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About Us

Welcome to our school! Please explore our website to learn more about the many exciting programs and helpful supports we offer. 

Need more information? Contact details for the school are available at the bottom of our website.

Sir John A. MacDonald Public School     

Sir John A. Macdonald Public School, (known affectionately as MAC), is located in north-east London and is part of the Montcalm area of schools. It was officially opened in 1956 by John Diefenbaker. The original ten-room building was expanded in 1964 to accommodate a growing student population with the addition of a new gym, library, and three new floors of classrooms.

Our school is currently home to 380 students in grades JK to 8. Our student population draws from two attendance areas, with about 70% of our students bused to our school each day. We share our building with a YMCA daycare.

MAC is on a Balanced Day schedule, where students have two nutrition breaks instead of one long lunch hour in the middle of the day.

On the last Friday of each month, students from Kindergarten to Grade 8 are recognized for their academic achievements as well as character traits that make MAC such a great place to be.  Parents, guardians and family members are invited to attend these monthly assemblies. 

Communication Between Home and School

The staff at MAC believes that communication between home and school is very important. Communication is supported through the school website, electronic newsletters, classroom newsletters, planners, phone calls, report cards, and parent/guardian-teacher conferences.

Open communication is essential for student success. The first point of contact should be the classroom teacher. In emergencies or to arrange appointments, contact the main office. For safety reasons, all important information must be communicated through the office.

The Student Planner

The planner helps students organize their time and acts as a communication tool between home and school. It can track assignments, events, and reminders. Replacement costs apply if lost. Use of planners is determined by classroom teachers.

Visiting the School

All visitors must report to the office upon arrival. Doors are locked after 9:00 a.m. For appointments, use the front door buzzer.

Parking

Visitors must park in the staff lot or on the street in front of the school. The front drive is a fire zone and is reserved for buses and accessible transportation.

The YMCA lot east of the school is not available for school use.

Volunteer Requirements

Volunteers are valued at MAC. A Vulnerable Sector Check must be completed and kept on file. Annual offence declarations are required to maintain eligibility.

Parent Portal

Parents can complete forms such as student information, emergency contacts, and consent agreements through the Parent Portal.

Attendance

Absences and Late Arrivals

Parents are responsible for reporting absences or lateness using SchoolMessenger:

Parents must sign students in/out at the office for late arrivals or early pickups.

Leaving School Grounds

Students must remain on school property unless written parental permission is provided.

Illness

Students who are unwell should stay home. If illness occurs at school, parents will be contacted.

Medical Conditions

Parents must inform the school of medical needs. Individual Plans of Care are completed annually.

Medication

Prescription medication requires a completed authorization form:

Authorization for Administration of Prescription Medication

Allergies

The school is nut-aware. Please do not send peanut products or substitutes. Students must not share food.

Asthma

Asthma plans must be completed. Medication authorization may also be required.

Concussions

View Concussion Policy and View Concussion Procedure .

Schools support students recovering from concussions.

Healthy Snack Program

A daily healthy snack program is available, following public health guidelines.

Emergency Drills

Students participate in fire, tornado, and lockdown drills throughout the year.

Temperature Extremes

Outdoor activities may be limited during extreme weather conditions.

Transportation

Inclement Weather

Visit the TVDSB website or My Big Yellow Bus website for delays or cancellations.

Bus Safety Expectations

  • Follow driver instructions
  • Wait safely at stops
  • Remain seated
  • Use respectful language
  • Keep hands and belongings to yourself
  • No food or drink on the bus

Library Learning Commons

Students must care for borrowed books. Replacement costs apply for lost or damaged items.

Ontario Elementary Reporting

Assessment supports student learning. Learn more: Growing Success

Progress reports and report cards are issued throughout the year.

Extra-Curricular Opportunities

Students may participate in sports and clubs. Participation requires adherence to school expectations.

Safe and Accepting Schools

Safe Schools Information

View plans and reporting tools on the Safe Schools page .

Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct outlines expectations for respectful, safe behaviour across the school community.

Standards of Behaviour

  • Respect others and differences
  • Follow school rules and laws
  • Use appropriate language
  • Act responsibly and safely

Consequences

Progressive discipline is used to address inappropriate behaviour.

Dress Code

All schools follow the TVDSB dress code.

Technology Use

Students must use technology responsibly. Internet use is supervised and filtered.

Smoke-Free Environment

Smoking, vaping, and cannabis use are prohibited on school property.

Goal

Our goal is to improve students' flexibility with number and their ability to communicate their thinking.

Objectives

If Educators:

  • improve their pedagogy and knowledge in mathematics
  • maximize learning opportunities and improve achievement for each student in mathematics

Students will:

  • make connections between what they have learned, what they are learning and why, and how it connects to their lives.
  • use problem solving strategies to solve diverse problems.

Measures of Student Achievement and Success At Thames Valley

We believe that assessment and evaluation of student achievement are integral parts of the learning process. Information gathered through assessment and evaluation helps teachers to determine students' strengths and weaknesses in their achievement of the curriculum expectations. It also serves to guide teachers in adapting curriculum and instructional approaches to students' needs and in assessing the overall effectiveness of programs and classroom practices. A variety of methods are used to gauge student progress including:

  • teacher observation
  • classroom tests
  • projects and other examples of student work

For more information on our school's provincial assessment results, visit the Education Quality and Accountability Office.