Policies

School Environment

Princess Margaret School strives to provide an environment that is safe, nurturing and challenging. Cooperative, safe, responsible behaviour is taught and encouraged. Communication between parents, staff and students is considered essential to the students’ growth and development. We believe that such an environment facilitates the learning process of each child and encourages lifelong learning.

School Rules - Be safe, be responsible, be respectful

• Follow the directions of all school staff
• Treat others fairly and respectfully
• Play and act safely
• Follow the hands off policy: 
• Keep your hands and feet to yourself
• Be a careful commuter: 
• Walk on the right, use assigned doors, talk quietly

School Hours

Princess Margaret School operates on a six-day cycle rather than a Monday to Friday schedule. Teachers’ in-service days are counted on the cycle; statutory holidays are not. This is the daily time schedule:

• 8:55 a.m. - Entry Bell
• 10:20 – 10:35 - Morning Recess
• 11:45 – 12:45 - Lunch Hour
• 2:00 – 2:15 - Afternoon Recess
• 3:25 p.m. - Dismissal

To ensure student safety, students are expected to go straight home from school at dismissal times. Once they have reported home and have parental permission, they may return to the school grounds after 4:00 p.m. Where possible, parents are asked to accompany their children to ensure their safety.

Student Absence

If your child is going to be absent or late, please call the school office voicemail at 204-663-5073 and leave a message indicating the child's name, teacher and reason for absence. The voicemail operates from 4:15 p.m to 8:15 a.m.  This is our regular school phone number and any calls made outside of the times listed above will be answered.

Children arriving late for school must report to the office for an entry slip.

Appointments/Pick-ups

Please contact the school office in advance or send a note to your child's teacher should your child be required to leave school early for appointments, etc. Please attempt to schedule medical appointments outside of school hours when possible. If it is necessary to take your child to an appointment during the school day, please make arrangements to pick your child up at school. Parents must sign students in and out at the office.

If you are picking up your child from the playground during recess or lunch hour please stop by the office first so that you can sign your child out. We will then give you a form indicating that you have signed your child out at the office. Please give this form to one of the supervisors outside.

Please keep dismissal time arrangements as routine as possible. Should a change be necessary due to an emergent situation please contact the school prior to 3:00 p.m. We are unable to communicate changes after this time.

If your child will not be taking the bus, please call Transportation at 204-669-0202.

Injury/Illness

Should a child become injured or ill in school, we will place a call to their parent or guardian or to the emergency contact designated on the information form filled out each September. PLEASE INFORM THE SCHOOL OFFICE OF ANY CHANGES TO YOUR ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER OR WORK NUMBER. It is important that the form be correct and current. AN EMERGENCY CONTACT MUST BE PROVIDED. 

If we are unable to reach a parent/guardian and the illness or injury is serious, a member of the staff will take the child to the hospital or accompany them there by ambulance.

Discipline Policy

Discipline at Princess Margaret School will focus on school wide positive behaviour.

Princess Margaret School staff will be responsible for teaching and monitoring behavioural expectations established. Princess Margaret School follows the guidelines set out in the school division’s Code of Conduct.

Policy on Technology

Current technology is used as an integral part of all school curricula to enhance the reading, writing, thinking and communication skills needed for lifelong learning.

Professional Development Days

Princess Margaret School staff is involved in professional development activities considered priorities by our school division. Parent-Teacher Conferences, report card preparation and administration days are also designated by the school. Information regarding these activities is communicated by school newsletter.

Transportation

In accordance with the policy of the school division, transportation is provided for elementary students enrolled in a divisional program who reside more than 1.6 km from the school offering the designated program. Questions about transportation should be directed to the divisional Transportation Department at 204-669-0202.

Field Trips

Many out-of-school excursions take place throughout the year. A notice indicating the destination, length of visit, and mode of transportation will be sent home. The participation of all students in these field trips is strongly encouraged. WRITTEN PARENTAL CONSENT is required in order for a student to participate. Returning an altered signed form is deemed to deny consent for the student to participate in the activity.

Bicycles

Some students may wish to bring their bicycles to school; however, there are several reasons why we encourage students to leave their bikes at home:

• The danger associated with riding a bike in high traffic areas around the school.
• The school cannot be responsible for any damage or loss.

However, bike racks are available for those children who need to ride their bikes to school because of the distance required to travel. The following expectations are in place to ensure safety:

• Children are encouraged to wear helmets when riding their bikesl.
• Children must walk their bike when on the school grounds, and must walk their bike in front of the school building on the sidewalk. 
• Children must dismount and walk their bikes across the intersections that are patrolled.
• Bikes should be secured with locks.

Please note that skateboards are not permitted at Princess Margaret School.

Lost and Found

An amazing amount of clothing and equipment is left in the school and never claimed. It is kept in the Lost and Found bins until Christmas and the end of June. At this time we donate the lost items to goodwill. Should your child lose something, please remind them to check the bins.

Lunch Program

Students registered in the Lunch Supervision Program may eat lunch at school providing the students behave in an acceptable manner and all fees have been paid. All students staying for lunch are required to bring a lunch and we ask you to help us by sending leak proof, easy-to-open containers and spoons, etc. when needed. Students eat lunch from 11:45 to 12:15 p.m. At 12:15 p.m. a bell sounds and all students are expected to go outside until 12:45 p.m. Students are not allowed to leave the school/school grounds to purchase lunch and then return, because they are not supervised. School patrols need to go directly to post for duty and then return directly to school. STUDENTS WHO GO HOME FOR LUNCH MUST NOT RETURN BEFORE 12:35 P.M. The lunch fees are used to pay supervisors' salaries. Lunch Program registration forms are available in the office.

School-use Permits

Permission from the divisional maintenance department is required for the use of the school after hours. Please call 204-669-5660 to make inquiries.