First Day of School - Information for Elder’s Mills Families

Welcome, Elder's Mills Families!

We're so excited to welcome both our new and returning families back to school! We've been working hard to ensure a safe and smooth return for everyone. We can't wait to see you all on Tuesday, September 2.

This message contains all the essential information and action items you need for the first day of school. Please read it carefully.

Your Child's Teacher and Class Placement

Class placement information for your child is scheduled to be available on EDSBY on the afternoon of Friday, August 29.

On Tuesday, September 2, staff will greet students in the schoolyard. Teachers will have class lists to help students find their designated groups and classrooms. Please see the detailed information below.

First Day Arrival

Staff supervision begins at 8:30 a.m. Please do not have your child arrive earlier than this time.

• At 8:45 a.m., the entry bell will ring, and teachers will escort students into the building.
• Students should go to the paved yard at the back of the school to meet their teachers in the area designated for their grade.
• In case of rain, students should enter the building at their designated door (see the list below). Staff will be inside to direct them. 

• Please note that adults are not permitted to enter the building.

   

• Grade 3 -  Enter Door #3 (South) and meet in the gym
• Grade 4 - Enter Door #2 (SouthEast) and line up in the hall by classrooms 110 - 113
• Grade 5 - Enter Door #2 (SouthEast) and line up in the hall outside Room 225
• Grade 6 - Enter Door #3 (South) and meet in the library
• Grade 7 & 8 - Enter Door #1 ( NorthEast) proceed upstairs and line up in the hall by classrooms 207 - 217

Getting to and From School

By Bus

If your child is eligible for bussing, we highly recommend they start using the bus on the first day.

• On the first day, bus students will be dropped off in the bus loop and directed to the back of the school to find their teacher.
• Visit School Bus City for your bus stop location, pickup, and drop-off times. This information will be available by Friday, August 29.
• Check for updates regularly and arrive at your stop 10 minutes early.
• Please be patient during the first few weeks as routes and times may take longer than usual.
• For bussing questions, please email the school at elders.mills.ps@yrdsb.ca.

By Car (Kiss & Ride)

Please use the Kiss & Ride lane for morning drop-off, which is accessible from Rota Ave.

• The Kiss & Ride is a single-lane entry.
• Drive your vehicle to the end of the lane and have your child exit on the passenger side.
• Staff will be in the schoolyard to help students find their classes.
• Do not leave your vehicle unattended in the Kiss & Ride lane.
• For the safety of all students, please follow road signs and staff directions. Staff parking is not for family use.

Dismissal and End-of-Day Routines

To ensure a safe and smooth dismissal, please let us know how your child will be getting home by completing the form below. Please submit it by Friday, August 29, at noon.

CLICK HERE:  Dismissal Routine for My Child 

This information will be shared with the office and your child’s teacher.

Bussed students will be dismissed to the gym to line up by bus number. Please ensure your child knows their bus number to avoid missing the bus.

Students being picked up will gather in the fenced area by the Kiss & Ride. Do not park in the Kiss & Ride lane or leave your vehicle unattended. If you park on the street, please meet your child at the fenced area on school property.

Friendly Reminder: Pets are not allowed on school property. If you have a pet with you, please keep them in the car or wait off-property.

Important Information and Action Items

Late Arrivals

If your child arrives after the 8:45 a.m. bell, they are considered late. Please have only your child go to the main entrance and use the buzzer. A staff member will sign in your child.

Attendance

Please create an EDSBY account as this is our primary communication tool. If you do not have an account, click the link to get started: Tip Sheet: Creating an Edsby Account

• If your child will not be attending Elder's Mills this year, please let us know by calling or emailing the office.
• If your child will be absent on the first day, you must inform the office in writing of their expected date of return. Unexplained absences can lead to a student being removed from our registry.

Contact Information

Please ensure we have your most current contact information on file, including parent/guardian and emergency contacts. Send an email to the school to update this information.

Medication and Health Needs

If your child requires medication, please bring it to the office after morning drop-off on the first day. Ring the front bell, and staff will assist you. 

Students with anaphylaxis must bring two EpiPens to school. One will be kept in the office, and one will remain with your child. If there are any concerns about bringing additional EpiPens to the school, please let us know.

Medication must be supplied in the original, clearly labeled container from a registered dispensary. It must include:

• the student’s name;
• date of issue;
• name of the medication;
• the name of the registered dispensary;
• the prescribed dosage and frequency;
• period of use;
• and the name of the prescribing licensed physician or nurse practitioner. 

Prevalent Medical Conditions -Anaphylaxis, Asthma, Diabetes, Epilepsy 

• Complete a Health Care Plan: A Health Care Plan is a form that contains individualized information on a student with a Prevalent Medical Condition. It contains preventative strategies to reduce the risk of medical incident, identification of school staff who will have access to the Plan of Care, identification of daily management activities, symptoms, emergency contact information, health care provider input (as appropriate).
• Please follow the links below to complete the required forms.  Print or email and send the completed forms to the office or at  elders.mills.ps@yrdsb.ca.  

These forms should be used for the  health conditions indicated:

• Anaphylaxis Health Care Plan
• Asthma Health Care Plan
• Diabetes Health Care Plan
• Epilepsy Seizure Disorder Health Care Plan

Administration of Medication at School

Students are encouraged to be as independent as possible with the administration of medication, recognizing that in some cases support is required. 

In requesting assistance from staff members, parents understand that this request is made of non-medically trained persons. We ask that you take all reasonable measures to minimize the need to administer medication at school. 

These forms should be completed if medication is required to be administered in any of the above plans or in circumstances as required:

• Staff Administration of Medication
• Self-Administration of Medication

Reference: Policy and Procedure 662.0 - Student Health Supports 

What to Bring to School

• Backpack: A sturdy, easy-to-carry backpack with no wheeled bags.
• Snacks and Lunch: Use easy-to-open containers. Please remember that all food and snacks must be peanut and nut-free.
• Boomerang Lunch: All waste, including wrappers and containers, must be returned home.
• Change of Clothes: Recommended for younger students. Please place it in a resealable bag with your child's name.
• Refillable Water Bottle: Clearly label with your child's name.
• Dress for the Weather: Be prepared for outdoor activities.
• School Supplies: The school provides classroom supplies. If you choose to send your child with personal supplies, please label everything.
• Personal Items: Do not send toys, trading cards, or other personal items from home.
• Technology: If sending your child to school with a mobile phone it must be turned off and out of sight during the instructional day, including recess and lunch. Non-compliance will result in the phone being held in the main office until dismissal. All classrooms have phones for emergencies.   If you choose to send your child to school with a personal laptop/tablet, it is to support classwork only.  Review YRDSB’s Information Technology Acceptable Use Agreement linked here.  

Allergies Alert! 

EMPS IS  A FRAGRANCE AND SCENT-FREE ZONE

Staff, students and all other persons who are invited to or who work on Board property are asked to be considerate of those who are sensitive to fragrant chemicals by voluntarily refraining from chemical-based scented products and replacing them with unscented alternatives.  

We have staff and students at Elder’s Mills who have respiratory issues such that their reactions to chemicals from scents and fragrances can be uncomfortable and trigger reactions such as breathing difficulties, asthma attacks, and severe headaches.  Refrain from sending your child to school wearing or with scented products. Your attention and consideration of this is appreciated. 

EMPS IS  A NUT-AWARE  SCHOOL 

There are staff and students in our school and in your child’s class that have  potentially life-threatening allergies.  They have reactions that can be triggered by peanuts and tree nuts and their by-products.  Please: 

• DO NOT send peanut/tree-nut containing products to school. 
• remind your child that food in their snack or lunch is not to be shared
• do not send food to school for sharing with classmates (e.g. birthday or other celebrations)

 Your cooperation and understanding of this matter is greatly appreciated.  

Get Involved: School Assistants Needed!

We are looking for school assistants to help supervise students during the lunch hour. This is a paid position and a great way to be a part of our school community. If you are interested, please email us at elders.mills.ps@yrdsb.ca.

Additional Information

• The School Start-Up Package will be sent home during the first week. Please review, sign, and return the forms as soon as possible.
• A newsletter is regularly posted on our website. The link will be emailed to you under the title ‘Week (#) @ EMPS’ with important updates.
• You can also find a calendar of school events on our website, linked to EDSBY.
• School Schedule:
  • 8:45 Start of class
  • 8:45 - 10:25 Learning Block 1
  • 10:25 - 10:55 Snack and Recess
  • 10:55 - 12:35 Learning Block 2
  • 12:35 - 1:35 Lunch and Recess
  • 1:35 - 3:15 Learning Block 3
  • 3:15 Dismissal
• School Website: Elder's Mills Public School
• Contact Us: Call (905) 893-1631 or email elders.mills.ps@yrdsb.ca with any questions.

We are looking forward to a great school year together!

The staff and administration team @ Elder’s Mills!