Handbook

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Welcome to Birchwood Intermediate School

You are beginning a new stage in your educational career. Your time at Birchwood will offer you many opportunities to grow emotionally, socially and academically.

To achieve the most rewarding experience, you are encouraged to become involved and participate in the life of the school. By doing so, it will add the enthusiasm which is essential in developing good feelings, mutual respect, and pride in yourself and your school.

Students and parents probably have many questions about intermediate school. In the following information, we have tried to answer some of your concerns. If you have other questions, please feel free to ask any staff member.

Students will be assigned a homeroom teacher who will assist students with becoming familiar with the facility and activities. Do not forget that all students were new to the school at one time and probably felt the same as you do now.

Code of Conduct and Information Booklet

The Birchwood Intermediate School Information Booklet is subject to change. Please read the information provided throughout our school site to provide further insight as to what our school has to offer. Should you require further information or have questions or concerns, please contact the school or email us: birch@edu.pe.ca .

The Birchwood Intermediate School "Code of Conduct" was developed by teachers, parents and students in April 2003:

• I will respect myself, and other people’s rights, personal space and feelings.
   

• I will respect Birchwood School, student and community property.
   

• I will participate in school activities and come to school prepared to take advantage of my opportunity to learn by: respecting the staff & fellow students and the learning process.
   

• I will do my best to create a drug free, safe and positive environment.
   

• If I choose not to follow the code, I will accept the consequences of my actions.

In order to create a caring learning environment for Birchwood students, it is necessary to establish consequences to address students’ actions & behavior. The consequences of student actions & behavior will be predictable and consistent. CONSISTENCY, IS THE KEY.

When a situation arises, the response and consequence will be determined by comparison to a similar level of incident and a similar consequence will be imposed.

Scent-free and Peanut-Free School Environment

Birchwood is a peanut-free and scent-free environment.  Several students are extremely allergic to nuts. Many people are sensitive to perfumes; aftershaves, hair-care products and other scented products are not to be worn in the School.

First Day Procedure

The first day in September when you come to Birchwood, you will report to the cafeteria. The principal will welcome you. Shortly after that, your NAME will be called to meet your homeroom teacher. You will then go to your homeroom class. The remainder of your day will be explained by your teacher. Your homeroom teacher will be your major contact between home and school. He/she will be interested in your school life -- both academically and socially. Your teacher will be there to assist you in handling any problems you may have, no matter how small.

Your teacher will be the main contact with your home regarding your reports and attendance. Your homeroom teacher will play a very important role in helping you enjoy success while at Birchwood.

ON YOUR FIRST DAY YOU WILL RECEIVE

1. class timetable
2. your student handbook
3. your personal locker & lock
4. your textbooks
5. forms

MINIMUM SUPPLIES YOU TAKE TO SCHOOL ON THE FIRST DAY

• a pen and/or pencil
• two duotangs with loose leaf
• student fee ($ 20per student, $30 per family)

REQUIRED SCHOOL SUPPLIES

For a complete list of school supplies, please go to the "Supplies" page.

Expectations

The following expectations are based on the idea that every right carries with it a responsibility. We believe that responsible students have the right to to expect a pleasant, happy, and safe school environment, good teaching, respect, and fair treatment. In return, teachers have the right to expect from their students regular attendance, punctuality, and preparedness for class work, reasonable effort, and good manners.

At Birchwood Intermediate School, we combine positive interactions with consistency, fairness, and clear expectations. We try to keep our students informed of the expectations and the logical consequences for not following these guidelines.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

• I have the RIGHT to learn in this school. It is my RESPONSIBILITY to listen to instructions, work quietly at my desk and to follow general classroom guidelines set by my teachers.
• 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 in this school. It is my RESPONSIBILITY not to tease or annoy other people or to hurt their feelings.

• I have the RIGHT to be safe in this school. It is my RESPONSIBILITY not to threaten, kick, punch or physically harm anyone else.

• I have the RIGHT to privacy and to my own personal space. It is my RESPONSIBILITY to respect the personal property of others and to accept their right to privacy.

Student Responsibilities (School Act 1993, Section 72)

Students have the following responsibilities:

• To observe the code of conduct and other rules and policies of the school board and the school;

• To attend classes regularly and punctually and participate in the educational programs in which the student is enrolled;

• To be diligent in pursuing the student's studies;

• The respect the rights of others.

Students who demonstrate a pattern of non-cooperation regarding the Code will risk losing dance, extra-curricular team and band privileges and may be excluded from student council activities such as winter carnival.

Dress Code

Everyone is expected to dress in a clean, neat and appropriate manner. Your appearance reflects your level of respect for yourself and others. Coats and jackets are inappropriate for the classroom and are to be stored in lockers. Some other examples of clothing that is inappropriate would be: cut-off shorts, low-cut or bare-shoulder tops, spaghetti straps, muscle shirts, short shorts, bare midriffs, and clothing with messages that are profane, demeaning or in poor taste. The administration has the right to determine the appropriateness of clothing.

Books

Each student in the school will be assigned one complete set of textbooks per year. If a textbook is lost or destroyed through negligence on the part of the student, the student will be required to pay for its replacement. Final marks in June will not be issued until the student returns all books assigned to him/her or reimburses the school for books lost or destroyed through negligence. Students should take care of all books. The use of a book bag is well-advised.

Busses

Busses are considered part of the school at Birchwood. The staff work closely with the bus drivers to maintain a safe and orderly means of transportation. The bus drivers are in total charge of the bus and may assign seats. Students who misbehave will be reported to the principal for disciplinary action.

Detentions

Detentions, often at lunch time and at times after school, are designed to be a logical consequence and deterrent for students for less serious behaviours.  Notice will be provided when the detention is to be served. Students are required to bring their lunch from home the day of their detention and will not be permitted to go to the cafeteria. If a student misses a detention without making prior arrangements with the assigning teacher to change the time or bringing a written note the next day, then the student will be given a double detention. If a student then misses the double detention, a suspension will occur.

Student Fees and Forms

A student fee of $20 per student or $30 per family is payable by September 15th. The student fee covers a variety of services and student activities and includes the annual lock rental, examination paper, athletic fees, etc. A number of forms are sent home at the onset of a school year for your information and so that we may have accurate information regarding your child's needs, circumstances, and contact information. Please return these to the homeroom teacher promptly.

Lockers

The homeroom teacher will assign a locker and a school lock to each student. Only locks issued by the school will be used on the lockers. The administration and/or homeroom teacher will carry out periodic checks of students' lockers during the year. Please keep the lockers clean and tidy.  Please keep the lock combination secret and the locker locked. Lockers are intended for safe storage of clothing and books. The lock rental is included in the student fee. An additional $6 charge will be made, if the lock is lost or not returned. Students are encouraged to take books home each night for study.

Homework

Students who have missed classes due to illness or for a number of other reasons are responsible for getting any school work that was missed and to catch up. Students are asked to obtain their homework from someone in the class and not by calling the office when at all possible. Students typically have homework each night at the intermediate level. When homeroom is not assigned, student are expected to study and to review their subject material, work, and notes covered each day during class. Extra help will be provided for students who need it in subject areas. Please contact homeroom teachers should this be needed.

Attendance

Regular attendance usually results in great success. It is therefore, very important that all students attend school on a regular and consistent basis. Students Who Arrive Late for School. Attendance is taken at 8:50 a.m. and at 1:00 p.m. by the homeroom teacher. Students who are not in class at this time are late and therefore have to report to the office. Students will be held accountable for being late. The student will make up for the time missed at lunch or after school.

Telephone

Two pay telephones for outgoing calls only are available to students. These phones may be used only when students do not have a scheduled class or have permission from a teacher. Students are only permitted to use the phone in the office for emergencies only.

Cafeteria

Grade 7 students are not permitted off school grounds during lunch.

Students who bring a lunch to school from home or purchase their lunch from the cafeteria will eat in the cafeteria.

Students will not wear jackets and/or caps in the cafeteria.

Students will not take kit bags or games into the cafeteria. Such items may be left in the lobby while the students are having lunch at the owner's risk.

Students will not take food of any kind out of the cafeteria.

Students are not to throw any object, no matter how small, for however short a distance in the cafeteria.

Students should get in line for food as soon as possible after the lunch bell.

Conversation at the lunch table is desirable and encouraged. We also expect the same good manners at our tables as is practiced at home.

Students are asked to remove all trays and garbage from the eating area. Items that can be recycled should be put in the recycle bin by the pop machine, and garbage should be put in garbage containers.

Students will be seated and remain seated until they have finished eating. Students are expected to be out of the cafeteria and to be in one of the following designated areas by 12:35pm. 1) the library, 2) the intra-mural program, 3) outside for a walk in the fresh air, weather permitting, 4) the movie room as designated by the daily announcements, or 5) remain in the cafeteria on inclement days - the decision whether students may remain in the cafeteria or not due to inclement weather will be made by the administrator on duty and will be announced, or Students are expected to remain in the designated area until the student bell, and they are reminded to respect people and property and to behave in an orderly fashion.

Students who leave the school during lunch may not return to the locker/classroom area until 12:55pm. Students must return by the gym doors only. Weather permitting, students are to remain outside until the student bell rings at 12:55pm. When the weather is inclement, students may be let into the gym corridor area where they will be supervised by the rover and the Phase I supervisor.

Students are not allowed to use the front doors at noon. The Parkdale exit doors are not to be used except in emergency. Students are not to enter by those doors at any other time nor are students permitted to open these doors for other students. Students are not allowed to enter by the band room doors.

Students who bring their lunch from home will eat in the cafeteria. They may supplement their lunch with item(s) from the cafeteria.

Students are not permitted to loiter in the classrooms, washrooms, or hallways.

Gym

Gym change rooms are out of bounds to students except during their own gym classes. During any physical education activity, items such as money, watches, and jewellery should be left with the physical education teacher, not in the locker room.

"Hands Off" Policy

Birchwood Intermediate School has a "Hands Off" policy. That is, there will be no pushing, grabbing hats, yanking at clothing, etc. permitted in our school. Although some students will defend these actions by "I was only teasing" the fact is, that in most cases, these actions are an invasion of privacy and a source of embarrassment and/or frustration to others.

Regardless of the intend, this so-called "teasing" disrupts our school day and sets up adversarial relationships between students.

Students who continue to engage in such provoking interactions can expect consequences ranging from detentions to suspensions.

Bullying, Racism, and Inappropriate Behaviors

Bullying in any form (physical, verbal, emotional) is wrong.  Incidents will be dealt with and consequences will be imposed for those who engage in this behavior. Harassment, name calling, discriminatory slurs, taunting, threats, physical aggression, and fighting are inappropriate behaviors and are not permitted.

Disruption, rudeness, swearing, disrespectful conduct in class, uncooperative with a teacher or a substitute teacher, talking during instruction, talking causing other student to be off task, etc. are inappropriate behaviors and will be addressed.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism, copying of other people's writing or assignments without acknowledging the source, is breaking copyright law and is not acceptable academic behavior. A student will receive zero credit for submitted work that is proven plagiarized.  Every effort will be made to teach students how to reference and to acknowledge sources properly.

Cell Phones and Electronic Devices

Cell phones are not to be used on school property, and music and other electronic devices will not be used in the classroom or during the instructional day. Students are asked and encouraged to keep their phones and other devices turned off and in their lockers during the school day. Devices will be taken to the office and will be returned to the parent or guardian after school.

Dangerous Items

Dangerous items or weapons including laser pointers, lighters, toy replica guns or knives are absolutely not permitted on school property.

For safety reasons, skateboards and scooters are not to be used on school property during the school day. If students bring skateboards or scooters to school, they are to be put immediately in their locker.
 

School Dances

School dances shall be considered a school function and rules that apply to students during classes shall apply to students during dances. Any dances will be for Birchwood Intermediate School students only and if dances are considered detrimental to the image of the school, they will be discontinued.

Inclement Weather - Notice to Parents

School Cancellations:

If all schools are to be cancelled, parents will be notified by radio announcements on local radio stations that all schools in the Eastern School District are closed.

The first notice will be broadcasted by 7:00am. In some instances, it may only be necessary to close individual families of schools.  Birchwood Intermediate is a part of the Colonel Gray Family of schools.

One-Hour Delay:

In cases where a decision cannot be made by 7:00am, a one hour delay will be announced. This means that all schools and buses may operate one hour later than the usual time.

A further announcement regarding delays and/or cancellations will take place by 8:00am.

Late Bus Runs:

In some instances, even in good weather, buses may be delayed. In these cases, parents will be notified by radio that a bus or buses will be delayed by a specific amount of time.

For example, if a bus is delayed 30 minutes, students can expect to meet the bus 30 minutes later than would normally be the case.

School Closure During the Day:

Sometimes, it may be necessary to close individual families of schools during the day in order to get children home before weather conditions become too severe. In such cases, announcements will be made on all radio stations.

Parents or guardians who will not be in the home when children arrive should make alternative arrangements for the care of their children on such days. Please notify the school of these changes before winter.

Suggestions for Parents:

Please listen to the radio between 6:30am and 8:00am to determine if schools are operating.

Please do not call the school board office or the radio stations for information, as this jams the telephone lines which are often in emergency use.

Do not drop children off at school unless you are certain that school is operating that day.

Make arrangements for your children in case of midday school closures.

If school are operating, the final decision to attend rests with you the parent.

Parents have the right and, indeed, the obligation to keep their children home from school on a day that the weather conditions may jeopardize their safety.

If school is cancelled in the afternoon due to inclement weather, any programs scheduled for that afternoon and evening would also be cancelled.

Hopefully, we can work together to ensure a safe winter for all our children.

Lost and Found

Birchwood Intermediate School cannot be held responsible for money or other items of value that a student may bring to school. It is the student's responsibility to safeguard valuables.

The "Lost and Found" cupboard is located in the main office. Anything found should be brought to the office. Students are warned not to bring large sums of money or valuables to school. During gym classes, items such as watches and jewellery should be left with the physical education teacher. Electronic devices should be kept in book bags or lockers upon entering school grounds.

Some General Guidelines

In order to help make Birchwood a safe and enjoyable place to learn and socialize, there are some basic guidelines. Some of the basic rules are:

• ALL ABSENCES ARE TO BE EXPLAINED, please call the school first thing in the morning to inform us of your child's absence
• class attendance is compulsory and mandatory
• a student has to receive permission from a parent/guardian to leave the school during the school day
• all accident or injuries are to be reported
• smoking is not allowed in or on the school grounds
• illegal substances will be reported to the authorities
• students are encouraged not to carry valuables or money to school
• each student will be assigned a locker and a school lock
  (no personal locks on the lockers) lockers are intended for safe storage of clothing and books and are to be kept clean
• in the gymnasium items such as money, watches and or jewelery should be left with the physical education teacher - NOT IN THE LOCKEROOM

Remember, Birchwood Intermediate School is your school! Have a great year!