Safety and Security Policies and Procedures
Volunteers
Many parents, and occasionally others from our community, volunteer in classrooms or assist teachers and students in a variety of ways. The Board of Education Policy requires that all volunteers in schools complete a Volunteers’ Safety Check Application form. If you anticipate that you may be volunteering during the school year, please go to our website for a form and return the completed form to the office. You can also pick up a form from the office. The completed forms will be kept in a confidential file. The intent of the policy is to better ensure the safety and security of all children. When visiting the school, we request that you sign in at the office as you arrive and put on a visitor’s badge.
Volunteer Driver Requirements
We rely on parent drivers for a variety of class outings. As required by SD42 policy, prospective volunteer drivers are to provide the school principal with a current copy of their Driver’s Abstract for approval (www.icbc.com/drivingrecords please ask to have the drivers abstract sent to FV_reception@sd42.ca ). Prospective volunteer drivers must also complete and sign a Volunteer Driver Application form. If your vehicle information has changed, you must complete a new Volunteer Driver Application form; if your driving record has changed you must submit a current copy of your Driver’s Abstract to the principal for consideration.
Student Absences and Late Arrivals
We request that you inform the school to let us know if your child will be late or absent. This can be done by any of the following ways:
1.You can also send us an email by hitting the email button on the front page of our website. Mrs. Corcoran checks this email often and it is an easy way to communicate your son/daughters absence from school.
2.Via the Parent Portal, click the absence button.
3.Leave a message on the answering machine if staff isn’t there to take your call (604-465-9331).
If your child is absent and we haven’t received a call/email from you, we will make an effort to contact you to confirm that your child is safe. Students who arrive late to school must report to the office to identify themselves and collect a late slip, which in turn must be presented to their teacher. If you or a designated adult needs to pick up your child from school during school hours, please sign them out at the office.
When Children Are Ill
In fairness to all, please do not send your child to school if there are definite signs of sickness in the morning. Students who become ill during the day should go directly to their teacher. Our policy is to get students who are ill home as soon as possible. Our practice is to call parents and ensure that the students are picked up or other arrangements made. For this reason, it is important that parents keep up-to-date work and emergency phone number information at the office.
Leaving School Grounds at Recess or Lunch
For their own safety, students may not leave the school grounds during the school day without written permission from their parents. Only those students who routinely go home for lunch may leave the school grounds without written permission. Students are not permitted to go to stores or restaurants without parental permission. Please send a signed note if lunch arrangements need to change.
Visitors
All visitors are expected to report to the office upon entering the school. This is a safety and security measure as it is important for us to know who is in the school should an emergency arise. Visitors are also expected to sign the Visitor Log in the office and collect a visitor or volunteer identification tag, which must be displayed while in the building and while on the grounds outside.
Labeling Personal Possessions
All possessions should be labeled with the student’s name, allowing us to return things if they are misplaced. We strongly discourage students from bringing expensive electronic devices such as iPods or video games to school, as it is hard to monitor them and/or find them if they go missing.
Cellphones
We recognize that cell phones are an important communication tool for parents and students. Students may bring their phones to school, but to avoid distraction during school hours, we ask that students keep their phones in their backpacks or on the teacher’s desk for the school day. If students are using their phones inappropriately, they will be confiscated and will remain with the principal for the day.
Parent Release for Photographs
From time to time we receive requests from newspaper and television reporters to visit our school to do a story about some aspect of the school or its programs. Requests of this nature are given careful consideration by the school principal and/or the superintendent of schools. As part of their story, reporters may want to photograph students and/or their work. While we attempt to cooperate with the media wherever possible, we recognize there may be times when publicity of this nature is not welcomed by parents or guardians. Photographs of students and samples of their work may also be used in district brochures, publications, social media, or presentations for the purpose of informing staff and the community about SD42 programs and services. Many teachers also have blogs where they post photos of students at work.
A form will be available on the parent portal for you to give or refuse permission to share student information as above. Please contact Mrs. Watkins if you have any questions.
First Aid Procedures
The School Act gives teachers the same responsibility as that of prudent parents. “Prudent practice” varies from parent to parent, but we would rather err on the side of caution. When, in our judgment, an injury or an illness is something more than minor or casual, we contact the parent. If we are unable to reach a parent, we try the emergency number you have given the school. If we are unsuccessful in contacting you or your designates. In obvious emergency situations we will call 911 and request an ambulance.
Medical Alerts and Requests for Administration of Medication
A Medical Intervention Form must be completed if your child has an existing medical condition that we at the school should be clearly aware of and have documented. A Request for Administration of Medication Form must also be completed if your child will be taking any form of prescribed medication at the school. This process also includes a medical form to be completed by a physician. Please note that students may not be in possession of any medication at school unless specifically authorized by the principal, and staff may not administer medication to students unless the required form has been completed and signed by a parent. This also applies to over-the-counter drugs such as Tylenol or Aspirin.
Hospital Homebound Support
Do you have a son or daughter who is ill or injured and unable to attend school?
School District No. 42 provides support to students who are unable to attend school for medical reasons. The Hospital Homebound teacher works with elementary and secondary students who have not been allocated support teacher time through a special needs designation. Students may be absent due to a non-contagious illness or they may be recovering from surgery or an injury. Instruction is provided in Ridge-Meadows Hospital or in the student’s home.
How does Hospital Homebound support work?
The Hospital Homebound teacher provides direct instruction and support to students, with the goal of helping them return to class with as little interruption to their education as possible. The teacher also helps students maintain connections with the people and programs at their school. While receiving Hospital Homebound support, students continue to be registered at their school and in their classes. Students work on the core academic subjects. They often use the same materials and complete many of the same assignments as their classmates, although some adaptations may be necessary depending on the child’s illness. Students typically receive two to three hours of support each week.
When can a student be referred?
Homebound students qualify for support if they are absent from school for 10 consecutive school days. Students who are hospitalized can be referred upon admittance to Ridge-Meadows Hospital.
How do I refer my son or daughter?
Contact your child’s teacher, counsellor, or administrator. He/she will complete the Student Support Services referral form. A physician’s authorization form is also required (available at the school). For more information contact Natalie Gehm, the Hospital Homebound Teacher, at 467-1101, or by email at ngehm@sd42.ca.
Emergency Procedures–Fire Drills and Other Emergency Situations
Fire and earthquake drills are held to teach the children how to vacate the school quickly and in an orderly fashion in case of an emergency. Proper behaviour and a serious attitude are demanded from all students during these drills. The evacuation plan posted in each room has been reviewed and approved by the Maple Ridge Fire Department.
Also posted in each room is a copy of the Emergency Procedures Manual developed for all SD42 schools. The information in the manual is further tailored to our building and site. The manual covers all potential emergency situations including evacuations, lock downs, earthquakes, threats, suspicious persons, etc. Please inquire at the office if you would like to view a copy.
Emergency Closures
On the rare occasion, school may be canceled due to extreme winter weather conditions. The decision to close a school can only be made by the superintendent of schools. To get information about emergency closures, please go to the district website (www.sd42.ca) or listen to the radio stations listed below. Announcements on these stations will be made between 6:00 and 8:30 AM.
CKNW 980 AM CKWX 1130 AM
CBC 690 AM JACK FM 96.9 AM
Student Entry/Exit
All students are required to line up at their designated doorway upon the sounding of the warning bell at 8:25 a.m. Shortly after, each teacher meets their students and invites them in or walks the group in an orderly and controlled manner to class. As an added safety measure for students during morning entry, we respectfully request that parents and other caregivers not bring children to their classroom in the morning; please wait with them at their designated entry doorway. We also request that parents or caregivers meet children at predetermined locations outside the school at dismissal time. Having a number of adults and preschoolers in the hallways at morning start-up and afternoon dismissal poses a challenge with respect to safe and comfortable passage during these very busy and congested periods.
Supervision of Students During Breaks
During the recess break, three teachers are assigned to supervise students. During the lunch break, three paid Noon Hour Supervisors assume responsibility of supervising students. If the day is designated an ‘outside day’ (whether at recess or lunch), all of the supervisors are assigned to outside duties. Sometimes students are given a choice and supervision is provided both inside and out.
On occasion, parents request that their child be allowed to stay inside during recess and/or lunch. We ask that this type of request not be made, as doing so leaves the student in an unsupervised situation for the duration of the break. If there are extenuating circumstances, please discuss them directly with the principal.
Traffic and Parking Regulations
It is expected that vehicles be driven in a safe manner at all times. It is also expected that drivers abide by the clearly posted traffic and parking regulations. Please be advised that SD42 Board Policy EEC states, “In the interest of student safety, Administrative Officers [Principals and Vice-Principals] shall report drivers who refuse to obey school traffic regulations to the appropriate Municipal authorities.” Please be considerate during the heavy traffic times. We ask that you not park your vehicle in the drop-off zone. This area is for drop-off and pick-up only. Please stop there only if you see your child waiting, and when your child can get into the vehicle immediately. This will ensure that traffic runs smoothly and children won’t be forced to walk between parked cars. If you wish to leave your car, please park in the parking lot to the south of the school or on the street. The north parking lot is for staff only and should not be used for drop off or pick up unless previously arranged with the principal.
Classroom and Lab Computers
We are very fortunate to have a fully networked computer system, which includes a lab with 30 Mac computers. Students also have access to various iOS devices in their classrooms. We expect students to follow their respective teacher’s rules regarding use. Our school policy for student use of the internet is consistent with the district policy as outlined in the Acceptable Use Agreement: the internet will be used to support classroom learning, and students may access the internet only when directly supervised by a teacher. Students who fail to comply with these expectations will lose their user privileges and/or face disciplinary action. If your child attended Fairview during the previous school year, you will already have completed the non-expiring Acceptable Use Agreement and Permission Form allowing your child to use the internet. All students new to Fairview are required to sign the form.
If your child has a personal laptop or other device, it can be brought to school for use as a learning tool. Appropriate use according to teacher guidelines and the district acceptable use policy is expected. The school will not be responsible for tech support or the security of the personal devices, but staff will help where they can.
Communication
It is important to establish good two-way communication between home and school. The teaching staff is encouraged to contact parents (and advise the principal) of concerns they may have about a child and also let the parents know about the positive things that are happening.
If you have a concern, it is important to discuss it first with your child’s teacher. It is the teacher’s responsibility to keep the principal informed. If parent and teacher concerns are not resolved, the principal will be consulted and involved. The priority for all of us is what best meets a student’s needs. You can be assured that all matters will be treated confidentially and that we will make every effort to rectify situations that are found to be unsatisfactory for our pupils.
Class Placements Our staff is very professional and work tirelessly to make sure that students are placed in their classes at the appropriate level with an eye to success for all. If you have insight into your child’s learning strengths and needs please do not hesitate to send Mrs. Watkins an email or request a meeting to discuss. We will attempt to place students to best meet the needs of all students.
Parent Portal
The Parent Portal has been set up for the convenience of parents and staff. Field trip permission forms, announcements, newsletters and other communications will be posted on the portal. Payment for field trips and other fees can also be made via the portal. If you have not yet enrolled, please contact the school for a linking letter.
Parent Advisory Council
Fairview School has an active Parent Advisory Council that meets monthly. Those involved in the PAC find that it provides a meaningful opportunity for involvement in the education of their child and in the life of the school. Parents are actively encouraged to participate. Scheduled meetings are noted monthly in the school newsletter. Everyone is welcome!
Student Use of the Telephone
Students are permitted to use the office telephone when they have a permission slip issued by their classroom teacher or have permission granted by the principal. Use of the phone will be restricted to emergency calls only.
Curriculum and Programs
Curriculum planning follows the provincial guides for curriculum as outlined by the B.C. Ministry of Education and Child Care. The Learning Outcomes presented in the provincial curriculum identify the skills, concepts, knowledge, etc. that are to be covered in each grade and subject area. The curriculum can be viewed on the Ministry of Education and Child Care website at www.gov.bc.ca/bced
Instructional strategies employed by teachers are guided by the ‘Principles of Learning’:
- learning requires the active participation of the student
- students learn in a variety of ways and at different rates
- learning is both an individual and group process
Reporting Student Progress
The Ministry of Education and Child Care requires that student progress be reported to parents in formal written reports three times each school year. At Fairview we follow the student and parent-inclusive conferencing model. Conferences will take place in Terms 1 and 2. Conferencing days are as shown in the attached calendar. There will be no school for students on those days except for their personal conference time. Please keep in mind that conferences can also take place any time during the school year. If concerns arise, or if you would like to discuss your child’s progress, please contact the teacher to make arrangements to meet.
Library Policies and Routines
Students sign out their books during class book exchanges or other times when the librarian or a monitor is present. Books should be returned weekly. Borrowing privileges will be temporarily restricted when overdue items are not returned. For lost and damaged material, the librarian will assess an amount payable appropriate to the situation and to the condition of the material.
Professional Development Days
Under the School Act, school staff are provided five days in the school year for professional development and one day for school growth planning. These are days that have been allocated in addition to the regular instructional and administration days. Students will not attend on these days. Please refer to the school calendar for specific dates.
Gymnasium
It is expected that all students wear clean ‘indoor’ running shoes in the gym. Intermediate students will also be required to change into gym strip for PE classes and extracurricular activities. Food and drinks are not permitted in the gym.
Student Responsibilities
Code of Conduct
It is expected that students conform to a high standard of behaviour when at school, on the way to and from school, and while attending school functions or field trips. Students are also expected to demonstrate high standards of work habits, arriving at school and class on time, being prepared with the necessary supplies and materials, and completing all in-school and homework assignments. To read the details of our Code of Conduct, please visit our website.
The Fairview motto has been developed to guide student behaviour.
Fairview ROCKS!
R= respect yourself, others, and property
O= taking ownership of your behaviour
C= cooperation
K= kindness
S= safety inside and on the playground
Behaviour
The development of socially responsible individuals is a very important goal at our school. Each class is responsible for creating a social contract or agreement as to what they believe constitutes an ideal classroom. This then becomes the expectation for appropriate behaviour in the class. Students are taught that it is okay to make a mistake. The aim of dealing with students whose behaviour is in conflict with their classroom agreement will be to help the individual realize it is okay to make a mistake, but then to create conditions for the individual to fix their mistake and to return to the group strengthened; that is, with the skills to deal with conflicts in a more socially responsible manner.
Realistically, there will be students who persist with behaviour that is hurtful to themselves, others, or the group. In these situations, referrals will be made to the office and students will be dealt with on an individual basis, and in a fair and respectful manner with consequences that are logical, realistic, and consistent with the misbehaviour.
We do not tolerate discrimination towards others that prevent them from having their needs met. We do not allow any publication or display of signs, symbols, or other representations that discriminate against others because of their race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, martial status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify or age.
Lunch Time Expectations
We view staying for lunch at school a privilege and expect student cooperation to maintain a safe and orderly environment during this time. As supervision of students is typically one supervisor per 80 students, very clear rules are established and enforced. The following rules apply to all students during the lunch break.
- We have a Play First lunch hour. Students are dismissed at noon and then return to their classrooms from 12:20-12:40 pm to eat their lunch. Students are to remain seated in their classrooms while eating their lunch. Appropriate eating etiquette is expected.
- On ‘outside’ days students do not require permission to enter the building through the south entrance to use the washrooms located in the south hallway. Students are not to be in their classes during ‘play time’, except on ‘inside’ days.
- Students are expected to use the designated exit/entrance doorway for their classroom when exiting and entering the school during recess and lunch.
- On ‘inside’ days, students are expected to remain in their classrooms, calmly engaged in reasonably quiet and safe activities.
- Similar routines and expectations for both inside and outside days are set for the recess break.
Helmet Law/Rules
It is our firm expectation that students wear a helmet if they choose to roller blade, skateboard, ‘scoot’, or bicycle to and from school. For safety reasons, roller blading, skateboarding, and the use of scooters are not permitted on school grounds during school days (8:00 AM to 3:00 PM). Bicycles must be walked on school property and scooters must be folded up and carried during the busy 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM period.
Dress Code
The general atmosphere of a school must be conducive to learning. If a student’s general attire or appearance creates a risk to his or her health or welfare, or attracts undue attention to the extent that it becomes a disruptive factor in the school, the principal or other staff members will ask the student to make the necessary changes (i.e., contacting parents for a change of clothing, etc.). In all matters relating to individual dress and grooming, students are required to exercise good judgment, exhibit responsible behaviour, and endeavor to reflect respect for themselves and their school. More specifically
- it is expected that students dress appropriately to ensure that they are safely protected from the prevailing weather conditions
- students are not permitted to wear hats in the building
- the wearing of clothing, insignia, symbols, or adornments which may promote the use of a controlled substance (including but not limited to drugs, alcohol, or tobacco) is unacceptable
- the wearing of clothing which features offensive and/or vulgar words, pictures, or drawings, or, for the sake of humor, includes phrases of a sexual nature or phrases that include derogatory language is unacceptable
- the wearing of clothing that is unduly revealing or that which attracts undue attention to the extent that it becomes a disruptive factor in the school is unacceptable
Appeals
The district has a very detailed appeal process. This can be found on the district website:
The link to the appeals process is now the second bullet under the parent tab on the website and can also be accessed at http://www.sd42.ca/appeal-process/ Also, included at this link are the following documents which are focused on proactive approaches to solving issues and can be helpful information to facilitate positive problem solving outcomes for parents and staff.
Please do not hesitate to speak directly to a staff member with concerns. You are always welcome to come to speak with Mrs. Watkins.