haahuupayak School - Student Handbook 2006/2007

Code of conduct for Students

An earnest and continuing desire to meet the following standards is important to meet with success at haahuupayak School.

Students Rights and Responsibilities:

• I have the RIGHT to learn in this school
• It is my RESPONSIBILITY to listen to teachers, work quietly at my desk or in my group, and to raise my hand if I have a question or concern.
• I have a RIGHT to be heard.
• It is my RESPONSIBILITY not to talk, shout or make loud noises when others are speaking.
• I have a RIGHT to be respected in the school.
• It is my RESPONSIBILITY not to tease or disturb other people or to hurt their feelings.
• I have a RIGHT to be safe in this school.
• It is my RESPONSIBILITY not to threaten, kick, punch, or physically harm anyone else.
• I have a RIGHT to privacy and to my own personal space.
• It is my RESPONSIBILITY to respect the personal property of others and to accept their right to privacy.

Bullying

We encourage students to talk through their problems. When students are involved in bullying or a physical altercation, a behaviour report is filled out giving all the details of the incident, then, later, a discussion will take place as to how the incident could have been handled in a positive way. An action plan will be discussed and parents may be notified. If there is a repeat incident of physical interaction students will go directly to the principal/administrator to discuss the incident, school conduct rules will be reviewed, and an appropriate consequence will be decided.

Attendance

Students are to attend school on a regular basis. Unless excused, students are expected to attend each day that school is in session. The school provides a calendar outlining our yearly holidays. Parents should be in close contact with teachers to determine what work is required when classes are missed and should discuss with their teacher which assignments need to be completed.

Parents should note that Ministry of Education regulations require that parents submit written notification of all absences or tardiness of their child. Attendance is taken first thing in the morning. All notes for absences and appointments during the day are collected at this time. Non-designated guardians will be required to produce Identification before removing a child from haahuupayak school during regular school hours.

Children should be kept home if they are sick and if there is risk of spreading germs.

Absentees

We ask that parents advise the school before 9:00 AM should your child(ren) be unable to attend classes for the morning, afternoon, the whole day or if they will be late.
School Phone # 724-5542.

Lates

Just as it is important to be at school, it is important to arrive on time. Parents are encouraged to ensure that students being driven to school arrive by 8:30 AM.

Student Arrival and Dismissal

Please ensure that your child is dressed properly for the weather. Proper coats, gloves, hats and boots should be worn during the winter months.

Supervision before school does not begin until 8:30 AM. Students are not to arrive before this time without previous arrangements made with the principal.

Students are to depart from the school building immediately upon dismissal and should be off the school grounds by 3:10 PM. Individuals waiting for rides are to wait in the designated areas. If students do not get picked up as planned, they should report to the office where they will be assisted.

Students who remain after school are to do so only under the direct supervision of an adult, with parental approval for such things as sport activities, music practice, tutorials, detention, etc.

Lunch and Recesses

Students have a 5-minute nutrition break in their class in the morning and a 15 min outside morning recess. Recess is held outdoors during favourable weather or indoors during inclement weather. When playing outdoors, they should gather their snacks, use the washroom (if necessary) as quickly as possible and go outside immediately afterwards. Students are permitted to eat their recess snack outside but we encourage them to place their litter in the garbage container. We also encourage responsibility by asking them to pick up garbage they see lying around. During the recess and lunch breaks, students are not allowed back inside without the permission of the teacher on supervision.

Students have 15 minutes to eat at lunch in their classroom area and are required to sit at their desk or assigned table to eat. Parents are asked to provide a nutritional lunch, and snacks for their child(ren). Teachers will try to ensure that the food is eaten.

Teachers supervise and monitor all recess and lunch breaks. Students, who need to be excused from recess or lunch activities, must have a note from their parents. Students may be denied their recess or lunch play break in case of incomplete schoolwork or behaviour problems.

Students are required to wear indoor shoes at all times while in the school. These shoes can serve as gym shoes as well.

Leaving School Property

Upon arrival to the school grounds in the morning, students may not leave the school property during the day until they are dismissed or excused by a teacher or administrator. Parents who want to take their child (ren) out of school during the day for lunch or appointments must make their request to the teacher in a written note of permission. Students who leave the school grounds without permission will be reported to the school office and attempts will be made to notify the parents immediately.

Dress Code

Students should be aware of the following guidelines:

1. Minimum standards the school community must insist on are:
   1. Neatness
   2. Cleanliness
   3. Modesty
2. When a student’s attire does not meet the above standards, the Principal will use discretion and in consultation with the staff, take appropriate action.
3. Students must wear indoor shoes while inside the building. Outdoor shoes will be removed at the front entrance.
4. Caps and outside coats should be hung neatly classroom cubbies assigned each student.

Gum Chewing

Gum chewing is not allowed on the school grounds at anytime. For the love of Connie Sam, our custodian, please refrain from sending sunflower seeds and dry noodles with your child to school.

Walkmans / ipods / electronic equipment / video games

Walkmans, personal videogames and electronic materials must not be brought to school, school functions, or taken on school trips unless prior teacher permission has been granted.

These items will be held in the office and returned at the end of the day.

Respect for Property

Students are expected to be accountable and responsible in caring for the school buildings. The following procedures should be noted out of complete respect for our custodian, Connie Sam.

1. Eat lunch in designated area.
2. Please keep the floors of the classroom, washroom, and the parking lot and playing fields clear of litter. Use the indoor/outdoor trashcans provided.
3. Writing on or defacing furniture or walls is a serious offence with severe consequences. Students will be required to pay for all willful damage to school property or equipment.

Bus Rules

Parents and students must remember that it is a privilege, not a right, to ride on the bus. Discipline problems will be reported to the school administration that will deal with the issues in an appropriate manner. Suspensions may result when students misbehave while being transported on the bus or while waiting to board the bus.

1. Students must obey the driver Cheerfully and promptly
2. Students must be quietly seated, facing the front of the vehicle, while the bus is in motion.
3. Students must not extend arms or heads out of the window
4. Students must not litter the bus in any way, chew gum, or eat food on the bus.
5. When loading, line up and wait for instructions to board the bus.
6. When loading the bus after school, younger students will get on the bus first.
7. Students will board as quickly as possible, filling seats from the back to the front or get in there assigned seats.

Playground Equipment and Playing Fields

All ball games and games like tag are to be played on the fields, away from the school, and playground equipment, with teacher supervision. The parking lot is out of bounds for playing as this is an unsafe, unsupervised area. Fighting and play fighting are not allowed. Stones, sticks, sand or snowballs must not be picked up or thrown. The road into the school and areas beyond the perimeter fencing is off limits to students at all times. School suspensions may occur if inappropriate behaviour takes place during the day.

Bicycles

We require the use of helmets. Bicycles are to be parked and locked in the stands provided immediately upon arrival at school. They are not to be ridden during the school day. Students are not allowed to play near the bicycle racks during the school day. Bicycles are brought to school at the students’ and parents’ own risk; however, the administration will make every effort possible to protect them while on school property.

Discipline Policy

Students of haahuupayak are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful manner. The goal of all discipline is to help the individual develop self-discipline, restore relationships, and protect the other members of the community. However, when a student’s behaviour does not meet with the school’s expectations, a consequence may result. Under ordinary circumstances, verbal reminders will be sufficient. There will be times, however, when this fails to correct a situation, that a teacher or principal may feel that further measures are needed to assist the student in correcting the inappropriate behaviour. A wide range of methods and approaches are used at the discretion of the teachers and administration. Wherever appropriate, parents are kept informed and involved in the disciplining process.

Reinforcing positive behaviour is a goal of the staff at haahuupayak. Students are involved in the Virtues Program to support appropriate character development and are expected to practice the following virtues as part of the school wide code of conduct. A token system has been established at haahuupayak that allows children to choose a reward by "cashing in" their tokens that are gained through exemplifying virtuous behaviours.

If parents have questions about disciplinary action your child has received at school, please use the following procedure as a guideline:

1. After hearing the child’s report, contact the staff member involved for his/her account of the incident.
2. Try to resolve the problem at the lowest level of authority. Do not skip any of these levels:
   1. Teacher
   2. Principal
   3. haahuupayak Society Board

School regulations are designed not only for the safety and welfare of the students and the care of the school facility, but primarily to maximize learning, self-respect, and respect for others. Students at haahuupayak are not to distract others from learning during class time. Abstinence from tobacco, alcoholic beverages, and non-prescribed drugs is expected from every student. Students are expected to show courtesy and respect to one another, Teachers, Parents, and other visitors to the school at all times.