Programs and Policies

Click the links below to view the programs and policies information for each.

Statement Of Student Rights And Responsibilities

1. I have a right to learn at George Street School.
   It is my responsibility to listen to instructions, to work diligently and to follow general classroom guidelines set by my teachers.
2. I have a right to hear and to be heard. It is my responsibility not to talk, to shout, to make loud noises or to otherwise distract or disrupt when others are speaking.I have a right to be respected at George Street School.
3. It is my responsibility not to annoy, to harass other people or to otherwise hurt their feelings.
4. I have a right to be safe at George Street School. It is my responsibility not to threaten, to kick, to punch, or to physically harm anyone else.
5. I have a right to expect that my personal belongings will not be tampered with, stolen or damaged by other students.
   It is my responsibility to respect the personal property of others and to accept their right to privacy.

Discipline Policy

The discipline policy at George Street School has three main goals:

• to foster a climate of mutual respect
• to create a positive learning environment for all students and staff
• to ensure the safety of students and staff

Common sense dictates that meaningful learning can only take place in orderly surroundings and in an atmosphere of respect for oneself and for others. This respect must be demonstrated in both student-to-student relationships and student-to-staff relationships.

Rules Of Conduct

Students at GSMS are expected to:

• be punctual, attend regularly and arrive prepared for each class
• report to the office for early departure or late arrival
• complete all assigned work to the satisfaction of the subject teachers
• report to a subject teacher when requested
• change into appropriate attire for Physical Education class
• contribute to the cleanliness of the school
• restrict eating and drinking to appropriate times and places (ie., cafeteria and homeroom periods)
• leave restricted items such as lighters, matches, water pistols, fire crackers, and skateboards and scooters at home

The following unacceptable behaviours will not be tolerated on school property, on buses, or at school sponsored events:

• insubordination (disobedience, disrespect, rudeness, etc.)
• deliberate and/or repeated disruption
• vandalism and acts of destruction
• cheating
• smoking
• swearing
• inappropriate displays of affection
• vulgar or offensive gestures or language, either written or spoken
• loitering, running, pushing or other unsafe actions
• skipping classes (ie., jigging)
• failure to identify oneself upon request
• sexual harassment
• bullying

Beyond these rules, individual classroom rules will be explained and implemented by teachers.

Adherence to school, district and provincial policy is both expected and required. Students who do not meet these standards will receive detention, in or out of school suspension and/or loss of privileges.

Inappropriate Attire

Students are required to be dressed in an acceptable and responsible manner. The following guidelines apply at all school activities:

• shorts/skirts must be finger-tip length
• tops must cover the body and must not reveal under-clothing
• pants must cover under-clothing and the body
• clothing must not display an inappropriate image(s) or word(s).
• Students who dress inappropriately will be required to change. Non-compliance may result in the student being sent home.

!!! Attention !!!

The following areas of discipline are considered to be very serious and will be treated with zero tolerance. Students who do not comply with these standards will be suspended from school. Police will be involved as necessary.

• Fighting - No student shall initiate, promote or engage in a fight, or in other acts of harassment, intimidation or bullying.
• Drugs or Alcohol - No student will have in his/her possession any quantity of alcohol or drugs in or around the school, or at any school function. No student will attend school or any school function while under the influence of illegal drugs, alcohol or other substances.
• Bullying - Verbal, written or physical intimidation(including “pantsing”) or name-calling which may demean another person.
• Weapons - No student will carry or have in his/her possession, a knife, a firearm, or any other article which could be used as a weapon.
• Assault on Staff - No student will verbally, in writing or physically assault or threaten a staff member.
• Inappropriate Language - The use of profane or offensive language, whether it be sexual, religious, or otherwise will not be tolerated.
• Sexual Harassment - an action or comment made as to demean another person in a sexual manner.
• Smoking - smoking is not allowed on school property. Smoking materials, including lighters, are not allowed in the building. If found, they will be taken and destroyed.

School Bus Rules

Students who ride the buses are to closely observe the following rules for the safety of everyone involved:

Riding a school bus is a privilege. Students are to remain seated and conduct themselves properly. The bus driver has authority over all students. Students reported by drivers as being out of order will receive a consequence and/or have their bus-riding privileges revoked. Parents/guardians will be responsible for their transportation for this period of suspended bus privileges.

• Pupils will obey the driver who has full charge of the bus.
• Pupils will not extend arms, legs, or heads out of the bus.
• Pupils will go to their seats, without crowding or pushing, and remain seated while the bus is in motion.
• Pupils will refrain from talking with the driver except in an emergency.
• Pupils will not tamper with the emergency door or any other part of the bus equipment.
• Pupils will not mar or deface the bus. Damage done to seats or other equipment must be paid for by the pupil.
• Pupils will not open windows. This should be done only by the driver when necessary.
• Pupils will not fight or scuffle on the bus or create any disturbance.
• Pupils must not shout to pedestrians or occupants of other vehicles, or throw objects out or within the bus.
• Pupils must be seated until the bus stops.

Failure to comply with the above regulations will result in detention and /or suspension from the bus.

NOTE

As of September, 2005, students will be dropped off after school ONLY at home or 1 pre-named alternate address. Parents must apply in writing 24 hours in advance for a change in official or alternate address.

Attendance

School and class attendance are considered to be a basic requirement for success. Classroom instruction and the discussions that take place in the classes are important parts of each course. When a student frequently misses class, that part of the instruction cannot be replaced.
School regulations state that an excused absence may be for one of the following, only if verified by a message from home.

• Personal illness
• Medical or dental appointments
• Death or serious illness in the family
• School related activities or field trips
• Religious observances
• Other reasons approved by the administration.

NOTE: Parents/guardians are asked to call the school and inform the office of any absences. Otherwise, calls will be made daily to verify absences not called in.

Return After an Absence

Whenever an absence occurs, the student must bring a note from home the day he/she returns to school. Contents of the note are to include:

• Student’s name
• Date of absence and reason
• Parent’s/guardian’s signature

According to the Education Act of the Province of New Brunswick:

Compulsory Attendance

• 15(1) Except as provided in section 16 and subject to subsection (2), a child is required to attend school in the school in which the child is placed by the superintendent concerned under section 11.
• 15(5) When the examination warrants it, the principal or such other person as may be designated by the superintendent concerned shall, by way of a written notice,
  • (a) notify the superintendent of the case, and
  • (b) notify the parent of the child of the case and the consequences of non-compliance
• 15(6) On receipt of the notice referred to in paragraph (5) (b), unless the child is excused from attendance as provided by the Act of the regulations, the parent of the child shall immediately cause the child to attend school.
• 15(7) A parent who violates or fails to comply with subsection (6) commits an offence punishable under Part II of the Provincial Offences Procedure Act as a category C offence.
  Roles of parents
• 13(1) In support of the learning success of his or her child and the learning environment at the school, a parent is expected to
  • (a) encourage his or her child to attend to assigned homework.
  • (b) communicate reasonably with school personnel employed at the school his or her child attends as required in the best interests of the child.
  • (c) cause his or her child to attend school as required by this Act,
  • (d) ensure the basic needs of his or her child are met, and
  • (e) have due care for the conduct of his or her child at school and while on the way to and from school.
• 13(2) The parent of a pupil has a right to reasonable consultation with the pupil’s teacher or the principal of the school the pupil attends with respect to the education of the pupil.
• 13(3) It is the responsibility of the parent of a pupil and of school personnel to conduction themselves in a respectful manner and to follow established procedures when involved in communications concerning the pupil.

Duties of Pupils

• 14(1) It is the duty of a pupil to:
  • (a) participate in learning opportunities to his or her potential.
  • (b) accept increasing responsibility for his or her learning as he or she progresses through his or her schooling.
  • (c) attend to assigned homework,
  • (d) attend school regularly and punctually,
  • (e) contribute to a safe and positive learning environment,
  • (f) be responsible for his or her conduct at school and while on the way to and from school.
  • (g) respect the rights of others, and
  • (h) comply with all school policies.

Signing In And Signing Out Policy

The procedures concerning absences will also apply to early dismissals. If a student is to be dismissed from school, he/she must bring a note stating the reason, date and time for dismissal. The note must be given to your homeroom teacher before the beginning of the school day.

If a student becomes ill during the school day, he/she is to report to his/her teacher and/or the main office. Students will be dismissed only after a parent or guardian has been contacted.

The staff at George Street Middle School and the Education Act of the Province of New Brunswick believe that punctuality is important. Tardiness not only interferes with the student=s learning, but also disrupts the educational process of others. Therefore, unexcused tardiness will not be tolerated.

A student will be considered tardy when he/she is not in the appropriate location on time. A tardy student must report to the main office and request a late slip. Tardy students will be required to report for noon detention.

Students will be considered tardy if they are not in their seats by 8:30am or if they do not report to individual classes on time.

Your Studies

You will be studying many subjects during your year at George Street. These include Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, French, Physical Education, Health and Practical and Related Arts. Immersion students take some of these subjects in French.

Homework

Homework must be kept current and is considered for grading within each subject. Use your student agenda to plan your time and make preparations. Develop habits that will help you produce your best work. Use your class time effectively and there will be less work to carry home. Failure to complete homework will result in disciplinary measures, such as detention and/or loss of marks. Late assignments may be subject to a 10% per day penalty.

Homework Haven

This after school - noon break study hall is held Monday through Friday at varying times, depending on the grade level. Teachers are also available for extra help at specific pre-determined times.

Student Of The Month

Every month one student from each house will be selected as Student of the Month. This is an Academic/Citizenship award based on nominations from your teachers. Nominations are submitted for students who have worked diligently to their maximum potential and who have displayed ongoing positive regard for others. Students earning the most nominations are recognized and are awarded a special certificate and a unique medal. The winners' photographs are also displayed in the special Student of the Month cabinet.

Promotion Policy

Each term counts as one third of the year’s final grade. To be promoted, a student must:

• earn a C (60 - 71%) average or greater on all subjects
• earn a minimum of a C in Language Arts and Math
• have no more than 2 marks below a C

Summer School is offered in Language Arts and Math. A student must have a D (50% or higher) to be eligible to attend summer school.

Lunch

Three lunch periods are scheduled: grade 6 lunch is 12:20 - 12:45; grade 7 lunch is 11:30 - 11:55 and 8 lunch will be from 11:55 - 12:20.

All students will eat lunch in the cafeteria. Students may either eat a lunch brought from home or purchase a full meal from the cafeteria. Cafeteria meal tickets are recommended as they allow parents to pay for 10 healthy choice meals ( plus 1 FREE) at a time. All lunch periods will be complemented by a lunch options time of 25 minutes.
During lunch options, students have an opportunity to go to one of the following:

• the Resource Centre to do research, to work on assignments or projects or read.
• supervised classroom work
• outdoors to the “Strip”
• noon-hour clubs
• the balcony to watch gym activities
• the gym for organized games
• the games room
• Peer Helpers for homework

NOTE: Indoor running shoes are required for participation in gym activities.

Resource Centre

George Street has an excellent library facility and a librarian. It will be open to students from 8:30 am. to 3:00 pm, and closed from 12:15 - 12:45 Monday - Friday. Books and magazines may be signed out to be read at home or in class. Overdue materials are subject to a $.10 per day fine. Accounts must be clear before new sign-outs are accepted. Reference materials, however, such as encyclopedias, CD=s, etc. must be used in the Resource Centre.

Internet-accessible computers are available for student use for research ONLY.
When the Resource Centre is used, a quiet atmosphere must prevail. No food or beverages are permitted. Books are available in both languages. Students can make use of the library for both recreational reading and project research.