Welcome to the 2026/2027 School Year

The first day of school is Tuesday September 8, 2026

Time Schedule

PCPS Important Information 

What to Bring to School

Please keep your child’s personal items to a minimum!  Students are asked to bring the following items clearly labeled with the student’s name:

• Knapsack or tote bag for personal belongings

• Change of clothes in a plastic bag 

• Personal water bottle

• Lunch/Snacks

• Seasonal outdoor wear 

• Indoor shoes 

Morning Drop Off:

• We encourage parents to walk or park in a parking spot.  There is no parking in our bus loop or in the Kiss and Ride area.  We have parking around the back of the school.

• Please drop your child(ren) off at the tarmac area and have them line up at their class line.  There will be staff available on the tarmac to help direct any students.  

• On-Duty teachers will be waiting at their class lines at 8:25am – 8:40 

• The school day begins at 8:40 am and ends at 3:00pm.

Front Doors

• Please note that this year all exterior doors will be locked throughout the school day. This includes the front door. When you are picking up your child please come to the front doors and a staff member will let you in.   Please proceed to the front office to sign in.   It will be helpful to call ahead prior to pick up so we can help facilitate a timely pickup.   

If your child takes the bus:

• Your child will be greeted by a staff member who will unload buses one at a time.  That staff member will ensure students know where they are meeting their teacher and will support by finding non-classroom staff who are available to help them if they become unsure of where to go.

• For more information, visit the STWDSTS website at https://stwdsts.ca. 

• It is important that bus families register on the transportation website to receive notification of late or canceled buses.

• Please ensure you have a backup plan on days where the bus may be later arriving at school at the end of the day.

• If you are opting out of taking the bus, please ensure your choice is updated with Transportation. 

• If you will be choosing to pick your child up early, and not have them go on the bus, please call the office prior to 2:30.  This will allow us time to have your child receive the message for an alternative pick up.

Class Meeting Locations - 

Attendance Procedure

If your student(s) will be late or absent, it is your responsibility to notify the school office. You can do that by calling the attendance line: 519-941-2461 extension 100 or emailing the office: Jennifer.Marnie@ugdsb.on.ca. You may also email your classroom teacher, but please also include the office in case your child's teacher is away or doesn’t get the message in time. 

On the occasion of a no bus day and your child is not a bussed student, if you choose to keep your child at home you must still call/email in the absence. If your child does ride a bus and you choose to bring them into school, you will need to make arrangements for the end of the day pick up. 

Late Arrival

Students who arrive late will come through the front door and check in at the office. If there is any communication that needs to come to the office, please call the school at 519 941-2461 ext 100 Parents/guardians please remind your child to check into the office before going to the classroom. 

Dogs & Other Animals on School Property:

When dropping off and picking up kids, please remember that dogs and other animals must be leashed and not come on school property.   This is the expectation for all dogs (no matter the size or age). (SERVICE DOGS PERMITTED) Some students have allergies, a fear, and there is the potential that someone could be scratched or bitten.

Service Dog

We do have a service dog that works at PCPS.  “Major” is a Black Labrador who has been fully trained as a service animal and will be joined by trained staff members who will assist in supporting this accommodation.  We’ll also be working with students to help them understand how to respectfully share space with a service dog who is working.

PCPS Expectations

Lunch Expectations:

• All students are to remain in their classes during eating time.

• If grade ⅞ students have permission to leave, they may leave at the beginning of break, and come back at the bell.

• All students leaving during lunch, must sign out with their teacher in the Sign Out binder

• All students are expected to follow the Code of Conduct

Washroom Expectations:

• All students are to sign out, or be signed out by their teacher

• Students are to use the washrooms in the intermediate hallway, and respect the privacy of others if the doors are shut/locked.

• Junior Washrooms are to be used by students who have classes in the junior hallway (grade 4 & 5)

• Students still have access to the for use by all washroom in the front foyer

Cell Phones

Students in Grade 5 & 6

No cell phones used during the instructional day (8:40-3:00).

• We highly encourage students to leave cell phones/devices at home.

• If there is an individual need to have a cell phone at school, please make a plan with your child’s teacher.   

Students in Grade 7 & 8

If your child/children bring a cell phone to school, please take a few minutes to review the cell phone policy with them: 

• Phones should be turned off and stored securely at the beginning of the day, this includes earbuds. 

• Phones are not to be taken outside to the school yard for nutrition breaks and are not used during snack or lunch (no technology use at snack or lunch, unless supervised by a teacher (not a duty teacher)

• The school is not responsible for lost or stolen cell phones/technology.

• Cell phones are not to be used or visible in school washrooms.

• It is recognized that individual exceptions to this policy will need to be developed with parents and guardians in some unique circumstances to best support student success and well-being. (E.g. plan will be part of a student support plan)

Consequences for inappropriate cell phone use may include: 

• First Time - student is given a verbal reminder of the policy

• Second Time - cell phone is kept by an educator in classroom or in the office for the remainder of the day 

• Third Time - parents are contacted by administration and a plan is developed collaboratively for moving forward

• Continuous breach of this rule may result in additional consequences up to and including a suspension from school

Recess/Nutrition Break Information

We will continue with staggered recess breaks and lunch times.   Kindergarten to Grade 3 students will eat first, then go outside for a nutrition break.   Students in Grades 4-8 will go outside first, then come in to eat.

Recess Playground/Soccer Field and Outdoor Time

We encourage physical activity and creative play during recess time.  This includes soccer and football.   Students will play with the following guidelines:

• No Rough Play

• No Swearing

• Respect the general rule of fair play and model inclusivity and general sportsmanship

Please review with your child that playing in the bushes, climbing trees and playing in the catwalk are not allowed.

Students follow a schedule when using the outdoor play structure.  Each grade has a specific day and the schedule will be posted on a school window in the back yard.

Life-Threatening Allergies: 

We have children in our school with potential life-threatening allergies (called anaphylaxis) to various foods and other materials.  Anaphylaxis is a medical condition that can cause death within minutes. Food allergies include: peanuts and tree nuts.  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. Please do not send peanut or tree nut items to school in your child’s lunch as this will often create confusion and worry. Our school has procedures in place for the prevention and management of anaphylactic reactions. 

UGDSB Policy 518: Students with Life-Threatening Medical Conditions, outlines the roles and responsibilities for 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 of these, or any other life-threatening medical condition, please visit: 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.

Lunch Procedures

• Wash hands before and after eating.

• No sharing food.

• Use water bottles and filling stations.  

• Students eat at their individual station in their classrooms.

• Grade 7/8 students may choose to leave school, they are to enter and exit the front door and sign in and out. Permission from parents is necessary prior to accessing this opportunity.  It is the expectation that students follow the PCPS Code of Conduct during these times.

End of Day Procedures

• Students will be dismissed in a similarly organized manner to how they enter the building and classroom with teacher support to reinforce expectations as we build routines. 

• Grade 1-3 students will line up at their assigned class line up location at the bell.  This would be a good meeting spot for a parent/guardian or sibling to pick up.  

• Protocol for bus students:  

  • Students will be directed to the bus lines in the gym with their bus group. If students are outside with their class they will re-enter through their assigned entry door and go to their assigned bus area in the foyer. 

• No unstructured play in the school yard after school

• Students must leave school at the bell 

• YMCA BASP Students meet at designated classrooms

• Parents are to wait outside at designated areas.  If you need to pick your child up early, please call the school prior to 2:30.   This will ensure we have enough time to have your student ready at the office for signout. Parents are asked to wait outside as we will be keeping the front foyer clear.

Communication with the School

Communication between school and home will continue to be very important.  We will use the school website, email, phone call and/or SMS as a means to share important school and board information.  As items come up, they will be posted in our News and Announcements section of the school website.  Our website and the school board is an important link to have in your favourites.  

Please check it often at https://www.ugdsb.ca/o/pcps  and https://www.ugdsb.ca/.  

Message from the UGDSB: We are excited to share that the Family Portal version 2 is set to launch on August 25, 2026. Parents/caregivers can log in with the same username and password at https://family.ugdsb.on.ca/ (they may need to refresh the webpage).

The updated portal features child-specific information organized into cards on one page, including:

1. Absences

2. Google Classroom Assignments (grade 4 and above)

3. Parent-Teacher Interview (Parents will book appointments here)

4. Report Cards (this is the recommended method, however, ConnectEd remains accessible for parent use)

5. School Bus Information

6. School Cash Online

7. School Events

8. Special Reports (e.g., IEPs)

9. Student Profile (Class and teacher email details available starting Labour Day). 

Access to the School

All parents and visitors must:

• Sign in at the office

• Wait to be escorted or met by a staff member to go to a classroom 

• Sign out at the office upon leaving

• Visitors/volunteers working with students must have a criminal background check 

• Visitors are bound by relevant school policies

• Privacy should be protected when working with students

• In the event of an emergency that requires the building to be evacuated, assemble at the designated place which is displayed in each room 

School Council

We have a vibrant School Council and hope that you can join us for our first meeting in the fall. Our first meeting will be Thursday, September 17 at 7pm in the Library.  More information about specific dates and topics will be communicated in the near future.

Scent Aware  & Fragrance Sensitive Environment: 

The Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB)  maintains a scent-aware and fragrance-sensitive environment across its schools and board-owned sites to protect students and staff with severe health sensitivities.

Prohibited and Restricted Items: Students, staff, and visitors are asked to avoid wearing or bringing scented products. This includes perfumes, colognes, aftershaves, scented body sprays, scented deodorants, air fresheners, essential oils, potpourri, and strongly scented laundry products or fabric softeners.

Health Impact: Exposure to chemical fragrances can trigger adverse health effects, including allergic reactions, severe respiratory distress, migraines, and potentially life-threatening reactions for individuals with medical sensitivities or asthma

Spirit Wear

Spirit wear can be ordered at any time during the year now.  Please visit: https://parkinson.entripyshops.com/

Volunteers

If you would like to volunteer, please reach out to your child’s teacher.  All volunteers require a Vulnerable Sector Check. We encourage families who may be interested in going on field trips, to start this process earlier so we can keep the VSC on file.    If you have previously submitted a VSC within the last 12 months, check in with the office to see if it is still valid.