Up and Coming Events

Up and Coming Events
May 19 Victoria Day
May 21 Joint Council Meeting with Pinecrest at Pinecrest 6:00pm
May 23 Pizza
May 26 Grade 8 High Performance testing at Panet 6-8
May 27 EQAO first block language
May 28 EQAO first block language
May 29 EQAO first block language
May 30 Hot lunch pita
June 1 Armed Forces Day
June 2 EQAO first block math
June 3 EQAO first block math
June 4 EQAO first block math
Talent Show auditions Grade 1-3
June 5 Talent Show auditions 4-6 School Council 6:00pm
June 6 Talent Show auditions kindergarten Sundaes for $2
June 9 Pa Day
June 10 Talent Show auditions missed/Track and Field (tentative)
June 13 Talent show rehearsal for school am Talent Show for parents 12:15 Spirit Day
June 15 Father's Day
June 16 Kindergarten Open House
June 17 PIC meeting 5:30 Board office
June 19 Closing assembly/Year end Celebration 4:30-6:00
June 20 Spirit Day
June 23 Grade 8 Graduation 12:15 Report Cards go home
June 27 Last Day of classes































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Sunday, July 7, 2013

General Lake School Council Annual Report for the 2012-2013 School Year



 General Lake Public School 1900 Borden Avenue Petawawa Ontario K8H 2T6 Phone: 613-687-2404 / Fax: 613-687-2405 

 General Lake School Council 
Annual Report for the 2012-2013 School Year 
June 17, 2013 
Dear Parents and School Community: 
The General Lake School Council had a very rewarding 2012-2013 School Year. The School Council held 10 meetings: September 17th, 2012 - October 10th, 2012 - November 14th, 2012 - December 12th, 2012 – January 16th, 2013 - February 13th, 2013 - March 20th, 2013 - April 17th, 2013 - May 29th, 2013 and June 12th, 2013. The Council worked on various issues during the year including: anti-bullying; the importance of recess; healthy hot lunches; ways to better informed parents; improving teacher and parent communication; building our Community; children’s mental health and ways to keep School Council informed by sharing information from the Ministry of Education, the Renfrew County District School Board, the Parent Involvement Committee, the People for Education and the Ontario College of Teachers. These meetings were open to the public to encourage input from parents and other members of the school community. 
The purpose of the School Council is to help improve students achievement and to enhance the accountability of the education system to parents. School Councils are advisory organizations. A School Council’s primary means of achieving its purpose is by making recommendations to the Principal of the school and the School Board. Boards and Principals are responsible for considering the recommendations made by each School Council and for advising the Council(s) of the actions taken in response to the recommendations. 
Additional achievements of the School Council in 2012-2013 included the following: Open house with partners from our community; School Council Blog; a name for the new k-12 school; healthy hot lunch program; creation, distribution and collection of the 'Get Involved' school volunteer forms; After School French club; Dr Seuss literacy evening; Education Week Celebration; Jeremy’s Vision presentation to Junior/intermediate students; information session on 'Anxiety in Children' and 'Temperament and Goodness of Fit' ; student volunteer luncheon with certificates; bulbs donation to the Memory Garden in Pembroke in memory of former teacher Barbara Grant and the End of School Year celebration 
Fundraising activities were also conducted, and the proceeds were used to fund projects in accordance with School Board policies. The School Council raised funds for: technology, school trips, cultural performances, graduation, and butterfly kits. The fund-raising activities included: hot lunches, compliant with the Ontario School Food And Beverage Policy (PPM150); Lamontagne 2012 catalogues; Christmas Gift and Craft Show; and Spring Vesey’s Bulbs. Minutes of meetings held and financial records are available for public inspection at the school office. 
We wish to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the many individuals who volunteered their time to contribute to the success of the School Council this year. Special thanks to the following members of the 2012-2013 School Council: Sarah Perras, Adelle Bemister, Lindsay Allan, Karen White, Guylaine Lapierre, Stacy Godin, Erin Morawiec, Rowana Brown, and Jennifer Wiertel. Also a special thank you to our Principal, Lizanne Lacelle, our Vice-Principal, Deborah Legault and all the Staff for their continued support and partnership. Finally, we wish the best of luck to the candidates in the 2013-2014 School Council elections. Election date to elect new Executives will be Wednesday, September 18th 2013 at 6:00pm in the school library. We encourage everyone to attend. We hope that you will all have a safe and happy summer. 
Sincerely yours, 
Claudia Major General Lake School Council Chair 

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

General Lake 2013-2014 Parent Handbook

General Lake Public School



Parent/Guardian Information


                                                Table of Contents
Principal’s Message
Safe Arrivals Information
Emergencies/Medication
Electronic Devices
Newsletters
Agendas
Transportation       
Clothing                
Daily Schedule/Recess    
Student Success   
Homework
Student Behaviour
Visitors
School Culture    

We’re Working With You!

All of us at General Lake Public School are dedicated to providing a stimulating, creative and supportive atmosphere in which your children can mature into competent, responsible and caring citizens.

As your children progress through school you are bound to have questions about their education. This handbook is designed to respond to the most common questions, please keep it for quick reference. Contact the school at any time with questions, suggestions, and ideas.

As a parent, you are the foundation of your children’s education and I encourage you to be involved with our school community and school council.  We welcome your participation and involvement.

                                                              Deb Legault, Principal
                                                              legaultd@rcdsb.on.ca

1900 Borden Avenue, Petawawa, ON         K8H 2T6               613-687-2404


Safe Arrivals

In order to ensure the safe arrival of student to school each day, we are required to make contact with a parent or guardian for any student that is absent. Please call the school secretary to report your child’s absence each day that your child is not attending school. It is also helpful to call if you know your child will be late as he/she has an appointment. You may also call before school hours and leave a message on our voice mail @ 613-687-2404

Regulation 298 section 23 (2) states that when a pupil returns to school after an absence, a parent or guardian of the pupil shall give reason for the absence orally or in writing as the principal requires.

A note in your child’s agenda would suffice in this circumstance as would a phone call to the secretary.
   After School Pick-up
 When call to have your child picked up after school, please call the school before 3:00 pm.


Emergency Procedures
In the event of an emergency, it is absolutely critical that everyone in the school knows what to do and responds automatically. In order for this to happen, time is spent regularly reviewing and practicing the unforeseen. We have school-wide fire, evacuation, and lockdown drills to ensure that students are aware and comfortable with the appropriate procedures. Parents will be contacted directly in the event of an emergency evacuation.

Medication
Any student requiring medication (self-administered or by the school) must obtain a permission form from the office. All medications are kept in a locked location at the office. Students with severe allergic reactions carry an extra inhaler or Epipen with them. Students needing to carry inhalers or other emergency treatment preparations must have written permission from the office using the standardized forms. Parents should give all other forms of medication at home. DO NOT send medications to school with your child. Medical bulletins are posted in the staff room for all staff to be aware of students with potentially life-threatening medical conditions.

Newsletters/School Blog/Sunday Night Message
A newsletter will be sent home on a monthly basis with the children of each family in our school. The newsletter will contain information concerning events in the school, recognize outstanding work in and out of the school by students, inform parents of classroom programs or policies which may be of interest, and provide a showcase for some examples of student work. Every Sunday Night a message is sent out to our General Lake Public School Community informing parents of the p and coming events for the week.  All information is also posted on our school blog at: www.generallakenews.blogspot.com


Electronic Devices
All electronic devices are permitted to be used at school provided students/parents have reviewed the guidelines for appropriate use, as outlined in the Renfrew County District School Board Policy and Form 141-1, Appropriate Use Contract for Students, has been signed. The school is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items.

Agendas
In September, all students from grade 1 to 8 will be asked to contribute to purchase a school agenda book to help them organize their day. These day planners will help you to plan your child’s time and assignments. All students are expected to use them for recording homework and for home-school communication. Please review the agenda daily with your child.



Student Transportation
Student transportation is a privilege, not a right. If necessary, the privilege of riding the bus may be suspended.

Responsibility for the safety of bus passengers rests not only on the driver, but also with the student riders, their parents/guardians, and school staff. Bus rules should be reviewed at home and at school to ensure that routines are established. Students, whether daily or occasional riders, are expected to observe these rules:

Ø Be at the stop 10 minutes in advance of scheduled pick up time to keep the bus on schedule.
Ø  Wait off the road until the bus comes to a full stop.
Ø  Wait for the go-ahead signal from the driver and look both ways before crossing the road.
Ø  Obey promptly any direction or instructions given by the driver including the allocation of seats.
Ø  Remain seated at all times.
Ø   Keep aisles clear of belongings and do not leave articles on the bus
Ø  Use indoor voices to avoid distracting the driver through excessive noise or unreasonable behaviour
Ø  Keep arms, head and feet inside the bus.
Ø  Stay with the bus in case of road emergency
Ø  Assist in the safety and comfort of small children
Ø  Be respectful of the bus and any of its equipment.
Ø  No eating or drinking while on the bus

**Buses are not to be used for the purpose of transporting children to birthday parties and sleepovers, etc. It is the parents’ responsibility to provide such service. Bus Passes are issued for emergency situations only.

In the event of inappropriate behaviour, the following procedures will be followed:
The school bus driver will seek the cooperation of a misbehaving student.
If the student refuses to cooperate, the school principal/vice-principal is informed by the driver.
The principal/vice-principal will inform the parent and the student will be given consequences accordingly.
Drivers inform the office of misconduct, and repeat offenders lose the privilege of riding the bus. Students, who damage the bus, other than through regular use, will be required to pay for repair costs.

Please discuss the rules and regulations with your children in the interest of safety for all children!

Bus Cancellation
During severe inclement weather conditions when buses may not be running, please listen to the local radio station MY FM 96.1 or STAR 96.7 FM or check the website (www.rcjtc.on.ca) in order to determine if buses have been cancelled.  If the bus does not pick a student up in the morning to take them to school, it will not be bringing him or her home. On such days, our regular academic programs may not be offered; however, an alternate program will be provided.


 
Dress Code
 Clothing worn by student at General Lake Public school must be appropriate for active play and presentable for the school as a work place. The dress code developed by the school council and the Renfrew DSB states:
·         Students are expected to attend school in neat clean tidy and modest clothing
·         Indoor and outdoor shoes are required.
·         No hats or caps in school
·         Shorts and skirts are to be thigh length when seated.
·         Shirts must cover the midriff.
·         Sleeveless shirts are acceptable but must follow the “three finger rule”.
·         Any clothing with depicts advertising for drug, tobacco or alcohol products, rude pictures or vulgar 
      expressions or graphics is prohibited
·         Footwear must be appropriate
·         Scented body sprays, perfumes or cologne are not to be used.IF ATTIRE IS QUESTIONABLE IT IS UNACCEPTABLERecognizing the dangers of cords and drawstrings, we recommend the use of neck warmers rather than scarves.


Indoor shoes
Students are required to have of indoor shoes for use inside the building. Stocking feet are strongly discouraged for reasons of health and safety. During inclement weather traffic in the hallways often leaves the floors wet or muddy. Fire drills are practiced three times in the fall and spring; students cannot take time to put on outside shoes. This pair of indoor shoes could be your child’s gym shoes.

     Label All Belongings
Each year an incredible amount of clothing including hats, mitts, t-shirts, coats, boots etc. are misplaced. We have a lost-and-found area located by the front entrance but many of these articles are never claimed. We urge parents to write their children’s name or initials on their belongings and to check the lost and found area at the front entrance whenever they are visiting the school. Three times a year (December, March and June), we wash and recycle some items and send the rest to community charities




Daily Schedule
Classes begin at General Lake at 9:20
Ø  Instructional Block 1
Ø  Nutrition Break 11:20-12:00
Ø  Instructional Block 2
Ø  Nutrition Break 2:00-2:40
Ø  Instructional Block 3
                                             Classes end at 3:40


Nutrition Breaks

·         Avoid all nut products as our school is a nut-reduced facility. 
·         There are two opportunities for students to eat during the school day: mid morning and early afternoon.
·         Students are to bring healthy food each day. Milk (white or chocolate) is sold each day at nutrition breaks. Students are expected to remain on school property during Nutrition Breaks.
·         All food is to be eaten in the classroom. No food is to be eaten outside. “Garbage-less” lunches are encouraged.
·         Students are expected to remain seated while eating and leave their spots to tidy at the end of lunch. Carbonated soft drinks are strongly discouraged.
·         Students are not allowed to leave school grounds to go to the Canex for lunch.

Outside recess
Students enjoy a break from the morning and the afternoon routines during which time they can get some fresh air and enjoy recreational time with their friends. All of us are better able to work after a short break.
Students are expected to dress for the weather and be prepared to spend 20 minutes outside enjoying the benefits of the fresh air, exercise and socializing with friends. Students will be outside unless the weather is too inclement (i.e. temperatures below -200C or raining too hard) to be outside.
Teachers occasionally receive notes requesting that a student stay in for recess. Students who return to school after a brief illness also benefit from recess. Fresh air and exercise are not detrimental to individuals recovering from the flu or a cold, especially when a student is properly dressed for the weather. Parents can help by encouraging their children to dress appropriately for the weather and allowing children to bring appropriate and labeled play equipment (footballs, soccer balls, skipping ropes), so that they have something to do and enjoy with their friends.
An ill child risks spreading the condition to classmates, and should remain at home until well enough to participate in regular school activities. There are exceptions to this practice. In very special cases, (i.e. a child recovering from physical injury), a child may need to stay inside for his/her safety. We do however; expect our students to participate in nutritional breaks.
Homework can be sent home with a sibling or friend.
During inclement or extreme cold conditions, we have indoor recesses.

Indoor Recess
When students must remain inside due to inclement weather, they are expected to remain in their classes, use indoor voices, find a quiet activity (board games, reading, colouring, cards etc.), and remain seated either on a chair or on the floor. Students are required to have a ask permission to leave the classroom for any reason.

Helping your child Succeed at School
You are the first and most important teacher your child will have throughout the learning years. The examples you set will help determine your child’s attitude.
For instance, if you enjoy reading and the sharing of ideas, your child will probably enjoy these activities as well. Display confidence in your child’s abilities, strengths or special talents. Set goals that are realistic and attainable because the self-confidence developed at home can be extremely helpful in building self-confidence in school and the outside world. Family experiences (i.e. visits to parks, museums, historical sights, trips, picnics, workplaces) are all opportunities to help stimulate your child’s skills in thinking, recall and verbal development.
When your child begins school, your role as an educator does not suddenly end, and your child will need your encouragement and will be more motivated if you take an interest in school work. Close contact with the teacher(s) is helpful, because you can provide valuable insights and support for your child’s development.
Visiting General Lake School

  • All visitors must sign in and obtain a visitor’s pass at the office prior to going anywhere in the school
  • Visitors are not allowed on the school yard without informing a staff member on yard duty.
  • Visitors picking up students for appointments or after school are required to remain at the office and allow the child/ren to be paged by the secretarial staff
  • Visitors are asked to respect the school dress code by dressing appropriately and removing hats/caps upon entering the building.



Promoting Positive and Winning Students:  A Positive Learning Environment
Students are expected to:
  • Use polite and respectful language and actions towards all members of our school community
  • Work and play cooperatively and safely (hands-off rule)
  • Behave in a non-aggressive manner (both physical and verbal)
  • Use problem solving skills to talk through conflicts
  • Be honest
  • Use active listening skills
  • Attend classes regularly, punctually and be prepared to work
  • Dress in an appropriate fashion

Range of Consequences for Inappropriate Behaviour
  • Warning
  • Counseling
  • Time-out
  • Detention
  • Loss of privileges
  • Referral to Principal or Vice-Principal
  • In-school suspension
  • Out of school suspension
  • Violent incident reported to police

Defining our school’s culture
Defining a school culture is setting the school environment apart from other cultures: home, hockey, business, etc. There will be some similarities but there will also be differences. The staff of General Lake is committed to making conscious decisions to examine what we value, clearly communicate these values and expectations to our students and then model what these are to the students. Students are expected to use appropriate actions within our school community.

Respect
Students are expected to:
ü  Show respect to themselves and all others in the school. This includes all personal and school property. Students should treat others the way they want to be treated.
ü  Cooperate with and  follow directions given by bus drivers, volunteers, custodial staff, office staff and teachers in the school, on the yard, on the bus and during field trips/functions.
ü  Be friendly and courteous with all members of our community.
ü  Be honest and accepting of others and their differences.
ü  Wear appropriate clothing according to the school dress code and remove hats when entering the school.

Safety
All students must feel safe at school. Students are expected to:
ü  Play responsibly and respectfully. Physical contact, rough play, bullying, put downs and teasing are hurtful and will not be tolerated.
ü  Walk in the school in a quiet and orderly manner
ü  All electronic devices are not to be used on school property.
ü  Students must remain on the school property at all times unless they have specific permission to leave.

Responsibility
Students are expected to:
ü  Demonstrate personal responsibility for learning.
ü   Complete all tasks to the best of their ability
ü  Be on time for class, prepared with materials they will need.
ü  Use school equipment responsibly


The above policies have been put in place for the safety of all children attending General Lake Public School.