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BROCKLEHURST MIDDLE SCHOOL
STUDENT HANDBOOK 2013-2014
985 Windbreak Street
Kamloops B.C. V2B 5P5
Telephone: (250) 376-1232
Voice mail: (250 434-9460
Facsimile: (250) 377-2263
Website: http://brocksec.sd73.bc.ca
Mr. Tom Dinsdale
Principal
Mr. Greg Hall
Vice Principal
Mr. Mike Johnson
Vice Principal
THIS BINDER BELONGS TO:
Name: __________________________________
TAG Teacher:__________________________________
TIMETABLE BLOCK ROTATION SCHEDULE
DAY
TIMES
8:30-8:55
9:00-10:15
10:15-10:30
10:30-11:45
11:45-12:35
12:35-12:55
12:55-1:55
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
TAG
TAG
TAG
TAG
TAG
TAG
TAG
TAG
A
E
C
G
B
F
D
H
Break
Break
Break
Break
Break
Break
Break
Break
B
F
D
H
A
E
C
G
Lunch
IRA
Lunch
IRA
Lunch
IRA
Lunch
IRA
Lunch
IRA
Lunch
IRA
Lunch
IRA
Lunch
IRA
C
G
A
E
D
H
B
F
D
H
B
F
C
G
A
E
2:00-3:00
GENERAL INFORMATION
Attendance and Lates
Regular and punctual attendance is required by the BC School Act and is essential to student success. Students may be absent only
with parent/guardian permission due to illness or unavoidable circumstances. Students must supply a note from a parent/guardian to
the office to explain absences, or parents may call the school to provide reasons to excuse the absence. Students are responsible for
completing work missed due to absence. Planned absence forms are available in the office.
A telephone message will inform parents/guardians of any unexcused absences. These messages are delivered during the evening each
day school is in session. Once a student has arrived at school, they must 'sign out' if they are to leave before the regular time. Parents
are asked to phone, write a note, or show up in person to excuse a student from class.
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
1-5 unexcused absences
6-10 unexcused absences
11-15 unexcused absences
1-10 lates
11-15 lates
16-20 lates
Student is referred to the office
Parent contacted by Admin
Referral to counselling
Consequence Room is assigned An “N” may be assigned for the Action may include:
to make up missed time
effort mark.
• attendance contract
Action may include:
• further interventions
• program review
• parent / student / school
• Consequence Room
contract.
•
In school suspension
•
Repeat offenders
Move immediately to third
column.
referral to school board
office
Lates will initially be dealt with by the classroom teacher. Repeated lates and/or absences will be referred to an administrator, who
will work with the student and their parents to develop a plan for improved attendance behaviour. Consequences for repeated lates
and/or absences may include recapturing time lost through detentions, written contracts and possible in-school/out of school
suspension. If regular attendance cannot be achieved through any of the above means, the student may be directed to the Office of the
Superintendent of Schools and referred to an alternate school program.
Academic Intervention
Our Academic Intervention Program (AI) is intended to ensure all students are supported and every effort is made to have students
complete assigned work and meet the learning outcomes for each course. Approximately every three weeks teachers will identify
students who are failing, or at risk of failing a course(s). A School Based Team will then meet to determine the necessary intervention
to support each student that will assist them in becoming academically successful. A major component of this program is an
after-school AI program which operates between 3:15 – 4:15 pm Monday through Thursday. Students may also be removed from an
elective course for a period of time during the school day in order to ensure they are caught up in any core course in which they are in
danger of failing. The AI Teacher coordinator will make contact with students and schedule make up time in AI (during the school
day or in the after school sessions). Where necessary, a parent/guardian will be contacted when such arrangements are being made.
Participation in the AI program, for students who are referred, is mandatory.
Bicycles and Skateboards
Bikes are to be kept on the bike racks provided at the front of the school. All bikes should be locked when unattended. Skateboards
may be used as a method of transportation to and from school, and must be able to be stored in the student’s locker. Skateboards/bikes
are allowed to be used at lunch in the tennis courts during break times. The office is unable to store any student bikes, skateboards or
long-boards.
Cafeteria and Meals Program
The cafeteria offers a varied menu at prices ranging from 50 cents to 5 dollars. Student specials are available daily. Brock Middle
School offers a nutritional lunch program each day at school. This is a separate program than the cafeteria. Lunches are pre-ordered
using a permission form each month. These forms are available at the office or through students' TAG teachers.
Care of Personal Property
Students should not bring valuables to school. Neither the school nor the School District has insurance to cover the loss by theft or
damage. If students choose to bring valuables to school, (Cellphones, MP3 players, jewelry, cash, hats, etc.), they do so at their own
risk. Although supervision by staff and the cooperation of students decreases the possibility of theft, students are advised to leave
valuables at home. Students should never give out their locker combination to anyone, and students should have a separate lock to
use to secure their items in a gym locker while taking PE class.
Lockers should be clean and organized; any posters or pictures put up in lockers must be appropriate in a school setting. All lockers
should have a combination lock. Key locks are discouraged and only used under special circumstances. School lockers are loaned to
the students, but remain the property of the school and can be opened and searched by the administration at any time. A limited
amount of locks are available for purchase at the office- cost is $6.00.
Closed campus
Students may not leave the school campus at any time during the school day unless accompanied by a teacher for a curricular reason.
Students who would like permission to go home for lunch are required to have a permission form filled out by their parent/guardian
and kept on file at the office. This permission does not extend to friends.
Clothing and Appearance
Clothing and appearance must not create a distraction or disruptive situation in the classroom or present a hazard to the students or
others. Staff and students will dress in a manner that is appropriate for the activities of the day and is respectful of self and others.
 The following clothing is not appropriate for school: spaghetti strap tops, clothing that will expose bare midriffs, low riding
pants that reveal undergarments. Students will be asked to cover up.
 Clothing and accessories that display inappropriate language or illustrations are not permitted.
 Students are not to wear hats/visors/hoods in the building. Please leave hats in your locker.
 Shoes must be worn for safety and hygiene reasons.
Drug Free Zone.
Smoking, drugs, alcohol and any paraphernalia associated with these activities are not permitted anywhere within Brock Middle
School, on the school grounds, within sight of the school or at any school related events. Violators of School District Policy are
subject to discipline.
Emergency Procedures
If an emergency situation is announced while classes are in session, students are to remain in their classrooms and follow the
directions of their classroom teacher. Emergency drills will be practised throughout the school year for various emergency situations
(Fire Drill, Earthquake Drill and Lock-down). If the emergency situation is announced while classes are not in session (lunch, break
time, before school, etc.) the school bell will be rung and students must report to their TAG teacher in their designated spot on the
playing field.
Illness
Students who become sick while at school must report to the office. At that time the student may be given the opportunity to stay in
the medical room and receive assistance from staff members trained in First Aid, rest and/or wait until a parent/guardian can be
contacted if the student needs to go home to recuperate.
Lost and Found
While the school is not responsible for lost or stolen items, we do encourage students to turn in found items of value (keys, jewelry,
etc.) to the office. Other items such as clothing may be turned into the lost and found box outside of room 106, or to the PE office for
items found in the change rooms. At the end of each year, unclaimed clothing items are donated to various charitable groups.
Newsletters
A newsletter will be published at the end of every month. Parents can obtain a copy of the newsletter by visiting
http://brocksec.sd73.bc.ca/
Off Campus
Students are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the District Code of Conduct and Brocklehurst Middle School Core
Values while travelling to and from school. Student behaviour while travelling to and from school may be subject to discipline in the
same way as if the behaviour happened on school grounds during school hours.
Office Hours
Office hours are 8:00-4:00 pm Monday to Friday. The voice mail is checked every morning for absences or messages.
Personal Technological Devices
Personal technology devices (cell phones, iPod’s, mp3 players, etc.) should be stored in lockers during school hours and only
permitted to be used in classrooms under teacher permission. Students may also use these devices during long break and lunch time.
Parents needing to contact their son/daughter during the school day may phone the school and your son/daughter will be notified.
Smoking
No smoking of any kind is allowed at Brocklehurst Middle School. No smoking area exists, and students may not leave the school
grounds during the school day in order to smoke. Any students smoking will be dealt with using the discipline process.
School Dances
All school rules apply to dances. Ordinarily, no guests are allowed at school dances. Students who are absent during the day of a
dance will not be allowed to attend the dance (exceptions being scheduled appointments such as dentist, counsellor, etc.). Any student
who has had an office referral within 2 weeks before the dance, is automatically ineligible to attend the dance.
School Supplies
Brock Middle School has adopted a school wide organizational strategy of One Binder. This One Binder system has proven to work
and is founded in 30 years of research practice.
The necessary components for the One Binder are as follows:
2 ½ Binder with zipper
Pencil pouch that snaps into the binder
2 pencils/2 pens/1 highlighter/1 eraser/ 1 ruler /calculator/ manual pencil sharpener.
Lined paper
A pair of scissors
Glue sticks
5-8 colored subject tabs
1 combination lock
Scent Free School
While fragrances may be pleasing to some people, they can be unpleasant and harmful to others. Scents can cause serious health
problems. People with allergies, multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) and asthma can become quite ill when exposed to scents.
Reactions can vary from mild to severe and can interfere with daily activities and being able to stay at school or work. In accordance
with the School District 73 policy, Brock Middle School is a scent free building. Aerosol sprays are not allowed in the school, and
instead, students are asked to bring roll on deodorant to use during school hours.
Student Activities
Students are encouraged to take part in extracurricular activities while at Brock. This includes intramural and lunch time activities,
clubs and athletic teams. Students taking part in athletic teams are required to complete and sign the Brocklehurst Athletic Policy and
Athlete’s Code of Conduct. A parent/guardian is also required to sign this form.
Brock Middle School offers a full range of extracurricular teams at each grade level. At the grade seven and eight level, we adhere to
a “no-cut” policy. This applies to all players who wish to take part in extracurricular athletics. This policy does not entitle students to
game participation if they have not met the other commitments required for team participation (missing practices for any reason,
attitude issues, behaviour, sportsmanship, etc.).
Students must also be academically eligible to play extracurricular sports. Each case will be looked at based upon the circumstances
of the student, but students who are not being successful in their courses may be removed from team participation until their academic
standing improves.
All extracurricular teams involve team fees to cover such costs as officiating, tournament entry fees, teacher-on-call costs, travel
expenses, etc.
Spectators are encouraged and welcome to attend sporting events to support our teams. Spectators are asked to comply with School
District’s Spectator Code of Conduct. Spectators are expected to treat everyone (all players, coaches, officials and other spectators)
with respect. They are expected to exercise control at all times. Spectators (student or adult) who violate this Code of Conduct are
subject to sanctions which may include being prohibited from attending any school sporting function.
Student Handbook
Student handbooks provide general information that is used on a daily basis. Paper copies will be provided to all students at the
beginning of the school year. Students also have the option of using technological devices to manage daily assignments. Printable
handbooks will also be made available on the school website.
Student Pick-up and Drop-off
To avoid congestion and ensure student safety, parents who arrive by vehicle to pick up or drop off students are asked to stay out of
the bus loop directly in front of the school. Parents are asked to drop students off in front of the school property on Windbreak Street,
or pull into an empty parking space outside of the yellow school gates. Your cooperation will reduce congestion near the front of the
school and assist in ensuring students are safe as they arrive or leave.
Textbook and School Fees
All students will be assessed a district textbook deposit fee of $50 (to a maximum of $100 per family). This fee is refundable when
the student leaves School District #73, providing all of their textbooks/materials are returned in good condition. Academy fees (for
the Sport Academies), and course/project enhancement fees will also be charged and a fee statement will be sent home with students
in the fall. A Financial Hardship form is available on the school website or by contacting the Principal, should parents need assistance
in seeking relief from some/all of the school fees.
Vending Machines and School Phone
The vending machines and School phone are not to be used during class time. Students who need to access a phone during class time
must report to the office to gain permission.
Yearbook
The yearbook class at Brock publishes a yearbook that captures the school year. Books are available for pre-purchase in the office for
the advertised price. Students and families who want to purchase a book must do so prior to the advertised deadline to ensure they will
receive a book. Yearbooks are distributed in June.
DATE
DAY
Sept 3
Gr.7 orientation
Sept 4
1st day all students
DATE
DAY
DATE
DAY
Oct 21
8
Dec 5
6
1
Dec 6
2
Dec 9
3
Dec 10
1
Dec 11
2
Dec 12
3
4
1
Oct 22
Sept 5
2
Oct 23
Sept 6
3
Oct 24
P/T Interview
PRO-D DAY
Sept 9
Staff Meeting
AI Callout
4
7
Staff Meeting
8
Sept 10
5
Oct 25
Sept 11
6
Oct 28
4
Dec 13
Sept 12
7
Oct 29
5
Dec 16
Sept 13
8
Oct 30
6
Dec 17
Sept 16
1
Oct 31
7
Dec 18
7
2
Nov 1
8
Dec 19
8
Sept 18
3
Nov 4
1
Dec 20
1
Sept 19
4
Nov 5
2
Sept 20
5
Nov 6
3
Dec 23
to Jan 3
Winter Break
6
Nov 7
4
Jan 6
Staff Meeting
2
7
Nov 8
Term 1 Ends
5
Jan 7
AI Callout
3
Sept 25
8
Nov 11
Remembrance Day
Sept 26
1
Nov 12
Nov 13
Sept 17
SB Team
Sept 23
Sept 24
Sept 27
AI Callout
PRO-D DAY
Staff Meeting
6
Jan 8
4
6
Jan 9
5
7
Jan 10
6
8
Jan 13
7
8
Sept 30
2
Nov 14
Oct 1
3
Nov 15
1
Jan 14
Oct 2
4
Nov 18
2
Jan 15
Oct 3
5
Nov 19
3
Jan 16
6
Nov 20
4
Jan 17
7
Nov 21
5
Jan 20
Oct 8
8
Nov 22
6
Jan 21
Oct 9
1
Nov 25
7
Jan 22
6
Oct 10
2
Nov 26
8
Jan 23
7
3
Nov 27
1
Jan 24
8
Nov 28
2
Jan 27
4
Nov 29
3
Jan 28
Oct 16
5
Dec 2
Oct 17
6
Dec 3
4
Jan 30
Oct 18
7
Dec 4
5
Jan 31
Oct 4
Oct 7
Staff Meeting
Oct 11
Oct 14
Thanksgiving Day
Oct 15
SB2 Team
AI Callout
5
SB Team
SB Team
Report Cards Issued
SB2 Team
PRO-D DAY
1
P/T Interview Day
2
3
4
SB Team
5
1
SB2 Team
Jan 29
2
3
4
Term 2 Ends
5
DATE
Feb 3
DAY
StaffMeeting
Feb 4
Feb 5
DATE
7 Apr 25
AI Callout
DAY
6 Apr 24
6
Report Cards Issued
8 Apr 28
7
8
Feb 6
1 Apr 29
Feb 7
2 Apr 30
2
May 1
3
3 May 2
4
Feb 10
FAMILY DAY
Feb 11
Feb 12
Feb 13
4 May 5
Staff Meeting
1
5
5 May 6
6
Feb 14
6 May 7
7
Feb 17
7 May 8
8
8 May 9
1
Feb 19
1 May 12
2
Feb 20
2 May 13
3
May 14
4
3 May 15
5
Feb 18
Feb 21
Report Cards Issued
SB2 Team
SBTeam
PRO-D DAY
Feb 24
Feb 25
4 May 16
IN SERVICE DAY
Feb 26
5 May 19
VICTORIA DAY
Feb 27
6 May 20
AI Callout/SB Team
Feb 28
7 May 21
7
8 May 22
8
Mar 4
1 May 23
1
Mar 5
2 May 26
Mar 6
3 May 27
Mar 7
4 May 28
4
5 May 29
5
Mar 3
SB2 Team
Staff Meeting
Mar 10
Mar 11
AI Callout
6
2
SB2 Team
6 May 30
3
6
Mar 12
7 June 2
Mar 13
8 June 3
8
Mar 14
1 June 4
1
June 5
2
2 June 6
3
3 June 9
4
Mar 26
4 June 10
5
Mar 27
5 June 11
6
Mar 28
6 June 12
7
Mar 31
7 June 13
8
Apr 1
8 June 16
Mar 17-21
SPRING BREAK
Mar 24
Mar 25
SB Team
Apr 2
SB2 Team
1 June 17
Apr 3
P/T Interview
2 June 18
Apr 4
Staff Meeting
1
SB Team
Last Day of Classes
4 June 20
“I Day”/Marks Due
Apr 8
5 June 23
“I” Day/External Team
Apr 9
6 June 24
“I” Day
Apr 10
7 June 25
“I” Day
8 June 26
Report Card Day and
Year End Awards
Ceremony
1 June 27
Administration Day
Apr 11
Staff Meeting
Term 3 Ends
Apr 14
Apr 15
2
Apr 16
Marks Due
Apr 17
PRO-D DAY
Apr 18
GOOD FRIDAY
Apr 21
EASTER MONDAY
Apr 22
AI Callout
Apr 23
3
4
5
2
3
3 June 19
Apr 7
7
4
STUDENT BEHAVIOUR GUIDELINES
Upon the creation of Brock Middle School, students, parents, teachers and support staff were asked to help create belief statements
that reflect the values of the school. The acronym 'LIVE' was developed to create a consistent team approach instilling and reinforcing
responsible behaviour and respect.
Brock Middle School will:
L (Leadership) Lead in building an environment that develops positive connections and
responsible citizenship.
I (Integrity) Instill and reinforce responsible behaviour, leadership, and respect
V (Value Safety) Value a healthy community that fosters belonging, safety, and a positive sense
of self
E (Excellence) Establish a community of lifelong learners
Brocklehurst Middle School behavior Matrix
“These are the values we LIVE by”
BROCK
Leadership
L
Integrity
I
Values
(Safety)
V
Excellence
E
All Settings
Classroom
Library
Halls
Cafeteria
Off Campus
Assemblies
Performances
We will:
• use positive language
cooperate, use
manners, lend a hand
• be inclusive of all
• keep our school
clean/recycle
We will:
• encourage & support
others
• make positive
contributions/participa
te
• listen while others are
talking
We will:
• make healthy choices
• pick up litter
• model LIVE core values
We will:
• role model good
behaviour
We will:
• appreciate and focus on
presentations
• ask appropriate and
respectful questions
We will:
• do the right thing
• dress appropriately
• respect property &
environment
• own behaviours &
consequences
We will:
• follow the
rules/classroom
procedures.
• be polite and treat
others the way we
want to be treated
• allow others to
express ideas.
•
We will:
• follow emergency
procedures
• listen and follow
directions
• keep aisles clear
We will:
• be considerate
• respect differences
We will:
• be considerate of
community
property
• speak
appropriately
We will:
• look & listen to the
speaker
• respond using
appropriate theatre
behaviour (raise hand to
speak, clap at proper
times)
We will:
• follow proper
hallway/stairway etiquette
• wait for our turn
• keep traffic areas moving
We will:
• obey traffic rules
• behave
appropriately
We will:
• enter & exit in an
orderly fashion
• sit with our teacher
• respect personal space
We will:
• ask for help when
needed
• complete & hand in
all assignments
• keep an organized
binder/agenda
We will:
• wait patiently
• maintain a clean
environment
We will:
• be a proud
ambassador of
Brock
We will:
• create an inclusive
environment
• accept diversity in
others (performers &
audience)
We will:
• keep hands/ feet/
objects to self
• move calmly & safely
• leave harmful
materials/objects at
home
• report unsafe
situations
We will:
• give our best effort
• be prepared/on time
• demonstrate pride in
our school
• celebrate cultural &
individual differences
Brocklehurst Middle School Discipline Process
Level
Step
1
Reminder to student of expectations (i.e. Ask student to identify the inappropriate behavior and describe the appropriate
replacement behavior).
Documentation by the teacher.
2
Consequence for student’s actions (apology, detention, etc).
3
Consequence for student’s actions. Documentation by the teacher and shared with TAG teacher.
Home contact by the teacher (or documented reasonable attempt to contact).
4
Move directly to Level 2- step2
1
Consequence for student’s actions.
Documentation by the teacher and shared with TAG teacher.
Home contact by the teacher (or documented reasonable attempt to contact).
2
Referral to administration.
Home contact by the administrator.
Consequence given for student’s actions (Up to one half to 2 days in-school suspension).
3
Referral to administration by the teacher.
Home contact by administration.
Up to 1-5 days in or out of school suspension.
Parent conference with administration before student returns.
4
Move directly to Level 3 Step 2
1
Referral to administration.
Up to 1-5 days in or out of school suspension.
Parent conference with administration before student returns.
2
1-5 days out of school suspension.
3
1-5 days out of school suspension.
1-10 days suspension with consultation from district staff.
4
Referral to District 73 administration
2
3
Action
1
LEVEL 1 INCIDENTS
Attendance Concern
Profanity
Hallway Wandering/Misbehavior
Unprepared
Bike, Roller Blade or
Board infraction
Inappropriate Displays of Affection
In an Unsupervised Area
Unsafe Play
Bullying (Teasing)
Skip Detention
Inappropriate Dress
Inappropriate Vending Machine use
Bus Misconduct
Skipping/Truancy
Inappropriate Comments
Backpack/purse in class
Cheating/Plagiarism
Misuse of Equipment
Incomplete Assignments
Agenda misuse
Disruptive Behaviour
Technology Offense
Lates
Locker Misuse
Forgery
Off Grounds without Permission
Littering
Repeated no strip in PE
Rough Play
Uncooperative
Lying
Noncompliance
LEVEL 2 INCIDENTS
Dangerous Object Possession
Dangerous Behaviour
Attending a Fight
Slanderous Rumors/Bullying
Aggressive Behaviour
Instigating a Fight
Snowballing
Contract Violation
Smoking/tobacco use
Vandalism/Theft
Abusive Behaviour
Repetition of Level 1 Incidents
LEVEL 3 INCIDENTS
Vandalism
Extortion
Arson/Bomb
Fire Alarm/Fire Related
Alcohol/Drugs
Fighting
Assault
Weapon Possession
ACADEMIC PROGRESS AND REPORTING PROCEDURES
Reporting
Brock has four reporting periods per school year, November, February, April, and June. Interim reports are also issued to some
students between reporting periods when teachers are concerned about student progress. The dates of each reporting term and
parent/teacher interview days are included in the calendar section of this handbook.
Students who receive an “I” (Incomplete) on their report card have unmet outcomes and/or missing work for that term. Normally, an
“I” must be given before assigning an “F” on a report card. Teachers will communicate the unmet objectives or missing work to
students and their parents. This will indicate what work needs to be accomplished, and in what time frame, in order that the “I” can be
converted to a passing grade. If the requirements of the “I” are not met in the time frame allotted the “I” will be converted to an “F”.
Academic Honour Roll
All students are encouraged to strive to attain Honour Roll standing. Requirements for Honour Roll are as follows, and will be
reviewed during the course of the year to determine our final criteria for the following years. Students may achieve First Class
Honour Roll or Honour Roll. It is based upon grade point average (A=4 pts., B=3 pts., C+=2.5 pts., C=2 pts., C-=1 pt.).
First Class Honours:
Honours:
Students must achieve a minimum 3.5 grade point average
Students must achieve a minimum 3.0 grade point average
All courses are considered in the calculation of grade point average. Any student with a failing grade is not eligible for First Class
Honours or Honours recognition.
Effort Honour Roll
Work habits and attitude are very important and recognized through the Effort Honour Roll. To achieve Effort Honour Roll standing a
student must have all “G’s”, with a maximum of two “S’s”. Any student receiving an “N” is not eligible for Effort Honour Roll
recognition. An effort rubric has been developed, that is followed consistently by all staff in assigning work habit grades. This rubric
is attached in the student handbook for parent and student reference.
Brock Middle School – Effort Criteria
Criteria
G
S
N
Attendance
• Regular Attendance
• Absences are excused
• On time for class
• Poor attendance
• Frequent unexcused absences
• Frequent lates
Behaviour
•
• Poor attitude
• Disrespectful of others
• Frequently comes to class
unprepared
• Frequently off task; lacks focus
•
•
•
Completion
of
Assignments
•
•
•
• Regular attendance
• Absences are consistently
excused
• Usually on time for class
Consistently exhibits a positive • Usually exhibits a positive
attitude
attitude
Respectful of others
• Respectful of others
Comes to class with appropriate • Usually comes to class
materials
prepared
Actively participates in class;
• Usually participates in class
focused and stays on task
Tasks completed and submitted • Tasks usually completed and
on time
submitted on time
Conscientious in
• Missed work usually
obtaining/submitting missed
completed
work
• Work usually reflects ability
Work reflects ability; student
strives for quality
• Tasks often incomplete or not
submitted
• Rarely seeks assistance when
needed
• Completed work often shows
little care or effort
THREAT/RISK ASSESSMENT
The Board of Education is committed to creating and maintaining an environment in schools where students, staff, parents/guardians,
and others feel safe. The Board has established a protocol for responding to student threats/high risk behaviours.
REGULATIONS
Definitions
High Risk Behaviours – High Risk Behaviours include, but are not limited to, possession of weapons, bomb threats, and threats to kill
or injure others. Threats may be written, verbal, posted on the internet, or made by gesture. They may be direct, indirect, conditional,
or veiled.
Immediate Risk Situations – Immediate Risk Situations are those situations involving high risk that require immediate police
intervention, such as when a student is making a threat and is in possession of a weapon.
Reporting
a) Any person in a school having knowledge of high risk student behaviour or having reasonable grounds to believe there is a potential
for high risk behaviour shall immediately report the information to the principal or designate.
b) The principal or designate will activate the Stage One Threat/Risk Assessment Protocol.
c) No action shall be taken against a person who makes a report unless it is made maliciously or without reasonable grounds.
d) In cases where a report is made maliciously, the person shall be dealt with according to Board Policy and the law, where applicable.
Fair Notice
a) Prior to any threat/risk assessment protocol being implemented, all students, staff, and parents/guardians shall be provided with
information about the protocol and procedures so that “fair notice” is given that threat behaviour will not be tolerated.
b) The principal or designate shall take the lead to ensure that students, staff, and parents/guardians are aware of the threat/risk
assessment protocol and that a consistent message is given regarding the use of the protocol.
Duty to Respond
a) Schools shall respond to all high risk/threat related behaviours. All high risk behaviours shall be taken seriously and assessed
accordingly.
Immediate Risk Procedures
a) These are matters for immediate police intervention.
b) The principal or designate shall contact the police immediately and take steps to ensure the safety of all those in the school by
activating established procedures such as school evacuation or school security (lock down).
c) The principal or designate shall notify the superintendent or designate following initial police contact.
High Risk Behaviours
a) Upon receiving a report of high risk behaviour, the principal or designate will activate the Stage One Threat/Risk Assessment
Protocol.
b) The principal or designate shall notify the parents/guardians of the student making the threat at the earliest opportunity as well as
the parents/guardians of those students against whom the threat was made. Parents/guardians become an integral part of the initial risk
assessment process.
c) The Stage One Threat/Risk Assessment Protocol will guide the process from initial assessment, to planning interventions to
decrease risk, to plans for re-entry to school if a suspension has occurred.
d) When information suggests that a student who has made a threat poses a medium to high risk, the SD73 Assistant Superintendent of
Student Support Services will be contacted to activate the Stage Two Violence Threat Risk Assessment (V-TRA) Team.
Duty to Victims and Others
a) The principal or designate shall ensure that appropriate support is provided to those against whom threats have been made.
b) The principal or designate shall notify all school staff, and parents/guardians, if necessary, within a reasonable time period, when
the protocol has been activated as a result of high risk behaviour.
Students Requiring Special Consideration
a) When dealing with students under twelve years of age, students with special needs, or other exceptional students,
accountability/maturation issues and cognitive abilities shall be taken into consideration.
b) Since these students can still pose a risk, the Stage One Threat/Risk Assessment will still be activated.
c) The principal or designate and the SD73 Assistant Superintendent for Student Support Services shall determine police involvement.
Threat Assessment Incident Report
a) If the level of risk is low to medium, school interventions are enacted and the Stage One Report Form is sent to the Assistant
Superintendent of Student Support Services. Pages 9 – 12 of the Report are placed in the student’s file.
b) If the level of risk is medium to high, contact the SD73 Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services to activate the Stage
Two V-TRA Team.
c) The V-TRA Team completes the risk evaluation (low, medium, high) and develops a long term intervention/treatment and/or a risk
management plan.
d) The final Stage Two Violence Threat/Risk Assessment Report is written by the Assistant Superintendent of Student Support
Services and copies are given to the parents/guardians and placed in the student’s file.
Dear Parents:
Re: Fair Notice – Threat Assessment
The safety of our children is a top priority for us all. We, as a school system, have been involved in intensive safety training with our
community partners – the police, Child & Youth Mental Health and the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Together we
have developed a plan for responding to all situations in which students may be posing a threat to themselves or others.
This letter is to inform you that we, as a school system, now have a policy that require principals to complete a “threat assessment” in
all cases of students making significant threats to harm themselves or others. The purpose of the assessment is to determine how best
to support high risk students so that their behaviour does not become harmful or destructive. If your child comes home to tell you that
a student has behaved in a threatening way at school, please be assured that your principal will be taking measures to deal with the
situation in a positive and proactive manner. If your principal invites you to a meeting to discuss safety concerns about your own child,
please be assured that policy is being followed and that the goal is safety, not punishment.
This letter is intended to serve our community with fair notice that we, as a school community, will not accept “no response” to a
serious threat. Our goal is to respond to all threats in a professional manner that provides for a healthy and caring learning
environment.
We are proud to be able to provide this level of support to our school communities and are most fortunate to have our community
partners at our side.
Sincerely,
Terrence S Sullivan, Ph. D
Superintendent of Schools