staff and students optional in a smudging ceremony. 

Open House

Please join us on Thursday, September 26th between 5:30 and 7:00 PM to walk through the school, visit your child’s classroom, and meet your child’s teachers.   We hope to see you there!

School Council 

The School Council meets on the first Tuesday of most months. Everyone is welcome to attend the meetings, and once you come to one, there is no requirement to attend all the meetings for the year. Meetings will be held virtually and announced shortly; the dates will also be posted online. Please consider joining us and learning what the Council is all about!

Receiving Bus Notifications 

To receive email notifications of bus delays or cancellations, you must re-register, even if you were subscribed last year. Please go to https://stwdsts.ca/bus-subscription/ and click on “Subscribe.” Your registration from last year will not carry over to this year.

Report  Identity-Based Harm and/or Bullying

We take all incidents of bullying seriously.  If your child is the victim of bullying or sees bullying behavior at school, please encourage him/ her to speak with someone at school or use our board’s online reporting tool. Your message gets sent directly to the school principal for follow-up. You’ll find the Report Identity-Based Harm/Bullying button on our school’s website .

First Nation, Métis, Inuit Self-identification

Parents of all UGDSB schools are asked to voluntarily identify their child as being of First Nation, Métis, or Inuit ancestry or non-Indigenous ancestry. Individual data will not be shared and will be kept confidential.

The data collected through the self-identification process will be the foundation of our efforts to further support the success and well-being of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students in our board. 

The board’s actions are based on the government of Ontario’s First Nation Métis and Inuit Education Policy Framework. You can find out more about the province’s Indigenous education strategy at www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/aboriginal.

Download the Self Identification form (PDF)

Accessibility and Equity

There may be times throughout the year when we will ask parents to send in money to cover the cost of field trips, pizza, special events etc.  We understand that for some families, these funds may cause financial hardship.  We never want a child to miss out due to financial hardship.  If you are ever in this situation, please get in touch with Ms. Hare, and she will arrange to have the school cover the cost.

Dress for the Weather

September weather can be unpredictable. We plan to go outside for every recess break and some physical education classes unless there is heavy rain or the threat of a severe storm. Children should have a sweater or light jacket in their backpacks to wear outside if necessary.

All children must have two sets of footwear, one for indoor and one for outdoor use. The best choice is running shoes, which can double as gym shoes. For safety reasons, flip-flops and other shoes without backs are unsuitable for school.

PA Days 

Please note that this year we have the following full Professional Activity Days: 

September 3, October 25, November 29, January 24, April 4, June 6 and June 27  

School Photographs

This special day has been booked for October 23, 2024. Remind your child(ren) to wear their smile(s)!

Video Surveillance

Arbour Vista Public School is monitored by 24 hour video surveillance. Security cameras are in operation for the safety of the students, staff and the school community and for the protection of the Upper Grand District School Board property. For additional information please contact the Principal (519-766-4555) of the school or contact the F.O.I. Co-ordinator at the Upper Grand District School Board office at 519-822-4420.

Pets

If you bring your dog during drop off and pick up please walk them along the grassed area on the opposite side of the parking lot (rather than the sidewalk/tarmac).  There are students and adults who are not comfortable around pets. We appreciate your support with this.  These measures help us to ensure that our community members feel safe at school.

Health and Safety

The following link to the board website will provide up to date information on Health and Safety Information as well as support for illness prevention. Health and Safety Information

Student Insurance

Parents and guardians are responsible for expenses related to student injuries on school premises or during school activities. Accidents can and do happen and the costs involved might not be fully covered by Provincial health care or employer group insurance plans.

The Upper Grand District School board is empowered under The Education Act to offer Accident and Life Insurance for students.

See the Upper Grand District School Board Director’s letter to families posted on our website containing information with respect to two Programs available for the purchase of Student Accident Insurance.

The Insuremykids Program is offered through Old Republic Insurance Company of Canada and the Studyinsured Program is underwritten by Certain Lloyds’s Underwriters through AON Insurance.

Each program offers a variety of options, including family rates at affordable prices. The cost must be paid by the parent or guardian. Paper copies of the application are no longer available. Purchase is done directly on line or by contacting the Provider:

• www.insuremykids.com or call toll free 1-800-463-5437

• www.studyinsuredstudentaccident.com or call toll free 1-833-560-0527

For today’s active children, especially those who participate in field trips, co-curricular and other school activities outside the school day, Student Accident Insurance is valuable.

Terry Fox Run

This year Arbour Vista will be participating in the Terry Fox Run on Friday September 20, 2024.  We are super excited for this year’s event and we’re going to crush our fundraising goals just like Terry did! Donations are being accepted using SchoolCash Online and if you are interested and available to volunteer on the day of the event please contact Mme Beesley (mbeesley@ugcloud.ca). 

Verification Forms

It is important that we have up-date-contact information for your child.  Please complete, sign and return your verification forms to your child’s teacher as soon as possible.

Have a wonderful week!

S.Hare