DUFFERIN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Student / Parent
Handbook: High School
2014-2015
P.O. Box 1450
Carman, MB
R0G 0J0
204.745.2278 (p)
204.745.3441 (f)
Table of Contents:
Student/Parent Handbook: High School
Section / Page #1.0 / Mission Statement / 3
2.0 / Staff / 3
3.1 / School Routine / 4
3.2 / Operational Procedures / 6
3.3 / Building & Grounds / 8
3.4 / Student Deportment / 9
3.5 / Health & Safety / 11
3.6 / Evaluation / 12
3.7 / Extra-Curricular Activities / 15
3.8 / Facilities / 16
3.9 / Use of Technology / 17
1.0Mission Statement
The parents of Dufferin Christian School envision DCS as aplace where students
and teachers are engaged in the study of various subjects and enlightened by the Word of God,as confessed in the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Canons of Dort,
for living a life of Christian discipleshipin contemporary society.
Dufferin Christian School offers a learning program that is approved by Manitoba Education, taking into account a variety of abilities and needs God has given to each child.
2.0Staff
Mr. Chris deBoer(B.A., B.Ed., M.Ed.)Principal, History, Social Studies
Mrs. E. DeWit(B.Ed.) Art, ELA, Ref. Studies
Mr. J. Ellens(B.Sc., B.Ed.) ELA, Science, Math
Mr. W. Hoogerdijk(B.Sc., B.Ed.) Science, Math, Comp. Studies
Mrs. B. LodderEducational Assistant
Mr. L. Lodder(B.Ed.) Director of Student Services, Accounting
Mr. J. Raap(B.Sc., B.Ed.) Math, Science, Phys. Ed.
Mr. M. Raap(B.A., B.Ed.) Athletic Director,Math, Phys. Ed., Geography, Portfolio
Mrs. D. VanderveenEducational Assistant
Mrs. S. Vanderwoude(Dip. Ed., E.C.E.)Social Studies, Science, Phys. Ed., Resource Teacher
Mrs. J. WiebeEducational Assistant
3.1School Routine
3.1.1 Class Rotation
The high school will follow one of two schedules. They are as follows:
Period 2
Period 3
Period 4
Period 5 / 9:00 to 10:15
10:25 to 11:30
11:40 to 12:45
1:30 to 2:25
2:30 to 3:25
Schedule 2 / Devotions / Period 1
Period 2
Period 3
Period 4
Period 5 / 9:00 to 10:05
10:10 to 11:05
11:10 to 12:05
12:40 to 1:15
1:20 to 1:55
Bells will signal the beginning and end of classes. A five minute warning bell will ring prior to Period 4 classes. You are expected to be in class before the bell rings.
3.1.2 Devotions
Opening devotions will be carried out in Period 1 classes. Lunch devotions will be carried out at the end of Period 3 classes. Closing devotions will be carried out at the end ofPeriod 5 classes.
3.1.3 Attendance
Regular and punctual attendance on your part is vital to the process of learning and essential for success in the course. If attendance is irregular, you suffer a loss of experience that cannot be entirely regained. Furthermore, the Department of Education stipulates that a credit is earned on the basis of 110 hours of instruction. It is for these reasons that excessive absences may result in you having to make up time.
As well, a maximum number of 15 absences per credit will be accepted.If you miss more than this, you may be withdrawn from the class. There are 3 exceptions to this policy:
1. In case of medically documented illness,
2. School initiated absence,
3.Family holidays with proper notification.
When a family holiday brings total absences in any one course to more than 15, credit may not be granted unless further absences are verified by a note from a doctor.
Your parents or guardians are requested to inform the school before 9:00 a.m. if you will be absent from class.
You must follow your timetable throughout the day. Skipping a class will be treated as a serious offence and lost time must be made up.
3.1.4 Lateness
You are expected to be at your scheduled classes on time. A record of lates will be kept.If you are more than 10 minutes late, you will be considered absent.Three late slips will be treated with an office-initiated detention. Excessive lates will be dealt with by the administration and your parents will be notified.
3.1.5 Study Periods / Spares
While you are encouraged to take a full course-load, there may be times when you do not have classes.If you are in Senior 3 & 4, you have the option of either leaving the school building for the duration of your spare or staying in a designated area. In all cases, you are expected to keep the hallways clear during class time. In order to use spares effectively you are encouraged to use the library or the back of another classroom. Permission needs to be obtained from the classroom teacher to work in the back of another classroom.
3.1.6 Course Changes or Withdrawals
Course selections are finalized in June of the previous school year. Any changes must be approved by the Principal and Director of Student Services.
If you wish to withdraw from a course during the year, permission will be granted based on the following considerations.
1.effect of withdrawal on the number of credits required for graduation.
2.reasons for withdrawal.
3.presentation of an alternate educational program.
Before you are permitted to withdraw, a consultation between teacher, parent, and principal may be required. You are not permitted to withdraw from a course after three months of enrollment in that course.
3.1.7 Visitors and Guests
Visitors to the school must report to the office or the principal. If you wish to bring guests to school you must obtain permission from both the bus driver and the Principal at least one day in advance. Permission to bring guests will be granted under exceptional circumstances only.
3.1.8Behaviour Slip
In DufferinChristian School,students are expected to follow appropriate Christian behaviour. Misbehaviorwill result in a slip being handed out to a student; these slips are cautionary in nature. If a student persists in misbehavior they will have a meeting with administration.
3.2Operational Procedures
3.2.1 Academic Achievement
You are expected to apply yourself diligently to your work. The school recognizes the differences in the ability and aptitude of its students and seeks, as much as possible, ways to meet both your interest and abilities.
3.2.2 Homework
Completing daily homework assignments is a vital and necessary step in ensuring that good academic achievement is possible.We strongly encourage you to purchase a planning calendar so that you can keep a record of your responsibilities in an orderly fashion. Teachers will discuss homework completion problems with your parents.
3.2.3 Academic Honesty
While it is tempting for students, in a wide range of ways, to claim credit where it is not earned, it is imperative to maintain high standards of academic honesty at a Christian school. You are expected to be honest in all dealing with others in all situations and in meeting course requirements. Not only does plagiarism and other forms of cheating undermine your integrity and honesty, it also makes it very difficult for a teacher to determine the extent to which you have achieved the curriculum expectations being evaluated in a given assignment or test. You are responsible for familiarizing yourself with methods of avoiding plagiarism, and for consulting your teacher to seek help when in doubt.
The simplest definition of plagiarism is presenting as one’s own, the ideas, words, work, or homework of others, or taking personal credit for the words and ideas of others presented in print, electronic, and/or verbal forms.
Plagiarism can take many forms and applies to both written and non-written work, including but not limited to essays, reports, labs, projects, exams, journals; computer programs, models, spreadsheets, web pages, databases; math calculations, derivations; diagrams, charts, graphs, tables, drawings, artworks, photographs, maps, music/ compositions, posters, and oral presentations.
Some examples include:
- Submitting work that you have done under someone else’s name or submitting work someone else has done under your name.
- Using essays/assignments/information from Internet sites or individuals and passing the essay/assignment/information in as your own work.
- Quoting directly - or indirectly (paraphrasing, summarizing, etc.) - from any source without proper citation. To clarify: ‘any source’ does not simply mean books but can include television, radio and film; Internet sites; interviews; and computer programs. Basically, you must cite anything that you did not come up with on your own.
- Writing an assignment for someone else or allowing someone to copy your assignment for them to submit for credit.
- Taking a test for someone else.
- Self-plagiarism is submitting work for a class that you have already submitted to another class for credit without obtaining the teacher’s permission. The consequence for this is the same as other forms of plagiarism
The consequences for plagiarism are:
- The teacher of that subject will contact your parent(s).
- If this is your first incident of plagiarism in the Senior Years, you will be expected to re-submit the assignment with 60% as the maximum mark attainable.
- For any and all subsequent incidents of plagiarism, you are still expected to re-submit the assignment but will earn a zero grade. Repeated offences can result in a suspension and a failure in the course.
3.2.4 Textbooks
In most cases, the school supplies you with the necessary textbooks for each course. You are expected to take care of your textbooks.If there is undue damage, you are expected to pay for the replacement cost.
Most textbooks are to be returned during midterm or final examinations. Unreturned texts by the start of the next semester or by the end of the school year will result in a bill to cover the replacement costs. All texts must be returned or payments for those texts must be received before you are able to take out texts for the next semester or school year.
3.2.5 Lockers
You will be issued a locker on the first day of school. Any pictures you wish to hang in your locker should be easily removable and should show good taste in keeping with the character of a Christian school.You are responsible for the condition of your locker. If, during the year, your locker is damaged or does not function properly, the principal should be notified. To minimize theft, as few valuables as possible should be stored in your locker. If possible, the school will help recover missing articles, but will not assume responsibility. Hooks provided on lockers must be used to keep lockers closed. If you wish to have a lock, the school will provide one. Locks not issued by the school will be removed.
3.2.6 Posters and Notices
Materials for display in the hallways or foyers must be approved by the Principal, or the teacher supervising the activity concerned. Materials for display in the classrooms must have the approval of the classroom teacher.
3.2.7 Field Trips
During the school year a number of field trips may be organized to complement the classroom learning.You will be responsible for catching up on any school work missed while away on a field trip.
3.2.8 Lost and Found
Please check the Lost & Found table regularly and retrieve your belongings. Physical Education clothing and related paraphernalia are to be stored in your locker, not in the change rooms. Shoes may be stored on the shoe racks by the gym – the school is not responsible for shoes that have gone missing.
3.3 Building & Grounds
3.3.1 Leaving School Property
If you are in Senior 3 or 4, you may have off-property privileges during the noon break and your spares, provided you have parental consent. You are not to loiter on roadways or other properties in the vicinity of the school.
3.3.2 Automobiles and Parking
You may park your vehicles in the designated ‘student parking’ area. There is to be no loitering in and around the vehicles during the school day. You must have parental consent to use your vehicles during school hours and must complete the appropriate form. You should realize that the school grounds are used by many students and should, therefore, drive slowly and carefully. Under all circumstances, pedestrians have the right of way.
3.3.3 Vandalism
Vandalism that results from the carelessness or deliberate actions on the part of students must be compensated for.
3.4Student Deportment
3.4.1 Code of Student Behaviour
You are expected, as students of a Christian school, to present yourself in speech and conduct in a Christ-like fashion. The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. With that in mind, you are expected to:
* Demonstrate respect for and obedience towards the Word of God as it is taught in the school. This respect means that opinions, decisions, and conduct are submitted to the authority of Scripture. This also includes a willingness to be corrected by the Word of God.
* Demonstrate respect for and obedience to the teachers as those set in authority over you. This respect can be shown by addressing teachers and referring to them by their proper titles, by speaking politely without backtalk and by accepting and submitting to their instruction and discipline.
* Demonstrate respect for fellow pupils. This respect can be shown through the ways in which you treat the person, property, and feelings of others. Gossip and ridicule break down and destroy.
* Stand up for what is right in our life before the LORD. This may mean speaking out against wrongdoing. It includes encouraging peers in doing good rather than evil.
* Use language respectfully in the service to God and to theneighbour. Verbal abuse of any kind is sin and cannot be tolerated.
3.4.2 Consequences
Staff, students, parents, and administration all have their part in maintaining this code of behaviour. Rewarding fulfilled expectations and consequencing those that have been broken must be the responsibility of each and every adult guiding the process.
The staff will
- teach and reinforce expectations,
- problem solve through conflict mediation,
- seek parental supports,
- model appropriate behaviour,
- support each other in maintaining a high standard within this code.
The administration willintervene in repeat or serious cases.
The following is a list of consequences used. The primary goal is to include, rather than exclude, students in school programs. While not always applied in this order, the list moves from the less to the more severe consequences:
DUFFERIN CHRISTIAN SCHOOLSTUDENT HANDBOOK2014.2015
- student interview,
- removal of privileges,
- detention,
- parental involvement,
- withdrawal from classroom,
- restitution,
- suspension,
- individual behaviour plan,
- expulsion.
DUFFERIN CHRISTIAN SCHOOLSTUDENT HANDBOOK2014.2015
Detentions will be served on a daily basis (except Mondays)in a designated room. Detention takes priority over all other school activities. Detentions will be served during the noon break from 12:50 – 1:25 p.m., but they may be assigned for after school hours as well. An accumulation of 3 detentions may result in a meeting with the student, principal, and parents and a possible suspension.
You may be suspended by the principal for a period of up to one week, If any classroom tests are scheduled or assignments due during the time of suspension, you will not be given an opportunity to re-write (for credit) but will be given a zero for the work missed.
If you transport, consume, and/or possess alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs at school, on the buses, or at activities sponsored by the school, you will be immediately suspended and reported to the School Board. The School Board will decide upon the disciplinary measures to be taken. Such measures will range from prolonged suspension to expulsion.
3.4.3 Parental Contact
As much as possible, the school will maintain communication with your parents to ensure that discipline problems are addressed cooperatively. They will do this in a number of ways: Phone calls, emails, newsletter etc…
3.4.4 Dress and Appearance
You are expected to reflect a Christian life-style in dress and appearance. You should be well-groomed and wear neat, modest, and clean clothing. Clothing also reflects an individual and his or her role. Therefore, at school, your clothing should be appropriate to a Christian school setting.
You are not permitted to wear clothing which advertises rock music groups, alcohol, inappropriate lifestyles, or makes offensive statements. Shirts, blouses, and T-shirts are to cover the shoulders and the entire mid-section. Coats, hats, and sunglasses are not to be worn in classrooms. Proper footwear must be worn at all times.
3.4.5 Displays of Affection
Undue displays of affection are to be avoided in and around school property.
3.4.6 Smoke-Free Environment
DCS maintains a smoke-free environment. Smoking is not permitted on school property or anywhere in sight of the school.
3.4.7 Dangerous Behaviour
In order to maintain a safe environment, fighting, roughhousing, and running around inside the school is not permitted. You may not bring knives, firecrackers, and similar hazardous material to school, or ignite lighters, matches, firecrackers, or start fires.
3.4.8Bullying
In order to maintain a safe and caring environment for all students, bullying will not be tolerated.
Definition of Bullying - Bullying is when purposeful and willful acts of meanness are repeated over time in a situation where there is an imbalance of power.
Types of Bullying:
- Physical – hitting, shoving, pushing and destroying property
- Verbal – Teasing, name calling, threats
- Relational – gossiping, embarrassing, leaving someone out.
- Cyber – use of technology to inflict physical, verbal or relational bullying. This list may include but is not restricted to: Computer, cell phones, digital cameras and other devices.
3.5Health & Safety
3.5.1 Illness at School
You should notify a staff member in case of illness or injury. In case of serious indisposition, your parents or guardians will be contacted.
3.5.2 Medication
The school will provide no medication. If it appears that you need medical attention, your parents will be contacted and if necessary, you will be taken to the hospital.
3.5.3 Emergency Procedures
To prepare for an emergency event, various drills will be held on a regular basis. It is important that during all drills, you are to conduct yourself in an orderly, quiet and quick manner. During the first week of classes, the staff will inform you of the various emergency procedures.