General

• The playground area is supervised only during recesses unless the student is in the lunch program and the supervisors decide to go to the playground.
• To avoid distractions in the classroom we ask that all valuable toys, MP3 players and cell phones be kept at home. In an emergency office staff will contact parents.
• Students may sign out equipment during recess.
• Make-up: To focus on learning, make-up can only be worn for Halloween.
• Children need running shoes for gym and inside shoes to leave at school. They are asked to take off outside shoes and hats whenever they enter the building. Please label!
• There are monthly assemblies where children have the opportunity to share their accomplishments and participate in school-wide activities. Parents are always welcome to join us for assemblies.
• Book bags or knapsacks are a good idea for all students to carry books and notes back and forth between home and school.
• School Patrols cover the crosswalk at 37 Street and 30 Avenue.
• All personal belongings which children bring to school should be labeled.
• Children may ride bikes (scooters, skateboards, rollerblades) to school, but they must walk on school grounds. Helmets are required for all these activities. Ensure that bikes are securely locked.

Lunch Hour Care
We strongly urge parents to have their children go home for lunch or to a caregiver outside the school. We have a list of parents willing to look after children in their homes over this period of time. It is important that children get a change of pace, a change of scenery, and a break from school at this time!

For families who cannot make alternative arrangements, Bisset School will provide a limited lunch program. For further information and fee schedules, please contact the school. There is also a "drop-in" daily program for emergency purposes.

Supervision
Playground supervision of students is provided by the staff before school as follows:

Mornings: 8:38 to 8:53
Afternoons: 12:23 to 12:38

We are not responsible for children on the playground before these times. Please do not have your children arrive at school before the listed times, especially in inclement weather. The lunch program uses the playground so please do not have children come back from lunch without your supervision.

Supervision of children as they move to and from school is a shared responsibility between home and school. If your child experiences any difficulties in this area, please contact the school so we can work with you to solve the problem.

Cultural Events
Students at Bisset enjoy performances, plays and concerts on a regular basis. This gives them a broad experience and an introduction to such things as opera and ballet which may lead to lifelong interests. Parents are welcome to join the students at these events.

Cold Weather Policy
When it is extremely cold, or raining very hard, regular recess periods will be cancelled. Students will be given a short in-school break and dismissed at the regular time. Signs are clearly posted at the main entrance each day to show whether children will be going outside for recess. These signs are explained to and clearly understood by the children. We use the equivalent temperature of -23 C (combined wind chill and temperature) or Principal's discretion. Please ensure children are appropriately dressed for the weather so they will be comfortable when they are outside. Remember hats and sunscreen on sunny days.

Absentee Check Program
We ask you to call the school at 450-6536 if your child is going to be absent from school. This line has an answering machine to take your calls from 4:00 p.m. until 8:30 a.m. If a student is absent and we have no information pertaining to this absence, a volunteer or staff member from the school will call home to ensure that your child is safe and accounted for.

Field Trips
Teachers at Bisset are encouraged to plan field trips into the community with their classes to supplement their in-school program. Parent involvement is encouraged on field trips whenever possible. Volunteer drivers are asked to fill out a Volunteer Driver Declaration form available in the school office.

Information will be sent home prior to each field trip and you will be asked to sign a permission slip. It is imperative that this be signed before students are allowed to go on field trips. You are reminded that student accident insurance is a parental responsibility. Teachers will keep you informed of the field trips planned and the cost.

Extracurricular Activities

• Cultural assemblies celebrate diversity.
• Activities can highlight abilities in students other than academic.
• Could be beginning of a lifelong passion.
• Staff able to share expertise, students see the staff in a different light.
• Activities reflect school beliefs.