About Us

Welcome to our school! Please explore our website to learn more about the many exciting programs and helpful supports we offer. More details will be added to this page soon.

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

Welcome to Straffordville Public School, proudly located in the beautiful village of Straffordville within the Municipality of Bayham in Elgin County.

Our school serves approximately 320 students from Kindergarten to Grade 8. We are fortunate to be part of a close-knit and diverse community, with many families of Mennonite heritage. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every student and family feels welcomed, respected, and valued.

At Straffordville Public School, our dedicated staff work collaboratively to provide a positive, safe, and engaging learning environment while maintaining high expectations for student achievement, character, and behaviour. In addition to strong classroom instruction, we offer a variety of extracurricular sports teams, clubs, and activities that help students build skills, develop leadership, and stay connected to our school community.

We are fortunate to have a supportive parent community that contributes to the success of our school through volunteerism, involvement in school activities, and participation on our School Council. These partnerships play an important role in enriching the educational experiences of our students.

This year, our school improvement goals focus on strengthening students' ability to work flexibly with numbers and communicate their mathematical thinking, while also improving reading fluency and accuracy in decoding. Through focused instruction and collaborative learning opportunities, we are committed to helping every student achieve success.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about our school. We are proud of our students, staff, and families, and we look forward to continuing to learn and grow together.

Welcome to Straffordville Public School, a great place to learn, belong, and succeed.

Absence, Late Arrival, or Early Pickup

Regular and punctual attendance is important for student success. Parents/guardians are responsible for ensuring their child’s safe arrival and must report absences or late arrivals.

TVDSB uses the Safe Arrival system. Report absences by phone at 1-844-305-3756 or through the SafeArrival app (App Store or Google Play).

Parents/guardians must sign students in/out at the office. Written permissionHere is a **fully accessible, semantic HTML version** of your content.

Absence, Late Arrival, or Early Pickup

Regular and punctual attendance is important for student success. Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring their child's safe arrival and reporting absences.

Use the SafeArrival system by phone (1-844-305-3756) or mobile app. If no report is received, the school will contact emergency contacts.

Parents must sign students in/out at the office. Written permission is required if someone else is picking up a student.

Parent Portal

Parents and guardians can complete authorization forms through the Parent Portal. Please ensure you have access.

Communication Between Home and School

Communication methods include conferences, phone calls, planner notes, and the school website/calendar. Contact the school with any questions.

Telephone Use

Students require permission to use the phone. Calls during class are for emergencies only. Routine messages should be arranged before school.

Visitors to the School

All visitors must report to the office and sign in. Doors are locked after 9:00 a.m. Visitors must sign out when leaving.

Parking

Use designated parking areas. The front loop is for drop-off only and is a fire route. Do not park there.

Volunteering

We welcome volunteers. Opportunities include:

Library support
Reading with students
School Council participation
Snack program assistance
Classroom support
Field trips

Illness at School

Students who are ill will be made comfortable while parents are contacted. Emergency services may be used if necessary.

Head Lice

Live lice must be found to confirm a case. Follow proper treatment guidelines and check all family members if needed.

How to Remove Nits

Remove nits manually using fingernails
Only treat if live lice are found
Wash bedding in hot water
Excessive cleaning is not required

Medical Conditions

Parents must inform the school of medical conditions. Complete an Individual Plan of Care (IPOC) for serious conditions.

Medication forms must be completed and signed by a medical professional.

Allergies

This is a nut-free school. Do not send peanut products or substitutes. Contact the teacher before sending any shared food.

Healthy Food Programs

The school provides a healthy snack program. Students may also purchase pizza, milk, or yogurt.

Emergency Drills

Fire, severe weather, and lockdown drills are conducted regularly to ensure student safety.

Transportation and Weather

For updates, visit TVDSB website or My Big Yellow Bus.

Bus Safety Expectations

Follow driver instructions
Remain seated
Keep aisles clear
Use respectful language
No food or garbage on the bus

Reporting and Assessment

Students receive progress reports and report cards throughout the year. Parents are asked to review and return signed sections.

Safe and Accepting School

Bullying prevention information is available on the school website. Bullying can also be reported anonymously online.

Photographs

Student photos are taken annually for records. A class photo is provided to each student.

Locks and Lockers

Lockers are assigned in Grade 5–8. Locks are not permitted.

Physical Education

Students must bring indoor running shoes. Appropriate gym clothing is required.

Cell Phones and Devices

Devices are not allowed during class or breaks unless permitted. The school is not responsible for lost or damaged devices.

Tobacco and Cannabis Policy

Smoking and vaping are prohibited on school property and within 20 metres.

Dress Code

Students may express identity through dress. All students must feel safe and included.

View Dress Code Guidelines

Scent-Reduced School

Please avoid perfumes and strong scents to support student and staff health.