Anaphylaxis
No Nuts
We need your help as we strive to be a NUT-AWARE SCHOOL ! Please read ALL labels before sending in lunches and be sure that your child washes hands thoroughly before coming to school. Dangerous food for students includes all types of nuts.
Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis can appear alone or in any combination and not necessarily in the order listed above.
Students who stay for lunch
Students who stay for lunch are to remain in their designated lunch classroom, display good manners and cooperate with teachers. If a student fails to do so, the privilege of staying at school for lunch may be withdrawn.
Students are urged to bring a 'litter-less, boomerang lunch' and snacks. A litter-less lunch means there is no throw away materials at the end of lunch and in cases where disposable packaging is unavoidable, litter comes right back home in that student's lunch bag.
Nut and Scent Alert
Several of our students, if exposed internally or externally to food containing nuts or peanuts, could get very sick or die. This allergy is not something our school regards lightly. To ensure the safety of these students, we ask that you do NOT send any food containing nut products to school with your child.
We are also a scent-free school; please respect our fragrance-free policy to provide a healthy environment for all members of the school community.
Healthy Lunches
Your child's school lunches and snacks are a major source of the essential vitamins and minerals they need to grow and develop over the years. The foods you pack for your child will give them the energy and nutrients they need to learn and play at school. Without enough energy from food, they may feel tired and find it difficult to concentrate in class. Just like adults, if tasty healthy foods are not available when your child is hungry, the chances that he or she will reach for unhealthy junk food is greater.
Learning Skills and Work Habits are on the front page of the Progress Report to communicate the importance of these skills as being central to student progress. The comments on Learning Skills address the student's strengths and next steps for improvement where appropriate. Please review Learning Skill successes and areas for improvement at home.
The Ministry of Education requires all School Boards in the Province of Ontario to provide a fall checklist Progress Report. Changes to DDSB reporting practices align with the Ministry of Education’s document:
Eating healthy meals and snacks can help children to:
When packing healthy lunches and snacks, be sure to:
It is important to remember that some products which claim to be 'scent free' may have only masked the scent by use of an additional chemical. We remind all visitors, students, and staff to limit their use of products with heavy scents.
Concussions
The Durham District School Board recognizes that although concussions and head injuries may occur outside the purview of the District School Board, the return to play decisions for the students are to be guided by Board policy. Any student suspected of, or diagnosed with a concussion or head injury, will be given appropriate time to heal prior to returning to physical or cognitive activities. It is the practice of our school that:
Our school recognizes our parent volunteers and want them to keep returning to help in the classrooms. Students value parent contributions, no matter how small or how involved.
Our school's mission is to create an educational environment in which students are given the opportunity to reach their full potential and see that the academic, social, and developmental needs of each student are met. We are looking for volunteers to help us with these goals.
We recognize that a parent's time is at a premium, but we hope this invitation will empower you to come in and volunteer. Please feel free to contact a teacher and provide them with a time to volunteer that is convenient for you. Before you start your volunteer experience, have a clear idea of what your personal boundaries are. Children ask adults a lot of personal questions in an attempt to bond and learn. Because children are developing social skills, they are still learning the difference between appropriate and inappropriate questions. If a child asks a question that you don’t want to answer, let him/her know in a polite way. Refer concerns to the staff.
Here are some ways you can help in your child’s classroom or school:
Severe Weather
Regardless of the season, weather can have an impact on the school operation, staff, and students. Whether it is cold and snow or extreme heat, the Brock Elementary School Board has several practices and policies in place to manage the impact of this weather on the school.
Hot Weather
At times during the year, in the City of Pickering we experience days of extreme heat that can prompt Environment Canada to issue Heat Advisories. These temperatures can and do have an impact on students and staff.
Humidity, Heat and Smog Alerts:
The City of Pickering issues heat alerts and heat emergencies based on the daily forecast from May to September. Alerts are posted on the BES website. Staff and students should be vigilant about their level of activity and should take frequent breaks for water to remain adequately hydrated.
Students with a particular susceptibility to heat or medical concerns should speak with staff, who will do their best to accommodate.
Why don’t the School Board close the school during extreme heat?
This decision would put many parents in a challenging position of having to find childcare with truly short notice — something we know will not be possible in every case. It is with that in mind that the School Board do not typically close schools due to heat. As always, parents may also choose to keep their children at home during extreme weather.
Are there any resources available with regards to sun and heat safety?
Yes, there are. More information on beating the heat, including heat and sun safety tips can be found in the following links.
Sun Safety - Children Fact Sheet
Sun Safety - Outdoor Sports and Recreation Fact Sheet
Sun Safety - Sunscreen Fact Sheet
Snow/Cold Weather
When temperature and/or windchill factor indicates -28C or lower children will remain indoors due to risk of frostnip and frostbite.
When an extreme cold weather alert is issued or when temperatures and/or windchill factor indicates –20 to –28C, recesses may be shortened to 10 minutes and lunch recess be 20 minutes depending on local conditions. Children should be monitored closely for signs of frostnip, frostbite or difficulty breathing.
From time to time, it is necessary to cancel classes and/or programs due to severe weather. On rare occasions, severe weather makes it necessary to close schools and administrative offices.
With grand number of students in our school each day, any decision to cancel classes and/or programs or to close the school can have a significant impact on many families across Durham Region. This decision is not taken lightly. When schools remain open on days with inclement weather, parents/guardians make the final decision on whether to send their children to school and they can keep children home from school if they so choose.
Please note that Virtual Schools will not operate, and we will not be providing remote learning on days when schools are closed due to severe weather.
How does the BES Board make snow day decisions?
Several factors are considered on days where severe weather is (or could be) an issue. Early in the morning, a team made up of the Director of Education, Associate Board Members, and communications staff look at various pieces of information including current and forecasted weather conditions and road conditions. Should a cancellation or closure be necessary, information will be posted on the BES website and social media by 6:00 a.m.
Early Closure of the school and administrative office, during the school day because of severe weather conditions.
The decision to implement early closure of the school will be made by 11:00 a.m. by the Director of Education in conjunction with the Associate Board Members.
The communication to close schools will be completed by 12:00 noon. All parents and guardians will be notified from the school office, and by announcing the closure through all sources of media.
No student will be sent home until parents have been notified and the principal is assured that suitable arrangements have been made for the child’s supervision.
Teachers and Principal will provide supervision for all students whose parents or guardians have not been contacted and remain in the school until every student have been picked up.
How are decisions made for school recess being inside or out?
From time to time, it is necessary to hold indoor recess or a shortened recess due to inclement weather (rain, extreme cold or heat, severe icy conditions). This decision is typically made at the school-level depending on local conditions which can vary widely across the city.
Children need an opportunity to get exercise and free play time outdoors, however, weather conditions sometimes warrant that indoor recesses, lunch periods and pre-entry periods be considered necessary for student and staff safety.
The following are the possible conditions warranting indoor recesses:
Other conditions:
Weather conditions change during the day. When necessary and if the weather is questionable, the school principal will consult the Environment Canada’s www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca or Toronto Public Health Web sites for information.