éCOLE BLESSED MOTHER TERESA

École Blessed Mother Teresa 121 Midlake Blvd. SE Calgary, Alberta T2X 1T7 Phone : 403-500-2078 Fax : 403-500-2278 www.cssd.ab.ca/motherteresa/

This agenda belongs to: Name:

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www.cssd.ab.ca

elcome to the 2015 – 2016 school year! Providing a quality Catholic education for our students is accomplished through continuous cooperation between home, school and parish within a framework of mutual respect and participation. The École Blessed Mother Teresa Staff look forward to working together with you.

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congregation of sisters, called the Missionaries of Charity, whose members are dedicated to serving the poorest of the poor. Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Blessed Mother Teresa died on Friday, the 5th of September, 1997 in Calcutta. We celebrated her beatification on October 16, 2003.

We ask that parents/guardians review the information contained in this agenda with their children and refer to it during the school year.

Her life provided a powerful example of loving concern, extended to those who were rejected by others. Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta is a role model to emulate in today’s society. VISION STATEMENT Our Vision “We believe that each child is a unique gift from God. As a community of learners, we strive to foster successful learning, faith formation and responsible citizenship in a caring, supportive environment.”

BLESSED MOTHER TERESA

“Let every action of mine

Our Mission

be something beautiful for God.”

Commitment to Children, Learning and Excellence

 Our mission is to ensure quality teaching and learning within a safe, caring and respectful Catholic school environment.  This community will reflect the teachings of the Gospel and Blessed Mother Teresa by striving to have all our actions be something beautiful to God.  École Blessed Mother Teresa is committed to serve the students of our community who are offered every opportunity to grow spiritually, socially, intellectually, emotionally and physically in a French Immersion Catholic setting. From the above, it follows that:  We accept the parents’ role as primary educators and we believe that every student has the capacity for unlimited growth and that we are entrusted with providing every opportunity to ensure this growth.

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lessed Mother Teresa who was born in what is now Skopje, Macedonia in 1910. She was widely recognized in the modern world as a “living saint,” because of her devotion to God, and her sincere and humble love of the needy. Realizing at an early age her desire to become a missionary, she sought the advice of a Jesuit priest who inspired her with tales of his adventures through remote regions of India. She entered the order of the Sisters of Our Lady of Loreto at the age of 18, and took the name of Teresa. She taught in the Order’s school in Calcutta until 1946, when she experienced what she described as a “call within a call” to aid the desperately poor of India. She left her convent and received permission from Rome to begin her work. She brought sick people from the streets into a home where they could die in peace and dignity and she established an orphanage. Slowly other women joined her on her journey and in 1950 she received official approval for a 2

DISTRICT MISSION STATEMENT

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Social Worker. If, for any reason, your child is going to be late or absent, please call us at 403-500-2078 and give the reason for the absence. Students arriving late must enter through the front doors and report to the office.

iving and Learning in our Catholic Faith. Adopted March 10, 2010

CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF CARING

A student who will need to leave school during the day must bring a note from his or her parent that morning. A student who becomes ill during the school day should, with the teacher’s permission, report to the office. Office staff will make sure that a student’s parent is notified.

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e are a Catholic Community of Caring. This philosophy embodies everything that we do as followers of Jesus Christ. We focus upon the virtues of: Respect, Responsibility, Caring, Trust, Faith and Family. These virtues are incorporated within school plans, curriculum integration, conflict resolution and anti-bullying programming. Routines, events, activities and celebrations will be scheduled throughout the year for the purpose of strengthening a Catholic culture and climate within our school community.

If a student is absent from school, it is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to report the absence to the school. Vacations

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e strongly recommend that parents schedule these during regular holiday times, such as Christmas, Easter and summer break. Be aware that vacation absences are unexcused absences. The teacher is responsible for student learning in the classroom. It is the student’s responsibility to catch up on missed work upon his/her return to school.

We also focus on Social Justice, bringing charitable actions to the fore and teaching our students to be responsible contributors to the community. BELL TIMES Kindergarten:

8:55 – 11:40 a.m. 12:48 – 3:28 p.m.

Grades 1 to 6:

8:55 – 11:40 a.m. 12:30 – 3:28 p.m.

Recess:

Too Sick For School? ow contagious is the child’s illness? Common symptoms often associated with a contagious disease include fever, sore throat, runny nose, aches and rash. Most schools would prefer that children remain at home until a diagnosis is confirmed or the child has improved, to allow your child to get better and not spread contagious germs.

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2:00 – 2:15 p.m.

Supervision of students begins at 8:40 AM, so students should not arrive before that time. Students who take the Charter buses after school are supervised in the rear of the school until the buses arrive. There will be no supervision on the playground after school.

Health, Medication and Related Issues

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dministration of medication to students can only be facilitated under the authority of the attending doctor and parents. If a student needs to take medication during the school day, the parent must have their doctor complete a Medication Permission Form that the office can provide for you. A parent must deliver the medication in its original, labeled container to the office. For any other long-term health concerns, please see the administration.

ATTENDANCE

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egular and punctual attendance is mandatory for all students, unless prevented by illness. The parent(s) or guardian(s), either by note or a phone call before 8:55 a.m. or 12:30 p.m., must report each and every absence. Excessive unexcused absences will be referred to the District 3

CURRICULUM

SCHOOL SERVICES

Religious Education and Family Life

School Resource Team (SRT)

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ll students at École Blessed Mother Teresa School are expected to participate in the total Religious Education program. Besides formal daily teaching and prayer, liturgies and celebrations are held throughout the year. As students of École Blessed Mother Teresa are a part of the St. Patrick’s, St. Albert the Great’s and St. Bonaventure Parish Communities, children celebrate the sacraments of First Communion, Reconciliation and Confirmation at one of these local parishes.

group of staff meet to discuss individual students and to facilitate in-school solutions for their needs. If further assessment is necessary, a child may be referred to the District Instructional Services Team. Students who have significant learning needs may receive an adapted or modified program. Kindergarten Screening

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algary Catholic Specialist Teams support student learning. Currently, the Calgary Catholic School District screens all Kindergarten students and provides these results to the families of children with identified needs. Children are screened for:

The Family Life program teaches the Catholic traditions of the dignity of family life, respect for the body, our relationships with others, and the teachings of Christ. Information will be sent home before the family life program begins.

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French Immersion Education

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rench Immersion education uses the same curriculum mandated by Alberta Education for all students. Early French Immersion programs are intended for students who have little or no previous knowledge of French. The majority of French Immersion parents do not speak French.

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Speech/Language

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peech therapy is provided to students through the Calgary Health Region. Some services may be provided on-site, while others will be offered at centralized locations. Service requests will need to be submitted through the school.

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To enable students to become functionally bilingual, To provide opportunities for students to gain insight into the French heritage and culture of Canada, To enable students to achieve equivalent levels of learning in the content of all subjects studied, whether they are instructed in French or English.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the South Health Centre at 403-943-9520. Health

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Public Health Nurse is scheduled to periodically visit the school on a consultative basis. If you wish to refer your child to the nurse, please send a note to your child’s teacher and the information will be passed on to the nurse. If your child should contract any communicable disease, please notify the school immediately. Nurses will continue to carry out immunization programs, as they have in the past.

Subjects Taught in English: Kindergarten: Grades 1 to 6:

Speech-language therapy which focuses on functional communication skills, Occupational therapy which provides help with fine motor skills, visual perception skills and sensory integration, Physical therapy which helps children with gross motor delays.

90% French, 10% English for Religion. English Language Arts and Religion are taught in English.

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Recommended Times

Library ll classes, Kindergarten to Grade 6, have regularly scheduled library periods when they can borrow books. Students are taught library skills at their appropriate grade levels so that they can enjoy maximum use of the library.

To recognize the importance of personal and family time, it is recommended teachers use the following guidelines related to the quantity of homework.

Should any books or library materials be lost or damaged, students will be expected to reimburse the school.

The amount of homework assigned to students should be differentiated according to age, developmental stage and grade level along a continuum from lower to upper elementary, elementary to junior high and junior high school to high school. At all levels, the time a student spends on homework may vary and individual student needs and capacity should always be considered.

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GENERAL INFORMATION Reporting

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here are four reporting periods each year. All parents are asked to attend a goal-setting interview in the first term. Either a teacher or a parent can request attendance at an interview for the second and third reporting periods. Open communication between parents and school is encouraged throughout the year.

Keeping in mind that the first grade in each divisional range below should reflect time at the low end of the scale, with a gradual extension at the upper end of the division to the higher time range, the recommended time guidelines are :

Reports remain at home, however the envelopes that they come home in are to be returned to the school with a parent’s signature by the interview dates.

Grades 4 to 6: Maximum of 30 minutes of homework per school night.

Kindergarten to Grade 3: Occasional 5 to 10 minutes of homework per week.

Additional explanation related to each of these grade levels is provided in the exhibit that accompanies this regulation. Supporting Expectations and recommendations related to incomplete homework as well as the evaluation of homework are also included in the exhibit.

Homework

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omework is any task assigned by teachers that students complete during non-school hours. The Calgary Catholic School District recognizes well-planned homework in Grades 312 can be a meaningful part of a student’s learning. Time spent on homework may vary from one student to the next. Parents who have concerns with homework expectations should contact their child’s teacher or the school principal to discuss the situation and the options available. The Calgary Catholic School District finalized a homework regulation in consultation with its community for 2015-2016. You can find more information about the District’s homework regulation at www.cssd.ab.ca.

Homework Suggestions: 1. Help schedule a time to do homework. 2. If possible, provide a quiet corner for your child to work, with good lighting and appropriate materials. 3. Let your child work independently, but let him/her know you are available to help. 4. Be available to check work, if needed, and to check whether the assignment has been completed. 5. If possible, help your child see how this particular assignment relates to everyday life. 6. Be encouraging, positive and supportive. Your attitudes are contagious.

Please note that one of the most valuable activities a student can participate in is 10 to 20 minutes of nightly reading. 5

SCHOOL CONDUCT EXPECTATIONS

I HAVE THE RIGHT TO LEARN IN A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT AND THE RESPONSIBILITY TO DO MY PART IN KEEPING OUR ENVIRONMENT CLEAN.

I HAVE THE RIGHT AND RESPONSIBILITY TO LEARN IN A CATHOLIC ATMOSHPERE.

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I am responsible for my own learning and I allow others to learn. I do my best at all times. I speak French as much as possible. I come to class with necessary books and materials. I do my homework. I arrive on time. I am respectful during prayer, celebrations and daily activities. I bring home all school information for my parents.

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Progressive School Discipline Plan The teachers and staff of École Blessed Mother Teresa work in partnership with parents and students to address discipline problems if they arise. In general, classroom discipline will be dealt with by the classroom teacher. Students may be referred to the school administration in cases of serious and/or repeated infractions. Parents play an invaluable role in this area and we appreciate their effort in keeping teachers and school administration informed about any problems of which they become aware. We appreciate the support of our parents when a problem involving their child occurs. Parents will be notified as necessary.

I HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE RESPECTED AND TO BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND THE RESPONSIBILITY TO TREAT OTHERS IN A SIMILAR MANNER.      

I treat everyone kindly. I will always respect others. I am aware that racial harassment is unacceptable. I speak to others in an appropriate and polite manner. I listen when others speak. I respect other people's space and belongings.

Incidents will result in problem solving sessions and appropriate consequences such as:  problem plan sheets  oral or written apologies  loss of recess time  acts of service in the school  additional assignments or projects related to the behaviour  repairing/paying for any damages caused  loss of privileges or the opportunity to engage in the activity where the problem occurred  time-out  conferences with the parents, teacher and/or school administration  suspension

I HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE SAFE AND THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PERMIT OTHERS TO FEEL SAFE.         

I keep my desk and classroom neat and tidy. I clean up after myself in the lunchroom. I keep the washrooms clean. I throw litter in the garbage and pick up garbage that is lying around. I cooperate in keeping the school yard clean. I recycle as much as possible.

I obey all school rules. I avoid games that promote violence or that could hurt others. I do not hit, push or bully others. I tell an adult if someone is hurt or doing something dangerous. I listen to the supervisors. I use school equipment in a safe and respectful manner. I play safely on the playground equipment and only when it is my turn. I follow bus safety rules. I do not psychologically harass or abuse others.

If the difficulty persists, a referral to our School District's Instructional Services personnel may occur. The school also has access to other agencies that may be of assistance. 6

Please note that the first line of communication when parents have a concern is to contact the teacher directly. Administration can thereafter be contacted if the concern is not adequately addressed.

Unacceptable behaviours may include the following: Physical Aggression: pushing, shoving, hitting, spitting, punching, kicking, or threatening Verbal Aggression: mocking, name calling, teasing, use of inappropriate language, verbal threats of aggression

Transportation

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tudents residing further than 1.2 km from school are eligible to ride the Charter Bus. Each year, transportation fees are reviewed and fees are set for one child or family (two or more). Please be aware for the 2015-2016 school year, the bus user fee is $215/student or $430/family.

Indirect/Psychological: gossiping or embarrassing someone, rumors, stealing, playing mean tricks, purposely excluding from a group, supporting the actions of a wrong-doer or standing by and doing nothing as you witness someone being treated badly.

Students riding on a school bus will be under the immediate authority of the driver who will report all cases of student misconduct to the principal. Appropriate behaviour while riding chartered buses is expected. Follow these bus rules: 1. Observe the same conduct as in the classroom. 2. Be courteous, no profane language. 3. Keep the bus clean. 4. Cooperate with the driver. 5. Stay in your seat. 6. Keep head, hands and feet inside the bus. Remember that the bus driver may assign seats. Failure to comply will result in appropriate consequences which may include loss of bus transportation. Students will be supervised at the school until the bus arrives. Due to safety and insurance regulations, friends or guests may not use bus charter transportation. Students must have a note (in agenda) if not riding the bus on any given school day.

Bullying: “Bullying is defined as a deliberate form of aggression in which one person or group of persons, feel entitled to exert power over someone.” (Calgary Catholic School District). The four most common types of bullying are verbal, social, physical and cyber. Please visit our district website for more information: http://www.cssd.ab.ca/files/parent_resources/Bu llying_brochure.pdf

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If a student is a victim of bullying or sees someone who is being bullied, the following steps need to be taken: • report bullying to a trusted adult, • tell the bully or bullies to stop and then walk away, • avoid unsafe situations and identify a safe place to go to if bullying is taking place.

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Appropriate action will be taken with the individuals involved in the situation both the bully and the victim will be provided with guidance and support.

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It is requested that all transportation arrangement changes be settled and indicated in the agenda before your child comes to school. This will minimize office and classroom interruptions.

Communication

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Newsletter will be posted on our website on a monthly basis. Periodically, other parent notices will be sent via e-mail. In this way, it is hoped parents will be well informed of school happenings. Hard copies will be sent to parents who request them. You can also access information on our school website at www.cssd.ab.ca/motherteresa/.

Leaving School Grounds

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e prefer students do NOT leave the school grounds during the school day. However, if a child is to leave the school grounds at any time, parental permission is required. Students must report to the office when leaving.

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Field Trips

Dress Code

lanned field trips are important experiences, which supplement and enrich our classroom instruction. Parents will receive information about the trip(s) and will be given permission slips to sign so that their child can participate.

s a Catholic School District, the goal of our Dress and Appearance Code is to provide a positive and safe, learning environment that will reflect our virtues of decency, modesty and respect. Students’ dress and appearance must be appropriate for educational activities and should not cause a disruption to the educational process.

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No student can accompany the class on a trip unless written permission has been returned to the teacher.

Students are expected to dress appropriately. Short skirts and shorts, spaghetti-strapped tops, muscle or tank tops, or shirts with pictures or phrases not in harmony with Catholic values are not acceptable. Health regulations mandate the wearing of proper footwear in school at all times. All students are asked to have a pair of inside shoes and a pair of outside shoes. This contributes greatly to the cleanliness of our school and safety of our students. No hats or bandanas are to be worn inside the school. Colored hair may be worn on special days. As many Physical Education activities take place outdoors, it is advisable to always ensure outside shoes are appropriate for sporting activities: sandals, flip-flops, and pumps pose a safety risk to your child.

Procedures for Before School, Recess, Noon Break and Inclement Weather

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o students will be allowed in the hallways or classrooms before school begins. They will have access to the mudrooms and washrooms only, except on inclement days when students will go to the gym. We expect children will be dressed appropriately for the weather in all seasons. Ordinarily, all students will be encouraged to go outdoors at recess or noon breaks, since we feel children who are well enough to be at school, should be well enough to go outdoors. In cases of inclement weather, such as extreme cold or pelting rain, a decision will be made by administration or a designate prior to 8:35 AM, recess or noon breaks, whether or not children will stay inside.

All clothing should be clearly marked with your child's name in permanent felt pen. This will assist in finding lost articles. Gym Strip

Lunchroom Supervision

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tudents in grades 4 to 6 are required to change into gym attire for every Phys. Ed. class. Students in Kindergarten to 3 are required to change into gym attire during the gymnastics unit. Your child’s teacher will inform you by letter, prior to the start of the gymnastics unit.

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ll students from grades one through six will be charged a rate for lunch supervision for the year. The fee provides for the necessary lunchtime supervision. A School Fee form is sent home the first week of school.

Gym attire must consist of:

Lunchroom Behavior

 T-Shirt

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noon hour aide, teacher or administrator will supervise students who stay for lunch. Students are expected to exhibit appropriate behaviour. This includes picking up after themselves, recycling and putting their garbage in the receptacles provided. To ensure that our students remain safe, permission must be obtained from a supervisor in order to leave the gym.

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 Running Shoes

T-shirts and shorts must be of an athletic design. No buttons, belts, zippers or pockets are allowed, as they pose a safety risk. Additionally, the gym attire must be in good repair (no cut-offs) and allow for ease of movement. We ask that you clearly mark your child’s name on their gym clothing.

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Lost and Found

Fire and Security Drills

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ost and found items are stored in containers. Please ensure your child’s clothing is labelled, as this will greatly assist us in returning lost items. Unclaimed items will be donated after every parent/teacher interview.

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fire drill is held approximately each month to prepare your child for an emergency. In addition to fire drills, staff and students will participate in yearly lockdown practices. Practice of these procedures ensures student safety should an actual emergency occur. Should we be required to evacuate our school, Midnapore Elementary School (403-777-8680) is our secure location. Parents are kindly reminded that during security drills, there will be no access to the school. For your safety, a sign will be posted during such drills.

Behaviour and Safety

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afety at school and school-related events is important. The cooperation of students is essential to ensure school safety. Students should:  Avoid conduct that is likely to put the student or other students at risk.  Follow rules and instructions for behaviour and safety set by the administration, teachers, supervisors and bus drivers.

Emergency Procedures

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f your child becomes acutely ill or is seriously hurt at school, staff will make every effort to contact you at home or at work. Should these efforts fail, we will attempt to contact the "emergency contact" numbers you gave us. If we evaluate the situation as a serious accident, we will call 911 and have your child transported to the hospital.

Student Safety

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or safety and security reasons, all outside doors, with the exception of the front doors, will be kept locked for most of the school day. The boot room entrance (Div. II) will be opened at 8:35 AM, at recess and during the noon break. If your child arrives late, he/she must enter through the front doors and report into the office.

Bicycles, Skateboards, Rollerblades and Scooters

For security reasons, all visitors are required to report to the school office upon entering the school and wear an appropriate identification tag. If it is necessary to bring clothing, lunches, etc. to the school for your child, they should be left at the school office. Please tag the child’s name on the articles.

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f your child uses any of these modes of transportation to come to school, they must be placed in the bike rack and locked. These items are NOT to be ridden on school grounds or through the bus zone. All items must be walked from the street to the bike rack. Students using these items are expected to wear bike helmets and appropriate safety pads where applicable.

School Parking Lot Safety

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n the interest of your child's safety, parents dropping off or picking up students need to do so on “Midlake Boulevard.” The south end of the parking lot is for Volunteers or in-school business. For our student’s safety, parents cannot use the parking lot to drop off and pick up students, unless there are special circumstances (student injury…). Your close attention to the bus zone signs will help ensure you are not ticketed.

School Telephone / Student Cell Phones

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he school telephones are for school business purposes. Due to the limited lines, student use is allowed for emergencies only. If you require your child to carry a cell phone, please note the following: The phone must be off during school hours. Cell phones are not to be used in classrooms and students are asked to use them 9

only by the school exits when leaving. appreciate your cooperation.

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Personally Owned Devices may be used by the students under the invitation of the teacher for instructional purposes. The safety and security of personal electronic devices are at the risk and responsibility of the owner.

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Social Events Fund Raising Events Telephoning Field Trips Assisting Individual Children or Small Groups

All volunteers must attend an annual orientation, which is announced in September. WHAT’S A PARENT TO DO?

Toys and Personal Items

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e ask that all toys and personal items be left at home, unless they are required for show and tell or a special class project. These include any electronic games (IPods, Nintendo DS...) and trading cards. These items are expensive and do not support learning in school.

Can parents have a positive effect on academic achievement? Yes, the home is an educating institution too! A child’s education succeeds best when there is a strong partnership. Your involvement in this partnership may include:

School Council 

cole Blessed Mother Teresa has an active School Council. All parents and school staff are members of the Council. The main role of the Council is to support the goals and activities of the school. Typically, the Council meets on a monthly basis.

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In continuing to provide a respectful environment, we ask that specific student issues are addressed with administration directly as these concerns are not topics of conversation at Council meetings. Items that may be of interest to the school community will be presented and reviewed by the principal and council executive during the week prior to a council meeting. Selected items will be placed on an agenda for the council meeting.

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Parent Volunteers

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ctive and visible parental involvement in the school lives of your children is an important component of the educational process at École Blessed Mother Teresa and to your children. We greatly appreciate the many talents and gifts of our school volunteers that enhance the quality and variety of school programs, as well as your children’s school experience.

Hold Daily Positive Conversations About School With Your Child. If we look for problems and imperfections, we will find them and encourage and expand them by drawing attention to them. Remember, we find what we look for:

Volunteers can assist in the following areas: 

Placing a high priority on education and working with your child on a daily basis to finish homework and to review completed work. Make sure your child comes to school each day prepared to learn by having all supplies and assignments, by being rested, by having had a nutritious breakfast and (Grade 1 - 6) by bringing a healthy snack and lunch. Monitoring your child’s academic progress and contacting teachers as needed. Attending scheduled conferences and requesting additional conferences as needed. To schedule a telephone or in-person conference with a teacher or principal, please call the school office for an appointment. A teacher will usually return your call or meet with you at a mutually convenient time before or after school. Becoming a school volunteer. Participating in parent council.

Working in Classrooms 10

Look For Improvement, Not Perfection! Try these questions: 

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My parents and I have read and

What did you learn today that might be useful for the rest of your life? What did you do today that made you feel proud? Did you go out of your way to help someone today? What were some of the challenges you faced today, and how did they make you a better person? Why was today an exciting day?

discussed the School Agenda Handbook Signature of Student:

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Set and Clarify Expectations:

Grade:

Too often, youngsters understand the expectations only after they failed to meet them. Treat your child as if you know they are an interested and responsible student.

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Signature of Parent/Guardian:

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Model: Learning and self-improvement should be fun. Enjoy it together. Model the behaviours and values you would like to see your child acquire.

Date:

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