Policies
Rules & Regulations
School Procedures
Unless students have permission to leave, they are required to remain on the school grounds from the time of their arrival until dismissal.
Before School:
Students are expected to remain outdoors until the 8:55 bell unless they are involved in a teacher-supervised activity.
Recess:
All students are expected to go outside for the recess break (10:30 -10:45). Two covered areas are available in the event of inclement weather.
Lunch:
The lunch break is from 12:00 -12:45. Students play outside from 12:00-12:30 and come in to eat lunch from 12:30-12:45.
Play Areas
Students are to play on the paved areas below the school or the play equipment area, or on the upper field. Students are not permitted to go into the bush area beside the field or in the garden.
Bicycle Safety and Security
Parents who permit children to ride bikes to school are requested to review traffic rules with their children. Helmets are mandatory and bicycle locks are strongly recommended. Bicycles are not to be loaned to, or borrowed by, other students.
Roller Blades/Skateboards
The use of these items is not encouraged as a means of transportation to and from school. If parent feel strongly that their child may travel to and from school on rollerblades or skateboards, we require that a helmet be worn during the trip.
For safety reasons, rollerblades or skateboards are not to be used on the school grounds between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Telephones
A student may use the office phone for special circumstances, (e.g., advising parent about a detention, missed bus, or a sports activity). The telephone is not to be used for personal reasons (e.g., checking with a parent to determine whether a friend might visit after school, etc.).
Expensive Possessions at School
Please do not allow your child(ren) to take expensive toys or other possessions such as phones, iPods, or handheld gaming systems to school. (The school cannot be responsible for the safe keeping of these items.)
Laser Light Pens
Laser light pens are intended to be used as pointers for people putting on presentations. They are not intended as toys because if directed into someone eye, they can cause temporary blindness and even permanent damage. For this reason students are not allowed to have these pens at school or while travelling to or from school.
Staff Expectations of Students on the Playground
The school staff works hard to foster a caring attitude among the students (older students are encouraged to look after younger ones, etc.).
From time to time, students must be reminded not to harm anyone, either physically or verbally. Fighting of any sort, even 'play-fighting,' is forbidden, as are any activities where students could be hurt (e.g., throwing snowballs).
Students who are noted by teachers, playground supervisors, or student peace patrollers for being helpful to others are given 'Caring Kids' slips. Students receiving 'Caring Kids' slips are eligible for monthly draws.
Problem-Solving Procedures
At Henderson School, the staff members view discipline as an opportunity for students to learn appropriate ways of interacting in a social setting. (They honor students' rights to access a broad education in all areas of the curriculum, but with these rights come certain responsibilities that students learn to understand and accept as part of their overall development.)
At Henderson Elementary School, responsible students:
- Use respectful behaviour and appropriate language
- Keep their hands and feet to themselves
- Act in a manner that makes others feel safe and comfortable
- Are very careful when handling objects such as rocks, sticks, and snow
- Carry out reasonable requests made by adults
- Treat guests with the same respect shown fellow students and staff members
Minor problems are dealt with on the spot through discussion and reminders of expectations, or the possibility of logical consequences (e.g., misusing materials or equipment could lead to a loss of privileges for a specified period of time).
Students who continue to make poor choices in spite of minor consequences, or whose actions are serious enough to compromise the safety of others (or jeopardize the learning environment) will be given escalating time-outs from the playground. They may begin with a time-out period from some of their outside play time during the lunch hour. (In addition, in cases of extreme misconduct, the school reserves the right to issue in - school or out-of-school suspensions.)
The purpose of the plan is to give students many opportunities to choose socially acceptable ways to behave at school. At the same time, we want students and their parents to know exactly what the consequences of continued misbehavior will be.
"Our goal is to provide a safe learning environment where all students can do their best at all times."
Consequences at the Classroom Level
A classroom teacher may require a student to complete assignments at lunch hour in class or in the Problem-Solving Centre, or after school for a period of up to thirty minutes. When a young child is involved, the teacher will give a day's notice (if the parent cannot be reached prior to 2:45 p.m.).
Consequences can be given as a result of student failure to complete assigned work (including homework), or unacceptable behaviour in the classroom.
Students who demonstrate poor behaviour on the bus may lose this privilege for a specified length of time. If this occurs, parents are held responsible for making alternate travel arrangements for the following day (or days). Please discuss with your child what he/she is to do if this occurs, and advise the school of your decision for that day (or those days).
Supervision at Lunch Eating
Teachers and school staff should not show any video or media content to students during lunch times (eating). This includes but is not limited to movies, television shows, or online videos.
Exceptions to this policy may be made under special circumstances with prior approval from the school administration. Such circumstances might include educational content directly related to a special event or lesson that extends through the lunch period.
See more: Supervision of Students (AP 310)
Library Times
Our teacher-librarian will be in the school Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons.