DATES & TIMES

2009-2010

November 11          Remembrance Day (All schools closed)

November 19          Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences (No Classes)

November 20          Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences (No Classes)

December 18          Last day of school prior to Christmas Vacation

January 4                 All classes resume

January 29               Professional Development / Administration Day - No classes

February 15             Louis Riel Day (All Schools Closed)

February 26             Professional Development Day - No classes (K-12)

March 18                 Student Parent Teacher Conferences - No classes (K-8)

March 19                 Student Parent Teacher Conferences -  No classes (K-8)

March 26                 Last day of classes prior to Spring Break (March 29 to April 2 inclusive)

April 5                        All classes resume

May 21                     School Development Planning - No classes (K - 12)

May 24                     Victoria Day - All schools closed

June 29                     Last day of classes (K-8)

June 30                     Administration Day - No classes (K - 12)

Daily School Operation Time: École O'Kelly School (K-8) 

 8:45 am                          First bell rings                                12:45 pm                                         Afternoon bell                                       

 8:55 - 10:25                   Classes                                         12:45 - 2:20                                         Classes                                                                                     

10:25 - 10:40                  RECESS                                         2:20 - 2:35                                         RECESS

10:40 - 11:40                  Classes                                         2:35 - 3:35                                         Classes

11:40 - 12:45                 LUNCH                                             3:35                                                     Dismissal

** Parents are requested NOT to send their children too early to school.  It is recommended that children’s arrival time in the

morning and after lunch correspond as closely as possible to the designated times for entrance to the school.  This is especially important during cold and/or inclement weather.

PROGRAMS & SUPPORT SERVICES

École O’Kelly School offers the regular English K—8 and French Immersion K—4 programs following Manitoba Education curriculum guidelines. In addition to the regular programs we offer a number of special programs.

Basic French          Compulsory grades 4 to 6, optional grade 7 and 8 (30 minutes of French instruction daily).

French Immersion Programming is for K—4 where instruction for 80% of the day is in French (100% in Kindergarten). The objective of this program is to develop functionally bilingual students.

Music Students in Grades K-6 receive two or three 30 minute periods of music each cycle. The pro- gram consists of choral work as well as a major instrumental component following the Orff ap- proach.

Physical Education Students receive 120—150 minutes per cycle, while Kindergarten students receive 90 minutes. The program focuses on movement, basic skills and team and life long recreational sports.

Technology Each classroom has a pod of computers that is wired into the school’s network. Computer use is integrated into programming at each grade level.

Teacher Librarian We have a .25 teacher librarian whose work focuses on teaching, research and inquiry skills, building and maintaining the library collection, and providing support to students and classroom teachers on classroom projects.

Resource Program A wide range of differences in abilities and interests exist in children. The resource teacher helps classroom teachers to develop appropriate learning opportunities so that all students are taught in a way that allows them to be successful and interested in learning. Individual education plans (I.E.P’s) are developed for children with special needs. The services of a Divisional psychologist, social worker, and speech and language pathologist are also available.

Counselling Our half-time counsellor works with individuals and groups to address social-emotional needs and with whole classes to deliver skill-building and awareness programs.

Reading Recovery A first grade early intervention program designed to accelerate the literacy development of chil- dren who do not yet have the early literacy skills required for successful classroom experience. Each identified child takes part in an intensive daily 30 minute pullout session for 15-20 weeks with a teacher trained in Reading Recovery methodology.

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PARENTS & THE SCHOOL

Attendance

All students are expected to attend school regularly. Please make certain that your child has a valid reason for missing school. A valid reason would include illness. PLEASE DO NOT SEND CHILDREN TO SCHOOL WHEN THEY ARE ILL. Please contact the school if your child will be absent for any reason. No child is allowed off the school grounds at any time during school hours without appropriate permission .

We are required, by law, to report to the proper authorities all students whose attendance is not 80% or better.

Call Back Program:

O’Kelly School operates a “call-back” program for students from Kindergarten to Grade 8. The purpose of this program is to ensure that both the school and the home know where your children are at all times.

Please remember—if your child will be absent from school, (for any reason including illness, appointments, etc.), call the Home School Liaison at 765-7903 before 8:50 a.m. or 12:40 p.m. Teachers report students who are absent and we telephone the parents of every student for whom we did not receive a telephone call. For those students that we have no phone number they will receive a visit from the Home-School Liaison to verify the reason for the absence. An answering machine has been installed for “Call Back” messages before school, during lunch hour and after office hours. Children who arrive late are asked to sign in at the office before going to the classroom.

Home/School Liaison

Mrs. Gresl is our home/school liaison worker. Her role is to address and support the needs of students and parents and act as a parent contact for teachers or the office. Please do not hesitate to call her at the school anytime at 765-7903.

Emergency:

In the event of an emergency involving any child we will endeavour to contact the parent(s) at home or at work. We may take children to the emergency ward at the hospital or call an ambulance if the necessity arises.

If your child is to leave the school for any reason during school hours, the teacher must be informed in writing with specific directions including time to leave, how to be picked up, by whom and, if possible, where the child is going (i.e. If the child is going to be absent for a specific period of time, the details will be noted for the Call-Back program.)

Change of Circumstances:

It is not uncommon for family circumstances to change during the year. (i.e. death, separation, divorce, change of name, telephone numbers, etc.) The student registration form (which is filled out in May) should be updated as changes occur. A phone call to our secretary is all that is necessary to change information regarding address, phone number, babysitting arrangements, parent absences, guardianship or any other matter which would facilitate working effectively with your child.

Transferring Schools:

Parents are requested to notify the school as soon as possible when planning to withdraw their child(ren) from this school. This allows us time to prepare the transfer form and gather the child's materials, which will be needed in the receiving school.

Telephone Use:

The school phone number is 765-7900. Parents are welcome to contact the school at any time. Messages may be left but teachers and students may not be called from the classroom during school hours. Students may use the office phone (only with permission from their teacher) for emergencies only. Arrangements for visiting with friends after school are not considered emergencies.

Communications:

1.    A NEWSLETTER IS SENT HOME AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH to each family. The purpose is to share pertinent in- formation including upcoming events, in-services, etc. It includes a calendar for the upcoming month. Please ask your child for it to insure that you are aware of important messages. If you do not receive your newsletter, please call the office, or check the school website at www.brandonsd.mb.ca/okelly.

2. ORDER FORMS FOR SPECIAL FOOD DAYS are distributed prior to the event and must be returned promptly in order to allow time for ordering food supplies.

3. FIELD TRIP PERMISSION SLIPS are distributed prior to the event and MUST be signed and returned in order for your child to attend.

4. O’KELLY PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING REMINDERS are usually announced on the monthly calendar.

5. REPORT CARDS ARE SENT HOME THREE TIMES A YEAR (November, March and June). Parent-student-teacher confer- ences are held twice a year, in November and March, for all Kindergarten to Grade Eight students. Each student has a portfolio of work which they share with their family at that time.

6. WE ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO KEEP IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE SCHOOL. Please do not hesitate to call should you become concerned about your child’s program or achievement. Such on-going support is necessary in order to provide the best results for your child. Families are welcome to attend our monthly assemblies and special events.

7. SCHOOL CLOSURE/EMERGENCY PROCEDURES: In certain emergency situations we may have to evacuate the building and may or may not be allowed to re-enter, or have to Shelter-in-place and remain in the building. Under extreme conditions, classes may be cancelled.

In emergencies, your child(ren) will remain and be cared for at the school. In the rare event of an emergency that prohibits re- entry to the building (such as a gas or water main break, a fire or a sudden loss of utilities), students and staff will be moved im- mediately to an alternate site (General Strange Hall gymnasium or theatre).

We ask you to follow this procedure if you hear news of any school emergency:

1. Turn on your radio or television. We will keep the media accurately informed of any emergency.

2. Please do not telephone the school. We have limited phone lines and they must be used to respond to the emergency. Please make all inquiries to the Brandon School Division Office at 729-3100.

3. Please do not come to the school unless requested. Any emergency involving your child’s school may mean emergency vehicles and disaster workers must be able to get to the building. If the emergency necessitates relocation of staff and students, stay tuned to the radio and TV stations for updated, accurate reports provided by the school division’s admini- stration about when and where to pick up your child(ren).

SCHOOL CANCELLATIONS: If a storm or emergency occurs overnight and cancellation of school is necessary, radio stations will be notified. The stations to listen to are:

CKLQ 880 AM Star 94.7 FM

The Farm 101.1  FM KX 96 FM

Should school be cancelled you may also get a phone call from a parent volunteer informing you of this.

STUDENT HEALTH

Our staff will attend to a child who received a minor injury such as a scrape, bruise, cut or bump.

In the event of a more serious illness/injury, all attempts will be made to notify a parent at home or work so that he or she can pick up the child(ren). If a parent cannot be reached, the emergency contact person, as listed on the September registration sheet will be contacted.

Should professional medical attention be required and should no one be available for us to contact, or a lengthy travel time to the school is involved, we will have the student transported to the hospital by ambulance. An adult representing the school will remain with the child until the parent/emergency contact person arrives at the hospital.

Medication

If an adult is required to give your child medication of any kind, including aspirin or cough syrup,  we must have a signed authorization by the parents. Medication will not be given without a signed permission note.

Students with critical health needs (eg. severe allergies needing an epi-pen, asthma, diabetes) are to have an annually updated individual Health Care Plan.

Screening

Vision Screening is carried out each year for students in Kindergarten, Grades 1, 3, 5, and 7.

Hearing Screening is carried out for students in Kindergarten and Grade 1.

Students new to the school and/or those referred by teachers may also be included in these screening programs.

Public Health Concerns

The Brandon Regional Health Authority assigns a public health nurse to the school. She supervises immunization programs for communicable diseases and responds to any requests for consultation, advice or information regarding public health concerns. She can be reached at 571-8479. She is also available every Wednesday at the Shilo Military Family Resource Centre at 765-3000 ext. 3352. 

From time to time there may be situations where there is an incidence of diseases such as pink eye, impetigo, measles, fifths disease, scabies or head lice. Students are to remain at home until treatment for the condition has been received or until a doctor’s permission to attend school is obtained. Information packages will be sent home as the need arises. As prevention, it is recommended that you check your child(ren)’s head for lice on a weekly basis. Contact the public health nurse, our home/school liaison, or the principal if you are unsure what to look for.

NUT FREE SCHOOL

Some students attending O’Kelly School have a severe allergy to nuts and peanut products (eg. peanut butter, peanut or other nuts, etc.) The only way to ensure a safe environment is to have a nut-free school.  Please do not send snacks, lunches or lotions that contain the above-mentioned products. Talk to your child about not sharing snacks with other children.  When your child goes home for lunch and has a peanut butter sandwich, please have him/her wash hands carefully and brush their teeth as just touching the product or breathing it in from someone else could trigger a reaction. A list of “safe snacks” is available from the school office or on the school website in the Parent Information section.

Recesses

The playground is supervised during recess breaks, which occur at the following times:  a.m.: 10:25-10:40       p.m.: 2:20-2:35

All students are expected to go outside every recess,  weather permitting. Please ensure that your child is dressed appropriately for the weather.

Students who need to stay indoors for health reasons need to have a note from their parents for each day that they are to remain inside. This applies to short-term times as students are required to go outside during recesses.

Roller blades, skateboards and kites are not allowed on school grounds, and only soft balls (rubber, tennis, etc.) may be used for all ball games.

Lunch

A community-run lunch program for Grades 1—8 is being planned to operate from the MFRC. Students must be registered and pay a daily or monthly fee in order to stay. Program information is available from the MFRC and the school office.

A no-fee lunch room supervised by staff, is provided for students who are transported to/from school by bus.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Student Fees:

There is a student fee charged for each child in O'Kelly from Kindergarten to Gr. 8 level.  The fee is $15.00 for all students. For families with more than 3 students in the school, student fees are $35.00.  The purpose of this fee is an alternative to making a multitude of collections throughout the year for various programs including Artists in the School and some class outings.  Payment of fees should be paid within one month of registration.  Receipts are issued.

OPAC (O’Kelly Parent Advisory Council)

Chairperson Fundraiser Coordinator

Vice-Chairperson

Secretary

Treasurer

O’Kelly School has an active and supportive Parent Council.  The present OPAC meets eight times during the school year. 

The council has, as its primary purpose, the enhancement of the quality of education for the children of O’Kelly School. In the past it has organized information evenings, hot dog days, and fund-raising activities. It has sponsored such special projects and events as team t-shirts, Family BBQ, the gym climbing wall, outdoor classroom, play structure, I Love to Read week, and Family Fun Night and Christmas Dinner.

The OPAC has many roles such as presenting the concerns and opinions of parents to the principal and staff on school

planning, budgeting, and overall welfare of the school and children.  The most obvious function that the community sees

is a fundraising group.  Without funding from the OPAC and other local community organizations, the school is unable to

provide certain items and services for children that they need in order to meet the demands of a progressing education system.

Parents and community are invited to attend the regular monthly meetings. Child care is provided.  There is always a need for more parental support and fathers are encouraged to attend. Volunteers are a vital part to the running of any OPAC event.  The OPAC encourages the involvement of community members whether they have children in the school or not to become involved with helping the school.

Volunteers:

O'Kelly School appreciates the wide variety of talents and support brought to the children of our school through the volunteer program.  Helping in the library, in classrooms, on field trips, pizza days, or any of the multitude of school programs allows our school the ability to provide more opportunities for our children.  If you have any time that you could spare, please phone the secretary and leave your name, or fill out the form which is sent home in the fall.

LIBRARY

O'Kelly School is fortunate to have a central library with about 10,000 titles.  A quarter-tiime teacher librarian works with classroom teachers to help plan and implement units of instruction through which students can learn how to locate, organize and communicate information, as well as to appreciate literature and its authors and illustrators.  Volunteers help with the shelving and lending of materials. 

In keeping with modern technology our entire collection is catalogued and searchable by computer. 

The lending time for each book is one school six-day cycle.  Each child may sign out a MAXIMUM OF TWO BOOKS at one time.   It is school policy that lost and torn books are paid for at replacement price for recently purchased books, and half the value of the book when the book has been on the shelves for some time.  In this way we hope to develop the students' sense of responsibility.  However, occasionally an error may be made with overdue notices.  Please inform the school if you have received notice for books already returned.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

School Patrols:

Student patrols are stationed on St. Barbara Avenue, to assist children at this busy crossing.  Patrols are expected to be on duty at the following times:

                    8:35 am - 8:50 am                                          12:30 pm  -  12:45 pm

                  11:40 am - 11:50 am                                        3:35  pm  -   3:45 pm

Patrols are expected to exercise self-discipline and courtesy at all times.  They receive various rewards for their contributions to the safety of their schoolmates.  Students will not be on duty if the wind-chill factor is —27°C or greater.

Sports & Events:

Recess intramural activities are scheduled throughout the year for Grade 1 to 8 students. All students are welcome to come and join in as long as they play safely and show good sportsmanship. Information regarding intramurals is posted in the gym and reviewed during the morning announcements on the intercom.

Teams are formed for a variety of sports including basketball, volleyball, badminton, etc. If there are enough players, these teams represent O'Kelly in schedules involving other Middle Years teams in the Division. Membership on these teams requires sportsmanship, fair play and commitment.

We also have interschool cross country running, soccer, and track and field activities. There are monthly assemblies. Our students take part in the Divisional Speech Contest and in our annual Christmas Concert. Grade 6 and 7 students have the opportunity to volunteer to be school patrols. There is a voluntary Gr. 4—8 choir.

High School Registration Process:

For those students moving from Grade 8 to Grade 9, the registration process begins in early March. The students can make application to the high school of their choice, and are also asked to indicate second and third choices. The high schools make the decision for admission, dependent upon course choice and availability. Parents and students have the opportunity to attend information sessions and Open House evenings at the schools.

STUDENT DRESS:

Students should dress appropriately for cold and warm weather as they are expected to go outside at recess. Recommended change of clothes for gym for gr. 4—8 includes shorts or sweats, a T-shirt and athletic socks. An extra pair of running shoes, with non-marking soles, that can be left at school for inside use during gym classes is required  for gr. 4—8.

Care should be taken to ensure that outdoor wear is free of drawstrings, scarves and mitten strings which may become tangled in playground equipment and thus create a safety concern.

Please be sure your child's name is clearly marked on all belongings.  The school is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Finally, all students (K-8) are expected to comply with the divisional clothing policy, both in/on school and grounds during school events. Infractions of this policy will result in students being asked to cover/change inappropriate attire and parents  being notified in order to seek support for the policy.

Brandon School Division Student Clothing Policy:

In establishing and providing for respectful, safe and secure school environments, the wearing of appropriate clothing by students is an important factor. Students are expected to wear appropriate clothing in the school at all times during the school day.

Appropriate clothing is that which is acceptable to the established norms of the school community, staff and school administration. Appropriate clothing is free from inappropriate words, phrases and images; being sexually explicit in nature; inappropriate accessories that may cause potential harm to self and others.

Head gear as such includes hats, toques, bandanas and hoods. Headgear is to be removed when entering the school during the school day. Headgear, to comply with medical or program requirements, may be permitted in designated areas by permission of school administration. Headgear worn in recognized religious observations may be approved through consultation with parents and administration.

Concealing clothing and accessories includes school bags. Containers such as backpacks, large bags, gym bags not required immediately for physical education, must remain in lockers or other designated areas. Outerwear such as large, bulky jackets and trench coats will not be worn in the school building during the school day.  Outerwear is to be removed and left in student lockers or other designated areas.

Face painting will only be allowed in conjunction with school programming.