SCHOOL INFORMATION & PROCEDURES
Dress Code
Decisions regarding student and staff dress require the careful balance of the individual’s right to self-expression and the school’s responsibility to ensure a safe, caring and respectful learning environment. We ask that all members of the school community dress in ways that show respect for themselves and for others. We encourage parents to participate in ongoing conversations with their children about appropriate clothing choices as weather and clothing styles change.
Emergency Contact Information
It is the parents’ responsibility to make sure the school has up-to-date emergency contact information. If your phone numbers change, or if an emergency contact person is no longer available to pick up your child in the event of an emergency (and the parents cannot be contacted), you must advise the school. Your child’s safety is of utmost importance to us. Having current phone numbers and contact information allows us to properly care for your child.
Cell Phones
Students are not permitted to use cell phones in the school during instructional time except for learning purposes directed by a teacher. Students may use their phones before or after school. In the event of an emergency when you need to reach your child, please call the office (604.296.9033).
Calling Home
If a child needs to call home, they are to get permission from their teacher, and use the office phone to call home. Office staff would like to assist children who are sick or injured. Please note school phones are not used to set up after school play dates or pick up. These arrangements must be made with parents in the morning before the child comes to school. We appreciate your cooperation.
Leaving School Grounds
Students are not permitted to leave the school grounds during the lunch hour unless they are accompanied by an adult. A note from parents allowing students to do so will be accepted for special circumstances only. Students are welcome to go home for lunch, with a parent permission note to the teacher. Students must sign out at the office, and then sign back in once they return to the school.
Moving
If you have plans to move, and your child will continue to attend Suncrest, please advise the office of your new address. We will require two new pieces of proof of residence. Please contact the office for details (604.296.9033). Please note that your child’s enrollment at the school will not be affected if you move (even if your new address is out of catchment). If you have plans to move and you will be registering your child at another school, please call the office and advise us of the expected date of withdrawal, and the name of the new school.
Leaving Early
If your child needs to leave the school early, i.e. for medical appointments, illness, etc., parents must come to the office to sign their child out. This is a way for us to track students who are no longer in the building and is especially helpful in the event of an emergency.
Absent / Late
Suncrest School, like all other elementary schools in Burnaby, has a “safe arrival program”. This means that if a child is marked absent, but the office has not received a note or a telephone call from the parent advising of the absence/lateness, a phone call home will be made to ensure the child is safe. If your child will be absent or late, please call the school office at 604.294.9033 to advise the secretary, or leave a message on the absence line. No doctor note is required. If your child is late, even by a few minutes, please come to the office to obtain a “late slip” to give to the teacher. This is simply a way for the homeroom teacher to know that the child has checked in, and no phone call will be made home. Please call the office, even if you have already advised the teacher, so that we do not bother you at home.
Vacation / Extended Absence
If your child will be absent from school for an extended period of time, i.e. for vacation, you will need to fill out an “Extended Absence Form” at the office. We will need to know the date your child will be leaving, and the date he/she is expected to return to school.
After School Programs
At Suncrest we have many after-school programs offered by Burnaby Parks, Recreation and Culture.
Please inform your children when they have been registered for these programs and remind them the morning of the program. At the end of the school day, children go on their own to room where the program is being held. Please note that most programs end after 4:00 pm and parents are responsible for transportation home.
Parent Late Picking Up Child
If you are unable to pick up your child at 3:00 pm, or have plans for someone else to pick up your child, please call the school to advise us (604.296.9033), or please let your child’s teacher know in the morning. We understand there are times when a parent is running late due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g. traffic). Don’t worry, just call us to let us know. If we do not hear from you, we will phone until we reach a parent or an emergency contact. Your child will be safe at the school.
Important: If you know you cannot pick up your child on a daily basis at the time of dismissal, please arrange for your child to go home with a friend or relative.
Meeting With the Teacher
You may speak to your child’s classroom teacher at any time during the year. If you have a quick question, the teacher may be able to return your call within the day (either at recess, lunch or after school – teachers cannot leave students during instructional time). If you require more time, then a meeting can be scheduled. Simply call the school (604.296.9033) to set up a meeting outside instructional time. Either the secretary or the teacher will get back to you.
