SLA Family Guide 2026–27

SLA Family Portal app

Your one stop for grades, attendance, report cards, calendars, permission forms, and uniform and lunch orders.

• Search Sandy Lake Academy in the App Store or Google Play and install it.
• Log in with the same Family Portal (FACTS) account you used for your enrollment packet. You only need to sign in once every 30 days.
• Tap Calendar in the app for upcoming events and holidays.

Can't get in? Email Miss Jill at jillk@sandylakeacademy.ca.

Remind text alerts

Same-day school notices arrive by text or push notification. Homeroom teachers run their own class groups too, so ask them for the class code.

Smartphone

Open rmd.at/k7ha94 and follow the prompts.

Text only

Text @k7ha94 to (778) 402-6346.

Email only

Visit rmd.at/k7ha94 on a computer.

Google Classroom & student accounts

Teachers post work and updates in Google Classroom. Accept the class invitations sent to your email, and make sure your child can sign in to their SLA Google account.

Track It Forward for service hours

All service hours are logged here and appear on the student transcript. Contact Mrs. Goodhall at office@sandylakeacademy.ca for access.

Report an absence

By 8:25 AM the same day. Call (902) 835-8548 (voicemail is fine) or email Mrs. Goodhall at office@sandylakeacademy.ca. You may also copy the homeroom teacher.

Include:

• Your name
• Student's name (spell the last name)
• Date(s) of absence
• Reason

Planned extended absence? Contact the principal and teachers at least one week ahead, and read the discretionary vacation & homework policy.

When a student is sick

• Students with a contagious illness stay home to rest and return when well and non-infectious.
• Report the absence to Mrs. Goodhall and the teacher(s).
• If your child becomes ill at school, the office will call you to pick them up and provide interim care.
• Allergies and health devices (inhaler, EpiPen): list them in the enrollment packet, keep the profile updated, and tell the office and homeroom teacher directly.

School hours

Mon–Thu

8:15 AM – 3:35 PM

Friday

8:15 AM – 12:00 PM

Supervision

8:00–8:15 AM and 15–30 min after dismissal

Casual day

First Thursday of each month (Loonie Casual Day)

Parking lot & drop-off

• Follow the painted markings and keep your speed down.
• The lane in front of the school is for bad weather only, when the cones are removed.
• Report any issues to the principal.

Uniforms, lunches & fees

• Order uniforms and hot lunches through the Family Portal app. Uniform ordering questions go to Miss Jill.
• Used uniforms: ask Mrs. Goodhall at the office.
• Tuition is invoiced on the first business day of each month for 10 months. Full payment at registration earns a 2% discount.

Supply lists

Attendance

Regular attendance is tied to academic credit. Absences are excused only when a parent confirms an appropriate reason.

• 3 tardies = 1 unexcused absence.
• Arriving 15+ minutes late to a class also counts as an unexcused absence.
• Poor attendance can put credits at risk.

Dress code

Rooted in cleanliness, order, modesty and godliness. Proper uniform is a student's ticket into class during regular school hours.

• Out of uniform? The office provides items for a fee.
• Casual days: first Thursday of each month, plus days announced by the office. General dress code still applies.

New for 2026: uniform items clarified and simplified · only stud earrings permitted · exceptions for field trips, events and club days.

Smartphones & headphones

Personal devices are not used during school hours (8–4 Mon–Thu, 8–12:30 Fri).

• Phones stay in lockers or backpacks, out of sight.
• Emergencies: students may ask the front office to use their phone there.
• Confiscated phones are picked up by a parent.
• New this year: only wired headphones. Earbuds are not permitted.

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

Students in grades 7–12 may use a personal laptop or tablet for schoolwork once the device is enrolled. The policy applies during school hours and at school events on or off campus.

To enroll a device, complete the BYOD sign-up form in the Family Portal app or ask the office.

Service hours

"Service Above Self" is the school motto, and service hours are part of every 7–12 student's responsibilities.

Grades 7–8

20 hours per year

Grades 9–12

40 hours per year

Mission trips, clubs, event volunteering, A/V and praise team, and community service all count. Not sure if something qualifies? Ask Mr. Waite. Log hours in Track It Forward.

Lunch off campus & student drivers

Grade 10–12 students may leave campus at lunch once these are in place:

• A parent has completed the Lunch Off Campus and Driver Permission Form (ask the front office).
• The student signs out and back in at the front office.
• The student is back in time for 6th period. Late returns lose the privilege.

Students staying on campus eat in one of the designated classrooms.

Grading & assessment

How grades are calculated, how late work and reassessments are handled, and what Nova Scotia requires for graduation.

Year-end awards

Academic Excellence awards for grades 6–12: Principal's (91%+ in every subject), High Honours (91%+ average, nothing below 75%), Honours (85%+ average, nothing below 75%).

Scholarships and recognition include Service Above Self, Budding Artist, Music Recognition, HRM Citizenship, Okimi ($1,000), Caring Heart, O'Dell, Miss Stanley, Dale Bennett, Don & Rose Slaunwhite ($1,000), Shirley E. Roper, and Max & Goldie Mercer ($2,500). Full criteria are on pages 13–16 of the handbook.

NEWSTART

The whole-person framework behind our mission, "Educating the whole person to the glory of God":

Nutrition · Exercise · Water · Sunlight · Temperance · Air · Rest · Trust in God