School Handbook

Welcome to Quesnel Junior School

1. Bell Schedule
2. District/School Calendar
3. School Communications

  • Website - includes staff contact information
  • Facebook
  • Newsletters
  • Parent Advisory Council (PAC)

4. Parent Portal
5. Closed Campus-drop off and pick up
6. Progress/Attendance/Lates
7. School Policies

  • Bussing Dress
  • Code
  • Electronic Devices

8. Medication at school
9. Quesnel Junior School - Code of Conduct 

  • Statement of Purpose
  • Social Responsibility
  • Behaviour Expectations
  • Unacceptable Conduct
    • Smoking, drugs, alcohol
    • Vandalism
    • Weapons
    • Bullying
    • Intimidation, Harassment & Violence
  • Consequences
  • Serious Offences

QJS BELL SCHEDULE

Reminder we are a Closed Campus- students leaving need to check out at the office

8:24: Warning Bell

8:29-9:32: Period 1

9:32-9:37: Travel Time

9:37-10:40: Period 2

10:40-10:45: Travel Time

10:45-11:49: Period 3

11:49-12:31: Lunch

12:35-1:39: Period 4

1:39-1:44: Travel Time

1:44-2:48: Period 5

2:48 Dismissal

******     BUSSES LEAVE     ********

*Bus students are required to stay on campus until they board their bus at the end of the day.

School Communications

QJS Website

Our website is constantly updated and is the preferred method for communicating the majority of information to our parents.  You may also send an absentee form to use from there.  http://www.qjs.sd28.bc.ca

Facebook

QJS has a Facebook account, however, the up to date information will be present on our website. Quesnel Junior School Facebook page

Newsletters

For your interest and information, we do our best to keep our parents informed and up to date with daily activities and new developments in our school environment.  Newsletters will be posted on the school website, Facebook page and emailed directly to you from our school.

Parent Advisory Council (PAC)

The QJS PAC is open to every parent of current QJS students. Being part of the PAC is a great way to be involved and know more about what is going on, and how things are done, in your child’s school. The PAC meets monthly at a time decided upon each year. Your voice counts, and we work together to create a positive learning environment for all. Watch for emails and invitations to join throughout the year.

Parent Portal FAQ

How do I log on?

**When logging on for the first time, you must log on from a COMPUTER, not a phone.

The website is: www.myeducation.gov.bc.ca

You can also find the link on the school website (css28.com) or the school Facebook page.

Enter your ID (sd28-firstnamelastname) and password provided from the email. You will be prompted to change your password which must have a capital and lower case letter, number, and symbol.

If you forget your password, click on "forget password". You will then receive an email with your new password (pls note - you will be prompted to change your password once you log on again). 

If this is unsuccessful, please let the school know.

Where can I see my child's report card?

Where you log on, you can click on the report card link under Published Reports on the main page.

How do I see my child's attendance?

Click on Family top-tab, choose the student you would like to see the attendance for, then click on Daily Attendance on the side. Here you can see what date the student was absent.
A means they were Absent for one or more classes with no reason given.
A-E means they were Absent-Excused with a reason (parent has called in, or they are on field trip).

How do I view my demographics to make sure they are up-to-date?

Click on Family top-tab, Contacts side-tab and click on the number beside your name. 
Let the school. know of any changes that should be made. 

Closed Campus

After much deliberation with parents, teachers and students it has been decided that QJS is a closed campus. The adults of the QJS educational community see this as a safety measure. That means that when students walk onto the school grounds in the morning or get dropped off by the bus on school ground they are to remain on campus until they go home at end of the day.  When students remain on campus we are in a position to better ensure their safety. If you have questions or concerns about this policy, please contact the school. 

Closed Campus: Dropping off late and Picking up early

If you are dropping off your child(ren) late, please advise the office and remind your child to drop by the office to let us know they have arrived.

If you are picking up your child(ren) early, contact the school office at 250-747-2103 to let us know that your child will be leaving, ensure your child is aware they need to wait at the office for you to arrive and we will send your child out to you.

Progress / Attendance / Lates

Good attendance is key to academic success.  The research is simple – increase the time focused on academics and achievement rises. Parents should ensure to call the school to advise that their child is ill or will be away from the school. Teachers will make every effort to fulfill homework requests, but parents should be aware that a great deal of instruction /teaching is verbal and may not be available in a homework package.  Students who miss a great deal of school are at risk of decreased academic performance. 

Should academic performance / attendance / lates become a problem for your child, teachers will assign him/her a study hall with an opportunity to complete or catch up on work missed.  The study hall will be at lunch time in a designated room. Where there are ongoing concerns, staff will contact the family and arrange to meet to attempt to create a plan of support for the student.

Online form for absences:  http://www.qjs.sd28.bc.ca/attendance.html

Parent Portal:  You can view your child’s attendance online.  If you do not have access to the Portal, please contact nicholehawkins@sd28.bc.ca

School District Policies

Bussing – Bus Garage Phone Number: 250-992-8361

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 28 (QUESNEL)
P R O C E D U R E S NO.: 535 - COLD WEATHER/UNSAFE ROAD CONDITIONS:
SCHOOL AND BUS OPERATIONS 

Education Committee Ref: 

PROCEDURES: 

1. The Transportation Supervisor will consult with the Highways Maintenance Manager to determine the road conditions that day. 

2. When the 5:00 a.m. Transportation Department temperature is at -32 C or colder, or roads are deemed unsafe local radio, (Quesnel), CBC Radio (Prince George) and Global BC TV, the Quesnel School District web page and Facebook page, will be requested to advise parents that: 

3. All bus runs will be cancelled. If bus runs are cancelled in the a.m., there will be no bus runs in the p.m. Teachers will be in attendance at schools. Where there is sufficient enrolment, regular instruction will take place. However, if all students cannot attend, the regular program will not be offered and, students attending will receive instructional support, be offered study sessions, and/or review. 

4. All students unable to attend school due to bus cancellations will be marked absent. Students will not be penalized academically as a result of bus cancellations. 

5. A notice, along the lines of Attachment "A", should be sent out to parents in October, with the advice to listen to the stations in 1 above. 

6. The Wells and Nazko Schools will close at the discretion of the Principal, dependent upon individual circumstances in those areas.

QUESNEL SCHOOL DISTRICT ATTACHMENT ‘A’ – POLICY 535 – COLD WEATHER/UNSAFE ROAD CONDITIONS: SCHOOL AND BUS OPERATIONS COLD WEATHER NOTICE

For the information of parents of children traveling by school bus during the winter months the Board of Education wishes to stress: 

1. That no matter how good the bussing system can be, emergencies will happen and students should wear their warmest clothing for the journey to and from school.

2. All bus runs will be cancelled when the 5:00 a.m. Transportation Department temperature is at -32 C or colder. If bus runs are cancelled in the a.m., there will be no bus runs in the p.m. Teachers will be in attendance at schools and students are encouraged, if possible, to attend. Where there is sufficient enrolment, regular instruction will take place. However, if all students cannot attend, the regular program will not be offered and, students attending will receive instructional support, be offered study sessions, and/or review. This is applicable to all District schools. Please check local radio (Quesnel), CBC Radio (Prince George) and Global BC TV and the Quesnel School District web page and Facebook page for early morning announcements during cold weather conditions. 

3. Parents should ensure that their children explicitly understand that they should return home to warmth if there is substantial delay in the arrival of the school bus. Attempts to hitch-hike to school are not approved under school discipline. 

4. On days of low temperatures and/or severe wind chills, parents should carefully weigh the hazards involved in their children walking long distances to a bus or school and make an appropriate decision in respect of attendance. 

5. The Wells and Nazko Schools make specific arrangements dependent on conditions in their school areas.

Dress Code

POLICY RATIONALE
A safe and positive learning environment is supported by a dress code that encourages respect, responsibility and safety in all schools and school-sponsored events.

Quesnel Junior School students will dress to project a positive image at all times.

  • Gang related, hate related, racist, sexist or homophobic statements, symbols and/or images are not permitted on clothing or as accessories.
  • Jewellery or accessories that are potentially dangerous (e.g. spiked bracelets) are not permitted.
  • Clothing and/or accessories with sexual content, substance abuse, violence, profanity or other inappropriate images or references to nationality, race and gender are not permitted.
  • Footwear must be worn as a matter of health and safety within the school environment.

Students who do not meet dress code standards may be asked by any staff to remove/reverse offensive items or borrow an alternate piece of clothing from a friend to use as a cover up.

Electronic Devices

Clearly technology is such a part of our lifestyle that our electronics policy needs to evolve to reflect the reality that we use technology to help us think, learn, solve problems, communicate, collaborate and contribute effectively in the modern learning environment. Instead of limiting technology, QJS seeks to embrace the value offered by technology to help our learners work together to achieve shared goals and to fulfill learning responsibilities facilitated by our educational staff. Devices may be used in class at the discretion of the teacher and for educational purposes only.

While the QJS staff embraces the opportunities technology offers our programs we do recognize the social and learning issues associated with electronics. Students should note it is illegal to take pictures or capture test materials or lectures without the permission of the person being recorded or photographed. Devices have the ability to take pictures and these pictures could be posted to websites. Text messaging can also become a problem. Instant messaging and text messaging can facilitate bullying and harassment which is considered to be a serious problem and violates other Board and Ministry policies. 

The purpose of this policy is simple. We want to support the integrity of one’s right to privacy through the regulated and reasonable use of Personal Electronic Devices and we want to set parameters for the use of Personal Electronic Devices in the school learning environment or at school sanctioned activities. 

School District 28 (Quesnel)- Electronics Policy # 704

QJS Policy Statement:

The use of digital technologies for course work and learning is at the discretion and direction of the teacher responsible for learning.  All electronic devices not approved for use should be in silent mode and secured on your person and out of sight. This policy is in effect during all regular instructional hours. It does NOT include lunch hours and breaks.

The consequences of breaching this policy are outlined below:

  1. First Infraction – Teacher will ask student to shut it off and put it out of sight.
  2. Second Infraction – Teacher will confiscate the offending device which will be returned to the student at the end of the class. Teacher may notify family of the problem with the device.
  3. Third Infraction – Item is confiscated by the teacher and given to the principal or vice-principal. The student will pick up the electronic device at the end of the school day.  
  4. Fourth infraction – The student will have the electronic device confiscated until a parent makes suitable arrangements to retrieve the device. The responsibility is on the student to make arrangements with their parent. 

Medication at School

This refers to prescribed and "over the counter" medications. If a student must take medication during the school day, school personnel are required to observe the following rules: All medications that are administered by staff are kept in a locked cabinet at the office.

  • An authorization form, signed by the physician and guardian, with written directions filled out by the physician must be on file. This applies to ANY medication taken at school – including cough drops!
  • A new medication form is required for any changes (e.g. time, dosage, or medicine).
  • All medications must be in the original container and not require any preparation to administer.
  • A guardian (not the student) must bring medication to school.
  • Medication will not be given on field trips unless prior arrangements have been made.
  • Authorization forms must be re-issued each September for on-going medications.
  • Our students range in age during the course of a year from 12-15 years of age. Self-medication under the direction of parents is certainly acceptable and parents can choose to inform the school administration should they feel it is necessary.

Quesnel Junior School - Code of Conduct

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE 

A safe, caring and orderly school is the foundation for a successful learning environment. This Code of Conduct supports socially responsible behaviour and allows members of the school community to be fully informed of common expectations for student behaviour.

These expectations apply to behaviour at school, during school organized or sponsored activities, and behaviour beyond these times (including on-line behaviour) that negatively impacts the safe, caring or orderly environment of the school, and/or student learning. 

Quesnel Junior School promotes the values expressed in the BC Human Rights Code respecting the rights of all individuals in accordance with the law – prohibiting discrimination based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, family status, physical or mental disability, sex or sexual orientation. 

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

We are guided by the following four aspects of Social Responsibility for B.C. Schools as identified by the Ministry of Education: 

  • Contributing to the classroom and school community 
  • Solving problems in peaceful ways 
  • Valuing diversity and defending human rights 
  • Exercising democratic rights and responsibilities 

BEHAVIOUR EXPECTATIONS
There is an expectation that Quesnel Junior School students will behave in ways that follow our school motto: 

RESPECT   RESPONSIBILTY   COOPERATION   KINDNESS

It is expected that students will:

  • Demonstrate honesty and integrity;
  • Respect differences in people, their ideas and opinions;
  • Treat one another with dignity and respect at all times, and especially when there is disagreement;
  • Respect and treat others fairly, regardless of
  • Their race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability;
  • Arrive for class on time and complete assignments;
  • Use appropriate language;
  • Accept responsibility for their own actions 
  • Respect the rights of others;
  • Show proper care and regard for school property and the property of others;
  • Take appropriate measures to help those in need;
  • Respect and cooperative with persons who are in a position of authority;
  • Respect the need of others to work in an environment of learning and teaching.

QJS is a closed campus.  Students are expected to stay on the grounds during school hours which include lunch.

QJS students are expected to follow the school dress code policy.

QJS students are expected to follow the electronics policy.  The school will not be responsible or liable for lost, stolen, or missing electronic devices. 

Rising Expectations - As students move through their years in secondary school, they are expected to assume increasing responsibility and self-discipline. Students will be given opportunities to participate in making decisions and to work on committees and in groups to improve the school community.  Students are expected to take on more of a leadership role and to serve as role models as they move on to Correlieu Secondary School and into their graduation years. As such, there will be increasing consequences for inappropriate behaviour. *Students with Special Needs will be accommodated according to the information included in the Individual Education Plan. 

Notification of Parents - The school has the responsibility to advise parents of unacceptable behaviour demonstrated by the student. We expect that parents and the school staff will work together to bring about a change of behaviour and that efforts will be made in this regard. In some cases, parents of a second party (eg. a victim) will also be contacted and informed of an investigation into another student’s conduct. 

UNACCEPTABLE CONDUCT

Acts that compromise safety of others in the building
Students who put the safety of others at risk may initiate a Violent Risk Threat Assessment process (VTRA). This is a provincial process designed to use a team, which includes district, school, and RCMP members, to evaluate the level of risk and to create an action plan for the student(s) concerned.

Bullying, Intimidation, Harassment and Violence
All students and staff have the right to feel safe at school. Any acts of harassment, intimidation or threats of any types (physical, emotional, verbal or sexual, including bullying, physical violence, or retribution against a person who has reported an incident) are unacceptable. Bullying is a conscious, willful, deliberate, hostile and repeated behaviour by one or more people, which is intended to harm others. Bullying takes many forms, and can include many different behaviours, such as:

  • physical violence and attacks 
  • verbal taunts, name-calling and put-downs 
  • threats and intimidation 
  • extortion or stealing of money and possessions 
  • exclusion from the peer group

Bullying can take place in a classroom, on school grounds, or on the internet (cyber bullying). Regardless of form or location, bullying will be seriously dealt with by the school and possibly police.

Smoking, Vaping, Drugs or Alcohol
Students are expected not to bring alcohol or drugs to school, nor to indulge in these prior to coming to school or attending a school event. At our school, the use or possession of drugs or alcohol at school or at any school function will result in a suspension from school. Students who remain at the scene while others participate in the use of alcohol or drugs may also be subject to school disciplinary action. 

Vandalism
Students are expected to respect the property of school, others and the environment. 

Weapons
No student should be in possession of any weapon, including but not limited to firearms; students will not use any object to threaten or intimidate another person; students will not use any object to cause personal injury.

CONSEQUENCES 

Range of Interventions/Consequences – some examples:
Verbal reminders, parent contact, student involved in problem solving plan for solutions, loss of privileges, noon hour detention, counselor mediation, work restitution, financial restitution, and referral to school based team or counsellor, RCMP involvement.

Some more specific examples:

  • Dress code violations- students will be asked to cover up, remove, reverse offensive clothing
  • Electronics violations- staff will take electronics from students who are using electronics during instructional time.  Repeat offences will be referred to the office.
  • Students who are off school property – parent phone call home and a plan created with families.

SERIOUS OFFENCES 

  • Bullying behaviours can lead to a suspension.  Can lead to RCMP involvement;
  • Drug and alcohol violations - suspension - escalating consequences for repeated offences
  • Students can be suspended for encouraging a fight and bystander behaviour
  • Fighting- 3 day suspension- escalating consequences for repeated offences, can lead to District Code of Conduct 
  • Making threats- suspension, can lead to RCMP involvement;
  • Assault- RCMP involvement; can lead to indefinite suspension and District Code of Conduct

Some offences may be subjected to the District Code of Conduct procedures to determine if the student will be capable of successfully returning to the school.

The purpose of a suspension is to caution students and deter them from continuing with or repeating unacceptable behaviours; prevent other students from being exposed to or involved in dangerous and damaging activities; discipline students who have transgressed the rules of the school; and to warn parents or guardians of serious discipline problems with their children. The primary purpose underlying the implementation of a suspension is to result in a change in behaviour for the student.