Guidelines

• Freedom Of Information And Public Health
• Attendance And Punctuality
• Balaclava School Community Values
• Balaclava Mission Statement
• Code Of Conduct
• School Resources
• Extra-Curricular Activities
• Student Volunteers And Activities
• Extra-Curricular Activities
• Dress Code
• Personal Property
• Lunch
• Buses
• Lockers
• Textbooks/Supplies
• Homework

In keeping with the Health Promotion and Protection Act, the Social and Public Health Services Division has a mandate to provide health promotion and disease prevention services to the citizens of this community. Public Health staff collaborate with the community to address health issues for children and their families in their neighbourhoods. This includes service within the schools. The school-based service may include one-on-one counselling, education for children and/or their parents about health concerns. In the course of providing this service, information may be collected and recorded by Public Health staff. This information remains confidential in keeping with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. If you would like further information about the records of Public Health service, please contact the Social and Public Health Department Services Division at 546-3550.

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Good attendance is essential for success at school. Students are expected to attend on a regular basis and, if absent, they are expected to bring a note or have their parents telephone the school before 8:30 a.m. Balaclava has an arrival check line. If your child will be absent or late, please leave a message on our arrival check line 659-3398. Give your name, the date, child's name, grade - teacher, reason and length of absence. The recording will be on from 4:00 p.m. the night before until 8:40 a.m. on the day of the absence. Please use this arrival check line as it saves the office staff a great deal of time trying to reach parents. If your family is planning a holiday during the school year, please inform the office in writing.

It is the student's responsibility to become aware of assignments missed. The student is expected to complete them by a time negotiated with the teacher.

Punctuality shows consideration for other people. If you are late for class, you disrupt the learning situation for other students and the teacher. Students must obtain a late slip from the office if they are not in class by 8:50 a.m.

Early Dismissal Note:
If you are to be excused early during the day, you must present a note from your parents or guardians to your homeroom teacher. The note will be forwarded to the office with the morning attendance.

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The mission of Balaclava Public School is to provide a safe and nurturing environment where all students are free to learn, grow, and pursue their personal best.

At Balaclava, our school motto is "LEARNING TO CARE - CARING TO LEARN".

A school is a place that promotes responsibility, respect, citizenship and academic excellence in a safe learning and teaching environment.

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STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR

The Provincial standards of behaviour apply not only to students, but also to all individuals involved in the school - parents or guardians, volunteers, teachers and other staff members - whether they are on school property, on school buses or at school-authorized events or activities.

All school members must:

Teachers and School staff, under the leadership of their principals, maintain order in the school and are expected to hold everyone to the highest standard of respectful and responsible behaviour. As role models, staff uphold these high standards when they:

THE ONTARIO CODE OF CONDUCT SETS CLEAR PROVINCIAL STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR. IT SPECIFIES THE MANDATORY CONSEQUENCES FOR STUDENT ACTIONS THAT DO NOT COMPLY WITH THESE STANDARDS.

Police will be involved and the student will be immediately suspended and proceed to an expulsion hearing for the following:

Actions that are not in keeping with the standards of behaviour will be responded to in accordance with applicable Board Policy and /or legislation that may apply.

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Learning Resource Program

Each student at Balaclava should receive an educational program that ensures personal and academic success.

The Resource Teachers assist students, teachers, and parents with how to understand and handle individual learning programs as needed.

LIBRARY RESOURCE PROGRAM

The Library Resource Centre is an integral part of a student's learning at Balaclava School. The library functions as a source, not only for pleasure reading materials, but also for research topics.

Technology in the library provides all students with access to numerous encyclopedia CD programs that can be used in the library as well as in the computer lab. This allows a number of students to work on their research at any given time.

Senior students are given an opportunity to utilize the video cameras to complete drama assignments as well as record school activities.

Library books are checked out for a two week period. Overnight checkouts are available for some reference materials.

COMPUTER RESOURCE CENTRE

Classes will have opportunities to access the Lab for instructional periods. The students will learn how to use the computer as a tool to improve their knowledge, skills and academic achievement in all subjects. The goal of our teachers is to increase the integration of Information Technology with the classroom curriculum. The students will develop skills in Word Processing, Desktop Publishing, Spreadsheet, Database and Presentation programs. Our new projection unit allows the teacher to project the computer display so that all children can easily see the steps to follow on a large screen. All students will have supervised access to the Internet using the Internet menu system called Student Link. Please remember to read, discuss and sign the Acceptable Use Agreement for the Internet. Junior and Intermediate classes will receive instruction in the use of the scanner, the digital camera, microphones, CD encyclopedia and other interactive software.

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Physical Education

Intramural program provides a variety of team activities. Students may participate in these activities which are held during lunch time.

Interscholastic program is an enrichment component of the classroom. It is designed for the students who wish to improve their skills and play at a competitive level. Students who wish to take part in this program are expected to fulfil all of their classroom and school responsibilities.

Classroom program - it is expected that each student will come to class fully prepared, in appropriate attire (see Dress Code), to participate in each period. If students are unable to participate in a class for two days due to illness, a note signed by a parent is required. For abstentions of more than two days, a note from a physician will be necessary.

Evaluation emphasis is based on student participation and effort, more than a student's ability level.

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Student Volunteers are welcomed in the following programs:

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While each situation will be evaluated individually, parents and students should consider the following clothing as inappropriate for regular school classes:

Accessories - hats and sunglasses must be removed upon entering the building. Jackets and outerwear will be left on your coat hook or in your locker.

Physical Education Attire - students need to have a change of clothing for physical education (e.g.: T-shirt, shorts, running shoes) to participate safely in class.

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Personal items such as CD Players, walkman's, video games or other expensive toys should not be brought to school, unless it is a school sanctioned activity. The school is not responsible for lost items. Students who share classrooms should secure personnel items in a safe location.

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Parents and students are asked to review the "Bus Code of Conduct" rules and return the tear-off portion to the school. Should your child be reported for a disciplinary reason by the bus driver, you shall be notified. Should this happen twice, the privilege of riding the bus will be removed for a minimum of 3 days. In the past, if bus privileges were removed, a student-paid taxi has proven to be the most effective method of assuring co-operative behaviour in the future.

Bus Notes
Special arrangements to accommodate birthday parties, lessons, sports or parental schedules will have to be made from home. The office will no longer issue bus notes. We will continue to make emergency changes so that students do not find themselves in unsafe situations. Please send a note directly to your child's teacher who will forward it to the office in their morning attendance for approval.

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Each student in grades 7 and 8 will have the use of a locker. A combination lock can be purchased from the school at a discounted cost of $5.00. Students are asked to keep lockers locked at all times. The lock (serial number and combination code) will be registered with the office. Key locks are not acceptable.

The school board and the school are not responsible for money or valuables left in lockers. The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board does not carry insurance covering student loss of personal items from desk, lockers, change rooms or elsewhere on school property.

The inside of the locker door should have a timetable, all other decorations must be approved by the Home room teacher, e.g.: permanent stickers, posters, pictures, etc., are not allowed. You are expected to carry sufficient books and supplies for the rotary schedule.

Note: Students must not change locks or lockers unless authorized by the office.

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In Grade 7 and 8, students are expected to supply their own pencils, pens, rulers, and 3-ring paper. Students are expected to respect their materials and the materials of others. Students are required to replace lost or damaged books. White-out or liquid paper is not permitted for use.

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Homework incorporates a wider definition than most students realize. It includes completion of work not finished in class, completion of short and long term assignments, daily review of work, studying for tests and individual reading. Having a homework buddy is an excellent strategy for keeping up with missed work.(See Homework Guideline - revised.

You are reminded that when you return to school following an absence, you are expected to initiate consultation with your teachers to catch up on assignments and tests.

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