OPENING DAY PROCEDURES FOR TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

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The first day of the new school year will be Tuesday September 6,2016. This will be a full instructional day. The following information will help to prepare you for the beginning of the Fall Term.

CLASS LISTS

Student will be advised of their homeroom on Tuesday, September 6, 2016.

FIRST DAY FOR ALL STUDENTS

Students should gather at the southwest side of the school just prior to their entry time of 8:35 a.m. Students will be admitted to the cafeteria at the 8:45 a.m. for our first assembly.

After our assembly, students will move to their Homeroom class.Students will remain with their Homeroom Teacher until lunchtime to receive information about timetables, routines, textbooks, locks, etc. Students will need a pen and a sheet of notepaper.

Students should also bring $6.00 in order to purchase a student agenda.

Lunch for all students will be from 12:23 - 1:23 p.m.; however,students will have a five minute transition to get ready for their afternoon classes. Students will be at their lockers by 1:18 p.m. so if your child will be going home for lunch, please have them come back by 1:18 p.m. Afternoon classes will run from 1:23 to 3:03 p.m. If required, locks can also be purchased at the Main Office for $5.00.

REGULAR SCHOOL DAY SCHEDULE

Commencing Wednesday, September 7, 2016, students will be expected to be at their appropriate Homeroom area by 8:35 a.m. for entry and in their class by 8:45 a.m.

Homeroom period will begin with opening exercises at 8:45 a.m. and regular classes will follow at 8:53 a.m. Lunch for all students will be from 12:23 - 1:23 p.m. which includes a five minute transition at the lockers to get ready for the afternoon classes. Scheduled classes end at 3:03 p.m. and the students are free to leave at that time unless they are involved in our extra-curricular activities or are receiving extra help with their teachers.

Supervision for all students take place from 8:30 a.m. in the morning until 3:18 p.m. at the end of the day.

SPECIAL NEEDS

If your child has any special circumstances ranging from an IEP to a severe allergy, please contact the Principalas soon as possible in September so that we can fully meet your child’s needs.

SAFE ARRIVAL PROGRAM

The Safe Arrival Program enhances communication between the home and the school regarding student absences. When your child is going to be late or absent from school, we ask that you call the Safe Arrival voicemail at 416-395-3012 between the times of 4:30 p.m. and 9:30 a.m. and leave a message with the following four pieces of information:

  • name of your child, please spell the last name;
  • your child's Teacher Advisor group;
  • reason for absence (illness, appointments, religious holy days)

It is appreciated if you call each day of your child's absence. Parent/guardian(s) must provide a signed note to the office explaining the reason for a student signing in late or signing out early.

LUNCH AT SCHOOL

Students living close to the school may go home for lunch with parental permission. A lunch form will be provided on the first day of school.

For safety reasons, students staying at school for lunch mustremain on the school grounds for the entire lunch period. Food is not sold at school and, therefore, students can bring food from home to eat in the cafeteria. Microwaves are available to warm food. We do not recommend that students be permitted to go to the local malls or plazas at lunchtime. If you would like your child to leave the school grounds to buy his/her lunch, a written note signed and dated by the parent/guardian must bereceived by the office staff.

Students are required to stay at the rear of the school, not in the parking lot or at the front of the building, once dismissed from the cafeteria. Further, students are required to use the walkway along the school wall when walking through the parking lot. The safety of our students is our priority.

STUDENT PLANNERS

Students at Don Valley are encouraged to use a Student Planner. The planner is designed as an organizing and planning tool to support the learning process. It will also be used as a communication tool between the school and home.

There are sections in the planner for teacher comments and also comments from parents/guardians. Students will be expected to complete the planner daily and parents/guardians will play a vital role in checking the planner for homework assignments and teacher comments.

When you receive the planner please take some time and go through the front pages with your child. These pages are designed to provide families with information about our school. As well, there is a place for parents/guardians and students to sign indicating that they have reviewed these pages.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION

All Don Valley students are required to wear the appropriate Physical Education attire (red t-shirt and black shorts or track pants). A Don Valley dri-fit uniform is available for purchase for approximately $30. This consists of a red t-shirt and black shorts, with the Don Valley logo.

These items can be purchased during the first few weeks of school. More information will be sent home regarding the uniform purchases.

SUPPLIES

Textbooks are loaned free of charge to all grades. Students are expected to reimburse the school for lost or damaged texts. Students are provided with basic supplies such as a pen and notebooks.

LOCKS/LOCKERS

Lockers are provided for student use. It is each student’s responsibility to ensure that the locker remains in good condition. The lockers are part of the school’s property.

We recommend the use of a combination lock, which is designed to fit the school lockers. Locks may be purchased at any school supplies store. We caution students not to tell anyone their combination.

LOST ARTICLES

Valuable jewelry, watches, iPods, cell phones, etc. are easily lost. We recommend that they not be brought to school. Also, it is unwise to bring large amounts of money to school. All articles of clothing and property should be labelled with the student's name and class. At no time should money or other valuables be taken into the Physical Education change rooms. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen articles.

NEW STUDENTS

The administration offices of the school will be availablestarting from Monday, August29th, 2016 onwards. If you have any inquiries, you are invited to contact the school. Students new to the area (i.e. not from Grade 6 in the feeder schools) may register Monday,August 29thto Thursday, September 1st, 2016 before school commences.

We look forward to seeing you after a good summer and trust you will be ready for a most successful year!

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