MISSION STATEMENT
In active partnership with the community, Epiphany Elementary, is committed to providing a child centered, nurturing environment that focuses on student involvement, learning and achievement.
GENERAL SCHOOL INFORMATION
BELL SCHEDULE
Homeroom 8:55-9:00
Activity 9:00-9:20
Period 1 9:20-10:00
Period 2 10:00-10:40
Recess: 10:40-10:55
Period 3 10:55-11:35
Period 4 11:35-12:15
Lunch 12:15-12:55
Period 5 12:55-1:35
Period 6 1:35-2:15
Period 7 2:15-3:00
Homeroom
LOCKERS
All students will be assigned a locker at the beginning of the school year. Students are to store their school and personal property in their lockers. Students are to keep their lockers and the area around their lockers clean and tidy. No locks are permitted on lockers.
SCHOOL CLOSURES
Information concerning school closures for weather, etc. will be announced on 560 CHVO. If school closes during the day due to inclement weather, or for any other emergency, an announcement will also be made over this radio station.
ABSENCES
Upon returning to school following an absence a student must present a note to the home room teacher explaining the reason for his/her absence. This note must be signed by a parent or guardian.EMERGENCIES
It is important that your child's teacher has an alternate phone number in the event of your being away from home. This is to ensure that we know who to contact or where your child is going in the event of an emergency.PROHIBITED ITEMS
All objects which might endanger the safety of other children (i.e. pocket knives, sling shots, lighters) will be immediately confiscated. Parents will be informed that their child has a restricted item in school and they will have to pick it up at the school.
Students who ride their bicycles to school are reminded that they do so at their own risk. The school cannot be held responsible for damage or loss. Bicycles are to be locked and placed in the designated areas upon arrival to school. Students are not permitted to ride their bicycles on school property or ride to school without a helmet.
1. Indoor footwear is required for classroom use. Outside footwear, whether sneakers, boots, etc., are to be changed to indoor footwear immediately after going to student's locker.
2. Caps or hats, of any kind, are not permitted to be worn in class except on designated cap days.ENTERING/EXITING BUILDING
1. Students should enter the building in an orderly fashion.
2. No students should arrive at school before 8:25 a.m. as there will be no supervision provided prior to that time.PUNCTUALITY
Students are to be in class on the first bell, with appropriate materials and prepared for class.
Students are reminded that they are to walk quietly from class to class. Running in the corridors is not permitted. Students should remember to always speak quietly when in the corridors. On going to the canteen, and/or lunchroom, students are expected to return to their classrooms with their class mates while awaiting for classes to begin.
During a fire drill all students are to follow the exit directions posted by the room doors. They are to proceed to pre-designated areas and line up quickly for roll call. Students must leave the building quietly and quickly. Lights must be turned off and both windows and doors must be closed. Students should not take any personal belongings of books with them.
Students are not permitted to chew gum in school under any circumstances.
A pay phone is provided for student use. In case of emergency or special circumstances a student may use the office phone with the permission of his/her teacher. The school will not call students to the office for telephone calls other than those of an emergency nature.
Extra-curricular sport activities are held at recess, dinner and after school, under the supervision of a teacher. Parents are responsible for student transportation following after school sports.
In order to keep our school clean and tidy the following rules apply with regard to food and beverages.
~ all wrappers or other waste from any item brought for recess or lunch should be placed in the garbage containers provided throughout the school and outside the school.
~ Food is not permitted in certain rooms throughout the school such as the gym, library, washroom, computer room, etc. No food is allowed to be consumed around computers.
~ All recyclable containers are to be placed in appropriate recyclable bins.
LOST AND FOUND
The school cannot be responsible for money or other items of value that a student brings to school. Students are reminded that money or other items of value should not be left in coat pockets or on desks.
The school maintains a "Lost and Found" container where students and parents can check for items they may have lost. Students and parents are encouraged to check for any lost items.NEWSLETTERS
Throughout the year various newsletters containing information about students activities and upcoming events are sent home to parents. Parents are encouraged to look for these newsletters as they contain important information.
A student may not leave school before regular dismissal time. Exceptions will be made for legitimate reasons such as dental or medical appointments, or for reasonable parental requests. Every attempt should be made to schedule dental or medical appointments after school hours. In all cases the following guidelines must be observed:
~ A request for the student to leave must be made to the homeroom teacher by note, or by the student's parent.~Such a request will automatically imply that the student's means of transportation is provided and approved by the parent.
~A student must check with homeroom teacher before leaving.
All buses are now required by law to be backed in before picking up students. Parents are asked not to leave their vehicles in front of the school in the pick up zones.
Non-consumable textbooks from Grades 1-6 are on loan to students free of charge. If any student loses or damages a textbook he/she will be expected to pay the required cost to replace it, as stated in the Department of Education policy.
Students who go home to lunch are to return to their class groups, either in the lunchroom or elsewhere in the school, if they return to school before classes resume for the afternoon.
ALLERGIES AND MEDICATION
Teachers are to be informed of students with allergies or other medical concerns. Written notification is required for students to take medication at school. Teachers are not permitted to give medication under any circumstances, with the exception of the Epipen for severe anaphylactic shock. In other cases, staff members will follow the medication policy set forth by the Eastern School District.
The school has in place a crises support team, composed of the Principal, Staff Members, District Educational Psychologist, Guidance Counselor, Public Health Nurse, RCMP, School Chaplain, Parent Volunteers and Fire Department.
SCHOOL PLAYGROUND
All students are expected to follow the playground rules in order to prevent accidents.
The playground is an area for all students to enjoy. Therefore, it has to be safe for everyone and not just for those who try to enforce their own rules.LUNCHROOM
Proper behavior is expected at all times, ie. Being responsible for own garbage, remaining in designated areas, etc.
WASHROOM CONDUCTStudents are expected to use washrooms for the purpose for which they are intended and make every effort to keep them clean and tidy. Food and drinks are not to be taken into the washroom at any time.
ABSENTEEISM
Expected Behavior
-Attend school regularly and come to class on time.
-Students bring parental note if absent.
-Parent/Guardian and administration contacted
-Student counseled by teacher and/or parent
-Complete any work missed during absence.
Expectations
Students are to be in class on the first bell, with appropriate materials.
Consequences of Misbehavior-Student counseled by teacher.
-Parent/Guardian and administration contacted
-Revoke privileges as appropriate.
Expectations
Students are to be polite, courteous, and respectful of all school staff.
Consequences of MisbehaviorDepending on severity of offence:
-Student counseled by teacher
-Parent/Guardian and administration contacted
-Conference with team involved
-Revoke privileges as appropriate
-Suspension
-Expulsion
(An apology must accompany the resolution of the problem).
Expectations:
Student will respect personal, school, and property of others.
Depending on severity of the offence, one or more of the following actions will be taken:
-Student counseled by teacher
-Parent/Guardian and administration contacted
-Conference with team
-Revoke privileges as appropriate
-Suspension
-Expulsion.
Expectations:
-Hats and outside coats should not be worn in school, but placed in lockers
-Footwear (non-marking soles). Sneakers
in gym. Footwear should be clean, safe,
and dry.
-Appropriate clean clothing (ie. no clothing
with logos referring to beer, smoking, sex,
vulgar language, drugs, etc. on them).
-Student counseled by teacher
-Parent/Guardian and administration
contacted
-Conference with team
-Revoke privileges as appropriate
-Suspension
-Expulsion
Objectives:
1. To have a fair and consistent procedure in place to deal this students who are disruptive to the learning goals of the school.
2. To help students with behavioral problems, while minimizing their interference with the learning and teaching process.
3. To use discipline as a means to protect the rights of all members of the school community.
4. To use discipline as a learning/training tool rather than merely as a punishment.
The school is a community working together to maximize student achievement. It is fundamental for members to learn in an environment without interference from others. All members of the school community should treat each other with mutual respect and assume responsibility for their own behavior.
a. A one-on-one meeting between the student and teacher(with at least one other teacher present). A record of this meeting will be kept.
b. A phone call to parent by teacher will follow.
c. Written discipline notice to parents.
d. Conference with parents/guardians.
e. Detention, in the case of after-school detention, parents will be expected to see that the child has transportation home.
f. Referral to Guidance Counselor or Educational Psychologist.
g. Suspension to be followed by a parent conference will be placed in student's permanent file and appropriate Board Personnel will be notified.
The following behaviors may result in suspensions:
- physically and/or verbally threatening another student
- fighting on school property
- swearing on a teacher or in a teacher's presence
- directing profane language toward a teacher or student
- tampering with fire extinguishers or other life-saving equipment
- other severe behaviors.
- in cases of drug related behaviors
- extreme violence
- sexual harassment/assault
- vandalism to school property and reported vandalism by property owners close to school property.
i. A record of student behavior will be kept on file for future reference.
HOMEWORK POLICY
1. Definition
For the purpose of this policy, homework is defined as educational tasks to be completed during non-class hours, including assignments such as research, work not completed during the school day, study time which includes preparation for upcoming unit tests or exams, and other work which has not been specifically assigned.
2. Rationale
- Homework is a planned part of the educational process designed to enhance learning.
- Homework is an aid to building life-long learning skills including self-discipline, time management, responsibility, independence, initiative and problem solving.
- Homework is a means of helping students realize that learning takes place not only in the school setting, but in a variety of settings.
- Homework serves as a bridge between the school and the home.
- Homework serves to promote individual learning and creativity.
3. Types of Homework
- Homework that reinforces what has been covered in the classroom
- Preparation for what will be covered the next day in class
- Completion of tasks set during the school day.
4. Place of Homework in Student Assessment
- Homework should be assigned with specific instructional purpose and related to classroom activities, themes, objectives, etc.
- Homework should never be assigned as a disciplinary measure.
- All teachers of a particular class should be aware of the homework tasks assigned to students to ensure that "overload" does not occur. The homeroom teacher is ultimately responsible for this duty. If, in the judgement of the homeroom teacher, too much work has been assigned, it is his/her responsibility to reduce it in an appropriate manner.
- Homework tasks should be appropriate to students' level of achievement and individual differences in ability must be considered. Expectations for homework tasks must then be adapted accordingly.
- New concepts should never be introduced as homework tasks.
- Home projects are to be designed so that students are able to complete them independently.
- Most homework should be assigned Monday to Thursday with limited amounts assigned specifically for the weekend. When a test/task is scheduled for a Monday, Thursday would be the latest time a teacher should notify students.
- Elementary students should be given reasonable notice for the study for chapter tests/quizzes - at least 2-3 school nights is recommended.
- Monitoring of homework tasks for accuracy and completion by the teacher is essential.
- To become aware of the expectations for homework at each grade level through the homework policy of the school.
- To read to their child and to listen to their child read, especially those in primary grades.
- To provide a consistent time and place for home study.
- To check agenda to find what homework has been assigned.
- To assist child if needed.
- To check homework for accuracy and completion.
- To emphasize to the child the importance of home study.
- To arrange for someone to pick up their child's homework whenever the child is absent from school for any reason.
- To inform child's teacher if they recognize an area that is posing a major difficulty for their child.
- To record assigned homework in their homework agenda every day.
- To take home all materials necessary to complete the homework assignments for the evening.
- To complete assigned work to the best of their ability.
- To complete all pencil and paper tasks neatly using cursive writing in Grade 5-6. (Unless given special permission by the teacher to use print).
- To observe deadlines set for projects, research, and other written work.
- Penalties may be incurred if work is late.
Grades K-1 20 min. maximum
Grades 2-3 30 min. maximum
Grade 4 40 min. maximum
Grade 5 50 min. maximum
Grade 6 60 min. maximum
BUS SAFETY REGULATIONS
The bus driver is responsible to the School Board for the safe transportation of students to and from school. He/she is therefore required to report to the principal any incidents that would jeopardize the safety of persons riding the bus. The principal will take disciplinary action where required.
1. Students must be on time; the bus will not wait beyond its regular schedule for those who are tardy.
2. Students must stay a safe distance from the school bus until it has come to a complete stop.
3. Foul language is strictly prohibited by any person riding the school bus.
4. No person is permitted to use tobacco/alcohol/non-prescription drugs, etc. while riding the bus.
5. No person under the influence of alcohol/non-prescription drugs, etc. will be permitted to ride the school bus.6. Students must not throw waste paper or rubbish on the floor of the bus or out the windows/doors.
7. Students must not at any time extend arms, head, etc. out the bus window.
8. Students must not try to get off the bus, or move about within the bus, while it is in motion.
9. Students must observe the directions of the driver when boarding, leaving and riding the bus.
10. Any damage to the bus should be reported at once to the driver, who shall make a report to the principal immediately.
11. Upon boarding, student must go directly to a seat and remain seated until leaving the bus.12. Parents will be held responsible for damage caused to the school bus by the son/daughter.
13. The parent will be notified of any infractions reported to the principal.
14. Any student wishing to get off the bus at a stop other than their own are to have a note for their teacher and notify the bus driver.
15. The bus driver shall be made aware of any items to be brought aboard the bus which may pose a threat to the safety and well being of passengers.
PROCESS FOR REPORTING MISCONDUCT ON THE BUS
2. Parent/Guardian Contact - Parent/guardian will be contacted as quickly as possible to inform them of the misconduct.
3. Action Taken
- Conference with student, parent/guardian as to possible consequences.
- In the event of severe infraction the student will be suspended from riding the bus for a period to be determined. In such a situation, the parent/guardian will be responsible for the child's transportation to and from school.
(Eastern District Policy)
A zero-tolerance policy will be strictly adhered to.
The principal may suspend or recommend expulsion of a student who violates one or more of the following specific standards of conduct while on school grounds or during a school sponsored activity.- causing or attempting to cause damage to school property or attempting to steal school property of value
- causing or attempting to cause damage to private property, stealing, or attempting to steal private property
- causing or attempting to cause physical injury to another person except to self-defense
- commission of any act which if committed by an adult would be robbery or assault as defined by provincial law. Suspension or expulsion will be mandatory, in accordance with the District Policy:
~violation of criminal law~violation of district and/or school regulations
~violation of the district's policy on dangerous weapons in the school. Suspension or expulsion will be mandatory for possession of a deadly weapon
~violation of the district's/school's policy on smoking and use of tobacco
~directing profanity, vulgar language or obscene gestures toward other students, school personnel or visitors to the school
~engaging in verbal abuse, ie. name calling, ethnic, religious or racial slurs addressed publicly to others that precipitate disruption of the school program.
~committing extortion, coercion, or blackmail
~lying or giving false information, either verbally or in writing to a school employee.
It is our hope that this information will form a useful part of our home-school relationship.