Brigden School

Hopefully each of you has had a safe and enjoyable summer. A special welcome to all students and families who are new to our school. September signifies the beginning of many new adventures in a child ’s life at school. We look forward to working together with you to make each day a positive, enjoyable learning experience for each and every one of our students.

The addition of new families this year will enhance the opportunities that are available to our students. We hope that you plan to share your time and talents in school activities whenever possible.

I believe that: "Kids do better when parents are actively involved in the school because they attend a better school." We look forward to family participation in school activities.

Grade 8/7: Mr. Paul Dugas

Grade 6/7: Mr. Caleb MacKinnon

Grade 5/6: Mr. Mark Padbury

Grade 4/5: Mrs. Melissa Holmes

Grade 3/4: Mrs. Ingrid Kern

Grade 2/3: Mrs. Stephanie Blair

Grade1/2: Mrs. Gloria Hands

Grade 1: Ms. Sherri De Wolf

JK/SK: Mrs. Carol Hayward

Resource: Mrs. Carolyn Bus B-Days

French: Mrs. Mary Brown

Librarian: Mrs. Cheryl Chartrand

Secretary: Mrs. Debra Aarssen

Custodian: Mrs. Karen Scott

Education Assistants: Mrs. Lori Japp.

Our Director is Mrs. Gayle Stucke,

Dave Doey Superintendent

Chatham Office
354-3770 Ext. 303

Dismissal

With winter weather conditions sometimes being unpredictable we would like to review policy procedures.

On foggy or blustery mornings, please listen to one of the Sarnia/Chatham Radio Stations
(CHOK – 1070 AM, FOX FM 99.9 or CHKS – 106.7 FM, CKSY 95.1 FM and CFCO 630 a.m.) and please continue to listen to the radio for continual updates. Weather conditions vary in various geographic areas and the Board has split us into Zones. The radio will announce specific directions for each zone depending on the weather in that area. We are ZONE 3

Busing announcements will be made by 6:30 a.m.

If bus routes are cancelled, the school will remain open unless otherwise indicated.

In the event that an early dismissal is required, parents of students in (JK – Gr. 6) will be contacted unless the student has a sibling in Grade 7 or 8. If a parent or designated emergency contact cannot be reached, the child(ren) will remain at the school with the principal and the majority of the students will be transported home

If you have any concerns in this regard, please call the school (692-4035).

Students will have pictures taken by Life Touch on October 8 & 9, 2008. More information will follow closer to Picture Day.

At the beginning of each month a newsletter and calendar will be sent home to help make you aware of school routines and activities. In the interest of conservation, only one newsletter will be sent home per family with the youngest student.

Daily lunch supervision will be provided for those students who eat their lunch at school. Lunch rules are posted in each room and students are required to comply with these expectations. Please return the Lunch Room Form stating whether your child will be remaining at school or walking home for lunch by Friday, September 5th. If your child normally walks home at noon but needs to remain at school for lunch one day, a note is required. Similarly, a note is needed each day a "bus" student leaves the school grounds for lunch. They will not be allowed to use the school phone to get permission. These procedures will ensure that both home and school are aware of your child's whereabouts.

The Education Act Regulation 612 requires schools in Ontario to elect school council representatives within 30 school days each academic year. A School Council Nomination Form must be returned to the Principal no later than September 17th. Attached is the School Council Nomination Form that must be signed by the Nominator and the Candidate. If elections are required, the dates to vote are noted on the calendar, September 19th. Brigden School Council, according to LKDSB Administrative procedure A-AD-102.00, must consist of one Principal, one Teacher, one Non-teaching Staff Member, one Community Member and five Parents/Guardians. We have four parent members but our School Council’s Constitution allows up to six additional parent/guardian positions on council. Please consider one of these very important roles in School Council.

Our first School Council Meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 8th. at 7:00. Priorities for this school year will be discussed. School Council open meetings. All parents are welcome to attend.

If your child will be absent from school, please call the school. We have an answering machine so that you may call in the evening or early morning to leave a message. In accordance with our Safe School Arrival Policy, if your child is absent and we have not been notified, Mrs. Aarssen will call your home to ensure that you are aware of your child’s absence from school. If you know of an absence in advance please notify us by phone or note. Students can only be released from school early for appointments with an explanatory note or phone call from a parent or guardian.

Each family will receive a fold-up school year calendar indicating P.D. Days and holidays. If you have not received yours, please notify the school.

Please read and discuss the information with your child(ren). Students are supervised at all times while using the computers.

Sometimes students may be photographed and named in special occasion media coverage such as newspapers, yearbook, video tapes, etc. Please write a note to your child’s teacher if you DO NOT wish your child to be photographed.

All families with children in Early Years and Grade 1 will receive a Student Handbook. Please keep this as an information guide for the 2008-2009 school year for you and your child(ren). They will be sent home as soon as they arrive.

Students in Grades 2 through Grade 8 will receive a Student Planner. The planner includes: the school policies, a calendar indicating special dates and an area for students to record school responsibilities for 2008-2009. The Student Planner contains the same information as the Student Handbook. Students will use their planners to organize their school activities, homework, assignments and time. We appreciate parents monitoring the homework, project dates, tests, etc. Correspondence between home and school will be recorded in the planner. The planners will accompany students in their daily routines. The planner is considered a required "text", any student who loses it will be required to pay the total cost for a replacement, $5.00.

This program was very successful last year thanks to some very dedicated parents. We hope that this will continue as the students receive individual attention and opportunities that would not be available without your assistance. Volunteers most definitely enhance the programs offered at our school. Volunteers assist with special activities, supervise in the computer lab, assist with the library, cook hot dogs, drive students for class trips and sports along with various needs that arise. If you are able to offer your assistance this year please fill out the form and return it your child’s classroom teacher.

We certainly appreciate your time and effort.

Accident Insurance Form

This insurance is optional and each child will receive a form. It is important to know that the Board does not provide accident insurance for students. Student accident insurance covers accidental dental claims, out-of-province hospital coverage, private tuition disability and rehabilitation benefits.

In order to administer any medication to your child(ren) it is necessary to have your family physician complete a form which must be returned to the school. Medication must be brought to the school office in the original prescription container. All drugs will be administered from the office.

Parents are encouraged to check their child(ren)’s hair on a regular basis for head lice. Children who do have pediculosis will be required to remain home until all eggs and lice are completely removed from the hair. We had few cases of pediculosis last year. We ask for your assistance by informing the school if you experience this problem so we can assist in correcting the situation. If you need information on symptoms or treatment, please contact the school.

We will continue to have food days every Thursday and Friday beginning 18th and 19th of September. Please read the form over carefully, the food items change at least once a month.

Meet the Staff evening will be on September 17th, 2008 from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.. This is an excellent opportunity for parents to meet the staff in an informal setting. Interviews do not occur at this time. Plan to join the staff for supper. The School Council and Parent Association are planning the meal. More information will follow as we get closer to the event.

All visitors must report to the school office personnel. Visitors must sign the Visitor’s Book in the secretary’s office. This year all visitors to the school must report to the office to receive a visitor’s badge that must be worn while on school property. The office staff will notify the teacher you would like to see, or contact your child if you need to meet with him/her. This procedure will help us to provide for the safety of your child.

There are some ideas for meals attached to this news letter. Also, there is an example of a balanced day lunch bag hanging on the community bulletin board. Please, have a look and if you are interested the office has the information where the bags can be purchased.