Health & Safety

Health

Administration of Prescribed Medication to Students

Preferably, parent/legal guardians should make arrangements with their physician to have prescribed medications administered outside of school hours.  When it becomes necessary for a student to take any prescribed medication during school hours, it shall be in accordance with the following procedures:    

• Authorization for the Administration of Prescribed Medication to Students (JLCD-E1) shall be completed by the parent/legal guardians. 
• The first dosage of new medication shall not be administered at school.  
• Medications must be delivered to the school by the parent/legal guardians or designated adult in the original pharmacy labeled container.  The label must be on the container itself, such as medication bottle, tube, inhaler, and not merely on the package. If requested, pharmacies will provide two original pharmacy labeled containers. One container may be used exclusively in the school setting. It is recommended that this container be a blister pack dispenser.
• Medication shall be sent to the school in the proper dosage.  If pills are to be taken in a dosage that is less than one pill, they must be cut to the appropriate size before being delivered to the school.  Liquid medication shall be brought to school accompanied by a measuring device that shall provide the exact dosage.
• A one-month supply of medication should be provided to the school when medication is to be given over an extended period of time. 

Only medication prescribed by a doctor can be administered by the school. 

Documents to be completed by parents to authorize the administration of prescribed medication can be found at the following link: 

JLCD-E1 Administration of Prescribed  Medication to Students 

Allergies

As there are an increasing number of students with life threatening allergies to nuts, school division policy states that parents are requested not to send items that contain nuts or peanuts to school with their children. More information can be found at the following link:

 JLCG-R2 Anaphylaxis Avoidance Strategies

Injury/Illness

Should a child become injured or ill while at school, we will place a call to the parent/guardian.  If we are unable to reach the parent/guardian, we will then contact the emergency contact provided by the parent/guardian.  Please inform the school office of any changes to your address, contact phone number(s) or emergency contact information.

If an illness or injury is serious and we are unable to reach a parent/guardian, an ambulance will be called at the parents' expense. The ambulance claim can be submitted through the Universal Student Accident Insurance plan secured by your School Division. Please contact the school office for further information. 

Occasionally, we find that cases of communicable disease occur in our school. Once suspected or diagnosed, the child is required to stay home until treated. If a student is at school with a communicable disease, a letter may be sent to classmates if required by Public Health.

Sickness is a normal part of childhood - the average child has 6-12 illnesses a year.  It can be challenging to balance your child's attendance with the risk of spreading illness to others at school.  There are three key reasons to keep your child home from school (1) Fever over 38 degrees celcius (100.4 fahrenheit) (2) Contagious illness or rash (3) Not well enough to participate in class.

ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES

•    Fever usually indicates the body is fighting infection. A child with a fever over 38°C (100.4°F) should stay home until the fever is gone for 24 hours.

•    Children can attend school with a mild sore throat unless they show additional symptoms, like a fever, vomiting, or abdominal pain.

•    A child with a cough need not be kept from school unless it is interfering with sleep or their ability to take part in activities.

•    Runny noses and coughs can continue for up to two weeks after a cold. Children can return to school once they no longer have a fever.

•    Itchy or scaly rashes may be contagious. If a child with a rash looks ill or is having trouble swallowing or breathing, they should see a doctor.

•    Children who are repeatedly vomiting should stay home until it stops, and they are eating normally.

•    Children with diarrhea should stay home until stools have been normal for at least 24 hours.

•    If you're uncertain or have any questions about your or your child's health, call Health Links - Info Santé, a bilingual phone-based program within the Provincial Health Contact Centre. Registered nurses provide assessment, triage, and health-care advice to individuals of all ages calling from within Manitoba.

•    Remember, frequent handwashing with soap and water remains the most effective way to prevent the spread of contagious diseases. 

Mental Health 

École Springfield Heights School is committed to supporting the development of positive mental health including building resiliency in students. Classrooms use the Zones of Regulation program to help the students understand and manage their emotions. All classrooms have a Chill Zone for students to take a break in the class if needed. All teachers will deliver the Sources of Strength program which supports student understanding of their personal sources of strength. 

Nutrition

École Springfield Heights School recognizes its responsibility in co-operation with the home and community to encourage healthy lifestyles and acknowledge the important role that nutrition plays in the total development and performance of the individual. École Springfield Heights School also believes that the food served or sold in schools should reinforce good nutrition as emphasized in various government documents including the Manitoba Physical Education/Health Education Curriculum 2001.

The Manitoba Government has implemented the Universally Accessible School Nutrition Program. This initiative's main goal is to ensure that no child goes through the school day hungry, helping them focus better and perform well in their academic year. This program is meant to fill gaps. Springfield Heights is also supported by grants from the Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba which allows us to further supply nutritious food for children. These programs offer food to supplement what is offered from home. Parents and caregivers should continue sending food with their child, knowing the programs will address any additional needs. Parents should also remind students that the snacks are available for students who are still hungry after they have eaten all of their own food.  

Tobacco-Free Policy

The River East Transcona School Division is a smoke-free environment. Out of consideration for the health and well-being of students, staff, parents, and community members, smoking and/or the use of tobacco products or electronic vaporizer devices is prohibited on all school division property, including all buildings, grounds, and school division vehicles. (RETSD Policy ADC)

ADC Tobacco Free Policy 

SAFETY

Air Quality 

When the air quality index is 10+, students will be kept indoors and outdoor activities will be cancelled.  Information from Environment Canada about air quality can be found here.

Bicycles, Scooters, Skateboards and Rollerblades

Students riding bicycles* must remember to:

• wear a helmet
• always follow bicycle safety rules 
• lock bicycles in the bicycle rack at the front of the school
• walk bicycles on school property including all the sidewalks around the school and the school yard 
• Electric bicycles are not allowed for student use at school.

Students using a scooter*, rollerblading, or skateboarding to school must remember to:

• wear a helmet
• follow all safety rules 
• use sidewalks 
• when rollerblading, change into regular footwear once they reach the school yard
• when skateboarding or using a scooter, put the skateboard or scooter into their backpack once they reach the schoolyard
• *Electric scooters are not allowed for student use at school.

Bus Evacuation

Each year, in early fall and late spring, the River East Transcona School Division Transportation Department carries out bus evacuation drills. The school bus drivers explain safety and bus evacuation procedures in case of an emergency. Bus patrols support the bus drivers and students throughout the evacuation drills.

Bus Students

Arrival - In the morning, a staff member meets the bus students at the front of the school and ensures all students make their way safely to the playground to wait for the entry bell. 

Dismissal - At the end of the day, Kindergarten students are escorted to the bus by student bus patrols.  All other students are dismissed from their classrooms, go out their designated door and meet at the bus loop.   

Dogs

Dogs, (excluding service dogs), are not allowed on school property unless by special arrangement with administration. This includes during morning drop off and after school pick up.

Doors

Throughout the school day all exterior doors are locked except for the front doors. An exterior door with access to the playground will be unlocked at recess, and at other times when a teacher has a class of students outside, to allow access to the school for students and staff. All parents and visitors who may arrive during the school day will enter the front door and report to the office. Parents need to remain in the lobby and not proceed to the classrooms. 

Students must use the door designated for their classroom when entering and exiting the school. Parents and siblings need to make arrangements to meet students at their dismissal doors or at a designated spot outside. 

Students leaving for lunch will leave out the front door. When returning from home after lunch, students should arrive at 12:55. When they arrive, students will enter in the front door and once the bell rings, go directly to their classroom. 

Emergency Evacuation

If at any time it is unsafe to remain in or re-enter the school, students will be evacuated to:

If at any time, an extreme emergency situation, representatives of the Superintendent’s Department would meet with parents and media at the following locations:

Fire Drills

We are required to have 10 fire drills per year. Regulations indicate that fire drills take place once a month during the school year, where practical.  During a fire drill, all staff, students, and visitors practice the procedures that are put in place to ensure a safe, calm, and orderly exit.  

Hold and Secure

In the event of an unsafe situation in the community, a "hold and secure" may be activated at the school. During a hold and secure, all outside school doors are locked and monitored to maintain the safety of occupants. No one is allowed to enter or leave the building.  All regular student activities inside the school continue as scheduled. If the hold and secure occurs near dismissal time, students will remain in the school. We remain in a hold and secure until the police service contacts the school to give the 'all clear' when the unsafe situation is under control.  We are required to have 2 hold and secure practices each year.

Lockdown

Lockdown refers to the restriction of movement of students and staff due to a threat of violence within the building. The objective of a lockdown is to secure occupants out of sight and in a safe location within the school. During a lockdown, inside doors will be closed and locked, and all students and staff will be seated quietly out of sight. If students are in the library, they will move into the music rooms for the lockdown. Prior to a lockdown practice, teachers will review procedures with the students. We are required to have 2 lockdown practices per year. 

Patrols

Grade 4 and 5 students volunteer to take on the role of Safety Patrol. Patrols are under the direction of the Patrol Supervisor Teacher. They receive training before patrolling. 

Our safety patrols are on duty for 15 minutes before and after school.  

Student safety patrols are also on duty on all River East Transcona School Buses. 

Patrols must be dressed appropriately for the weather, which in the winter, includes ski pants, boots, jacket, hat or hood and mittens or gloves. If patrols are not dressed appropriately, they will not go on post.

When the temperature or wind chill is between -27°C and -34°C, patrols will remain on post for 10 minutes. When it is between -35°C and -39°C, patrols will remain on post for five minutes. At -40°C and below, no patrols will be on duty. 

Patrols will not be on post due to restrictions from air quality, construction near a post, or any situation that occurs that could jeopardize their safety.

Supervision  

Once students arrive at school in the morning, they must remain on the school grounds. Supervision for bus students is provided starting at 8:30. Daycare staff supervise daycare students. All other students should not arrive until 8:45 when the number of staff on duty increases to be able to supervise the entire student population.  Students not arriving by school bus should not arrive at school before 8:45. After school, teachers are on duty at the front and back of the school until 3:45, or until the last school bus leaves.   

Traffic

The safety of our students continues to be of concern during morning drop off and after school pick up. The signs posted on the streets provide drivers information about where they can legally and safely park. 

There are City of Winnipeg “No Stopping Signs” posted at the north corner of Sharron Bay and “No Parking Signs” posted at the south corner of Sharron Bay near the school. Please pay close attention to the instructions below from the Winnipeg Police Services. 

According to Winnipeg Parking By-Law No. 86/2016, Section 10, no vehicle may be STOPPED at a place where stopping is prohibited by a traffic control device (such as a sign).  

"No Stopping” zones: In these areas, stopping or parking is strictly prohibited. They are not considered loading zones and must remain clear at all times. (If there are no specifics such as dates and in-between times then the zone is enforceable 24hrs a day - 7 days a week).  

"No Parking” zones: No vehicle may be parked in these areas however you are allowed to stop (pick up/drop off passengers). The vehicle is considered parked when the driver’s seat is unoccupied, or the vehicle is stationary beyond the loading or unloading process. “No Parking” zones are not Loading Zones. If parents/guardians choose to park and walk, the preferred and recommended option is to park legally in the vicinity of the school. 

We would also ask that parents and guardians respect the private property of our neighbours. Driveways are not a public space for dropping off and picking up children. 

Crosswalks are not a place to drop off students. Using a crosswalk to drop off students puts the safety of our patrols and all students using the crosswalks in jeopardy. 

The school parking lot is reserved for staff use only. Please follow the instructions posted on the sign at the parking lot entrance. 

The City of Winnipeg Parking Authority and police department help us monitor the traffic issues near the school.

Please put the safety of our students, their families, and our staff over convenience by following the traffic regulations.

Winter Weather

When the temperature is -35°C and/or wind chill is -45°C or colder at The Forks, school buses will be cancelled. In the event that transportation is cancelled in the morning, this cancellation will apply for the whole day. The transportation department uses the StopFinder App to deliver texts and emails about bus delays, route cancellations, and cancellations due to extreme weather. These messages will go directly to the child’s primary contact with a cellphone number and email address in the system. Please ensure your information is up to date with a cellphone number and email address for the primary contact.

The transportation department also provides these notifications on their X (Twitter) account—you can follow them at @RETSDtransport. For those without an X (Twitter) account, these tweets are automatically posted on the "Transportation Notifications (Bus Delays)" webpage.

Schools very rarely close during inclement weather. However, if storm conditions develop during the day, it may be necessary to dismiss the students early, to return them home before the weather worsens. If we do need to dismiss students early, please ensure that ALL contact information is always up to date.

Visitor Access 

Exterior doors are locked except for the front doors.  Visitors report to office and sign in. RETSD employees must always display their RETSD identification. Other visitors will receive a visitor tag that must always be visible. Any adults in the building without an identification or visitor tag will be directed to report to the office.