Mount Pearl Intermediate

General Information Booklet

2010 - 2011

46 Ruth Avenue

Mount Pearl, Newfoundland

A1N 2H5

Telephone: (709) 364-1433

Fax: (709) 364-1871

Website: panther.k12.nf.ca

TABLE OF CONTENTSPage

Greetings from the Administration 3

Vision Statement 3

Daily Schedule 4

School Calendar 5

School Wide Expectations 6

Behaviour Matrix 7

Character Education 7

Bully Prevention Program 8

Breakfast Program 9

General Guidelines 9

Behaviour (Major)11

Bus Conduct12

Clothing/ Personal Dress14

Detention16

Electronic Devices16

Fire Evacuation17

Language18

Lockers19

Lunch (Elementary)20

School Closure21

Secure School and Lockdown23

Signing In/Signing Out23

Smoking/Substance Abuse23

Supervision of Students25

Textbooks25

Video Surveillance26

Weapons27

GREETINGS FROM THE ADMINISTRATION

For those new to us, welcome to Mount Pearl Intermediate School! For those who are returning, welcome back!

Mount Pearl Intermediate has much to offer you. The teaching staff stresses excellence in all aspects of school life. Your academic performance is the most important task, but excellence in citizenship and participation in school activities will also be emphasized. We expect you to try your best and we will help you to "be the best that you can be."

Getting involved in school life is one key to enjoying your intermediate school years. Become an active member of your school community. Become a Panther by trying out for one of our numerous sports teams, join the Drama Club, the Choir or join the Student Leadership Committee. Get involved and share your skills and enthusiasm. The more you become involved in school life the better the school will be and the more you will enjoy your time at Mount Pearl Intermediate.

This Handbook provides many details about Mount Pearl Intermediate. These details outline the school procedures and expectations that are necessary to have in place in order to maintain a safe, caring, healthy and socially just environment. They are also important to ensurethat every individual achieves to their fullest potential. Please take the time to review our school procedures and expectations. If you have questions please feel free to ask any of our staff members as we are here to assist you.

We recommend that you purchase an agenda or planner to help keep yourself organized. Start right away to record your homework, assignments and scores. Make it a habit because good organization will be beneficial for you. We are looking forward to a great year! There are always things we can do to make Mount Pearl Intermediate an even better place. With your support and cooperation we can together make it happen!

VISION STATEMENT

MountPearl Intermediate seeks to empower our school community by fostering a safe, respectful, student-centered learning environment. We promote a nurturing atmosphere where all learners are actively engaged in academic achievement, critical thinking and social responsibility. We promote and celebrate creative potential in preparation for lifelong learning and success.

DAILY SCHEDULE

Scheduled Periods/Order of the Day (Grades 5 – 7)

8:00Doors Open

8:20Call to Homeroom

8:23 - 8:33Homeroom

8:33 - 9:31Period 1

9:32 - 10:30Period 2

10:30 - 10:45Recess Break (students must stay in school)

10:46 - 11:44Period 3

11:45 - 12:43Period 4

12:43 - 1:41Grades 5 - 7 Lunch (grades 5 and 6 must stay in school)

1:42 - 2:38Period 6

2:40Dismissal

Scheduled Periods/Order of the Day (Grades 8 – 9)

8:00Doors Open

8:20Call to Homeroom

8:23 - 8:33Homeroom

8:33 - 9:31Period 1

9:32 - 10:30Period 2

10:30 - 10:45Recess Break (students must stay in school)

10:46 - 11:44Period 3

11:45 - 12:43Grade 8 - 9 Lunch (Period 4)

12:43 - 1:41Period 5

1:42 - 2:38Period 6

2:40Dismissal

SCHOOL CALENDAR 2010 – 2011

Parents are strongly encouraged to use the following school calendar when planning vacation opportunities. For more information on student travel during school time please see page 24.

Tuesday, September 7Administration Day

Wednesday, September 8School Reopens for Students

Monday, October 11Thanksgiving Holiday

Thursday, November 11Armistice Day Holiday

Wednesday, December 22Last day of classes - Christmas

Tuesday, January 4School reopens

Thursday, April 21Last day of classes – Easter

Monday, May 2School reopens

Monday, May 23Victoria Day Holiday

Monday, June 13*Earliest Date for Intermediate Exams

Friday, June 17*Intermediate Exams end

Thursday, June 23Last day for students

Friday, June 24Administration Day

*subject to possible change – dates to be confirmed by ESDNL.

School Wide Expectations

Because I am proud of myself, I will endeavour:

To be clean and tidy about my appearance

To refrain from using, distributing or selling tobacco, alcohol or other drug related substances

To attend school regularly and punctually

To complete assigned work in class and at home and to be prepared to submit materials at designated times

To be prepared for learning by bringing materials and supplies to class

To keep my language and gestures respectful and free of profanity or obscenities
To refrain from engaging in bullying, harassing, or intimidating behaviours

To play fair, keep the rules of the game, and be a good winner and loser in sports and other group activities.

Because I am proud of my school, I will endeavour:

To respect all school property by refraining from vandalizing and littering desks, lockers, classrooms, corridors, washrooms, and school grounds.

To conduct myself in a respectful manner while in school, on school property, on the school bus, and at all school-sponsored activities

To give my support and best effort in all school-sponsored activities.

To keep personal belongings in my desk, locker, and storage space clean and tidy and ensure that any posters displayed are in good taste

To keep my cafeteria clean by returning food trays to the counter and throwing garbage in the proper containers

To participate in student groups which promote school spirit and encourage recognition of students' accomplishments

Because I am proud of my teachers, administration, secretarial, and cleaning staff, I will endeavour:

To look to them for guidance and support to improve my academic, social, and mental well-being

To support them in their effort to maintain a safe, orderly, clean school environment

To accept their right to require respectable behaviour in the classroom, in the gym, at assemblies, on the bus, and at school-sponsored activities

To respect them and expect to be respected

To be a good listener, and respond to directions when first given.

I acknowledge that at Mount Pearl Intermediate all rules and procedures promote an effective learning environment and ensure the well-being and safety of all.

I will accept the responsibility and the appropriate consequences for my actions,

because I am a responsible person.

BEHAVIOUR MATRIX

As an aspect of our safe and caring school initiatives and in order to promote positive behaviours in our students, various settings in the school have been identified and corresponding expected behaviours for those settings have been determined. Early in the school year, all students will visit these locations and the expected behaviours will be reviewed with them. The TRRFCC (Terrific) Panthers matrix itself will be displayed throughout the school.

CHARACTER EDUCATION

CHARACTER COUNTS! is a character education program that will focus on helping the students build the six pillars of character into their daily lives. These six pillars include: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship

These six pillars of character will be integrated into the curriculum and lessons will be taught directly to the students. CHARACTER COUNTS! is based on the premise that students must be taught how to be a person of character. That teaching appropriate values and ethics can lead a student to future success and happiness. That it is what is on the inside that counts – not what they have or how they look. It teaches them the difference between what is right and what is wrong and how to guide their thoughts and actionsaccording to the six pillars.

We believe that this initiative is vital to the students and to their future choices and the lives they will lead. It will strengthen the young lives of our students and improve their focus on school. It will help cut down on misbehavior and guide students to make more appropriate choices in diverse situations. Parents and the community form an integral part in helping students become persons of character.

Character Counts – Everywhere… All the time

BULLY PREVENTION PROGRAM

At MPI we are committed to ensuring the learning environment is safe, caring and provides our students with every opportunity to grow to their full potential – physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually. Building on our student Code of Conduct, Mount Pearl Intermediate School actively seeks to provide an environment that is safe from all forms of harassment and intimidation. We feel that any form of bullying is unacceptable. Our Bully Prevention Program aims to ensure every person in the school feels safe and is treated with respect. Difference and diversity is part of life and is valued within this school. We aim to create a climate of respect in school where anti-social and bullying behaviors are not accepted or tolerated. Towards achieving the goals of our Bully Prevention Program, we expect students to:

Participate in the school-wide bullying intervention program.

Learn to distinguish between tattling and reporting bullying behavior.

Learn and apply conflict resolution skills to resolve disputes.

Take their role as a responsible by-stander seriously when they witness bullying.

Report incidents of bullying to the school’s guidance counsellors or administration.

BREAKFAST PROGRAM

Mount Pearl Intermediate is pleased to be able to offer our students a breakfast program. A complimentary breakfast consisting of juices, cereals and toast is available each morning from 8:00 until 8:15.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Arrival at School and Movement in the Building

Students must proceed to homeroom prior to the 8:20 a.m. bell.

Move through the corridors between classes in a quiet, orderly fashion, always walking to the right.
The Teacher Entrance located at the rear of the building is intended for the use of teachers and special services transportation only.
Grade 8 and 9 students are not permitted on the second floor before classes in the morning, at recess or at lunchtime.
Grade 7 students are not permitted on the second floor at recess or during their lunch break.
Grade 7-9 students are not permitted in the elementary corridors, stairwell or washroom areas.

Students are not permitted to visit lockers after homeroom, between or during instructional periods. Students should use the time prior to homeroom, at recess and at lunch to ensure they have all of the materials required for their scheduled classes.

Students are not permitted to take food or beverage, backpacks, or outdoor coats to any classrooms. These items must be stored inlockers.

Upon dismissal, elementary students should line up and leave their classrooms under the supervision of their teacher and leave the building through the designated exit. Junior high students will be dismissed directly from their last instructional period of the day, under the direction of the teacher they have at that time.

Assignments

The length of time allocated for the completion of an assignment will be commensurate with the value of the assignment. An extension to the due date for an assignment may be granted to the student under exceptional circumstances. These circumstances must be properly documented in the form of a letter from the parent/guardian fully outlining why the assignment cannot be submitted on the due date. This request must be presented prior to, or on, the due date of the assignment.

In the event that a student is absent from school for documented reasons on the due date of an assignment, the assignment will be due on the day the student returns to school. If this is impossible, it is the parent's/guardian's responsibility to make alternate arrangements with the appropriate teacher.

If an assignment is not submitted by 3:00 p.m. on the appropriate due date as outlined above, the following procedures are to be invoked:

1.Assignments, projects, etc. that are passed in one day late shall have 5% deducted from the student’s grade; two days late shall have 10% deducted from the student’s grade; three days late shall have 15% deducted from the student’s grade. Assignments passed in four days and over the initial due date shall be graded at a maximum of 80% of their assigned grade. Assignments, projects, etc, may not be accepted after the teacher has returned the corrected materials to the class. Where late assignments are accepted, they must be submitted in sufficient time to be graded or the mark may not appear on the report card for that period. The school policy is that make-up assignments or projects will not be provided.

2.The appropriate teacher may contact the parent/guardian of any student who does not submit his/her assignment on the due date by telephone OR in writing. The teacher will explain the consequences of the student's actions to the parent and encourage him/her to influence the child to submit the assignment the next school day.

3.If, after the third day, the student has still not submitted the assignment, the student will be given a maximum of 80% of the grade for that assignment upon submission. A grade of zero (0) will be assigned if the student fails to submit the assignment.

4.A student who fails to complete required assignments/projects will receive a failing grade, or an incomplete, on the term report. This has serious implications for a student's ability to meet promotion requirements in June.

Attendance

All students are expected to attend school on a regular basis. This means that students are expected to be in attendance every day school is in session, unless they are prevented from doing so for a serious reason, such as illness. Staying at home the day before or after a special event or holiday, to "get ready, shop or rest up" etc., is not an appropriate reason for absenteeism from school.

When students must be absent from school for legitimate reasons (i.e., death in family, illness, etc.), the Department of Education policy reads as follows:

Every pupil in a school shall in cases of absence bring to his/her teacher from a parent or guardian, a written reason for his/her absence. (The School's Act, Section 82[b])

The following procedures shall apply to all students who attend Mount Pearl Intermediate, and they will be strictly enforced.

A written note from a parent/guardian is compulsory after any absence.

When any student misses a scheduled test due to being absent:

i)If the student provides a note - no mark is given and their overall average will not be adversely affected.

ii)If a note is not provided within five school days, the student receives a zero grade for that evaluation.

Students absent due to a school-sponsored activity (ie. a school sports team trip, speech contest or show choir performance) are automatically marked present. These students are expected to get all notes and materials that were missed during these classes and should make arrangements for tests and assignments.

Behaviour (Major)

Each of the following is strictly forbidden:

Use and/or possession of any weapons
Physical violence and threats of same
Aggressive physical behaviour
Throwing objects such as snowballs, rocks, etc
Harassment (sexual, physical and verbal)
Fighting, bullying, threatening others, extortion and gambling
Tampering with fire extinguishers and other lifesaving equipment
Theft and damage
Creating or instigating any potential danger to others
Inappropriate use of school equipment and/or technology

In addition, any other behaviour that poses a risk to the safety of others is strictly prohibited and, as with the above behaviours, will result in serious consequences, including possible in or out of school suspension and/or referral to local police authorities.

Bus Conduct

The importance of proper conduct while waiting for, boarding, riding and getting off the bus is extremely important. Attitudes of helpfulness and cooperation will do much to ensure safe and comfortable transportation for all. Any behavior that distracts the bus driver endangers everyone. The bus driver is expected to report any misconduct that occurs on the bus. Students who witness inappropriate behaviour on the bus are also encouraged to report the incident to their teacher or to the school administration.

All students should understand and parents/guardians are asked to impress upon their children the need to comply with the following:

Students should remain well out of the roadway while waiting for the bus.
Getting on and off the bus should be done in an orderly manner.
Crowding, pushing, shoving, etc. are not necessary.
Students are to remain seated while the bus is in motion.
No part of the body should ever be extended outside the bus.
Aisles should be kept clear at all times.
Conversations should take place in normal tones of voice.
Nothing should be thrown either in or from the bus.
Smoking and profane/abusive language is strictly forbidden.

Parents will be notified of any reported misconduct. Depending on the seriousness of the offence, the student may receive a warning, be required to serve detention, or be suspended from privileges at school and/or from riding the bus.

Cafeteria and Consumption of Food

Parents and students are asked to pay particular attention to the food allergy information which will be provided to students and communicated through newsletters.
Students and parents are encouraged to include healthy food choices in deciding on recess and lunch items. In that regard, Mount Pearl Intermediate strongly encourages parents and students to seek alternatives to ‘energy’ drinks, sodas, chips, bars and the like. In particular, due to the health risks associated with the high level of caffeine and sugar in ‘energy’ drinks, those items are not permitted in the school.
Unless part of a teacher sponsored activity, the ordering of food by individuals or groups of students for delivery to the school or school grounds is not permitted.
Co-operative, respectful behaviour towards staff and other students is expected at all times.

Lunches may only be consumed in the cafeteria. Students are asked not to eat/drink in the classrooms, corridors, and/or gymnasium.

Students are permitted water bottles onlyin classrooms. Absolutely no food or soft drinks are permitted.

When eating in the cafeteria, clean up after yourself by placing yourgarbage in the garbage cans provided. Please recycle appropriate items.

Any student who abuses cafeteria privileges during lunch or recess periods may lose those privileges completely.
Cafeteria vouchers will not be issued to students who have forgotten their lunch. Students who forget their lunch are asked to please check with staff in the Main Office so that alternate arrangements can be made.
Students are not permitted to place take out orders with delivery to the school orto the school grounds unless organized by a homeroom or subject teacher as a class activity.

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