School Handbook
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Bridgetown REGIONAL COMMUNITY SCHOOL School Handbook Principals’ Message Welcome to our learning community at Bridgetown Regional Community School! BRCS endeavors to provide students with an excellent education delivered by a dedicated and extremely knowledgeable staff. In today’s world, students must be provided with learning experiences that prepare them for the future by stressing such learnings as aesthetic expression, citizenship, communication, personal development, problem solving and technological competence. Our school will continue to focus on the three R’s – RIGHTS, RESPECT and RESPONSIBILITY, which will strongly support the development of a warm, caring and safe environment. Students – this school is here to help you grow and develop. The more you give to it, the more you will receive from it! Please feel free to call or email us at any time if you have any questions, suggestions or concerns. Darlene Thomas & Tammy Foster-Veinot BRCS Mission Statement Bridgetown Regional Community School is a community of staff and students that is committed to individual achievement and collaborative work in the implementation of a rich, dynamic, diversified and differentiated curriculum in a climate that is safe and welcoming for all. School Configuration BRCS consists of a Pre-primary program, an Elementary Section (P-5), a Middle Level (Grades 6-8) and a Senior High (grades 9-12). The school follows a fixed 8-day cycle. The School Calendar link on the BRCS webpage outlines the school year with days of the cycle identified. Daily Schedule Times High School Times Middle Level Times Elementary 8:40-8:45 Homeroom 8:40-8:45 Homeroom 8:40-8:45 Homeroom 8:45-10:03 8:45-9:24 Period 1 8:45-9:24 Period 1 Period 1 9:24-10:03 Period 2 9:24-10:03 Period 2 10:03-10:42 Period 3 10:03-10:13 Recess 10:03-10:13 Recess 10:42-10:52 Recess 10:13-11:31 10:13-10:52 Period 3 10:52-11:31 Period 4 Period 2 10:52-11:31 Period 4 11:31-12:15 Period 5 11:31-12:15 Lunch 11:31-12:15 Lunch 12:15-12:54 Lunch 12:15-1:33 12:15-12:54 Period 5 12:54-1:33 Period 6 Period 3 12:54-1:33 Period 6 1:33-2:12 Period 7 1:33-1:38 Recess 1:33-1:38 Recess 2:12-2:17 Recess 1:38-2:56 1:38-2:17 Period 7 2:17-2:56 Period 8 Period 4 2:17-2:56 Period 8 2:56 Dismissal School Closures/Cancellations Parents/Guardians: AVRCE will alert you via text/email using the contact information you provide in September. Inform BRCS if your email or phone number changes. AVRCE also share announcements on: . www.avrce.ca . @AVRCE_NS on Twitter . AVRCE phone line, 902.538.4600 or 1.800.850.3887 . Local media (AVR Network, Magic 94.9, 89.3 K-Rock, CBC Radio 1, CTV Morning Live Atlantic) For more information on storm days and school cancellations due to weather or road conditions, visit www.avrce.ca/storm-daysschool-cancellations BRCS Communication Plan Effective and timely communication is essential to support student success at BRCS. Please contact office staff or teachers with questions or concerns. BRCS staff will communicate with parents in the following ways: . BRCS website: www.bridgetown.ednet.ns.ca . Student/Parent Portal (online attendance and assessment information) . Information provided in the school handbook . Monthly newsletters . School sign at the front of the school property . Course outlines from teachers; teacher websites, emails . Event/Activity memos and permission form . Automated alerts Busing Board Policy states the “Board provided transportation is designed to transport eligible students to and from their normal place of residence and their school.” However, students may get off at a different stop or take a different bus to another location providing: a written note of request is sent to the school from the parent or guardian the note is brought to the office by the student to be signed and stamped with the school stamp the stamped note is given to the bus driver PLEASE NOTE that a bus driver may refuse a student access to the bus if it is full. If this should happen, students will be instructed to return to the office so other arrangements can be made. Sign-In/Sign-Out All students require permission (verbal/written) from parents to be excused during class time. BRCS is an open campus for students in grades 9-12 during non-instructional time. BRCS is a closed campus for grades PP-8 at all times. Students arriving late or leaving early are required to be signed in or out by a parent/guardian. This is necessary so everyone can be accounted for in the event of an emergency. Parents/guardians are asked to wait in the office for their child. Safe Arrival Program BRCS offers a Safe Arrival program. The purpose of this program is to ensure all children who were sent to the school for the day have arrived safely; therefore, it is very important that you call the school (665-5400) if your child will be absent or late for the day. Communication If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s education, please do not hesitate to contact the school. However, if you wish to meet with your child’s teacher or the administration, please email to arrange an appointment. Change of Address/Telephone Number Many students have changes to their initial registration form during the year (address, telephone number, parental employment number, medical concerns, etc.). Any changes should be reported to the office immediately to ensure our records are kept up to date. Bicycles/Scooters/Skateboards Parents are asked to remind children that bicycle rules such as helmet use, must be strictly adhered to. Failure to follow these rules will result in the loss of their privilege to ride their bike to school. Locks are advised for protection during the day. Field Trips Various field trip experiences are provided for students throughout the year as a supplement to the school program. Parents will be notified in advance of all field trips requiring students to leave the school property. Permission slips and related fees are required of each child before he/she can attend such events. This consent form gives authorization for your child’s participation. Parents who wish to volunteer/chaperone to drive students on field trips must fill out a “J” form for driving students (which must be completed each year), a Child Abuse Registry form, a Criminal Record (background) Check form, and Volunteer application (every 3 years). Please submit all forms to the office. Volunteers BRCS is fortunate to have the support of many dedicated volunteers who supplement the efforts of our staff by providing assistance to students in a variety of ways. Volunteers are identified by name tags (available at the office) so students and staff may easily identify them. Volunteers are also required to fill out the necessary forms to be a school volunteer (listed above). Provincial School Code of Conduct Students, parents, teachers, support staff, principals, and education centers share responsibility for creating a school-wide approach to maintaining a positive and inclusive school climate where all students are supported to develop healthy relationships, make good choices, and achieve success in their learning. All members of Nova Scotia’s school communities have a role to play in the awareness and prevention of unacceptable behaviour. The provincial school code of conduct policy applies to all public schools and education centers in the Province of Nova Scotia. All students and school members in Nova Scotia are required to follow this provincial school code of conduct policy, which is governed by the Education Act. Acceptable Standards of Behaviour All students and school members will: . show respect for the rights, property, and safety of themselves and others . accept personal responsibility for their behavior . demonstrate socially appropriate behavior . respect and appreciate diversity of all school members regardless of their race, culture, ethnicity, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability or mental disability, mental illness, age, national or aboriginal origin, socio-economic status, or appearance • treat school property and the property of others with a reasonable standard of respect . attend regularly and punctually as required under section 24 of the Education Act . show respect for the roles and responsibilities of students, principals, teachers, parents, volunteers, and the school board . demonstrate respect for the learning environment of the school and the classroom and school activities and events . demonstrate and promote positive behaviour through the avoidance of all types of violence . use information and communications technology, including the Internet, digital resources, and e-communication, and all forms of social media in a responsible and acceptable manner consistent with the Nova Scotia Public School Network Access and Use Policy and the Cyber-safety Act (2013) . refrain from all forms of bullying and cyberbullying, intimidation, racism, and discrimination . refrain from the possession of any weapons . refrain from the use of items as weapons intended to harm another person or themselves . refrain from the possession of, or being under the influence of alcohol, drugs, and all other forms of intoxicants on school property The full Provincial School Code of Conduct Policy may be accessed online at the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development website (http://www.ednet.ns.ca/). BRCS Code of Conduct We Show Respect for All at BRCS Showing Respect for Ourselves Means: We are proud of those things we do that are positive for our lives by striving to achieve/maintain good health and personal hygiene, by avoiding all substance abuse, by trying our best in all situations and by dressing in an appropriate and inoffensive manner.