2014 HET September Newsletter

Volume 7 Issue 1
September 2014
Helen E. Taylor
School
Principal’s Message
Helen E. Taylor School
PWSD76
Welcome to the 2014-2015 school year!
I am excited about this new school year! We have a wonderful group of students,
great staff and many superb programs being offered!
Please be aware that the Student-Parent Handbook which can be found on our website.. If you wish to have a paper-version, please call the school. Our school profile,
programs, complete staff list, as well as policies and procedures can be found in this
handbook. Parents and family members are always welcome to attend our assemblies,
special events and especially the many exciting team-building, school-spirit activities that
will take place throughout the year.
Helen E. Taylor School holds regular monthly assemblies, The Advantage Hockey
Academy, HET Running Club, Drama Club, sports teams, swimming lessons, Roots of
Empathy, a two-day ski trip, Science Fair, Math Day and field trips! We are especially
excited about the Grade nine trip to Italy in April and the Grade Six Edmonton trip in
May! Look for more information later on about these trips! Please be aware that both
trips will involve a substantial amount of fundraising and we will need your support in
this area. Bottles can be dropped off at the school at any time! Thank you!
Our school strives to build strong partnerships within our school & community. Your
child will bring home your HET Calendar Fridge Magnet showing important 2014-15
school dates. A monthly School Newsletter will also be sent home to each family, and
will be posted on our school website. If you do not wish to receive paper copies of the
school newsletter and would rather they be emailed to you, please call the school office.
If you have an email address that you check regularly, please provide this address to
the school. In this day of digital communication, emails are often a quicker and more
reliable way of communicating and reaching each other. Please complete the slip on the
back of this newsletter and return it to the school as soon as possible. This information is for school use only and will not be shared with anyone.
Please remember, that as your principal, I strongly believe in open, honest communication between stakeholders. If you have questions, concerns or ideas, please take the
time to call or drop in to see me. I look forward to meeting and re-connecting with all of
you!
Sincerely,
Lynda Miller, Principal
Final School
Council
Meeting for the
School
Council
2013-14 school year is September 9 @
6:30 pm
Helen E. Taylor School Library
Thank you to the
2013-14 School Council Executive
for your efforts & dedication!
Tuesday, September 9
5:30-6:30 pm
Students must be accompanied
by an adult
Helen E. Taylor School
Teachers & Staff
CHAIR: Jessica McKinlay
PAST CHAIR: Joe LaValley
VICE-CHAIR: Cheryl Yewell
SECRETARY: Linda Toerper
TREASURER: Anna Underwood
ELEMENTARY GRADE REPS:
Shannon Obst
Trinaca Thiessen
JR. HIGH GRADE REPS:
Anna Underwood
Wendy Doerksen
Grade 5L: J oelanne Liland
Grade 5G: Rane Gr inde
Grade 6: Danika Hynes
Sarah McDonald
Grade 7: Candice Collins
Grade 8: Dawn Mar ie Balsiky
Josh Boettcher
Grade 9: Rob Robinson
Educational Assistants:
Belinda Sieker
Lisa Wiseman
Anna Underwood
Inside this issue:
Principal Message
Welcome Back BBQ
Librarian: J anice Willsey
Page
1
School Council
1
Things to Know
2
HET Advantage!
3
Discipline Policy
4
September Calendar
5
Return Your Slip
5
Admin. Assistant:
Rene Metituk
Principal: Lynda Miller
Principal Designate:
Rob Robinson
Bus Drivers:
Lorna Dahl
Diana Ketchum
Ruth Sieker
Char Majoros
Chris Stacey
May Blew
Shannon Obst
Electronic Devices:
Helen E. Taylor School staff accepts no responsibility for personal electronic devices such as Cell Phones, IPods,
MP3 Players or Lap Tops, whether they are in student lockers, on teacher desks or signed in at the office.
Cameras, and their use at school, are not allowed unless prior permission has been received from a teacher.
Due to privacy issues and the potential for disruption, cell phones must remain “off and away” at all times.
Personal use of devices includes NO TEXTING and NO TALKING during the school day.
This includes during lunch breaks and recess.
Students may carry their personal device on their person, HOWEVER the device must be powered off.
The only exception to this rule is when a teacher or staff person gives his/her permission during specific school-related activities.
Cell phones are not allowed in the gym change rooms or during exams at any time due to picture-taking capabilities.
FIRST OFFENCE of Electr onic Device misuse: The electr onic device will be kept in the office until picked up by a
parent.
SECOND OFFENCE of Electr onic Device misuse: The student will r eceive an In-school suspension and the phone or
electronic device will be kept in the office until picked up by parent.
Check with your bus driver, as IPod’s & MP3 Players may or may not be allowed on the school bus to and from school.
Dress Code Reminders
*Students need suitable clothes for physical education and shop. JH students are required to wear appropriate gym clothing as part of their Phys. Ed.
mark.
*Clothing should be clean, tidy and appropriate to
an educational setting. No midriff skin or beach
wear is allowed at Helen E. Taylor School.
*Students are to avoid wearing design or word motifs that are suggestive, indecent or contain profanity.
*Students are to avoid wearing “colors” or other
items of dress that may suggest gang-related behaviors.
*Hats worn indoors are only allowed on “casual
Fridays”. Hats must be kept in student lockers.
Appropriate underwear is to be worn not seen.
*Skirts must be a reasonable length. When arms
are hanging down, the edge of the skirt must meet
the finger tips.
*Short-shorts are not allowed.
*No spaghetti-strap tops or tops that expose underwear are allowed.
If in doubt, please call the school and
speak to a staff member.
FNMI
First Nations Métis Inuit Support
Success for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Students
Alberta Education is committed to improving education outcomes for First Nations, Métis and Inuit
(FNMI) students and to closing the gap in education achievement between FNMI and other provincial students. First Nations and Métis leaders and
FNMI parents and families work together to
support student success through collaborative partnerships with schools and by developing culturally
relevant programs, resources and student supports.
FCSS
Family Community Support Services
The County of Grande Prairie FCSS School Liaison
Program will be available to our school again this year!
The purpose of the School Liaison Program is to improve
the quality of life for children and families by:
Offering resources & programs to students that will develop
an increased awareness about themselves & others
Providing services that support the students academic functioning
Support relationships through a wide range of counseling
services
Our School Liaison Worker for 2014-15 is
Gabrielle Boulet-Frattni
SHP
Student Health Program
The Student Health Program was developed and is
directed through a partnership among school
divisions, Child and Family Services Authority and
Alberta Health Services.
SHP works with parents, teachers and others involved
with the child to ensure a comprehensive understanding of problems and to take a coordinated,
collaborative approach to assisting the child.
A therapist may consult with other school based service providers and/or develop and oversee a plan to
meet the goals for the child and/or provide therapy.
A referral process for this service is followed and is
made through the child's school (teacher/principal).
Once the referral is made, the SHP Therapist will
arrange to see the child at the school
during school hours.
Our Student Therapist for 2014-15 is TBA
Helen E. Taylor School ROCKS!
Our School Liaison Worker for 2013-14 is
Bonnie Belcourt
The Student Incentive Program is intended to be
an effective way of recognizing and acknowledging positive student behaviors within our school.
PIANO Lessons at HET
Student names are recorded on ROCKS cards
and entered into random draws for prizes!
Piano instruction is offered at all levels. Students can
prepare for Royal Conservatory exams, Canada Conservatory exams, theory exams or just learn to play the piano
for their own enjoyment!
Students will be allowed to leave class to take their individual piano lesson in the music room at HET on Thursday mornings. The exact time will be arranged in consultation with HET teachers.
Please call Gwen Bartek at 780-832-0852
Complete GPRC Fine Arts Conservatory registration
packages are available in the office.
What does ROCKS stand for?
R-Respect
O-Ownership
C-Cooperation
K-Kindness
S-Safety
Random Draws are made at each monthly assembly
All names are entered in to win BIG Mega Year-end Prizes!
HELEN E. TAYLOR SCHOOL
DISCIPLINE POLICY and PROCEDURES
OUR MISSION:
At Helen E. Taylor School, maintaining the dignity of each person is critical in managing behavior. We believe in
the responsibility model. Teaching individuals to take responsibility for their behavior is more motivating in creating behavioral change than teaching individuals to be obedient in order to avoid punishment.
B- Behave respectfully
E- Empathize with others
S- Stand up for others
T- Treat others with respect
“Discipline is a noun, something all children should possess. Discipline is not a
verb, something we do to children.”
Maria Montessori
BULLYING is defined as:
When a person is the target, over time, of repeated negative actions.
When one person has more power, so the person being victimized feels they can’t defend him/herself.
When a person, who is the target, may feel embarrassed, hurt, scared, and/or angry
UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIORS
Unacceptable behaviors are those that interfere with the safety and well being of ALL staff and students.
They include all aspects of bullying:
Physical Aggression – pushing, grabbing, hitting, pinching, spitting, tripping, etc.
Social Alienation – gossiping, embarrassing others, ethnic slurs, excluding from a group, etc.
Verbal Aggression – mocking, put-downs, swearing at others, etc.
Intimidation – threatening others to do something, threatening with a weapon, playing a dirty trick, etc.
Sexual Harassment – remarks, gestures, or actions of a sexual nature
Cyber Bullying – Using the Internet to bully another person by means of e-mail, chat rooms, social media, etc.
RED SLIP PROGRAM
The Red Slip is a written record that is kept in the office for the remainder of the year.
The Red Slip records the following:
Verbal Warnings given to student for Infractions
Assignment of consequence and Caring Behavior as chosen by the student
The Red Slip is completed and sent to the principal by the end of the day. At the end of the day the teacher will
contact the parent.
Should the student continue to display inappropriate behaviors after repeated warnings, he-she will be sent
directly to the office.
Should a student receive two or more Red Slips in one day, he-she will automatically be sent to the office.
Should the infraction be of a serious nature, the student will be referred immediately to the principal and the
parents will be contacted.
In-school suspensions are usually served in the time-out room located in the office. This area is supervised by
staff and students receive regular breaks as required.
Infractions:
Displaying Disrespectful Behavior
Inappropriate hallway behavior
Name calling
Late for school / class
Littering
Throwing objects
Inappropriate dress
Bus issues
Lack of diligence in pursuing studies
Consequences:
Verbal reminder
Student removed from situation
Detention
School Chores
Students phones home
Note/email home from teacher
Major Infractions:
Displaying Disrespectful Behavior
Fighting/Willful injury to others
Bullying
Use of alcohol/drugs/tobacco
Vandalism
Theft/Extortion
Repetitive minor infractions
Leaving school boundaries
Willfully disobedient
Open opposition to authority
Consequences:
Administrative involvement
Parents informed
Detention
Loss of privileges
In-school suspension
Out-of-school suspension
Documentation in cume file
CARING BEHAVIORS
Written note of apology
Spoken apology
Written reflection about the incident
Teaching Opportunity
Public Service Announcement
Student Lesson
Community Service
DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES:
Step 1:
Teachers deal with any inappropriate student behaviors immediately and consistently. These minor infractions are to be documented by the
teacher according to the Red Slip program.
Step 2:
Should the child continue to display inappropriate behavior after the 3 rd warning and the assignment of consequences, the teacher will send
the student to the office. That child will be assigned an In-school suspension for the remainder of that day and possibly the next day. The
administrator will contact the parents.
Step 3:
Following an in-school suspension, if the inappropriate behavior persists, the school administrator will notify the parents and request a
meeting with the parents. At this meeting, the students’ teachers will review the student’s behavior and the parents will be informed that
further escalation of inappropriate behavior will result in suspension from school.
Step 4:
Further inappropriate behavior will result in a suspension from school, not exceeding 5 school days as per PWSB #33 policy IGD – Student
Suspension. Serious violations of student conduct will be referred to the Principal immediately and may be escalated to Step 3 or 4
depending on the severity of the incident.
A copy of this Discipline Policy will go home with students on the first day of school.
It must be returned to the school with a Parent Signature.
September 2014 Calendar!
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
1
Labor Day
No School
WEDNESDAY
2
3
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
4
SATURDAY
5
Student First
Day Back!
6
Wembley Parade
& Demolition
Derby
Intramural Team Building Fun all Week!!
7
8
Staff Meeting
Early Dismissal
9
10
11
Welcome
Back BBQ
5:30-6:30 pm
12
13
19
20
CSW
No School
School Council
Annual General
Meeting 6:35 pm
14
15
16
17
18
School Photo
Day!
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
CSW
No School
28
29
30
2014-15 School Fees
Grade
5
6
7
8
9
Texts Supplies P.A.
50.00
30.00
50.00
30.00
60.00
5.00
60.00
40.00
60.00
40.00
School fees for Budget include:
Swim Cultural Rec Fees Agendas
60.00
5.00
7.00
7.00
10.50
5.00
7.00
7.00
10.50
5.00
14.00
10.50
5.00
14.00
10.50
5.00
14.00
Total
159.00
109.50
94.50
129.50
129.50
Textbooks, Photocopying, Supplies, Practical Arts, Swim
fees, Cultural events, Agendas Recreational Fees, Busing
School Fees are payable at the main office and can be made by cash or cheque.
Sorry, debit is not available.
All School Fees paid PRIOR to October 1, 2013 will be entered into a draw!
You may win the cost of your school fees back!
Should you be encountering financial difficulties, please call the school principal.
There are various payment options available for school fees,
such as posted-dated cheques, monthly payments or working your school fees off.
September 2014 Newsletter Return Slip
To encourage students to deliver the newsletter to their parents, we will be drawing for a Family Movie Pass
Please have your child return this slip to his/her teacher or
write a note to the teacher stating you have read it on-line!
Student’s Name: _________________________________
Parent’s Signature: ______________________________
My Email Address is: ______________________________________________
If prefer to be contacted by: _____ Email ______ Phone _____ Both Email & Phone

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