Celebrating Success
At Bracebridge PS we believe that it is important to recognize and celebrate your success!  There are many ways to be recognized.  Setting your sights on some of these awards is a great way to set goals.
 Student of the Month
 Athletes of the Month
 Reading Awards
 Most Improved (per term)
 Excellence Club (per term)

Cell Phones/iPods/Cameras
Cell phones and IPods should be left at home or turned off and safely stored at school between 8:40 – 3:15 p.m.  Please note that taking photographs /video capturing is only permitted with teacher’s consent for school assignments.
The school is not responsible for these items.

Dress
 Muscle shirts, spaghetti straps and low scooped necklines are unacceptable
 Spaghetti straps must be ‘3 finger width’/ undergarments not visible
 Bare midriffs and backs are unacceptable; shirts must be ‘tuckable’ and not excessively tight
 Shorts and skirts must be a reasonable length
 Attire must be free of symbols of hate, gang membership or images that portray violence, death, alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, racism, obscene words, political or sexual statements
 Remove your hat when you enter the building
 Scarves must not be worn on playground equipment, remove all loose strings from your jacket
 All students are required to have a pair of indoor shoes that are suitable for participation in daily phys-ed.

Emergency Evacuation
In the event that a school-wide evacuation is necessary, our emergency evacuation site is
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and, if necessary, Monck Public School.

Parents will be contacted and informed that the students have been moved to this site.

Entry/Dismissal
School entry is at 8:40 a.m. Students and belongings should remain outside until this time.  Students being dropped off are expected to remain in the yard until the entry bell. Teacher supervision begins at 8:20 a.m.

Hallways
 Walk, don’t run, talk quietly
 Use the proper exits
 Remove hats as you enter the school
 Stay to the right
 Keep your hands and feet to yourself

Head Lice
Periodically throughout the year, we will be having school-wide Head Lice checks at BPS.   Trained parent volunteers will be checking all students in the school, class by class.
It is the TLDSB Policy that any child found to have head lice will be excluded from school until the first shampoo treatment has been completed and the nits are removed. Your parents will be called to take you home if you have nits or active lice. 
An information video on head lice is available to borrow from the school along with information brochures on head lice and how to treat them.
Parents, we will inform you if anyone in your child’s class gets head lice.  Please help us out at school by regularly checking your child’s head for nits.  Finding and treating head lice early will stop the spread of head lice in children.
Furthermore, a  pediculosis consultant with TLDSB is available for guidance.

Inclement Weather
If the buses are cancelled in the morning, they will not run in the afternoon.

Bus cancellations will be announced on Huntsville CFBK, Bracebridge Moose 99.5, Energy FM 93.1,  Kiss 104, Rock 95-95.7, Orillia K1CX, CBC or www.tldsb.on.ca

Please call our safe arrival line, 645-3801 and let us know if your child is a walker and staying home on a day the buses are cancelled.

On occasion, the weather has continued to deteriorate during the day; parents should therefore be aware that early dismissal is a possibility and be available for pick-up on short notice.

Every student should know what he/she is expected to do in the event that there is no one home and they are dismissed early.   Emergency numbers should be kept up to date.

Keeping our School Clean
 Bring boomerang lunches
 Pick up loose papers from floor and school yard, recycle when possible
 Leave the mud outside, use the mats provided to clean your shoes/boots
 Eat only in the classroom, not in the halls or washrooms.  Snacks are not allowed outside
 Leave the classroom clean and tidy when you leave, put garbage in the garbage pails

Library
Our library is fully automated.  The students use the computers to search the files or access the
CD Rom.  This can also be done in the classrooms.  Children have a scheduled Library period during which time they can look at Library materials, sign out a book and receive instruction from the Teacher Librarian in research skills and book appreciation. All books must be well cared for and returned regularly. At the end of the school year the librarian will notify parents of missing books. So we can ensure our books are well maintained and there for all to access and enjoy, parents will be responsible for the cost of replacing damaged or lost books.

Lost and Found
 Put lost articles in the “lost and found boxes” in the halls
 Ask your teacher if you can look for articles as soon as you realize they are missing
 Label all clothes and shoes

Medication
Medication may be administered by the Office Staff with the full consent of a parent and under the instructions of the attending physician. A Request for Administration of Medication form must be completed and all procedures outlined in the policy followed.

Nutrition and Lunch Breaks
 Bring Boomerang Lunches
 Use your best eating manners
 Use your indoor voice and appropriate behaviour
 Use the washrooms at the beginning of the break, wash your hands
 Lunches and snacks should be free of peanut and nut ingredients
 Clean up after yourself, take your garbage home
 Leave the classroom only when dismissed by the lunchroom supervisor
 Co-operate in quiet activities during indoor recess
We highly recommend that students remain at school over the lunch period. However, if it is necessary for students to leave the school over lunch, you must have written permission from your parents for that day and that note must be presented to the classroom teacher.  Students must sign out and sign back in at the office any time they will be leaving school property. 

Physical Education
The focus of the Physical Education Program is Fitness and Fun through active participation and skill development. 

The physical education program offers House Leagues, Interschool Sports and Special Activity days in addition to a balanced gym program.  Students are encouraged and expected to get involved by displaying active, enthusiastic, cooperative and safe participation.

Students are asked to wear clean running shoes to gym.  Grades 4 to 8 students are required to change for gym class.  Shorts, t-shirts and running shoes are the expected requirement. 

Pizza Days/Milk
Milk, white and chocolate, is available at lunchtime to be purchased for 75 cents.  Pizza is sold on Thursdays for $1.50 per slice.

Playground
 Keep your hands and feet to yourself
 One-hand touch only in tag
 Primary and Junior students are only allowed on the playground equipment
 Tag is not allowed on the playground equipment
 If someone is bothering you tell them to stop.  If they don’t stop, tell a teacher
 Stay away from and never climb the fence
 No throwing snowballs, stones, sticks or other objects!
 If you need to use the washroom, ask the teacher on duty for permission to enter the school
 Play fighting is not allowed
 In rainy weather and winter conditions, all playground equipment is off limits
 Walk bikes/scooters on school property. Refrain from using rollerblades or skateboards on school property.  (The school is not responsible for these items.)
 Wheelies are not permitted at school

Recess
All students are expected to go outside for recess.  This is a time for fresh air and fun physical activity.  If you are too ill to be outside at recess, you should consider staying home to recuperate.   Students should come to school dressed for the weather i.e. rain/snow coats, hats, gloves/mittens, as well as boots.

School Property
Respect all school property and the property of others including washrooms, lockers, gym equipment, desks, books, computers, etc.

Teams, Clubs, Activities
We encourage you to become involved in some of the many activities offered at Bracebridge Public School.
 Soccer, Cross Country Running
 Volleyball, Basketball, Badminton
 Intramurals, Sports Club
 Concert & Stage Bands
 Primary & Junior Games Club
 Read and Doodle, Knitting Club
 Electives
 Chess, Cribbage, Euchre Club
 Recorder Club
 Cross Country Skiing
 Library Helpers
 Office Helpers
 Silver Birch reading group
 Battle of the Books
 Track and Field
 Student Parliament
 Environmental Club
 Terry Fox, Jump Rope for Heart

Telephone
If you are sick, ask your teacher if you may go to the office.  Ask the secretary to please phone home.   If you are being picked up meet your parent in the office if it is mid-day or in the front foyer if it is at the end of the day.
 

Student Use of Electronic Communications and Internet Use
Use of the Trillium Lakelands District School Board connections to the Internet shall be for the exchange of information in order to support the user’s education, communication and research.

Users will:
 Observe standards of courtesy and behaviour consistent with the practices and policies of the Trillium Lakelands District School Board when sending or publishing messages or other information on the Internet
 Refrain from using the system for any purpose which is in violation of the law
 Use only the login provided to them and not share their password to anyone, other than their teacher
 Be a good on-line citizen and not do anything that hurts other people or is against the law

Users will not:
 Post, publish or display any defamatory, abusive, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, racially offensive, sexist or illegal material
 Send or intentionally receive inappropriate or offensive messages or pictures from any source
 Transmit or download information or software in violation of copyright laws
 Impersonate other users
 Transmit or knowingly receive software having the purpose of damaging computer systems
 Maliciously attempt to harm, destroy, alter or copy data from any person, computer, or network linked to the Trillium Lakelands DSB Wide Area Network (WAN)
 Share their passwords or accounts with others and must make all efforts to safeguard this information from unauthorized users.

Failure of users of the Trillium Lakelands District School Board to observe these rules could result in the loss of computer privileges and/or other disciplinary action.

Student Signature ________________________   Parent Signature:  _______________________
Note:  A signed copy of this Consent form for Student Use of Electronic Communications and the Internet is filed in the office.

 
 
School Code of Conduct
At Bracebridge PS, we strive to learn and practice the skills that will help our students become productive and successful citizens – at school and in our community. We expect that staff and parents will model these skills.
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We agree that all of the following are acceptable and expected behaviours.

All members of our school community are expected to:
  Be honest and fair
  Show respect for people’s differences and opinions
  Treat each other kindly- especially during disagreements
  Respect the rights of others
  Care for school property and the property of others
  Notice and help those in need
  Seek help from school staff if necessary to resolve conflicts
  Obey all laws
  Respect and obey persons in positions of authority
  Try to make the school a safe and healthy place
  Keep all  language respectful and courteous
  Have good personal hygiene
  Wear clothes that are appropriate for school and in accordance to our School Dress Code
  Show verbal and physical self-control
  Use courteous and respectful words and actions with everybody
  Show respect for all school property

In addition, all students are expected to:
  Return school property on time and in reasonable condition
  Pay for school items that were lost or damaged
  Behave appropriately and safely on school buses
  Participate in class and complete assignments; complete tests and exams honestly
  Obey school staff including supply teachers, educational assistants, secretaries or custodians
  Attend school on time
  Follow all school policies and routines
  Follow all the classroom policies and routines set by teachers
  Avoid public arguing with staff about treatment that seems unfair. Instead, it is expected that the student will ask for a private talk with the teacher or school counsellor or administrator
  Accept discipline from staff  that attempts to correct student behavioural mistakes
  Obey the board policy on use of Internet in schools
  Be responsible for personal electronic devices in the event of loss, theft or damage
  Be personally responsible for passwords – including Internet accessed by their passwords
  Be accountable for content of any memory storage devices (e.g., USB memory sticks). Staff members have the right to request to see the content.
  Alert a staff member if they know of harmful or harassment types of behaviours targeting any of their classmates via use of electronic devices or Internet sites
  Be accountable for off-school property use of  Internet sites or electronic devices which may have a negative impact on the school environment

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Certain behaviours are never acceptable in a safe and caring school community. (Mitigating circumstances will be considered.)
We agree that all of the following are unacceptable and subject to corrective disciplinary measures by school staff in our school.

All members of TLDSB school communities, including students, must not:

  Engage in bullying activity
  Commit sexual assault
  Be in possession of any weapon – including firearm
  Traffic weapons or illegal or restricted drugs
  Possess or  be under the influence of, or, give to others – alcohol or illegal or restricted drugs
  Give alcohol to a minor
  Steal or commit robbery
  Cause injury to anyone or encourage others to do so
  Use a weapon to threaten or intimidate
  Cause injury to another with an object of any sort
  Promote hate propaganda or act in any way motivated by hate or bias
  Vandalize and cause damage to school property or property located on school grounds
  Cause a disturbance anywhere on school property which interrupts learning or school operations
  Use swear words or inappropriate language
  Use threatening words, gestures or physical assault against a person or their belongings
  Use displays of affection that are inappropriate for the school setting
  Harass by any means (verbal, physical, electronic device/Internet) any member of the school community
  Use drugs, alcohol or tobacco on school property or at school events
  Smoke or use any other tobacco product on school property, busses or events
  Have, use, sell or give alcohol, illegal drugs or restricted prescription drugs (sold illegally for non-medicinal purposes) on school buses, field trips, school property.
  Be on school property where the use of alcohol or illegal drugs is detectable
  Steal or vandalize the property of others
  Use camera capable electronic devices in areas others expect to be private (washrooms, change rooms) or where there is a known objection to taking pictures
If a student chooses not to follow the outlined expectations, progressive discipline, including consequences, will follow. The intention of consequences is to teach students appropriate behaviour and help them make better choices.  Progressive discipline, counselling, and consequences demonstrate that we value a safe and caring school.

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Progressive Discipline

We know that discipline is a training method that teaches students proper behaviour and corrects behaviour mistakes.

Progressive discipline is a process for addressing student behaviours. The progressive discipline approach requires staff to address inappropriate behaviour early and consistently. Depending on the nature of the incident, students may enter the discipline plan at different levels. Documentation is maintained at all points in the cycle.

Our school’s progressive discipline philosophy includes the following:

  It is the goal of the staff to take into consideration the individual student and circumstances before making decisions about what type of discipline is most appropriate.

  While parental input is welcomed and considered, it is the responsibility of school staff and ultimately the school administration to make final decisions about discipline.

  Progressive discipline will be used when any classroom or school rules and/or routines are violated.

  Progressive discipline will be used when student behaviour impacts negatively on the school climate of Bracebridge PS  – even if that behaviour does not occur on school property.
The process of progressive discipline provides opportunities for students to change their behaviour before it becomes a significant concern. A typical pattern of addressing misbehaviour may include:

1. Teacher speaks to student about behaviour

2. Teacher assigns student an assignment related to behaviour

3. Teacher removes privileges (detention, computer, assign community service etc.)

4. Teacher contacts parents and informs administration

5. Teacher refers student to administration – administration assigns consequences including detentions, assignments, community service, etc.

6. Administration assigns “Withdrawal of Privileges”, parents are contacted

Mitigating factors must be considered in reaching a decision regarding consequences for student behaviours. The mitigating factors are:
• The student does not have the ability to control his or her behaviour
• The student does not have the ability to understand the foreseeable consequences of his or her behaviour
• The student’s continued presence in the school does not create an unacceptable risk to the safety of any person
• The student’s history
• Whether a progressive discipline approach has been used with the student
• Whether the activity for which the student may be or is being suspended or expelled was related to any harassment of the student because of his or her race, ethnic origin, religion, disability, gender or sexual orientation or to any other harassment
• How the suspension or expulsion would affect the student’s ongoing education

The process of progressive discipline provides opportunities for students to change their behaviour before it becomes a significant concern.  Typically behaviour requiring correction falls into four categories of discipline that are used progressively over time based on the frequency and severity of misbehaviours.  Depending on the nature of the incident, students may enter the discipline cycle at different levels.

1. Student behaviour error is infrequent, minor, and not severe
2. Chronic pattern is identified. 
3. Severity and frequency identify a need for more long term and targeted intervention. 
4. Severity and type of misbehaviour means consideration of suspension. 

Consequences will focus on helping children to develop appropriate social skills, self-discipline and accepting responsibility for personal actions. Counselling is a regular part of the process of discussing behaviour and assessing appropriate consequences. A student will have the opportunity to explain the reason for behaviours that have been questioned or referred to the principal. School staff will provide a fair process in establishing the credibility of information. The age and grade level, and the previous record of conduct, will be considered when assessing appropriate disciplinary consequences. The usual range of consequences (not always in this particular order):

  counselling
  reprimand
  notification to parents
  corrective activity
  loss of privilege
  detention(s)
  restitution,
  involvement of community or school resources
  in-school suspension
  police contact
  reflective time out of school
  or discretionary or mandatory suspension/expulsion from school.

Suspension

As outlined in Bill 212, for specific misbehaviours, suspension may or must be considered.

Suspension for the following may be considered by Principal:

  Uttering threat to inflict serious bodily harm on another person
  Possessing alcohol or restricted drugs
  Being under influence of alcohol
  Swearing at a teacher or at another person in a position of authority
  Committing an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property at the pupil’s school or to property located on the premises of the pupil’s school
  Bullying (repetitive behaviour injurious to the mental or physical well being of another person)
  Any act considered by the principal to be injurious to the moral tone of the school 
  Any act considered by the principal to be injurious to the physical or mental well-being of any member of school community
  Any act considered by the principal to be  contrary to Board or School Code of Conduct

Suspensions Pending Expulsion

Suspension pending expulsion must be considered by Principal in the following cases:

  Possession of a weapon, including possessing a firearm
  Use of weapon to cause or threaten bodily harm to another person
  Committing physical assault on another person that causes bodily harm requiring treatment by medical practitioner
  Committing sexual assault
  Trafficking in weapons or illegal or restricted drugs
  Committing robbery
  Giving alcohol or illegal/restricted drugs to minor
  An act considered by the principal to be significantly injurious to the moral tone of the school and/or to the physical or mental well-being of others
  A pattern of behaviour that is so inappropriate that the pupil’s continued  presence  is  injurious to the effective learning and/or working environment of others
  Activities engaged in by the pupil, on or off school property, that cause the pupil’s continuing presence in the school to create an unacceptable risk to the physical or mental well-being of other person(s) in the school or Board
  Activities engaged in by the pupil on or off property that have caused extensive damage to the property of the Board or to goods that are/were on Board property
  The pupil has demonstrated, through a pattern of behaviour, that s/he has not prospered by the instruction available to him or her and s/he is persistently resistant to making changes in behaviour which would enable him or her to prosper
  Any act considered by the principal to be a serious violation of the Board or School Code of Conduct
  Conduct which is so refractory as to demonstrate that the student is unwilling to respect or respond to authority and/or respect the rights or dignity of other school community members, despite having been given a reasonable opportunity to do so
 
Please read and sign the following:

PARENT(S)/GUARDIAN(S):
I have read and discussed the Code of Conduct and Routines in these introductory pages of the agenda with my child.  I support the teacher, support staff and administration in applying the school rules and Code of Conduct.

_________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature and Date

STUDENT:
I have read and/or discussed the Code of Conduct and Routines in these introductory pages of the agenda with my parent(s) / guardian(s) and understand the expectations and consequences.  I agree to follow the school rules and Code of Conduct to the best of my ability and take responsibility for my behaviour.

_________________________________ 
Student Signature and Date