WELCOME!

Edmonds Community School is a culturally rich and diverse community with more than 48 countries represented by our students and families. As well as Canada, many of our students have backgrounds from Sudan, Liberia, Congo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Mexico, The Philippines and El Salvador. Edmonds represents all that is best about the Canadian Cultural Mosaic. We celebrate our diversity and our heritages but we also contribute in a very meaningful way to the cultural life of our neighborhood, city, province and country.

Edmonds is a safe, caring and welcoming community with a very sharp focus on academic excellence. We hold our students up to the highest of standards and our dedicated staff helps our students achieve those standards. We also believe very strongly in providing a wide range of athletic, artistic and cultural activities for our children, and we have a tremendous number of after school programs and activities available for all of our students.

On behalf of the staff, students and families of Edmonds Community School we welcome you to our school.

Mr. Guy Hamilton, Principal

Ms. Teresa Toth, Head Teacher

Mr. John Nanson, Community Coordinator

BELL SCHEDULE

Warning Bell Rings	8:51 am
Classes Begin	8:56 am
Recess	10:36 – 10:51 am
Lunch	12:01 – 12:46 pm
Dismissal	2:47 pm

COMMUNITY ROOM

As Edmonds is a Community School we are fortunate to have a Community Room which is open to parents and community members. Please visit the Community Corner section of our website for all information regarding resources offered through the Community Office.

INDIGENOUS EDUCATION

Burnaby School District’s Indigenous Education Program provides culturally relevant programming and services to students of Indigenous ancestry. Our enhanced services are intended to create pathways to success for each and every student of Indigenous ancestry within Burnaby schools.

These programs and services are in congruence with the Indigenous Enhancement Agreement, which is built on the foundation of mutual respect, understanding and collective ownership over the success of our students of Indigenous ancestry. The Agreement has three main goals:

To increase Indigenous learners’ connection to school and community with a sense of place and belonging that supports and reflects Indigenous cultural values and perspectives.
To increase the knowledge and understanding of Indigenous history, traditions and cultures for all learners, supported by the wider school and community.
To enhance academic achievement of all Indigenous learners within the Burnaby School District.

Working collaboratively with school and District staff, Indigenous Education staff provide ongoing services to our students of Indigenous ancestry that support the goals of the Enhancement Agreement and students long term success.

By acknowledging the traditional territories of the Coast Salish Nations of Musqueam, Tsleil Waututh and Squamish, our programs and services look to provide awareness of the rich history of our community, while respecting the diversity of our urban Indigenous community within Burnaby.

POLICIES ON WEAPONS AND VIOLENCE

The Burnaby School District recognizes that violence in society is a threat to the safety of students and staff in its schools. The district also acknowledges its responsibility in ensuring that Burnaby schools provide secure learning environments, safe from threats, violence or intimidation in any form. To that end, some very clear and stringent policies on weapons and violence are in place, and readily enforced. All situations involving weapons or violence will be dealt with by the principal.

SMOKE FREE

The Burnaby School Board policy states that smoking is not allowed on school property (which includes the steps, the playground, etc.) anytime during school hours. Please help us to follow the rules by not smoking at the school.

ELL

The English Language Learners program (ELL) is designed to service children from Grades One to Seven, whose first language is not English. The amount and length of instruction may vary depending on the student’s English skills level and the rate of his/her progress. For students who are new to the Canadian school system, every attempt is made to find a student who speaks the same language to assist in familiarizing them with the school routines. ELL students are enrolled with their age group and continue to progress at age level while studying English. Assessment is done on a continuous basis and the program is modified accordingly. Students in the intermediate grades will not receive letter grades on their report cards until they have developed enough English to fully understand the curriculum. Parents should not hesitate to contact the school at any time. Parents wishing to meet with ELL teachers are encouraged to make an appointment to arrange a mutually convenient time.

SEASONAL SPORTS ACTIVITIES

Edmonds participates in the activities that teachers or parents volunteer to coach.

September – October	Cross Country Running – available to students from Grades 4 to 7
October – December	Volleyball – available to students from Grades 6 & 7
January – March	Basketball – available to students from Grades 6 & 7
April – June	Track and Field Events – available to students from Grades 4 to 7

The emphasis in all of the above activities is on participation and sportsmanship . The sport may culminate in a play day or meet that may involve a number of schools but the emphasis here is also on participation and sportsmanship.

SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM

We are fortunate to have a hot lunch program at Edmonds. The cost is $70.00 per month. A menu will be circulated in advance of every new cycle, along with an order envelope that must be returned signed and sealed. This is a monthly commitment, individual lunches CANNOT be ordered on a daily basis. Menus can be adjusted for those who cannot eat some culturally unacceptable foods or for those with severe allergies. Parents please note: If you find it is impossible to send the full amount, you are still encouraged to participate. Pay what you can. No records are kept of your contribution.

SCHOOL PHOTOS

Many times during the school year, during regular activities or special events, photos are taken of students. These photos are used in a variety of ways; in displays around the school, in school publications, Burnaby School District publications, or newspapers, etc. Please indicate on the final page of the school handbook whether or not you permit your child’s picture to used in any newsletter, community publication, newspaper, etc.

A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSE

Our Community Health Nurse is part of the school team which looks after the social, emotional, physical and educational health of your child. As part of the school health services, the following programs will be carried out by your school nurse and/or other Fraser Health Authority personnel.

Hearing Screening of Kindergarten, any students not previously screened, and referrals from teachers.
Vision Screening of school entry children and referrals.
Family Life Education in cooperation with teachers as set out by Burnaby School District curriculum.
Immunization will be offered to students who are not up-to-date as per schedule recommended by B.C. Ministry of Health, Victoria, plus we offer Hepatitis B and Meningitis C vaccines to grade 6 students.

Communicable diseases of school children such as chicken pox, measles, rubella, mumps, “pink eye”, impetigo, scabies, and head lice should be reported to school as there are specific guidelines to follow for each.

Please note that school staff are not allowed to give students medication without a doctor’s written order. The medication form (to be completed by the Doctor) is available in the office.

GRADE 6 STUDENTS RECEIVE HEPATITIS B, MENINGITIS C and HPV IMMUNIZATIONS

A province-wide immunization program is planned for all students in Grade 6 this year. A series of two shots will be given to protect against the Hepatitis B virus. A single dose of Meningitis C is offered. Parents will be required to return a signed consent form for each vaccine. Any questions about the program should be forwarded to the nurse or to the Fraser Health Authority (604-918-7605).

INTERNET ACCESS

Your child may be presented with an opportunity to use a school district internet account. Just as there are opportunities with the Internet, there are also some concerns. We feel it is important that you understand the district’s rules for Internet access when using a District provided Internet account.

Please read and discuss with your child the rules outlined in the forms sent home at the beginning of the school year. Both you and your child should sign on the last page of school handbook to indicate understanding and permission for your child to access the Internet.