Days of Awareness 2024-25
Please review the days of awareness calendar on the SCDSB website at
www.scdsb.on.ca/about/equity_and_inclusion.
Inclement weather and bus cancellation information reminder
All information regarding cancelled buses in Simcoe County is posted on
the Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium (SCSTC)’s bus
information website at
www.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca.
When buses are cancelled, schools remain open for student learning,
unless otherwise noted. School staff are expected to plan for such
emergencies in order to transition students who are unable to attend due
to inclement weather, to their online platforms (Google Classroom
and/or SCDSBhub [Brightspace by D2L]) and continue with academic
programming. It is always a family decision whether or not it is safe
for their child(ren) to leave for school under severe weather
conditions.
The SCSTC and bus operators try to make the decision to cancel school
buses before 6 a.m. and make every effort to post announcements before 7
a.m. Inclement weather cancellations are effective for the whole day
and buses cancelled in the morning will not run at the end of the day.
You can follow the SCSTC on Twitter @SCSTC_SchoolBus for bus
cancellations and other information. You can also subscribe to receive
bus delay notifications here:
https://scstc.ca/Subscriptions/Login.aspx.
Safe Arrival program
The Safe Arrival program is in place in elementary schools to ensure
that students arrive safely at school each day. Parent/guardian
cooperation in reporting their child's absence is a requirement of the
program. If the school is not contacted, an automated call will be made
to the family and/or any emergency contacts on file to ensure the child
is safe.
On days when buses are cancelled due to inclement weather, the Safe
Arrival program remains in effect. For inclement weather days,
parents/guardians are asked to contact the school if they receive an
absence notification and believe their child should be in attendance.
Otherwise, the school will assume the parent/guardian is aware of their
child's absence. Families of walking students should always call the
school if their child is not attending on the inclement weather day.
Regular student attendance matters
Missed days add up! Did you know if your child misses two days a month
in elementary school, they will have missed an entire year of school by
the time they enter high school?
Learn more about why student attendance matters at
www.scdsb.on.ca/attendance.
SCDSB seeks parent/guardian representatives for new Safe Schools Committee
The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) prioritizes the safety
of students and staff and is committed to creating inclusive school and
work environments where everyone feels a sense of belonging. The SCDSB
believes in working with the community on strategies that will continue
to keep schools safe, address challenging behaviours, and ultimately
reduce incidents of violence affecting SCDSB schools.
The SCDSB is seeking up to three parents/guardians and up to four
individuals representing community organizations/associations to serve
as committee members on the new Safe Schools Committee. Applications
will be accepted from Sept. 24 to Oct. 7, 2024.
Visit the SCDSB website to learn more about the committee and how to apply:
www.scdsb.on.ca/news/current_news/safe_school_committee_membership
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 Ophea Healthy Schools
certification.
In case you missed it, over 100 SCDSB schools achieved Ophea Healthy
Schools certification last year! Watch below to see how SCDSB schools
are continuing their focus on healthy active living and working towards
maintaining and/or improving their Healthy Schools certification levels
this school year!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JS1n0qiQ3nY
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 was 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.
School bus transportation information available from the SCSTC
In order to receive delay and cancellation notifications, families can
check the Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium (SCSTC)
website at
www.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca
or download the ‘BusPlanner Delays’ app from the Apple or Android app
stores to receive delay notifications to their devices. Users would need
to select Simcoe County STC as the transportation authority. The app
will need to be forced closed, but you will be able to select your
student(s) routes or school to receive delays.
The app will send a general notice for any cancellation in Simcoe
County. You only need to know which ‘zone’ you’re in, so you would know
which one to look out for in the app. You can find your student’s zone
by visiting the School Bus Status page at
www.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca and clicking the dropdown for the area you live in.
School Bus Safety Week and School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
School Bus Safety Week takes place Oct. 21 to 25, 2024. Please visit the
Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium (SCSTC) website at
main.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca
for information on school bus safety and links to school bus safety
resources. Oct. 23, 2024 is School Bus Driver Appreciation Day in the
province of Ontario. It’s a great opportunity for the school community
to thank our bus drivers for all their hard work transporting students
to and from school safely.
Upcoming in-person Grade 1 French Immersion information sessions
The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) offers French Immersion
(FI) at select schools throughout Simcoe County beginning in Grade 1.
The goal of the FI program is to enable students to communicate in
French with a high level of proficiency, enabling them to function with
ease in both English and French.
Entry into the FI program will be determined through a digitally
randomized lottery system. More information will be provided on the
SCDSB website in the coming months. Visit
www.scdsb.on.ca/cms/One.aspx?portalId=210982&pageId=12587752 to learn more.
Parents’ Guide to Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting
Learn to navigate the world of assessment, evaluation, and reporting
with this guide for parents/guardians. Created to support
parents/guardians understanding of assessment, this guide was designed
to effectively empower you to actively engage in your child's
educational journey. The guide has been posted to the Simcoe County
District School Board’s website and can be accessed via the following
link:
https://tinyurl.com/2urcm2tm.
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. For more information visit:
www.scdsb.on.ca/cms/One.aspx?portalId=210982&pageId=371957.
Interested in learning more about the ways that the SCDSB
supports students with special education needs and their families? Join
us for a virtual special education outreach series
The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) is hosting virtual
special education outreach sessions to assist parents/guardians in
learning more about programs, supports, and ways that we work together
to support students with special education needs.
The first session, IEPs and school-based assessments – information for
parents/guardians, will be held on Oct. 22 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. This
virtual presentation will include an opportunity for participants to
share some of their questions regarding IEPs and special education
programming.
Participants are asked to register in advance. Information to access the
sessions will be shared via email with individuals who have
pre-registered. Learn more about upcoming sessions and how to register
on the SCDSB website:
www.scdsb.on.ca/elementary/special_education/special_education_outreach_sessions.
Online math resources for families
Have you tried Math at Home? Math at Home is an online resource for
parents/guardians of SCDSB students from pre-school age to 16! This
resource is updated monthly with games, problems, and number talk
activities that reflect the math your child may be learning at school
each month.
In October, activities in school and on Math at Home may include
grade-level tasks related to representing whole numbers using different
tools, and adding and subtracting whole numbers, fractions, decimal
numbers, and integers.
Visit
www.scdsb.on.ca/MathAtHome
to support your child’s math learning at home! Knowledgehook is another
digital math tool that provides more opportunities to practice math at
home. Ask your child's teacher about how they can access their account
at home.
October is Cyber Awareness Month
October is Cyber Awareness Month, and the topic is cyber hygiene. We
want to emphasize the importance of being proactive to protect yourself
and your family from potential cyber threats, especially with students
back in school. This topic provides practical tips on maintaining strong
passwords, recognizing phishing attempts, and using multi-factor
authentication to safeguard personal information.
Access the ECNO Cyber Awareness tip sheet for October to stay informed
about this month’s theme and explore additional resources:
www.ecno.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ECNO-CAM-24-Infosheets-E-_Part1.pdf.
Homestay hosts needed for international education program
When international students are welcomed into SCDSB schools, our
programs and community benefit, and students get life-changing Canadian
experiences that positively shape their world views. Without you, the
SCDSB can't deliver this exciting program. You can help by inviting
international students to stay with your family while they study in our
community.
To support homestay families, the SCDSB has partnered with the Canada
Homestay Network (CHN), a not-for-profit, family-run, Canadian business
that's been a leader in homestay since 1995. CHN provides cultural and
first-language support to hosts 24/7, and an allowance to help offset
expenses.
What you provide:
1. Access to nutritious meals and snacks
2. Utilities, internet, and laundry access
3. A private bedroom, desk, and closet
4. A patient, caring, and friendly Canadian family home atmosphere!
For more information about being a Canada Homestay Network host, please visit:
whyihost.ca.
Get on the move
There are many benefits to walking or wheeling to school. Walking or
wheeling to school reduces traffic, helps students establish healthy
lifestyles, is better for the environment, and enhances community
safety. Wherever possible, we encourage students within walking zones to
get on the move and walk or wheel to school. For more information
please visit the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit website here:
bit.ly/3OC4CJ9
Information provided by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit
October PA Day
Please note that Friday, Oct. 25 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 Oct. 25 elementary PA Day:
Length: full day, in-person
Topic: health and safety, mental health and well-being, literacy, mathematics
Host: Simcoe County District School Board ¬
Presenter(s)/facilitator(s): School administrators/school and board staff
Health and safety (150 minutes)
Educators will participate in a half-day health and safety digital
learning session focused on health and safety incident reporting and
investigations with a particular emphasis on workplace violence
prevention. The session will equip staff with the knowledge and tools to
report incidents effectively and promptly, provide insights into the
investigative and risk mitigation process, foster transparency and
accountability, and highlight the critical role staff play in preventing
workplace injuries.
Mental health and well-being (50 minutes)
Educators will engage in mental health learning with a focus on
essential conditions and strategies that support student mental health
and enhance learning. The resources shared will support staff in
bridging theory to practice, and in fostering school environments where
students feel safe, connected, and regulated and are available to learn.
Learning will take place through large and small group formats with
opportunity for discussion, reflection, and planning for effective
practices in the classroom, with a focus on School Mental Health Ontario
resources.
Mathematics (50 minutes)
All educators will engage in learning related to assessment tracking and
responsive intervention strategies to support all learners in the math
classroom, but specifically those with special education needs.
Educators will collaborate on the identification of a process/tool to
track the learning progress of students throughout the Course of Study
unit. They will identify intervention practices to be used with students
progressing below the provincial standard.
Literacy (50 minutes)
Kindergarten educators will continue to focus on foundational literacy
practices in the Kindergarten environment. Grade 1 to 8 educators will
continue to focus on the continued implementation of the revised
Language Curriculum, The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 1-8, Language, 2023,
including Tier 1 and Tier 2 instructional practices that support all
learners.