Banting & Best School

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Banting & Best School

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.”

William Butler Yeats

2015 - 2016

Student & Parent Handbook

Mr. Michael Jones

Mrs. Donna Brown

Principal

Assistant Principal

1819 66

th

Ave. S.E.

Calgary, Alberta

T2C 2K5

(403) 777-8650

Website: http://schools.cbe.ab.ca/b369

This agenda belongs to:

Name: _____________________________________________

Homeroom Teacher: _______________________________________

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2 MESSAGE TO PARENT

The following quote is taken from Educational Researcher and Professor, Linda Darling-Hammond. It paints a picture of the kind of school we want Banting & Best School to be.

“The schools we envisioned are exciting places: thoughtful engaging and engaged. They are places where meaning is made, places that resemble workshops, studios, galleries, theatres, studies, laboratories, field research sites, and newsrooms. Their spirit is one of shared inquiry. Students in these schools feel supported in taking risks and thinking independently. They are engaged in initiating and assessing their ideas and products, developing a disciplined respect for their own work and the work of others. Their teachers function more like coaches, mentors, wise advisors, and guides than as information transmitters or gatekeepers. They offer high standards, with high levels of support, creating a bridge between challenging curriculum goals and students’ unique needs, talents and learning styles. They are continually learning because they teach in schools where everyone would be glad to be a student, or a teacher - where everyone would want to be, and could be, both.”

We encourage all students to become life-long learners and to take responsibility for their learning and their conduct. Using

this book consistently will help your child to be organized and responsible while also serving to enhance communication between home and school. Parents are asked to check that assignments are complete and to verify that the book has been seen by signing it daily.

Parents and teachers may use the agenda to relay information back and forth. Please take time to look through the agenda with your

child and to take special note of the responsibilities of students, and parents as outlined inside.

This agenda also serves to assist you in becoming familiar

with the organization, policies, procedures and services at Banting & Best School. We ask that you sign the final page. This ensures, by your signature, that you are familiar with the policies and procedures that we use to govern our school. Thank you in advance for using this agenda regularly.

Sincerely,

Mr. Michael Jones, Principal AREA IV

The Calgary Board of Education is organized into five administrative units - our school belongs to Area IV. This kind of organization is intended to develop a close relationship between schools and senior administration to improve communication and to enhance educational decision-making.

Our Director, Mr. C. Davies, is located at A. E. Cross School (ph. (403) 777-8750). The office of the Director is available for issues that cannot be resolved at the school level.

2015-2016 School Day Hours:

Grades 1 – 3 Kindergarten

Monday to Thursday 8:20 – 12:20

1:07 – 2:57 AM - Monday to Friday 8:20 – 11:00

Fridays 8:20 – 12:30 PM - Mon. to Thur. 11:45 – 2:57

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FOCUS ON LEARNING

At Banting & Best School:

1) Learning is an active process that demands full student participation in work.

2) Learning is both an individual and a cooperative venture, where students work at their own pace and performance levels, and also work with other students to solve problems and demonstrate learning.

3) Learning encompasses a broad spectrum including the foundational skills in literacy and numeracy, while supporting students in utilizing technological tools to represent new understandings and opportunities to investigate significant inquiry questions. 4) Learning is goal-oriented, engaging, and

connected to the real world so students can connect what they learn in school to the outside world.

5) Learning is personalized so students and teachers can set goals that are realistic and attainable while challenging and rigorous. 6) Learning encourages a component of

self-evaluation. Assessment is a tool that develops further teaching and learning strategies.

7) Learning is something that needs a comfortable physical environment and an atmosphere of support (caring), respect and safety.

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT GOALS

1) To improve the academic performance of all students in the areas of Literacy (Reading and Writing) and Numeracy (Mathematics), and engage all students in their learning (personalization).

2) To ensure that all students become responsible citizens and develop good character.

3) To develop student and staff capacity to use formative assessment strategies to guide learning.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

1) To conduct themselves in a safe, respectful and responsible manner in school, on the grounds and on the way to and from school and to resolve conflicts non-violently.

2) To be organized, attend regularly, be punctual, complete assigned tasks, do homework, set goals, and look after their belongings, school property, and themselves. Students need to come prepared to work to the best of their ability, bringing necessary supplies and learning materials.

3) To learn as much as possible, to ask questions, to be curious, and to strive to understand.

4) Parents should encourage children to read from books suggested by the school. In addition, homework may be sent home for assignment completion or skill reinforcement during the course of the school year. In Division I, (Grades 1-3) 5 to 10 minutes of study or reading per night are recommended. Each child is unique and many children are reading 30 minutes per night from as early as Grade 2, so we encourage you to use these times as guidelines and increased homework time should be at the discretion of the parent in conversation with the teacher.

5) Students are required to refrain from using obscene or abusive language and its use will result in disciplinary action.

6) Fighting, threatening, and bullying are not permitted in a school environment. Students engaging in these activities will work with staff to problem solve. Disciplinary action may occur if students continue inappropriate behaviours.

7) Possession or use of a weapon is prohibited. Any weapon will be confiscated and returned to parents.

8) Students and parents are reminded that under the School Act (Statutes of Alberta), students can be held responsible for their behaviour on school property, on the way to or from school, or for any behaviour which has a negative impact even if this behaviour occurs away from school property and/or out of school hours.

PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES

1) To ensure students come to school regularly and on time.

2) To provide students with appropriate supports necessary for student academic and behavioural success.

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3) To attend parent conferences, read report

cards, respond to communications from the school, and to provide up-to-date information so that any emergency can be managed. 4) To support students in the school’s

endeavour to meaningfully engage them and to encourage them to assume responsibility for their learning and to support appropriate self-conduct.

5) To ensure early and on-going communication with staff regarding student progress concerns, health concerns, attendance and/or concerns regarding student conduct.

6) To support students by providing a time and place for home reading and study.

7) To understand the effects proper nutrition and sleep can have on learning and to send well-rested students with nutritious snacks and lunches to school.

8) To participate in the IPP process (for students with identified special needs), to attend meetings regarding their child and to sign and return documents in a timely manner.

DISCIPLINE POLICY

The discipline policy at Banting & Best School is based on the principle of respect.

Stated in its simplest form, it is: Respect yourself.

Respect each other.

Respect the things and places around you. Respect the world (the environment).

Our student conduct expectations emphasize the development of social skills and responsible attitudes and actions. Students are instructed in appropriate conflict resolution strategies so when disagreements arise, students have appropriate ways to manage them. It is assumed, of course, that parents are always working with their children to ensure proper behaviour. We stress that students are responsible for their actions and learning. Inappropriate behaviour is immediately dealt with, monitored and documented by teachers and administration. Parents are notified when aggressive behaviour occurs and in cases where inappropriate behaviour recurs.

We believe that the home and the school, learning and working together to establish

consistent expectations will ensure a positive learning environment for Banting & Best School students.

APPROPRIATE FOOTWEAR AND

CLOTHING

At Banting and Best School, we recognize that each child has clothing that they find comfortable and enjoy wearing. We ask that all clothing is safe, tasteful and not distracting to learning. We would ask that students avoid wearing:

• Suggestive / rude slogans on shirts • Items that promote illegal or

inappropriate behaviour for children this age

• Belly shirts, spaghetti straps, visible

underwear or undergarments

• Pyjama pants

• Excessively torn clothing

• Hats or raised hoods in the school • Mini shorts or skirts (must be mid-thigh

or longer)

• Shoes that mark the floor

Outdoor clothing (including winter or rubber boots) is expected to be hung on cloakroom hooks. Please mark all clothing with your child’s name so that it can be found when it is lost!

All students are required to have indoor shoes at school to be worn for physical education, and indoor wear. Bare, stocking feet, or boots are not permitted.

BICYCLES, SCOOTERS, SKATEBOARDS AND ROLLER BLADES

Bicycles, roller blades, scooters and skateboards should not be used on school property to ensure all person’s safety. Please dismount on school property and make arrangements for proper storage as classrooms haven't the room. Bikes must be placed in the racks provided and locked as a safeguard against theft

CELL PHONES AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Student safety and security is our chief concern. Many electronic devices such as iPads, tablets and cell phones can be excellent educational tools and can be used with teacher’s permission in the classroom. Non-educational uses such as

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taking phone calls and texting can make their presence in the classroom a problem. We ask that these electronic devices only be brought to school to be used as learning tools. These devices are costly and the school is not resourced to investigate issues when they are lost, stolen or broken.

If it is necessary to equip your child with a cell phone, please do not call during school hours, but rather call our school office. Urgent messages called in to the office are passed along to students immediately.

“TOYS”

Student owned recess “toys”, electronic or otherwise, should be left at home due to the risk of loss or damage. Many forms of equipment and other play items are available for student use at school and during recess. The exception to this expectation is when staff and students organize special events, such as “stuffie” days.

STUDENT SAFETY

1) Please call the attendance line to advise of all

student absences at 403-777-8650 extension “1”. Parents are required by legislation to advise the school of the reason for absence. We will call to inquire about any unaccounted absences. 2) If sending someone else to pick up your

child(ren), please let us know in writing, if possible.

3) When children are ill, please keep them home. Good health is necessary for effective learning.

4) Please inform the school if your child has any

medical conditions or requires medication. Medication is required to be stored in the office, unless by special arrangement (such as inhalers). 5) Students need written permission to leave the

school premises during school hours, including at noon if they are in the lunchroom full-time. They must be supervised by an adult who should stop in at the school office to sign them out.

6) Student supervision begins at 8:05 a.m. and therefore, they should not arrive prior to that time.

7) In the event of an emergency, a parent telephone “fan-out” is in place. Instructions will be provided by staff in emergency situations.

8) It is imperative that the school be made aware of

custody arrangements and that legal documentation be provided to support parental situations and requests. All parents or guardians who wish to share or request information from the school must be legal guardians or be granted written permission to do so.

9) The school practices fire drills, evacuation drills and lockdown drills regularly to familiarize students with these procedures.

10)Students in K to Grade 3 are considered to be too young to act as Safety Patrols. For this reason, it is the responsibility of parents and guardians to ensure that children arrive at and leave the school grounds each day, safely. 11)Many students and staff have allergies or

asthma. To support these students and staff members, please send peanut-free lunches and products to the school if at all possible.

12)Students who take the bus to school are required to remain seated and to follow the driver’s instructions. Students should ride quietly, and respect those on the bus as well as other drivers on the road.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

1) Parent Council – The Banting & Best Parent Councilmeets on the 1st_{Tuesday of every month}

at 6:30 pm, with exceptions to this identified in the monthly calendar. All parents are welcome to participate. Many committees are established at these meetings to deal with various items of school business.

2) Volunteers are most welcome at all times at Banting & Best School. Please volunteer as often and in as many capacities as you wish. Please sign the volunteer binder each time you volunteer and please ensure you wear your volunteer nametag.

A registration form will be forwarded to all parents in the opening package during the first week of school. You must register each year and the Calgary Board of Education has a policy that every person who wishes to volunteer MUST also have a completed and approved Police Security Clearance. If you wish to volunteer, and have not yet completed these forms, please stop by the office. Security Clearances are good for a period of five years and require four to six weeks to be cleared

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through the Calgary Police Service. This means that you need to apply well in advance of the first time that you wish to volunteer.

3) Educational Evenings - several times a year, the school hosts opportunities for parents to come and learn about new curriculum, how students learn best, or to address a variety of topics of concern to parents. Please look for written information and watch our web page at

http://schools.cbe.ab.ca/b369 and look for information coming home.

PROCEDURES & REGULAR EVENTS

1) News about upcoming school events, activities and other opportunities will be updated regularly on our school website at:

http://schools.cbe.ab.ca/b369.

Information is also communicated to parents and guardians through regular stickies placed in the agenda, letters home and through a newsletter that will be sent home several times per year. 2) Assemblies - Sharing assemblies and/or special

event assemblies are held from time to time. Parents, guardians, and friends are cordially invited to attend these events which will be announced in advance.

3) Off-Campus Studies - Throughout the school year, there will be a number of special off-campus and in-class activities offered to students. In most cases, a financial cost will be involved. While we try to space out these events as much as possible, we often have little control over when they are offered. In all cases, these activities are regarded as a valuable part of the

school curriculum and expectations are that all students will attend. If you are experiencing financial difficulties with these payments,

contact Mr. Jones through phone or email. 5) Assessment of Student Learning: Assessment

is a continuous process. Teachers utilize a wide variety of assessment practices regularly. The reporting process has three components:

(a) Student report card – this is a summative document accompanied by a curriculum letter which gives a snapshot of student progress according to curriculum expectations. These are distributed twice yearly; on January 28, 2016 and at the end of June, 2016.

(b) Parent conferences – parents or guardians and teachers share information regarding student learning and growth on at least three occasions during the year.

(c) Ongoing communication with parents and guardians will occur throughout the year. All teachers will keep parents informed about work going on in the classroom. In addition, in-school meetings, email, phone calls and celebrations of learning will provide necessary information to allow for the best learning experience for each child.

6) Student Activities:

• Intramurals (variety, year-long) and clubs • Participation in the after-school PE or Arts program offered on Wednesdays and Thursdays by the Boys and Girls Club. Please look for sign up opportunities at the beginning of the school year.

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August

24 School re-opens for registration September

1 Classes commence 7 Labour Day Weekend

8 B&B School Council at 6:30 pm 10 B and B Burgers and Buns! from

5:30 to 7 pm Photo Day

18 Spirit Day / Terry Fox Run 24 Parent-Teacher Conferences from

4:00 – 8:00 pm

25 Conferences from 8:00 am –1:00 pm No Classes

October

6 B&B School Council at 6:30 pm 9 School Non-Instruction day

No Classes

12 Thanksgiving Day (No classes) 22 Photo Retake Day

30 System Non-Instruction day No classes

November

3 B&B School Council at 6:30 pm 11 Remembrance Day - No classes 19 Parent-Teacher Conferences from

4:00 – 8:00 pm

20 Conferences from 8:00 am –1:00 pm No Classes

23–27 Swimming at Acadia Pool

December

10 Christmas Concert 18 Last Day of Classes 19-31 Winter Break January

1-3 Winter Break 4 Classes Resume

No Classes

28 Report Cards sent home February

2 B&B School Council at 6:30 pm 11-12 Teacher’s Convention

No classes

15 Family Day – No Classes March

No Classes

17 Student Led Conferences from 4:00 – 8:00 pm

18 Student Led Conferences from 8:00 am –1:00 pm – No Classes 19-28 Spring Break

29 Classes resume April

5 B&B School Council at 6:30 pm 22 System Non-Instruction day

No classes

May

3 B&B School Council at 6:30 pm 5 Kindergarten Orientation 20 System Non-Instruction day

No classes

23 Victoria Day Holiday June

6 School Non-Instruction day No Classes

7 B&B School Council at 6:30 pm 24 Sports Day

28 Last Day of Classes 29 Appeals Day – No Classes