STUDENT HANDBOOK 2011-2012

Chief Dan George Middle School
32877 Old Riverside Road
Abbotsford, B.C.
V2S 8K2

Telephone: (604) 852-9616
Fax: (604) 850-7653

ADMINISTRATOR’S MESSAGE


Welcome to a new school year at Chief Dan George Middle School. Chief Dan George Elementary School opened as a K-7 facility in 1985 with 250 charter member students. The school was named after First Nations Canadian spokesperson, writer, and actor Chief Dan George.  In May 2010 the school hosted Chief Justin George, the grandson of Chief Dan George, to rededicate the school name. This is the eleventh  year operating as a dual-track Middle School --- Grades 6, 7, and 8.  The school has developed a great reputation in the community for its academic rigor and the many opportunities it provides students.

Chief Dan George Middle School is unique in that we offer four distinct programs for students. These include Resource Room, Early French Immersion, Late French Immersion and English Program tracks. Although the school serves close to 600 students, the Middle School philosophy allows for students to be part of smaller teams within each program, at each grade level. Each program has its unique needs yet there exists common practices and goals throughout the school.

In addition to working in an academic team setting, students will experience moving to various classrooms through the year to focus in four Exploration areas. These include: Technology Education (Woodworking), Information and Communications Technology, Home Economics, and Band or Music. We also offer a wide range of extracurricular opportunities including all the major sports in addition to a variety of club experiences.

Middle Schools attend to many areas of a child’s development, spanning the cognitive, social-emotional and physical domains. Each year, schools are asked to select an area to highlight through the School Goal setting process. This year our main focus is to increase students’ capability in numeracy skills, specifically in areas related to measurement, percent and problem solving. Our secondary goal is a carry over from the 2010-11 school year and it is to increase the number of students actively participating in our school community so as to build student confidence and instill a sense of belonging.

The general information section of this student planner has guidelines regarding our school’s organization, policies and procedures.  Please take some time to familiarize  yourself with these.

“Bonne chance” for a successful and exciting 2011-2012  year at the “Home of the Wolves”.


                    Sincerely,
               

                    Robert P. Voth,  Principal

 

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Local School Calendar 2011 - 2012


Number of days in session  193 (188 re: Days in Lieu of Longer School Day)
Number of days of instruction 186 (181 re: Days in Lieu of Longer School Day)
Number of non-instructional days 6
Year-end Closing Day
 1
Length of the school day 8:20 - 2:22
Length of school operation per day 7:30 - 3:30
Hours of instruction in a school day 4 hours and 55 minutes
Number and length of recesses per day One ten minute nutrition break


School Opening (1/2 day dismissal) September 6, 2011
Non-Instructional Day #1 September 23, 2011
Thanksgiving Day October 10, 2011
Non-Instructional Day #2 (District Wide)
 October 21, 2011
Remembrance Day November 11, 2011
One Hour Early Dismissal Days
 November 23 and 24, 2011
Last Day Before Winter Vacation
 December 16, 2011
Winter Vacation December 19 to January 2, 2012


School Reopens after Winter Vacation January 3, 2012
Non-Instructional Day #3
 January 27, 2012
Non-Instructional Day #4 February 17, 2012
One Hour Early Dismissal Days March 7 and 8, 2012
Last Day before Days-in-Lieu/Spring Vacation
 March 9, 2012
Days in Lieu of longer school day
 March 12 to 16, 2012
Spring Vacation
 March 19 to 23, 2012
Schools Reopen after Days-in-Lieu/Spring Vacation
 March 26, 2012
Good Friday
 April 6, 2012
Easter Monday
 April 9, 2012
Non-Instructional Day #5 April 27, 2012
Victoria Day May 21, 2012
Non-Instructional Day #6 June 28, 2012
Year-end Closing (non-instructional)
 June 29, 2012


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School Goal


To increase student awareness of and participation in healthy living through increased physical activity and consumption of nutritional food.


ROUTINES AND POLICY


1. Attendance

2. Lates

3. Illness at School

When a student becomes ill at school, parents will be contacted to confirm that it is safe to send the child home. The medical room can be used with permission of a staff member. Students need to check in and out of the medical room at the office. In any case of illness or injury, no student should go home on his/her own initiative but should seek help at the office.

Accidents and emergencies are to be referred to the office immediately.

4. Closed Campus
Chief Dan George Middle School has a closed campus policy. This means that only students who attend Chief Dan George Middle School are to be on the school grounds during the school day. It also means that once you arrive at school you remain on the school grounds for the remainder of the day. Due to this policy, as at all Middle Schools in the District, going home for lunch is not a practice we condone. Children being picked up during the school day (i.e. for a doctor appointment) should be met in the school office and signed out by a parent.  We ask them to wait at the office for safety reasons.

5. Skateboards, Roller Blades and Scooters
For safety reasons, skateboards, roller blades and scooters are not to be used on school property. These must be stored safely in the classroom, office, or locker.

6. Bicycles
Bicycles are to be parked and LOCKED in the bike racks on the east side of the school. Students are not permitted to be around the bike rack area during the school day. Locks must be of high quality to assist with the security.

7. Lockers and Locks
All students will be issued a combination lock and a locker. Locks must be rented from the school for security reasons. Lock combinations are to be memorized and NOT shared with anyone. A $5.00 fee will be charged to any student who needs to have a lock replaced (unless the lock is defective).

8. Textbooks
Textbooks and other educational resources are property of the school and school district. Students are issued textbooks at the start of the year. Students are responsible for returning the same textbook they are originally issued when they are collected or when teachers conduct their periodic "textbook check". Students will be charged for lost or damaged textbooks.

9. Homework
Homework shall be monitored by individual teachers as well as teams of teachers. Work done at home is an important part of all learning. It is an expectation of all students to have homework completed and all assignments handed in on time. Most teams have a homework club available at lunch or after school to assist students needing some extra support.

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GENERAL INFORMATION:

Visitors
All visitors are required to report to the office upon arrival to receive authorization for their presence in the school.  Visitors on official business are welcome at our school.  Those who arrive with no purpose are not welcome on school property.  Please do not invite friends to visit you at school.

PARENTS DROPPING OFF LUNCHES, HOMEWORK, ETC. FOR THEIR CHILD ARE ASKED TO LEAVE IT AT THE OFFICE AND WE WILL PAGE YOUR CHILD DURING THE BREAK



Staff Room
The staff room is designed for the use of staff only. Students are reminded that teachers require a break as much as students. Noon hour supervisors and school administrators are available to assist students at break time.

Multi-Purpose Room
The multi-purpose room will be open to students 40 minutes before school starts and 40 minutes after school ends.  This should help students and parents when early drop-offs or late pick-ups are more convenient. We would ask parents to avoid any arrangements for pick up after 3:00 pm  unless your child is involved in a supervised after school activity or event. In order to make this  available, we need cooperation from all and student adherence to specific guidelines. Going to lockers, classrooms or in and out of the school is not allowed. 

Student Agendas
This is a valuable communication tool.  Students are required to make daily entries as well as parents and teachers use them for home and school communication.  Our expectation is that students are to have their agenda at school daily. Consistent mismanagement by a student with respect to having their planner filled out each day or forgetting it at home may result in consequences at school.

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District Code of Conduct

The Abbotsford School District expects all students to conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the respect of others:

And to promote and maintain a climate which is free of:

Conduct by any student that adversely affects a school's climate or operation, including disruption of the learning environment, shall be considered a breach of the District Code of Conduct, warranting appropriate forms of intervention that may include suspension from attendance.

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Chief Dan George Middle School Code of Conduct  (Revised September 2010)


Purpose: 

CDGMS Code of Conduct is presented so that students and their parents/guardians understand the behavioural expectations of teachers and parents in our school community. Students are encouraged to discuss any part of this code that may be unclear with their teacher, school administrator and parent/guardian. Parents are key partners in supporting the school’s code of conduct.  Parents are asked to be familiar with school policies and procedures and are encouraged to discuss expected school behaviours with their children.

The Code of Conduct allows our school to be a safe, caring and orderly environment for learning and working.  Students have a right to be respected and supported in a safe and nurturing learning environment.  However, students also have a responsibility to maintain that safe environment and respect themselves, others and school property.
Behavioural expectations apply both on school premises and during activities that are off school premises and that are organized or sponsored by the school.  They can also apply beyond these times when student actions may negatively affect the safe, caring or orderly environment of the school.  An example of such a circumstance could include the use of electronic devices to post messages that negatively impact other members of the school community and student learning

Conduct Expectations:

Students are expected to adhere to a variety of acceptable behaviours to enhance their learning and support the school as a safe, caring and orderly place. These include:

Honesty and Integrity: 

Students are expected to be honest at all times with fellow students, staff,  parents and others in our school community. Respectful words and actions build a reputation of integrity which is a very important quality. 

Facebook and Other Social Networks:

Many of the students at CDGMS have personal computers at home or have access to them elsewhere. More often than we would like, teachers, counsellors and administration are asked to intervene in conflicts between students that began, or took on a life of their own “via” internet email or Facebook accounts. We encourage students to make choices to use the social network sites and email services appropriately and to resist the urge to become “cyber-bullies” by speaking unkindly or spreading rumors. We also encourage parents to be vigilant in monitoring and supervising  the length and kind of computer use of their children. Visit www.bced.gov.bc.ca/pubs.htm  for further information.

Respect For and Safety of Others:

Students are expected to treat others with consideration and respect at all times. They are to avoid situations that may lead to fighting, bullying or threatening behaviour. Students have a responsibility to inform their teachers or the school administration promptly of incidents of bullying, harassment or intimidation. Participation in play should take into account safety and appropriateness. Students should model fair play and courtesy as a participant or spectator in all sports and recreational activities while at the school or representing the school offsite. Every member of the school community has a right to a safe and secure environment, to be treated with respect and to have safe passage, without interference, to and from school. 

Appropriate Language:

Students must use language that shows respect for staff, fellow students, parents and others in the school community. Name calling, put downs, swearing, crude and obscene language, written, implied or gestured is not acceptable. Offensive language upsets others and often leads to conflict. Self control around language and actions is necessary in public and is an important life skill.

Student Movement:

Students will move calmly and in an orderly manner to school, on the school property and inside the school building. They will be respectful of activities in progress in other classrooms and will avoid jostling or pushing others in the hallways. Further, language should be appropriate, public displays of affection limited and play fighting not permitted. Upon entering school grounds bicycles and scooters must be walked, parked and locked. These guidelines are necessary to maintain safety and order.

Personal Appearance: 

Students are expected to wear clothing which is comfortable, clean, modest and conducive to a positive educational climate.  Clothing should not be distracting to others (e.g. beachwear, spaghetti straps and other clothing that is too revealing). Tops: no spaghetti straps, three finger width for shoulders, no tummy showing, and no undergarments visible. Shorts/Skirts:  mid-thigh, hem should be past fingers when arms are extended. Slacks/Pants: no undergarments visible. Clothing that promotes racism, sexism, violence and/or alcohol, drugs or tobacco products is inappropriate in the school. Hats and sunglasses are to be removed while inside the building. Personal appearance reflects one’s judgment and respect for oneself and others.   Inappropriate appearance or offensive wear can upset others and distract us from our educational purpose.

Care of School and Personal Property: 

Students will respect school and personal property, equipment and resources. Students are strongly discouraged from bringing valuables to school including: iPods, laptops, MP3 players, cell phones, expensive shoes and clothing. Valuables such as wallets, purses, etc. should be left in lockers where they are secure. If parents insist on sending their child to school with a cell phone it must be stored in the student’s locker during the day. Cell phones are only permitted to be used after the school day has ended and only to be used outside the school building. With growing concerns around digital imaging and privacy we insist that students not bring cameras to school or use cell phone cameras on school property. Valuable items brought to school will be solely at the owner’s risk: the school will not cover any losses. Care for school and personal property displays pride in the school and assists in maintaining a safe and secure environment.

Extracurricular Activities: 

Students are considered ambassadors of Chief Dan George Middle School when they are participating in field trips, extracurricular clubs and teams both at the school and in the community. All relevant school rules apply while being transported to, and engaging in, extracurricular activities and field trips. Maintaining school behaviour standards ensures a positive experience for all participants and assists in building a positive school reputation. 

Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs: 

Students are not permitted to bring these items onto school property. The school promotes a healthy lifestyle and good judgment. The use of these items is illegal for students and potentially dangerous to your health and success in life.

Unacceptable Conduct

Transgressions of the School and District Codes of Conduct will be dealt with in an appropriate and timely manner. Examples of transgressions would include:

Behaviours that interfere with
    • the learning of others and the emotional well-being of others
    • our safe and secure environment
    • one’s own learning (e.g. truancy)
   
Acts, such as
    • bullying, harassment or intimidation
    • physical violence
    • retribution against a person that has reported transgressions

Illegal acts, such as
    • possession, use or distribution of illegal or restricted substances
    • possession or use of weapons
    • theft of or damage to property (i.e. vandalism)

Consequences for Unacceptable Behaviours

Consequences will vary based upon the seriousness of the transgression involved. Minor offenses are handled “on the spot” by staff. Often this will involve identifying the concern with instruction being provided to the students that reinforces expectations of appropriate behaviour in the future. Major offenses, many of which are listed above, will generally be dealt with by the school administration. Consequences in these cases are based upon factors that include: the nature of the transgression;  the age of the child; and the previous history of the child’s transgressions. It is recognized that grade six children are new to the middle school model and the increased behavioural expectations that exist. As students move up through the grades there is an increased expectation of students accepting greater personal responsibility and self-discipline. Typical consequences for major transgressions include, temporary loss of free time privileges,  “time out” from class with temporary assignment to School Counselor and Youth Care Worker, in school suspension, or out of school suspension. In these cases parents/guardians are informed and meetings are often scheduled that include the student, a parent, the school administration and other staff who may assist in supporting the student. The focus of  consequences are meant to be preventative, instructive and restorative, rather than punitive. 

Notification of Serious Breaches of District and School Code of Conduct

Serious transgressions of the School Code of Conduct will be referred to school administration. Those issues referred to the school administration (of a serious nature) will be communicated to various parties in the following way:

• Parents/guardians of student offender--in every instance
• Parents/guardians of student victim--in every instance
• Staff that support the offender and victim--in every instance
• School District Officials--as required by School Board Policy
• Police and/or community agencies--as required by law
• All parents of the school community--when deemed to be necessary to reassure members of the school community that school officials are aware of a serious situation or incident and are taking appropriate action to address it.




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