Student Handbook
Table of Contents

SCHOOL ORGANIZATION

HOMEWORK

Homework is the work that describes the out-of-class assignments given to students by teachers. To be successful at school, you must be prepared to do work at home as well as in your classes.

Basically, there are three things you can and should be doing at home to complement the work you are doing at school.

Here are a few suggestions about doing homework.

Back to top

HOMESTUDY
Homestudy is a broader term than homework. It involves those parts of school work you do on your own because you wish to improve your learning, including:

Back to top

CRITERIA FOR WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS
These are the "givens". All assignments must meet these criteria before they are submitted. Specific criteria for individual assignments will be provided by your teacher. Assignments must

ADVISOR GROUP
All students will attend an Advisor Group when school activities require such an assembly. Students are called to Advisor Groups for administrative or informational purposes.

GENERAL INFORMATION
The following is a list of policies and procedures that govern student conduct at Brookswood:

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
In the event of an emergency, an alarm will sound and students are to follow teacher's directions. Students anywhere in the building must leave the school promptly and quietly using the nearest exit route as directed by the teacher. Once outside, students must move to the back grass field. Students must then gather in the area specified by the teacher in order that attendance may be taken. The "all clear" signal which directs students to return to the building is indicated by three tones on the school bell system. The use of cell phones and beepers will not be tolerated during emergency drills.

TEXTBOOKS
Textbooks are issued by the classroom teacher who also records the condition of the book. Some of the textbooks are issued for the duration of the course while others are issued for a specified period of time. Students are responsible for their textbooks. They can cost up to $119.00 each. If a text is lost or damaged, a replacement cost will be charged.

EXPENSES
All students are expected to pay a student activity fee of $15.00 which purchases this book and helps to finance student activities. In addition, students must provide certain personal use items such as gym strip and notebooks.

In some elective courses, especially those which involve project activities, students may be expected to pay for materials used for projects they keep or field trip expenses. These include subjects such as home economics, art, industrial education and Discovery 8.

Back to top

LOCKS AND LOCKERS
Students are assigned a locker on the first day of school. It is their responsibility to keep the locker free of any writing or damage. Students are not permitted to move to another locker or to exchange or share lockers with other students. Lockers must be secured with a school combination lock. In order to provide security for personal belongings, students are advised not to give anyone their lock combination. Locks cost $6.00.

The gymnasium change rooms are equipped with lockers for student use. Students are required to lock clothing and personal items during P.E. Students can only occupy the P.E. lockers during their P.E. block. Please note that lockers can be searched by the administration at any time.

VALUABLES
Unfortunately, every year a few students have items of value go missing. To prevent this, the following suggestions are made to students:

PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCEMENTS
The public address system is used to communicate with teachers and students. It is important that all students listen carefully for important information affecting their classes, sports, social events and school procedures.

REPORTING TO PARENTS
Reports of student progress are provided to parents five times a year. There are three formal and two informal reports. These reports include a record of student achievement marks, work habits and attendance by subject. There will be two parent-teacher evenings during the year.

In addition, teachers and counsellors are encouraged to contact parents by telephone as the need arises. Parents are also encouraged to initiate communication with teachers and counsellors.

Back to top

SCHOOL FUNCTIONS
When students attend a school function, even when away from school, they are expected to demonstrate responsible behaviour. School functions include dances, athletic events, concerts, trips and any other activity that is being sponsored by the school. All school regulations apply at these functions. Students will be made aware of specific rules and expectations governing these events.

VISITORS
All visitors are required to report to the office upon arrival to receive authorization for their presence in the school.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

ATTENDANCE
Regular school attendance is a major factor contributing to student success. It is, as well, a legal requirement. Consequently, close monitoring of student attendance is a feature of this school.

LATES
Students are expected to be on time for school in the morning, after lunch, as well as for each class period. Students who are late disrupt the instructional process in the classroom:

Back to top

DETENTIONS
School detentions are given for an infraction of school rules. Classroom detentions are assigned by teachers for specific offences. If a student has more than one detention, it is his/her responsibility to inform both teachers and make alternate arrangements.

SMOKING
Scientific evidence clearly indicates that cigarette smoking is a health hazard both for the smoker and for anyone in the vicinity of the smoke.

Smoking is not permitted on the school grounds. Programs may be set in place to assist students who are interested in quitting.

OFFENCES
A school must provide a safe and comfortable environment for students to learn effectively. Consequently certain actions must be dealt with severely by the school, the school board, or the law. These include

SERIOUS OFFENCES
Brookswood Secondary takes a strong stand and will recommend student suspension if

STUDENT HARASSMENT
Brookswood is committed to maintaining a learning environment which is free from harassment and bullying. Harassment complaints may be resolved through informal discussion, counselling or confidential mediation.

If you are harassed

If you witness harassment

Back to top

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
The teachers at Brookswood believe that every student wants to be a successful learner. In order to bring about this success, each teacher has developed a learning climate appropriate to his or her subject discipline. The teachers' expectations and regulations will be explained to students in the first few days of class. Students are then required to follow these rules set out in each of their classes.

CLOTHING
Clothing regulations in the school are established for safety reasons and in order to maintain a suitable school atmosphere. The following guidelines should help you decide what is appropriate.

GYMNASIUM
Although primarily a teaching area, the gymnasium is also used before and after school and during lunch hour. Because of its heavy use, students are urged to do their best to keep it clean and in good condition. Food is not allowed in the gym. All students are expected to wear proper gym strip, including t-shirts, when using this facility. No street shoes are allowed in the gym.

TO AND FROM SCHOOL

Back to top

SCHOOL AFTER HOURS
Students are not allowed in the building after hours or on week-ends unless there is a supervising teacher. Students planning activities must ensure that there is a sponsor teacher present.

STUDENT SERVICES

COUNSELLING
Brookswood has four counsellors who are available to students, staff, and parents. Counsellors work with students in a variety of ways including helping them choose appropriate courses, working with the students who are having course difficulties, and assisting students who are having personal problems.

If students require a meeting with a counsellor, they are encouraged to make appointments with the counselling office secretary well in advance.

Parents are invited to communicate with counsellors at any time. Appointments can be made by phoning the school at 530-2141.

LEARNING ASSISTANCE
Brookswood provides many modified courses for students who have learning difficulties. For some students however, additional help may be necessary so that they can be successful in school. This is the purpose of our Learning Assistance Centre.

Enrolment is limited with placement based on a needs basis either through teacher recommendation or student/parent request. Students receive extra help in their courses in addition to learning organizational and study skills.

SPECIAL EDUCATION
This department offers additional help for students designated by the Ministry of Education as having specific learning differences. Placement is based on specialized assessments. Students may be referred through the school based team.

CAREER RESOURCE CENTRE
Choosing an occupation and planning a career can be an exciting experience that will affect the rest of your life. It is also an experience which requires a great deal of thought and planning. Students must consider their own goals and ambitions as well as their skills and aptitudes.

The best place to start when thinking about your future is the Career Resource Centre, located adjacent to the counselling area. Counsellors will be happy to answer your questions and to help students look for relevant materials. The Centre has a variety of resource materials that contain information on thousands of occupations. As well, there is a collection of brochures and calendars from colleges and universities throughout Canada and the United States.

WORK EXPERIENCE
The Work Experience Program is open to all students, 15 years or older, who genuinely want to explore an interest in a specific occupational area. Eligible students are placed with employers throughout the community to experience on-the-job training. Normally, students work one day a week for a period of eight to ten weeks. They are expected to keep up with their school work while away from school.
Interested students may receive more information by contacting a counsellor or the Work Experience Coordinator at the School Board Office.

LIBRARY
Our library is available for classes during the school day and is also open for student use during lunch hour, before school and after school.

General reading items are placed on a three-week loan. Most books may be signed out and some reference materials may be placed on a restricted (over-night) loan.

We have an extensive magazine collection, paperbacks and all the reference materials you might expect from a modern library. The librarians and their assistant, will be pleased to help if students need help obtaining information.

Back to top

CAFETERIA
The school cafeteria serves light lunches and snacks daily during the lunch break. Students are asked to deposit all litter in the garbage containers. To support our Special Education program, we ask students to please put pop tins in the appropriate receptacles throughout the building.
It is important that we keep our environment clean both inside and outside of the school. The gymnasium is open to all students at lunch hour; however, no food is allowed in the area.

TELEPHONE
The school telephones are used for business and are in constant demand. Students are to use the pay telephones located outside of the cafeteria or in the theatre foyer. The telephones are not to be used during class time or between classes. In cases of emergency or special needs, please report to the office.

OFFICE AREA
The offices of the principal, vice-principals and working areas of five school secretaries are contained in the general office. Also included in this area is the public address system and the conference room.
Students are to direct inquiries to a secretary in the office. Secretaries are available to help students before and after school and during the lunch hour.

Normally, students will not come to the office during classes or between periods unless they are signing in late or leaving early.

If students are asked to report to the principal or vice-principal, they must enter the office and sit quietly in the student waiting area.

MEDICAL ROOM
If students are ill, they should report to the counselling secretary. The medical room is located in the counselling office.

The medical room is designed to provide basic first aid only. No medication is provided by the school. Accidents and emergencies should be referred to a teacher immediately.
If you wish to go home because of an accident or illness, you must check with the counselling office secretary and then sign out.

LOST AND FOUND
Our "lost and found" is located outside the general office area. Students are warned not to bring large sums of money or valuables to school.

During P.E. class, items such as watches and jewellery should be locked in your locker and not left in pockets and purses in the changing room.

Students are responsible for the care and safety of all of their personal belongings. The school cannot accept responsibility for lost or stolen articles.

STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES
Brookswood Secondary School offers opportunities for students to become involved in a variety of clubs and activities. Although these clubs require commitment in time and energy, they are a rewarding and important part of school life. Some of the clubs and activities are

Back to top

ATHLETICS
Brookswood has an excellent athletic program which enables students to develop skills in a sequential manner in grades 8 through 12. Participation on a school team involves a commitment and responsibility to the team and school, but the rewards are great. Many Brookswood students have gone on to excel in athletics at the Provincial level. Some of the teams and their seasons are

STUDENTS' COUNCIL
The students' council organizes and co-ordinates various social functions for the benefit of the students throughout the year. The council consists of an elected president, grade reps, secretary, treasurer and vice-president.

Social functions vary from year to year, but usually include activities such as student dances (both afternoon and evening), dress-up days, Christmas hamper drive and other special events.

DANCES
Dances under the direction of the students' council are held throughout the year. These events are open to Brookswood students. Tickets may be pre-bought or sold at the door and guest passes are available for most dances subject to administrative approval. Students with approved guest passes must present their guest at the door to an administrator. All students attending must enter the gym within the first half hour of the announced starting time. Students not in attendance at school the day of the dance will not be permitted entry to the dance.

HONOUR ROLL
Each term we recognize student achievement with an Honour Roll. We publish it through the parent newsletter. To be included on the honour roll, a student must attain an average of 80% or better.

AWARDS
At Brookswood Secondary School student accomplishment and behaviour is encouraged and recognized in many ways. "Something Good is Happening" cards are mailed home frequently. At the end of each term, the staff at Brookswood honours those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of academics, athletics, merit and service.

GRAD COUNCIL
This group is made up of elected members from the grad class. It includes president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and fundraising chair person. All grade 12 students are, in effect, members of this committee and are urged to support the events sponsored by this group with culmination in the graduation ceremony at the end of the school year. Make this the best grad yet by getting involved! Grade 12 students who are capable of meeting graduation requirements participate in the June graduation ceremony.

WHERE TO GO IF YOU

Back to top