Balmoral Elementary School Handbook 2011 - 2012 in pdf format
INTERLAKE SCHOOL DIVISION CODE OF CONDUCT
RULES FOR TRANSPORTED STUDENTS
Balmoral Elementary School will work:
- to provide a safe, caring environment which enables each student to
achieve his/her potential
- to promote positive relationships
- to encourage students to be responsible, self-disciplined members of
society
- to develop an awareness of and respect for all people
Balmoral School offers the entire prescribed curriculum established by Manitoba Education and Training. This includes Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Music, Art, French, Physical Education/Health and Literacy (ICT). We also offer Band to students in Grade 6 – 8 and Life Skills to our Grade 8 students. The Life Skills program of cooking, drafting and woodworking takes place at Teulon Collegiate for the grade 8’s.
Balmoral School has opened its doors for a before and after school program. This program is in conjunction with Teulon Daycare before and after school program. If you have any questions or would like more information please contact the Teulon Daycare at 886-2409.
Our resource teacher works with individuals or groups of students developing individual or adapted programs. If you have some academic concerns, please contact the classroom teacher and they will forward a referral to the resource department.
Our school counselor (50% Guidance) works with individuals and small groups of students, as well as teaching classroom based guidance classes.
The school’s psychologist is available to assess student’s needs.
This program is available under the direction of the divisional physiotherapist and occupational therapist.
Two divisional social work clinicians are available as home/school liason.
Speech/Language assistance is a program designed to assist students with speech articulation and is implemented under the direction of the divisional speech pathologist.
The Interlake Reading Intervention Strategies (IRIS) program is designed to assist some Grade one students with their reading. Students are selected for the program after assessment by the Grade one teacher using the Marie Clay Observation Survey. The small group program is taught by the resource teacher and trained educational assistant in order to improve the reading skills of the selected students.
The Interlake School Division Student Code of Conduct is written with the intent of improving and maintaining appropriate student behaviour throughout the division and in all areas of a student’s life. This document outlines the expectations of the Interlake School Division, the responsibilities of all stakeholders in fulfilling these expectations and the ways in which schools can assist students in adhering to the Code of Conduct. It is all-encompassing and does not refer to specific situations. Instead, it is a guide which gives ideals and methodologies that will pertain to situations which may occur. Students are expected to fulfil the Division’s expectations, parents are encouraged to support the Code of Conduct, and school staffs are expected to promote and encourage positive behaviour whenever possible.
To support this procedure, schools will develop and implement a code of behaviour consistent with the divisional Code of Conduct objectives, will review it annually, and will revise it as required.
As policy and procedures cannot cover all possible circumstances, some
discretion should be used by administrators with consideration given to
the age of the child and special circumstances surrounding an incident.
Notwithstanding the above, violent incidences will receive serious
consequences and no violent incident shall be ignored. Cumulative or
multiple offences by the same student will be taken into account when
administering the consequences outlined in this document.
The Student Code of Conduct consists of the expectations that are set forth by the Interlake School Division with regard to the behaviour of all students. Thus, this document is based on the following expectations as set forth by the Division and subsequently goes on to include ways in which all stakeholders can assist in meeting these goals.
Every student shall conduct him/herself with:
. Academic and social responsibility.
. Respect for the rights and values of others.
. Respect for property.
. Responsibility for the safety of themselves and others.
In addition, the following actions will not be tolerated:
• Bullying or abusing physically, sexually, or psychologically, orally,
in writing, electronically (Cyber-Bullying) or otherwise.
• Discriminating unreasonably on the basis of any characteristic.
• Gang involvement of any kind.
• Inappropriate use of the Internet and electronic mail.
While students are expected to behave in a positive manner at all times, they are not expected to accomplish the above goals alone. All caregivers have a part in the teaching of appropriate student conduct and thus, through a combination of personal responsibility, positive behaviour support and consequences, the Division’s expectations can be met. The following diagram illustrates this concept:
Everyone in a school division has responsibilities with regard to fulfilling the Division’s expectations. Accordingly, each stakeholder’s responsibilities with regard to the Interlake School Division Student Code of Conduct are listed below. It is expected that every person shall do his or her best at all times to uphold their own particular responsibilities so that the school division as a whole will be a safe and positive environment.
Students are expected to:
• Attend classes and be punctual.
• Follow the rules of conduct established by the school and the
expectations of the Interlake School Division.
• Support a positive and safe school climate.
• Respect all persons and property.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to:
• Take an active role in their children’s learning in ways such as
attending meetings or assisting with homework if necessary.
• Ensure that their children follow the school rules of conduct and the
expectations of the Interlake School Division.
• Reinforce respectful language and behaviour, appropriate dress and
respect for all persons and property
Staff members are expected to:
• Promote a safe school environment.
• Promote a positive atmosphere and pride in the school and school
activities.
• Encourage respectful language, appropriate dress and regards for
others.
• Inform students and parents/guardians of the school rules of conduct
and the expectations of the Division.
• Assist students in learning and maintaining appropriate behaviour.
While it is expected that students will endeavour to fulfill their
responsibilities with regard to appropriate behaviour at all times, it
is recognized that assistance, practice, and correction are also
necessary in the development of contributing members of society and of
children in particular. Therefore, whenever possible, staff members are
expected to use positive behaviour support strategies that are designed
to teach and reinforce good behaviour. Some examples of positive
behaviour support strategies are as follows:
• Student-developed plan for changing behaviour in the future.
• Student- developed plan for alternative response to peers with teacher
and counsellor.
• Participation in conflict resolution.
• Participation in anger management sessions.
• Oral or written demonstration of understanding of rules and behaviour
expectations in specific area of concern.
• Participate in anti-bullying or bullying prevention activities
• Student-developed plan for long or short term course completion.
• Peer/helping/mentoring
Many other positive behaviour support strategies exist or can be created by schools in an effort to teach and assist students in learning and maintaining appropriate behaviour. Schools are encouraged to employ methodologies of this nature, but must ensure that consequences are appropriate and meaningful. Schools will also make expectations of students clear to all, and shall therefore develop individual school codes of conduct that use this document as an overall guide.
It is also recognized that there are times when positive behaviour support may be inadequate or inappropriate to certain situations and that additional consequences may be necessary. At those times, positive behaviour support strategies may be combined or substituted for one or more of the following:
Alternatives to suspension:
Examples of suspension alternative include such strategies as:
• Consequences options such as loss of recess, break time or other
privileges
• Isolated setting for limited period of time
• Time missed made up at other free times
• Socially responsible activities such as area clean-up
• Restitution for damages to physical property
Again, many more alternatives to suspension exist or can be created and schools are encouraged to employ such methods. However, alternatives to suspension must be appropriate to the situation and have as their goal the promotion of positive behaviour.
Suspension should be considered for one or more of the following
reasons:
• The infraction is of a serious enough nature that behaviour support
strategies and alternatives to suspension alone would be insufficient or
inappropriate.
• The incident has safety issues and removal from school is a practical
action in a given situation.
• Incidents have become cumulative in nature and other methods have thus
far been ineffective.
If either or any of the above circumstances exist, suspension should be
used in one of the following forms:
• In-school suspension at the discretion of the administrator.
• Teacher suspension from class for up to two school days – Manitoba
Regulation 68/97, Public Schools Act 40.3(1).
• Administrator suspension from school for up to five school days –
Manitoba Regulation 68/97, Public Schools Act 40.5(2).
• Superintendent suspension from school for up to six weeks – Manitoba
Regulation 68/97, Public Schools Act 40.6. This will occur by request,
in writing, by the principal of the school to the superintendent.
• The Board may suspend a student for an extended period or expel upon
the recommendation of the superintendent.
• When students are suspended from school, they are also suspended from
any school-sponsored activities that occur in any school or on any
grounds in the division during school hours and any school-sponsored
activity regardless of venue (i.e. hockey rink).
The following actions will result in consequences ranging from a minimum
5- day up to 6-week suspension, including expulsion. Exceptions will be
cases that require administrators to consider the age of the student or
special circumstances that may be present.
• Possession or use of drugs, drug paraphernalia or alcohol.
• Possession or use of weapons.
Notification of a suspension shall be made to:
• The Superintendents Department using the Notification of Suspension
form D-4(R3-F1) along with a copy of the letter to the parent. In cases
where the suspension involves a violent incident a Violent Incident
Report Form D-4(R3-F2) will also be completed and submitted.
• The parent/guardian and to the student if the student is an adult,
verbally and then by letter.
• The letter to the parent shall contain the following information:
• Duration, beginning and ending dates of suspension.
• A description of the conduct for which the student was suspended.
• Any other extenuating circumstances which may exist.
• An explanation of what a school suspension encompasses [refer to
5.2(f)]
• An appeal of a suspension of five (5) days or less shall only be heard by the school principal.
• An appeal of a suspension greater than five (5) days shall be heard by the Interlake School Division Board of Trustees.
• The student will be required to remain out of school for the duration of the suspension or until the appeal is satisfied.
It is recognized that special education students sometimes act in inappropriate ways due to the nature of their disability or their impaired emotional state. Accordingly, principals are expected to have knowledge of these special circumstances and to employ support strategies or use consequences that are appropriate for the situation. If behaviour plans and IEPs are in place for certain students, principals should act in accordance with these pre- arranged plans.
Further to suspension is the act of expulsion. Expulsion will be used in the Interlake School Division in extreme situations and may only be invoked by the Board of Trustees. Expulsion will be considered by the Superintendent in consultation with the school administrator and possibly the Student Services Department and given to the Board as a recommendation. The Board of Trustees will then hold a Hearing for Expulsion which may be attended by the student and his or her guardians and legal counsel if desired. The Board shall rule on the decision and inform the student and guardians after all discussions ensue. The decision of the Interlake School Division Board of Trustees shall be final.
Parents and visitors are always welcome at the school and we look forward to seeing many guests visiting on a regular basis. For the safety and security of all students and staff, we request that you report to the office before proceeding to the classrooms.
1. Students shall obey the driver promptly and respectfully. The driver is in full charge of the conduct of students on the school bus.
2. Students shall be held responsible for the condition of their seats. The driver has the authority to assign seats.
3. Students shall be at their designated stop five minutes prior to scheduled bus arrival time. (The bus shall wait if ahead of schedule.) Students shall follow all road safety rules.
4. Classroom conduct is to be observed. Students shall sit facing forward, and shall not stand or move about the bus while the vehicle is in motion. Ordinary conversation is appropriate. Loud or vulgar language will not be tolerated.
5. Students shall not throw garbage on the floor of the bus or out of the windows.
6. a) Students shall not get on or off the bus except at designated points unless a note signed by their parents(s)/guardians or school office requesting a different stop has been given to the driver.
b) Extra students may only be transported at the discretion of the bus driver and will be transported only with prior approval of the driver.
7. Students shall not eat or drink on the bus unless permission has been granted by the driver and/or supervising teacher.
8. Carry on items for regular school programs must be transported safely
and shall ONLY be carried
with the permission of the driver.
The following guidelines are designed to provide a framework for an orderly and safe school environment.
1. Absentee Call-in Procedure: If your child is going to be absent, you should inform the school by phoning 467-2501 prior to 9:00 a.m. If the school has not received a phone call by 9:30 a.m., we will try to contact the parents.
2. Accident Procedures: Any child who receives a minor
scrape, cut or bruise will be attended to by our staff. Should a child
receive a more serious injury, the following procedure is followed:
a) Parents/Guardians or the designated emergency contact person will be
phoned. If possible they will transport the student to the family doctor
or hospital.
b) Should we feel that an ambulance is required, we will not hesitate to
call one.
3. Awards System: Students are regularly honoured for their achievements at weekly assemblies. The Divisional Award of Excellence is awarded to students who have achieved a minimum 90% average in the core subject areas. Honour rolls are displayed and “honour certificates” are awarded to students who achieve a minimum 80% average in the core subject areas.
4. Bicycles: Although racks are provided, students bring their bikes at their own risk. Bicycles that are brought to school must be parked in the racks in the designated areas provided. They are not to be used on School grounds at any time during the school day.
5. Community Use of Facilities: The facilities of Balmoral Elementary School are available for community groups for such purposes as recreational activity and meetings. Bookings may be arranged on an occasional or regular basis at the division office. There is a policy of no smoking on school division property.
6. Dress Code: Short skirts or shorts, halter tops, crop tops or extremely low rise pants are not considered appropriate dress for school. Spaghetti or thin straps are not allowed and students’ undergarments must be covered by tops and pants at all times. Shirts must cover student’s mid-section. Hats, caps, or other head coverings are not to be worn in the school. Outer wear must not be worn in classrooms and indoor shoes are to be worn at all times in the building. Two pairs of shoes are required, one pair to be worn outside. Only non-marking shoes are allowed for inside the school. Any clothing depicting drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or inappropriate language is not allowed.
7. Electronic Devices: (e.g. cell phones, MP3
players, iPods, etc.) The schools in the Interlake School division
recognize that it may be necessary for students to be in possession of
electronic devices for personal use or for communication with family.
However, the educational integrity of the school and privacy of others
must be protected at all times; therefore, the following conditions will
apply:
- All electronic devices must be turned off and stored when the student
arrives at school. Electronic devices used for listening to personal
music may only be used in specific circumstances with teacher/school
permission.
- During school outings, field trips, or after-school activities,
permission to use electronic devices must be given by the staff member
in charge.
- The school assumes NO RESPONSIBILITY in any
circumstances for the loss, destruction, or theft of an electronic
device brought to school or to any school-related activity. Should an
electronic device be confiscated by the teacher or administrator a
parent/guardian will have to come to school to pick it up.
8. Emergency Contact Alternate: In the event we are unable to contact the parents or guardian, the school administration requests that all parents leave the name and phone number of someone to contact in the event of sudden illness, accident or other emergency situation. This may or may not be the same person that is your “storm day” alternate.
Please update phone numbers if they should change throughout the year.
9. Fees:
Agendas $ 8.00
Classroom fee $35.00 Art $15.00
Lifeskills $30.00
10. Field Trips: During the school year, classes may participate in field trips. You will be notified of impending trips and costs involved.
11. Fire Drills: The school is evacuated at least 10 times during the year to familiarize the students with fire procedures. This necessitates that students wear shoes at all times.
12. Gum and sunflower seeds are not allowed at school or any aerosol cans.
13. Illness and Communicable Diseases: We expect students to go outside for activity breaks. If students are too sick to go outside, they are probably not well enough to be at school. Occasionally, we find that cases of communicable diseases occur in the school, (e.g. lice, pink eye). When we discover such cases, we immediately inform the parents. If the presence of lice has been detected, a letter will be sent home notifying parents to check their children. Students are welcome to return once they have been treated. When a case of chicken pox occurs, children can attend school as long as they feel well enough to partake in activities.
14. Leaving School Grounds: Grade 7 + 8 students are
allowed to leave the school premises at the second
Nutrition Break (1:05 – 2 p.m.) providing they have a note from their
parents granting permission. Grades 1 to 6 will remain at school. Should
problems occur this privilege will be revoked.
15. Lockers: School lockers will be allocated to Grade
8 students. Students are expected to utilize
combination locks and lockers are to be locked at all times. Lockers are
school property and the school reserves the right to search lockers and
seize illegal or dangerous material.
16. Lost and Found: The lost and found box is located
by the back door. Unclaimed items will be sent to
appropriate agencies at the end of each month.
17. Medication: Prescription medicine may be
administered by the principal (or designate) if:
a) written permission is given by a parent/guardian
b) the medication is in an official container from a pharmacy stating
the child’s name, the drug’s name and the dosage to be given
All medication will be stored in the office.
18. Notes from Home: Notes from home are required for
the following:
a) to stay in during outdoor activity breaks
b) for Grade 7 and 8 students wanting to leave the school grounds during
school hours
c) to leave school before dismissal
d) to give permission for a student to be picked up by someone other
than a parent/guardian
e) to change buses
19. Outdoor Activity: will take place on breaks, out-of-doors whenever possible. When the weather is questionable, the principal or a staff member will contact Environment Canada Weather Office and determine the “wind-chill” at the time. Outdoor breaks will not take place if the wind-chill is at or below –25 C.
20. Outdoor supervision will be provided from 8:25 – 8:50 a.m., 11:00 – 11:25 a.m. & 1:25 – 2:00 p.m
21. Picking up Students: Please report to the office first and your child will be called to the office. We will not send students outside of the building to meet parents/guardians.
22. Reporting Periods: All students will receive reports in November, March and June. Middle Years results are reported as percentages. Portfolio Night and student led conferences are held in April.
23. School Schedule-Balanced Day
8:25 - Buses arrive/doors open
8:40-8:50 - Students walk outside (weather permitting) or in
hallways
8:50 - Students enter building
9:00 - Opening Exercises
9:00-10:40 - Block I Learning
10:40-11:00 - First Nutrition Break
11:00-11:25 - Outdoor Activity Grade 1-6 ,7+8 Activity (gym or
outdoors)
11:25 - 1:05 - Block II Learning
1:05 - 1:25 - Nutrition Break
1:25 - 2:00 - Outdoor Activity Break
2:00 - 3:40 - Block III Learning
3:45 - Bus students dismissed
4:00 - Town students dismissed
24. Storm Day Procedure:
1. Parents are requested to listen to the radio early in the morning on
stormy days to determine whether the school will be closed for that day.
If school is closed, the buses will not run.
2. If it should become necessary to close the school and send the
students home early, we ask that parents be sure the school has the name
of a person (preferably on the same bus route), to whom we can sent
their child in case parents are not home.
3. Schools will be closed if the temperature is below - 40 C or wind
chill is - 45 C.
25. Student Evaluation: Students are evaluated on a continuous basis using observation, daily assignments, test/exam results, participation in class, notebooks, and special projects.
26. Use of School Phone: Students will be allowed to use the school phone only with the classroom teacher’s permission.
27. Vandalism and Damage: All students are required to respect public and private property. And acts of vandalism (e.g.: writing on desks, books, walls etc.) and/or loss of a supplied text/library books or damage to school property will be dealt with accordingly and restitution shall be required.
28. Volunteers are needed during the year to assist in various school activities. Your support will make Balmoral School a better place for your child. A Criminal Record Search and Child Abuse Registry check is required by all volunteers in the Interlake School Division.
29. Visitors: Parents and visitors are always welcome at the school. For the safety and security of all students and staff, we request that you report to the office before proceeding to the classroom.