ST. MICHAEL'S SCHOOL

Box 1750 - 864 Christie Avenue Pincher Creek, AB T0K 1W0

 Elementary School Handbook

EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AND LEARNING ...

GUIDED BY GOSPEL VALUES

A Catholic school, like all schools, seeks student control and discipline as a product of inner growth of the student. As students grow in respect for self, love of neighbor and knowledge of God, they grow in mastery of self. The prayer of St. Francis serves as a guide for such inner growth and development.

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace,
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master grant that I may not so much
seek to be consoled as to console;
be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive;
in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and in dying that we are born to eternal life.

BELIEFS ABOUT STUDENTS AND
A POSITIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

Students need to learn in an environment that is structured, inviting, safe, controlled and disciplined. This statement is supported by the following beliefs:

We believe that each child at St. Michael's School should be given the opportunity to grow in potential and develop a positive sense of self-worth. The responsibility for developing and enhancing a child's self-worth and self-image lies with the child, parents, teachers and other members of the community.

We believe that all students have the right to learn . This right should be exercised in a school climate that is satisfying, productive and without disruptive behavior by other students.

We believe all students must understand and accept that responsibility for their behavior. They must recognize that any behavior that disrupts or detracts from the educational climate of the school interferes with the rights of others and is unacceptable. Students are expected to follow reasonable rules established for the benefit of self, classmates, the school staff and the greater school community. Conduct should be governed accordingly.

We believe that parents, as the prime educators of their children must accept and share with the school the responsibility for teaching children appropriate, acceptable behavior. By working together in a cooperative manner, we can ensure positive student conduct. Discipline is essential in building accountability, responsibility, respect for others and most importantly respect for self.

We believe all students must know what behavior is acceptable, where it is acceptable and when it is acceptable. Students must be taught what is appropriate and valued in the school community and understand the need for guidelines.

ENROLMENT

We welcome students new to St. Michael's. We would ask that all new students register at the school office. To facilitate the registration process we will need the following:
a) a copy of the child's birth certificate
b) a copy of the child's baptismal certificate

SAFETY AND SECURITY

1. Access to the school building
Outside doors are locked during the day except for the main doors. Parents and visitors to the school, as well as students who arrive late, will need to enter the school through these unlocked doors and are asked to sign in at the office. At bell times during the day, elementary and kindergarten students will enter and exit the school by the entrances at their end of the school. Jr. and Sr. High students always use the doors at the south main entrance of the school.

2. Guests and strangers
All persons who are not employees of the Holy Spirit Division or of St. Michael's School must report to the school's main office immediately upon entering the school. Guests must wear a school security badge while in the building.
2.1 Parents are welcome to be present in classrooms to work as volunteers and are asked to make arrangements with the classroom teacher prior to coming. Parents are expected to check in at the school office and get a school security badge before proceeding to classrooms.
2.2 St. Michael's School is private property of the Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Separate School Division, and all persons entering the school are subject to the authority of the principal. (refer to section 15 of the Alberta School Act.)
2.3 Guests who behave in an inappropriate manner, or who are deemed to be undesirable in their influence or possible influence on the school community, will be required to leave the school property and may have legal action brought against them if they refuse to do so, or return at a later date.

3. Fire regulations
In the event a fire alarm is sounded, students are to move quickly and quietly to the designated or nearest exit. Students are to remain together as a class for roll call. If a fire is detected, sound the alarm immediately, then report to a teacher.

4. Unsafe conditions
Students are encouraged to report unsafe conditions in equipment and/or facility to school administration.

5. Supervision
According to the School Act, students will not be in the school building unless under the supervision of a Holy Spirit School Division employee, or an adult approved by the administration.

6. Accidents and injury
Students must immediately report all accidents and/or injuries to a faculty member while at school or on a school activity.

7. Smoking
Since the Holy Spirit Catholic School Division forbids smoking by anyone on school property, no smoking is allowed on St. Michael's School property. Chewing tobacco is not allowed anywhere on school property.

8. Transportation
When traveling in school vans or private vehicles on a school related function:
8.1 Students must wear seat belts at all times and not distract the driver with inappropriate behavior.
8.2 Students must at all times be properly seated, facing the front of the vehicle and not blocking aisles.
8.3 At no time will a student be allowed to operate a vehicle, private or otherwise, unless special permission is obtained following the school division's policies and procedures.
8.4 In case of accident or vehicle break-down, students must always be dressed appropriately with respect to the ambient weather conditions, or they will not be allowed to participate in the activity.

School bus procedures: loading and unloading :
1. School buses are to be loaded at two points only: on the west side of Christie Avenue adjacent to the school. Elementary (K-6) students are to load at a point on Christie directly in front of the North main entrance to the school. Junior and senior high students are to load at a point on Christie directly in front of the South main entrance to the school.
2. Each afternoon there will be a teacher on duty at each loading point from 3:30 P.M. until the last bus is loaded. Two buses can be loaded at a given time. Each bus will come to a complete stop in order to load.
3. Students will line up for each bus on the school side of the fence, and not go forward until instructed to do so by the teacher. They should not proceed beyond the fence until their bus has come to a complete stop at the proper loading point.
4. Buses should not leave the boarding point until signaled to do so by the teacher on duty.
5. Students who are not boarding a bus should immediately vacate the bus loading area.
6. All persons are requested to cross Christie Avenue only at the designated crosswalks.
7. Parents picking up students are requested to park on the East side of Christie Avenue. There is no parking on the West side of Christie Avenue from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.

School bus policy :
1. Students riding the school bus shall be under the immediate authority of the driver.
2. All passengers are to be seated while the bus is in motion.
3. Liquor is prohibited on the bus. Passengers are permitted to eat on the bus, but all garbage must be placed in the proper container.
4. Smoking is prohibited while students are on the bus.
5. No one other than the students, driver and supervisors, where applicable, may ride on the bus without Board permission.
6. The driver has the right and responsibility to prohibit dangerous articles from being placed on the bus.
7. The rear door shall be used only in an emergency or when directed to do so by the driver.
8. Students shall cross the road in front of the bus on entering or leaving the bus, and must wait for the bus to stop before approaching to enter.
9. Passengers shall remain seated until the bus comes to a full stop.
10. Students are to advise the driver and/or supervisor if not returning to the bus.
11. Buses are to be kept in neat and clean condition.

School vans :
1. All school bus policies apply to school vans.
2. Only two pick-up/drop-off points are allowed for school vans: at St. Michael's School and at the Crowsnest Service Station in Brocket.

CODE OF CONDUCT

We live in a world that is governed by rules and regulations. No society, organization or group can operate without well-defined goals and expectations. If we wish our schools to be safe, inviting places where all students have an optimum opportunity for success, we need well-defined expectations of behavior.

Our Code of Conduct is based on a set of school-wide expectations and consequences. These expectations and consequences take into consideration the policies and statements of the Alberta School Act, Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Separate Regional District, the school staff and the values of the gospels.

The Alberta School Act, Section 12 states:
A student shall conduct himself or herself so as to reasonably comply with the following code of conduct:
a) be diligent in pursuing the student's studies;
b) attend school regularly and punctually;
c) co-operate 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 the student's teachers for the student's conduct;
f) respect the rights of others.

EXPECTATIONS

Dress code:
All persons entering St. Michael's School should consider the appropriateness of the clothing they wear. Clothing should be safe. It should not interfere, distract, or scandalize. Extreme or obscene styles are unacceptable in our school.
Guidelines:
1. Shoes must be worn at all times for reasons of safety, health as well as appropriate grooming. No time will be given to put on shoes during fire drills or emergency evacuations.
2. Heavy outdoor clothing, hats, and outdoor footwear are not to be worn to class, and are to be stored safely in a locker.
3. Clothing or buttons with obscene or otherwise distasteful slogans or sayings printed on them are unacceptable.
4. Special physical education dress is required for physical education classes. (shorts, T-shirt, socks and running shoes)
5. No halter tops, spaghetti straps, tube tops, muscle shirts. No visible undergarments.
6. Shorts worn to school should be walking shorts length.
7. Clothing should be in good repair. Ragged clothing is unsafe, and usually inappropriate.
8. Headgear of any form is not allowed in the building.

CELL PHONES, CAMERAS, iPods and GAMING DEVICES:
As these items are expensive and easily lost it is recommended that students do not bring them to school. The school will not be responsible for the loss or damage of such an item if it is brought to school. If a parent insists that their child bring a cell phone to school, please be advised that these phones are not to be used in the school or during recess. Parents are also requested to refrain from calling their child on a cell phone during class hours.

Lates:
The definition of "late" will be left to the teacher's discretion. A student is late if the learning process is compromised (e.g. interrupted or disturbed).

Four "lates" equals one "absence". At this point the student will receive a warning and a detention. Using blocks of four, the matter will be dealt with according to the disciplinary procedure for normal events.

Absences:
Parents must authorize their child's absence either by a note or phone call by the end of the next day. This is parent initiated.
Letters go out to parents/guardians at seven (7), ten (10), fifteen (15) and twenty (20) absences. A meeting with a parent/guardian will be arranged after the tenth absence letter. After twenty absences in a class, a senior high student may be withdrawn from that class. Consideration is given for extenuating circumstances such as medical purposes, for illnesses, and for bereavement. These absences should be cleared with the principal or designate prior to the absence.

Note: Students who are absent during the school day will be denied participation in extracurricular activities that day.

Suspension & Expulsion:
Subject to the requirements of the Alberta School Act, the following rules and conditions shall apply:

1. Suspension from Class
A teacher may suspend a student from class. A written report must be lodged with the principal without delay. The principal, upon examination of the circumstances, may decide to uphold the suspension or reinstate the student.

2. Out-of-School and In-School Suspension
2.1 If the principal suspends a student from school, he shall report all the circumstances of the suspension to the student's parents or guardian, indicating the seriousness of the situation.
2.2 In the event of a suspension, the principal may administer an in-school suspension at his discretion, requiring the student's continued attendance at school. Under the direct supervision of administration, the student will be excluded from classes and have no contact with other students at any time, including the lunch break. During this time, the student will be required to complete any work assigned by the student's teachers on a daily basis. The student will not leave the school premises during the school day or at the end of the school day until having been formally excused by school administration.

Reinstatement:
A suspended student may be reinstated to attendance in regular classes on a probationary basis by the principal, or to alternate methods of delivery of classes.

Further consequences:
A suspended student may also lose co-curricular privileges, including the right to attend sports events, dances, outings, etc. Loss of privileges such as these will be at the discretion of the principal.

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES

NORMAL EVENTS:
Normal Events are classified as those that are not covered under extraordinary. They will be dealt with by the office using the following procedure.

1. Warning - this can include a discussion with the administrator. An act of atonement or a detention will be required of the student. Parents may be notified of actions taken by phone or by letter.
2. In-School Suspension - This suspension will be for a half day or for a full day. Parents will be notified with a phone call or a letter.
3. Out-of-School Suspension - This suspension begins with one day. Parents will be notified with a phone call and a letter. For each subsequent problem, an additional day will be added to the previous suspension total to a maximum of five days. Any further problem will automatically earn the student a five-day suspension.
3.1 At the 2nd offense a meeting will occur with the student, parents, administrator, and, if requested, the teacher. Others could include elders, police, family liaison, social services, etc. A contract will be drawn up at this meeting to outline behaviors required, as well as consequences for noncompliance.

EXTRAORDINARY EVENTS:
Extraordinary events include the following offenses:
a. Physical, spiritual, and social violence.
b. Insubordination.
c. Substance abuse.
d. Possession and trafficking of illegal substances including alcohol.

Students whose behavior falls in this category will automatically be suspended from school, and a parent conference will occur. A contract will be struck between the school, the student, and his parents, to determine conditions for the student's continued attendance.

SEARCH PROCEDURE / LOCKER POLICY:
In cases where drugs, alcohol or other contraband are suspected, student lockers and property can be searched by an administrator, in the presence of another school employee. Efforts will be made to inform parents/guardian when a search is to occur. Each school year, students and parents will be informed of this policy by letter and at a meeting of School Council.

Reporting to parents:
1. Formal report cards are issued to students three times per year. Elementary report cards report on achievement of curriculum outcomes as contained in the Alberta Education Program of Studies.
2. Parent-teacher-student conferences are held twice per school year. In addition to these formally scheduled conferences parents may telephone the school (627-3488) at any time during the year to arrange an interview with any teacher.

Parents will be reminded of report card and parent-teacher interview dates in school newsletters.

Library regulations:
1. Material may not be removed from the library without signing it out. Borrowing time is one week; books will be renewed upon request.
2. Students are responsible for the replacement of, or payment for lost or damaged books signed out in their name.
3. Students will not be allowed to sign out a book
unless all books have been returned and / or money owing has been paid (at librarian's discretion).
4. Library computers will be used in accordance with internet contracts.

Elementary
Daily Schedule

Monday to Thursday

Period 1      8:30 to 9:10
Period 2      9:10 to 9:50
Recess
Period 3      10:05 to 10:45
Period 4      10:45 to 11:25
Lunch/Recess
DEAR      12:15 to12:35
Period 5      12:35 to1:14
Period 6      1:14 to 1:54
Recess
Period 7      2:09 to 2:49
Period 8      2:49 to 3:28

Friday

Period 1      8:30 to 9:00
Period 2      9:00 to 9:30
Period 3      9:30 to10:00
Period 4      10:00 to 10:30
Lunch/Recess
    DEAR       11:00 to11:15
Period 5      11:15 to11:45
Period 6      11:45 to12:15
Period 7      12:15 to12:45
Period 8      12:45 to1:15  

Teaching Staff

Gouthro, Michael (Principal)
Kuchison, Don (Associate-Principal)
Dolan, Blake (Counsellor)
Charette, Lauranna
Delinte, Tina
Dyck, Manon
Ettenhofer, LoriJo
Girard, John
Krizan, Francis
Kuchison, Cecelia
Mack, Joanne
Mack, Ken
McDougall, Val
Murray, Christen
Parker, Jennifer
Plouffe-Chandler, Dominique
Rainford, Denice
Smith, Diana
Smith, Trevor
Speelman, Tyler
Toney, Pat
Wocknitz, Lynn

Support Staff
Owen, Donna (Administrative Assistant)
Hudey, Lois (Clerk Typist)
Schimpf, Cathy (Librarian)
Potts, Angela (Native Liaison Worker)
Korver, Darla (Family School Liaison Counseller)
DeCock, Lynne (PreK Instructor)
Goodfellow, Ianthe (Education Assistant)
Manser, Pam (Education Assistant)
Faye Cleland (Education Assistant)
Mary Balfour (Education Assistant)
Wendy Svab (Prek Assisitant)
Joanne Wittkopf (Prek assistant)

Learning - Goodness - Success
Through Love and Discipline