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Thamesville Area Central School |
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30 Mary Street, Box 550, Thamesville, Ontario, N0P 2K0 |
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Telephone: 692-3908 |
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Mrs. Donna Easter, Principal |
Lambton Kent District School Board Mission Statement
The Lambton Kent District School Board is dedicated to:
We encourage all students to reach their individual potential.
Lambton Kent District School Board Belief Statements
We are very pleased to welcome you and your family to Thamesville Area Central School. At our school we are very fortunate to have a caring and committed staff and enthusiastic and involved parents who work together to provide the best possible learning environment for our students.
Thamesville Area Central School has set its goals in order to reflect the philosophy of the Lambton Kent District School Board and the guidelines of the Ministry of Education and Training. Teachers provide a balanced curriculum in order to provide the skills, knowledge and attitudes which will assist our students in their social, emotional, physical and intellectual development.
The administration, the teaching staff and the support staff of Thamesville Area Central School believe that education is a partnership between children, parents, and teachers who will work as partners to strive for academic success. We believe in excellence in our school and that learning in this school will be a positive experience for all students.
| Timetable | ||
| 9:13 | Line Up Bell | |
| 9:15-10:55 | Instruction | |
| 10:55-11:35 | Nutritional Break #1 | |
| 11:35-1:15 | Instruction | |
| 1:15-1:55 | Nutritional Break #2 | |
| 1:55-3:35 | Instruction | |
| 3:35 | Dismissal - Walkers | |
| 3:50 | Buses Load | |
Students should not arrive at school before the yard is supervised at 8:30 a.m. Those students going to the Breakfast Club should enter the school at the southern entrance after 8:15 a.m.. Primary students will enter at the north entrance, and the back entrance. Junior and Intermediate students will enter at the east entrance.
Students who are late must report to the office for a late slip before reporting to class. Students who are habitually late should expect to make up the time missed. Prompt and regular attendance is a responsibility and enforcement of good attendance creates better work habits and better preparation for the world of work.
If a student is going to be absent, a phone call to the school before 9:00 a.m. is appreciated as part of our Safe Arrival Program. Messages may be left on our confidential answering service at any time day or night.
Our secretary is available between 8:45 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.
The purpose of the Safe Arrival Program is to determine as soon as possible, each morning, if some misfortune has befallen a student on his or her way to school.
In the event of a student absence, it is the responsibility of the Parent/Guardian to contact the school by phone stating why the child is absent.
Phone messages are monitored regularly and will be recorded at 8:45 a.m.
Attendance booklets will be sent to the office immediately after morning announcements and the secretary will call those students who have not left a message regarding absence from school. All parents of students whose absences are “unexplained” are contacted at home, their workplace, or the emergency number. In the event we are unable to contact the parent a message will be left to contact the school.
If contact cannot be made to explain an absence, the Principal is informed and the secretary will record the information in an office log.
Once students have arrived at school, they are not permitted to leave without permission from the school office. Parents should send a note if a child has an appointment. Students who usually stay at school for lunch need a note to leave. Students are not to make alternate arrangements for bus transportation. Please try to arrange for your child's needs in advance so that students do not have to phone for permission. This will not be allowed unless there is an emergency.
All visitors in the school, including parents, are expected to report to the office. If someone other than a parent is picking up a child for any reason, please inform the school by phone or by note. These measures are necessary for the protection of your child.
walk bikes on school property
stay on the sidewalk and walk don't run when departing from the bus
have the proper equipment at school for all classes including gym shoes for physical education
do not leave the school grounds without a parent or guardian and knowledge of office personnel
valuables such as walkmans should be left at home
students should not eat or drink in the hall or yard
at dismissal, students should immediately report home unless they are participating in a teacher-supervised event
Food Days will be announced as the year progresses
Milk, juice and chips are for sale every day
When you wish to speak to a teacher, please call the school at 692-3908 and leave a message on our answering service or with our secretary. The teacher will contact you as soon as possible.
There are many ways to get involved at Thamesville Area Central School. You may wish to consider:
volunteering in a classroom
listening to children read or reading to children
sharing your computer skills
chaperoning a sports events or a field trip
planting/weeding a garden
becoming a member of the School Council
helping with Hot Dog Days
Education is a team effort between students, parents and the school. Parents can help by:
insisting that their children attend regularly and punctually
insisting that their children eat a proper breakfast and lunch
insisting that their children get adequate sleep by enforcing a regular bedtime
assist students at home as needed
being supportive of the school's "Code of Conduct"
Any changes in telephone numbers, addresses, place of employment, emergency contact person, child custody, or other important information, should be reported to the office so that our records are accurate and up-to-date.
It is very important to have an emergency contact in the event that we need to reach you quickly. Please keep us updated as to who your child's emergency contact is and make sure they are aware you have given them this very important responsibility.
Please let the office know if your child has a special health problem such as asthma, diabetes, allergies, etc. It is very important that we be informed of any changes in your child's medical status.
Please refrain from sending your child to school if he/she is sick or feeling poorly. Students will not be allowed to remain indoors at recess times due to a developing cold or sore throat. If there are extenuating circumstances, please call the principal to discuss the situation.
Anaphylactic Shock and Peanut Allergies
Reaction to peanuts and their by-products can result in a serious life-threatening reaction. Even with increased awareness we are unable to guarantee students will not inadvertently bring peanuts or nut by-products to school in one form or another. If you could help, we are requesting you monitor your child's lunch and refrain from bringing peanut butter sandwiches or peanuts in any form. Your assistance in keeping our students safe is much appreciated, especially in the case of allergies of any kind
If your child requires medication during the day while at school, it is very important that you complete the Lambton Kent District medication form and have it signed by your physician. This should be submitted to the office as soon as possible.
All medication is kept in a locked area so that access is limited to office personnel.
Please do not send medications with your child to the classroom. All medications should be delivered to the office immediately and in their labelled containers, so they will not be available to other students.
If your child is injured or becomes sick while at school, every effort will be made to contact you or the emergency contact person you have designated for this purpose.
It is our policy that children report to the teacher supervising the yard if they are hurt. This enables the staff to assess the injury and take appropriate action.
It is very important that all parents provide the office with a designated emergency contact. If you do not have a phone, please make arrangements with a neighbour who can contact you quickly in the event of an emergency.
In fairness to other students and staff, please don’t send your child to school if they are not ready for work and outside play. If your child is not well enough to spend the short recess time outside, she should be kept at home. We simply don’t have the facilities or the staff to care for and supervise sick students. Please call Mrs. Easter if there are special circumstances in this regard.
Parents are asked to contact the school if their child has a communicable disease.
Head lice infestations are situations that occur in the community and in the schools. The Lambton Kent District School Board has developed a policy to deal with this situation as follows:
Information will be offered to students and their families through the health program and the school newsletter.
Head checks will occur in the Fall and the Spring Terms. Where outbreaks are more frequent, regular checks will be conducted.
In cases where nits or lice are present, parents will be contacted, requesting that the student be removed from the school immediately until the school is assured that treatment has been received and all nits have been removed. The child is to report to the office before re-admission to the class is allowed.
Parents are asked to contact the school if their child has head lice. This allows us to check all of the students in the class and stop any further cases from occurring.
Students who, in the opinion of the school, are inappropriately dressed will be required to correct the problem before returning to class.
Inappropriate dress includes: short shorts, cut offs, T-shirts with inappropriate sayings, halter tops, muscle shirts, bare midriffs, and clothing that is full of holes. Hats are not to be worn in the building.
Emergency School Closing or Dismissal
In the event of severe weather, parents may decide not to send their children to school in the event that schools are open but busses are not running. We are in Zone 6.
It is important to listen to local radio stations in order to determine whether busses are running in Zone 6 or schools are closed.
If parents decide to send their children to school even though busses are cancelled, they will be responsible for transporting their children both to and from school.
In the event that the weather deteriorates after the students arrive at school, and it has been determined that the schools will close early, it is important for each of our families to develop a family plan to ensure that children are familiar with where they should go and who will be looking after them at this time. You will be asked to fill out an inclement weather form in September to assure your child’s safety.
Student Equipment Provided by Home
The following lists of equipment should be supplied by parents for their children. These supplies need to be replenished through the year as they are used up or worn out.
Early Years - Change of clothes, box of Kleenex, gym shoes.
Junior / Intermediate Divisions - pencil case, eraser, black or blue pens, red pen, pencils, ruler, loose leaf paper, scissors, glue stick, math set, gym shoes, computer disk. No liquid paper please.
A limited amount of money is set aside each year for the purchase of textbooks. These books are loaned to the students for their use during the school year. All books must be returned in June. Lost or damaged books will be charged to the parents of the student. Library books not returned will also be subject to the same replacement charges if not returned in good condition.
Our parents have purchased new uniforms for our teams. These are worth $60.00 each and will be charged to students who do not return them in good condition.
Thamesville Area Central School has been fortunate to have the assistance of an active association which supports our students and staff in many ways. This group meets regularly to plan special events and to raise funds for student activities and equipment. Please call the school to find out more.
The Lambton Kent district School Board recognizes that education is a shared responsibility involving school staffs, students and their families, and members of the community. All of these groups should, therefore, have the opportunity to advise in educational matters with the aim of strengthening schools in order to improve student performance. It is expected that school councils will provide a forum for people interested in public education to work cooperatively to develop common goals and plans to achieve these goals at the school level.
Student Evaluation and Reporting Procedures
Assessments of student daily work and the resulting evaluations take place as part of an ongoing daily process.
Progress reports which summarize a student's learning for a term are published three times a year using the Provincial Report Card. Parents are asked to return page three of the report card signed and with their comments. Interviews are scheduled for each family at the end of first term and may be requested at other times during second and third term.
Early Years reports are sent home in February and June with an interview scheduled in December.
Parents are encouraged to talk regularly to their child's teachers.
| Level |
Definition |
Grade |
| 4 | The student has demonstrated the required knowledge and skills. Achievement exceeds the provincial standard. | A |
| 3 | The student has demonstrated most of the required knowledge and skills. Achievement meets the provincial standards. | B |
| 2 | The student has demonstrated some of the required knowledge and skills. Achievement approaches the provincial standard. | C |
| 1 | The student has not demonstrated the required knowledge and skills. Extensive remediation is required. | D |
| R | The use of the letter R in Grades 1-6 or the mark of 45 in grades 7 and 8 is applied when a student has not been able to demonstrate the required knowledge and skills required. It is not a level of achievement but an indication that there are academic, attitudinal or attendance concerns which need to be addressed. | R |
| NM | This designation is used if the steps above in "R" have been addressed and the student still does not complete at least half of the assignments. | NM |
At Thamesville Area Central School the students and staff support a non-violent policy. Simply stated, within this policy there are four major rules of conduct. All people here will:
It is our goal that students will foster a sense of self-worth and self-discipline. We all will function as responsible citizens and promote the good reputation of our school in the community. Students are expected to be courteous and helpful to each other and to members of the custodial, secretarial and teaching staff.
Disagreements will be settled in a fair and non-violent manner. Our aim is to create and maintain an atmosphere throughout the school which is conducive to learning, to student growth and development and as well, one in which friendly cheerfulness, consideration for others, and respect for the dignity of each individual is evident. Students are encouraged to develop pride in and respect for the school environment and to treat property and equipment as they would their own.
Consequences of Improper Conduct
It is our expectation that all school members will demonstrate self-control and respect for others at all times. However, there are occasions when staff must intervene when school rules are broken by students. Disciplinary actions will vary according to the individual situation.
First infractions often result in a simple admonition advising the child of the incorrect action, identifying more appropriate behaviour and a recognition that the student owns the responsibility to determine their own actions.
Repeat infractions result in further counselling, often including a sharing of the concern with the parents. If problems persist, the parents are asked to join with the school to build a plan of mutual action designed to help the student recognize more appropriate behaviours.
In extremely severe cases, it may become necessary to suspend a child from school for a specified period. This is done with parental communication.
The Safe Learning Environment Handbook adopted by the Lambton Kent District School Board outlines additional measures so that each person in the school community is safe, free from harassment and treated with respect while engaging in school activities.
Consistent with the School Code of Behaviour, Thamesville Area Central School will not tolerate violence.
Violence is defined as verbal or written threats and/or physical or emotional harassment, which includes sexual or racial abuse that has the effect or possibility of impairing the health or welfare of anyone.
When a student commits an act of violence:
1. The Principal will investigate to determine all the facts surrounding the incident.
2. The student will not return to class until the parents have been contacted.
3. The Principal will inform the parents of the disciplinary action as outlined in the Code of Behaviour and the School Board Policy.
4. The incident will be recorded in the behaviour log at the office.
5. Serious first time offences and all subsequent offences will result in suspension from school.
When a student wilfully destroys school property, these same procedures will be used and the family of the student will be required to make restitution.
When a student brings a weapon to school, these same procedures will be used. The weapon will be confiscated and the police will be contacted.
Play weapons will not be permitted at school at any time.
Possession of tobacco products at school is not permitted. If found, these substances will be confiscated and destroyed.
Use of tobacco on school property or at school events anywhere is not permitted by students or by spectators. Students found using tobacco will be suspended and required to complete an assignment on the dangers of smoking. The law provides for prosecution of offenders.
Possession of and use of alcohol and illegal drugs is not permitted at school or at school events. Students found breaking the law will be suspended and reported to the police. These substances will be confiscated and turned over to the police.
Stay in your seat at all times.
Keep hands and feet to yourself.
Show respect for others.
Use appropriate language.
Follow instructions from the driver the first time they are given.
No eating or drinking on the bus
No loud voices on the bus.
Consequences of Improper Bus Conduct
When children are reported to the office for distracting the bus driver or bothering other passengers, they may receive a warning and depending on the severity of their behaviour, their parents may be contacted or the student may lose their bus privileges for a specified period of time. Your child's safety is our number one concern.
Homework is recognized by the Lambton Kent District School Board as an important part of student learning which reinforces what has been learned in class. It is also useful in preparing students for upcoming lessons and extending and generalizing concepts, and in teaching responsibility and helping students develop positive study habits.
Homework is effective when it is actively supported in the home and when it represents an on-going, three-way communication which involves student, teacher and parents.
Our staff in conjunction with the school council has published the Thamesville Homework Policy in brochure form. These are available in the office and have been distributed with the September newsletter.
Student Planners & Planner Evaluation
Students in grades 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 will be issued student planners at the beginning of the year. Students will be taught how to use these aids as a means of being organized and will be expected to carry these books to every class. Parents are asked to review these planners with students on a regular basis. Use of the planner is part of our regular student evaluation program.
Use of the Student Planner is an important skill which leads to good organization and study habits. Teachers may evaluate the use of the planner on a term basis. The following expectations will be used.
The student makes use of the planner to record pertinent information with appropriate teacher guidance for the age and grade of the student.
The student takes care of the planner by keeping it in good physical condition, carrying it to all classes and taking it home daily.
Use this checklist each morning:
Lunch
Lunch money
Binders, workbooks and texts
Notes for absence
Permission notes for:
practices
games
choir
lunch
Indoor shoes
Gym clothes
Pencil case - complete
Student Planner
ALL HOMEWORK - finished or not.
K -
Keep your planner open to check assignments to be done.
F - Finish your
assignment
C - Check
Have you completed everything?
Is it edited?
Is your name and the date on it?
Have you handed it in or put it in the right binder or duotang to bring to next class?
Label your dividers for each subject.
Each page should be numbered, dated
Put your notes in order every day.
Make sure your notes are complete and in order.
Know what material your test or exam covers.
Highlight key parts of your notes.
Make short, point-form study notes.
Tape your notes and listen to them as you read them.
Read the notes aloud or silently.
Make up silly sentences as a way to remember key points.
Take five minutes "out-of-chair" body breaks at regular intervals.
Study for short periods of time for a test or exam rather than trying to cram the night before. For math tests:
Practice solving on paper each type of question - try the review questions at the end of each chapter.
Learn the formulas and rules.
Guidelines For Class Behaviour
Before class:
Bring the material you need.
Arrive on time.
Enter quietly and go to your desk.
Put everything away that you don't need.
During class:
Follow the classroom rules.
Listen carefully: Look at the speaker
Think about what the speaker is saying
Take notes on important information
Participate Complete your assignments
Work co-operatively with your classmates
Ask for help when you need it during or after class.
After class:
Set aside a specific time each night for:
Homework
Test preparation
Projects
- Re-reading of notes