​Welcome to St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School!

We C.A.R.E.: Catholic Commmunity, Acceptance, Respect, Excellence.

School Hours

Reporting Student Absences​

Whether its a medical appointment, an illness or other important event, there are times when students may need to be away from school.  The DPCDSB uses School Messenger's Safe Arrival system for parents and guardians to report their child(ren)'s absences.  Using the Safe Arrival system, parentrs will be able to report daily or future absences in one of three ways:

   Web:

1. Go to the Safe Arrival website at go.schoolmessenger.ca
2. Seect Sign Up to create your account. (Only needed for the initial setup, after that you will click login)
3. Select Attendance.
4. Select Report an Absence.​

   App:

1. Download and install the SchoolMessenger app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.  Please note that SafeArrival uses the SchoolMessenger app.
   
2. Select Sign-Up. (Only needed for the initial setup, after that you will click on login).
   
3. You will be prompted to enter your email (same email address your school has on file) and create a password.
   
4. The system will send a link to the same email address the school has on file, please click on the link you have received in your email to activate your accoun​t.
   

   Phone:

1. ​Call the toll-free number  1-844-435-3440
   
2. Listen to and follow the instructions to report an absence.
3. If the system doesn’t recognize your caller ID, you will be asked to enter the student’s home phone number or any phone number for the guardian that is on file with the school.​
   

Parent Notification of Unexplained Student Absences

​If your child's absence is not reported in advance, the SafeArrival automated notification system will contact you by email / text (SMS) / phone to inform you of your child's absence and will provide an opportunity to verify the absence.  By reporting your child's absence in advance on the SafeArrival SchoolMessenger mobile app, SafeArrival website (go.schoolmessenger.ca) or 1-844-435-3440 (toll-free number), you will not receive a notification.

​Bus Lane and Kiss and Ride

​Please do not park your car or leave your car unattended in the Bus Loading Lane or the Kiss and Ride Lane. In order to ensure your child's safety, they are to enter and exit the car from the passenger side. The leftmost lane is a Drive Through Lane only.

Remember that we are an Idle Free school. Support our Dads Against Dirty Air initiative (DADA Canada) and turn off your ignition while you wait.

St. Joseph Hot Weather Plan

​Heat Stress is the overloading of the body's cooling system.  Working or playing when it is hot puts stress on your body's cooling system.  When heat is combined with other stresses, such as hard physical work, loss of fluids, fatigue or some medical conditions it may lead to heat related illness.

Students are encouraged to wear light coloured clothing, hats, sunglasses and sunscreen. 

St. Joseph with monitor the weather through Environment Canada and will follow the Heat Warning guidelines as issued by the Region of Peel's Medical Officer of Heath. As per Board guidelines, hot weather procedures will be reviewed with staff and our Hot Weather Plan will be implemented.

St. Joseph's Hot Weather Plan includes:

• Ensure staff members are aware of the Hot Weather Plan

• Monitor the local weather and humidex

• Ensure that all staff monitor students for signs of heat stress

• Encourage the extra drinking of water and water breaks throughout the day, including during recess and outdoor play

• Limit or reschedule activities taking place in the gym as it is not air conditioned

• Modify or implement indoor recesses as per board guidelines to allow students to stay inside the air conditioned building

PEEL REGION TIPS FOR HOT DAYS:

• Drink lots of plain cool water before you feel thirsty

• Stay cool and if possible, stay in an air-conditioned place

• Wear a wide brimmed hat, UV protective sunglasses, and loose-fitting long shirts and pants.

• Stay in the shade whenever possible

• Reschedule or plan outdoor activities for cooler parts of the day

• Call or visit family, friends and neighbours, especially isolated adults and seniors who are at greater risk of suffering from heat-related illness

• If you feel faint, have difficulty breathing or feel confused and disoriented because of the heat, call your doctor. In an emergency, call 911.

For more information on how to protect your health during the heat, visit the Peel Region HEAT web site or review the various GUIDELINES which outline steps to help prevent heat-related illnesses.