General Information 

(Last updated May 21, 2008)

Newtown Elementary School is part of the Eastern School District.  Our enrollment is approximately 450 students.  The school offers English language programs from kindergarten to grade six.  There are two groups of kindergarten students and three classes at all other grade levels.  Core French is taught in all elementary classes and the Intensive Core French program is offered in one grade six class.

Daily Schedule

8:20 a.m.                         School opens to students

8:45 a.m.                         Morning instruction begins

10:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.   Recess

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.     Lunch

1:00 p.m.                         Afternoon instruction begins

3:00 p.m.                         Dismissal

Arrival and Dismissal

For security reasons, the main doors at the front entrance of the building are the only doors that are open during school hours.  The primary entrance located adjacent to the playground is open to students from 8:20 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. only.  In the interest of safety, and to minimize disruption to classes, parents, caregivers, and others who arrive to pick up students should wait outside the building for students, preferably at the main entrance.  During inclement weather, any persons authorized to pick up students will be permitted to wait in the lobby area until the bell rings.  At 3:00 p.m. students in grades one and two may be picked up at their classrooms.  Older students whose classes are upstairs should arrange to meet parents or caregivers at the front entrance.  Only kindergarten students may be picked up at their classrooms no earlier than five minutes prior to the end of the morning and afternoon sessions.  Students who are not picked up promptly should check with the office for assistance.

Because classes move through the lobby area as they exit the gym, and our students who use the school buses exit through the main entrance, anyone waiting in the lobby should arrive close to dismissal time.

Seven-Day Cycle

The school timetable is organized into a seven-day cycle.  Classroom teachers send home a monthly calendar that includes the cycle day for each date and activities such as gym, music, and library.  Also included on the monthly calendar is general information for the month, including any special school-wide activities, concerts, closures for Teacher Professional Development and Kinderstart sessions, etc.

School Dress Code

Newtown Elementary does not have an official school uniform, however, students are asked to dress appropriately for school.  The preferred dress for physical education classes is a T-shirt and shorts.  Students are asked to keep a pair of non-marking sneakers at the school for gym and the classroom.

Parent/Caregiver - Teacher Communication

In September, teachers share information in Curriculum Orientation sessions offered in the evening for parents and caregivers.  Focusing on the curriculum outcomes of the students' programs, they give an overview of the school year ahead.  Being involved in your child's education is beneficial so, throughout the year, parents and caregivers should refer to the information contained in handouts distributed at the sessions.  Report cards are sent out in November, March, and June.  After the first term report goes home, teachers contact all parents and caregivers to arrange conferences on students' progress.  In the second reporting period, meetings between parents, caregivers, and teachers are scheduled by request.  At any time throughout the school year, teachers, parents, and caregivers may schedule appointments to discuss student progress and other concerns.

Information about our school appears at the beginning of student agendas, available for pupils in grades two to six.  As well, throughout the year, information related to school activities is shared in memos and on our monthly calendar which includes both general and grade-specific items.  Please keep the monthly calendar as a handy reference for school activities.

Special Needs

Special education services are available for children with special needs.   Special education teachers, student assistants, and a guidance counselor provide assistance to our students in a number of areas.  As a school in the Eastern School District, Newtown Elementary also avails of services from a speech language pathologist and an educational psychologist.

The school building has both ramps and an elevator, and is, therefore, wheelchair accessible.