We wish to be very clear and unambiguous regarding the use of drugs and/or alcohol during the school day both on or off school property by students. The short message is simply this: it will not be tolerated. We have had and continue to have a zero tolerance approach to such actions by students. In a proactive sense, we dedicate a substantial amount of effort, energy, and resources to promoting positive decision-making for students. Through multimedia presentations, guest speakers, the Youth Conference, ongoing school curriculum and staff-student interaction, we continually promote a healthy life-style and smart decision-making for students (which includes substance use as a major factor). I sincerely believe that this message is heard by a vast majority of students and they are practicing good citizenship. In a reactive sense, we will issue out-of-school suspensions for any and all students choosing to be involved in the use of illegal substances during the school day. We will refer such students to AADAC and will involve R.C.M.P. in accordance with the provisions of the “Drug-Free Protocol”. Parents will obviously want to meet with the school administration and we will attempt to formulate a common plan for the school and home in consultation. Any student guilty of providing or selling drugs to others may be subject to an expulsion request by the school administration to the Board of Trustees. We practice a no-nonsense, fair and firm disciplinary process to those students who choose to become involved in substance abuse during school time.
ATTENDANCE & LATE POLICY
Two attendance checks take place at morning and afternoon registration. If your child us absent, please phone the office at 458-8550 (24 hours). Students who are late for the morning or afternoon attendance checks are required to obtain a late slip from the office. Inexcusable lates and absences may lead to the student being put on a behavior contract. Students leaving the school for any reason during school hours must report to the office. 1. A note should accompany reasons regarding medical/dental appointments. 2. Illness requires that the parent/guardian be contacted from the office BEFORE the student will be allowed to go home. Otherwise the student must remain in the infirmary.
INEXCUSABLE LATES/ABSENCES Students who on a rare occasion are inexcusably late will be dealt with by the homeromm teacher (i.e. level 1 on the discipline ladder). 1. Repeated instances will result in the student moving up the ladder and will involve escalating consequences (that is, level 2). 2. Students who are inexcusably absent from school (i.e. truant) will automatically move to step 2 on the ladder and will make up time missed on their “own time”.
STUDENT PROCEDURES: 1. Students who arrive during the 5-minute morning and afternoon registration periods will report to their homeroom. Repeated instances will be treated as an inexcusable late. 2. Once classes have begun, any students arriving must report to the office for a late slip allowing entry to class. The office staff will mark this slip as either excusable or inexcusable. 3. The student must show this slip for admittance to his or her next class. If this teacher is not his homeroom teacher, the student must present the slip to the homeroom teacher at the next opportune moment. 4. The homeroom teacher will deal with inexcusable absences as long as it is believed the student is sincerely trying to solve the problem. The homeroom teacher will contact parents. When the homeroom teacher believes the student is not showing improvement, the student will be referred to the office for a level 2 contract. 5. If no phone call has been made to the school, the student must bring a note from home and submit it to the homeroom teacher.
COMPUTER/INTERNET ACCESS
STUDENT ACCEPTABLE USE GUIDELINES (GRADES 7-9)
St. Albert Protestant Schools provides students with access to computers, the district telecommunications network (hereafter called “the network”), and the Internet. This document contains the Acceptable Use Guidelines for your use of computers and the Internet via the network at St. Albert Protestant Schools.
A. Educational Purpose
1. The school’s computer network and the Network have been established for a limited educational purpose. The term “educational purpose” includes classroom and library activities, curriculum-related research, career development and limited self-discovery activities as determined by the classroom teacher or the school’s administration. 2. The school’s computer network and the Network have not been established as a public access service or public forums. St. Albert Protestant Schools has the right to place reasonable restrictions on the material you access or post through the system You are also expected to follow the rules set forth in your school and the law in your use of the network and Network.
3. You may not use the school’s computer network or the Network for commercial purposes. This you may not offer, provide, or purchase products or services through network or the Network.
B. Student Internet Access All students will have access to computers and Internet information resources through their classroom, library, or school computer lab.
C. Unacceptable Uses The following uses of the school’s computer network and the Network are considered unacceptable:
1. Personal Safety
1.1 You will not post personal contact information about yourself or other people. Personal contact information includes such things as your name, age, address, telephone, and school address.
1.2 You will not agree to meet someone you have met online without your parents’ approval. Your parent should accompany you to this meeting. Note: You will promptly disclose to your teacher or other school employee any messages you receive that is inappropriate or makes you feel uncomfortable.
2. Illegal Activities
2.1 You will not attempt to gain unauthorized access to your schools network, the Network or any other computer system through the Network or go beyond your authorized access. This includes attempting to log in through another person's account or access another person's files. These actions are illegal, even if only for the purposes of browsing.
2.2 You will not make any deliberate attempts to disrupt the computer system or destroy data by spreading computer viruses or by any other means. 2.3 You will not use the school's computer network or the Network to engage in illegal or criminal acts
3. System Security
3.1 You are responsible for your individual account and should take ll reasonable precautions to prevent others from being able to use your account. You may not share your account with another person or leave your account open or unattended.
3.2 You will immediately notify a teacher or the system administrator if you have identified a possible security problem. Do not go looking for security problems, because this may be constructed as an attempt to gain illegal access.
3.3 You will avoid the inadvertent spread of computer viruses ny following the school’s virus protection procedure if you download software with prior approval from a teacher.
4. Inappropriate Language
4.1 Restrictions against inappropriate language apply to public messages, private messages, and material posted on the internet.
4.2 You will not use obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, rude, inflammatory, threatening or disrespectful language.
4.3 You will not harass or bother another person. Harassment is persistently acting in a manner that distresses or annoys another person. If you are told by a person to stop sending them messages, you must stop.
4.4 You will not knowingly or recklessly post false or defamatory information about another person or organization.
5. Respect for Privacy
5.1 You will not post information nor re-post a message about another person.
6. Respecting Resource Limits
6.1 You will use the system only for educational services.
6.2 You will not download or print large files without permission from your teacher.
6.3 You will subscribe only to discussion groups, mailing lists or Newsgroups that are approved by your teacher.
7. Plagiarism and Copyright Infringement
7.1 You will not plagiarize works that you find on the Internet. Plagiarism is taking from others ideas, writings, graphics or creations and presenting them as if they were yours.
7.2 You will respect the rights of copyright owners. Copyright infringement occurs when you inappropriately reproduce a work that is protected by a copyright. If you are unsure whether or not you can use a work, you should request permission from the copyright owner. Copyright law can be confusing. If you have questions, ask a teacher.
8. Inappropriate Access to Materials
8.1 You will not use the school’s computer network or the Network to access material that is profane or obscene (pornography), that advocates illegal acts, or that advocates violence or discrimination towards other people.
8.2 If you mistakenly access inappropriate information, you should immediately tell your teacher (or disclose this access in the manner specified by your school). This will protect you against a claim that you have intentionally violated this policy.
8.3 Your parents should instruct you if there is material that they think it would be inappropriate for you to access. The school fully expects that you will follow your parents’ instructions in this matter.
D. Your Rights
1. Speech and Language
1.1 Your use of appropriate speech and language also applies to your communication on the Internet.
2. Searching Your Account
2.1 You should expect only limited privacy in the contents of your personal files on the district system. The situation is similar to the rights you have in the privacy of your locker.
2.2 Routine maintenance and monitoring of the school’s network or the St. Albert Protestant Schools LAN may lead to discovery that you have violated this policy, school policy, or the law.
2.3 Your parents have the right at any time to request to see the contents of your personal files.
3. Due Process
3.1 In the event there is a claim that you have violated this policy in your use of the school’s computers or St. Albert Protestant Schools LAN, you will be provided with notice and the opportunity to be heard in a reasonable manner.
3.2 The district will cooperate fully with local, provincial, or federal officials in any investigation related to any illegal activities conducted on the school’s computer network or through he Network.
E. Limitation of Liability
1. The district makes no guarantee that the functions or the services provided by or through the district’s system will be error-free or without defect.
2. The district will not be responsible for any damage or inconvenience you may suffer such as loss of data or interruptions of service.
3. The district is not responsible for the accuracy or quality of information obtained through or stored on the system.
4. The district will not be responsible for financial obligations arising through the unauthorized use of the system.
F. Personal ResponsibilityBe aware that your activities on the network or Internet may be monitored. Please consider the impression that your activities may give in the public forum, the Internet. Users represent themselves, the school, and the district; therefore, responsible and ethical conduct is required.
Counseling
Our school has a teacher/counselor who provides services to students, teachers, and parents in the following areas:
-program selection -career counseling -personal counseling -testing (assessment and recommendations) -collaborating with staff in proactive, preventative programs associate with wellness.
In addition to the consoling available in the school, the counselor acts as a contact or liaison person to counseling by the support agencies in our community.
DISCIPLINE EXPECTATIONS AND POLICY
PHILOSOPHY: AT W.D. CUTS,
1. we believe that a partnership of the home, the school, and the community is essential in preparing students for the challenges that await them in their futures. 2. we believe that learning depends on the existence of a healthy learning environment at school and that maintaining this positive environment is fundamental to quality teaching and learning. 3. we believe that our school, in cooperation and consultation with parents and students, is responsible for establishing and maintaining appropriate expectations for learning. 4. we believe that student attendance and punctuality are central to the learning of life skills and job skills 5. we believe that positive social skills are learned and that students learn in the most meaningful way from experiencing the consequences of the choices they make. 6. we believe that an approach to discipline that is predictable, forgiving, and fair is the best way to develop responsibility and self-reliance in students. 7. we most emphatically encourage students to talk about their concerns and problems before these become situations that require disciplinary action. The staff is here to listen and to help. Teachers and support staff can help significantly, but cannot be of assistance if they are unaware of developing situations and problems. We encourage parents, as well, to keep teachers fully informed.
BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS:
W.D. Cuts School supports the expectations held for students as outlined in the School Act (Part 1, section 7). A student shall conduct himself/her self so as to comply with the following code of conduct. a) be diligent in pursing his/her studies; b) attend school regularly and punctually; c) cooperate fully with everyone authorized by the board to provide education programs and other services; d) comply with the rules of the school; e) account to teachers for his/her conduct; f) respect the rights of others.
DISCIPLINE LADDER:
W.D. Cuts School has adopted the following discipline ladder to assure predictability and fairness for all students. While teachers believe this approach is essential in dealing with students, there is a realization that each student is unique and that each situation will be assessed in its own. district context.
Level 1- Teacher deals with the issue. Parents will be contacted by the teacher prior to level 2.
Level 2- Administration or counselor deals with the referral. Student will receive a contract and take it home for signing by the parent. The student will return the form to the office the next morning with the parent’s signature. Parents are invited to call regarding the issue, if they wish.
Level 3 - Administration deals with the referral. Students receive a contract, a phone call home, and up to a one-day, in-school suspension. Students are responsible for completing class assignments.
Level 4 - Administration deals with the case. The student receives a three-day in-school suspension. A parent interview will precede reentry to class.
Level 5 - Administration will suspend the student from the school for a maximum of five consecutive days. Note: Students, who in the opinion of the administration, have made serious and productive efforts at improving their behavior will have their contracts “forgiven” and will assume a clean slate at three points during the school year: Christmas Break, Spring Break, and Summer Vacation. This applies to minor and major offenses as well as inexcusable lates/absences.
MAJOR AND RECURRING MINOR INFRACTIONS
1. Repeated minor infractions such as lateness to class, failure to complete assignments, disruptive classroom behavior will result in the student being places on the discipline ladder at Level 1. As in inexcusable lates/absences, when the teachers involved believe their interventions are not helping the student to improve, the student will be placed on Level 2 of the discipline ladder.
2. The following Major Offenses will lead to a student automatically being placed at least on Level 2 of the discipline ladder. -fighting (blows landed) -verbal harassment -serious and intentional disrespect -vandalism/theft -physical harassment -profanity/inappropriate language -smoking
3. Serious behaviors such as violence, defiance of authority, possession and/or use of illegal substances, possession of weapons, and any other actions that put others in danger will result in the student’s being placed on Level 4 or 5 (administrative decision).
4. The discipline ladder is exactly the same for minor and major offenses as for inexcusable lates and/or absences. Advancing a student to Level 5 will occur at the discretion of these school administration after considering each specific, individual case in context.
STUDENT PROCEDURES:
1. The student will go to the office where a discipline contract will be completed.
2. If the student is to serve and in-school suspension, he or she may be required to get homework, books or assignments as soon as possible. Students are responsible for work missed. PARTICIPATION IN EXTRACURRICULAR AND CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: Students participating in extra and co-curricular activities are expected to display behavior that would be appropriate for any regular school day. The school discipline policy applies to all students participating in extracurricular and co-curricular activities. As outlines in the discipline ladder, serious or persistent negative behaviors may lead to a student being denied the privilege of participating in these types of activities.
DRUG-FREE PROTOCOL
The two St. Albert school boards have agreed to implement an agreement with the St. Albert RCMP detachment to initiate a drug-free protocol for our schools. This program, the first of its kind in Albert, follows a great deal of program development and refinement through consultation with students, staff and interagency members of the Student Conduct Committee.
Under the agreement, the RCMP and school administrators will conduct random police patrols of schools. Information sessions will be offered to students, staff and parents.
A recommendation for expulsion to the Board of Trustees will be the normal consequence for students found to be in possession of illegal substances. Criminal charges will not be laid unless the circumstances are extraordinary. This protocol is based on the belief that expulsion is a strong deterrent to drug use or possession of illicit substances.
A second part of this initiative is a series of educational programs for students, staff and parents to build awareness of the dangers inherent to drug use and substance abuse.
STUDENT EVALUATION
Each teacher, at the beginning of the school year, shall have available to all students, a handout of the course outline and the evaluation criteria. The evaluation criteria shall incorporate all methods by which a final mark shall be determined. However, the following general evaluation guidelines shall be common to the four core academic courses:
To arrive at a final evaluation: First Term 20% Second Term 30% Third Term 30% Final Exam 20%
"FROSHING"- ASSAULT AND ABDUCTION FROSHING
BE ADVISED that all junior and senior high schools in St. Albert have a ‘zero tolerance’ for “froshing”. St. Albert Protestant Schools policy I-290 states: The Board of Trustees believes that froshing ia an abusive and humiliating activity, and expects that students will neither initiate, participate in, nor encourage froshing. BE ADVISED that students involved in the activity of assault or abduction (froshing) will be suspended from school for a period of up to five school days, may be excluded from extracurricular activities, may be expelled from school and district, and may be subject to criminal charges.
HOMEWORK POLICY
The following philosophy statements incorporate feedback from staff, students, and parents.
Homework Expectation
1. Students are expected to complete work for which class time has been provided.
2. Homework given to students will be purposeful in that it directly relates to classroom learning.
3. Adequate time for major projects and examinations will be given and effectively communicated to the students. Students are expected to note these timelines in their agenda planner; parents are requested to monitor their student’s agenda planner.
4. Where circumstances warrant, staff will be flexible in accommodating student needs.
5. On an evening when students do not have assigned homework, they are encouraged to review and free read.
6. Depending on the nature of the work assigned, homework will either be monitored and/or marked.
7. Students and parents are expected to inform the school well in advance of any planned absences of more than several days. This enables staff to provide homework and plan for any necessary student accommodations.
8. If you as a parent find your son or daughter regularly has an inordinate amount of homework, you are asked to contact the teacher(s) involved. Each case is unique and should be examined collaboratively by all involved. Please remember that homework expectations increase from grade seven to nine.
Rationale:
We believe that homework is beneficial and necessary for the following reasons: -to foster and develop a productive work ethic, positive work ethic, positive work habits and time management skills. -to complete major assignments and projects -to review course work and prepare for exams and quizzes -to reinforce and provide practice for concepts and skills taught in class -to complete work that was not finished during class time -to assist learning as part of instructional planning towards the mastery of mandate curricula (i.e. knowledge, skills, and attributes).
We believe that homework is a significant time management issue for staff, students and parents. - The reality of class scheduling and numerous school events renders it impossible for all staff to consistently follow a set homework schedule. - Most students are busy with co-curricular, extracurricular and home-based activities, which often creates a time crunch and necessitate effective organization at home. - Many parents, as well, have hectic work and home schedules often making it difficult for parents to monitor homework and homework completion.
We believe that homework involves ongoing communication between students, parents and teachers. - Staff are committed to providing sufficient lead time for all major assignments and examinations and to effectively communicate timelines expectations to students. Staff do their best to monitor and encourage students’ use of the agenda planner, but due to scheduling and teaching realities cannot guarantee all students will do on a continual basis. - Students are expected to use their agenda planners to keep track to all short term and long term assignments. - Parents are asked to monitor homework using this agenda planner. Our staff welcome written feedback and usually are available before and after school, as well as during noon hour for phone calls. - If parents wish to be contacted by e-mail, please supply the school with an e-mail address for this purpose.
HONOUR ROLL
After November and March report cards, lists of students with an overall weighted average of 80% or better will be posted in the school. After the final report cards, students will receive certificates as follows:
Honours Standing
A mark of 80% or better in each of the four core subjects and at least 65% in each of the remaining subjects.
Academic Standing
An average of 80% or better in the four core subjects and at least 50% in each of the remaining subjects.
Outstanding Effort
Students receiving seven or more “1’s” in the effort area will be acknowledged on the “Super Effort” poster during interviews
AWARDS NIGHT
Each year in late June, our school holds the annual awards ceremony. A booklet outlining the many categories of awards is available from our office upon request.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM:
The following ARE REQUIRED for Physical Education classes: -suitable T-shirt -proper athletic shorts (cut-off jeans are unacceptable) -running shoes (certain brands will mark gym floors and should not be worn in school)
ALL STUDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO CHANGE OUT FOR EVERY CLASS For minor ailments or illnesses, a note from a parent or guardian is sufficient. Because the student is at school, he/she should be able to take part to some extent in all classes, including Physical Education. Therefore, students with notes are required to change out for class, even if they may not be participating fully in the activities.
Long term illness or disability should be brought to the teacher’s attention as quickly as possible (and may require medical verification).
Attendance is mandatory for the school track meet as participation goes towards students’ phys. ed. marks. Students who cannot participate will help run the track meet.
School Policy on Fighting, Physical and Verbal Harassment
St. Albert Protestant Schools has in place comprehensive policy regarding student conduct as well as discrimination and harassment (I-140, I-150, and A-130). In support of these policies and practices, William D. Cuts Community School wishes to be clear and explicit regarding fighting as well as physical and verbal threatening. Although each case must be assessed on it’s own merit, the following will be the norm:
Fighting: -Any student voluntarily participating in a physical alteration is subject to an immediate out-of-school suspension. -Any student who instigates or activity organizes and/or promotes a physical altercation involving himself or others is subject to an immediate out-of-school suspension. -Any student who uses force or threat of force to manipulate or coerce another student or group of students is subject to an out-of-school suspension. -Students involved in harassment as defined in district policy A-130 will be dealt with according to he policy and regulations therein.
District policy and regulation concerning the above is available on request from our district office or can be obtained through our school office.
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