Samuel Hearne Secondary School Graduans 2009

•                     At Samuel Hearne Secondary School we are committed to creating a safe, caring and respectful learning environment that helps all students reach their potential.  S.H.S.S. is an Effective Behaviour Supports (EBS) school. As a result we promote the goals of EBS which include:  Clear procedures and expectations, rewards and recognition for positive behaviour, school-wide consistency, firm and fair in the treatment of all students, a focus on respect and cooperation, and accountability.  It is our belief that all students can contribute to the overall positive learning environment and school spirit at SHSS.

•                     The SHSS P.E.P. have been developed to address privacy concerns, health and safety concerns, reduce barriers to a quality learning environment and to increase accountability and consistency.  The staff has the responsibility to implement the District Education Authority policies.  

•                     In most cases P.E.P. simply clarifies the practices and policies that have been in place since the start of the school year.  In other instances, there are some recent policy changes that have come about as a result of some new policy direction from the Inuvik DEA.

•                     Information sessions for all students will be held on February 1, 2010.  The SHSS P.E.P. will be implemented on February 2, 2010.

P.E.P Highlights

1.~ SHSS will be implementing a new tracking system for incidents that occur throughout the school. The program is called the "Incident Management Program" (IMP). SAMS uses the same program.

2.~ All students received 1 page summary of the new P.E.P. for SHSS on Monday, February 1, 2010. Copies of this are available in the office for parents and guardians.  We are also working with the local media to assist us in informing the public on some of the new policies and procedures.

3.~ We now have 'warning' bells, to inform students that their class is about to begin. If students do not arrive at their class before the next bell, they will be required to report to the library for the duration of that period and required to meet with their teachers after school to collect missed work and discuss their reason for being late.  This procedure has come about in order to limit disruptions to the learning environment in the school.

4.~ No junk food (as per D.E.A. policy). Junk food is defined as any food with excessive sugar and fat content. Primarily we are banning pop, energy drinks, chips and chocolate bars from the school at all times.

5.~ The only liquids students are allowed to bring into class is water.

6.~ Hoods are not permitted to be on in classrooms or at assemblies.  Hats must be removed at assemblies.  Teacher's will use their own discretion and set their own expectations with regards to hats in their individual classrooms.

7.~ As per DEA Directive, NO PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES MAY BE USED IN THE SCHOOL. This means a ban on personal laptops, cell phones, ipods, MP3 players, etc. Any personal electronic device that is being used in the school will be confiscated by staff, and returned at the end of the day. If a student needs to have a cell phone with him/her during the instructional day, they are asked to lock the phone in their locker when in the school.  Parents are asked to contact the school office if they need to contact their child and we will call the student to the office to receive the message. 

8.~ If students are under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs it will result in a suspension. Due to the seriousness of drug and alcohol use among teenagers we are requiring students to meet with the school counselors following incidents involving substance use.  If students reek of drugs or alcohol he/she will not be permitted to remain in the school. 

9. ~Students are expected to arrive at gym class prepared to participate. If students arrive without gym wear, this will be recorded as an 'incident' in the new Incident Management Program.  Students that cannot participate due to health reasons should provide the teacher with a note from a parent or doctor.

10.~ There is no smoking on the school grounds, as per D.E.A. policy. This includes the skateboard park area.

11.~ Jr. High students are not permitted to leave the school grounds at break.

12.~ Sleeping in class is not permitted. 

13.~ Roaming the hallways or hanging out in the foyer is not permitted.

14.~ Students are expected to arrive at class with all of the required materials.

15. ~As per the D.E.A. Attendance Policy, a senior high student will be removed from a course after 14 unexcused absences in a semester.

All of these Policies, Expectations and Procedures are intended to improve the learning environment for all of our students, maintain a safe and healthy school, and to ensure consistency throughout the school.