Attendance Policy - Prairie Spirit School Division

Under the provisions of the Public Schools Act, every pupil must attend school regularly. The Principal has the authority to excuse children in the case of medical or dental appointments or sickness, or for any other acceptable reason, according to the policies established in each school. The school will make every effort to follow up on, and determine reasons for any student absenteeism. A student who is excused must fulfil the school's requirements in order to be promoted.

Baldur School Attendance Policy

Absences from School (Excused)

If it is necessary for a student to miss school due to illness or a family emergency, (death, work on the family farm/business), parents are asked to notify the school as soon as possible giving the reason for the absence.

It is recognized that there are times that a student must be away for medical appointments or family functions that can only take place during school hours. This category refers to functions such as weddings and family vacations. If such an occasion should arise parents are requested to notify the school well in advance and arrange for the completion of schoolwork. Students are also asked to arrange in advance to make up tests that may be scheduled during the time absent from school.

Truancy (Unexcused )

Truancy constitutes any absence that falls outside of the above policy. This includes absences due to such activities as:

.  casual jobs

.  hair appointments

.  sleeping in

.  attending rock concerts

.  going for coffee

.  chronic lateness (4 lates = 1 absence)

The consequences for truancy will include the following:

.  students will receive a zero on tests or in-class work assigned to the class when they were absent.

.  the student may be prevented from participation in school sanctioned extra- curricular activities.

.  after 3 classes have been missed due to unexcused absences; the opportunity to have an exemption is lost.

.  after 6 classes have been missed due to absences that fall outside the policy, the course is lost.

** Any student over the age of 16 will receive a compulsory withdrawal from a course after missing 15 classes in a semester if their current course average is below 45%. (Exceptions may occur only in instances of chronic illness and only if the student enters into a work and attendance contract with the school.

Missed School Work

When students are absent, they are expected to complete all assignments that were missed. If a student misses a test because of illness, a family emergency, medical appointments, extra-curricular activity or family functions that can only take place during school hours, the student will arrange to write the test at noon hour, during a preparation period or after school. If a test or in-class assignment is missed due to an absence for any other reason, a mark of zero will be given. It is expected that students will:

.  arrange to complete work well in advance if they know they are going to be absent

.  arrange to have work sent home if they are sick

.  arrange to make up extra work if they have missed work or activities that cannot be sent home or duplicated.

.  more than 3 incomplete assignments will be reported to parents

Students with outstanding major assignments at any reporting period or at the end of the year will receive an " I " (incomplete) on their report card. Students who have failed to complete all major assignments to a satisfactory level by the date of the final examination in June, will be denied credit in the course in question and will be required to either retake the course or take another course in its place.

Noon Hour Leave

Consultation between the student council and staff has resulted in a modification of our current school leave policy during the noon hour period. Baldur School will have an open campus policy over the noon hour for all students in Grade 9-12.

This means that if the student has written permission from the parent, he/she may leave the school over the noon hour as long as they sign out in the register by the front door. The parents or the school may revoke this privilege at any time for the abuse of other school rules. This policy will not have any impact on the current car/rider policy.

Bus/School Departure Policy

If parents want to make alternate arrangements for their children to either not take the bus or to go with a friend or relative at the end of the school day, please contact the school. A note or telephone call to the teacher is required. Unless it is an emergency, please contact the school by two o'clock.

Bus Conduct Policy

In accordance with divisional policy, the school will be putting into effect the following procedure when dealing with students who continually misbehave on the bus:

.  Each incident will be reported on a divisional bus conduct report, and the parents will be contacted immediately.

.  After the first report, discussion will take place with the student and his/her parents.

.  Following a second report, school privileges such as recess, noon hour and extra curricular activities may be suspended until behaviour improves.

.  After a third report, suspension of the student's riding privileges will be considered.

Exam Policy

The exam policy requires all students to write exams in selected subjects. Examinations are to be cumulative and will be worth 30% of the year's work, unless posted differently. This policy is designed for school examinations, not the provincially mandated exams.

Exemption Policy Grade 7 - S4

Students may be recommended for exemption from final exams in courses that are not subject to provincially mandated exams based upon the following criteria:

.  maintain an average of 75% in the course

.  maintain a positive attitude towards learning, teachers and fellow students

.  complete assignments on time and to the best of his/her ability

.  consistently conform to the rules of the classroom and of the school

.  show respect for self, others, and school property

.  attend classes regularly.

Please note that a 75% average is only one of the criteria for exemption.

**After 3 unexcused absences the opportunity to have an exemption is lost.

**After 10 classes have been missed for any reason the opportunity to have an exemption is lost.

Test Policy

Tests must be written at the scheduled time. Students are expected to come to school prepared to write the test.

Harassment Policy

Student harassment will not be tolerated in any way. Parents will be notified and asked to pick up their son/daughter and take him/her home if the child has been involved in the harassment of another student. A suspension may follow if it is deemed necessary. Parents should notify the school if their son/daughter is being harassed.

Car Policy

Prairie Spirit School Division has a policy that allows students to drive to school. However, upon arrival at school, the vehicle must remain parked until the student goes home at 3:30. If the student wants to use the vehicle on an errand, or over lunch hour, permission from the principal is required as well as a signed note from the parents. If you do not want your child riding with another student, please send a note to the school. Cars must be parked on the south side of the parking lot, facing the highway.

Locker Policy

At the beginning of the year, all High School and Middle Years students will be assigned a locker. The student is responsible for his/her locker and must keep it clean. Students are not to deface their lockers in any way whatsoever. Locker privileges may be lost for abuse of this policy. Students must use the locks provided by the school for their lockers and they must complete the divisional locker agreement form.

Homework

The amount of homework will vary depending on the teacher, the subject and the semester. Individual teachers will give further

details. It is important for parents to take an active interest in their child's daily work. Communication is essential. If there are

problems or concerns please address them to the source.

Text Books

Textbooks are provided with no initial fee. Students are responsible for the care of textbooks and will be expected to pay for their loss and/or damage.

Smoking

Smoking is forbidden anywhere on School Division property.

Dress Code

School is a special place. We expect all students to dress in a manner appropriate for school. Hats may only be worn in the hallways.

Extra Curricular Activities

Baldur School is an active participant in extra curricular activities. We participate in all sports where numbers and interest warrant. Academic standing and attendance will play a role in a student's eligibility to participate.

A student wishing to be part of an extra curricular event (sports team, student council, etc.) must be achieving a grade of 50% on their course work and maintain regular attendance. If these conditions are not met, the student will receive a warning notice and the parents/guardians will be contacted by phone by the coach/supervisors. If the situation does not improve within 5 school days, the student will be suspended from the activity until such time that a 50% grade is re-attained. It will be the student's responsibility to visit the teacher to arrange a method for re-attaining the 50% grade.

The entire document is sent home with each child at the beginning of each year .