PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Greetings to you on behalf of all the staff at Norwood.  We are pleased that you have chosen our school for the formal education of your child.

 We recognize the huge responsibility we share with you in helping your child achieve their highest potential.  You as parents, are vital in the education of your children.  As Partners in Education, we invite you to become active in our common goal, “Excellence in Education”. 

As a staff we will strive to create a safe environment where students are actively involved in their learning, where students have fun while they learn and grow, where staff and parents feel committed to a shared set of values, goals and purposes, where staff and students feel valued and appreciated; and where parents work as partners in the education of their children.

We look forward to working with each of you.  Your comments are always welcome.  If you have any questions, concerns, or bouquets, please drop by or call the school at (780) 477-1002.   Open communication is the key to success. 

This handbook is designed to share with you some information about our school.  Please read and keep it as a quick reference throughout the school year.

Looking forward to working and growing with you.

Lorraine Berg, MED

Principal

 

NORWOOD SCHOOL COMMUNITY PROFILE

Norwood School is a member of the City Centre Education Partnership (CCEP).  CCEP is an innovative collaboration of seven city centre schools that work together on a collective vision; combining resources, energy and talent to create enriched opportunities for all of the 1400 students it serves.

Although the Norwood School population has become more eclectic over the past few years with a greater range of learners, our school continues to rank number six on the district’s rating of high socio-economic needs schools.  To support our work we are very fortunate to be a Partners for Kids site which provides a fulltime Mentorship Coordinator, .5 Family Therapist and a .8 Roots and Wings Worker.  We also have the services of a community nurse one full day a week, a .1 Edmonton Police Services officer on site.  A morning snack and a hot lunch program are available for all students through our partnership with Edmonton’s School Lunch Program.

Interagency involvements and the support of many strong Norwood alumni and supporters are key to meeting the diverse needs of our students.  We are also very fortunate to have the dedication and support of our small but dedicated parent group, Parents Actively Creating Educational Experiences Society, PACEES.

 MISSION STATEMENT OF CCEP

1.                   All students will complete high school.

2.         Students in city centre will receive excellent education with enriched environments and experiences.

3.         Equality of opportunity requires INEQUALITY of resources.

4.         Strong relationships and partnerships are the foundation of our success.

 

SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY

At Norwood School we create a community through partnership and collaboration that responds to individual needs, provides challenges, focuses on goal setting and individual responsibility to maximize achievement and inspire life long learning.

 

PROGRAMS AND ORGANIZATIONS

Regular Programming: .5 day Early Learning Classroom, Full Day Kindergarten and grades one to six.  Balanced Literacy, Thinking Skills, Power of 10 and the TRIBES programs are utilized consistently throughout the school.  Along with being a “Partner for Kids Program” site we provide Reading Recovery for students at risk.  We work together with community agencies such as Kids in Action and the City of Edmonton Community Recreation Department to promote after school activities for our students.

 

AREA(S) OF INSTRUCTIONAL IMPROVEMENT

At Norwood School, we (parents, staff, students, community agencies) will work together to enhance the skills of our students.  Through our professional development on Resiliency, we will create a learning community that is responsive to the diverse needs of who we teach, so that what we teach and how we teach supports the development of capable, connected and contributing learners.  We will do this through engaging all learners through Differentiated Instruction in Balanced Literacy, 6 + 1 Traits of Writing, Power of 10 and the Tribes Program.  Growth will be measured by the results of the Alberta Education Achievement Tests, HLATs and informal based assessments.

 

ABSENTEE CHECK

An attendance check will be made each morning and afternoon.  Parents are encouraged to contact the school if their child/children will be absent from school.  If your child will be absent please call (780) 477-1002 and leave a message on the school answering machine stating your child’s FULL NAME, room number, reason for absence and the date. 

It is extremely important for the safety of your child that the school be notified of any change in telephone numbers at home, work, or emergency contacts.

ATTENDANCE

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students. Regular attendance is a vital factor in being successful at school.  Students with a habitual attendance problem will be referred to the school social worker and parents will be notified accordingly.  The Alberta Education Attendance Board will be contacted if a problem persists.

 

BEHAVIOUR AND DISCIPLINE - A LEARNING EXPERIENCE

It is our wish to have a safe place for everyone.  As parents and educators we must convey to children that we trust and believe in them.  In developing a positive relationship, it is important that we recognize and accept student efforts toward responsible and appropriate behaviour.

 

BICYCLES, ROLLER BLADES AND SCOOTERS

Students who bring bicycles, skateboards, or rollerblades to school do so at their own risk.  All bicycles must be locked individually in the bicycle racks.  For the safety of all students, bicycles, roller blades and scooters must not be ridden on school grounds.  Students are to dismount and push their bikes to the racks.  Students wearing rollerblades MUST carry outdoor shoes with them.  Skateboards may be parked in the school office during the day.

 

BIRTHDAYS

Birthdays come only once a year but when they do, they are special occasions at Norwood School.  Each child will be presented with a birthday pencil on his/her birthday.  The presentation is made personally by the principal and their names will be announced during announcements.

 

CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR

Suitable clothing and footwear should be worn relative to weather conditions.  All students are expected to remove their outdoor shoes at the entrances.  Another pair of shoes needs to be worn indoors.  These shoes can also be worn in the school gym.  This policy is put into place to ensure our school is kept clean and safe for our student and parent community.  This also teaches our children respect for their environment and support for our custodial team.  Please ensure that clothing has suitable sayings for school.

 

COLD AND RAINY WEATHER

Cancellation of Recess:  Recess is important to children in that it provides a break from regular school routine, a chance to get some fresh air, and an opportunity to run off excess energy.  We will only cancel recess when the temperature is below -23º C during winter months or if it is rainy.

COMMUNICATION

Open and positive communication between the home and the school is one of the most important contributions we can make for the education development of children who attend Norwood.  “Together for children” is a goal we would like to set for our partnership.  Together we will help all students achieve their personal best by building an enriched learning environment for all of them.

Parent/student/teacher conferences will be scheduled throughout the year but we encourage you not to wait for them if you feel a need to meet with your child’s teacher or the administration. 

A school newsletter will be sent home to each family on the last school day of the month.  Each classroom will also send home newsletters regularly to inform you of their present topics of study and upcoming events.

EARLY DEPARTURE

When a child is to be excused early, parents or guardians should pick up the child.  Sign the child out in the office.  If you are unable to pick up your child, send a note to the school indicating the time you want your child to be excused.  Parents are asked to make such a request for legitimate reasons only. Please caution your child about accepting rides and other items from strangers at anytime.

 

FIELD TRIPS

Our classes will participate in a variety of field trips during the year.  Trips will be curriculum-based and enhance classroom learning.  Prior to their occurrence, parents will be notified of all field trips requiring public and private transportation.  Students not able to go on certain field trips will be accommodated in other classes.  Students must return a parent signed permission form for all field trips.  Returning the form indicates you are aware of the trip and it also teaches responsibility to the students.

 

HOMEWORK AND READING

Please help your child develop good work habits and responsibility by checking their back packs daily.

 

HOT LUNCH AND SNACK PROGRAM

Our students are very fortunate to be able to have a daily Snack and Hot Lunch Program.  Please see registration forms.

 

ILLNESS AND INJURY

Normally children who are too ill to go outside at recess are too ill to be at school.  This is particularly true in the case of children with severe colds.  Children coming to school ill are unable to function well.  They also provide a source of infection for other children.

If a student becomes ill while at school, we will attempt to contact the parent/guardian or the person listed for emergencies.  Only after contact and approval by the parent or another responsible party will the child be sent home.  If no contact can be made with a responsible party the child will be made as comfortable as possible in the medical room and will remain there until he or she feels well enough to return to class or until home time.  If the illness or injury appears to be serious and we are unable to contact a responsible party, medical advice will be sought and followed. It is therefore extremely important that you provide the school office with current home and emergency telephone numbers, and current Alberta Health Care Insurance numbers.  Please notify the school of any changes to this information as they occur.

LOST AND FOUND

We request that all articles of clothing: boots, shoes, coats and all school supplies be clearly labelled.  Lost and Found Boxes are located on the main floor.  Please check them regularly if your child has lost an item.  The school cannot be held responsible for theft or breakage of personal items.

 

SCHOOL COUNCIL

Our School Council (PACEES) meet once a month throughout the school year.  We begin at 5:00 p.m. and meet in the staff room.  Parents will be notified of any change in meeting times through the newsletter.  The purpose of the School Council is to promote the exchange of ideas and involvement of parents and school staff in matters relating to school programs and policy.  The School Council provides for parents and staff a vehicle for communication and an opportunity for positive support of the educational vision of Norwood School.  We invite everyone to be an active participant.

 

SCHOOL NURSE

Alberta Health Services works together with parents, schools and community agencies to provide a range of coordinated community health services for school-age children and their families. Various health services are provided by nursing, dental, rehabilitation and speech and language staff. For more information please call The Eastwood Health Centre at 413-5645

 

SUPERVISION

Staff playground supervision is provided for the fifteen minute period preceding the morning session, as well as during recess periods.  For safety reasons we ask that students arrive no earlier than 8:25 a.m.  In keeping with Edmonton Public School Board policy, supervision is also provided by individual teachers for their students for the five minutes immediately following the morning and afternoon dismissals.  Please note that teacher and school legal responsibilities terminates after this five minute time interval.  Students are expected to go directly home after dismissal.  Playground supervision is provided for 15 minutes after dismissal.  Children should be encouraged to check in with their parent or sitter before going to a friend’s house.  Most often a lost child is visiting at a friend’s house and hasn’t checked in with a parent first.  If children come to your home to play, please ask them to call home as soon as they arrive.