Worsley Elementary School Newsletter
September 2024
Morning Drop off reminders: Please drop off your child at their appropriate meeting spot after 9:10am. Students will be directed to line up with their class until the bell at 9:25am. Late students should come in through the front door where a parent can sign them in and the child can take their late slip to class with them.
End of day reminders: If your child needs to leave the school early, please alert the office ahead of time through [email protected]. In early departure situations, please be sure to sign out your child using the binder in the office before leaving the school. After 3:30 pm, students will need to be picked up with their classes at their regular dismissal locations. This is to ensure the safety of all of our students and families as buses will be arriving on site at this time.
Students are required to be picked up at their designated spaces at 3:45pm. We ask that you leave the yard with your child quickly to make room for our YMCA childcare to move into the yard for their permitted outdoor play time! Thank you.
Weather considerations: Students will be heading outside to enjoy the fresh air everyday rain or shine so please be sure to send appropriate clothing and footwear to school each day! Lightening and thunder will be the exception!
Dogs on Property: As much as we love our furry friends, school is not the place for them. We ask that you keep your pets at home during drop off and pick up time. If you use the yard after hours, please be sure to clean up after your pet so that our students can play safely throughout the day.
Communication: Please be sure to reach out to your child’s classroom teacher about preferred communication methods for you and your child. They will best be able to support you when questions or concerns arise.
School Cash on-line: Username and password will be sent out on September 9/24. Please be sure to register for School Cash Online https://simcoecounty.schoolcashonline.com. This is where all permission forms and purchases are made throughout the year.
Volunteer Portal: If you think you might like to volunteer, even if just for a field trip you MUST complete the process through the volunteer portal https://www.scdsb.on.ca/community/volunteer, including a vulnerable sector screening from the OPP. Please complete this as soon as possible
September PA Day
Please note that Friday, Sept. 27 is a PA Day for all SCDSB students. Please refer to the 2024-25 School Year Calendar on the SCDSB website for more information: www.scdsb.on.ca/elementary/planning_for_school/school_year_calendar.
Below is a summary of the activities planned for the Sept. 27 PA Day:
Date: Sept. 27, 2024
Length: Full day, in-person
Topics: Literacy, mathematics, and student engagement and well-being
Entity hosting: Simcoe County District School Board
Presenter(s)/facilitator(s): School board staff and school administrators
Descriptions:
Literacy (100 minutes)
Kindergarten educators will learn about embedding literacy within each of the four frames of learning and will apply their learning through collaborative planning. Grade 1 to 8 educators will focus on the continued implementation of the revised language curriculum, The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 1-8, Language, 2023, early reading screening, and the planning of responsive data-based interventions in Grades 1 to 3. They will also learn about the use of literacy data to support effective, equitable instruction and assessment practices in Grades 4 to 8.
Mathematics (100 minutes)
All educators will engage in math content knowledge learning related to number concepts as well as how universal design for learning (UDL) and differentiated instruction can be used to support all learners in the math classroom, but specifically those with special education needs. Educators will apply their learning using the concepts of UDL and differentiated instruction to plan responsive instruction.
Student engagement and well-being (100 minutes)
All educators will engage in learning and discussion about cell phone and vape use and their impact on students’ mental and physical health. They will review how to support students with prevalent medical conditions, such as anaphylaxis, asthma, diabetes, and epilepsy. Educators will also engage in learning about artificial intelligence (AI) with a focus on cyber safety, online privacy, and safe use.
SCDSB 2024-25 Student Handbook
The SCDSB student handbook contains a variety of information that the SCDSB is required to share with all students and families. This September, schools will be distributing the student handbook to all families via email. The SCDSB 2024-25 Student Handbook can also be found on the SCDSB website at www.scdsb.on.ca/elementary/parent and on school websites under ‘students’. If you have questions, please contact the school.
Check out the SCDSB News video series
The SCDSB News is a weekly video series highlighting positive events, initiatives, and learning happening within school communities across the SCDSB. Follow the SCDSB on social media to catch all of these weekly episodes! Watch the video linked below showcasing the 2023-24 school year.
Over the course of the 2023-24 school year, there were so many extraordinary moments captured that showcased talented students, dedicated staff, events, and connections to the community! We invite you to celebrate highlights of these special moments with us! Take a look: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S1S6zYzPgA
Mobile devices in schools
Personal mobile devices are a significant distraction for students at school, especially in the classroom. They can lead to students being disengaged from their learning and isolated from their peers.
In September 2024, based on direction from the Ministry of Education, a new policy regarding mobile devices in school will be reflected in the SCDSB Code of Conduct. As such, students and families need to be aware of the following expectations:
Students in Kindergarten to Grade 6
Personal mobile devices must be stored out of view and powered off or set to silent mode throughout the full instructional day except under the following circumstances:
Students in Grade 7 to 12
Personal mobile devices must be stored out of view and powered off or set to silent mode during instructional time except under the following circumstances:
Parents/guardians may contact the school’s main office to convey a message to their child.
Please be aware that after considering mitigating factors, and after multiple reminders by school staff, progressive discipline may apply if a mobile device is not stored out of view.
For more information, please visit the SCDSB website.
Universal Otis-Lennon School Ability Test screening process
The Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) is a standardized group test of ability. The results of this test will help us gain a better understanding of students’ areas of relative strength and need as related to their verbal and non-verbal abilities so that we can plan our programs and supports accordingly. Results may also be used to inform identification (e.g., intellectual, gifted).
Students who display an advanced degree of general intellectual ability may require additional program support to reach their educational potential. This support may be through enhancing the curriculum, differentiated instruction, and through providing program extensions and enrichment. This type of programming is important to engage, motivate, and challenge students who are identified as gifted in either the regular classroom or in an elementary gifted classroom placement.
A consent form examining the universal OLSAT screening process in greater detail will be sent to parent(s)/guardian(s) of students in Grade 3 via SchoolCash Online in September.
If you require further information about the universal OLSAT screening process, please contact the school.
Safe Arrival system for SCDSB schools – call 1-888-885-8065 to report an absence
The Simcoe County District School Board’s (SCDSB) Safe Arrival system will support us in continuing to improve our home-to-school communication process and streamline absence reporting. To report a student absence, call 1-888-885-8065. Callers will be prompted to identify the school before leaving a message. Parents should include the student’s name, teachers’ name, dates, and reason for the absence. When schools do not hear from a parent/guardian, and a student is absent, the school will call home to find out the reason for the absence. If you have questions about this system, please contact the school office.
Keep connected with our school and with the SCDSB
It’s important to get accurate information about what’s going on at your school and at the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB). Here are some ways to do that:
Licensed PA Day and holiday school age child care programs
Child care programs for children in Kindergarten to Grade 6 are provided by independent, third-party child care operators in some SCDSB schools. To support your child care needs, some operators offer child care on PA days and holidays including over the Winter Break, March Break, and during summer holidays. Registration in advance is required. Please contact the child care operator directly to discuss fees and to register: www.scdsb.on.ca/elementary/planning_for_school/childcare_before_after
School council nominations for 2024-25 school year
School council is a committee made up of elected parents/guardians, community representatives, staff, and sometimes students that help to provide the community voice and parent/guardian perspective on important school topics. School council is a good way for parents/guardians to get involved in their child/children’s education while playing an important role in the partnership between home and school.
Annual notice to adult students or parent(s)/guardian(s) of students under the age of 16
A completed Student Medical Form (FORM A1420 - 1) is required each school year, or when a medical need is identified, or when the student transfers to another school, in order to authorize medical response plan development and the administration of prescribed medication to students who require it during school hours, or when the medication and/or dosage requirements change. Specific to asthma, every student is now permitted to carry their asthma medication if the student has their parent’s/guardian’s permission. Parent(s)/guardian(s) and adult students are responsible for ensuring that a current, completed Student Medical Form is on file at the school. Parent(s)/guardian(s) and adult students are also to complete a Plan of Care for students with prevalent medical conditions such as anaphylaxis, asthma, type 1 diabetes, or epilepsy/seizure disorder.
Some students may experience severe life-threatening allergic reactions to bee, hornet, wasp, or other flying insect stings or to certain foods or food ingredients such as peanuts. The best way to reduce the risk of accidental exposure for these students is to respectfully ask parent(s)/guardian(s) to avoid sending peanut butter or products with peanuts and/or tree nuts listed in the ingredients to school. For students with life-threatening allergies, it is recommended that two doses of an epinephrine auto-injector are available on site at school. Please do not hesitate to contact the school with any questions you may have.
Standard acknowledgment and permission form/student information computing technology appropriate use agreement 2024-25
The 2024-25 Standard Acknowledgment and Permission Form and Student Information Computing Technology Appropriate Use Agreement are required forms for all Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) students. The forms have been made available electronically through SchoolCash Online until Oct. 14. SchoolCash Online is our preferred method for forms. If you are unable to submit these forms electronically, please contact the office for paper copies.
Student accident insurance The SCDSB does not provide accident insurance coverage for student injuries that occur on school premises, at board-sponsored events, or during school extracurricular activities (e.g., athletics, clubs). However, accidents can and do happen. Injuries can result in substantial expenses that are not covered by the SCDSB or provincial health care. If families do not have existing or sufficient extended health or dental coverage, a variety of plans and benefits at reasonable annual prices can be found through either:
Participation in extracurricular activities (e.g., athletics, clubs, etc.)  require the purchase of this insurance, or other extended health and dental coverage.
Volunteering in schools during the 2024-25 school year
Volunteers are an important part of what makes our schools great places to learn and grow. We value and appreciate the support of our volunteers. Volunteers have various roles at our schools including:
Please contact your local school’s office if you are interested in volunteering and would like to know more about the opportunities available.
To become a volunteer in a Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) school, you must complete accessibility training and submit a current (dated within six months) Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC). Schools require all VSCs to be in their original form and emailed directly to the school for processing. Please note, volunteers are unable to upload VSCs directly to the volunteer portal. Each potential volunteer must create an account within the volunteer portal. Please remember to choose the school you wish to volunteer with.
If you do not have a computer or require assistance, please contact the school.
Current volunteers
Current approved volunteers must keep their Community Apps account/Volunteer Portal information up-to-date with email address changes. Communication is sent throughout the year to the provided email address with respect to timelines, necessary requirements, etc. regarding your volunteer status. Instructions on how to change your email address in Community Apps can be found here: www4.scdsb.on.ca/app/CommunityPass/Help/Docs. Updating your email address in your Community Apps account will automatically update your email address in your Volunteer Portal.