ADMISSION POLICY
New students are admitted according to the Ministry of Education Youth and Culture’s (MOEYC) regulations. A child entering Grade One must have reached the age of six by January 1st and up to December 31st of each year. Priority is given to children living in closest proximity to the school. Applications for registration are accepted the first week of May each year. Each application must be accompanied by a proof of address.

CURRICULUM

Half Way Tree Primary School is carefully following the Revised Primary Curriculum (RPC) Document developed by the Ministry of Education. Grades 1 - 3 are taught using an integrated approach while in Grades 4 - 6, except for Language Arts that is partially integrated, the format changes to discrete disciplines - Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Religious Education, Music, Physical Education and Visual Arts.

SCHOOL POLICIES

Attendance: All students are expected to attend school regularly unless
they are ill or must be kept out of school for some other reason. Students must be on time for school. The first bell is rung at 7:45 a.m. when preparations are made for assembly. However, school begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m.  On Fridays, dismissal is at 1:45 p.m.  This is to facilitate teachers’ planning meetings (common planning time). Children are to be picked up promptly.

Absences:  If your child will be absent from school, inform the teacher.  In case of unexpected absences, parents should send a note to the teacher when the child returns to school.

Tardiness/ Lateness:  It is important that children come to school on time. Children who are chronically late / tardy will be referred to the guidance counsellor for counselling and follow-up. When students arrive late they miss valuable information and are at a disadvantage. We believe that the good work habits children develop while they are in school will remain a part of them as they enter the ‘real world’ of work and career. We need your support in stamping out excessive absences and lateness.

Code of Conduct:
Students are expected to display appropriate behaviour while at school or on school related field trips. They are expected to:
> be courteous
> be honest in actions and relationships with others
> attend school regularly
> always strive to do their best
> show respect to teachers, parents and school mates
> not fight or engage in violent acts towards anyone
> show respect for and protect the school’s property
> wear full school uniform including the appropriate tie and socks
> not take prohibited articles to school

 Sanctions:
Some consequences for misbehaviour in school and during school-related events include, but are not limited to:
> Warning
> Lines
> Time out
> Parent Conference
> In-school suspension
> Out-of-school suspension

Emergency/ Illness:   If your child becomes ill or is injured in school, first aid care will be provided.  If a student is unable to remain in class, parents will be contacted and they will be responsible for taking their child(ren) home, or to the doctor. If you are unable to come in person, please inform the school as to who will come so that the safety of your child is constantly assured.

In case of medical emergencies, (where students need urgent medical attention) the school will contact the parents but will also act to seek medical attention, if necessary.

Please note:  Sick children cannot go home unaccompanied.  It is important to list alternate contacts on the information document in case parents cannot be reached.  It is reckless to send sick children to school, since no one is available to supervise or cater to them. Refrain from sending to school a sick child or one who has had a persistent fever. This precaution will help preserve the health of other children.

Leaving School Grounds:   Students are not permitted to leave the school grounds during the school day without a permission note or an adult to accompany him/her. Classroom teachers cannot authorize the release of students to go off campus during school hours. The following procedures will be used:

Due to illness:   Students will report to the teacher. The office will call the parents and make arrangements with parents should a child need to be sent home.

Other Appointments:   Students will report to their classes with a written request stating the time the child is to be released and reason. This request will be processed by the office. Verbal requests by the child or over the telephone will not be acceptable.

Homework:   Homework is an important part of the child’s learning process and is therefore required of all students. It may be a written review of the day’s lessons or sometimes an oral assignment.   Parents can assist the process in the following ways:

Canteen:   The school’s canteen prepares lunches daily. The school’s lunch programme is designed to provide children with nourishing meals at a minimum cost. In addition, breakfast is served between 7:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. each morning. Children who will not eat at home in the mornings can purchase breakfast at a very minimal rate.

Note however, that students from needy homes are provided free lunches or breakfast upon approval.

CLUBS

There are 17 clubs operating at the school. Club meetings are held on Thursdays between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. and are managed by members of staff.

Every child is assigned to a club where he/she not only gets to learn leadership skills but also engages in fun activities and competitions. The following are the clubs in operation: Drama, Red Cross, Brownie, Environmental/Gardening, Good News, Cub Scout, Builders, Dance, Sewing/Visual Arts, Wellness, 4H, Mathematics, Spelling, Junior Optimist, Spanish/Recorder, Netball and Literary.

Festival of Arts, Opti-Spell, Debating Team, Sporting Activities:  Each year the school participates in these events/activities.