WELCOME TO THE 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR
We hope that everyone had a restful and relaxing summer holiday and that students took the time to reflect on last school year and set new goals for 2018-2019.
We look forward to welcoming over 370 students, and 47 staff through our doors on September 4th. We have had a lot of staff changes over the summer, and would like to welcome Mrs. Tait, Mrs. Keirstead, and Mrs. Lo to our main office, Ms. Wong to our transition class, Mr. Cote and Ms. Kirubahar to our community class, and finally Ms. Drinkle, Ms. Palmer, Mr. Spano, Ms. Lue, and Ms. Kastanis to the primary division.
As a team of lead learners, we plan to support all of our children in our building to reach their fullest potential. We will set goals together, support the learning for all while continuously challenging each other throughout this coming school year. Along the way, we will recognize the individual and the group successes throughout the year – successes in academics, athletics, the arts, and those who lead by example in their day to day interactions.
This James Robinson Register blog (will be our main parent communication tool, along with our Twitter feed @JRobinsonPS. Stay up to date instantly and have access to the school calendar of events from your computer, smart phone or other devices! You can subscribe to The Register by entering your e-mail address in the "Follow us on e-mail" box on the right of the screen when viewed on a laptop or other computer. If you choose to enter your e-mail address, a summary of new posts will be sent to your e-mail regularly.
OPENING DAY SEPTEMBER 4th
OPENING DAY SEPTEMBER 4th
On the first day of school, students will be sorted into their homerooms on the back tarmac, weather permitting. Grade number signs will be posted on the building and teachers will have the class lists for their grade(s). Several support staff will be circulating with a master list to expedite the process. In order to have the process go smoothly for everyone, grade 4-8 parents please allow children the independence of getting to their homeroom teacher on their own. Grade 1-3 parents should drop their child directly to homeroom teachers to explain pick-up arrangements and can leave their child with the teacher to wait with the rest of the parents so their child can begin a successful first day independently. Kindergarten parents may drop their children at the kindergarten enclosure to meet their teacher.
In the event of rain (fingers crossed this won’t happen!!), students will be directed inside and supported by our staff to get to their new homeroom.
SCHOOL START-UP PACKAGE
On the first day of school, students will receive a start-up package containing some pertinent forms that need to be returned to the school by September 7th. If your child has a medical condition or life-threatening allergy, please let our office staff know immediately. An information package will be sent home on the first day for any student with medical needs of which we are aware.
AGENDAS
Agendas are available for purchase from gr. 1-8 homeroom teachers at a cost recovery of $5.00. Payment can be made in cash or using SchoolCashOnline. Purchasing an agenda from the school is optional. If students wish to use a personal device, or other form of agenda, that is certainly okay. It is important that each child in grade 1-8 use some tool for organization and communication to develop skills necessary for success.
OPEN ENTRY ROUTINE
James Robinson is an morning open entry school. This means that students may enter the building at any time after 8:15 a.m. in order to prepare for the beginning of the day at 8:30. this format cuts down on traffic congestion in our bus loop, reduces the number of morning lates, and preserves instructional time.
Students are expected to enter the building, using their regular entry doors, upon arrival on school property. Morning indoor supervision begins on Wednesday, September 5th.
MORNING DROP-OFF
Although all non-bused students are encouraged to walk, in order to keep our students safe, all parents need to be familiar with drop-off routines in the community.
Teacher supervision begins at 8:15, students may be dropped off at any time between 8:15 and 8:30.
There is no parking on Robinson in front of the school during the morning or after school, but many families use this as a “Kiss ‘n’ Ride” where they quickly stop to let their child(ren) out to make their way to the yard. There is no private vehicle drop-off on Galsworthy, as we need this area clear for our 11 buses that arrive between 8:15-8:30.
Parents cannot use the parking lot for student drop off/pick up before school, at lunchtime, or at dismissal. The parking spaces are for our staff members or for parents who need to enter the school to meet with a staff member.
We must all pull together to ensure the safety of our students. Please help all students arrive and dismiss safely.
SAFE WELCOME AND SCHOOL VISITORS
During the school day, all exterior doors will remain locked. Any visitors to the school must enter through the front doors. This includes parents visiting classrooms, dropping off lunches, joining classes on field trips.
For the safety of our students, it is important that parents in the building check in at the office and obtain a visitor/volunteer badge that identifies them as a “safe” adult.
Parents picking up children at the end of day or during the lunch hour should remain outside of the building and meet their child at an agreed upon rendezvous location. Let’s keep our kids safe and aware of routines for unfamiliar adults.
LUNCH DROP OFF
Lunch time is a busy time at JRPS. Parents who wish to drop-off their child's lunch after the start of the instructional day are asked to leave the student's lunch labelled with their name and homeroom on the table in the front foyer. Secretarial staff will not be calling individual students down to retrieve lunches, so please ensure your child is aware of lunchtime arrangements in the morning.
NUT-SAFE SCHOOL
Many of our students and staff have a life-threatening allergy to nuts. For this reason, we are a nut-safe school. Please help us ensure the health and safety of all of our students by:
- Letting the school know immediately if your child has a life-threatening allergy or medical condition and complete the appropriate forms.
- Practicing measures to avoid allergens, such as:
- Checking the ingredients label on any food students bring to school.
- Avoiding sending nut products or peanut butter replacements.
- Helping students understand why food sharing at school poses a risk to students with allergies.
- Encouraging handwashing with soap before and after eating.
FRAGRANCE FREE ENVIRONMENT
Many of our staff and students have extreme sensitivities to fragrances such as perfume, cologne or strongly fragranced soaps. Please be mindful that all YRDSB schools are designated as fragrance free environments.
SAFE ARRIVAL
Ensuring a safe environment at JRPS includes our Safe Arrival Policy. Please call the school office when you know your child will be late or away from school. You will receive a phone call home in the morning or after lunch if your child is absent and their absence has not been reported.
Attendance is taken immediately following the National Anthem which is played each day at 8:32 a.m. – the beginning of our instructional day. Our office staff make it a priority every morning to check on the safe arrival of each of our JRPS students.
