Frequentquestions

Dropping off items and picking up students during the school day. We would appreciate it if parents dropping lunches or forgotten articles for students at the school would bring them to the school office, instead of coming in through the outside or front classroom doors. It is disruptive to have parents entering classrooms during the school day and we are very conscious of the need to be aware of adults in the school or on the grounds. We would be pleased to deliver lunches or forgotten articles to the students.

The Board of School Trustees has approved a fee for school supplies of $25.00 per full time student for the following supplies: assorted exercise books (full and half sized in regular lined, interlined, blank and half-and-half), duo-tang covers, looseleaf pages (ruled), looseleaf pages (plain), key tabs, scrapbooks, erasers, ruler, pencils, wax crayons, and glue (sticks and liquid). The money is collected from families early in the fall. Teachers will advise students of any additional items that are required, such as scissors, dictionaries, and P.E. strip. All personal items brought to school should be labeled with the student's name.

At McNeely, we believe that we can be a part of helping the environment through education and action. Some of the ways we can all help are:

Newsletters: At least monthly, your child will bring home a school newsletter. Please watch for these newsletters as they contain important information, a monthly calendar and upcoming events for the next month. These newsletters are numbered which will ensure that you receive all the information sent home. We also invite parents to access our newsletters and news online at our website: http://mcneely.sd38.bc.ca/ This website is updated regularly.

Please advise the teacher or leave a message with the Early Warning phone number (604-668-6250). Remember, you will be contacted by if you have not notified the school of your child's absence. We ask that you keep your child at home if they have fever or other flu symptoms. When they are able to participate fully in all school activities they may return to school. Please send a note for the teacher as a follow-up to the phone call when your child returns to school.

If a child becomes sick at school we will keep them in the medical room and contact a parent or alternate contact to pick them up. (Please ensure this information is up to date.)

Office Area and Telephone Use: The General Office area contains the offices of the principal, vice-principal and the working areas for the two secretaries. Since our school telephones are in constant demand, students should use the phone in the medical room. Students must first obtain their teacher's permission before using this phone and check-in with office staff. (See our "Technology Use Statement". We do not encourage the use of cell phones during the school day.)

Field Trips: Field trips are curriculum-related experiences that are conducted outside the classroom and feature instruction in a community environment. Written parental permission is required for participation in field trips. Details of these events are communicated to parents through letters from classroom teachers well in advance. Should the cost of a field trip be a concern, please contact your child's teacher or the school Principal. At McNeely we do not wish to deny any child the opportunity to participate based on financial concerns.

Driver Authorization Forms: Richmond School District requires that all volunteer drivers transporting students to and from school authorized events complete a driver authorization form available at the school office. This form provides excess liability coverage. This form is kept on file in the school office, is valid for one school year and must be completed prior to driving students.

Extended Holidays: We have had requests from parents who wish to take their children on extended holidays during the school year with the result that children are absent for many weeks at a time. This extended absence may result in students becoming behind in their work and losing important learning gains. It is not the practice of this school to approve these holidays or to provide work for the children to do while on holidays.

Parents who are contemplating taking their children on extended holidays are asked to contact the principal PRIOR to leaving. (See more information under our homework policy for vacationing students.)

Please call 604-668-6250 to advise us if your child will be late. Children arriving late must sign in at the office upon arrival. Repeated tardiness disrupts classes and impacts negatively impacts on the learning of the child arriving late.

Let your child's teacher and the office know one week in advance (or earlier if possible) so the necessary forms can be completed.

Students are encouraged first to check in their classrooms and tell their teachers about lost items. They should also check the lost and found box located in the hallway near the Multi Purpose Room. For small items (watches, jewellery, small toys, etc.), please check at the office.

Please notify your child's teacher. Students who are absent for periods of two weeks or longer due to sickness or health reasons may qualify for extra assistance from the school.

Eating lunch at school is a privilege, and we expect students to eat at their desks in a and find something quiet to do when they are finished eating. Students who repeatedly disregard the rights of others through disruptive lunch time behavior may be asked to eat at home. (See information under DAILY ROUTINES)