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Mission Statement
Rights & Responsibilities
Student Conduct & Consequences
School Fees
Personal Belongings
Attendance
Out of School Excursions
Lunch Program
Communications
Extra Curricular Opportunities
Care Program
Meaningful Parent Involvement
Student Leadership Council
Guideline for Supervisions of Students
Expectations of Students
Playground & Arrival Expectations |
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| Mission Statement |
Buena Vista School is committed to establishing a learning environment
that fosters the values of the Saskatoon Public School Division; respect, responsibility, excellence, and joy.
Schools have always played an important part in our personal and community lives.
We are all responsible for creating peaceful school communities where the emotional, spiritual, and physical safety of all students and staff is assured.
Buena Vista believes and embraces the statement - “It takes a village to raise a child.”
The following principles guide our practice at Buena Vista School
Schools are for teaching and learning.
Education is a shared responsibility among students, staff, parents, and community.
We treat one another with dignity, respect, and fairness.
We work within a framework of rights and responsibilities.
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| Rights &
Responsibilities |
We work within a framework of rights and responsibilities. When students understand this connection, they will have a guide for a successful future. At Buena Vista we believe every student has the following rights and responsibilities.
1. Each student has the RIGHT to learn at Buena Vista.
It is their RESPONSIBILITY to listen to instructions, work quietly, and to raise their hand if they have a question, concern, or need to leave.
2. Each student has the RIGHT to hear and be heard.
It is their RESPONSIBILITY not to talk, shout, or make loud noises when others are speaking.
3. Each student has the RIGHT to be happy and respected at Buena Vista.
It is their RESPONSIBILITY not to tease or bother other people and not to hurt their feelings.
4. Each student has the RIGHT to be safe at Buena Vista.
It is their RESPONSIBILITY not to threaten or physically harm anyone else.
5. Each student has the RIGHT to privacy and to their personal space.
It is their RESPONSIBILITY to respect the personal property of others and to accept other’s right to privacy.
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| Student Conduct & Consequences |
Students are rewarded when they choose responsible behavior. Positive consequences result from students demonstrating behavior that is in keeping with the principles and responsibilities listed earlier - praise and the granting of special privileges are just two examples of positive consequences. The establishment of trust in a student is the result of a student demonstrating ongoing and consistent behavior in fulfilling his or her responsibilities. This is truly a significant positive consequence.
Students are also taught to understand that there are consequences when they choose a behavior that is not consistent with the principles and responsibilities previously outlined. The consequences vary widely, but efforts are made to have the consequence relate to the misbehavior. That is, if a student is consistently late for school, the consequence may be to make up the time after school; students’ misbehavior at recess time may result in the removal of playground privileges for a few recesses; and so on. Each teacher has classroom management plans in place that outline the consequences for misbehavior in the classroom. During non-instructional times (before school, recesses, lunch hour, and after school) students are responsible to the adult supervisors on duty at the time - teachers plus lunchroom supervisors. Minor offences are dealt with on the spot by the adult supervisor. These minor offences often just require the supervisor to remind the
student(s) of proper conduct. There are times when the misbehavior is more serious. The supervisor may in fact direct the student to a temporary time out place and do follow-up with the child’s teacher or with the vice-principal or principal. Consequences of the student’s action in this case may take many forms depending on the misbehavior. Violent behavior will not be tolerated - the consequence depends on the age and circumstance, but is often a one-day suspension from school.
Examples of consequences for inappropriate behavior include:
 | time out in the classroom
| time out in another classroom
| time out in the office
| time out in the home
| in-school suspension
| out-of-school suspension
| loss of recess privileges
| restitution - repair or replacement
| behaviour contract - student, teacher, parent, principal/vice-principal
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School Fees
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School fees are charged in order to purchase services and materials that supplement your child’s instructional program. Fees are due at the end of September to lessen the cost burden at the beginning of September. Classroom teachers manage these fees to enhance their instructional program.
Usual expenditures include:
| student accident insurance
| chartered bus costs for field trips
| admission fees
| classroom/art supplies
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Personal Belongings
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We ask that to the degree possible, all personal supplies and belongings be marked with your child’s name. Our lost and found fills up quickly. If something is lost it could be there. Please feel free to check anytime. We periodically place lost items on display. Bicycles and other expensive items are brought to school at one’s own risk.
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Attendance
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Students are expected to be on time for school. If your child is to be away please call the office at 683-7140 to inform us. We will phone home if your child’s absence is unaccounted.
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Out of School Excursions
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Taking students out-of-school is a powerful method of teaching. Excursions vary from a community walk or playground investigation to a three-day residential school or camp. These excursions enhance the theme or unit of study. Experiences are hands-on, interactive and relevant to the lives of students. Teachers are encouraged to use out-of-school excursions in their teaching.
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Lunch Program
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The Saskatoon Board of Education believes in neighbourhood schools and holds the position that children, under normal circumstances, should eat lunch at home with other members of the family. The Board’s present policy provides for noon lunch supervision for children who are required by the Board of Education to attend a school out of the neighborhood.
There are occasions, however, when parents, because of special circumstances, request the assistance of schools to provide noon lunch supervision for such reasons as: distance, emergencies, inclement weather, illness, and absence of working parents from the home during the day.
Accepting students for noon hour supervision needs to be approved by the principal. The intention of the Board of Education is to help parents and children with justifiable needs in this area. We consider the noon lunch period to be an important and developmental part of the child’s day.
Students will eat lunch in the lunchroom. WE ENCOURAGE LUNCHES TO BE NUTRITIOUS. Students are expected to use good table manners and common sense in order to create a family atmosphere while eating. Dismissal time from the lunchroom will vary depending on the weather conditions. Please fill in a yellow lunch application form available from the office.
Eating lunches at school is a privilege. Parents will be contacted regarding their child’s
misbehavior. Continued problems may lead to suspension from the program.
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| Care Program |
The purpose of our CARE PARTNER PROGRAM is to provide caring relationships and cross grade understanding and to develop a caring concerned attitude in all people in school
The word CARE can symbolize the following:
C courtesy
A acceptance, appreciation
R respect
E enthusiasm
These qualities are emphasized between CARE partners. The younger student benefits from the big buddy they can look up to and go to for help. The older student often learns new skills as he works with younger students and peers. The students develop more responsible attitudes about working and playing with others. Partner activities can range from baking together to writing books together. Students can help to organize and run play days. Assemblies can be done cooperatively. Possibilities are endless!
Classes are paired up at the beginning of each
school year.
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| Meaningful Parent Involvement |
We are blessed at Buena Vista School with a strong community, and a strong Home, School and Community Association. Parents are highly involved in the school lives of their children
Meaningful parental involvement is encouraged and welcomed at Buena Vista School. Both school staff and parents are learning how to manage and utilize parental expertise and enthusiasm to enhance student learning. School culture is positive and rich when parents are integral to school operations.
Meaningful parental involvement does not mean that all have to play the same role. There are many ways a parent can be meaningfully involved in their child’s school life. The way each parent chooses will depend on their own personality, lifestyle, and time availability. Visible support for learning and for school is perhaps the most powerful means of involvement (reading, helping with homework, encouraging, advocating, and letting students take responsibility).
Henderson, Masburge and Ooms (1986) identified the following parental roles in school - all equally important:
1. Parents as spectators
2. Parents as supporters
3. Parents as advisors
4. Parents as collaborators
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| Student Leadership Council |
The Student Leadership Council
(S.L.C.) is the governmental body that forms the basis of the student leadership council at Buena Vista School. It is responsible for the success of many of our activities including spirit days, dances, house leagues, as well as assisting in many of the special events at the school and community level. The
S.L.C. is composed of eight house leader positions. Prospective candidates go through an electoral process of nomination, campaigning, a speech, and a final vote of the student body. The house leader positions also serve as the executive (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer). The Student Leadership Council is a tremendous and fun opportunity for students of Buena Vista School to learn leadership skills.
The structure of our student leadership program at Buena Vista School has been developed in an effort to meet the following goals:
To assist students in developing the skills and characteristics of leaders
To encourage students to realize their ideas and to feel authentic pride and ownership in the implementation and maintenance of their initiatives
To help students learn to recognize and appreciate a variety of personal leadership styles and attributes
To establish an environment where students have opportunities to exercise power of choice and to take responsibility
To familiarize students with the problem-solving and decision-making processes used by governing bodies of organizations and communities
To involve a number of staff members with different viewpoints, experience, and strengths in developing student leadership.
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| Guideline for Supervisions of Students |
Our primary concerns for supervision are to ensure the safety of children. In our care, to encourage a respectful and cooperative atmosphere in our school, and to promote positive experiences for students. It is difficult to have black and white rules to cover every situation and our individual good
judgment is essential to satisfy these concerns. However, some general guidelines as well as some specific procedures, can help our school run more smoothly and in an atmosphere of learning, caring and sharing.
1. General Guidelines
a. Each of us must feel ownership and responsibility for every child in the school. In turn, each child should feel responsible to every supervisor.
b. Much unsafe and inappropriate behaviour can be prevented simply by our presence. It is important to be prompt and diligent in our supervisory responsibilities.
c. Active supervision can forestall many problems. This is an investment that brings big returns.
2. Specific procedures for Non-Instructional Time
Outdoors: supervisors should ensure that all play areas are attended. One supervisor should stay on the playground until all students are in.
Indoors: supervisors should clear the boot rooms and entry at the beginning of the supervisory period and periodically check the washrooms and entry. Children should not remain unsupervised in classrooms or loiter in the halls.
Homeroom teachers should clear their classrooms before they leave at recess, noon and after school. Homeroom teachers should also be in the hallway or classroom to welcome and supervise students as they come in whenever possible. Homeroom teachers should monitor students in the hallways as they leave for recess or dismissal.
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| Expectations of Students |
1. Students are encouraged to show pride and respect for our school facility. In an effort to ensure the cleanliness of the school:
Students are requested not to chew gum or sunflower seeds at school. Drinks in paper or plastic cups or glass bottles purchased from the store are not to be brought into the school.
Muddy and wet footwear is to be removed at the entry point to the school building.
Students should keep their personal belongings in their lockers, desks, and/or an area designated for their storage.
2. Safety on the playground is a priority! Playground activities must not endanger any other member of the school.
3. Students are expected to exercise good taste and to take pride in their personal appearance. As examples - skimpy clothing and t-shirts with double-entendre slogans or advertisements for tobacco or alcohol products are considered inappropriate school apparel. Students should refrain from wearing muscle shirts, halter tops, spaghetti strap tops, tube tops and shorts that do not reach a length to the tips of their fingers.
4. Verbal abuse in the form of name calling and other derogatory comments is unacceptable.
5. Fair play, sportsmanship, and participation are the three goals of our house league activities.
6. Students are expected to move quietly and purposefully throughout the school.
7. Students are expected to arrive at school no earlier than 15 minutes prior to school starting unless for a specially arranged activity.
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| Playground & Arrival Expectations |
1. Playground Boundaries
Children are expected to play in the area behind the school. Areas that are out-of-bounds include lawns in front and parking lots on the north and south sides of the school.
2. School Arrival:
Students should arrive at school no earlier than 15 minutes before classes begin, unless they are arriving for a teacher supervised activity. Students are expected to wait outdoors for the bell to ring. Students will not be permitted to go to their classroom before the bell goes (unless they are carrying a band instrument).
Entering the School: Students should use the playground entrance - grades K to 8 will enter through the
boot rooms only and may leave through any door.
3. Morning Arrival
During the cold months of winter, students will have the opportunity to come indoors upon their arrival at school in the morning. If students arrive before 8:40 a.m., they should wait quietly in the
boot rooms.
4. Before School/At Noon/At Recess
Students are expected to be outside unless they have permission or are involved with a supervised activity. Students who have a note from parents requesting permission to stay indoors, should put on their outdoor wear and sit in the
boot room areas.
Students should take the equipment and clothing they need for recess and noon lunch with them as they leave the classroom.
5. Inside Recess
When severe weather necessitates indoor recess, all students are given the option to stay indoors.
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