Attendance Policy
Senior 1 – 4 Students
Purpose: The staff of Pinawa Secondary School believes that regular attendance and punctuality are important components for student success. An attendance policy’s prime purpose is to reduce the number of students who find themselves in difficulty because of truancy and to provide teachers with tools to support students. The ultimate goal is to keep students in class and to deter unaccountable student absences.
Guidelines
Student Responsibilities:
· Students are expected to arrive at their scheduled class on time.
· Students are expected to attend all of their scheduled classes
· Students who are not scheduled for a class are expected to be working on their courses unless the school has granted them permission to leave the school during these periods.
· Students are expected to complete any schoolwork that is missed when classes are missed. It is the student’s responsibility to ask for any work that is missed.
Parental Responsibilities:
· Parents are expected to notify the school (the office or homeroom teacher) when their son/daughter is absent. Student notification will not be considered a legitimate reason.
· Parents are expected to promote behaviours whereby students arrive at classes on time and regularly.
· If parents do not contact the school within 48 hours of an absence it will be treated as an unexcused absence. (The principal has the right to waive this time frame in special circumstances.) Teachers will be notified if changes in status take place.
School's Responsibilities:
· Teachers are expected to keep accurate attendance records.
· Teachers are expected to follow the attendance procedures of the school.
Attendance Procedures
School Related absences will not be considered absences for course withdrawal purposes.
A. Excused Absences
· Family Emergency
· Pre-arranged family activity – plans must be submitted to the principal
· Medical
· Students will be allowed up to a maximum of three sick days in a given semester. (for excused absences)
B. Unexcused Absences
· All absences not considered excused, even those confirmed by parents, will constitute an absence for credit granting purposes
· Student absences while on school suspension shall be considered unexcused absences.
C. Lates
· A late is defined as coming to class after instruction has commenced.
· A late is excused if the student is unavoidably late (team meeting, guidance counsellor, resource, parental notification, meeting with a teacher, etc.)
· 3 unexcused lates equals one absence. These absences will count towards the school’s course withdrawal policy. Students must be sent to the office for a late slip.
Procedure:
· The office will contact the parents for every unexcused absence.
· Two absences within a two week period - the teacher will talk to the student
· The teacher will notify the parents and office after any combination of lates or unexcused absences that total three absences.
· After six unexcused absences the classroom teacher will inform the office and a letter will be sent to the parents from the principal.
· After six unexcused absences a contract between the teacher/administrator and student will be made.
· After nine unexcused absences administration will send a letter home with a review of the contract.
· After ten unexcused absences the student and parent must meet with the teacher and administrator as a final review before course withdrawal.
· Twelve unexcused absences will result in removal from the course.
Appeal Process:
If a student wishes to appeal the decision to withhold a credit due to poor attendance they must inform administration of their wish to appeal. This notification must occur within 24 hours of the notice of withdrawal. A letter must accompany a notice to appeal detailing any extenuating circumstances that should be considered at the time of the appeal meeting. The student will be allowed to continue attending the class until a final decision has been made regarding the appeal. Students will not be allowed to make an appeal if their grade is below 45%.
School Attire
Students are reminded that they should wear appropriate clothing in school. The general rule to follow in appropriate attire is what is generally acceptable in the work force. Hats/caps are not to be worn in school. Ribbons, elastics, buckles and rolled up bandannas used to hold up hair are acceptable. Clothing including tops with logos and or slogans deemed offensive by staff will not be allowed. Students must not expose their midriff.
Parking
Students are asked not to park their cars in the reserved area. If a student’s driving is deemed reckless or careless, the parents will be contacted. School parking is a privilege not a right and may be withdrawn.
Lost and Found
Please turn any “found” items into the office. Small items such as jewellery are kept in the office. All other items are placed on a lost-and-found shelf by the library. If you are missing something, check the lost-and-found area. This will be emptied at Christmas, Spring Break, and June and all items not claimed will be discarded.
Lockers
1. Each student is assigned one locker. A combination lock or key lock should be provided by each student.
2. A student is responsible for the condition of his/her locker. The outside of the locker may be decorated according to the program established in the school.
3. Keep your locker locked. Open lockers encourage pilfering.
4. Keep your combination to yourself. Sharing it with others will only result in your locker not being secure.
5. Money should not be kept in lockers or in the locker rooms during Physical Education classes. If you have money, the Office or Physical Education Teachers will keep it for you.
The painted lockers continue to enhance the atmosphere of the school. Please see Mrs. McGirr if you are interested in painting a locker.
Smoking
The staff of Pinawa Secondary School encourages all students to refrain from smoking. Pinawa Secondary School is declared a smoke-free school.
School Board policy prohibits smoking anywhere in the school and school property on a 24 hour basis. The only place where smoking is permitted is the area between the school the arena on the arena side of the barricade. Students must be on the other side of the road or parking lot beyond school grounds before lighting a cigarette.
Grades 7 to 9 students are not permitted to smoke. The smoking area is out of bounds for these students.
Pinawa Secondary School's Code of Conduct
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BEHAVIOUR
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Student Responsibilities
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Parent Responsibilities
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ABSENTEEISM
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Attend School
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Encourage regular attendance;
contact school when your child is absent
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PUNCTUALITY
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Be on time for classes
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Ensure that your child leaves school with sufficient time to be punctual
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RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY
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Respect for school staff, the school and School District Policies
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Encourage respect by your child; provide an appropriate model
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RESPECT FOR
OTHERS - DISCRIMINATION FREE ENVIRONMENT
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Respect the right of fellow students and staff to a school environment which is free from fears, prejudices and distraction. Bullying, or abusing physically, sexually or psychologically - orally, in writing or otherwise is unacceptable. Furthermore, Discriminating unreasonably on the basis of any characteristic found in Sec. 9(2) of the Manitoba Human Rights Code is unacceptable.
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Encourage in your child a respect for the rights of fellow students to enjoy a productive learning environment; provide an appropriate role model; instill basic values that include tolerance and respect for diversity
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RESPECT FOR PROPERTY
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Respect the property of school and fellow students and staff
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Engender values of respect for public or personal property in your child; make restitution for damage to property
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PROPER DRESS
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Dress appropriately
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Provide your child with appropriate dress for schooling
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SUBSTANCE ABUSE
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The use of tobacco on school property is prohibited. It is also prohibited to be in possession of or be under the influence of drugs or alcohol
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Instil appropriate social values and respect for the law in your child; encourage positive health attitudes
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APPROPRIATE USE OF COMPUTERS
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Adhere to the terms and conditions of the Computer network Acceptable Use Agreement
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Review the terms of the Computer Acceptable Use Agreement with your child
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POSSESSION OF A WEAPON/GANG INVOLVEMENT
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Shall not possess or use a weapon for purposes dangerous to the public
Gang involvement will not be tolerated
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Be aware of child’s general behaviour and attitude towards violence
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* In extreme cases where the action is repeated or flagrant the student may be recommended for Expulsion.
“COURTESY AND RESPECT”
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School / Staff
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Range of Consequences
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Guidelines for student tardiness
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Keep accurate records; call home when not notified
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Informal or formal interview
Parental involvement
Possible loss of credit
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For Defiance of Authority
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Approach the education of the student in a respectful manner; provide appropriate role models
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Informal or formal interview
Parental involvement
Loss of credit
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For Physical, Psychological or Verbal Abuse
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Provide appropriate role models; respect the fundamental rights of students
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Any form of violence is prohibited.
From Parental Involvement through to Suspension * “and outside agency involvement” through Suspension and/or Expulsion
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For Theft or Vandalism
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Strive to provide a safe and secure learning environment and encourage the student to take responsibility
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From informal interview though to Suspension * and outside agency involvement. Make restitution for District property
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For Inappropriate Dress
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Provide appropriate role models; delineate standards of dress for the school and inform the students of the same
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From informal interview through to withdrawal from the class setting and sent home to change clothes
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For Smoking on School Property or at School Sponsored Programs
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Provide appropriate role models; encourage positive health attitudes
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From formal interview through Suspension*
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For Possession/Consumption of Alcohol or Drugs
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Ensure that students having access to computers have a signed Computer Acceptable Use Agreement
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From Parental Involvement through “outside Agency Involvement” through Suspension and/or Expulsion
Interview with classroom teacher or Principal through to withdrawal of computer privileges through suspension
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For Possession of Weapons
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The right to seize weapons and contact law enforcement agencies
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Suspension through Expulsion. Involvement of law enforcement agencies
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Process for Appealing Decisions
Schools are safe but by their nature will encounter problem behaviours and conflict. Pinawa Secondary School is committed to resolving disputes in a timely and reasonable manner. Individuals wishing to appeal decisions are asked to use the following procedures:
1.) All appeals of a decision should be made first with the staff member making the decision.
2.) Students/parent(s)/guardian(s) may appeal the decision to the principal.
3.) The principal hears the appeal and notifies the student/parent/guardian of his/her decision within three school days.
4.) The decision of the principal may be appealed to the Superintendent.
5.) The decision of the superintendent may be appealed to the School Board.