haahuupayak School - Student Handbook 2006/2007

Medical and Dental Appointments

Whenever possible, medical and dental appointments should be made after 3:00 PM on a weekday to avoid conflicts with the school timetable. We ask that you report, in writing, appointments which your child(ren) must keep during school hours.

Quality Daily Physical Education

haahuupayak School is now incorporating a program called Quality Daily Physical Education (QDPE) into the timetable. Along with educating the academic and social needs of the child, haahuupayak is also endeavouring to promote the physical needs of the student. Through a daily program of approximately fifteen minutes per day, we hope to establish positive, life-long attitudes towards having and maintaining a healthy fit body.

National statistics about the general health of Canada’s children are alarming. Our reliance on a fast-food, high sugar, high fat diet, combined with the popular "couch potato" syndrome of too much TV and video/computer game time has produced a generation of kids who don’t even meet the minimum fitness requirements, who tire easily and who don’t like the way they look and feel. What’s worse is that parents often feel helpless to motivate their children to change the behaviours that put them at increased risk for serious and chronic health problems later in life.

Each school day, students at haahuupayak will be involved in activities that increase their heart rate. These may include endurance, strength or agility activities. Teachers will provide a time that is over and above the traditional "gym time".

We request that parents support this program. We hope to provide our students with the opportunity of becoming fit students who function better at school, are more alert and most important, have learned positive life-long attitudes towards fitness.

Injury or Illness

In the event of an accident or illness, the school will phone a parent or guardian. If the school is unable to contact the parent at home or at work, the school will phone the emergency number given on the registration form. In extreme cases, a student will be taken directly to the West Coast General Hospital Emergency Room. The parent will be requested to meet their child there, but ordinarily the child will be kept at the school until the parent arrives. Every effort will be made to contact the parent.

All emergency information at the school must be kept up to date. If there are changes during the year, parents are expected to notify the office.

Nutrition

Everyone knows the adage that "You are what you eat". This is especially true for children, as good nutrition is essential for them to grow and learn. Therefore, we ask that when you are preparing lunches and snacks for your children that you do not send pop or other foodstuffs that are extremely high in sugar + caffeine. Research suggests that adequate hydration is required for optimum brain function. High caffeine/sugar intake actually dehydrates children and, as a result, the school staff strongly recommends that children only bring water or drink from the bottled water dispenser while at school. Personal water bottles are recommended.

School Nurse

The Public Health Nurse and the Community Services nurse, visit the school on a regular basis. Students or parents may contact the nurse by leaving a message in her mailbox at the school.

Head Lice

Head Lice is a persistent challenge for all schools. Outbreaks of head lice are particularly evident after student breaks from school. All students at haahuupayak will be subject to head lice checks during the school year. These checks will occur in mid September, mid January and mid April. Parents will be advised to treat head lice by the school or community nurse if a student has nits. Information will be dispersed to families during the year. Children who are found to have head lice will be sent home and expected to treat their hair and scalp before returning to school.

Fire Drills

The following procedures will be followed during a fire drill.

1. When the fire bell sounds, line up, and then WALK calmly and QUIETLY in a single file to the assigned exit.
2. The first student through a hall and exit door will hold the door open until all students have passed through.
3. All students are to assemble outside in the basketball court.
4. All students are to be quiet in order that teacher instructions and roll call may be heard. The Principal will direct staff and students at all times during school evacuations.

Earthquake Drills

The student and teachers will implement the following procedures during earthquake drills:

The principal will announce the beginning of the drill.

1. After the principal has initiated the drill, the teacher will issue the "TAKE COVER" command. Everyone should take cover under desks or tables and face away from the windows.
2. Students and teachers should assume the "CRASH POSITION". To assume the "crash" position, everyone will position themselves on their knees, head down, hands clasped on the back of their neck or have their head covered with a book or jacket.
3. Count aloud to 60 together as a class. Earthquakes rarely last longer than 60 seconds.
4. After 60 seconds, students and teachers will evacuate the school following the procedure for a fire drill. The same routes will be used. Everyone will wait for the signal to re-enter the building. In the case of a real earthquake, it may not be safe to go back into the school due to structural damage, so please wait for the signal.

Students should evacuate the building in single file when instructed by the teacher. It is important for everyone to remain calm, wear shoes and be quiet as possible so that instructions from the teacher can be heard.

In halls, stairways and other areas (such as the gym) where no cover is available, move to an inside wall, kneel with your back to the wall, place your head close to your knees, clasp your hands behind your neck and cover the side of your head with your arms.

If an earthquake begins, stay inside the school. Exit the building after the shaking has stopped.

If the class is outside, students and teachers should move to an open space away from buildings and overhead power lines. Lie down or crouch because your legs will be unsteady.

Look around to be aware of dangers that may require movement.