Parent Information

School Bell Schedule

Absentee Check and Parent Contact Information

Parents are encouraged to contact the school if their child/children will be absent or late for school. The school phone number is (780) 987-5730. If it is before 8:00 a.m. there will be an answering machine for you to leave a message. Please include the name of your child, the reason for their absence and their teacher. Information provided on the Holy Spirit Catholic School Registration Form is used in tracking a child who is absent from school in the event we are not contacted. It is extremely important for the safety of your child that the school is notified of any change in telephone numbers or email addresses at home or at work. It is also important that we have an emergency contact number in case we cannot contact a parent or guardian.

Appropriate Use of Internet

Inclement Weather

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.

Background
The health and safety of students is a paramount consideration in the organization of outdoor activities.
Weather conditions may result in changes to outdoor activities, school closures, early dismissals, and adjustments in regular bus schedules.
Adverse weather conditions occasionally result in the need to adjust school and bus operating schedules in the interest of student and staff safety.
Procedures
1. Staff making decisions regarding outdoor activities need to take into consideration inclement weather that may result from the following conditions or combinations of conditions:
1.1 Continuous rain.
1.2 Extreme wind.
1.3 Extreme cold.
1.4 Air Quality
1.5 Other severe conditions.
2. The suggested guideline is that students do not go outside if the temperature is -20°C or colder, or if the temperature and wind chill factor are -20°C or colder. Adherence to the suggested guideline is at the discretion of school administrators and staff as they determine whether recess will be indoors or outdoors.
3. Air quality is to be monitored similar to extreme cold temperatures. The suggested guideline is that students do not go outside when air quality reaches an index of 7 or more. Principals are to carefully monitor the air quality in their area when the index reaches levels of 4-6 which indicate a moderate risk. Environment Canada’s Air Quality Health Index for the province of Alberta is available at https://weather.gc.ca/airquality/pages/provincial_summary/ab_e.html.
4. The principal shall ensure the school’s specific inclement weather protocols and procedures are periodically communicated to parents through the school’s communication networks.
5. The superintendent or bus operator may suspend school bus service and/or close schools in the system when weather conditions constitute a hazard to the safety of students and staff.
6. The principal(s) will ensure that parents/guardians and bus operators are regularly advised of the procedures used when the suspension of bus services, early dismissal, or school closure is necessary.
7. The superintendent or designate will consider the advice of the bus operators for each school when making a decision regarding the suspension of school bus service as a result of weather or road conditions.
8. The superintendent or designate shall make a decision regarding school bus service suspension before 6:00 a.m. when possible, or the previous night if conditions necessitate the suspension of bus service the following day.
9. When weather or road conditions deteriorate during the school day and may require early return of bus students to their homes,
9.1 The superintendent/designate, in consultation with all bus operators, will decide how to proceed; and
9.2 Social media platforms and/or Division/School websites shall be used to notify communities promptly of decisions regarding early return of bus students
10. The principal and staff will make every reasonable effort to ensure that both bus and non-bus students can arrive home safely when they are dismissed earlier than the regular school closing time.
11. Administration and teaching staff are required to maintain regular working hours in the school for the purpose of receiving students, communicating with parents, and other related activities.
11.1 All staff are encouraged to ensure that they are prepared for winter driving conditions (see this link for more information).
11.2 If staff are not comfortable driving to work due to weather conditions, they may access other entitlements, such as a personal day.
11.3 In the event of a road closure by the RCMP, the Superintendent may authorize those affected staff members not to report to work, to postpone their journey to work or to work online.
12. Teaching and learning opportunities during transportation cancellation may vary depending on the number of students in attendance, and this may differ from class to class or grade to grade within schools across the Division. Teachers shall exercise their professional judgement in making the decision to present new material when transportation services to the school are cancelled. If new material is presented, teachers shall make provision for students to attain the objectives of the material missed during their absence.
13. In the event of bus cancellation due to inclement weather, all extra-curricular activities such as practices, field trips, sporting events will be postponed or canceled.
14. Parents/guardians are responsible to decide, in extreme weather conditions, whether or not to send a child to school.
15. Early Dismissal
15.1 The bus operator is responsible for contacting the superintendent or designate and the principal(s) of the school(s) concerned to advise of adverse road conditions which may require early dismissal.
15.2 The Superintendent or designate will decide whether to have buses pick up students early.
15.3 The principal(s) will communicate directly with the bus operator(s) to make arrangements that may be required to transport students home early.
15.4 The superintendent or designate will arrange for an announcement to be made over designated social media platforms and the Division website when early dismissal is deemed necessary.
16. Decision Made Before School Opening
16.1 The bus operator is responsible for advising the Superintendent regarding pending adverse road and/or weather conditions.
16.2 The superintendent will render a decision on school closure or suspension of bus service as per the preceding procedures.
16.3 The superintendent will make an official announcement with regard to school closure or suspension of bus service through designated social media platforms and the Division website.
16.4 The superintendent will inform principal(s) regarding decisions about school closure.

Parent Etiquette & Concerns

We believe that effective problem solving occurs when those most directly affected by a problem situation are involved in its resolution. Consequently, we request that the following protocol be followed in addressing parental concerns:
● Discuss the situation with the teacher or staff member.
● If a situation cannot be resolved at that level, discuss your concern with the administrative team – principal and/or assistant principal.
● Concerns that are of a general school nature should be discussed with the administration of the school.

Health and Safety of Students / Medication

Health and Safety of Students:
First aid is administered to any child experiencing an injury at school. If the injury is a minor scratch or bump, first aid is administered (contact with home will depend on the situation). If the injury or illness is more than a minor one, the student’s parents are notified by phone. It is therefore extremely important that you provide the school office with current home and emergency telephone numbers.
Medication:
The administration of medication is the responsibility of the student’s parent or guardian. In special circumstances when a student must take medication during school hours, school staff will assist. Given the young age of some of our students, it is not a safe practice for students to administer medication to themselves. The following guidelines and procedures are required.
● A signed request of AUTHORIZATION FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION from the parent indicating the type of medication to be administered, required dosage and action to be taken in the event of possible hazards or side effects should be given to the office staff.
● Discuss the medication and administration with your child’s teacher.
● A medication file on your child will be kept in the office.
Normally children who are too ill to go outside for recess are encouraged to remain at home. This is particularly true in the case of severe colds or flu. Children who come to school with severe colds or high fevers are unable to function well in class and often provide a source of infection for other children.

Allergy Awareness

Holy Spirit is an allergy safe or allergy aware environment rather than an allergy “free” environment. The management of students at risk of life-threatening allergies is a shared responsibility among the student, parents, and school staff. We recognize the dangers faced by students and staff with severe reactions to certain allergens. We can not guarantee an allergen-free environment, but will take reasonable steps to ensure a safe environment for students with life-threatening allergies, further to the goal of maintaining an appropriate learning environment for all students.

School Supplies

Athletics Info & Forms