chief taylor elementary

Chief Taylor Student Handbook

Chief Taylor School
Parent/Student Handbook
2010 - 2011
 

Parents and Community
Please feel free to come to the school and visit the school at anytime. We believe that the school belongs to the community, therefore it is yours.
Coffee is always on.

Should you wish to volunteer to help in the school (always welcome and appreciated), please see the principal or any other member.
 

Mission statement
Our mission at Chief Taylor School is to provide a caring environment developing the qualities of self-esteem, identity, creative thinking, a love for learning and respect for self and others realizing that quality education is an individual life-long process involving physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social development to produce happy, responsible citizens

School Pledge
I will do my best because education is for me, my Family, my Community and my First Nation

School Motto:
Awasisak - our Life, our Future

School Pledge
Nika-akameyimon tahto-kisikaw osam ni-kiskinwamasowin oma oci ni-nikihikwak, nicisanak, ni-taskisnan ekwa ni-nici-nehiyawak.

Principal’sMessage
The staff at Chief Taylor School is committed to providing the best quality education for all students. We believe that the future of the Onion Lake First Nation rests with you, the youths who will assume productive and responsible positions within the First Nation. All staff will be challenging you, the students to achieve your best, to realize your potential. At the beginning of the year, you will be asked to set some goals for yourself. Work towards meeting those goals.

We expect students to do several things within the school. First, we expect you to try your best at all times. Second, we require that you respect yourself and everyone and everything around you. NO bullying will be allowed. Third, we expect that you will be a good representative of Chief Taylor School and the Onion Lake First Nation. Fourth, it is expected that you will participate in all activities sponsored by the school. Fifth, we expect that students will accept responsibility for their behaviour and learn from any mistakes they have made.

This year, all students will be part of a pod, a family within the school. We expect that students in the pods and within the school will develop a strong sense of togetherness and will work together to solve problems and conflicts in acceptable ways. We expect students to support each other in their journey through Chief Taylor School.

We promise you an exciting year, filled with activities that will help you to grow in all areas. Make the most of the opportunities and activities provided.. Enjoy your year at Chief Taylor School. Work towards meeting your goals. Remember that each step forward is a step forward to a brighter future both for yourself, your family, your community and your First Nation.

School's general objectives
1. To teach children social skills such as respect for self and others, cooperation with others, responsibility for their actions (accountability), and positive leadership skills.
2. To help students develop positive self- esteem.
3. To instil a love of learning, risk-taking, critical thinking, and independent learning skills, that will continue throughout their lives.
4. To encourage the parents and other community members to become involved in school activities.
5. To promote Self identity in the students
 

School’s specific objectives
1. To improve students’ achievement in the core subjects with an emphasis on Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science.
2. Create a climate that challenges students to achieve at their maximum.
3. To further develop the Cree Language Curriculum for Grade 4 to Grade 7
4. To fully understand and utilize the adaptive dimension within the curriculum.
5. To fully assist in the emergence and development of the Cree Language
6. A thorough understanding of Treaty Rights and their implications.
7. Centre all teaching around themes that revolve around Critical and Creative Thinking, Problem-solving and Conflict Resolution
 

Statement of Teachers' Beliefs
Teachers at Chief Taylor School believe that
• Self-identity and pride in their tradition is directly correlated to achievement.
• Every child has the right to receive a quality education
• Everyone should have the opportunity to work and learn together in a positive environment.
• All children are special, talented, and important and should be challenged to achieve at their maximum potential
• Our school should provide a friendly atmosphere where meaningful learning takes place
• We should foster a love of learning and the importance of pride in "doing your best".
• Frequently rewarded success builds self-esteem
• The quality of education is improved if staff, parents and students respect each other
• We must help students develop responsibility for their behaviour and learning
• Children need to be treated with patience, consistency and fairness
• We must teach to the individual needs of all children
• Active learning should promote creative thinking skills
• Regular parental support and involvement are essential to the success of our school
• Education is a lifelong process attained through a variety of experiences
• High expectations produce higher achievement
• It is the parental responsibility to send children to school clean, rested, well-fed and mentally ready to participate in the learning process
 

Staff at Chief Taylor School
1. Mr. Fred Dillon - Principal
2. Mr. Deb Ramsay - Vice Principal
3. Mrs. Ellen Dillon - Administrative Assistant
4. Mrs. Hilda Paskimim - 401
5. Ms. Vina Muskego - 402
6. Ms. Christa Belhumeur - 403
7. Ms. Sandra Lawson - 501
8. Ms. Lacey Whitt - 502
9. Mrs. Jody Boyer - 503
10.Mrs. Pam Bonaise - 601
11.Mrs. Holly Stewart - 602
12.Mr. Troy LaRocque - 603
13.Mr. Henry Lewis - 604
14.Ms. Kirsten Rivard - 701
15.Mr. Mark Pelly - 702
16.Ms. Roseanne Laliberte - 703
17.Ms. Heather Whitstone - 704
18.Mrs.Cynthia McKaeff - Resource Room Teacher
19.Mr.Terry Clark - Physical Education teacher
20. Mr.Irbin Muskego - Cree Language teacher
21.Ms. Katrina Irvin - Music Teacher
22.Mrs. Gail Dillon - Guidance
23.Mr. Andrew Wapass - Elder
24.Ms. Colleen Stanley - Speech and Language
25.Mrs. Shantel Pahtayken - Resource Room aide
26.Ms. Nikita Lewis - Special Education aide
27.Ms. Tara Clarke - Special Education aide
28.Mr. Duane Cardinal - Special Education aide
29.Mrs. Valerie Tootoosis - Special Education aide
30.Mrs. Valerie Chocan - Special Education aide
31.Ms. Kathleen Half - Special Education aide
32.Mr. Chester McKay - Special Education aide
33.Katherine Opissinow - Special Education aide
34.Ms. Roxanne Littlewolfe - Special Education aide
35.Ms Sharron Pahtayken - Truancy
36.Mrs. Vivian Dillon - Librarian
37.Mr. Dion Wolfe - Custodian
38. Custodian
39.Ms. Velma Moocheweneeis - Custodian
40.Clifford Cook - Maintenance
 

School Board Chairperson
 

School Board Members
Darlene Mcintosh
Reinetta Morningchild
Bruce Whitstone
Elaine Fox
 

Central Office
Director - Terry Clarke
Superintendent - Pauline Muskego
Post Secondary coordinator - Syd Pauls
 

Chief Taylor Guidance Program
The Onion Lake Education System has a Counselling and Guidance program within each school. The overall aims are to provide services for students whose behaviour or performance in school has declined to an unacceptable level and to help those students who are experiencing emotional problems. It will encourage young people in developing the skills necessary to cope with various types of transitions in our society to aid this program; a core team has been set up at Chief Taylor School. This team includes members of the administration, the Counsellors and a teacher. This team collectively oversee the program for students who are experiencing difficulties. The teachers, counsellors, administrative staff or parents can refer students for counselling. If your child is experiencing any difficulty, please feel free to contact the school, and arrangements will be made for the appropriate help to be given.

Important Dates to Remember
August 23 - First Day for Staff
August 30 - First day for students
September 6 - Labour Day holiday
Spetember 8 - Early Dismissal (2:00)
October 11 - Thanksgiving Holiday
October 13 - Early Dismissal ( 2:00)
October 22 - Professional Development
November 9 - 4 to 7:30 Parent/Teacher interviews
November 10 - 4 to 7:30 Parent/Teacher interviews
November 11 - Remembrance Day
November 12 - First Nation Unity Day (No School)
December 21 - Last day of classes before Christmas break
January 5 - Students return to school
January 12 - Early Dismissal (2:00)
January 28 - Professional Development Day
February 9 - Early Dismissal (2:00)
February 21 - Family Day
March 7 to 9 - Spring Break
March 10 - Professional Development
March 11 - Professional Development
April 13 - Parent/Teacher Interviews 4 to 7:30
April 14 - Parent/Teacher Interviews 4 to 7:30
April 15 - First Nation Government Day
April 22 to 29 - Easter Break
May 11 - Early Dismissal (2:00)
May 23 - Victoria Day ( No school)
May 25 - Treaty Day. (Tentative)
June 21 - Aboriginal Day
June 28 - Formal classes end.
June 29 & 30 - Administration Day
 

Rights and Responsibilities of Students
1. Every student has the right to an education designed to meet his/her particular needs.
2. Every student has the right to be respected as an individual.
3. Every student has the right to be listened to.
4. Every student has the right to a safe, protected and interesting learning environment.
5. Students have a responsibility to listen to instruction and perform their learning task diligently.
6. Students have a responsibility to treat staff with respect.
7. Students have a responsibility to listen to the opinions of others and not interfere with the learning of other students.
8. Students have a responsibility to ensure that their conduct does not present any danger to the safety of other students.
9. Students have a responsibility to use their facilities and resources in a careful and conscientious manner.
 

School Day
Classes begin at 9 a.m and end at 11:45 a.m for lunch. Afternoon classes begin at 12:30 p.m. and end at 3:20 p.m. Recess in the morning will be from 10:30 – 10:45 a.m and in the afternoon at 2:00 – 2:15 p.m. It is expected that all students will be in class on time.
 

Behaviour on the bus
In the interest of the safety of all the students riding the school bus, all students are expected to obey the instructions of the bus driver at all time and to obey the bus rules. Acts of vandalism may result in the in the student being suspended from school.

The bus rules are
1. The driver may assign a seat to each student.
2. Pupils are expected to be on time and waiting at their pick-up point.
3. Unnecessary conversation with the bus driver is not allowed.
4. Pupils must behave on the bus as they were in school.
5. The use of tobacco and snuff is prohibited on the bus.
6. Pupils are not to litter the bus with paper or other garbage.
7. Pupils must place litter/garbage in waste container at the front of the bus
8. Pupils must not extend their arms or head, nor throw anything out of the windows.
9. The bus will not move until all students are seated. Pupils must remain seated while the bus is in motion.
 

Dress Code
Students are to wear clothing which are presentable, comfortable and non-offensive. Hats are not to be worn in the school. Coats are not to be worn in the classroom. Running shoes are required footwear for activities in the Gym. It is suggested that students have a pair of running shoes for Physical Education classes in the Gym
 

Leaving the classroom
Students may leave the classroom only with the permission of the teacher. Students are encouraged to use the washroom before school, at lunch and at recess time. Use of the water fountains and the washroom during class time is to be the exception rather than the rule.
 

Illness and Injury
If a student becomes ill or injured while at school, every effort will be made to contact the parents/guardians. If, in the event that the child has sustained a serious injury, and we cannot contact the parents/guardians, the school administrator will use his own discretion as regards to medical attention. The school is not responsible for taking students to medical appointments at the Health Centre.
 

School Books and Material
Students are expected to take care of all school materials and books. Parents will be required to pay for any books or material wilfully damaged or lost by students.

Extra-curricular Activities.
Chief Taylor School provides students with a broad range of extra-curricular activities emphasizing healthy competition, personal and social enrichment, participation, sportsmanship and leadership. All participation in extra-curricular activities depend upon the student’s display of responsible behaviour and satisfactory grades.
 

Attendance
Children must attend school until they reach the age of sixteen. Parents are legally obliged to ensure that their child maintains regular attendance until that time. In addition, students who attend school regularly tend to achieve much higher in school. Therefore, the school will follow this procedure-
1. Any student who misses one or more days shall be required to submit a note (signed by parent/guardian) to their homeroom teacher upon their return stating the reason for their absence.
2. After 3 days of unexcused absence, a letter of concern will be sent to the parent.
3. After 5 days of unexcused absences, the parent/guardian will be required to come to the school along with his/her child. A meeting will take place with the guidance counsellor, the teacher and the administrator to address the attendance problem.
4. After his./her return to the school, the child is responsible for completing the work missed.
 

Homework Policy
1. Students in Grades 4, 5 & 6 will receive homework every Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
2. Students in Grade 7 will have homework at least three nights a week.
3. It may be advisable, at certain times, to ask students to do certain work at home on other nights when the teacher has a specific objective in view.
4. Students who do not do assigned homework will be required to remain inside at recess and do the assigned work.
5. Students who are behind in certain subjects or who have transferred in, etc., may need extra help. In addition to such help as may be given at
school, the teacher may suggest certain forms of work which may be
done at home and request the cooperation of the parents or guardians.
6. Pupils should be encouraged to read and study at home. At no time will the child at this age be assigned more than 45 minutes of homework.

Student conduct
Courtesy and manners are actions that make people at ease in your presence. Each student is free to pursue his own individual goals as long as his/her behaviour does not interfere or reduce the learning opportunities of others. Common courtesy and respect for teachers and peers should be the basic rule which guide all students. Students are expected to be responsible and accountable for their behaviour while at school or while attending school functions.

Of particular importance is the necessity for students to respect the rights of other students. All students must feel safe and comfortable and welcome at our school. The years that students spend at Chief Taylor School should be remembered as happy years in which they grew academically, socially, spiritually and emotionally. Therefore, there will be no tolerance for any form of bullying in Chief Taylor School. All cases of bullying will be dealt with severely.
 

Second Step
We expect that students will use the skills taught as part of the Second Step programme to resolve problems when these occur.

How to solve problems
1. What is the problem?
2. Each person says:
• What happened?
• How I feel
• What I need
3. What are some solutions?
4. For each solution ask:
• Is it safe?
• How might people feel?
• Is it fair?
• Will it work?
5. Choose a solution.
6. Is it working? If not, what can I do now?

What to do when you are angry
1. Know how your body feels
2. Calm down
• Take three deep breaths
• Count backwards slowly
• Think nice thoughts
• Talk to myself
3. Think out loud to solve the problem.
4. Think about it later:
• Why was I angry?
• What did I do?
• What worked and didn’t work?
• What would I do differently?
• Did I do a good job?
 

School Rules
General School Rules
1. During bus time and recess, students will enter and leave the school through the assigned door.
2. Students are to remove their outside shoes when entering the school on rainy days or when it is muddy.
3. The students will not push, shove, kick, punch, wrestle, tease or name-call other students.
4. Students must not be in possession of lighters, matches, snuff, cigarettes or tobacco.
5. Students are not to bring knives or other weapons to school. Any student in possession of any weapons at school will be immediately suspended from school.
6. The following things are not to be brought to school: ghetto blasters, walkman, hand-held electronic games, sunflower seeds & cell phones.
7. If you are permitted to visit a friend after school, you are required to bring a note signed by your parent. These will have to be signed by the principal before you go on to the bus. Your parent must also notify the bussing coordinator at 344 4961.
8. Students must remain inside the school areas as defined by the outside perimeter fence.
9. Students are not to leave the school area during the day unless they bring a note from their parent/guardian and hand in the note to their homeroom teachers at 9:00 a.m. When you leave, make sure that you sign out at the office.
10.Each student is to stay at school for lunch. Please ensure that your child brings a lunch to school.
11.Students are not to bring pets to the school without the permission of the teacher.
 

Here are some rules for Hallways
1. When moving from classroom to classroom, the students should move in single file in a quiet manner.
2. Do not disturb other students, classrooms, or gym classes.
3. Students are expected to be in their classroom when the second bell rings. Students must realize that recess is their time but when the bell rings, it is the teacher’s time.
 

Here are some rules for Recess and Lunch.
1. The 15 minutes break at lunch time is the only time students are allowed to buy something from the concession.
2. Students are not allowed to take unfinished lunches outside at noon recess. These must be eaten in the classroom.
 

Here are some rules for the classroom
1. Treat every person as you would want to be treated.
2. Treat property with respect.
3. There is a time to be quiet and a time to be physically active and noisy.
4. Put your hand up when you want something.
 

Consequences for misbehaviours
We know that all students will make mistakes and we will help students learn from the mistakes that they make. However, students need to know that there are consequences that result from any behaviour.
1. Any minor infractions may result in one of the following
2. Meeting with the elder
3. Letter sent home to the parent
4. Meeting with the principal or vice-principal
5. Parent being asked to meet with the teacher, principal or vice-principal
6. Talking to the counsellor
7. Being sent to the work room at recesses
8. Being kept in the classroom at recess
9. Behavioural contract and a plan of action
10.Detention
 

The Education Policy has deemed the following action by students as major infractions and will result in immediate suspension from school.
1. Possession/trafficking of illegal drugs or alcohol at school.
2. Having ingested, smoked or in any way consumed illegal drugs or alcohol while at school, or attends school while under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol.
3. Weapons, assaults and vandalism.
 

Recurring misbehaviours will be referred to the schools Inter-agency team for a more detailed examination of the situation and referral to other agencies for help in correcting the problem
 

Healthy Food Initiative
The Education System, in cooperation with Onion Lake Health System has developed an initiative to promote healthy eating habits. The intent is to reduce the incidence of Diabetes, decrease the number of overweight youths, the education of students regarding healthy food choices and the promotion of healthy eating habits to enhance learning and growth.

In keeping with this initiative within the school, we are serving only foods that follow the Healthy Food Choice List developed in accordance with the Canada Food Guide. Exceptions will be made for special occasions.
We are encouraging all parents to keep the Canada Health Guide in mind when sending snacks/lunch to the school and support us in this effort to have all children lead a healthy lifestyle.

Copies of the Healthy Food Choice List can be gotten from Health Educators at the Onion Lake Health Department.


Student Awards
Monthly Awards
Perfect Attendance: Each student who has perfect attendance for that month shall receive a Perfect Attendance Certificate.
Academic: Best overall academics in each grade for that month.
Most Improved: This award is presented to the student who has made the greatest progress in that class during that month

Eagle of the month.
One boy and one girl are nominated from each classroom who exemplifies the attributes of academic excellence, positive attitude both within the classroom and in the school and contributing to the overall school program or atmosphere. From these nominees one boy and one girl are chosen
from each grade level as the Eagle of the Month.

Cree
One boy and one girl from each class room who displays the best attitude and work in the Cree classes

Year end awards
Academic: Best overall academics in each classroom for the academic year.

Most Improved: This award is presented to the student who has made the greatest progress in that class during the academic year

Year End Perfect Attendance: Zero days absent throughout the year regardless of reason with the exception of funerals and busses not running due to weather.

Year End Near Perfect Attendance: Less than three days absent throughout the year regardless of reason with the exception of funerals and busses not running due to weather.

Greatest Effort: This award is presented to the student who makes the most conscientious, diligent effort in all of his/her subjects regardless of final marks in each grade.

Cree Award: This award is given to the student who has made the greatest progress in Cree Language Development in each division

Resource Room Award: In memory of Cindy Blazek, this award is presented to the student who displays the most progress in the resource room program.

Eddie Trottier Memorial Trophy: This award is presented to the student who is most involved in Cree cultural activities within the school.

Principal’s Award: This is awarded to the grade 7 student who best exemplifies the qualities of a good student - academic, behaviour, attendance, attitude

Male and Female Athlete of the Year

Matthew Dillon-Carter Memorial Trophy: This is awarded to the Division 2 male athlete of the year.

Elwood Harper Memorial Award This award is given to 2 students (boy & girl) for always helping out in the school, without being asked.

Virtues Awards This award is given to a student who demonstrates the virtues through out the school.

Chief Taylor School Award Grade 4, 5, 6, & 7 - $50
This award will be presented to the student with the highest average in math & science at each grade level.