Parents and Carers

ABSENCES

All absences should be reported in writing. If the absence is likely to be for an extended period a phone call or note to the school would be appreciated. A note is still required upon return to the school.

AFTER-SCHOOL CARE

This is provided by the Tuggeranong Community Services between 3.00pm and 6.00 pm Monday to Friday at Chisholm Primary School. Further information as to costs and procedures can be obtained by ringing the school or the after-school care number.

ANAPHYLAXIS

At Chisholm Primary, we have students who have an anaphylactic reaction to peanuts and nut products, which can be life threatening to these students. We are asking for the support of families in not sending to school food items containing peanut butter or other nut products.

ASSEMBLIES

Assemblies are held every 3 weeks. They are child-centred and are organised by Year 6 students. Special assemblies (eg Easter, Book Week, Anzac) are held at appropriate times and advertised in our Newsletter.Parents are most welcome to attend these assemblies. Certificates are presented at assemblies acknowledging Courtesy and Caring, Co-operation and Teamwork, Academic Progress, Good Thinking and Creativity.

BANKING

Parent volunteers provide a banking service on Friday mornings. Books are collected from the units at 9 am. Books are returned via the child's class on the same day.

BICYCLES

Students riding to school must wear a helmet. For the safety of all, bicycles should not be ridden on the school grounds at any time. Bicycles should be locked when left in the bicycle area. The school cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to bicycles.

COMMUNICATING WITH PARENTS

Close and effective communications between the school and home are vital. Parents are always welcome in the school and asked to make a mutually convenient appointment if a concern arises.

EDUCATIONAL PACKAGE

In recent years the Chsholm community has strongly supported the bulk purchasing of Educatiional material which include the vast majority of items required by students throughout the year. This scheme not only permits us to supply high queality items at a reduced cost, but also ensures students have the correct materials for their year level. The package also includes allowances for Science, Art and Craft materials, photocopying, computer disk and software for all students.

Whilst the packages cover all exercise and text books, folders, scissors and a pencil allowance, teachers may ask for some items such as a box of tissues, textas,etc. to be supplied from home.

A price list for the book packs for all year levels will be sent home at the beginning of Term 4 and will be issued as soon as possible in the new year.

ENROLMENT

To enrol students, parents are required to complete an enrolment form for each child. Act Public Health regulations also require schools to record students’ immunisation status. Parents are asked to lodge a copy of the ACT Immunisation Record form or provide other evidence of each child’s immunisation history.

EXCURSIONS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

Enrichment activities which are relevant to class programs are arranged for students each year. All students are encouraged to take part if possible. Cultural performances are booked by the school on the basis of approximately one per term. In circumstances where parents have difficulty with costs they are invited to contact the Principal so that students are not denied a valuable learning experience.

LEAVING SCHOOL DURING THE DAY

No child will be permitted to leave the school unless a signed note is received from the parents. If collecting children during the day please:

make sure the child knows the time you are coming
send a note to the teacher and
meet the child at the Office Manager’s Office
complete the sign in/out book at the Front Office

The weekly Newsletter is the most frequent form of communication between school and home. It is published every Thursday and sent home with the youngest child in each family. Please read it thoroughly to keep up to date with what is happening at school.

PARENT/TEACHER CONTACT

There are occasions when a parent may wish to discuss their child's progress with a teacher. Please phone the school and make a time that is mutually convenient to both parent and teacher. We encourage parents to ask questions, express concerns or share information.

There are occasions when a teacher wishes to meet with a parent and contact will be made by phone or letter.

The Chisholm “Coffe Cake and Chat Club” was officially launched in April 2005. It is an open invitation to all parents who would like to come along for an informal chat for all or some of the time. It is an opportunity to get to know other parents and to talk about school progams and happenings.

Venue: Conference Room

Time: Fridays, 9am to 9.45am

PAYMENT PROCEDURES FOR EXCURSIONS, PERFORMANCES AND CAMPS

All money for excursions, performances, camps, etc. should be placed securely in an envelope and clearly labelled and given to classroom teacher. Individual receipts will be issued for amounts more then $10.

PRESCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL LIAISON

Regular communication with and visits between staff and students ensures that progression is as smooth and enjoyable as possible. A teacher from the high school works with Year 6 students one day a week to get to know them well and further develop organisational and problem solving skills. This teacher assists students in the transition to high school and is readily available to talk through concerns with them.

PLAYGROUND SUPERVISION

Teachers provide supervision in the school grounds during recess and at lunchtime. Limited supervision is also provided between 8.30 am to 9.00 am.

Parents are reminded that children should not arrive at school before 8.50 am for safety reasons.

SCHOOL HOURS

8.50 am Students should arrive at school

9.00 am School begins

11.00—11.10 am Students each lunch in classrooms

11.10—11.50 pm Lunch

1.30—1.50 pm Recess

3.00 pm School finishes and children should leave the school grounds.

SICKNESS AND ACCIDENTS

Sick children should be kept at home. If a child becomes sick at school, the limited school facilities will be used, until parents are contacted. Parents are then requested to take children home.

Parents are notified immediately if a child has a serious accident. If it is not possible to make contact then medical assistance will be sought at the doctor identified on the personal record cards, or at the hospital.

Prescription medicine brought to school by a child will be administered by ancillary staff, once a parent requests such assistance in writing.

SICKNESS, ACCIDENTS AND FIRST AID

If a student becomes ill at school or has an accident she or he is cared for and parents contacted to make arrangements for going home.

If students require medication at school it should be in a container clearly labelled with name, class, dosage and time to be taken. All medication should be given to the teachers assistant at the beginning of the school day. It is important for parents to keep the school informed of changes to telephone numbers so that contact can be made quickly if necessary.

INFECTION—A GUIDE TO EXCLUSION FOR SICK CHILDREN

Disease Patients

Chicken Pox Exclude until recovered or for at leats 5 days after blisters first appear

Diphtheria Exclude until a medical certificate is produced

Hepatitis (A) Exclude until a medical certificate is produced

Measles Exclude for at least 4 days from the appearance of the rash

Meningitis (bacterial) Exclude until well

Meningococcal Infection Exclude until well

Mumps Exclude for at least 9 days after the onset of symptoms

Leprosy Exclude until approval to return has been given by Medical Officer of Health

Poliomyelitis Exclude for at least 14 days from onset and until a medical certificate is produced

Rubella Exclude until fully recovered or for at least 4 days after the rash appears

Streptococcal Infection Exclude until person has received antibiotic treatment for at least 24 hours

and has recovered from the illness.

Tuberculosis Exclude until approval to return has been given by Medical Officer of Health

Typhoid Fever Exclude until a medical certificate is produced

Whooping Cough Exclude for at least 5 days after starting antibiotic treatment

Common Local Diseases Affecting Skin, Hair and Eyes

Conjunctivitis Exclude until discharge from eyes ceases

Impetigo (school sores) Exclude until appropriate treatment has commenced and sores on exposed

surfaces are covered with a dressing.

Ringworm, Scabies Exclude until the day after treatment has commenced

Pediculosis (lice)

Other Conditions which may be infectious in nature

Diarrhoea: Exclude until diarrhoea ceases

(Rotavirus, Shigella,

Giardia, Salmonella,

Campylobacter)

Other Conditions

AIDS Contact the school for information

Hepatitis B Contact the school for information

SPECIAL NEEDS TEAM

A Special Needs team involving the teacher, counsellor, Learning Assistance teacher, Deputy Principal and Principal meets weekly to discuss individual student progress as raised by staff or parents in order to develop action plans to meet the needs of identified students.