School Rules


	Ray Watkins Elementary School School Rules *ATTENDANCE* As a community of educators, the staff at Ray Watkins Elementary School agree with the research that has shown there is a direct relationship between a student’s success in school and regular attendance. We also notice that students who have good attendance records have higher self esteem and enjoy their school experiences more than students who do not attend regularly. The laws In British Columbia require all elementary-aged children to attend school or have a valid course of studies in place. Our Basic Rule is that students will attend school on a regular basis. Parents or guardians are responsible for notifying the school between 8 am – 4 pm if a student will be absent Absences are recorded each day. When absenteeism interferes with the student’s learning, the following steps are taken: Step One: Absence is recorded on attendance sheet and the office demographics computer. Students are counseled by classroom teacher and informed of the next step if absences continue. Step Two: Absences recorded and the parents and school administrator are contacted by the teacher and Informed of how the absenteeism is affecting the student's progress. The school administrator informs the parents of the absences and encourages an improvement in attendance. Step Three: If absences continue, a letter is sent to the parents and the School Board. Schools are required by law to report chronic student absenteeism to Social Service agencies. *LATE POLICY* Pupils should get into the routine of being at school on time; *pupils who arrive late disrupt the class and often miss important concepts.* Pupils who are late should present a note from parents or guardians explaining reasons for lateness. In lieu of a note, parents may wish to telephone the school. Our basic rule is that students will be in class on time. Step One: Tardiness Is reported daily on our attendance sheets and on the demographics program on the office computer. The student is counseled by the teacher and informed of the next step if tardiness continues. Step Two: Tardiness is recoded and parents are informed. Step Three: Tardiness is recorded. Administrator and parents are informed. Chronic tardiness is recorded in the discipline book. At any stage of our late policy, a student may be required by their teacher or school administration to make up the time lost due to lateness. *OUTSIDE RULES* Students who ride bikes to school are to park their bikes immediately and leave the bike racks promptly Treat all school property with care and respect Play in designated supervised areas on the south side of the buildings Remain on school grounds during school hours and recess breaks Play safe games Share and take turns with school equipment Put litter in the garbage cans Use scooters, skateboards, roller blades and sleds in designated areas Respect others' personal space No throwing stones, sticks, snowballs, etc. Line up immediately when the first bell rings No bullying No profanity or inappropriate gestures No roughhousing *INSIDE RULES* HALLWAY Walk, keep right, single file Keep hands and feet to self- respect other personal space No eating or drinking in hallways or the gymnasium Scooters, skateboards, and roller blades are to be used outside only Silence when class is in session - talk quietly at other times ARRIVING AT SCHOOL · A reminder to parents to park in the upper parking lot only when dropping off or picking up your children. The library opens for students at 8:30 a.m. daily. · Students are to stay outside unless authorized by an adult to enter the school early. Some teachers may admit students through their outside classroom door. · Line up as soon as the first bell rings. AFTER SCHOOL Students are expected to leave the school when dismissed from their class unless they are participating in a supervised activity. RECESS Students may go to the library, which is open during the recess break. Students should exit quickly There is no loitering in the halls during recess. ASSEMBLY RULES Assemblies are special times in our school when everyone in the school gets together for a special event Enter quietly, in an orderly fashion Sit quietly until the assembly begins Participate appropriately Give appropriate applause when warranted Respect others' personal space WASHROOM When using the washrooms students are to Keep the washroom clean Respect others' privacy Use the washroom and leave promptly No loitering in the washrooms GYMNASIUM RULES No food or drink Non-marking shoes only Swinging from the basketball hoops may result in the loss of gym use. LIBRARY RULES No food in the library Work quietly Be seated LUNCHROOM RULES At Ray Watkins Elementary, we have limited lunchroom facilities and encourage students to go home for a warm healthy lunch. We do not exclude students from staying for lunch, but recognize that particularly young children need a break in their school day. At Ray Watkins Elementary School, we consider it a privilege to stay at lunch hour. *This privilege can be lost if students do not obey lunchroom or school rules.* The Lunchroom is open from 12:00 - 12:25 pm Students must obey the instructions of the lunch hour supervisors Stay seated Talk quietly Clean up the area where they are eating when finished Go directly outside or to the library *WILDLIFE SAFETY AND SCHOOL EMERGENCY PROCEDURES* School District Policy E.28 states that because of the location of schools in heavily forested area of Vancouver Island West School District, it is important that staff and students be aware of the local wildlife hazards. It is, therefore, District policy to “stress those aspects of the curriculum that educate children about safety in the woods...” At Ray Watkins Elementary School, each class is to guide age appropriate instruction to all students so they know safety guidelines to follow in coming to school and going home each day. In addition, we have an emergency plan in case there are wildlife sightings during the school day. Campbell River radio stations that broadcast in Gold River are alerted and messages telecast. If the school receives a report of a wildlife sighting, the RCMP are called, they investigate the report and call the school to verify the report. If a report is verified by the police, a PA announcement is made and the children are supervised very closely by all staff members. Parents, guardians or emergency phone numbers are called to ask parents to pick up their children at closing. You can help us in two ways: Always keep us posted on current phone and emergency contact phone numbers. See your child's teacher and volunteer to be the class-telephoning parent so we can contact all parents quickly for these types of emergencies.