At all times the safety of staff and students are our utmost priority.  It may be necessary at any time to place the school in a Lockdown or Hold and Secure position.  In order to be ready for these situations, we hold regular practices in the school for each, as we do for Fire Drills, also.

Lockdown A lockdown is an emergency situation, which prevents the safe evacuation of a school building and requires steps to isolate students and staff from danger by requiring everyone to remain inside the building. In all lockdowns staff establish communication with police, contact security, alert our communications department, call the Safe Schools Office and provide a crisis report as soon as possible.

Lockdown Practice  During lockdown practice we post a note on the door.  Procedures for practice are the same as if  we were experiencing a lockdown.  Office staff cannot answer the phone or open the doors.  Lockdown practices are also not told to staff, parents or students in advance.  If your child arrives to school during a lockdown practice your child will not be admitted to the school until the practice is over.  For safety, your child is to vacate the school premises, go to the nearest store or restaurant and wait.  Lockdown practices are usually no longer than 20 minutes in length.  Your child can return to the school then and be admitted to the school.  If you are trying to reach the office during this time, please leave a message and your call will be returned once the practice is complete. 

Visiting the VMA

Parents are always welcome at the Downtown Vocal Music Academy.  Upon entry to the school please visit the main office to check in.  Office staff will be happy to assist you with your needs.  

Parents who are dropping off or picking up their child must remain in the yard.  At entry time teachers will come to greet the students and lead them to their classrooms.  At the end of the day students will be released into the yard to their parents.  Supervision is provided in the school yard from 8:30-8:45am and again at 3:30-3:45pm.  If your child arrives early to school they may enter the cafeteria for our Breakfast Program.  This program opens at 8:15am.  Please see "Nutrition Program" page for more specific information on the Breakfast Program.

Arriving Late to School

Students arriving late to school must check in at the office to receive a late slip.  Students will not be permitted to class without a late slip. 

Absent from School

If your child will not be attending school for all or part of the day please advise the office by calling 416-393-1336.  This is our Safe Arrival Line and is open 24 hours.  Leave a message with the following information: child's name, child's classroom number and/or teacher name, date, and reason for the absence. 

For TDSB school wide policies, please visit the link below:

Toronto District School Board Index of Policies and Procedures > 

Inclement Weather Policy

Please be aware of the following weather policies.  If your child is too sick to go outside for recess, for your child's safety, please keep your child home.  Supervision during recess time will only be available outside (unless weather falls under one of the policies below).  We apologize for any inconvenience.

Conditions warranting indoor recesses:

(a) Rain, thunderstorms, lightning, hail, extreme winds and extreme cold.

(b) Cold weather: When temperature and/or windchill factor indicates -28C or lower children

will remain indoors due to risk of frostnip and frostbite.

When temperature and/or windchill factor indicates –20 to –28C, recesses may be shortened

to 10 minutes and lunch recess be 20 minutes depending on local conditions. Children

should be monitored closely for signs of frostnip, frostbite or difficulty breathing.

Severe Weather Policy

-click here.