Policies

At Bird's Hill School, we believe:

1. All students have the right to a quality education.
2. All students and all staff are entitled to a safe learning environment.
3. All students will accept responsibility for their behaviour.
4. All students and adults will be respected in the school.
5. The school will provide programming to assist all students to develop the self-discipline and social responsibility necessary to become good citizens.
6. The school will have appropriate alternatives in place to deal with students who have severe behaviour problems that cannot be handled appropriately in a regular classroom setting.
7. The school will implement a collaborative approach. The involvement of the school, the home, and the larger community as partners is essential to providing a comprehensive approach to student management issues.
8. The school will have a developmental model in place for behaviour which will include the strategies of prevention, intervention, and post-vention.
9. The school will teach conflict mediation as a method of dealing with conflicts peacefully. Physical and/or verbal aggression will not be tolerated as ways to handle conflict at our school.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

I have the right to learn.
It is my responsibility to be on time, be prepared, and to do my best.

I have the right to hear and be heard.
It is my responsibility not to talk, shout, or make loud noises when others are speaking.

I have the right to be respected.
It is my responsibility not to tease or bother other people, or to hurt their feelings and to solve any conflicts peacefully through discussion.

I have the right to be safe.
It is my responsibility to move in an orderly manner throughout the building and not to threaten, or physically harm anyone.

I have the right to have my personal property respected.
It is my responsibility to respect the personal property of others.

Day Schedule

Bird's Hill School operates on a six-day cycle. Days are designated 1-6 and do not follow the calendar days of the week. Each day consists of eight periods of 35 minutes, and two recess periods of 15 minutes. At the end of the day students have a 10-minute period of time to organize home materials and complete home journals or daily organizer books.

The students will be allowed to enter the school at the 9:25 a.m. bell. They are to hang their outdoor clothing neatly in the assigned cloak area and then proceed directly to their homeroom class.

The daily schedule is as follows:

Supervision of Students

Adult supervision of students either indoors or outdoors as appropriate is provided as follows:

Call back program

If a student is going to be absent from school, parents are requested to phone the school or inform the classroom teacher. If the school does not receive a phone call, the school will phone the home to make certain the student is safe.

Change of name, address, and telephone number

All changes of name, address, and telephone number should be reported to the office (including parents' work place and alternate contact in case of emergencies).

Request for student names and addresses

From time to time we receive requests from individuals or organizations for names and addresses of students in our school. It is school board policy that we do not give student names and addresses to any individuals or organizations.

Medication

Each year we receive requests for students to be given medication during school hours. In the interest of safety, parents must complete a form prior to the school administering medication. These forms can be obtained from the office. Where practical, all medication will be kept in the office. (Could include a link to the form)

Personal property

Students are discouraged from bringing toys to school. The school cannot be responsible for personal items that are lost or damaged.

Library books

If a student loses or damages a library book, he/she will be expected to pay a portion of the replacement cost so that a new one may be purchased.

Lost and found

A "lost and found" box is located in the front foyer. These items are displayed during parent-teacher interviews. All clothing and supplies should be clearly labelled in waterproof ink or marker so that lost items can be easily identified and returned to the student. Unclaimed items are sent to appropriate agencies after parent-teacher interviews and at the end of the school year in June.

Bicycles

Students are allowed, with parent permission, to ride bicycles to school. However, they must not be ridden on school property. All bicycles should be locked in the bicycle racks. The school cannot be responsible for any bicycles left on school property

Skateboards and roller blades/scooters

Students should not bring skateboards or roller blades or scooters to school.

Telephones

Student must ask for permission to use the phone. A secretary will initiate the call and speak with the parent, and then the student will be allowed to continue the call. Student use of cell phones and other electronic communication devices is not permitted in the school and on school property unless directed by the teacher.

If the school is to be closed due to severe weather conditions, this decision will be communicated to the radio media:

• CBC AM and FM
• CFRW  AM and QX104.1
• CJOB AM and CFWM FM
• CTV and CITI-FM

Parents are asked to listen to one of the above radio stations regarding school closing and/or cancellation of RETSD bus transportation due to severe weather conditions. Please note that if the buses are cancelled in the morning, they will not run at the end of the day.

Community/school-related phone numbers

• Bird's Hill School   663-7669
• East St. Paul Municipality  668-8112
• Emergency/Fire/Ambulance   911
• East St. Paul Recreation Complex   661-5844
• East St. Paul Community Centre 654-9496
• River East Transcona School Division   667-7130
• Trustee (Ward 6) – Michael West
• Superintendent - Mr. Kelly Barkman