Stony Mountain School Handbook 2011 - 2012 in pdf format
Interlake School Division Student Code of Conduct
Welcome to the 2011-2012 school year at Stony Mountain School. Hopefully during this past summer you have had the opportunity to rest and re-energize for what promises to be an outstanding school year.
At Stony Mountain school we believe:
EVERYONE is unique and has a contribution to make.
EVERYONE has strengths, which must be nurtured and supported.
EVERYONE has the right to be respected and the responsibility to respect others.
Working together and building relationships with students, parents, and staff is our goal. We believe educating students is everyone’s responsibility and by working as a team we will make the best possible situation for all students.
Mrs. S. Gustafson - Principal
Mr. J. Loochuk - Vice-Principal
To enable each student to realize his/her full potential as a contributing and responsible member of society.
While fostering a positive and creative climate for learning, the staff will work to:
1. Develop a positive self-concept in students.
2. Develop in each student, the ability to think critically, read, communicate, and compute.
3. Encourage each student to adopt a healthy lifestyle, which will enable him/her to become a valuable contributing member of society.
4. Develop in each student understanding, tolerance, and a sense of responsibility towards others.
5. Cultivate interests in each student that may be the basis for personal development and leisure pursuits.
Each year our school develops a school plan of two or three goals that we would like to develop throughout the year. Input is requested from all staff members, parents, and students. If you would like to work on a goal committee look for the information in the fall school newsletter. It is important that parents take an active part in assisting to develop the plan.
Stony Mountain School offers the prescribed curriculum established by Manitoba Education and Training. This includes Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Music, Art, French, Physical Education/Health, and integration of Computer Technology. We also offer Clothing and Textiles to our Grade 7 students and Life Skills to our Grade 8 students. This Life Skills component of Drafting, Woodworking, and Cooking is held at TCI. We also offer Choral and Art in Grades 6-8. Besides these regular programs, we also offer the following on a referral basis:
Our resource teachers work with individual or groups of students developing individual, adapted, or modified programs. If you have some academic concerns, please contact the classroom teacher and they will forward a referral to the resource department.
Mrs. B. Darragh is our school counselor for 50% time. Mrs. Darragh teaches classroom based guidance classes and works with individual or small groups of students. Please contact Mrs. Darragh directly if you require counseling services.
Mrs. J. Kurnell is our Reading Recovery teacher 20 % of each day. This program assists Grade 1 students experiencing difficulty with reading. Students will be referred by their classroom teacher for a 30-minute daily individual lesson with Mrs. Kurnell.
The school’s psychologist is available for academic testing. The school support team will request services when needed.
Our school social worker is Vicky Brzuskiewicz. The school may contact a parent about a referral to our social worker or parents can contact Vicky directly at 461-0650.
This program is available under the direction of the divisional physiotherapist and occupational therapist.
Speech/Language assistance is a program designed to assist students with speech and articulation and is implemented under the direction of the divisional speech pathologist.
Playground Activity Leaders in Schools (P.A.L.S.) is a playground leadership program that encourages all children to participate in playground activities at outdoor activity time regardless of their gender, size, or ability. School staff supervises the program at our school. Students from Grades 4 to 6 are selected to act as leaders to plan and lead fun, safe activities on the playground. They also receive mediation training to assist primary students to deal with conflict on the playground.
In Grades 7 and 8, formal assessments will be conducted in the four (4) core subject areas. They will be administered according to the following schedule:
February 7 - Social Studies Assessment
February 9 - Science Assessment
May 14 -17 - Language Arts Assessment
June 14 & 15 - Mathematics Assessment
Formal assessments shall count for twenty percent (20%) of the total course mark. Exams shall be no more than two (2) hours in duration.
Goal: To nurture in students a strong sense of self-respect, personal responsibility, and respect for others.
• Develop awareness of your strengths
• Develop awareness of your area for growth and development
• Feel good about yourself and be confident
• Speak respectfully
• Attend school regularly and arrive on time
• Be prepared to learn
• Complete work on time and with care
• Pursue a healthy lifestyle
• Make choices that show respect for self and others
• Work independently
• Speak respectfully
• Honour classroom and school agreements
• Respect the thoughts and opinions, diverse backgrounds and cultures, and property of others
• Consider the immediate and long-term effects of choices and actions on others
• Respect school building and grounds
• Interact and play cooperatively with peers
• Serve/volunteer in classroom and in the school
• Demonstrate good citizenship
• Speak respectfully
• Respect the thoughts and opinions of others
• Honour family agreements
• Respect the privacy of family members
• Speak respectfully
• Respect the thoughts and opinions, diverse backgrounds, and culture of others
• Respect community property
• Serve/volunteer in the community
• Speak respectfully
• Respect the diverse backgrounds and culture of others
• Respect the environment
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.
Volunteers are always welcome at our school. As per division policy all volunteers working with students must have a criminal records check and child abuse registry completed. Please obtain a volunteer package from the school office early in the school year.
Students enter the school at 8:45 a.m. and 1:50 p.m. as follows:
Grades K - 3 - south east doors
Grades 4, 5, 6 - south doors by picnic tables
Grades 7, 8 - south west door
Town students should not arrive before 8:40 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. unless they are participating in a supervised extra curricular activity.
During very cold or wet weather, doors will be unlocked before arrival times and bus students may enter earlier. They are expected to go directly to their classroom and to remain there until classes begin.
Grades 1-8
Nutrition time 10:35 -10:55 a.m.
10:55 -11:15a.m. Morning Outdoor Activity Time and Daily Physical Education Initiative for Grades 7 and 8.
Nutrition time 12:55-1:20 p.m.
1:20-1:50 p.m. Outdoor activity and intramural time.
End of the day dismissal is 3:35 p.m. for town students and 3:45 p.m. for bus students.
To ensure the safety of our students, playground supervision is
provided from 8:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m., morning outdoor activity
time, and afternoon outdoor activity time. Students who behave in a
fashion that could prove dangerous to themselves and others may have
outdoor activity time privileges suspended for a period of time.
Certain areas have been designated out-of-bounds to help ensure the safety of our students. These areas are as follows: furnace rooms, storage rooms, the science lab (without supervision), the parking lot, the front of the school, the ditch along side of the school, beside and behind the Kinsmen Hut, the rec-centre parking area, and the school roof. Students are expected to stay on the school property, which is clearly marked off by the fence.
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 students’ 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. Any clothing depicting drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or inappropriate language is not allowed.
Parents/guardians are asked to notify the school office at 344-5459 by phone when their child(ren) will be absent from school. If a student is late for school, he/she is asked to check in with the office before going to class.
Town students are encouraged to go home for PM Nutrition Break. Students who remain for PM Nutrition Break will eat in their homerooms between 12:55 a.m. and 1:20 p.m. They are to remain seated while eating. Each student is responsible for seeing that his/her eating area is left neat and clean. Students are to remain seated until dismissed by a supervisor. Students who choose not to abide by these rules will lose their privilege to stay at school for lunch. Remember, eating at school is a privilege, not a right.
Although racks are provided, students bringing their bikes to school do so at their own risk. All bicycles should be locked to prevent theft. Bicycles that are brought to school must be parked in the racks and designated areas provided. They are not to be used on school grounds at anytime during the school day.
The schools in the Interlake School Division recognize that it may
necessary for students to be in possession of electrical 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:
1. 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.
2. During school outings, field trips, or after-school activities, permission to use electronic devices must be given by the staff member in charge.
3. The school assumes NO RESPONSIBILTY, in any circumstances for the loss, destruction, or theft of an electronic device brought to school or to any school-related activity.
If students violate the above rules, the following consequences will occur:
1. First occasion: Students will lose their electronic device until their departure that day.
2. Second occasion: Parent will need to come to school to pick up the electronic device.
3. Third occasion: Loss of electronic device.
In the case of an emergency or a student is not feeling well and wishes to go home, the teacher will contact the office to have the secretary call and make arrangements for the student to be picked up. If you wish to get information to your child, please give the message to the secretary and she will forward it on to your child.
Any student who receives a minor scrape, cut, or bruise, will be attended to by our staff. Should a student receive a more serious injury, the following procedure is followed:
1. Parents/guardians, or the designated emergency contact person will be phoned. When necessary, they will transport their child to see the family doctor or to the hospital.
2. Should no one be available for us to contact, we will transport the child to the nearest hospital for medical assistance.
3. Should we feel that ambulance service is required, we will call one.
Students are expected to remain on school property during the entire day, including the PM Nutrition Break (except town students who go home for PM Nutrition Break). If a parent provides permission, exceptions may be made; however, leaving school property is not recommended due to lack of supervision.
A parent's written permission must be received by the school for each time the student wishes to leave the school property.
In the event of storms, which may require that the school be closed, a procedure has been set up for the entire school division. Winnipeg radio stations will announce division-wide closings. If the school will not open in the morning, these stations will announce "No school for the Interlake School Division Schools" at regular intervals beginning at 6:30 a.m. Schools close when the wind chill is –45° or lower, temperature below -40° or when roads are poor. Parents will receive an automated call from Synervoice on their home phone by 6:30 am.
For everyone's safety and comfort, it is important that students behave in a responsible manner when loading, riding on, and unloading from a school bus. The bus driver is responsible for the safety of passengers, and students are expected to respect his/her instructions.
Students are expected to behave responsibly when waiting for buses. Running is not permitted because of the danger from arriving and departing buses. Students should form a line to board the bus.
Students who behave in a dangerous or disruptive way may be denied the privilege of riding a school bus for a period of time. In such cases, parents are notified and will be responsible for transportation to and from school during the period of the bus suspension.
NOTE: Any student not taking his/her regular bus must bring a note indicating such to the teacher and parents must notify the bus driver or the transportation office at 467-8730. If a student is going on a different bus, the student must also bring a note.
If a child is required to take prescription medication during school hours, it must be sent to the office with the following:
- Written authorization by parent/guardian.
- The medicine bottle must carry the official label from the pharmacist stating the child's name, the physician's name, the name of the drug, the dosage to be administered, and if possible, the time of the day it is to be given.
NO MEDICATION WILL BE GIVEN WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION
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:
• Moral integrity.
• 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 regard 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 fulfil 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.
Guidelines for Suspension:
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 Suspension:
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)]
Appeal of Suspension:
• 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.
Consequences for Special Education Students:
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.
Expulsion:
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.
Lockdowns:
• All personnel have been trained in lockdown procedures. They will be
doing their best to ensure that all students are being supervised in a
safe location at school. Our goal is safe care, custody, and
accountability of children.
• In a lockdown we will not be able to answer incoming phone calls or
make outside calls. Within minutes we will be assisted by police, who
will secure the neighboring streets and the building perimeter. No one,
including parents/guardians will be allowed near during a lockdown.
• Students will be kept inside locked classrooms with the blinds/drapes
drawn. No one will be allowed to leave the classrooms/secure areas until
the lockdown is over. All students and staff will remain in the lockdown
mode until the police department lifts the lockdown.