Communication between home and school is essential for a successful school year. Apart from the usual phone and FAX methods, there are several avenues for communication that are built into the operation of John Pritchard School.
Homerooms in the Early Years (K-6)
Each Homeroom Teacher in the Early Years (Gr. K-6 at JP) is the main teacher for the class, except for specialty areas such as Music, Physical Education, and French (Gr.4-6). The Homeroom Teacher is the primary person for communication between home and school. Note that Gr. 6 is included in this Early Years section as well as the next Middle Years section below. In transitioning from the Elementary/Junior-High configuration (K-6 and 7-9) to the Early-Years/Middle-Years configuration (K-5 and 6-9), we have our Grade 6 class schedule and operation has elements of both the Early and the Middle Years settings.
Homeroom System in the Middle Years (Grades 6-9)
Since students at the Middle Years (Gr. 7-9 at JP) may have several teachers for the main subject areas, the Homeroom Teacher advisor system has been implemented for grades 7-9 to facilitate better communication with students and their parents/guardians. The Homeroom Teacher is the primary contact for information regarding the students in his/her homeroom. As the primary advocate for his/her students, the Homeroom Teacher provides a strong connection between staff and students in the day to day life of the school.
Portfolios
Homeroom Teachers will facilitate the development, by each student, of a portfolio of the student's work. The portfolio will be the key focus for the student-led conferences held at various times throughout the year.
Agenda Books/Planners
Each student at JP has an Agenda Book which he/she is expected to use to track assignment and project due dates, quiz and test dates, school activities (club meetings, intramural games, interschool practices and games, Home Economics days (off-site), etc.), early dismissals, professional development and administration days (no school), as well as personal and family commitments. Use of the Agenda Books is closely guided by Homeroom teachers in the Early Years, with a gradual release of responsibility as students move up through the Middle Years.
Open house
Our annual open house takes place during the month of September. Parents start the evening by attending their child's Homeroom, where they are given their child's schedule for a day. Parents then move through a shortened-period version of that schedule, just as their child would during the day.
Student-led Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences
Student-led conferences are conducted after each of the term reporting periods. The conferences provide an opportunity for students and parents to use the student’s portfolio to discuss progress to date and future goals.
Newsletters
A school newsletter is published on a regular basis. The focus of the newsletter is to communicate students' accomplishments, and participation in the school's curricular and extra-curricular programs. A regular feature is a calendar of upcoming events such as parent-teacher conferences, in-service dates, field trips, concerts, etc. Newsletters are sent home with the students; where there is more than one child from a family in JP, only the youngest child is given a Newsletter to take home. We encourage parents to join our growing list of parents who receive the Newsletter by email attachment. Parents who wish to receive the Newsletter by email attachment, instead of paper copy, should indicate that in an email to jp@retsd.mb.ca.
News and notifications by email
On a regular basis, or as the need arises, we will send additional news or notices to parents using a mass email. Parents who wish to receive news and notifications by email can have their email address added to the list by sending their request by email to jp@retsd.mb.ca. Parents who wish to receive the Newsletter by email attachment, instead of paper copy, should indicate that in the email as well.
Display Sign
We are fortunate to have a large display sign on our front grounds near Henderson Highway. It is updated regularly to inform parents and the community of activities and upcoming events, and at times to share an interesting quote.