School Council

School-Day

Shoes

Smoking/Vaping

Strong Start

Student Supplies

Toys/Items of Value

Weather

SCHOOL COUNCIL:

The J W Gerth School Council meets regularly.  All dates/times/agendas/minutes will be shared via School-Day messaging and/or our school website.

SCHOOL-DAY:

School-Day is an online portal that lets us instantly share school news and events.  You can complete instant online payments, view announcements, news and class information, approve permission forms online, register your child for extracurricular events and sign-up for parent/teacher interviews.  Please visit www.school-day.com.

SHOES:

Please provide your child with an extra pair of indoor, non-marking shoes that they will change into each time they enter the building prior to entering the classroom.  These shoes will be used inside only and for gym.

Flip flops and sandals can present a problem on the playground and the stairs should another child step on the back of them, resulting in a trip or fall.

SMOKING/VAPING:

Smoking/Vaping is not permitted on school property.

STRONG START:

Strong Start is an early literacy program for Senior Kindergarten, Grade One, or Grade Two students who would benefit from an extra boost in their literacy skills. The program has been developed to help children gain confidence in identifying the letters of the alphabet, the sounds each letter makes, and how to use these sounds to read words.  We require volunteers to run this program.  Training is provided.

STUDENT SUPPLIES:

We provide a list of suggested back to school supplies sorted by grade in late June via School-Day and/or the school website.  The intent is that parents/guardians do not overbuy school supplies.  Individual teachers may request additional items tailored to their program.

TOYS/ITEMS OF VALUE:

We recommend that all items of value, sentimental or monetary, be left at home as the school is not responsible for lost or stolen items.  Please keep trading cards, etc at home as we are unable to monitor unfair trades that might occur.

VOLUNTEERS:

If you are volunteering, you must sign in/out as a Visitor in the main office and receive a Visitor badge. If you are volunteering on an off campus excursion, please check in at the office where you will be given further instructions/directions. You also must have a current (<1 year old) Vulnerable Sector Police check on file.

WEATHER:

Please dress your child appropriately for the weather.

It is very important that children are able to be outside comfortably at different times during the school day.

Board Policy has many factors that determine when students are expected to either come inside early (8:55 am) or stay inside during the school day (nutrition breaks, etc).

Extreme Cold – School Based Decision

The decision will be made using the following data:

The specifics of the local situation. Some schools have protected areas where weather conditions are mitigated; others are very exposed.

Local weather reports. Both temperature and wind conditions must be considered. In general, when the “wind chill” factor is approximately -20º C, the principal should ensure that local mitigating circumstances make it safe to send students outside.

The following are some excellent sources:

• University of Waterloo Weather Station
• Environment Canada weather website

The principal is responsible for using this data to make the best decision.

Please also note that supervision does not being until 8:55 am, so please do not send your child to school before that time.

 Severe Weather Procedure – Board Procedure

As the cold weather arrives, it’s important for everyone to be familiar with our Severe Weather Conditions procedure.

During severe weather conditions, we may need to cancel buses or close schools for the safety of our students and staff. In past years, the cancellation of buses has not automatically resulted in school closures, however, this year that will change with the launch of Weather Impacted Distance Learning Days. On days when buses are cancelled as a result of severe weather, schools will also be closed to ALL students. Before and After School programs will also be closed on Weather Impacted Distance Learning Days.

Continuing Student Learning

Student learning will continue while our buildings are closed as we launch Weather Impacted Distance Learning Days. Following our procedure, staff and students can anticipate being notified of these closures by 6:00 am through the same communication channels as usual.

Teachers in both the in-person and distance learning programs will teach asynchronously from home and will be available to students during the regular school day hours.

Additional online resources will also be available via WRDSB@Home.

Students who require a device to take home in preparation for a Weather Impacted Distance Learning Day may do so through their school.

Frigid Temperatures: Schools will NOT automatically be closed when temperatures reach -35C or colder with wind-chill.

In case of school closure, all activities, school rentals and school events will be cancelled.

Please subscribe to the Waterloo Region District School Board website at www.wrdsb.ca

Let’s be neighbourly
Winter weather can be very challenging for all. We ask that you please do your best in clearing the sidewalks in our immediate school area to ensure our students’ safety. If you have a concern regarding a sidewalk, please try to address it with the homeowner first. Perhaps they require some assistance? Unfortunately, the school is unable to solve this community based issue.