SCHOOL INFORMATION AND POLICIES
Closed Campus
Dr. Knox Middle is a closed campus. This means that students may not leave the school grounds without permission at any time during the school day.
Leaving school property during the school day is not permitted without the written permission of a legal guardian. When possible, please arrange appointments outside of school time. Students who must leave school during the day for doctor or dental appointments etc. must provide the office with a note from their parent(s) before signing out. Students are required to remain on school property during the lunch hour. Parents that would like their child to come home for lunch on a regular basis must contact an administrator and complete and sign the “Home for Lunch Letter”. Parents that would like their child to go home for lunch on an occasional basis must provide a written note and are encouraged to pick their child up. The school will not permit students to leave the campus at
lunch to go to local stores or restaurants. Parents are welcome to pick their child up to go out for lunch. The school cannot accept verbal permission to let a student go to lunch with another student and/or their parents.
Dress Code
School clothing must be appropriate for an educational environment and not a distraction to the learning of others. Clothing that reveals private areas of the body or has references to drugs, alcohol, sex, violence, prejudice, racism, or profanity is not permitted. For example: muscle shirts, bare midriff tops, short shorts and skirts, halter tops and beach wear are not appropriate. Students wearing inappropriate clothing to school will be directed to change or be sent home. As well, coats, headgear, and roller blades are not to be worn or used in the building; they are to be stored in lockers.
Laser Pens: These items are not to be brought to school as they have been BANNED from all schools in SD 23 due to the damage they can cause to eye retinas when used improperly. Laser pens will be taken away from the student and the student will be subject to disciplinary action.
Plagiarism (the copying of other people’s work) and cheating are very serious offences at Dr. Knox. Students who plagiarize or cheat, will receive zero for the assignment or test. The consequences for students who willingly allow others to cheat or plagiarize their work will be the same.
Skateboarding Policy
Skateboarding is no longer permitted at Dr. Knox due to safety and liability issues.
Biking and Roller Blading
Students must wear a helmet when riding their bike and roller blading in designated areas. The bike compound will be closed at 9:30 and opened after school. Bikes and roller blades are not permitted in the parking lot at any time.
School Bus Conduct
Bussing is a privilege and not a right. To ensure the safety of everyone on the bus, students are expected to behave in an appropriate and responsible manner on the way to and from school. If a student violates these expectations on a bus, the consequences will be a warning for the 1st offense, a one week suspension for the 2nd offense and removal from the bus indefinitely on the 3rd offense. During a suspension from the bus, students are expected to find an alternative way to get to and from school.
Cell Phones, Wireless Communication Devices, Cameras or Personal Music Devices
The School District Policy is as follows:
The Board believes the use of cellular/camera phones or other communication/wireless devices should in no way interfere with learning and the operation of the school, or the safety and privacy of students and/or staff. The uses of such devices, in most cases, are prohibited in classrooms, locker rooms, washrooms and the hallway. Students must have their cell phones turned off during class time. Students may check their messages during break and lunch time, but this must be done outside the school building. Cell phones should be kept in a secure place. If a situation occurs where direct communication with your son/daughter is necessary in the classroom setting, please consult with the principal or vice-principal. Students should not be using their cell phones to call
home when they are ill. For safety reasons, a staff member will call if a student needs to go home due to illness.
The use of personal music devices is not encouraged at Dr. Knox Middle School. However, personal music devices are allowed, with teacher permission, in certain classes.
Cafeteria
Students bring their lunches to eat in the designated eating areas. The school store also sells nutritious snacks from the cafeteria counter. Certain days of the week there is pizza for sale in the cafeteria.
Vending Machines
Vending dispensers for healthy snacks, water, milk and fruit juices are located in the cafeteria. Students may purchase items before school, during lunch and after school, but not during or between classes.
Lockers
At the beginning of the year, each student will be assigned a school lock and locker. All lockers and locks are rented to students. Personal locks are not to be used. Student lockers remain the property of the school and the school retains access to the lockers throughout the year. They may be opened when the school administration deems it necessary. A replacement fee of $3.00 will be charged to students who have lost their locks. In order to ensure students' belongings are safe, lock combinations and lockers must not be shared.
Telephone
A pay phone is available for student use during non-instructional time. Phone cards are available for purchase at the office. Secretarial staff will call home in emergency situations or if a student is ill and needs to go home.
Valuables at School
The school strongly suggests that students do not bring valuables to school. The school will not accept responsibility for lost or stolen articles. DO NOT LEAVE VALUABLES UNATTENDED!
Lost and Found
Our “Lost and Found” is located in the gym. Found clothing should be put in the lost and found. Students are warned not to bring large sums of money or valuables to school. During P.E. class, items such as watches and jewelry should be locked in your locker and not left in pockets or purses in the changing room. The school will not accept responsibility for lost or stolen articles.
Hall Passes
Students are expected to come prepared and remain in their classrooms during class time. If a student must leave the room, he/she must carry a hall pass from the subject teacher.
Medical Room
Dr. Knox provides a medical room for Students who are injured or ill. If you are injured or not feeling well during class time, inform the supervising teacher and then report to the office with a note or hall pass. If you become ill outside of class time, report directly to the office. Parents will be contacted immediately. This is a temporary place. Parents are expected to pick up their child as soon as possible.
Dance and Alternative Activities
Dances at Dr. Knox provide an opportunity for social interaction. Dances occur during school hours. If a student chooses not to attend the Dance, there are other activities happening at the same time as the dance. Students are required to stay at school, as these activities occur during instructional time. This is a regular school day. Students are expected to remain at school until dismissal. Students who leave at lunch must be picked up by a parent/guardian.
1. Dances are planned for students who attend Dr. Knox Middle School. As dances are held during school hours, no guests may attend.
2. Students who exhibit inappropriate behaviour will be asked to leave the dance or activity. The student will spend the remainder of the afternoon in the PARK.
3. Students must sign up for alternate activities if not attending the dance.
4. All regular school rules apply during the dances.
5. Students absent in the morning must receive permission from the administration to attend the dance.
Internet Forms
The Internet is a valuable resource to student research. Students are able to search for information in a safe environment, following the guidelines as set out by the School District. We are always teaching students how to use the Internet effectively as part of their project work. Students must have returned the signed Internet form provided by the school in order to have access. Please read this agreement carefully with your child and return it as soon as possible.
Extended Absence Policy
Each year we are approached by an increasing number of parents who wish to take their child out of school for extended periods, usually for family plans or family business. We do not have 'leave of absence' procedure. Rather, it is assumed that parents will make decisions in the best interests of their child.
We are respectful that many families have family members far away, and spending time with them is important. Difficulties arise when parents wish to have reassurances that their child will not be behind in their work when the return. When your child misses school for extended periods, he or she will be behind in classroom work. Missed instruction time cannot be 'made up' because complete lessons cannot be retaught. Students may have cultural and travel experiences which contribute to their development, but the varied daily classroom activities they miss cannot be duplicated through worksheets or workbooks.
Dr. Knox Middle School is within a Drug Free Zone (DFZ) that includes a two-block radius around the school in which drugs will be treated with zero tolerance. Schools, homes, businesses, adults and students are asked to be vigilant for drug and drug related activities. Offenders in a DFZ can expect maximum school suspension, RCMP involvement leading to arrest, criminal charges and stiff sentences.
Report Drugs and Drug Dealers 860-TEEN (8336)
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