General School Description

Zorra Highland Park P.S. was officially opened on December 16, 1966 to accommodate the students from eleven West Zorra Township schools. It is located in the centre of one of Ontario's fine agricultural communities. The community has a strong positive influence on the school and has high expectations for the students. Our approximately 250 children attend classes from Junior Kindergarten to grade eight. 

Zorra Highland Park P.S. has an active group of parents who contribute and volunteer in the school in various ways. There are many ways for parents, guardians and others to be involved in the school e.g.volunteering in the classroom, or on field trips or by joining Parent/School Council or Home & School. 

Buses may become delayed in service for reasons such as driver or mechanical issues, traffic congestion, poor driving conditions, construction, late departure from the school at dismissal time, etc. As a courtesy and to notify parents/guardians and schools, when a bus is reasonably expected to be delayed, the bus company will post the delay on www.mybigyellowbus.ca. Bus delays for operational matters will be posted in the following categories, noting all times are approximate:

• · Less than 20 minutes;
• · 20-30 minutes;
• · 30-40 minutes;
• · 45 minutes or more

Note that buses delayed in service may be able to make up time on the route and it is therefore recommended that you attend your bus stop at its regular scheduled time to avoid missing the bus in the morning or not meeting your student at the end of the day.

BUS CANCELLATION 

In the event of bus cancellations due to FOG, buses will be cancelled in the morning but will operate in the afternoon as scheduled unless otherwise posted. In the event of bus cancellations due to any other kind of inclement weather, bus cancellations are in effect for the entire day. If buses are cancelled for the entire school day, the school will remain OPEN for students to attend unless there has been a notification of a school or system-wide shut down. Please be aware that if transportation is cancelled for the entire day, there will be no bus pick-up to go home at the end of the school day and parents are responsible to pick up their children by 3:30 p.m. On inclement weather days, please inform the school if your child will be absent.

EARLY DISMISSAL

On very rare occasions, a situation (usually poor weather) may arise resulting in students being sent home early.  In this case families will be notified by phone to make arrangements with each family for the safe dismissal of all students.   It is therefore essential that parents keep us informed of any changes in phone numbers and emergency arrangements.  If it is not possible or is impractical to send students home, they may be evacuated to the Embro Community Centre in an emergency situation.

PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF

When you are picking up or dropping off a child, please respect the bus lane signs.  The front driveway must not be used from 8:45-9:00 a.m. and from 3:15-3:45 p.m. The side driveways and parking lot may be used by parents.

 Students are not to be dropped off until 8:55 in the morning.  Supervision begins at 8:55 a.m.

 After the buses have left in the afternoon your child can be picked up in the front foyer.

VOLUNTEERS / POLICE CHECKS 

Research shows that children whose parents are involved with their school do better academically.  If you have skills, talents or just an interest that you can offer to our students, you will find it is a very rewarding experience.  Call the school to find out more or to offer your services.

There are many opportunities to volunteer at Zorra Highland Park. Parent and community volunteers are vital in many school activities such as, in classrooms, the library, and on field trips.  You can donate your time on a regular or a “once-in-awhile” basis. 

Please be reminded that all volunteers in the school require a criminal background check. A volunteer criminal background check is valid as long as an annual offence declaration has been completed by the volunteer each year. An annual offence declaration must be completed even if the individual is unable to volunteer during a school year. If a volunteer does not complete an annual offence declaration, then the criminal background check is no longer valid. Please call the school office if you need to complete this process.

 MEDICATIONS 

Students with Prevalent Medical / Health Conditions

To ensure children with potentially life-threatening medical conditions remain safe while attending school, TVDSB requests Parents/Guardians update the necessary medical information on the Parent Portal so that an Individual Plan of Care (IOPC) for the student can be reviewed by the school’s administration. Medical conditions considered potentially life-threatening may include:

                                                                          Asthma, 

                                                                         Anaphylaxis

                                                                         Epilepsy

                                                                         Type 1 Diabetes

Any other potentially life-threatening condition that could result in a medical incident. (A medical incident is a circumstance that requires an immediate response and monitoring, since the incident may progress to an emergency requiring contact with Emergency Medical Services – 911).

Parents/Guardians can provide important information about their child’s life-threatening or prevalent medical condition by logging into the TVDSB Parent Portal and clicking on the following tab: Student Medical Information. Once an Individual Plan of Care is submitted, the school administrator will then review the information. Parents/Guardians may be contacted for further information, if required.

Parents/ Guardians who cannot access the Parent Portal on the internet should contact the school office. Please note that Parents/Guardians are expected to be active participants in supporting the management of the student’s prevalent medical condition(s) while the student is in school. It is the responsibility of Parents/Guardians to inform the school of such conditions to ensure the student’s safety at school. PLEASE DO THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

 WE STRIVE TO BE A NUT FREE SCHOOL

 Many children suffer from allergies that affect their well-being in a variety of ways.  Nut allergies particularly can be very serious; in the worst cases, possibly causing death.  Therefore, all students should avoid bringing nuts and nut products to school at all times.  Students in the classes of students with identified allergies have been given special instructions to safeguard the health of those students.  All children should avoid offering or sharing food, or eating something that they have not brought themselves.  The importance of hand washing and thorough clean-up after eating will be emphasized.

 HEAD LICE (Pediculosis)

It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to check regularly for, report to the school and treat, pediculosis.  Fall and spring are particularly common times for infestations.   We have information available to help you recognize and treat the condition.  The Oxford County Health Unit (519) 539-9800 will also provide assistance. 

If students are suspected of having head lice at school, we will call a parent or guardian to report the suspected condition.  You are required by Board policy to confirm the condition, then treat the child if necessary and sign a statement regarding the treatment before the child is readmitted to school.  We will also notify the parents of the other students in the class that there has been an incidence of head lice in the class. 

CODE OF CONDUCT

 The Code of Conduct for our school was developed, reviewed and revised with the input of staff, parents and students.

At Zorra Highland Park, we believe it is important to develop a safe, positive and supportive environment for all.  Students are encouraged and expected to be cooperative, to make wise choices and to exercise self-control.  To attain this, consequences are consistent, fair and based on mutual respect. Parents will be informed if students persistently fail to cooperate.

The Safe Schools Committee at Zorra Highland Park P.S. is committed to ensuring safety for all students and promoting a sense of belonging, respect, acceptance and empathy including appropriate use of technology. For more information, please visit https://www.tvdsb.ca/en/parents/safe-schools.aspx.

FIELD TRIPS

Most classes will go on one or more group field trips that enhance classroom learning and are linked to the learning outcomes / expectations. Usually there is some cost involved, although the school and/or the Home and School Association may subsidize costs.  Please call the teacher or principal if you require assistance with funding - no child will ever be excluded from participation for financial reasons.

REPORT CARDS

Each child’s progress is regularly reported to the student and parent through the Provincial Report Card.  Elementary Progress Report Cards for students in K1 – Grade 8 will be sent home in November and Elementary Provincial Report Cards will be sent home in February and June.

 Co-instructional Activities may include the following:

• Cross Country 
• Volleyball Grade 7 & 8
• Basketball Grade 7 & 8
• Soccer
• Track and Field
• Choir
• Student Leadership
• Library Helpers
• Lunchroom Helpers
• Office Helpers
• Milk Program
• Recycling Team