To report a student absence, call 1-888-885-8065. Callers will be prompted to identify the school before leaving a message. Parents/guardians should include the student’s name, teachers’ name, dates, and reason for the absence. If you have questions about this system, please contact the school office.
SCDSB 2025-26 Student Handbook
The SCDSB student handbook contains a variety of information that the SCDSB is required to share with all students and families. This September, schools will be distributing the student handbook to all families via email. The SCDSB 2025-26 Student Handbook can also be found on the SCDSB website at www.scdsb.on.ca/elementary/parent and on school websites under ‘students’. If you have questions, please contact the school.
SCDSB Human Rights and Equity Office
The SCDSB Human Rights and Equity Office (HREO) is a safe and confidential space to identify matters related to discrimination, harassment, and human rights violations. Our goal is to create and maintain a safe, caring, and inclusive learning and working environment by promoting and protecting the human rights of all SCDSB students, staff, and school communities. For resources, information or to learn more, please visit the HREO page on the SCDSB website.
Use of Traditional Indigenous Medicines
Students and parents/guardians will notice new signage on the front doors of all SCDSB buildings identifying that Traditional Indigenous Medicines are used in all SCDSB facilities. This is to inform all community members, staff, and students that smudging, which may include some airborne particles, may take place in the building.
If smudging is taking place in a particular area, additional signage will be posted in that area. Every effort will be made to inform the school community before Traditional Indigenous Medicines are used.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Sept. 30
On Sept. 30, we recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a day to honour the children who never returned home, the Survivors of residential schools, and their families and communities. It is a time for learning, reflection and remembrance. As a school community, we are committed to understanding the truths of our shared history and working toward reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. We encourage students and families to wear orange on Sept. 30 to show support and to take part in meaningful conversations and activities that foster respect and healing.
Universal Otis-Lennon School Ability Test screening process (elementary)
The Otis-Lennon School Ability Test (OLSAT) is a standardized group test of ability. The results of this test will help us gain a better understanding of students’ areas of relative strength and need as related to their verbal and non-verbal abilities so that we can plan our programs and supports accordingly. Results may also be used to inform identification (e.g., Intellectual, Gifted).
Students who display an advanced degree of general intellectual ability may require additional program support to reach their educational potential. This support may be through enhancing the curriculum, differentiated instruction, and through providing program extensions and enrichment. This type of programming is important to engage, motivate, and challenge students who are identified as gifted in either the regular classroom or in an elementary gifted classroom placement.
A consent form examining the universal OLSAT screening process in greater detail will be sent to parent(s)/guardian(s) of students in Grade 3 via SchoolCash Online in September.
If you require further information about the universal OLSAT screening process, please contact the school.
School council nominations for 2025-26 school year
School council is a committee made up of elected parents/guardians, community representatives, staff, and sometimes students that help to provide the community voice and parent/guardian perspective on important school topics. School council is a good way for parents/guardians to get involved in their child/children’s education while playing an important role in the partnership between home and school.
School council nominations take place every fall. If you are interested, please watch your email for upcoming communication and for more information visit www.scdsb.on.ca/elementary/parent/school_councils.
Annual notice to adult students or parent(s)/guardian(s) of students under the age of 16
A completed Student Medical Form (Form A1420 - 1) is required each school year for all students with life-threatening and non-life-threatening medical conditions and when administration of medication is required.
Parent(s)/guardian(s)/ adult students are responsible for ensuring that a current, completed Student Medical Form is on file at the school. Parent(s)/guardian(s)/adult students are also to complete a Plan of Care for students with life-threatening medical conditions, such as anaphylaxis, asthma, type 1 diabetes, or epilepsy/seizure disorder.
Some students may experience severe life-threatening allergic reactions to bee, hornet, wasp, or other insect stings or to certain foods or food ingredients such as peanuts. For students with life-threatening allergies, it is recommended that two doses of an epinephrine auto-injector are available on site at school.
Specific to asthma, every student under the age of 16 is permitted to carry their asthma medication if the student has the permission of the parent(s)/guardian(s).
Please do not hesitate to contact the school with any questions you may have.
Standard acknowledgment and permission form/student information computing technology appropriate use agreement 2025-26
The 2025-26 Acknowledgment and Permission Form and Student Information Computing Technology Appropriate Use Agreement are required forms for all SCDSB students. The forms have been made available electronically through SchoolCash Online until Oct. 13. SchoolCash Online is the preferred method for forms. If you are unable to submit these forms electronically, please contact the office for paper copies.
Student accident insurance 2025-26
The SCDSB does not provide accident insurance coverage for student injuries that occur on school premises, at board-sponsored events, or during school extracurricular activities (e.g., athletics, clubs, etc.). However, accidents can and do happen. Injuries can result in substantial expenses that are not covered by the SCDSB or provincial health care. If families do not have existing or sufficient extended health or dental coverage, a variety of plans and benefits at reasonable annual prices can be found at Safe Schools - Simcoe County District School Board.
Participation in extracurricular activities (e.g., athletics, clubs, etc.) require the purchase of this insurance, or other extended health and dental coverage.
Updating student information on file at the school
Parents/guardians are responsible for advising their child’s school of any changes to student information on file. This may include but is not limited to:
Please contact the school to advise of any changes to student information or to review information that is on file.
Volunteering in schools during the 2025-26 school year
Volunteers are an important part of what makes our schools great places to learn and grow. We value and appreciate the support of our volunteers. Volunteers have various roles at our schools including:
Interested in volunteering? Visit the link here: Volunteering - Simcoe County District School Board. To learn about available opportunities, contact your local school’s office.
If you do not have a computer or require assistance, please contact the school.
Current volunteers
Current approved volunteers must keep their Community Apps account/Volunteer Portal information up to date with email address changes. Communication is sent throughout the year to the provided email address with respect to timelines, necessary requirements, etc. regarding your volunteer status. Visit the volunteer page on our website for more information and instructions: Volunteering - Simcoe County District School Board
Procedures help keep our school safe
We have a number of procedures in place to keep our school safe. Parents/guardians should review the following emergency procedures with their children:
Please visit Safety Procedures - Simcoe County District School Board to learn more about our safety procedures and emergency evacuation plans.
It’s important for you to know we will always take whatever precautions are necessary to keep our school and students safe.
Please note the following:
Student dress code
Our board’s dress code is one way that we embed the principles set out in the SCDSB and Ministry of Education documents, Caring and Safe Schools in Ontario and Equity and Inclusive Education, to ensure safe, inclusive, and equitable learning environments for all of our students. In SCDSB schools, we believe that students should be able to learn in a safe and caring space that is free of bias and discrimination. When making choices about what to wear to school, we respect your individuality. To ensure that our learning environments are safe and respectful spaces, our board has consulted with students and staff to develop a set of shared standards for student dress.
The SCDSB dress code is available on the SCDSB website at www.scdsb.on.ca/elementary/dress_code. If you have questions about the dress code, contact your school principal.
School bus ‘Bus Tag’ program helps students get to and from school safely
The Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium’s Bus Tag program supports safety for JK/SK and other school-identified students. The program helps match students to their assigned afternoon school bus and identifies that they must be met by a parent/guardian at their afternoon bus stop.
The program provides a colour-coded bus tag with the assigned p.m. route number, to be attached to the student’s backpack, and a colour-coded route card with route number in the windows of the school bus that the bus tag is matched to. The program can also provide tags for students who are walkers and/or who remain at an on-site child care centre to make sure they don’t get on a bus in error.
For more information, visit main.simcoecountyschoolbus.ca.
YouthReach
YouthReach is a Simcoe County-based charity dedicated to ensuring all children have the chance to participate in extracurricular activities like dance, music, sports, theatre, and more. Offering grants to families in need, YouthReach supports kids aged five to 18 in accessing structured, skills-based programs that foster growth and development. If you're a Simcoe County resident and want to apply, visit youthreach.ca/apply or contact them at [email protected] or 705-718-7731.
SCDSB offers free Self-Reg Parenting Course – registration now open!
The SCDSB is offering a free 10-week virtual Self-Reg Parenting Course for parents/guardians based on The Shanker Method®. This course explores the connection between stress, energy, and tension, and how these impact children’s behaviour, mood, and learning. Participants will learn to recognize signs of stress in children, develop strategies for self-regulation and co-regulation.
The course runs virtually via Microsoft Teams on Wednesdays from Oct. 1 to Dec. 3, 2025 at 9:30-11 a.m. or 7-8:30 p.m.
For more information and to register, visit Stuart Shanker Self-Reg Parenting Course - Simcoe County District School Board.
Five tips for a healthy start back to school
The start of a new school year is a time of change, not just for your child but for the whole family. A little preparation can go a long way to help set up for a successful year ahead.
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Encourage a positive outlook. Ask what they enjoy about school and what they look forward to this year.
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Check in about how they are feeling. Help them think of ways to manage any back-to-school worries. Show them you care and remind them there are adults at school who are there to help too.
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Routines can help. Getting backpacks organized and picking clothes the night before can help everyone get out the door on time. Wind down without screens and aim for a routine bedtime to help feel rested and ready for the day.
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Talk about road safety and plan for a safe and active route to school. For younger children, practice walking to school or getting to the bus together.
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Make sure their immunizations are up to date. You can check your child’s immunization record online at smdhu.org and update their record with any missing information.
For more information, visit the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s website at www.simcoemuskokahealth.org.
September PA Day
Please note that Friday, Sept. 26 is a PA Day for all SCDSB students. Please refer to the 2025-26 School Year Calendar on the SCDSB website for more information: www.scdsb.on.ca/elementary/planning_for_school/school_year_calendar.
Below is a summary of the activities planned for the Sept. 26 elementary PA Day:
Date: Sept. 26, 2025
Length: full day, in-person
Topics: safe and caring schools, anti-Black racism and discrimination, artificial intelligence (AI), local police/school protocol
Entity hosting: Simcoe County District School Board
Presenter(s)/facilitator(s): school board staff and school administrators
Descriptions:
Elementary and secondary educators will engage in the following learning within their home schools:
Anti-Black racism and addressing hate and discrimination (100 min.)
Educators will review and discuss the Ontario College of Teacher’s Advisory on Addressing Hate and Discrimination, participate in case studies, and then create a plan to interrupt hate and discrimination and leverage teachable moments. They will also complete part one of a three-part learning module about Dreams Delayed: Addressing Systemic Anti-Black Racism and Discrimination in Ontario’s Public Education System published by the Ontario Human Rights Commission, spring 2025.
Safe and caring schools (100 min.)
Educators will review the SCDSB Code of Conduct and expectations for its consistent implementation in elementary and secondary schools. Bias-free progressive discipline will be a focal point within the training. They will learn about the SCDSB’s local police/school protocol and the role of police in the school community.
Artificial intelligence (100 min.)
Educators will participate in collaborative learning tasks about the guiding principles - and their application in the classroom environment - for the safe and effective use of AI with students. They will learn about SCDSB-approved AI tools and their safe use to support student learning. Educators will identify a relevant AI tool or guiding principle to implement in their classrooms. Educators will also participate in short, online learning activities about cyber safety and security.