HOT LUNCH INFORMATION
Go to your child’s SchoolCash Online account items page and click “ORDER NOW”. If you need help please see the attached helpful links Creating an Account and How to Order Guide
On days your student is unexpectedly absent or on inclement weather days please make arrangements with your teacher or the office to pick up food orders. Hot lunch orders will not be saved if the student is away, and arrangements have not been made to pick up on the order day. Orders may be cancelled two days prior to delivery by canceling the order in Lunchbox.
If a lunch order has not been received, please send an email within (5) days of the scheduled delivery (preferably within 24 hours) to [email protected] so that it can be investigated with the school and the vendor.
OFFICE INFORMATION:
Please complete the Acknowledge and Permissions forms on School Cash Online as soon as possible!
Please sign your offence declarations for current volunteers. To learn more about becoming a volunteer please reach out to the office.
Please call the safe arrival line at 1-888-885-8065 to leave a message about your students absence.
If you have a change in plans for end of day pick up please notify the office before 2:30 so the teachers and students can be informed!
Please make sure students have a change of clothes at school, a need for a change of clothes can happen to students in any grade!
Parents are to come into the office to sign their student out for early dismissal due to illness or appt. Parents are NOT to walk the students down to class or to pick them up for dismissal.
Student Information Update
Please scan the QR code and complete this form to advise the office of any changes to student information or contact the office to review information that is on file.
Athletic Season Begins!!
Cross country practices start this week in the primary yard for grades 4-8. Cross Country School Cash Online Forms must be signed on school cash on line to attend. Practices begin Wednesday September 11th at 8:15am and will be Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8:15 am following the first practice.
Flag Football practices start Tuesday, Sept. 10 on the football field for grades 4-8. Flag Football School Cash Online Forms must be signed on school cash on line to attend. Practices will be held on Tuesday and Thursday Mornings 8:00 am to 8:50 am.
Students are to come prepared with proper footwear and a dry change of clothes (socks) for after practices!
Parent Council Message
MTV School Council Meeting #1 for the 2024/25 school year is October 7th at 7pm in the school library.
All parents and guardians welcome to attend School Council meetings. They are a great opportunity to:
- get to know other MTV Families
- hear firsthand what is happening and what is planned for our kids at school
- have your say about how funds get raised and spent (e.g. tech, school yard, field trips, other)
- hear from our principal, vice principal, and teacher representatives directly, and voice any concerns you may have directly to them
Terry Fox
Dear Mountain View Students & Families,
#NoMatterWhat is this year’s slogan to celebrate Terry Fox’s unwavering determination, no matter the challenges or circumstances when running his Marathon of Hope in1980. It aims to capture Terry’s spirit, heart and persistence to keep going. These are goals that we share with our students here at Mountain View as well.
This year we will be having our school’s Terry Fox Run on September 26th. (weather permitting) We will provide more details closer to the date. But, we are reaching out now to encourage you to go to our school’s link to donate to this important cause:
School Link to Donate (tax receipts sent directly)
https://schools.terryfox.ca/MountainViewESCollingwood
Thank-you so much for your support in honour of an important cause and an amazing Canadian role model.
NOAKES READING NOOK
Dear Students & Families,
The Library will be open next week for all of our students to begin their reading adventures for the upcoming year. Many of you know me already, but I am Mrs. Noakes the Teacher Librarian. I will be working with all classes this year and look forward to sharing my love of books with our students. We will stive to find 'Just Right Books' for all of our readers and to find books that they love to read.
I will provide updates throughout the year with the variety of reading, presentations and other learning that is happening in our school library. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any requests.
[email protected]
Happy Reading Everyone!
Mrs. Noakes
Days of Awareness 2023-24
Please review the Days of Awareness for the month of September here www.scdsb.on.ca/about/equity_and_inclusion.
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.
School board communication with parents/guardians
The SCDSB is committed to ensuring consistent and reliable information is made available to parents/guardians and acknowledges the positive impact of parent/guardian engagement on student achievement. Visit the SCDSB website to learn how the SCDSB and your child’s school will communicate with you, to review the SCDSB service commitment, and learn how you can communicate your appreciation or concern. You can also find information about how to support your child’s education in the Ministry of Education’s Your Child’s Education: A parent guide to our school system: www.ontario.ca/page/your-childs-education-parent-guide-our-school-system.
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:
· For educational purposes, as directed by an educator;
· For health and medical purposes; and/or,
To support special education needs, as documented in the student’s IEP.
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:
· For educational purposes, as directed by an educator;
· For health and medical purposes; and/or,
To support special education needs, as documented in the student’s IEP.
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:
Sign up to receive SCDSB media releases by clicking the ‘Subscribe’ button at scdsb.on.ca.
Follow the SCDSB on X (@SCDSB_Schools), Facebook (facebook.com/SCDSB) and Instagram (instagram.com/scdsb).
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.
School council nominations take place every fall. If you are interested, please watch your email for upcoming communication and for more information visit www.scdsb.on.ca/elementary/parent/school_councils.
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:
StudyInsured at www.studyinsuredstudentaccident.com or by calling 1-833-560-0527; or,
Insure my Kids at www.insuremykids.com or by calling 1-800-463-5437.
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:
· School event volunteer
· Hot lunch day organizers
· Field trip supervisors
Classroom helpers
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.
Current volunteers should:
Complete an annual offence declaration through the SCDSB Community Apps – Volunteers page for up to four years to continue volunteering.
Submit a new VSC at the beginning of the fifth year.
Be responsible for the cost of the VSC.
Be responsible to the principal and work under the supervision of teaching staff.
Work cooperatively as part of a team to support and supplement school programs.
Respect the confidentiality of the relationship to the school, ensuring that staff issues and student work and behaviour issues are held in confidence.
Adhere to established SCDSB and school procedures.
Communicate regularly with staff.
Be prompt, dependable and regular in attendance, and give advance notice to teachers when unable to attend.
If you are also a parent, check out our Parent Portal: www.scdsb.on.ca/cms/one.aspx?pageId=371986.
Walk or wheel
Walking or cycling to school is a great way for your child to get the 60 minutes of daily physical activity that’s needed for good mental and physical health. It also builds responsibility and independence and helps them feel more connected to the community. More walkers mean less traffic around schools, which helps keep students safe and improves outdoor air quality. Even one day a week of walking or cycling to school can make a big difference!
To find out more about how to support active and safe routes to school through School Travel Planning, visit: www.ontarioactiveschooltravel.ca/school-travel-planning/.
Information provided by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
Procedures help keep our school safe
We have a number of procedures in place to keep our school safe. You can help your child understand and feel safe by:
· talking to them about the situations below
· reminding them that emergencies are rare
telling them it’s important to follow staff instructions in these situations
Parents/guardians should talk about the following emergency drills with their children:
· Shelter in place is used when there is an environmental or weather-related situation, like a chemical spill outside the building, or a major storm. Activities continue inside the school. Students and staff are not allowed to leave the building. The ventilation system may be shut off temporarily.
· A hold and secure is used when there is a situation in the community, not related to the school, like a bank robbery nearby. Activities continue, but all exterior doors are locked. No one is allowed to enter or exit the school.
A lockdown is used when there is a major incident or a threat of violence related to the school. Students and staff move to secure areas, away from doors and windows. Interior doors are locked, lights are shut off and blinds are drawn. Students and staff remain quiet. We practice lockdown drills at least two times per year. In the unlikely event of an actual lockdown situation, police ask that parents/guardians do not go to the school. Information will be communicated directly to families by email using the email address on file at your child’s school.
All schools have evacuation plans in case of gas leaks, bomb threats or fire incidents that would require everyone to leave the school. We hold drills to practice our evacuation plan. In a real evacuation, students and staff may go to the evacuation site, depending on the situation. Parents/guardians will be informed about pick-up procedures by the school, school board and local media.
When parents/guardians are at school during a drill or emergency event, they must follow direction from school staff, police, fire, and/or emergency personnel. Parents/guardians may not have immediate access to their children during drills or emergencies. They may need to wait until the situation is resolved and school staff and/or emergency personnel release students into parent/guardian care.
It’s important for you to know we’ll always take whatever precautions are necessary to keep our school and students safe.
Please note the following:
· Elementary school main doors are locked during the school day. Visitors must use the intercom system and wait for assistance. Staff may not be available to answer the door immediately, so please be patient.
· Staff must complete a criminal record check before having contact with students.
· We ask parents/guardians of elementary students to contact us when their child will be absent from school as part of our Safe Arrival program. When we don’t hear from a parent/guardian and a student is absent, we will call home to find out the reason for the absence.
At least two staff members in every school are trained in first aid and CPR. All SCDSB schools have automated external defibrillators (AED).
Student dress code
Our board’s dress code is one way that we embed the principles set out in the SCDSB and Ministry of Education documents, Caring and Safe Schools in Ontario and Equity and Inclusive Education, to ensure safe, inclusive, and equitable learning environments for all of our students. In SCDSB schools, we believe that students should be able to learn in a safe and caring space that is free of bias and discrimination. When making choices about what to wear to school, we respect your individuality. To ensure that our learning environments are safe and respectful spaces, our board has consulted with students and staff to develop a set of shared standards for student dress.
The SCDSB dress code is available on the SCDSB website at www.scdsb.on.ca/elementary/dress_code. If you have questions about the dress code, contact your school principal.
School bus ‘Bus Tag’ program helps students get to and from school safely
The Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium’s Bus Tag program supports safety for JK/SK and other school-identified students. The program helps match students to their assigned afternoon school bus and identifies that they must be met by a parent/guardian at their afternoon bus stop.
The program provides a colour-coded bus tag with the assigned p.m. route number, to be attached to the student’s backpack, and a colour-coded route card with route number in the windows of the school bus that the bus tag is matched to. The program can also provide tags for students who are walkers and/or who remain at an on-site child care centre to make sure they don’t get on a bus in error.
For more information, visit main.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca.
Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions in need of foster homes
Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions is in need of families in our communities to open their homes to children and youth requiring foster homes. By opening your home, you can make a difference in their lives by keeping them close to their family, school, and community. Help us keep kids close to home. If you or someone you know is interested in fostering, please visit www.familyconnexions.ca or complete the form here: familyconnexions.ca/contact/.
Information provided by Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions
Tips for a smooth start back to school
Routines help: pack lunches together, pick clothes the night before, relax before bed without screens.
Encourage a positive outlook by asking about what they enjoy about school and what they can look forward to.
It is normal for there to be back-to-school worries. Validate their feelings and help them to think of ways to manage situations. Offer reassurance and remind them that there are adults at school to help.
Spend time together, be outdoors, learn ways to relax, support well-being.
Talk about road safety and routes to school. For younger children, practice route to school (or bus) together.
For more information, call Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520 or visit www.simcoemuskokahealth.org.
Information provided by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit