Our school day begins at 8:15 and ends at 15:15. Students should arrive at school by 8:05, and are marked late if they come in after 8:20.
If your child arrives late to school or leaves early, we ask that Early Childhood (EC) and Kindergarten (KG) parents pick up or drop off their child at their homeroom classes during the school day. Grade 1 - Grade 5 students should be dropped off at security or reception to sign in and can make their own way to their classroom.
The School feels it is of utmost importance for children to play outside on a daily basis. The health and academic benefits of fresh air and active play are well researched. For that purpose, there is a fifteen-minute morning recess and a forty-minute lunch with recess. When weather permits, students play in the playground between Buildings A and B; if it is raining just a bit, students play under the covered pitch. Students are watched by teachers, teaching assistants and / or school leadership during recess times. Students must stay in the play area during recess and lunch break. Recess rules prohibit pushing, shoving, or fighting of any sort. The throwing of snowballs is not permitted. When weather conditions prohibit the use of the outside play areas, Primary students remain in their homerooms under the supervision of the homeroom teacher, monitor or teaching assistant (TA).
There are times when children cannot play outside. PSI practice is as follows:
Children are inside on days with heavy rain and thunderstorms. The school leadership makes the decision and informs teachers.
Children play outside when it snows.
If there is snow on the ground, only children with snow pants and boots (as well as mittens and hats) may play in the snow. Other children are limited to the covered pitch.
When temperatures are between -10C and -15C, the decision is based on the wind chill factor.
Children are inside when the temperature falls below -15C
In addition to inclement weather, PSI also daily monitors air quality. Guidelines have been set for when children can play outdoors or must remain indoors during recess times.
Morning snack times are determined by the homeroom teacher / grade level teams; but are typically before or after morning recess and last approximately 10 - 15 minutes. All Primary School students are asked to bring in a healthy snack for their morning snack time, which takes place in their homeroom. Healthy snacks include sandwiches, fresh vegetables, cheese, yogurt, fruit and the like. Students are not allowed to bring in chocolates, lollies, other types of candy or ‘junk food’ for snacks. Eating something healthy helps children stay focused and gives them energy to continue to work and play. Parents can also subscribe to the cafeteria’s healthy morning snack program on a monthly basis. In these cases, the cafeteria brings a healthy morning snack to the child’s homeroom class by 9:30 am.
All students should have a reusable water bottle to fill at our water dispensers around the school throughout the day.
Early Childhood
Physical Education for 3 and 4 year olds: 4 x 40 minute periods per 6 day rotation
Music 1 x 30 minutes per week per six day rotation
Art 1 x 30 minutes per week per six day rotation
Host Country Culture 1 x 30 minutes per six day rotation
Kindergarten
Physical Education 2 x 40 and 1 x 80 minute periods per six day rotation
Music 2 x 40 minute periods per six day rotation
Art 2 x 40 minute periods per six day rotation
English as an Additional Language (EAL) as a push-in model 3 x 40 minutes per six day rotation
Host Country Culture 1 x 40 minutes per six day rotation
Grade 1
Physical Education 2 x 40 minute and 1 x 80 minute per six day rotation
Music 2 x 40 minute periods per six day rotation
Art 2 x 40 minute periods per six day rotation
Additional Language (Ukrainian, French, Russian, Spanish, EAL) 4 x 40 minute per six day rotation
Host Country Culture 1 x 30 minutes per six day rotation
Grades 2 through 5
Physical Education 2 x 40 minute and 1 x 80 minute per six day rotation
Music 2 x 40 minute periods per six day rotation
Art 1 x 80 minute periods per six day rotation
Additional Language (Ukrainian, French, Russian, Spanish, EAL)
Grades 1-3: 5 x 40 minutes per six day rotation
Grades 4-5: 6 x 40 minutes per six day rotation
Library and IT skills are provided to students through integrated projects and lessons. The school librarian works in collaboration with grade level teams throughout the year. Children are allowed to check out books when needed or during scheduled classes.