Wiikwemkoong Pontiac School
Parent/Student Handbook 2021-2022
Welcome to a new school year!
Aanii Students & Families:
Welcome to Wikwemikong Pontiac School! We are looking forward to an exciting and successful year with you.This information has been prepared to help you become familiar with Wikwemikong Pontiac School. It contains important information. We believe that knowing what is expected of you helps you do your best. We encourage parent(s)/guardian(s) and students to read this handbook together.
Your time here at Wikwemikong Pontiac School will be a very important part of your life. Our goal is for you to learn, grow, and achieve as much as possible while you are here at Wikwemikong Pontiac School and we will do everything we can to help you succeed. We hope that you will take pride in what you do, work cooperatively with the staff and other students, and always try to do your best. With a commitment to these goals, you will have a very successful school year.
Miigwech,
Wikwemikong Pontiac School Staff
Connect With Us!
https://www.wbe-education.ca/
https://www.facebook.com/Wiikwemkoong-Board-of-Education-1538718336417867/?ref=settings
Our Staff
Grade 4 Dyann Pulkinnen
Grade 4 Dawn Wemigwans
Grade 5 Miranda Assinewai
Grade 5 Howard Ominika
Grade 5 Lisa Bondy
Grade 6 Teresa Peltier
Grade 6 Barb Sheppard
Grade 6
Grade 7 Natalie Parrington
Grade 7 Rachel Lewis
Grade 7
Grade 8 Shauna Leeson
Grade 8 Kristin Clarke
SERT Melanie Knight
SERT
PE Deana Debassige-Wood
Education Assistant:
Adrayn Pangowish
Brenda Animikwan
Cadence Pangowish
Jessica Trudeau
Tanya Osawanimiki
Stacey Dell
Lorraine Shawana
Seven BigMountain
Jacob Fox
Adrianna Osawamick
Rachael Maiangowi
June Pangowish
Gregory Trudeau-Paquet
Elijah Manitowabi
Norma Sprack
Anishnaabemowin Specialist Instructors:
Linda Dokum
Barbara Pitawanakwat
Juanita Pheasant
Jeremiah Peters
Operations & Maintenance:
Chris Cheechoo
Linda Mishibinijima
Ted Recollet
Bruno Recollet
Lloyd Trudeau
Administration:
Principal- Nicole Peltier
Vice-Principal- Alison Biedermann
Secretary- Randy Recollet
Wellness Navigator- Mariah Shawanda
School Year Calendar 2021-2022
Important Dates:
Labour Day - September 6, 2021
First Day of School - September 7, 2021
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - September 30, 2021
Thanksgiving - October 11, 2021
Remembrance Day - November 11, 2021
Christmas Break - December 22, 2021 to January 4, 2022
Family Day - February 21, 2022
Mid-Winter Break - March 14 – 18, 2022
Good Friday - April 15, 2022
Easter Monday - April 18, 2022
Victoria Day - May 23, 2022
National Aboriginal Day - June 21, 2022
Last Day of School for Students - June 30, 2022
Professional Development Days:
September 2 to 3, 2021 – Staff Orientation – PD
January 28, 2022 - Professional Development
June 3, 2022 – Professional Development
Anishinaabe Observation Days:
September 30, 2021 Orange T-shirt Day
March 31, 2022 – National Aboriginal Language day
November 15, 2021 – Rock your Mocs
May 5, 2022 - National day of Awareness - MMIWG
November 20, 2021 – Child Day
June 21, 2022 - National Aboriginal Day
March 22, 2022 – World Water day
Daily Schedule
Contact Information
Emergency School Closure
Morning & After School Program
Bus Transportation
- To conduct themselves in a safe manner and always respect private property.
- To keep their hands and head inside the bus at all times after entering and leaving the bus.
- Not permitted to leave their seats while the bus is in motion.
- To keep books, backpacks, packages and coats and all other objects out of the aisles.
- To refrain from allowing anything to protrude from or be thrown out of the windows of the bus.
- To keep quiet; loud talking and laughing or unnecessary confusion can divert the driver’s attention and may result in a serious accident.
- To assist in keeping the bus in a safe and sanitary condition at all times.
- To treat bus equipment as they would valuable furniture in their own home. Damage to seat, etc., must be paid for by the offender.
- To be courteous to fellow students, the bus driver, the monitor and help look after the safety and comfort of younger students.
- To be absolutely quiet when the bus approaches the railroad crossing stop In the event that the bus must cross the railroad.
- In case of road emergency, to remain on the bus, unless instructed by the bus driver to do otherwise.
- To refrain from horseplay, use of profane language, eating and drinking while on the bus.
Parents and/or guardians must meet their child at pick-up & drop-off. If there is no parent or guardian present, the student will be brought back to the school.
The Bus Driver/Contractor will inform the Transportation Manager in writing of any serious or constant misconduct by a student. The Principal will take the required disciplinary action and advise the parents in writing accordingly. As a last resort, the Bus Driver/Contractor may order a student from a school bus if such a student is acting in a manner deemed detrimental to the safety and well begin of other students being transported.
Nutrition Program
Safe & Accepting Schools in WBE
Expectations for our School Communities
All members of our school community must:
- Respect and comply with all applicable federal, provincial, and municipal laws.
- Demonstrate honesty and integrity.
- Respect differences in people, their ideas, and their opinions.
- Treat one another with dignity and respect at all times, and especially when there is disagreement.
- Respect and treat others fairly, regardless of, for example, race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability.
- Respect the rights of others.
- Show proper care and regard for school property and the property of others.
- Take appropriate measures to help those in need.
- Seek assistance from a member of the school staff, if necessary, to resolve conflict peacefully.
- Respect all members of the school community, especially persons in positions of authority.
- Respect the needs of others to work in an environment that is conducive to learning and teaching.
Code of Conduct
At all schools in WBE, we believe relationships are the key to safe and accepting communities. We also know certain behaviours are never acceptable, and it is our commitment to support prevention, intervention, and response to any unacceptable behaviours. WBE- 204- Code of Conduct Policy outlines the conduct expectations for students, staff, and the community.
Bullying Prevention and Intervention
Whenever a student feels they are in any type of difficult situation, they should tell an adult in the school, their parent/guardian, or a friend. It is important for the student to tell someone so that school personnel can take steps to assist all individuals involved to repair the harm and restore the relationship.
Promoting Positive Student Behaviour and the Use of Progressive Discipline
Responses to and/or consequences for behaviour will be dependent on the type of incident, circumstances, frequency, severity and consideration of mitigating factors, and will be responded to through the consistent use of progressive discipline.
Consequences for Behaviour
Consequences will focus on helping students to develop appropriate social skills, self-discipline, and learn to accept responsibility for personal actions. School staff will provide a fair process in establishing the credibility of information. The age and grade level, the previous record of conduct and where the student is in a progressive discipline process will be considered when assessing appropriate disciplinary consequences. The range of consequences may include but is not limited to:
- Notification of parents/guardians
- Counselling
- Loss of privileges
- Reprimand
- Restorative circle or restorative action conference
- Involvement of school or community resources
- In-school suspension
- Police contact
- Suspension
School Yard Expectations
Food and drink should not be taken onto the play area. Ample time to eat and drink is provided during the nutrition break.
Parents and guardians are discouraged from dropping off their child or having their walking child arrive at the school prior to 8:15 am as there is no supervision in the school yard at that time.
Bicycles are to be parked and locked in the designated area at the front of the school. The school is not responsible for stolen bikes.
Medical and Health Management in School
Medical Needs
If your child has a medical condition or a prevalent medical condition (diabetes, anaphylaxis, asthma or epilepsy) we ask that you immediately contact the main office at your school to provide information about your child’s needs. With your collaboration we will create an appropriate Plan of Care to support your child at school.
Medication
Students may be permitted to take medication at school or at school sponsored activities on a temporary or regular basis when necessary. The school is not permitted to dispense medication without written permission of the parent/guardian and/or physician/nurse practitioner. All medication to be administered by the school is to be brought to school by the parent. All medication will be administered in the office except in emergency situations.
Written instructions of the physician/nurse practitioner are required for all requests to administer prescription medication. Such instructions must include the name of student, name of the medication, dosage, frequency of administration and any special instructions, along with the medication delivered in a clearly labelled pharmacy container or original tamper-proof non-prescription container, which has on it the student’s name, the physician’s or nurse practitioner’s name and phone number, the dosage (quantity and frequency), and any possible side-effects, cautions, and actions to be taken should a side-effect occur. Medication not picked up by the parent within five school days of the medication period or at the end of the school year, whichever occurs first, will be disposed of by the school.
Mental Health
Mental Health can be reflected as a positive state of wellness and the ability to flourish despite adversity. At Wiikwemkoong Pontiac School, we incorporate everyday wellness practices through our Seven Grandfather Teachings and striving for mino bimaadiziwin. Research indicates that supporting the body, mind, spirit, and emotions of an individual increases a sense of well-being, connectedness and resilience, and improves student achievement. Classroom teachers can incorporate our teachings into classroom activities and a whole school approach may be utilized by school communities. When caregivers are worried about early signs of mental health concerns, they can incorporate intervention strategies by working with their teacher or principal. If further intervention or linkages to community resources are needed, the principal and yourself can discuss whether or not a referral to a Student Health Support Services and/or Nadmadwin would be beneficial.
Attendance
Parent Council
- Provide ideas and opinions to assist Administration in making decisions regarding the school and its students.
- Provide advice on actions to be taken.
- Act as a liaison between the school and the parents.
- Recruit parent volunteers for school activities.
- Assist in developing and review the Parent/Student Handbook
- Community use of school facilities
- Extra-curricular activities in the schools
- Methods of reporting to parents and community
- Respond to school achievement levels
Computers & Technology
Unacceptable or inappropriate use includes, but is not limited to:
- activities which may damage equipment;
- downloading, copying, viewing or transmitting any material which is in violation of any federal or provincial statute or regulation such as: copyrighted material; threatening, obscene, or pornographic material; and hateful, racist or discriminatory material;
- any breach of security on local and remote sites including use or attempted use of another user's account; unlawful entry or attempted entry into any network system; any attempt to gain unauthorized access to view, alter, copy, share or destroy data; any exposure of confidential information; and the creation and/or willful transmission of computer viruses or virus hoaxes; and
- activities supporting private business or commercial ventures.