Attendance Policy

To ensure success in school, students are expected to attend school regularly and are expected to be on time for all classes. If a student is going to be late or absent due to illness or other unavoidable reason (appointment, etc.), we ask that parents contact the school's "Call Back" line at 339-1984, prior to the absence. In case of unexplained absence, a "Call Back" program is in place. Please notify the office and your child’s Homeroom Teacher of vacation time that may occur during school time. Arrangements can often be made regarding work that should be completed while the student is away.

Late Arrival

Students who arrive late at school or who are late for classes must report to the office for a late slip before entering the class. Late incidents will be recorded and parents will be notified if the habit continues.  Students should be at the entrance doors ready to enter the school at 8:35 am and 12:15 pm.

Lockers

Students in Grades 6-9 will be issued a locker and a lock for their school use. Wherever possible, students are given individual lockers. For safety reasons, the Administration is empowered by RETSD policy to conduct reasonable searches of student lockers and personal effects to maintain the integrity of the school and to protect all of our students.

Behaviour

At John Pritchard School, and on school outings, students are expected to exhibit courteous and helpful behaviour to all staff and students.

John Pritchard's Behaviour Expectations

1. Helping Hands, Friendly Feet and Mouth
2. Ready, Sit and Learn
3. Move to class quickly and quietly.
4. Be respectful of all staff
5. Take responsibility for your actions

 Lunch Time Expectations & Guidelines

Early Years students must have permission from parents to leave the grounds to go home (or other) for lunch. Students remaining at school for lunch must behave in a respectful, responsible manner or their lunch privileges will be denied. Please review the section found below on school boundaries with your child.

1. Lunch is from 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
2. Students eat lunch in designated areas from 11:30 to 11:45 a.m.
3. At 11: 45 a.m., students may choose to go:
• to the library  OR
• areas where activities are arranged and supervised by teachers (outdoor/indoor recess, gym, clubs, tutoring, etc.) OR
• outside

If students leave the grounds to frequent the local business establishments, behaviour expectations are the same as at school. When crossing the streets, students must obey the traffic regulations and the Adult Crossing Guard.

Note:

• Once a student chooses an area, he/she is to remain there until afternoon registration time.
• Students whose lockers are in classrooms must take all necessary equipment with them at 11:30 dismissal (e.g. books, phys. ed. and/or outdoor clothing, etc.).
• If a teacher keeps students late after class during the lunch hour, it is his or her responsibility to escort the students to the students' designated activity choice.

 School Boundaries

1. JP students are to remain in the general JP catchment area in small groups during the lunch time, in order to:
• to reduce possibility of contact with strangers,
• to maintain a higher level of safety for students,
• to assist students in making good decisions without the influence of a large group,
• to assist students in being on time for Homeroom.
2. Students are to go no further east than the commercial establishments which are fronting on the east side of Henderson Highway, for example: Safeway (front, south entrance), Quizno’s, A&W, 7-11, Pizza Hut, unless they live in the first block on Donwood, parallel to Henderson Highway. Establishments such as Zeller’s and Dollarama are out of bounds. The back side (north side) of Safeway is out of bounds.
3. Students are to go no further south than Edison Avenue, unless they live further away and have permission from their parents to go home.
4. Students are to stay away from the Bergen Cut-off and the river. The Bergen Cut-off is the elevated ground area that runs from behind the new credit union at Henderson and Springfield to the river, which was the base for the railway to the rail bridge over the river.
5. The alley behind McDonald’s, Piston Ring, Jeffrey’s is out of bounds.
6. Students are not to congregate in large groups at any time. In the presence of a large group, people are heavily influenced to make decisions which are not in their or other’s best interests.
7. The rules above are straightforward and need little explanation or discussion. The next topic is different:
8. From time to time, two students are drawn together because of a disagreement, which can turn into a physical fight.
• Many times, these students are encouraged to come together by other “bystanders”.
• These bystanders usually encourage a fight by saying things to embarrass or to challenge, such as “Did you hear what he called you?” and “Are you going to let him get away with that?”, or “Hit her.”
• Even bystanders who say nothing are encouraging the confrontation just by attending to it.
• Another scenario is when a student uses the excuse that he/she was “just going to talk to him”, but takes along friends who are “backup”.
• Students who fight will be suspended, AND bystanders who are in attendance and/or encourage the fight will also be suspended.
• How should a student deal with these issues?
• If you are in a confrontational situation, it is important to resolve the disagreement by calm discussion. If this is not possible, ask a teacher or other adult to act as a mediator.
• Do not let others embarrass you into doing something that you do not want to do.
• If you hear about a possible confrontation/fight, you must report it to a teacher or the Office (the information will be used anonymously). This will allow teachers to take action that will prevent a fight, prevent injury, prevent suspensions.
• If you find yourself in a group that is large or is going to a confrontation, you must leave the group immediately, and report it to a teacher or the Office. Claiming that you did not know what the group was going to do, will not be accepted as an excuse.

 Miscellaneous

Weapons: Any item that is, or looks like, a weapon (examples: plastic gun, pocket-knife, laser pointers, lighters, and matches) must not be brought to school. All items designated by administration as weapons will be confiscated and the appropriate response as outlined in the Divisional Code of Conduct will be implemented.

Electronic Devices:  Devices such as walkmans, MP3 players, cameras and cell phones (see policy below) are not allowed to be seen or used in the school building at any time.  If a device is seen or used, any staff member will confiscate it and leave it in the Office.

Cell Phones:  John Pritchard School follows the divisional policy for cell phones and electronic communication devices. At early years, middle years and junior high schools, student use of cell phones and other electronic communication devices is not permitted in the school OR on school property unless directed by the teacher/school. This applies to recesses, locker breaks, class changes and lunch hour. It is expected that communication during the school day will occur through the school office or as directed by school policy. (There is a pay phone at the school for students to use; the Office phones are available for emergencies.) School officials, including classroom teachers, will confiscate electronic communications devices from students if they are used for unauthorized purposes or at unauthorized times. Confiscated cell phones will not be returned until authorized by parents in writing. Repeated unauthorized use may lead to further action as determined by the school. The River East Transcona School Division will assume no responsibility in any circumstance for the loss, destruction, damage or theft of any electronic communication device or for any communication bill associated with the unauthorized use of such devices. Students and families are responsible for locating such lost or stolen items. The River East Transcona School Division Policy “JICJ – Student Use of Cell Phones and Electronic Communication Devices” supports these guidelines.

Skateboards/Scooters: These items are not allowed on school property due to safety and storage concerns.

Fragrance Sensitivities:  Students and staff have been, and will be, on a yearly basis, asked to be respectful of those individuals that are sensitive to certain fragrances. Colognes and perfumes (or other scents) that are very strong smelling can be overpowering to some individuals. Allergic reactions are not uncommon. Both students and staff are requested to minimize or eliminate the use of fragrances in school.

Health Concerns and Medication:  Please inform the school of important student health concerns (diabetes, life threatening allergies, asthma, medicine needs, etc.). Divisional authorization forms, health care plans and emergency plans are used to address student needs. Many students in the school have life threatening allergies to a variety of common food items; in particular peanut butter and peanut products. We ask for the cooperation of parents and students in creating a reduced risk environment for these students by not bringing these items to school.

 STUDENT DRESS GUIDELINES (see document "Appropriate Attire" for more details)

1. Neatness and tidiness are emphasized at all times.
2. For safety and health reasons, proper footwear must be worn at all times.
3. Phys. Ed.: A proper change of clothing is required (e.g. T-shirt, shorts, sweats).
4. Industrial Arts: For safety considerations, clothing should cover both arms and legs. Extremely loose fitting sleeves are not acceptable, as they may catch in the machines.

 Inappropriate Clothing

These items should not be worn in school:

1. Provocative clothing including but not limited to:  exposed midriff, low-cut necklines, visible undergarments, string straps, short-shorts, cut-offs and see through clothing
2. Clothing that depicts/suggests an offensive message or meaning
3. Clothing that advertises products that are injurious to one's health (tobacco, liquor, drugs)
4. Head coverings such as hats, hoodies, bandannas, toques, etc. (As a rule of etiquette, these should be removed when entering all public buildings)

 Jackets/Outdoor Clothing

Clothing that is meant to be worn outside should not be worn or brought to class. These items should be left in the lockers that are provided.

 Backpacks

To reduce congestion in the hallways and in the classrooms, backpacks must be left in lockers during class time.

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The River East Transcona School Division Policy “JICA – Student Dress Code”, supports these guidelines.