• Students must play in designated areas of the school property.
  • Do not play rough, aggressive games. “Play fighting” usually leads to “real fighting”. We will remind students of our hands to yourself rule.
  • Equipment judged by the school to be dangerous or hazardous to student safety is not permitted.
  • Report any injuries or incidents of harassment or bullying to the teachers or supervisors on duty.
  • Obtain permission and a hall pass before entering the school during recess breaks and the lunch hour.
  • The use of inappropriate language will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
  • Do not take snack foods and/or drinks outside at any time.
  • Always play with safety in mind.
  • Respect and obey all yard supervision staff.

At this time, we respectfully ask that students not bring sports equipment for personal use during recess/lunch hour or other personal items such as playing cards, toys, fidgets etc. We will let you know when items from home can be brought to school. If you have any questions about which items this includes, please contact the office at 519-893-8801.

Should your child decide to bring any items/toys from home, they will be asked to put them in their backpack and keep them at home.

St. Daniel school and the WCDSB have a Progressive Discipline approach. Progressive discipline is a whole-school approach that utilizes a continuum of prevention programs, interventions, supports, and consequences to address inappropriate student behaviour and to build upon strategies that promote and foster positive behaviours. The Waterloo Catholic District School Board and St. Daniel School support positive student behaviours through the use of the following:

  • Direct classroom teaching (Restorative Justice for Education Program, Umbrella Project Skills, Religion Program, DPA, Nutrition Awareness, Personal Safety Instruction and Prevention);
  • Appropriate behaviour modeling;
  • Progressive discipline and Conflict Resolution strategies;
  • WCDSB Code of Conduct – Board Policy APCO18;
  • Regular student recognition programs for positive behaviours;
  • Playground activities and equipment (e.g., Intramurals, P.A.L.S program);
  • Meaningful student involvement in school decision making (SAC Team);
  • Regular monitoring of student issues related to safe and secure schools;
  • Restorative Justice and Umbrella Practices.

To enable students to follow the Code of Conduct, classroom behaviour expectations will be developed collaboratively between the teacher and students early in the school year to ensure a safe, productive, inclusive classroom learning environment understood by all.  Expectations will be posted and communicated to parents at the beginning of the year. On occasion students make choices that do not support the safety expectations and rules set out at St. Daniel School. In this case, staff will provide prompt communication to parents if significant classroom/yard behaviour issues arise.  We count on parent support to help resolve behavior issues.

St. Daniel School staff are here to support you and your child’s faith filled academic journey. Belligerent or rude behaviour will not be tolerated by anyone. Please remember that we are here to help.

Regular communication between home and school is a responsibility of parents as well as school staff. By keeping one another fully informed, we can avoid unnecessary frustration and do a better job of educating our students.  Several forms of communication may be provided throughout the school year such as:

  • Student work samples, reports, projects and/or tests – Engaging in discussions and signing your child’s work, indicates your interest and shared role.
  • Teacher calendars and letters of upcoming events.
  • School newsletters and monthly updates.
  • Daily announcements informing all students.
  • Open House and Parent Nights; Liturgical Celebrations and Curriculum nights.
  • Masses held at school and at St. Anthony Daniel Parish
  • Parent/Teacher/Student meetings, letters, telephone calls as deemed necessary.
  • Parent/Student/Teacher conferences following Progress Reports and Report Cards. (Mandatory in Term 1)
  • Parent and Principal/VP meeting, telephone contact, written communication, e-mail (after you have brought the concern to the attention of your child’s teacher).
  • School Council communication and meetings.
  • Student portfolios – electronic and paper.
  • Completing page 3 of the Provincial Report Card.
  • E-mail, Class and School websites.

Our staff is committed to positive and open communication between school and home.  For general inquiries or messages, please contact the office at 519-893-8801. If you have questions, comments or concerns regarding your child’s learning, please contact your child’s teacher first. If they are unavailable when you call, your call will be returned as soon as possible. If an issue arises, please follow these steps:

Communication Chain:

  1. Speak to the teacher or staff member first.
  2. Speak to the Principal/VP if the issue is not resolved.
  3. Speak to the Schools Supervisory Officer if the issue remains unresolved.

You may contact the Superintendent of Schools or a trustee at any time in the process. They will direct you to follow the steps outlined above.

NOTE: we value and promote a culture of respect and kindness, rude and abusive comments/tones/behaviour will not be tolerated.

Teachers have set up virtual classroom sites. All classrooms will have an online component as a way of communicating and supporting classroom learning. Please become familiar with the D2L/Google Classroom platform as it is imperative that you know how to use this to support your children.  Effective for the 2022-2023 school year all online platforms will be D2L.

The Provincial Report Card will be sent home twice throughout the school year – once in February and once in June.  There will also be one Progress Report sent out in November.  This should be an occasion to celebrate the successes your children have experienced and to set some realistic goals as they continue their progress.

We welcome visitors and volunteers.  However, we do have some expectations to follow during your visit.

  1. Do NOT come in the school if you are feeling unwell at all.
  2. Sign-in at the office.
  3. If given a nametag/badge please keep it visible while in our school.

Compulsory attendance is mandatory under the Education Act, and we know that continual lates and absences have a negative impact on children academically, socially and developmentally. Even though the number of absences may be attributed to legitimate reasons it is essential for the wellbeing of your child(ren) that they attend school. If you have a concern, we encourage you to process this concern with your child and help them be on time and attend school regularly. If we can be of assistance to you, please contact the school.

If your child(ren) is going to be late or absent please call the office attendance line, speak clearly identifying your students first and last name, the teacher and the reason for the absence/late.

The purpose of our Board’s Attendance Check Program is to ensure that your child has arrived safely at school. In the event that your child is not able to attend school, please follow the procedures below for EACH day that your child is absent or is late for school:

  1. Parent/Guardian (not the student) should call the school at 519-893-8801 to report your child(ren)’s absence or that they will be late. Please also provide the reason for their absence or lateness.
  2. The school’s answering machine is on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Parents/Guardians are able to call to report student absences/lateness at any time.
  3. When leaving a message, please leave the following information:
    – Child’s First and Last Name, Teacher’s name, the date and reason for their absence/lateness, if ill please leave the symptoms your student is exhibiting.

If your child is not at school and we have no record of parental contact when attendance is taken (9:10am and 12:55pm), we will attempt to contact you by phone. Parents of students who are absent and from whom no call has been recorded are called by a designate as soon as possible. If no one can be reached, the police may have to be contacted to ensure everyone is safe.

If your child is arriving later in the day for any reason, please remind your child they must report to the main office first and then proceed to class. Persistent tardiness and absenteeism may result in a meeting involving parents/guardians, and/or a school board attendance counsellor. St. Daniel school values regular and punctual attendance. Please make this an important priority for you as well.

In the event that you know your child(ren) will be absent for more than 15 consecutive days, an “Intent to be Absent” form must be completed and signed by the parent/guardian, then submitted to the office.  You will be contacted to discuss any necessary programming for your child in their absence.

Every effort should be made to schedule appointments outside of school hours. Parents/Guardians must notify the school if a student is required to leave during the school day. If a student has to leave early for an appointment, parents/ guardians must go to the office and sign the student out in the appropriate book. Your child will then be called down from class.  Our office is exceptionally busy at the end of the day. Please be sure you have planned in advance with your child and their teacher if there are changes to the regular dismissal schedule.  If you have a last minute schedule change please be sure to notify the office and your child’s teacher by 3:00PM so we can have your child ready and waiting for you.

All staff and adults working with children have a direct responsibility to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Referrals are made in confidence with the agency and follow specific protocols. Information regarding this can be requested from the principal.

For safety reasons, children are prohibited from bringing any form of medication to school without prior approval from the office. If medication is determined to be necessary, there is a form that must be filled out by parents/guardians to indicate that the medication must be taken during school hours. The mediation must be in the original container and clearly labeled with names (i.e., child, parent/guardian, doctor), phone numbers and directions. All medications will be stored in the office and administered by office staff.  Parents/guardians are asked to contact the school to address individual student needs in this regard.

The WCDSB Student Medication form is available from the office or on the school board website.

Please Note: It is assumed that: If a child is well enough to come to school, he/she should be able to participate in outdoor recess and physical education ~ unless proper documentation, ideally from a physician, is provided.

Some students experience severe life-threatening reactions to certain foods or bee stings.  Anaphylaxis refers to a collection of symptoms such as breathing difficulties, shock and drop in blood pressure.  All are potentially fatal. Sabrina’s Law, 2005, S.O. 2005, c. 7 enables all students with life threatening allergies to have the same right to a bias free education. Some classroom where life threatening food allergies are present will require parents/guardians to provide food alternatives for their child(ren) that is allergen free. You will be notified by school administration if this is case in your child(ren’s) classroom.

  • Bee stings, peanut and other life-threatening food allergies such as eggs and dairy can be very severe for some students. Parents of these students need to make sure that 2 “Epi-pens” have been registered at the office. One must be supplied to the school office and the other must always be on the child in case of emergencies.
  • Daniel is a “Nut Free” school. Please do not send any foods that contain nuts or nut by-products.
  • Peanut butter substitutes are also prohibited. For the safety of all students, our staff cannot be making judgements about what is actually made with peanuts and what is made from a substitute.

To allow for the safe arrival of our students, the front parking lot trough area is available for parents to drop off their Thunderbirds in a kiss and drop style. Please do not park or get out of your car in this area. Please park at the Church and walk your child(ren) into the school ground area, or park on Midland Dr along the street on the fence side of our school yard. Please follow all no parking/stopping signage and be aware of fire hydrants. There is no parking/stopping in the laneway, church trough or at the upper community center parking lot. These areas are monitored by city bylaw officers and you may be ticketed if you park there. Please be safe when crossing or walking in parking lots as our laneway and parking areas are very busy with school busses, community use and families dropping off our Thunderbirds.

Please note that part of the WCDSB safe arrival and dismissal plan, parents/guardians/caregivers are not permitted on school property at the beginning or the end of the day.  Please be sure you have a pick up and drop off plan in place with you child.

Please be sure students come to school dressed for the changing weather conditions. We will go outside in light rain and in colder temperatures. In the winter months, when the temperature is between -20-27 student will go outside for no more than 15 minutes at a time.  From -28 or below students will remain inside.

Inclement Weather Dismissal

During periods of severe weather your best sources of information about possible school closing and/or school bus cancellations is the School Board’s Website www.wcdsb.ca  or a local radio station.  Please do not call the school.  The following radio stations will provide information beginning at 6:30am.

CHYM FM 96.7 – Kitchener / Waterloo CKKW AM 109 – Kitchener / Waterloo CJOY AM 1460 – Guelph

It is important to remember that when transportation is cancelled in the morning and you elect to personally drive your child(ren) to school, getting the child(ren) home is also your responsibility. Even if conditions improve, buses will not resume operation.

When transportation is cancelled, the school may remain open to students who can safely walk to school. It is the responsibility of the parents to determine whether it is safe to come to school or not. If you choose to keep your child(ren) at home because of safety, please call the school 519-893-8801, to inform us of your decision.

The inclement weather information requested by the school and provided by the parents will be followed for each child. Parents are requested to also ensure that students know what to do on these days; and to make sure the school has updated emergency information.

Fire Drills/Lock Downs/Weather-Related Drills

Fire drills are held three times in the fall and three times in the spring to ensure that the school can be evacuated in a timely and orderly manner in case of an emergency. When the fire alarm sounds, all persons inside the school must leave the building. Fire regulations require that student’s wear shoes at all times.

Lockdown Drills and Weather –Related Drills are also practiced each term to ensure that students know of the necessary safety procedures to follow in case of an incident.

In the event of a school evacuation: St. Anthony Daniel Parish will be our evacuation site.  Please do not phone the school or parish, as this will congest the emergency phone lines.

Lunch hour provides an ideal opportunity for students to have a break from school.  We encourage parents, whenever possible to have their children go home for lunch or go to the home of a caregiver.  Parents will be asked to indicate their child’s lunch arrangements early in September.  Only with written permission from a parent, are students allowed to leave school property.

Students who remain at school for lunch will eat in a classroom and will be supervised by a school staff member.  Students are encouraged to use quiet voices and show respectable behaviour, including proper table manners, and clean up any mess they may have made.  After students eat their lunch they are dismissed from the lunchrooms and spend the remainder of the lunch hour outside on the playground in their respective school yard zones, (e.g., Primary, Junior, Intermediate). Adult supervision is provided throughout this time.  Please ensure your child(ren) is dressed appropriately for current weather conditions as students will go outside in light rain and in cold temperatures.  During inclement weather, students are supervised inside the school.

It is important for the children to bring nutritious lunches. We will encourage your child to bring home food not eaten, so the contents and quantity can be adjusted to meet your child’s needs. We encourage all of our students to bring garbage free lunches to support our commitment to the environment. Please try to use re-usable containers (not glass) whenever possible so we can reduce the amount of garbage created at lunchtime.

To keep all our students safe, students who remain at school for lunch are not allowed to leave the school property at any time.  Additionally, students are not permitted to go to the surrounding establishments without a parent or guardian present.

Please remember that, eating lunch at school is a privilege and as such, a student can be removed from the school or classroom over the lunch hour for inappropriate conduct and behaviour.

The School Board requires an Informed Consent Form be signed by each student or the parent of any child under 18 years of age who will be accessing school computers. The use of the school computers and internet are for educational purposes only. Consequences apply for any misuse. The computer use Policy is posted at www.wcdsb.ca, the Board’s website.

Wireless Internet Access

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board supports the use of Wi-Fi in its schools and administrative offices in order to provide connectivity to resources and improve communication. Wireless coverage has been provisioned for the majority of our building.

Wireless classrooms mean that students will now be able to bring their own personal devices however students may not bring their technology device to class unless their teacher has given explicit permission for them to do so in order to support their learning. Students that do not adhere to the rules of use as defined by the classroom teacher will lose the privilege of their device until notified otherwise.

Students, teachers and families must be fully responsible for their own personal technology devices, meaning the school is in no way responsible for loss, breakage or theft. Misuse in any form will not be tolerated and will result in the confiscation of a device until a parent can retrieve it from the office. As part of the 21st Century Learning goals set forth by the school board, students will be participating in a variety of social media tools via the Internet in the classroom. Some of the social media tools that may be used in the classroom include the following: Wikis, blogs, Podcasts, video conferencing, surveys, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and other sites deemed appropriate by the classroom teacher in accordance with Ministry of Education curriculum.

School and student photos may not be taken using student owned devices. Students may not text each other at school.  Inappropriate websites are not allowed to be viewed. Students may not record other students on their device. Students may not have their device on the school yard at recess, or in any other space other than the classroom. Parents are fully responsible to ensure their child is responsible and able to manage, use properly and safe keep their electronic devices.

Should your child not be in possession of their own learning device, a shared Chromebook will be available to use with the expectation that your child will participate in the disinfection protocol between uses. If the devise is misused or broken during use, you the parent/guardian are responsible for the cost of the repair or replacement. Please note that repair costs vary and a replacement Chromebook is approximately $400.

At times, for safety reasons, parents/guardians may choose to send a cell phone or other communication device to school with their child. It is understood in these cases that these devices must be turned off while they are in class and outside of the class or on the bus. In the instance of misuse, the device will be turned off and confiscated using protective equipment and returned to the student at the end of the day. In some serious cases, you the parent/guardian will be asked to pick it up at the office and the student will not be able to bring the device to school. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen personal technology devices. Please know that we have phones in the main office for your child(ren) to connect with you during the day if needed.

It is important to remember that riding the bus to and from school is A PRIVILEGE, not a right.  Students who are unable to meet expected behaviour standards may have this privilege removed.

RULES OF SAFETY AND CODE OF BEHAVIOUR ON SCHOOL BUSES

  • Every student is responsible to the Principal for his/her conduct on a school bus – Regulation 40(5).
  • Every student must conduct themself so as not to endanger the safety or comfort of themselves or others.
  • The driver is in charge of the bus and all passengers. Students are to obey the driver at all times while in his/her care.
  • Students are to sit where directed by the driver and to remain seated until the end of the trip.
  • Students will be allowed to leave or board the bus only at their regular stop (at school or at home).
  • A student will be allowed to ride only the bus assigned to him/her.
  • The following behaviour on a bus is prohibited at all times: unnecessary opening of windows, fighting, wrestling, yelling, climbing, throwing articles, eating food or drinking beverages, using obscene or profane language/gestures, standing/walking while the bus is in motion, use of cell phone for calling, texting, recording, watching videos or the sharing of inappropriate music.
  • The Board considers parents responsible for the safety and conduct of their children before they are picked up and after they have been discharged from a school bus,
  • The bus stop and bus are extensions of our school community. Any behaviour issues that occur can result in removal from the bus.

All back to school forms, field trips, hot lunches, fundraisers or any other school events that require a cost will be collected through Cash Online. We are a cash free school, please be sure to sign up for Cash Online If you have any questions or require assistance, please call the office 519-893-8801. Please fill out ALL back to school forms ASAP. You must do this for each child you have at St. Daniel School, thanks.

Step 1: Click here https://wcdsb.schoolcashonline.com/
Step 2: Register by selecting the “Get Started Now” and following the steps
Step 3: After you receive the confirmation email, please select the ‘click here’ option, sign in and add each of your children to your household account

Our school Library Learning Commons is open to all students and parents throughout the year.  Students are generally permitted to check out two books at a time.  In order to allow all students a wider selection of materials, we ask that all books be promptly returned within 2 weeks to ensure that as many students as possible have access to the Library Learning Common’s resources.  All books should be treated with care and protected while in transit and at home.  Students checking out books are responsible for their safe return and condition.  If a book is lost or damaged, the student responsible for signing out that book may be requested to pay for the book. The school librarian has the right to restrict borrowing privileges based on overdue, lost or damaged books.

We are an inclusive community. All children have the right to a bias free education. Our Special Education teachers have a responsibility to assist the classroom teacher with support of students with special needs. For some high needs students with significant safety requirements, an Educational Assistant or Child and Youth Care Worker may be assigned. Educational Assistants are assigned to students with exceptionalities that meet the requirements of the WCDSB’s High Needs Verification Process. In all most cases where support is assigned it is shared with other students that have needs in the classroom. Educational Assistants support can be removed or reassigned based on student needs as they arise in our school. Our goal is to work toward student independence, success and achievement.

In addition, consultants assigned from the Board provide valuable assessments, diagnostic and program support. Parents are encouraged to consult with the classroom teacher about any concerns they may have regarding their child’s achievements or adjustments to school. Most challenges can be successfully addressed by the parent and teacher working together with the student; however, some individuals need additional support provided by our Special Education personnel.

Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or our Special Education teacher, should you have any concerns.

In order for a student to receive Special Education assistance, the following procedure must be followed:

  • Classroom teacher contacts parents regarding concerns.
  • An A1 form is completed by the classroom teacher listing concerns and accommodations. This is shared with the principal.
  • If progress is not evident, even with accommodations, an in-school team meeting is held. Recommendations are listed on an A2 form. This may include an Education Assessment by the Special Education Teacher. The student may then be placed on an IEP (Individual Education Plan). The IEP is reviewed and new achievable curriculum expectations are selected each term. Parents will receive a copy of the A2 to sign.
  • Parents are invited to be actively involved in developing the IEP.

What is an IEP, A Guide for Parents: If you want to know what an IEP is, please see the following link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1e8x7MerwxCEnAw4YNoLXj1hd48l-44gI/view?usp=sharing

Your Child’s IEP, Get Involved, Stay Involved: If your Thunderbird has an IEP please be sure to review the following link so you know what you can expect with the IEP process: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17B5H9pofJHwd356SZacdyDcqRnrEpdL2/view?usp=sharing

St. Daniel School staff and students welcome all Newcomers to Canada and Kitchener!  We are a diverse community and are excited to help you learn English and share in your experiences from abroad. We have an ESL teacher that supports and collaborates with classroom teachers to ensure the success of our newcomer students. We will help you in any way we can. Contact the school principal for more information or to answer any questions that you may have.

The goal of this program is to celebrate student success within the classroom and throughout the school community. The recipients of this recognition consistently demonstrate the values of our Umbrella Project skills and our Catholic Graduate Expectations. Students are publicly and privately congratulated for their personal contributions to the community. Students are openly recognized, and it is during this time that the qualities or actions that have warranted this student’s award are recognized. Announcements will recognize students for their achievements throughout the year.

Textbooks, library and other learning materials are assigned to students for use during the year. These items remain the property of the school and students are responsible for exercising proper care. WCDSB will be providing a learning kit to EACH student to reduce the requirement to share amongst students within a cohort. It is up to the classroom teacher to decide which materials will be allowed to travel between school and home, with an emphasis on reducing the back and forth transmission between home and school. Books are to be returned at the end of the year and students will have to replace any books that are lost, damaged or defaced (graffiti).

Student I Can Agreements

Students are expected to be respectful to each other and toward the staff of St. Daniel School. The goal is to be models of our Catholic virtues. One way we work toward this goal is by enabling our students to follow I CAN Student Agreements (The Thunderbird Way):

  • I CAN take my hat or hood off in the school
  • I CAN walk respectfully in the halls
  • I CAN show respect for school property
  • I CAN show respect for myself and others
  • I Can spread kindness, hope and joy to others

Work Habits and Homework Policy

Students are expected to work to the best of their ability and display a sense of pride in their efforts and accomplishments. This includes such areas as presenting neat work, completing daily assignments and preparing major projects. Teachers will maintain close communication with parents/guardians regarding student work expectations and progress. Some teachers will post daily homework information on their classroom website. Please check your child’s classroom website for current and important news. If you are unsure of how to get to the site, please contact your child’s teacher directly for instructions.

We believe homework should:

  • Be a shared commitment among teachers, students, and parents/guardians.
  • Be reasonable in time allotted and “doable” by the student
  • Provide parents/guardians with insight into what their child is learning.
  • Teach students responsibility and self-discipline.
  • Instill the kind of work habits and organizational skills which students need to be successful in school and later in the workplace.
  • Encourage lifelong learning and extend learning beyond the school.
  • Reflect the learning skills found on the Provincial report card.

Homework/extra practice may be limited and may be shared through the classroom teacher’s virtual classroom (e.g., Google Classroom/D2L) and left to the teachers professional discretion.

Responsibilities:

Students will be responsible for their learning by:

  • Writing down homework .
  • Asking for assistance as necessary.
  • Completing the assigned work.
  • Meeting timelines for homework completion.
  • Developing a homework routine and study habits.
  • Locating appropriate resources and materials.
  • Returning completed assignments on time.

Parents/Guardians will assist students by:

  • Asking each day about homework.
  • Ensuring students read every night.
  • Providing support and supervision, if necessary.
  • Encouraging effort, achievement, and a positive attitude.
  • Helping students organize homework routines, (e.g. a time and a quiet place to do the work
  • Informing teacher, if homework is causing undo stress in the home or for their child.

Teachers and Administrators will support students and parents/guardians by:

  • Establishing a place in the classroom where homework is written down.
  • Providing time for students to write homework down.
  • Assigning homework on an “as needed” basis.
  • Checking for the completion of homework.
  • Following up with students and contacting parents/guardians when necessary.
  • Co-coordinating a variety of homework.
  • Monitoring the amount of homework.
  • Ensuring homework is geared to the student’s independent learning level.
  • Evaluating homework as part of the Provincial Learning Skills.

Attention to outward appearance is an important part of a student’s social development.  Students and staff are expected to dress appropriately.  The dress code is also in effect for class trips, unless instructed differently.  Parents are asked to label articles of clothing and school bags with a permanent marker.  Our goal is to promote a positive educational environment for all.  The following guidelines have been vetted and approved by our Parent Advisory Council.

  • Tops must be modest, and overlap the pants
  • Tank tops must be a modest strap width
  • Hemmed shorts, walking shorts, skirts and dresses must be mid-thigh or longer in length
  • Only clothing with positive messages and pictures are permitted, please do not wear clothing with excessive rips or tears in them
  • Clothing must be modest and not expose students midriff/chest/full side/bottom
  • Hats/headwear/hoods/dude rags are not to be worn inside the school, however, we do encourage their use when outside
  • Two pairs of shoes are necessary at all times.  One for outdoor and one for indoor
  • For safety reasons, it is strongly recommended that students do NOT wear shoes that are open-toed