January 26, 2012

Dear Parents and Friends of Swan Valley Regional Secondary School,

                As in all Manitoba Public Schools, ensuring a safe, respectful and nurturing learning environment is both a valued priority and a professional responsibility.  The Swan Valley School Division Improvement Plan 2011-14, Claimed for Success includes four strategic goal directions.  Promoting the Development of Wellness and Healthy School Environments is one of the four.   At the SVRSS a renewed focus on this goal is taking place. 

                Here’s what students told us in the spring of 2011 when they were surveyed regarding school climate. 

Safe, respectful and nurturing learning environments are important to your sons and daughters.

                In an effort to better serve student needs in this area, some changes in procedures will be implemented during Semester 2 beginning on February 1st, 2012.  Specifically, staff hope to:

• improve safety and security within the school,
• ensure that students are attending all scheduled classes in support of learning, and
• promote a heightened sense of respect between and among all members of the school community. 

To assist in this process transition time between classes has been shortened and noon break has been lengthened. Pupils will now have fifty-five minutes free at noon.  This should allow students more opportunity to enjoy fresh air, go home or to a restaurant to eat, socialize, participate in student organizations/activities etc. Students will be free to come and go without permission during noon break.

Safety and Security Within the School:

                A safe and secure school requires that the office has knowledge of who is present in the building at any given time.  If you have an emergency and need your son or daughter we want to provide that information to you quickly.  In addition, visitors must sign in and out with the SVRSS office. The following procedures will be followed beginning in Semester 2.  These practices are currently implemented throughout the Swan Valley School Division and the Province of Manitoba. 

• Visitors, anyone who is not a student or a regular staff member, must sign in upon arrival and sign out upon departure.  This is in effect at all times including noon hour.
• Any time a student leaves the building, other than during noon, the departure must be approved by the school administration though these procedures.
• The departing student will use the sign out book. If he or she returns to school during the same day the sign in process will be followed. 
• Students leaving the school for any reason, i.e. medical appointments, must provide written permission to leave from a parent or guardian explaining the reason for the absence. 
• Adult students will provide verification.

As in the past, we ask parents to report student absences.  Please refer to the following information to help with this process. 

• The telephone extension to report student absence is::  204-734-5444 Ext 2134
• The email address is:  svrssabsence@svsd.ca
• There is a link on the webpage to direct parents as to the reporting of student absence.
• When reporting provide your name, the student’s name, the reason for absence and a phone number.

A safe and secure environment is free of items that are intended or could be used to cause harm to person or property.  It is necessary then to minimize potential for concealment of dangerous or harmful items, prohibited substances, stolen property etc. 

• No outdoor clothing or excessively bulky clothing will be worn within the school.
• Students will store such clothing in lockers prior to attending classes.
• Staff will confiscate prohibited items or substances with potential for harm or mischief.
• Tobacco products will be considered prohibited.
• Gang clothing, colours, symbols etc. will not be permitted.
• Headwear is not permitted in learning areas unless required for safe handling of food or in shops.

Ensure that students are attending all scheduled classes in support of learning:

                It is difficult for students to master curriculum outcomes if they do not attend classes.  Poor attendance is linked to lower academic achievement, disengagement from the school community and failure to complete secondary school.  In support of student attendance the following procedures will be followed beginning in Semester 2.

• Students are expected to stay in the school during instructional time.
• Instructional time not specifically scheduled with a teacher is designed to be used as a study period for the purposes of academic activities, homework, reading, presentation or test preparation, etc.  
• Parental permission to exit the school during study periods will be required for students under the age of eighteen years.
• Students with scheduled study periods will not be allowed to leave the school if any of their grades are below 70 per cent or if they are otherwise jeopardizing their Learning Pathway to graduation.

Promote a heightened sense of respect between and among all members of the school community:

As is currently compliance with Manitoba legislation, no smoking is permitted on School Board property.  We are requesting that no smoking take place within sight of the school.  Students who are of age and do smoke will find an opportunity to do so within these guidelines during the noon break.  We thank parents and guardians in advance for joining us in leading by example here.  

We would also ask for your assistance when bringing students to school with your private vehicles.  You are asked to turn right at your first opportunity and to stop north of the school.  This will allow students to exit the vehicle at the designated student drop off.   Please do not proceed to the staff parking lot.  Accidents have occurred as a result of this practice. 

Respect in School is a training program designed primarily for adults within the school community, although its use with students over the age of fourteen is also recommended.  Manitoba Education is supporting all School Divisions in offering Respect in School to Teaching and Learning Support Staff as well as to secondary students.  The Swan Valley School Division will be participating in Training within the Swan Valley School Division will take place over the next calendar year.  Members of the wider school community, including volunteers and parents, will also have an opportunity to participate.  Watch for more details regarding this important initiative. 

Should you have any questions, concerns or suggestions regarding this goal or any other school matter please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Thanks in advance for your continued interest.  All citizens have a role to play when it comes to ensuring safe, respectful and nurturing schools.  Your cooperation during these efforts is greatly appreciated. 

Sincerely,

Henry Barkowski,
Principal
c.c. M. Marquis-Forster, Superintendent
SVSD Trustees
SVSD Administrators