Teepee Creek School
Student and Parent
Handbook
2016-2017
“Building the Future Together”
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Principal’s Message
Welcome back to Teepee Creek School!
I hope you are ready for an AWESOME school year. Our goal is to provide our students
with the best academic instruction and support possible within a safe, caring and
culturally appropriate environment. We will encourage our students to achieve to the
best of their ability and experience great success!
To our new students and parents, welcome! You will have a wonderful experience at
Teepee Creek School. Our students are fabulous and our staff will go above and beyond
to support you and your children at every turn. Please join us for our school activities
and events – or just drop in now and then to say hello
To our returning students and parents, it is my hope that this is another fantastic year.
There have been a few changes in staffing. I know that we will all work to keep Teepee
Creek School the best it can be. Your children will be at the forefront of all we do!
The modernization of the school continues this year with more exciting changes and
opportunities coming our way. The classrooms are complete and filled with beautiful
new furniture and technology. We will have new bathrooms by Christmas. Once those
are done, there will be some little things to fix here and there and then the parking lot
will be done in the spring and summer.
Thank you all for trusting your children to our school. We all look forward to building a
brighter future for your children together
Kids First!
Miss Casey Brown
Principal
Please note that there have been several changes made to the handbook
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Teepee Creek School Staff List
Office Administration
Carolyn Jaspers-Fayer
Instructional Staff
Sereena Hoag
Jennifer Bishop
Jennifer Robinson
Jenna Yasinowski
Casey Brown
Stacey Campbell
Andrea Ungurian
Kindergarten/Grade 1
Grade 2/3 and French
Grade 4-6
Grade 7/8
Grade 4-6 and FNMI
All Over the Place
Junior Kindergarten
Support Staff
Margit Gerber
Andrea Ungurian
Jennifer Campbell
Sarah Grant
EA and Library
ECS, EA and Speech
EA and PUF
EA
Custodians
Maria Frey
Lori Hoag
Bus Drivers
Pam Binks
Debbie White
Karen Strid
Michelle Heinz
Principal
Casey Brown
Teepee Creek School Hours of Operation
Instructional Staff
8:00 am – 3:45 pm
Support Staff
8:00 am – 3:30 pm
Office Administration
8:15 am – 3:30 pm
Principal
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Teepee Creek School is closed on pre-determined Fridays due to our Compressed School Week (CSW)
The first Monday of each month is a staff meeting – students are dismissed at 3:00 pm
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2016-2017 Year Calendar
August 2016
22 Office is open for registration
September 2016
1 First Day of School – ECS too
7 JK Starts
12 Staff Meeting – 3:00 dismissal
16 CSW – No School
19 SAC/Booster Club Meeting
19-29 Hula Hooping Residency
28 CSW – No School
October 2016
3 Staff Meeting – 3:00 dismissal
7 CSW – No School
10 Thanksgiving – No School
21 PD Day – No School
25 SAC AGM – Sexsmith
27 Parent-Teacher Interviews
28 CSW – No School
November 2016
7 Staff Meeting – 3:00 dismissal
10 Remembrance Day Service
11 Remembrance Day – No School
14 Sock/Food Drive Starts
25 PD Day – No School
December 2016
5 Report Card #1 – sent home
7 Staff Meeting – 3:00 dismissal
9 CSW – No School
21 Christmas Concert and Raffle
23 Lieu Day – No School
Merry Christmas Everyone!
February 2017
3 PD Day – No School
6 Staff Meeting – 3:00 dismissal
17 CSW – No School
20 Family Day – No School
March 2017
3 PD Day – No School
6 Staff Meeting – 3:00 dismissal
9/10 Teachers’ Convention – No School
20 Report Card #2 – sent home
23 Parent-Teacher Interviews
24 CSW – No School
April 2017
3 Staff Meeting – 3:00 dismissal
12 SAC AGM – Sexsmith
14-23 Spring Break – Happy Easter!
28 CSW – No School
May 2017
1 Staff Meeting – 3:00 dismissal
5 CSW – No School
19 CSW – No School
22 Victoria Day – No School
26 Sexsmith Secondary Graduation
June 2017
2 CSW – No – School
5 Staff Meeting – 3:00 dismissal
16 CSW – No School
21 Aboriginal Day – Learning Fair
26 Last Day for JK
27 ECS Graduation – Last Day!
29 Awards – Fun Day – Last Day!
30 Organizational Day for Staff
July 2017
January 2017
9 Staff Meeting – 3:00 dismissal
20 CSW – No School
*some dates not included at this time – watch the newsletter for events and changes
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Mustang Pride Initiatives
Aboriginal Culture
 FNMI Instruction with Certified Staff
 Classroom Programming – curricular
Book Bonus
Each day, two names will be drawn at Mustang Morning. Those two students will be
able to choose a book from a selection of books in the office. The book will be
personalized to the student and it will be theirs to keep!
Breakfast Program
The Breakfast Program will continue to be available each day. Students will be able to
move to the new kitchen and have a healthy breakfast choice.
*All monetary donations to this program greatly appreciated
Community Volunteering
Students and staff will be encouraged to participate in activities to help others. We will
be looking for opportunities so please keep in touch with the school should ideas arise.
Christmas Concert
During the last week before Christmas break begins, Teepee Creek School hosts a
Christmas Concert for the community. Each class from ECS to Grade 8 participates in this
event and there is a new show each year. During this event, the Junior High class holds a
Silent Auction to raise funds for their year-end trip. Everyone welcome!
Fieldtrips
Various out-of-classroom experiences may be planned for the students throughout the
year as a supplement to the school program. Parents will be notified in advance of all
field trips. A completed permission slip is required from each child for any field trip.
“Blanket” forms may be used for repeat trips such as sports teams. This consent form is
your authorization for your child’s participation and MUST be signed by a legal guardian.
Students not returning permission forms will be accommodated in other classes. All
field trips are under the supervision of at least one certified staff member. If parents
would like to volunteer, please contact the supervising staff member on the permission
form. A Criminal Record Check will be required.
Halloween
Halloween parties will be done in the individual classrooms at the end of the day closest
to or on Halloween. Students are welcome to dress for the day. We encourage fun
costumes as we have many little people in our school who can be easily scared. Fake
blood and weapons should stay at home until the trick or treat evening please. If
sending treats, please contact the homeroom teacher directly.
*SUCKERS are not an option at Teepee Creek School – choking hazard.
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Happy Birthday to You!
Monthly Birthday Parties will be held to celebrate the student birthdays each month.
Lunch, a treat bag and cake will be provided by Miss Brown. The dates are as follows:
July/August/September
September 23
October
October 27
November
November 24
December
December 16
January
January 19
February
February 16
March
March 23
April
April 27
May
May 18
June
June 15
Invitations will be sent home
Hot Lunches…Hot Dogs…
Hot Lunch will be available on Wednesday’s in October, November and January to May
at the cost of $6.00/lunch. The lunch will be prepared by our Home Economics class.
Hotdogs will be available every Friday - $2.00 each if paying by cash/$1.50 each if
coupons have been purchased.
Learning Fair
June 21st is our Learning Fair Day – our theme this year is Canada! This event will give
students an opportunity to learn about areas of interest and show what they have
learned to the parents, community and outside stakeholders. We will keep you posted!
Mustang Morning
Mustang Morning will be held daily. On Monday (or the first day of the week) and
Friday, this activity will be held in the gym where students will sing O Canada, hear
announcements, and do a school-wide physical activity. On the remaining days of the
week, Morning Walk will continue as in past years. On days when walking is not an
option, all students and staff will do the same routine as on Monday/Friday.
Physical Education
Evidence increasingly points to the value of physical activity in promoting overall
achievement. All students are encouraged to take part. Physical education is a mandatory
part of the education program, and as such, only in very specific instances will students be
excused from participation. All requests for students to be excused from participation in
physical education or from some specific activity must be given by the parent/guardian to the
teacher.
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Recycling
This is an effective way to encourage volunteerism, environmental awareness and
support a local charity in our school. Recycling will include:
 juice boxes and beverage containers from lunches
 cardboard boxes
 paper
 plastic containers
 glass
 electronics
There will be collection bins for these in each classroom and specific areas around the
school.
School Spirit Days…so far…
 NFL Jersey Day
 Team Canada Day/Pancake Breakfast
 Terry Fox Day
 NHL Jersey Day
 Halloween
 Remembrance Day Service
 Silly Sock Day/Food Bank Start
 80’s Day
 Christmas Concert
 PJ and Pizza Day
 Family Literacy Day
 Valentine’s Day
 100th Day of School
 Western Wednesday
 St. Patrick’s Day
 Backwards Day
 Mental Health Hat Day
 Tacky Tourist Day
 Year-end Swim Day
 Awards and Fun Day
September 8
September 22
October 3
October 12
October 31
November 10
November 14
December 2
December 21
December 22
January 27
February 14
February 23
March 8
March 17
April 7
May 3
May 18
June TBA
June 29
Sports and Activities
We will do our best to provide students with opportunity to participate in a variety of
extra-curricular sporting and creative activities throughout the year. These activities
have yet to be determined but students will be notified about them as soon as they are
decided upon! If you are interested in coaching, helping out or you have a talent you’d
like to share, please contact the school and let us know!
Tech Free Time
Each day before Mustang Morning, students will have the opportunity to have breakfast
if they choose and then do an activity that requires no technology – hence Tech Free
Time. They can read, draw, do a puzzle, play a quiet game, knit, build with Lego, etc. This
is a quiet time to allow students to be creative and be free from the screen for 20
minutes.
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Teepee Creek School Information
Assessment
Student assessment is a critical part of school reporting. We will be reporting student
achievement to you as follows:
 Progress Report – Thursday, October 27, 2016 – interviews at school
 Report Card #1 – Monday, December 5, 2016 – sent home with student
 Report Card #2 – Monday, March 20, 2017 – sent home with student
Thursday, March 23, 2017 – interviews at school
 Report Card #3 – Thursday, June 29, 2017 – sent home with student
Interviews will be scheduled in 15 minute intervals starting at 3:45 pm and ending at
8:30 pm. Information will be sent in the newsletter so appointments can be made.
Attendance
Good attendance at school is important for every child, however we do understand that
there are times when children cannot attend school. If your child will be away, please
contact the office so they are accounted for. Perfect attenders will be recognized each
month along with their parent/guardian for getting them to school each day. Each
month, the class with the best overall attendance will have a treat provided by the
school.
Bus Policy
Students riding the bus are expected to give the bus driver the same due respect,
consideration and cooperation they give their teachers. The driver is in charge and
students are expected to follow the rules of the bus. Students can be suspended from
the school bus if they are not behaving appropriately. If there is a change in student
transportation for day, written permission for students to take an alternate bus is
required the day prior to the change. Bus drivers should be notified if a student will not
be travelling on their bus on a certain day or period of time.
Cold Weather Policy
In the interests of student safety, parents/guardians are to ensure that all students
riding on school buses during the winter months be appropriately dressed, including
proper footwear, headwear and gloves. In the case of inclement weather, our school
follows divisional policy regarding school closure. This means that normally, even
though buses may not run because of weather conditions, the school remains open.
Please listen to the radio or check the school division website for information regarding
bussing during cold weather days. When buses do not run, parents have the option of
transporting their children to and from school.
Please Note:
If buses do not operate in the morning it is the parents’ responsibility to drop off their
children in the morning AND pick up their children in the afternoon.
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Dress Code
Students are expected to dress in good taste and in a manner that is appropriate for a
learning environment. Students who wear clothing that is inappropriate or in poor taste
will be expected to change. All clothing shall be neat and tidy, cover all undergarments,
midriffs, and thighs – parents and students often ask what is long enough to cover the
thigh. If the student can put their hands at their sides and touch skin, we would ask that
something longer be worn. Clothing shall only have positive slogans and/or pictures.
If it is felt that a student’s clothing is inappropriate he/she will be so informed by a staff
member and contact with the parent/guardian will be made if necessary.
We would also urge that during the winter season, parents ensure that their children
are dressed adequately to withstand the rigors of winter weather. Should their bus
break down or become stranded, it is essential that students be appropriately dressed.
ALL students and staff are required to have indoor shoes that do not leave black
marks
Grade 6 to 8 students should have an appropriate change of clothes for Physical
Education. Proper gym strip includes sweatpants/shorts, a collared T-shirt with sleeves
and running shoes. Please note: Shorts must have a minimum length that reaches midthigh – short-shorts or spandex shorts are not acceptable attire and students will be
asked to change.
Drop Off/Pick Up
Students who are dropped off in the morning after the school busses have arrived are
required to walk behind the last bus in the bus lane. Parents who are picking their
children up at the end of the day are asked to pick up their child prior to any bus arrival,
walk behind the last bus in the bus lane or wait until all busses have departed from the
bus lane.
Parents are also required to sign their children out if they are leaving before the end of
the school day – sign-out sheets are located in the office.
Fire Drills and Lockdowns
There will be numerous practices for students and staff during the course of the school
year. The first fire drill or lockdown practice will be announced – the following ones will
not be. All students will be required to participate. Please note that weather will be
taken in to consideration when practices are scheduled. It is important that students be
prepared at all times – shoes are important.
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Homework
In accordance with the Quality Learning Model all homework will follow these
guidelines:
 Any homework given should be purposeful and should be connected directly
with the curriculum/what you are doing in class
 There should be no new concepts given as homework and nothing that would be
beyond the independent level of the students
 Homework needs to be considerate of students’ other commitments (hockey,
sports, etc.)
 Homework should never be used as a summative assessment
 For absent students, homework may be required by the teacher or requested
by the parent HOWEVER adequate time needs to be given to prepare
homework if requested and the expectation will be that it returns complete
Research suggests that “with two exceptions, homework for elementary children may
not be beneficial or boost achievement levels.” (The Learning Team, Fall 2015)
These exceptions are:
 if students have been given ample time in class to complete work and
they did not finish
 If it is in the form of studying when students are preparing for tests.
Students may have more homework around test times and studying at
home can greatly improve their potential to succeed on a test
Illness
Normally students who are too ill to go outside for recess are often too ill to be at school.
This is especially true in the case of severe colds where continual attendance at school can
delay recovery and provide a source of infection for other students. Teepee Creek School
cannot provide an ill student with a comfortable place to rest during the day. Parents or the
emergency contact person will be contacted and asked to take the child home as soon as
possible.
Please Note:
If a student is involved in a situation where on-site first aide is not adequate, arrangements
will be made to have the student transported to the hospital – parents/guardians will be
notified immediately once the student has been taken care of and secured.
Inclusive Education
The purpose of this program is to assist students who appear to be experiencing
difficulty with one or more areas of their educational program. Classroom teachers,
upon parental/guardian approval, will recommend students with difficulties receive
additional support. Specified staff will be working with these students individually
and/or in small groups. Through continuous evaluation, the student’s progress will be
closely monitored and his/her programs modified as required. The length of stay in the
program varies with each student. Other program modifications may be designed and
implemented by the regular classroom teacher within the classroom. Alberta Health
Services assists with Occupational Therapy, Speech, and Mental Health concerns and
our school will have an assigned Learning Coach from PWSD.
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Junior Kindergarten/Kindergarten
Junior Kindergarten is new to Teepee Creek School this year! Classes will be Monday
and Wednesday afternoons this year. Our first day is Wednesday, September 7, 2016
and our last day is Monday, June 26, 2017.
Kindergarten will be on Tuesday and Thursday this year – there will be no Friday classes.
The program starts on Thursday, September 1, 2016 and ends Tuesday, June 27, 2016.
Library
The library provides students with a variety of reading materials for pleasure and
academic studies. If a student does not return a book they have signed out on the date
it is due, the student will be given a verbal reminder to return the book. Once it is
overdue by two weeks, a reminder notice may be sent home informing the
parent/guardian of the overdue book. Should the book be damaged or lost, it will be
expected that the cost of the book be covered by the parent/guardian. Students will be
able to access the library at all times.
Lockers
Students and parents/guardians should be aware that school lockers are the property of
the school and may be opened by administration at any time. Lockers are not 100%
secure and valuables are best left at home. Teepee Creek School will not be responsible
for missing items – we will do our best to assist in their return. Only Grade 7/8 students
will have locks and those will be provided by the school
Medication
Absolutely no over-the-counter medication shall be administered by staff to students
under any circumstances. Parents/guardians will be required to take care of this
personally. Parents/guardians of students requiring daily medication prescribed by a
Doctor will be asked to make the necessary arrangements with administration at the
beginning of each school year. This includes epi-pens, inhalers, etc.
Please Note:
If your child requires an epi-pen for an allergic reaction, this needs to be provided by
the parent/guardian to the school. In the event of an attack without an available epipen, 911 will be called immediately to assist.
Newsletter
A monthly newsletter will be sent home/emailed out on the Wednesday of each
month following the regular staff meeting. The newsletter will include a calendar for
the current month as well as the following month. Please contact the school office
should you have something you would like to include in the letter. This information will
be required on or before the Thursday prior to the newsletter going home. Newsletter
dates are:
 September 7*
February 8
 October 5
March 8
 November 9
April 5
 December 7
May 3
 January 11
June 7
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Nutrition Policy
Teepee Creek School acknowledges that a balanced lifestyle and healthy diet are a
significant part of a student's success. It has become increasingly evident that a child's
learning potential is impacted by his or her health. As it is important for a student to be
at his or her best to learn, our school will encourage an environment of active living and
healthy eating for both students and staff.
Guidelines
o the only beverage consumed during instructional time will be water –
please do not send juice or flavours to add to water – pop (including
iced tea) and energy drinks are not acceptable
o if staff use snacks as rewards for students if will be done in
moderation – suckers are not allowed at school due to the choking
hazard they provide
o healthy lifestyle and food choices will be encouraged throughout
classroom time as appropriate
o students will be reminded to always have a healthy breakfast every
morning – healthy options will be available at school should a student
be hungry
o students are encouraged to bring healthy snacks for snack times
during school hours
o active living will be encouraged through school programs such as
Morning Walk, gym classes and special programs like The Terry Fox
Run and Jump Rope for Heart
Personal Property
School personnel cannot accept responsibility for the personal property of students. Please
identify all outerwear, footwear, and school supplies with your child’s full name. Students are
strongly discouraged from bringing personal property which is provided by the school as part
of the regular program such as softballs, soccer balls, footballs, etc. Technology is an area that
requires thought and care. If a student wishes to use their own device, it their responsibility
to keep it safe and secure.
School Advisory Council
All parents are encouraged to take part in School Council activities. The function of this
body is to help provide effective communication between parents and staff to ensure
the best education for all our children. This is the forum for you to provide input
regarding the direction our school should be taking.
School Fees
Total
JK
50.00
ECS
72.00
Grade 1-6
87.00
Grade 7/8
135.00
School fees are expected to be paid in full by September 30, 2016.
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School Supplies
With the exception of a lunch kit, backpack and shoes…and a couple of private personal
items, school supplies will be provided at no additional cost for the 16/17 school year.
Staff Meetings
As outlines by PWSD, staff meetings are held on the first Monday of each month.
Students are dismissed on these days at 3:00 pm. The dates are as follows:
 September 12
February 6
 October 3
March 6
 November 7
April 3
 December 5
May 1
 January 9
June 5
Student Behaviour
The current Behaviour Policy for Teepee Creek School will be followed. It is a series of
five sequential steps that are to be followed by the school staff when dealing with
inappropriate student behaviour at school. Serious violations will bypass certain steps.
Step 1:
Staff deals with any inappropriate student behaviours immediately and
consistently – always in a way that maintains the dignity of the student(s)
involved.
Step 2:
Staff contacts the parents of the student by phone or personally (not
email) if the student continues to exhibit inappropriate behaviour.
Step 3:
The Principal will contact parent/guardian and a meeting may be
arranged with the student, parent, and staff involved if the inappropriate
behaviours continue after Step 2. At this meeting, the staff will provide a
detailed account of the inappropriate behaviour. At this meeting, a team
approach will be used and an action plan will be developed to help find a
solution to the problem.
Step 4:
If the inappropriate behaviour continues, the Principal will notify the
parent/guardian and in consultation, the student will be placed on a 1 to
3 day in-school suspension. Any student placed on an in-school
suspension will have all extra-curricular privileges, recesses and noonhours suspended for that duration. Teachers will provide and collect
completed work from these students on a daily basis. Junior High
students will receive a 1 to 3 day in school or out of school suspension at
this time.
Step 5:
If the student continues to display inappropriate behaviour, the Principal
will communicate with the parent/guardian of the student. Suspension
from school will result from either this dialogue or further inappropriate
behaviour. If suspension occurs, elementary students will receive a 1 to 3
day out of school suspension and Junior High students will receive a 3 to
5 day out of school suspension and may be recommended to an alternate
method of education.
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Serious violations of student conduct, such as fighting, vandalism of school or personal
property and willful disobedience are to be referred to the Principal or Acting Principal
immediately. Documentation from the supervising staff member is essential. The
Principal or designate will deal with these students as mentioned in steps 3, 4 or 5;
depending on the severity and reoccurrence of the violations. Where a student does not
show signs of significant improvement, alternative methods of education will be
recommended.
Student Record Updates
In order to maintain an efficient level of communication, please keep the school office
informed of any changes to student information such as emergency contacts, phone or
cell numbers, work numbers of parents/guardians, addresses and pertinent medical
information as soon as they occur. Please do this by telephone to the office or in
writing.
Toxic Materials
Students at Teepee Creek School DO NOT USE the following items at school:
 Liquid Paper – tape allowed at discretion of the Junior High teacher only
 Permanent markers – Sharpies for art projects will be supplied by the school
 Rubber Cement Glue
 Computer/Whiteboard cleaner
 AXE, body spray, heavy perfumes, etc.
 Nail polish and/or remover
 Hairspray – unless required by a teacher and then under their supervision
 Lighters, jackknives or anything deemed inappropriate by staff
Administration will dispose of these items appropriately and contact home if necessary.
Use of Technology
21st Century Learners require digital literacy skills. To assist students in developing
these skills, Teepee Creek School believes in allowing students to bring and use their
digital devices in an appropriate manner within our school. Students will be expected to
engage in ethical digital citizenship behaviour when using their devices while at school,
on the bus or during any school-sponsored activities. Students will be responsible for
the care of their devices and for the content on their devices. If students engage in
inappropriate use of technology while at school, the discipline policy will apply.
Students and parents will be required to sign an Appropriate Use of Technology
Agreement prior to being able to utilize their devices. Teepee Creek School will not be
held responsible for loss or damage to personal digital devices that belong to
students.
Video/DVD Viewing
There are times when a DVD or video will be shown to enhance curriculum. If it is “G”
rated, notification will not be sent home. Anything rated above “G” will be supported by
the Principal first and notification will be sent home by the classroom teacher. If you
choose to opt your child out of the video/DVD, arrangements will be made for your child
to work elsewhere during the viewing time.
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Visitors and Volunteers
For safety and security, please be aware that all visitors are required to check in at the
office.
If you would like to volunteer in the school, please call your child’s teacher to arrange a
time that would be most beneficial to all.
For fieldtrips, a Criminal Record Check is now required by PWSD. Please see
administration for details.