SCHOOL HANDBOOK 2011 - 2012

Stonewall Centennial School Handbook 2011 - 2012 in pdf format

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

MISSION STATEMENT

PROGRAM OF STUDIES – GR. 7 & 8

PROGRAM OF STUDIES – GR. 5 & 6

PROGRESS & EVALUATION

GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING SERVICES

RESOURCE

SCHOOL LIBRARY

SCHOOL PATROLS

EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSURE

AWARDS SYSTEM

STUDENT BEHAVIOURAL EXPECTATIONS

SCHOOL PHONE

CODE OF BEHAVIOUR & DEPORTMENT GUIDELINES ON THE PLAYGROUND

SPECIFIC PLAYGROUND GUIDELINES

 

INTRODUCTION

This agenda book is intended to serve as a guide and source of information for the students and parents of Stonewall Centennial School. We hope it will provide insight into the educational process at our school and that all students will gain some understanding of what will be expected of them at Centennial School.

The staff expects students to record daily assignments, test dates, review schedules and upcoming events in their agenda books. Teachers will check these booklets daily. We expect parents also to check their child's agenda and to initial/sign the book to indicate that the homework is complete. This book is also a valuable communication tool as both teachers and parents are encouraged to write comments as necessary.

MISSION STATEMENT

STONEWALL CENTENNIAL SCHOOL will prepare students to become responsible contributing members of society who respect and accept individual rights and differences. Children will be encouraged to reach their potential and develop into well-rounded individuals through a variety of academic, social and creative experiences.
“Quality Education . . . Quality Citizens”

1. PROGRAM OF STUDIES – GR. 7 & 8 COURSES:

Language Arts

Mathematics

Social Studies

Science

Physical Education/Health

Computer Education/Life Skills

Basic French

Art/Band/Choral

2. PROGRAM OF STUDIES – GR. 5 & 6 COURSES:

Language Arts

Mathematics

Social Studies

Science

Physical Education/Health

Music

Basic French

Art

3. PROGRESS & EVALUATION

Student evaluation is continuous and is based upon:
- assignments completed and handed in
- quality of assignments
- results of regular/frequent tests
- daily work
- comprehensive assessment (Grade 7 & 8)

Progress results for all grades will be reported by percentages. Formal reports are issued three times per year (Nov./Feb./June) and oral teacher/parent interviews are held twice per year.

4. GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING SERVICES

A counselor is available to meet with students and parents to provide assistance in the areas of personal and social development. Services are provided in a wide variety of areas including: family and peer relationships, study skills, anger management, goal setting and referrals to outside agencies.

The guidance counselor implements a peer tutoring program from grades 5 to 8.

5. RESOURCE

Resource staff is available to assist teachers in identifying students with academic problems and to collaborate with teachers to develop programs and instructional strategies to address the needs of these students. Individual and group student assistance is also provided.

6. SCHOOL LIBRARY

The Garry Munson Library is open for student use during regular school times. Students are allowed to borrow fiction or non-fiction books for one school cycle. There is a limit of 2 books at a time. The library will be open daily for student use.

7. SCHOOL PATROLS

School patrols have been set up at designated areas. With the specific school corridors established for student safety, all students are required to cooperate and follow the rules and regulations. When temperatures are below -30 °C with wind-chill, school patrols will not be at their posts.

8. EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSURE

In the event of a severe winter storm and when all buses are unable to transport students, the school will be closed completely to all students. Information is provided in the early morning via various radio stations.

9. AWARDS SYSTEM

Students are duly honoured and acknowledged for their efforts in the total school program. Awards include merit items such as trophies, certificates, medals, school pins, etc. and involve such categories as extra-curricular, athletic endeavours, and scholastic achievement. 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.

10. STUDENT BEHAVIOURAL EXPECTATIONS

A. Attendance

Students are expected to attend school on a regular basis. A parent call back system has been instituted where, because of illness or other circumstances that may necessitate absence, the school (467-5502) is to be contacted by 9:30 A.M. and by 1:00 P.M. In the event no contact has been made, the secretaries will initiate the contact, either at home or at work.
Unconfirmed absence from school will require a note, date and reason stated for the absence.
Tardy students are required to report to the office upon arrival at school.

B. Student Dress

Students are expected to dress in a manner appropriate for school. Clothing that causes disruption and is deemed unsuitable will be prohibited. Too short, too tight, and too revealing clothing is not acceptable school attire. Clothing may not advertise alcohol or tobacco. Jackets are not to be worn during class time and the wearing of hats/caps/toques are not allowed inside the school.

 C. Student Footwear

Students will be required to remove wet or muddy footwear before entering the school, and thus are required to have clean, additional indoor shoes. All shoes must be non-marking (i.e. not leaving visible marks on the floor).

D. Bus Rules

Students are expected to be cooperative, considerate and safety conscious when being transported by school bus. The following should be noted:
(i) Those bus students in Grades 5 & 6 who stay for lunch are required to bring a signed note stating the date and purpose if a parent wishes the student to leave the school grounds at noon hour.
(ii) Students, other than regular bus students, will not be transported on a school division bus unless prior arrangements are made with the bus driver and a note has been provided to the teacher indicating arrangements have been made. Students are reminded they are under the authority of the bus driver and are expected to follow all rules and regulations. Students who refuse to cooperate could forfeit the privilege of riding on the bus.

E. Vandalism & Damage

All students are required to respect public and private property. Any acts of vandalism (eg.: 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.

F. Lockers

School lockers will be allotted to Grade 7 & 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 to seize illegal and dangerous material.

G. Discipline Procedures/Policies

The Interlake School Division and Stonewall Centennial School believe that all students, staff and volunteers should be provided a safe, secure, and welcoming learning and working environment.  To this end:
i) Any student who threatens this safe environment in any way (by abusing and/or harassing others, fighting, bringing weapons to school, etc.) will be dealt with severely.
ii) Verbal abuse, physical abuse, threats, disrespect and/or use of foul language directed to staff and other students will result in a suspension.
iii) Students are not allowed to bring tobacco, lighters, matches, drugs, or alcohol to school. Students caught with any of the above will be suspended.
iv) Students responsible for defacing of property, breakages, destruction of facilities and equipment will be assessed a damage fee.
v) Acts of bullying behaviour will not be tolerated. Bullying differs from ordinary conflict in that there is either a real or perceived imbalance of power so that the victim has trouble defending himself/herself.

1. If a student does not feel they can approach the bully or the bullying does not stop after a request, students should report the situation to a staff member.

2. If normal school procedures including possible peer mediation do not resolve the situation to the satisfaction of the victim, or the school, the victim with the help of a staff member shall compose a letter to the bully. This letter will include:
i) What has happened including when, where and how often
ii) How it made the victim feel
iii) A request that the behaviour stop
iv) The school retains a copy of the letter and this fact is noted in the letter. The parents of the bully are made aware of the letter. The letter will be hand delivered to the bully by a staff member.

3. The school will determine what disciplinary action is necessary if the bullying continues. A report will be made to the parents of the children involved immediately if there is any reoccurrence of the bullying.

4. If the situation continues or bullying behaviour reoccurs with other victims, the school may choose to deal with the bully in one or more of the following ways:
i) Referral to school guidance counsellor followed by suspension; referral to school board authorities.
ii) Referral for psychological assessment, if necessary.
iii) Police report.

 Where the school discipline code has been violated, a variety of intervention techniques may be employed - teacher/student conference, teacher/student/administrator conference, parent contact, teacher/student/parent conference, removal from class, detention, suspension from extra-curricular activities, referral to guidance/ community services, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension or expulsion.

11. SCHOOL PHONE

There is a phone for student use in the main hallway. Long distance calls to parents are allowed in the office. No cellular phones are allowed at school.

12. CODE OF BEHAVIOUR & DEPORTMENT GUIDELINES ON THE PLAYGROUND

All students and staff should foster safety and the proper atmosphere for the pursuit of learning. This can best be achieved through respect and a sense of caring for others. Student attitudes and behaviour will shape the school's environment. The following reminders are to serve as our guide.
i) Be CONSIDERATE
ii) Be SAFE
iii) Be PROUD
iv) Be RESPECTFUL
v) Be CARING
vi) Be COOPERATIVE
vii) Be PROMPT
viii) Be ALERT
ix) Be COURTEOUS
x) Be RESPONSIBLE
xi) Be an ACTIVE PARTICIPANT
xii) Be PLEASANT

SPECIFIC PLAYGROUND GUIDELINES

a) No hitting, roughing, fighting and physical abuse is to take place. No play fighting, piggyback type of play, etc. is to be tolerated.

b) No throwing of objects such as snowballs, ice, rocks, etc.

c) No "tackle" sports are to take place.

d) Students are not to play around the immediate vicinity of the windows/doors of the school and around the hut and parking lot.

e) Students are to utilize the "full" playground and not "congregate" in only a specific area.

f) No playing or being on snow hills.

g) No name calling or put downs.