The Week Ahead for Parents

Safe Arrival at JVPS

The York Region District School Board recognizes that monitoring student attendance is the joint responsibility of parents/guardians and school staff. Communication between parents/guardians, students and school staff members is essential to ensuring student safety.

A safe arrivals program is a series of steps which are performed together with daily school attendance taking to ensure student safety. A safe arrivals program is a mechanism that parents/guardians and schools can use to account for any student’s unexplained absence

We are reminding parents of their responsibility to:

·      Report ALL absences, late arrivals and/or changes to departure plans to the school.

·      Call our attendance line at: 905-881-3360.  The attendance line is available 24 hours a day.

·      Call the attendance line BEFORE 9:00 a.m. to inform the school of an absence or if the child will be arriving late.

·      Provide the school with complete and current emergency contact information.

If a child is absent or late and we have not received a phone call to explain the absence or late arrival, the office will contact parents/guardians as soon as possible when their child is identified as absent without explanation.

The school will attempt to reach the parents in the following ways:

·      All numbers for parents will be called

·      All emergency numbers will be called

·      Voice messages will be left for parents

·      E-mails will be sent to parents

If we cannot verify the absence or the late arrival and a student is still deemed to be absent without explanation, the school will contact York Regional Police.

Again, we are reminding parents that it is important to call the office to inform us that your child will be absent or late.

Planning for the New School Year 2018-2019

Much of the planning for the new school year is underway!  

One of the most important tasks that usually begins in late May is the placement of students into new classes for September, 2018-2019.  Homeroom teachers, in consultation with receiving teachers, appropriate support staff and school administration devote much discussion time to the generation of classes that strive to best meet the needs of all of our students.  Class placement is a complex process that takes many hours of thought and discussion.  Decisions are made following careful consideration of a number of criteria: 

• Balance of student abilities,
• Ministry and Board Guidelines (e.g. class size)
• Gender balance,
• Academic performance
• Learning skills 
• Individual needs
• Social/emotional factors
• ELL and Special Education needs 

While friendship issues can play a role in the comfort level of some students, at particular developmental stages, many friends learn best in separate classes.

Often parents have new and/or important information to share about their child which lends assistance to class placement decisions. Recent medical diagnoses, significant negative peer relationships that exist outside the school’s awareness or significant individual/family issues that may impact learning and learning style are items of information which are appreciated prior to the placement process. Parent input that is received via a letter to the Principal by Friday, MAY 4th, 2018 will be considered (and shared) during placement meetings. 

Please note that we do not accept specific teacher requests.  

Input after May 4th may not be considered due to the complexity of the task.  Please be advised that while such input is valued, it cannot drive class placement decisions since school-wide limitations and a variety of other factors will, at times, take precedence.  

Final decisions regarding student placements remain the responsibility of the Principal. Ministry mandates on class size will impact class placements into September.  Please note that  we are unable to share class placement information with families until  the first day of the new school year.  Thank you in advance for your support and for partnering with us in this very important task.

Family Math Night

Don't forget to register for our upcoming Family Math Night.  Come out and see what your children are learning in math.  We look forward to seeing our families on Thursday April 26, 2018.

A Magical Night at JVPS

Our Magic Show is soon approaching.  Please don't forget to reserve your spot for this wonderful and entertaining event.  The price per family is only $12.00.  Don't forget to go on School Cash on Line to
register.

Are you Planning on Moving?

In planning for next year’s classes, it is most helpful to know if your child/ren will be attending another school in September 2018 (high school not included).

If your child/ren will not be returning, please let the office know as soon as possible.

The Week Ahead forParents