The Public Schools Act requires compulsory attendance for school-age children.
Hartney School recognizes the necessity of regular attendance. Regular attendance is essential in obtaining a sustained effort from students. Research has shown a strong connection among regular attendance, reduced behavioural problems, and academic success. Regular attendance, therefore, is compulsory at Hartney School.
Attendance Policy: Hartney School
Hartney School has a closed attendance policy for Kindergarten to Senior 2 students. Except where otherwise determined, all students in Kindergarten to Senior 2 are to be at the school for the entire day.
Senior 3 and Senior 4 students are encouraged to be in school. However, with parental permission, full time Senior 3 and Senior 4 students may leave the school during their spares providing:
~ students are passing all courses in which they are currently enrolled.
~ students are on time for scheduled classes.
~ students sign-out and sign-in.
**These are privileges that can be taken away from the student**
If a student must be absent, it is the parent's responsibility to notify the school with a written note or a phone call prior to the absence. The parent may call the school the day of the absence - preferably by 10:00 AM - to advise of the student absence. If necessary, the parent may need to provide documentation for an extended absence. Teachers may check with the office for confirmation of the absence.
Attendance for Kindergarten to Grade 8 students will be recorded at 8:55 AM and after lunch.
Attendance for Senior 1 to Senior 4 students will be recorded at the beginning of each class. The classroom teacher will report any absences to the office via the intercom or via email conference. The office will attempt to make contact with the home regarding any absences for which we have not received parent notification. The office will log all calls made to parents regarding attendance.
Absenteeism Regarding Tests and Assignments
Tests and assignments are an integral part of the development of a student's academic performance. In the event a student is absent on days where tests occur and when assignments are due, the following process shall be observed to ensure fairness as well as student accountability.
1) A student whose absence has not been reported to the office by a parent and who misses a test may be declared ineligible to receive full credit for that test.
2) A student whose absence has not been reported to the office and who fails to submit an assignment that is due may be declared ineligible to receive full credit for that assignment.
Lates
To ensure a respectful and distraction-free teaching and learning environment, Hartney School requires students to be on time for every class. The classroom teacher will be responsible for developing procedures relating to consequences for a student that is late.
Attendance Procedures/Consequences
A student may be expelled from a course or may lose the privilege of the classroom FTF (face to face) experience if he/she misses 12 classes.
Contact will be made with parents/guardians regarding student absences as per the following guidelines:
3 absences:
letter from teacher (with notification given to the office and a copy placed in the student's file)
6 absences:
letter and phone call from teacher (with notification given to the office and a copy placed in the student's file)
9 absences:
phone call from administration, meeting with teacher, student's parents/guardians, and administration if deemed necessary
12 absences:
letter from administration - potential expulsion from course or loss of FTF (face to face) teaching experience - the student will be offered opportunity to complete course by independent study option (copy placed in student's file)
Notes
The school will attempt to make contact with a parent/guardian regarding all unexcused absences.
School-sanctioned events will not be considered an absence. Some examples include, but will not be limited to, field trips, school-wide activities, sports, and other extra-curricular activities.
Absenteeism and Extra-Curricular Programs
Hartney School acknowledges the importance of extra-curricular programs and provides a number of them throughout the school year. Participation from students and staff is encouraged. It is important to note that participation in extra-curricular programs is a privilege and not a right. A student, therefore, shall not be allowed to participate in any extra-curricular activity if on the day that the said activity is to occur, the student is absent for more than one half day and that absence has not been declared excused.
Appeals
Should any of the consequences listed above raise concerns, the parents and students have the right to appeal. (Please see process in Code of Conduct section of policy manual)
Cell Phones
1. Cell phones are to be off during class time. (We would prefer that they not be in the classroom, however this is not something that we can realistically monitor)
2. Cell phones may only be used during breaks and noon hours.
3. Cell phones may only be used in the front foyer by the office or outside the building.
4. Staff will confiscate any cell phone that is visible and/or in use during class time.
5. Staff will confiscate a cell phone if a student is late for class as a result of using his/her cell phone at break or noon hour.
6. If it is a first time offence, the cell phone will be returned to the student at the end of the day.
7. If it is a second time offence, the cell phone will be confiscated and held by the school until a parent is able to come to the school to pick it up.
8. Any student caught text messaging during a test or any other assigned activity that is being formally assessed will not only have his/her cell phone confiscated but will also face any consequences relating to cheating.
Exam Policy
Hartney School endorses examinations as a necessary component of evaluating the grades 7 - 12 programs. This endorsement is based on the premise that exams are a practical reality in the lives of many adults. If we are to prepare our students to cope as adults, we must develop the necessary skills and confidence to meet life's challenges.
General Examination Rules
Exams will start at 9:00 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. The minimum writing time is one and one half hours and maximum writing time is 3 hours.
Exams missed because of illness:
1. All students who miss an exam for a valid medical reason may be asked to supply written proof from a doctor.
2. Students who supply medical proof as a reason for missing an exam will be allowed to write a make-up exam. The date of the exam will be determined through consultation by the student, the teacher, and the administrator.
3. Where medical reasons make it impossible to write an exam, the final marks will be derived using marks accumulated during the course. This mark must be approved by the administration.
Examination Procedures
There must be a final exam for all semestered and non-semestered courses - unless otherwise stated.
Non-semestered courses require a midterm exam.
Semestered courses do not require a midterm exam.
All 40 Level courses have compulsory final exams.
Each student will write a minimum of one (1) final exam per semester.
- If there is only one (1) final exam in a specific semester, all students will write that exam.
- If a student has a mark above 80% in all courses, the student will write the exam in the course that he/she has the lowest mark.
All students who receive a mark below 80% in a course will have to write the final exam for that course.
The percentage value of all exams for grades 9-12 will be 30%. If a course is non-semestered the percentage value of the midterm exam and the final exam should equal 30%.
Grade 7-8
Students in grades 7-8 will write cumulative midterm tests in Science, Social, ELA, and Math. These tests will not occur during a scheduled examination period. Rather, they will be written over a three-week period in January. Regular classes will continue as normally scheduled.
In June, each student in grades 7-8 is required to write a minimum of one (1) final exam. If a student has a mark above 80% in all courses, the student will write the exam in the course that he/she has the lowest mark.
Code of Conduct
Hartney School expects that students will take full advantage of the learning opportunities in the school and that, by their behaviour, will permit others to do the same. Students and staff must behave in a mutually respectful manner. Treat others with RESPECT - in a way that YOU would like to be treated.
Each student will behave in a way that:
1. D emonstrates personal responsibility for learning
2. E nables all to learn
3. A llows each student to feel safe from any form of abuse
4. L ets the teacher instruct effectively
Applicable characteristics of Human Rights Code
9(2) The applicable characteristics for the purposes of clauses~(1)(b) to (d) are
(a) ancestry, including colour and perceived race;
(b) nationality or national origin;
(c) ethnic background or origin;
(d) religion or creed, or religious belief, religious association or religious activity;
(e) age;
(f) sex, including pregnancy, the possibility of pregnancy, or circumstances related to pregnancy;
(g) gender-determined characteristics or circumstances other than those included in clause~(f);
(h) sexual orientation;
(i) marital or family status;
(j) source of income;
(k) political belief, political association or political activity;
(l) physical or mental disability or related characteristics or circumstances, including reliance on a dog guide or other animal assistant, a wheelchair, or any other remedial appliance or device.
The Range of Consequences
Consequences vary depending on the incident and may be recorded. Parents with concerns are encouraged to contact teachers first, then School Administration then Superintendent in that order.
Possibilities include (in no particular order):
1. Contact with parents
The parent is contacted to discuss the specific behaviour of the student and steps which must be undertaken to change the behaviour. The nature of contact could vary from a telephone conversation to a formal meeting at the school with parent, student and school personnel.
2. Counselling/Solving your own problem
Student Services support personnel are involved to assist in the mediation of some unacceptable behaviours. Such involvement may include a level of counseling for the student which is beyond the inschool capabilities.
3. Removal of Privileges/Special Activities
Privileges in the nature of access to lunch room, student areas, in school activities and extra - curricular activities are removed under certain circumstances. The school administrator will notify the parents when such removal of privileges is prolonged.
4. Detention of Student
The student is detained at the school for specific unacceptable behaviour. Where such detention exceeds 15 minutes beyond the regular school hours (not including lunch hour), the parent will be informed.
5. Extra Work Assignments
A teacher may assign additional work that is relevant to curriculum outcomes.
6. Withdrawal from a Classroom Setting
Where specific unacceptable behaviour is deemed to have a negative impact upon the classroom learning environment, the student is withdrawn to a supervised alternate location to complete his/her assignment.
7. Formal Interview
A conference is held with the student and parent(s), the teacher, an administrator and appropriate support staff to develop a plan for changing the student’s behaviour.
Involvement of the Office/Administrator will occur when solutions in the classroom have not been successful in bringing about positive change. A review of behaviours will occur and an official letter will be sent home relating to the concern(s). Possible consequences may include:
8. Compensation for Damages Incurred
The student, or parents if the student is underage, is required to compensate for damages incurred. Such restitution shall be monetary in nature unless another method is agreed upon.
9. Suspension (In-School or Out-of-School)
Suspension from school is a serious consequence which is imposed subject to Board Policy. In most cases, the necessary documentation is forwarded to specified administrative personnel as required by the policy. Due process is a significant element of the formal suspension alternative. In all cases of suspension the parent is notified. The Superintendent may invoke a six week suspension in certain instances.
10. Expulsion
Expulsion by the Board of Trustees is a serious consequence resulting when it is determined that a student’s continued presence in a school of Southwest Horizon School Division is detrimental in an emotional or physical way to the students and/or school staff. Expulsion requires an official action by the Board of Trustees and is completed in accordance with the principles of due process and according to the Public Schools Act. An expulsion means that the student may not attend any school operated by Southwest Horizon School Division until such time as the Board may remove the expulsion.
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