School Handbook

TEACHING STAFF:

Randy Hopkins - Principal, Math 6-9, Health 8-9

Ed Hildebrand -L.A. 8-9, Science 8-9, Computers 8-9

Les Sonnenberg - Home room 8-9 , P.E. 1-9, Social 8-9, Science 6-7

Holly Galbraith - Gr. 6-7, Music 4-5, Option 8-9, Special Ed

Rhonda Giesbrecht - Gr.4-5, French 6-7

Terry Hildebrand - Gr. 3

Jaime Baker - Gr. 2

Cheryl Strauss - Gr.1

Barb Siggelkow - Kindergarten Instructor

Vicky Auclair - Teacher Assistant

Carol Matlock - Teacher Assistant

Tammie Maurer - Library Assistant

Eleanor Ford -Admin. Assistant, -Library Technician

Vaughn Dueck - FCSS Counselor

Darrel Willier -Native Liaison Counselor

Carolyn Pilgrim - Custodian

BELL SCHEDULE

8:10 - Students enter school

8:20 – Classroom Exercises

8:25 – 1st class begins

9:05 – 2nd class begins

9:25 – 3rd class begins

9:55 - Recess begins

10:10 - Students proceed to class

10:15 – 4th class begins

10:45 – 5th class begins

11:15 – 6th class begins

11:45 – 12 noon - Lunch

12 noon – Students may leave the classroom

12:30 - Students proceed to classes

12:35 - Reading period

12:50 – 7th class begins

1:20 – 8th class begins

1:50 – 9th class begins

2:20 - Recess begins

2:35 - Students proceed to class

2:40 – 10th class begins

3:10 – 11th class begins

3:40 - Classes are dismissed

SCHOOL OFFICE HOURS

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCIL MEMBERS

The Bezanson School Council is a group of concerned parents and teachers who work together for the benefit of our school children and community children. All parents of students at the Bezanson School and community are welcome to participate in meetings and invited to give their ideas and suggestions, as each and every one are part of the School Council.

Some of the projects that have been carried out through the School Council are: Christmas gifts for all children preschool to grade 4 at the Christmas concert, chili dog sales, canteen for volleyball, basketball tournaments, lunch for play day, raising money for playground equipment, help in purchasing awards, and help in various other ways.

CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR

A standard of dress, cleanliness and grooming appropriate for being in public is expected of all students. If students wear short shirts that expose their tummy, or low cut shirts, they will be asked to put on a sweater or coat. Students are not allowed to wear spaghetti straps unless they have another shirt or sweater over top. We are enforcing these rules because it is distracting to other students.

Students are expected to avoid wearing T-shirts that are suggestive, indecent or profane. We solicit parental cooperation in this regard.

Each student is expected to have running shoes that are used inside only. Heavy footwear that may mark the floors is not to be worn in the school.

Students learn best when they are afforded the opportunity to go outside, play and get some fresh air every day. For this reason when send children outside at recess. Children are expected to come to school dressed appropriately to be outside during the day. This means winter coats, ski pants, winter boots, touques, and mits in the winter and jackets, splash pants and waterproof footwear when it rains. Decisions are made on a daily basis as to whether it is too cold or too wet to go outside, but we try to send the children out when ever possible.
SCHOOL ENTRANCE AGE

Peace Wapiti Policy states that students entering grade one must have reached the age of 6 years by December 31st of the year in which they enter school.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Every student of school age should be in school every day unless ill, or needed for essential household duties or other unavoidable cause. Further details of the Peace Wapiti Attendance Policy may be obtained by phoning the school office. Parents are asked to notify the school if the student will be absent. If a student is absent and the school has not been notified, the student’s parents will be phoned to ensure the student’s safety.
Absence from school without permission is viewed as a serious breach of responsible conduct - and for a junior high student may result in a suspension.

Students must be signed out at the office by the person picking them up, if they are leaving the school early. Students must come to the office to sign in if they arrive late to school.
STUDENTS LEAVING SCHOOL PREMISES DURING THE DAY

Students leaving the school during the school day, unless picked up by the parents, are expected to have permission in writing from their parents and have this note endorsed by a member of the staff who will be designated.

Parents are required to report to the office before they pick up any students from the school. Please do not go directly to your child’s classroom. Students must be signed out at the office if they are leaving before the end of the school day.

LUNCH

Students are expected to bring lunches to school and eat them while seated in their homerooms. Students wishing to go home for lunch on a regular basis are to notify the office.

LOST AND FOUND

A table containing lost articles is kept in the hall. Students and parents are free to look through these items when they have shoes or clothing missing. Items such as jewelry and money are usually turned in the office and kept there to be claimed.

TELEPHONE

Office and staff room phones are not to be used by students. Students may use classroom phones after they have received permission from their teacher.

STUDENT'S PERSONAL PROPERTY

Every effort is made to encourage honesty and respect for private property. However, students are responsible for their own personal property at school. Please have students put their names on all articles that they bring to school. Student's personal property (desk, book bag, coat) could be searched if a theft occurs in the school. Students should not bring electronic equipment such as walkmans, CD players and cell phones. If a student must bring such equipment for afterschool use, they are to keep the equipment in their backpacks and turned off. Students who bring such equipment without prior approval from staff will have the equipment confiscated until their parents pick it up.

MONEY

Students should not bring large amounts of money to school unless absolutely necessary. As with personal property, the school is not responsible for its loss. If students bring money or valuables, please have them hand into their homeroom teacher.

VISITORS

All visitors to the school are requested to check at the office before their visit.

VOLUNTEERS

All volunteers are asked to sign in a log book kept at the office whenever they help at the school.

DAMAGE TO SCHOOL PROPERTY

Property damaged by a student willfully or as a result of gross neglect or carelessness is the responsibility of the student. The student or parent will receive a bill for necessary replacements or repairs. Students who lose or damage books beyond normal wear and tear will be expected to pay the value of the book, whether it is a text or library book.

ILLNESS WHILE AT SCHOOL

When a student becomes ill, we will usually attempt to notify the parents to have the child taken home. If parents can not be reached, we will try to phone the emergency contact listed on the registration form.

INJURY WHILE IN SCHOOL

Minor injuries are usually dealt with by the school staff. If an injury is serious or suspected of being serious, every attempt will be made to notify the parents or the emergency contact person listed on the student’s registration form. If this fails and medical attention is required, the child will be taken to the hospital by a staff member or a medical practitioner called to the school. In the case of very serious injury or other medical problems, the child may be taken to the hospital or a medical practitioner called immediately with parents being notified as soon as possible.

STUDENT INSURANCE

Student insurance is available through IAP Kids Plus Accident Insurance. Forms and information are distributed through the school at the beginning of the school year.

SCHOOL FEES

The fees levied vary from year to year. They include the following items:

Textbook rental Elementary $50, Junior High $60 Cultural Events $5
Supplies $20
(all supplies except for indoor shoes and backpacks will be supplied by the school)
Swimming (grades 2 to 6 only) $41
CTS option fees (grades 7-9)

SUPERVISION

Students are supervised by the staff from 8:00 until they get on buses to go home.

DISCIPLINE

Discipline is a word that can describe conduct that is motivated from within an individual and is a result of training and experience. During their formative years, children acquire varying amounts of this internal self-direction. As adults it is a part of our responsibility to help them in this growth experience. Most often, reasoning, discussion or simply telling students that a certain behavior is unacceptable or undesirable is sufficient. In some cases external discipline in the form of punishment may seem to be best. Punishment by definition is unpleasant and in some cases, where behavior is very serious, or where the continued attendance of a student at the school is seen as harmful to the student body as a whole, suspension may be used.

Assertive Discipline is used through out the school. Rules may vary a little from room to room. Grades 5 to 9 are on the same program.

FIELD TRIPS

Field trips are often an integral part of a program. These are often within the County or City of Grande Prairie, or just beyond. These will vary from year to year and class to class.

TEAM EXCELLENCE

TEAM EXCELLENCE is an extension of our current Assertive Discipline Program in grade 7-9. It is based on the premise that privileges at school must be earned. Students who exhibit exemplary behavior and work habits should be rewarded. At the end of each month every student will receive a rating of Excellent, Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. Ratings are based on classroom rules and assignment completion as follows:

Excellent – No detentions during the month
- No more than one time in the
homework room during the month

Satisfactory - No more than 2 detentions during
the month
- No more than 2 times in the
homework room during the month

Unsatisfactory - More than 2 detentions during the
month
- More than two times in the
homework room during the month

Any student who receives an excellent rating during a month will be invited to participate in the TEAM EXCELLENCE activity for that month.

Any student who does not receive an excellent rating during a month will remain at school to work on assignments. Days with TEAM EXCELLENCE activities are regular school days and ALL students are expected to attend. Students who do not attend on these days must complete their assignments at home.

Any student who receives an unsatisfactory rating will lose their privileges to participate in extra-curricular activities during the next month as they have not earned them. Extra curricular privileges include such activities such as:

- Team sports
- School clubs/intramurals etc.
- School trips or activities
- Remaining at school to watch after school sporting events

BICYCLE POLICY

Students may ride their bicycles to school. Bicycles cannot be ridden on the school grounds during school hours. In accordance to Provincial law, all students must wear a helmet when riding bicycles.

EVALUATION POLICY

Student marks are based on all aspects of the learning process and every effort is made to ensure that they are arrived at in a fair and just manner. Report cards will be sent out in November, March, and June. Parents may have access to view all their child’s marks online. Please contact the school for details.

PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Parent teacher interviews are held after the report cards go out in November and March. Should parents want to discuss their child's progress with a teacher at times other than these, they are asked to call the school office to arrange an appointment

GRADE NINE FAREWELL AND AWARDS NIGHT

These events are held in June in the evening. The grade nine farewell is mainly for the grade nine parents and invited guests. The awards night is for everyone.

INTERSCHOOL SPORTS

Students at the Junior High Level participate in various sports (Volleyball, Basketball, Badminton Track and Field) against teams from other junior high schools in the Peace Wapiti School Division. An attempt is made to involve as many students as possible on various teams and in individual sports. Membership on a team requires attendance at practices, games after school and tournaments on the weekends.

SWIMMING

Each year nine hours of swimming instruction is made available to students in grade two to four. This, over five years provides forty-five hours of instruction to every child. The cost of the program is born in part directly by the parents and is included in the school fees. The remainder of the cost is born by the school and school council.

STUDENTS' UNION

The Bezanson Students' Union involves grades 5 - 9.
The idea behind Students' Union is application of democracy in government.

The Students' Union is fairly active and involved in many aspects of school life, through fund raising for activities such as parties, picnics, field trips, etc. They also contribute gifts to the school, uniforms for teams, etc.

Some of the fund raising activities are: hot dog sales, ice-cream sales, pop machine, milk program at school, and chocolate sales. Pre-order forms will be sent out for milk, hot dogs and ice cream.

Hot Dogs - every Thursday. $1.00 each.
Chili Dogs-first Thursday of every month. $1.00 each.
Ice Cream sales - every Thursday. $1.00 to $1.50.
Milk is available every day - 55 cents.
Water $1.25 Juice $2.00

Ski trip to Jasper every other year for Junior High.
Grade 3-6 field trip to Edmonton every four years

BUSES

A complete set of rules is available from the bus driver.

All students riding on school buses during winter months shall be required to wear winter footwear and outerwear and to carry with them winter headwear and gloves or mitts, effective the 1st day of November to the 31st day of March.

Provide a written note or phone call to the bus driver if your child is to return home by any other route than normal, or is not to ride the bus home.
LIBRARY RULES

1. Lunch time rules:
a. No eating in the library
b. Students who disturb others will be asked to leave

2. Students may borrow two books from the library and keep the books for up to two weeks. (Students may return books and take another as frequently as they like.)

3. Encyclopedias cannot be taken home. They may be used in the library only.

4. All materials must be checked out of the library at the library desk by Mrs. Ford, a teacher or by a library helper.

PAYING FOR A LOST OR DAMAGED BOOK

1. When a book or textbook is damaged or not returned to the library a student is expected to pay for its replacement.

2. A letter will be sent home to the child's parent, identifying the book by name and asking for the replacement cost of the book. There will be an additional processing charge of $1.50.

3. The student will receive a receipt from the school.

4. If the book is located at a later date the student will be reimbursed. If found in the library – full reimbursement, if found elsewhere - the price of the book.

KINDERGARTEN TO GR. 6 PLAYDAY

Students in Kindergarten to grade six are organized with Teepee Creek students for their playday, held in the spring. This track meet provides the students an opportunity to take part in friendly competition with their fellow students. Some events vary from year to year. Ribbons are awarded in each event.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

The purpose of the Special Education program is to provide educational opportunities for students with exceptional educational needs. This includes the provision of special teaching methods as well as increased individual attention due to the decreased teacher-pupil ratio. The goal of Special Education is to help students function within the regular classroom framework and therefore the students are kept within the regular program as much as possible. The Junior High Special Education program focuses more on study skills, which are based on the content from the regular class program.

DRAMA

The school feels that it is important for children to be exposed to a variety of art forms, thus a conscientious effort is made to bring professional music and drama touring groups to the school. If this is not possible, students are sometime taken to performances in town or at other schools.

Every second year The Missoula Children's Theatre comes to the school. The Missoula Children's Theatre provides two professional director/actors who audition and cast the production from among elementary and Jr. high school students. Following a week of rehearsals, the cast will perform a show. Junior high students serve as assistant directors and spend the week becoming familiar with the show, learning how to operate the equipment and assisting in mounting the set. The tour is complete with set, props, costumes, lighting and sound equipment.

SCHOOL SPONSORED ACTIVITIES

Intramurals or other sporting activities may include cross country skiing, elementary soccer, football, basketball, volleyball, badminton, and floor hockey.

Students in grades 5 to 9 are provided with an opportunity to take part in intramurals at noon hour. The main purpose of intramurals is to allow students to make constructive use of leisure time.

A ball/soccer league is sponsored by the school and supported by the Bezanson Ag. Society. The games take place on evenings from late April to June.

BEZANSON SCHOOL YEAR

Sept 2 First Day of School for gr. K-9
3 Volleyball starts
8 Early out – 3:10 pm (Staff meeting)
12 CSW – no school
22 School Council Meeting (7:30 pm)
TBA Playschool Organizational Meeting (7 pm)
26 CSW – no school
30 School pictures ( 9 am) K - 9 only

Oct. 6 Early out – 3:10 pm (Staff meeting)
10 CSW – no school
13 Thanksgiving Day – no school
14 Swimming gr. 2-4 Begins (14-17, 20, 21)
22 Swimming gr. 5-6 Begins (22, 23, 27-30)
24 CSW – no school

Nov 3 Early out – 3:10 pm (Staff meeting)
7 CSW – no school
10 Day off in lieu of PTI – no school
11 Remembrance Day Ceremony
14 Report Cards gr. 1-9
17 School Council Meeting (7:30 pm)
18-19 Parent Teacher Interviews 5:30– 8:30 pm
21 CSW – no school

Dec 1 Early out – 3:10 pm (Staff meeting)
5 CSW – no school
18 Christmas Concert 7:30 p
Dec 20-Jan 4 Christmas Break – no school

Jan 5 Classes Resume
5 Early out – 3:10 pm (Staff meeting)
6 Basketball begins
16 CSW – no school
19 School Council Meeting (7:30 pm)
30 CSW – no school

2008-2009

Feb 2 Early out – 3:10 pm (Staff meeting) 13 Teacher’s Inservice - no school
16 Family Day - no school
27 CSW – no school

Mar 2 Early out – 3:10 pm (Staff meeting)
3-4 Jasper Ski Trip (gr. 6-9)
5-6 Teachers’ Convention – no school
13 Report Cards
16 School Council Meeting (7:30 pm)
17-18 Parent Teacher Interviews 5:30 – 8:30 pm
20 Day off in lieu of PTI – no school
27 CSW – no school

Apr 6 Early out – 3:10 pm (Staff meeting)
10-19 Easter Break – no school
20 Classes Resume

May 1 CSW – no school
4 Early out – 3:10 pm (Staff meeting)
19 Jr. High Track Meet (tentative)
15 CSW – no school
18 Victoria Day – no school
25 School Council Meeting (7:30 pm)
28 Elementary Play Day at Bezanson
29 CSW – no school

June 1 Early out – 3:10 pm (Staff meeting)
11 Grade Nine Farewell (tentative)
11 Last day Kindergarten
12 CSW – no school
19-25 Jr. High final exams (tentative)
25 Final reports cards
25 Last Day for Students
25 Awards Night