School Handbook

Code of Conduct Courtesy Attendance Corridors Lockers Leaving School Property Phone Calls and Messages Smoking School Bus Policy Illicit Drugs School Scent Free Policy Allergies & Communicable Diseases Electronics

Code of Conduct

AS A STUDENT, I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR MY OWN BEHAVIOUR TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITIES.

Provincial and School Code of Conduct:

I will be responsible for my own personal choices.
I will respect others' differences, ideas and opinions and treat everyone fairly.
I will not tolerate bullying of any kind and I will report bullying when I have knowledge of it.
I will do whatever I can to help those around me who may be struggling..
I will respect the school's rules.
I will attend my classes, do my homework, adn be prepared and on time.
I will behave in a way that is empathetic, responsible and civil to those around me.
I will resolve my conflicts in a constructive manner.
I will treat school property and the property of others with respect.
To state this simply: I will respect myself, others and the school environment.

Everyone at Forest Hills School is expected to treat each other with courtesy and respect. Rude and vulgar language will not be tolerated at any time for any reason. Students who use such language can expect to be sent home immediately. At Forest Hills School, our mission is based on our collective belief that Òall students have the potential to learnÓ. As a staff, we are working towards developing a new School Improvement Plan which will reflect the continued need to provide a wide variety of opportunities for students to grow as learners. We are also committed to supporting students as individuals, taking in to consideration that each of our students is unique.

Attendance

Regular attendance is required of all students. The school will accept sickness, religious observances and emergencies as legitimate reasons for absence.
When a student is absent from school a written excuse (signed by a parent or guardian) is required. This excuse should state the dates missed and be given to the homeroom teacher on the next day of attendance.
Students are responsible for finding out from the teacher or other students what assignments were missed during an absence.
The teacher is not responsible to give make-up quizzes or tests for illegitimate absences.
Any student needing to leave school during the day is required to report to the office before leaving. Parents are to report to the school office if it is necessary to pick up students during the day.
Students are expected to be punctual for all classes. Persistent tardiness is disruptive and will not be tolerated. Continual tardiness requires a parental conference with school administrators.

Corridors

Running is never permitted in the school corridors. As a common courtesy and in the interest of safety, students should keep to the right on the stairs and should not stop to talk while in the stairways. Students are not permitted in the hallways during class time without a hall pass.

Lockers

Lockers are provided for each student in the school.
All locks are the responsibility of students.
All lockers must be locked and with a combination lock. Combinations must be given to homeroom teachers. Key locks are not encouraged as they may need to be cut off in certain cases.
No decals or stickers are to be put on the locker walls or doors.
All textbooks, notebooks, and anything of value should be kept in the lockers. Students are responsible for their texts and may be required to pay for lost/damaged texts. Students should not leave books/supplies in their desks.

Leaving School Property

Students are not permitted to leave the school property without written permission from a parent or guardian. This includes visits to the local convenience store before school or at lunchtime. Permission to leave property at noon will be given to students who have prior written permission from a parent/guardian, on a special request basis only.

Phone Calls and Messages

When it is necessary to use the telephone, students are reminded of the location of the pay phone directly across from the office. Only in emergency situations will students be permitted to use the office telephone. When a message is required to be given to a student, the secretaries will take a written message from parents or guardians and it will be delivered as soon as possible or at the end of the morning classes or afternoon classes. Messages called in at the end of the day could be missed. Please try to remember that phone calls should be of an important nature in order to contact the school, and all important messages will be delivered promptly. Telephone calls from anyone other than parents/guardians will not be forwarded.

Smoking

School District 08 does not permit smoking on school property. Students who do not adhere to this rule will be suspended from school for an appropriate length of time.

School Bus Policy

While traveling on the bus, students are under the supervision of the bus driver. They should be courteous to each other and to the driver.

Students should observe and follow the expectations outlined by the Department of Education:

Be on time and never stand in the street or highway while waiting for the school bus.
Be absolutely quiet while the bus is approaching and crossing a railway.
Pupils shall be picked up and discharged only at bus stops approved by School District 08.
Obey the driver promptly and avoid an unnecessary conversation with him while the bus is in motion.
Do not cross the road behind the bus. Crossings are to be made in front of the bus, not nearer than 10 feet and only after looking both in directions.
Occupy seats assigned by the driver or other school official.
Obtain approval of the driver to open the Emergency Door or bus windows. Do not throw anything out of the windows or extend hands, arms or legs through the opening.
Do not throw refuse on floor of bus and help the driver to keep the bus sanitary.
Eating or drinking is not permitted on a school bus.
The use of tobacco in any form is not permitted on a school bus.
Be courteous to the driver and fellow passengers. Rough or boisterous conduct will not be permitted on the bus.
In case of any road emergency, remain seated in the bus until ordered to vacate.
Willful damage to the bus must be paid for by the offender.
Remain seated until you have reached your destination.
Refusal of students to follow these simple rules could lead to short or long term suspension from bus transportation and/or school.

Illicit Drugs

The possession or use of illicit drugs or alcohol will not be tolerated. Failure to follow this policy will result in suspension. Use of these substances will result in the police being called.

School Scent Free Policy

All schools in District 08 are scent free buildings. Signs are posted throughout the building as a reminder to all who enter the building. Students/staff/visitors should be conscious of the sensitivities others may have when exposed to scented products.

Allergies and Communicable Diseases

Parents and students should be aware of communicable health concerns such as head lice, pink eye, etc. Check your children at home and if there is any indication of contamination, be sure to let the school know. Also, keep the child at home for the appropriate recovery period. We are also concerned about children with severe allergies to substances such as peanuts or latex. We will do our best to safeguard all students and staff who suffer from these health concerns.

Energy Drinks

The Administration and staff asks for families to support us in discouraging the consumption of Energy Drinks at school. These drinks contain high levels of caffeine and may be considered counter productive in supporting learning for pre-teens and adolescents aged students.

Forest Hills School (as adapted from School District 8's Policy) Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policy:

Purpose: This policy is intended to support the Positive Learning Environment policy by establishing minimum standards and expectations regarding the use of cell phones and other electronic devices during instructional time. However, in consultation with staff members and the Parent School Support Committee, the school administration may implement procedures, not inconsistent with this policy, to address individual circumstances. [For example, by placing further restrictions on such devices.]

Application: This policy applies to all students and staff in School District 8 when instruction and learning is taking place.

Definitions: Electronic devices include cell phones, camera phones, MP3 players, or such other electronic device that disrupts the positive learning environment. Instructional day means during the hours of instruction or until dismissal in the afternoon, including recess and/or breaks.

Authority: Department of Education Policy 703: Positive Learning Environment

District Education Council Policy E-1

Principles:
The use of electronic devices during the instructional day may:

detract from school safety and crisis preparedness;
infringe on privacy legislation;
contribute to bullying or harassment via inappropriate or unwelcome text messaging;
contribute to cheating;
contribute to inappropriate socializing during class time via text messaging;
facilitate illegal activity.

School District officials believe that maintaining the integrity of the learning environment is a priority, and that the use of cell phones and/or electronic devices might detract from that priority.

Standards:

Students will be permitted to have cell phones and/or electronic devices on school property. However, use of such devices will only be permitted prior to the beginning of the instructional day and after dismissal in the afternoon off school property.
Students must have cell phones and other electronic devices turned off and out of sight during the school day.
Students involved in before or after school programs shall observe school hour rules during these programs.
Parents who depend on a cell phone to contact their child/children during the instructional day should remind him/her to turn the cell phone off during class time, and check for messages after school is dismissed.

Guidelines:

The use of cell phones and/or electronic devices by staff during instructional time is prohibited, except in the case of an emergency, or in circumstances deemed necessary by the school administration.
The school principal must inform students, parents, and staff of this policy, along with the disciplinary measures students will face should they fail to comply.
Use of cell phones and/or electronic devices and/or recording devices needed as part of instruction and/or as part of a school activity is permitted. [For example, preparing a school-related video.]

Disciplinary Action in Cases of Non-Compliance:
First incident:

Teacher confiscates cell phone or other electronic device and delivers it to the school office.
The cell phone or other electronic device is returned to the student at the end of the day.
The parents/guardians is/are informed.

Subsequent incidents:

Teacher/Administrator confiscates cell phone or other electronic device and delivers to the school office.
Parents/Guardians are contacted to discuss the issue.
Further disciplinary measures may result because of the circumstances surrounding what was being recorded.
Parents/Guardians must come in and pick up the cell phone or other electronic device.