School Community News

May 2022

• 9th of May: Curriculum day
• 10th of May: School Photos
• Weeks 4 - 6: SSG Meetings
• Weeks 3 - 6: Swimming lessons 
• May 23rd - 27th: School free Dental 

2022 Curriculum Days

• Monday 9th May    
• Friday 10th June 
• Monday 12th December

Developing staff skills and competencies is a critical component of the school’s success.  A culture of continuous school improvement is embedded at the school. 

Please mark these days on your calendar.  Student diaries have these dates noted for your convenience. (Please note 9th May in student diaries)

SCHOOL PHOTOS

Tuesday, May 10th 

Students were handed forms in regards to purchasing school photos last week. Please check communication books in case they have been missed. 

REMINDERS 

Smile Squad Dental  Consent forms 

Smile Squad is a Victorian Government program that will provide free dental care to all Victorian public primary and secondary school students.

The Smile Squad (Dentist) will be attending the school from May 23rd to May 27th for all students that return their Consent Forms.

A dental consent form must be returned today (May 6th.)

Swimming consent forms 

The Swimming in Schools initiative is designed to increase opportunities for students to learn how to swim and ensure they develop lifelong skills in swimming and water safety.

Swimming consent forms need to be returned today, Friday, May 6th as swimming lessons for JSA students begin in Week 3. 

The swimming timetable for Term 2 commencement dates is as below:

• Tuesday, May 10th  - Secondary Years
• Friday, May 13th - Primary Years
• Monday, May 16th - Middle Years

Swimming parent/ carer volunteers needed 

JSA are looking for parent/carer volunteers to come along and support our teachers and students in the upcoming swimming program. Tasks will include providing key positive reinforcement and support with changing clothing before and after their lessons. 

Shortly a letter will be coming home with your child. If you would like to volunteer can you please fill out the form and return it to school. Please note a valid Working with Children’s Check is required.

2022 Parent Curriculum Contributions & other Contributions

Payments and contributions provided by our parent community are an essential component of funding. Areas for which parents may reasonably be invited to make a payment or contribution are:

• Curriculum Contributions are items and activities that students use, or participate in, to access the Curriculum. These include classroom consumables, materials, equipment, digital online subscriptions, software & licences and classroom devices.
• Other Contributions are invited to be made by Parents/Guardians. The voluntary contributions or donations to the school are for maintaining our buildings & grounds, playground and climbing room improvements and extensions. These contributions are donations to JSA and are tax-deductible.

Payment Methods:

1. Online Parent Payments – QKR
2. Direct Deposit
3. EFTPOS (Debit/Credit card)

Please find the links on the school website to the Parent Payment Arrangements for Primary, Middle & Secondary below. Please complete this form and return it to the school by 6th December 2022 so the school can prepare accordingly.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Information for Parents 

Every Victorian child should have access to the world of learning opportunities that exist beyond the classroom. The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund helps ensure that no student will miss out on the opportunity to join their classmates for important, educational and fun activities. It is part of making Victoria the Education State and the Government’s commitment to breaking the link between students' backgrounds and outcomes.

Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund (CSEF)

CSEF funding is an amount that is used for paying for your child’s excursions, incursions, camps or sporting events within the school if you are eligible. To be eligible you need to be the recipient of a Health Care Card in your name (parent/carer).

Applications for 2022 are now open.  Please see attached the application form.  

Payments are:

• $125. Per year for eligible primary school students
• $225. Per year for eligible secondary school students.

If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. A special consideration category also exists for asylum seekers and refugee families. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child. 

How to apply?

If you have applied for the CSEF at Jacana School for Autism in a previous year, you do not need to complete an application form in 2022, unless there has been a change in your family circumstances. 

You will only need to submit an application form in 2022 if any of the following changes have occurred:

• New Student enrolments: your child has started or changed schools in 2022 and you are a current holder of a health care card, or you did not apply at the same school in a previous year.
• Changed family circumstances: such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number.
• New siblings commencing at the school in 2022 

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about CSEF visit:

Annual Vic Police Community Sentiment Survey 

For those who would like to have a voice in this survey, please head to the link provided on the poster below. 

Student Bus Transport

Due to the high volume of traffic currently on the roads, Mee’s buses can be running up to 10 minutes late. 

If buses are running late, please call Mee’s on 9459 3000 and they will be able to indicate bus times.

Student Transport Contact details

Email and contact details for Student Transport are available on the Contacts page of the Jacana School for Autism website.

Change of residential address

A reminder to parents if you are planning to move residence please contact Lauren at transport@jacanaschoolforautism.vic.edu.au or call the school at 9309 6258 and request to speak to Lauren. This will enable the updating of your transport requirements including a change of bus stop &/or bus if needed PRIOR to your move. This will assist you to prepare your child and request assistance from the school if needed to help with the transition.

Book Club