There is something magical about the first day of school. The real reason for school made an appearance on Tuesday as the students poured into the hallways of freshly waxed floors, sporting new haircuts and backpacks, ready to learn and eager to meet their teachers and friends. The energy from the students was contagious (even if it was rainy and one of the hottest days on record) promising an exciting 2015-16 school year at Allenby.
Safety is always of utmost importance and as such I ask that you assist us in ensuring the safety of all students at Allenby with the following:
- We have been trying to determine the best way to alleviate congestion at the main doors and in the hallways during entry and exit times. As a result the entry and exit doors for some classes have changed. Rooms 108B and 103 will now be meeting parents at the end of the day on the raised outdoor garden patio (just north of the main doors) for pick up. This will help facilitate “hand-to-hand” pick up with parents. Additionally, Rooms 004 and 005 will be exiting out the doors of the new addition, while Rooms 006 and 007 will be exiting the doors by the library on St. Clements. This switch will alleviate a great deal of congestion in a narrow hallway in the basement. Thank you for your flexibility.
- Parents picking up children who exit the main doors, we ask that you please wait at the bottom of the large staircase (field level) unless you are a parent of a child in Room 108B or 103, in which case you will wait by the raised outdoor garden.
- If your child is late they must sign in at the office and similarly, if you are picking your child up during the school day please visit the office and not the classroom. If you need to drop off any item for your child, again, please visit the office and we will ensure your child receives it.
All visitors (including volunteers), please sign in at the office and collect a visitor’s badge. With over 800 students and so many new faces it is impossible for us to differentiate between a visitor and a stranger, without the badge. - Please remember that many of our students have life-threatening allergies so it is essential that you adhere to the food restrictions that may be set up by your child’s teacher (based on the allergies of students in the classroom). As a school, we ask that no nut or nut products come to school at any time. Please inform the office immediately, if you have not already done so, about any serious medical conditions that we should be aware of.
- During the school day, student washrooms are not considered public washrooms and are to be used by Allenby students only.
- We are trying to alleviate congestion that occurs when entering and leaving the Grade 1 to 6 lunchroom while ensuring the supervision of all students. We ask that you please send your child with a water bottle or drink as we will not be able to facilitate students leaving for drinks while in the lunchroom.
Thank you in advance for your support in ensuring the safety of all Allenby students. We are looking forward to an amazing year working as partners with parents and the Allenby community to provide the very best learning opportunities to our students.
Tracey O’Toole
Principal
École Allenby Public School