Hours of Operation: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
SCHOOL COMMUNICATION PLAN
ADMINISTRATION STAFF
Ginger Carson, A/ Principal
Scott Gibbs, A/Vice-Principal
Karen MacPhee, Administrative Assistant
Angela Seymour, Administrative Assistant
Heather Mumford, Guidance
MISSION STATEMENT
We develop independent lifelong learners in a student-centered environment
with high expectations for all
SCA SCHOOL CALENDAR
September 1 & 5 Staff Orientation & P.D. Days (all schools)
September 6 First Day for All Students
September 6 Meet the Teacher (4:30 – 5:30 pm)
September 18 Last day to add a course OR withdraw a course where the course will not appear on report card/transcript
September 22 No classes - Nova Family In-service/PD Day
September 29 Picture Day
October 02 No classes – Truth and Reconciliation Day (September 30)
October 09 No classes - Thanksgiving Holiday
October 24 & 25 Grad Photos
October 27 No classes - Provincial Conference Day
November 2&3 Grade 7 Needles
November 13 No classes - Remembrance Day
November 14-16 Report Cards - Senior Midterms
November 20-21 Report Cards - Junior
November 24 No classes -Site-based Professional Development, Parent Teacher (pm)
December 21 Holiday Break December 21 – January 1, 2022
January 2 No classes – Regional Site Based Professional Day
January 3 Classes Resume
January 23 NS Virtual Exams
January 25 (am) Nova Scotia Examinations - English 10
January 31 No classes - Assessment Evaluation Day
February 01 Second Semester Begins
February 5 - 9 Report Cards
February 14 Deadline to add a course/change/withdraw a course
February 19 No classes -Heritage Holiday
March 11 - 15 No classes - March Break
March 29 No classes - Good Friday
April 01 No classes - Easter Monday
April 15 - 18 Report Cards
April 19 No classes – Regional Site Based Professional Day, Parent Teacher (pm)
May 1&2 Grade 7/8 Needles
May 20 No classes - Victoria Day Holiday
May 23-June 2 Grade 8 Reading, Writing and Math NS Assessment
June 14 Senior Prom
June 17 Virtual Exams
June 19 (am) Nova Scotia Examinations - English 10
June 20 (am) Nova Scotia Examinations - Mathematics 10
June 25 Last Day of school for grades 7/8
June 26 & 27 No classes (Assessment & Evaluation Days)
June 26 Graduation Ceremony
June 28 Report Card Day
Nova Family of Schools Supervisor
Tina Knol
902-758-3908
Chignecto Central Regional Centre for Education
902-897-8900
SCA School Advisory Council (SAC)
Meeting dates and times to be determined at the September meeting.
The Public is welcome to attend.
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
Hello / K’we / Bonjour South Colchester Families & Friends,
The new school year of 2023-2024 will be an amazing year. Student success will be a priority for us all. As you know, SCA has a strong staff and a supportive community and together we will enhance our inclusive practices, create a space where all feel welcome, respected, and engaged.
Working together and building connections between school and families allows for successes to happen. There will be communications plans shared with you, as an overview, to support how we can stay in contact with you and you with us. Please feel free to call, email, or drop by if you ever have a question or concern.
I am looking forward to this great school year.
Wela'lioq, Thank You, Merci.
Ginger Carson
Principal SCA
Our 2023-24 Calendar of Events and Student Handbook are both available online to refer to throughout the year. Other events and meetings will be posted on and communicated through: SCA’s webpage, and SCA’s Facebook page. ALERT through PowerSchool will be used to communicate to families throughout the year. Please be sure to have contact information up to date in our system.
Assessment and Evaluation
Teachers plan, assess and evaluate student learning against Department of Education and Early Childhood Development expected learning outcomes. Expected learning outcomes are statements describing what students are to know, show and do in each subject/course.
Teachers maintain regular communication with students and parents regarding students’ learning, progress and well-being.
Parental/Guardian Concerns
If you have questions regarding student progress (including a review of student assessment results) and /or well-being, we have established guidelines for having your questions addressed at the school level. The following is a list of recommended steps for you to follow to ensure your child’s needs are met:
1. Talk to your child. 2. Contact your child’s teacher. 3. Contact the school vice-principal or principal. 4. If the concern cannot be adequately addressed in steps 1 to 3, the school may arrange a meeting with the parent, teacher(s) and administration.
A process has been put in place to ensure parents/ guardians receive prompt response to questions or concerns that cannot be resolved at the school level. If you feel an issue has not been resolved, the CCRCE Parental Concern Referral Form is available through the main office or on the Parent Concern Process page of the CCRCE website.
Communication Methods
Policies, procedure, and general information for South Colchester Academy are made available through the following:
Ø Parent Information Nights
Ø PowerSchool Public Portal
Ø SCA’s Automated Alert System
Ø Local Radio Stations
Ø SCA Message Board (in front of school)
Ø SCA Webpage (sca.ccrce.ca) & Facebook
Expectations for Student Success
Students are responsible for participating in their learning. Students are encouraged to discuss with their teacher what they have learned and what they have yet to learn. Discussion may also include due dates, negotiate extensions and re-submitting work. The process for incomplete assessments will follow the EECD Process for Classroom Assessment Due Dates and Extensions.
NS EECD Homework Policy
The purpose of homework is to practice and reinforce what has been taught in school. Students are encouraged to complete homework as assigned. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to the classroom teacher.
School Cancellation and Early Dismissal
Early morning school cancellations are made over radio, and documented on the CCRCE web site. When school is cancelled, all events for that day, including extra-curricular and evening activities taking place at the school are also cancelled. School cancellations during the school day are made over radio, CCRCE web site, SCA PowerSchool portal and SCA Facebook.
School Wide Support for Students
Information about the process of identification, assessment, referral and program planning for students through the Student Planning Team.
School Visitors
All visitors to SCA are required to first check in at the office. For security reasons, and to comply with CCRCE’s safe school policies, all doors are locked after bus students arrive at SCA. This is a common practice for all schools in CCRCE. A security camera and buzzer system are setup to admit students and guests in the building after 8:40 am. If you arrived after 8:40 am, please proceed to the main entrance, which is clearly marked, to be admitted by our administration or administration assistant.
Reporting an Excused Absence
It is the responsibility of parents and guardians to ensure that students are in classes and to notify the school when students are absent. If a student is absent, parents/guardians should contact the school by telephoning 673-5000, ext. 1, and leave a message indicating the student’s name, the reason for the absence, and the anticipated length of the absence. A Doctor’s excuse will be required for any student who misses an exam.
*Parents and students are asked to check attendance online to ensure that excused and other absences have been recorded.
Signing In/Out
Any student arriving late or leaving early must sign in/out at the Administrative Office. All students signing out must have permission from a parent or guardian. This can be done by supplying a note from home or by telephoning the office.
PowerSchool
PowerSchool is the web-based student information management system that will allow schools to manage features such as student demographics, schedules, attendance, behavior, and achievement.
PowerSchool enables parents to see much of the same information as students – attendance, grades, and assignments in real time. This portal enhances communication between the home and school as well as increases parent involvement in their children’s education.
Please contact the office if you require a user name or password or are looking for support.
SCA’s School wide Support Structures
Information about the process of identification, assessment, referral and program planning for students through the Student Planning Team. All teaching staff will work together to provide the necessary supports for students by providing opportunities for increased student success. At SCA we will provide students with the following supports:
Ø Extra help sessions
Ø Make-up sessions for missed assessments
Ø Learning Support Teachers in Learning Support Centers
Ø Schools Plus
Ø Youth Health Coordinator
Ø Adolescent Outreach
Ø School Counsellor
Ø Indigenous Support Worker