1. high academic achievement exists
2. a safe and supportive environment exists
3. a professional staff exists

• Our programs will develop each student’s desire to learn in such a way that learning becomes a highly enjoyable and rewarding activity.
• The school seeks to co-operate with the community by encouraging parents, and other community members to play a significant role in the development of its youth.
• Our professional staff will use current educational theory and methods to assist students as they strive for individual success.
• Students at SQJHS will be respectful of staff, visitors and peers.
• Students will assist in establishing and maintaining a positive learning atmosphere.
• Each student will recognize that school is a challenge, a privilege, a responsibility, a right and an opportunity.

GENERAL INFORMATION

School hours are from 7:45 am until 1:50 pm. In the morning we ask that students do not arrive until 7:15 am. Students are not supervised until that time. At the end of the day, the classroom wings will be locked at 3:00 to allow the custodians to clean. Students may only be in the classroom area under supervision of a teacher. The gym area will be available for sports activity but students will not have access to the classroom wings.

TEXTBOOKS

Textbooks are loaned to students. It is expected that they will be returned at the end of the year in a reasonable condition. If not, or if a book is lost, students must pay for the text. Textbooks are numbered and only the student assigned a particular copy will be given credit for its return. This makes it much easier to identify lost books and hasten their return. Students are advised that they are responsible for their textbooks. Stolen or damaged textbooks remain the responsibility of the student assigned the book. Each student is loaned close to $400.00 worth of books, and parents are ultimately financially responsible for them.

VISITATION REGULATIONS

Parents/guardians are welcome to visit the school at any time during the day. All visitors must report to the office upon entering the school.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

At South Queens it is understood that there is a positive correlation between academic success and regular school attendance. Because the majority of our students are below the age of 16, it is also understood that regular school attendance is mandatory. Student attendance will be monitored on a daily basis. It is also required by the Dept. of Education that a written excuse from the parent or guardian be provided when a student misses school.

The following procedures will be used to monitor attendance and to deal with those students who have unsatisfactory attendance.

Regular Attendance

1. Daily attendance will be administered by the homeroom teacher.
2. A homework sheet will be used each day. This homework sheet will be taken from class to class.
3. An attendance sheet will be given each morning and afternoon. This will be sent to the office in the morning and afternoon.
4. The homeroom teacher will make regular calls home to check on students who are absent.
5. Unsatisfactory attendances will be reported to the Vice-Principal and Principal.
6. Letters will be sent home to parents/guardians whose children are deemed to be missing too much school. The intent of the letter is to reinforce the concern that valuable learning experiences are being missed.

Unsatisfactory Attendance

1. Students who skip class or school will meet with Administration to discuss the absence. The usual consequence for the first infraction is detention and parent contact. Students are expected to catch up on the work they missed.
On subsequent occasions, skipping of school or classes will be dealt with in accordance to the discipline policy.

Teacher’s Responsibilities

1. Homeroom teachers fill out their attendance folder each day.
2. The teacher will mark an ‘X’ when the student is absent or an ‘L’ if the student is late.
3. When the student comes back from an absence, they must bring back a signed excuse within three (3) days. Homeroom teachers will “hound” them for the note, and then call home asking for it.
4. When the homeroom teacher receives the note, they will circle the dates excused.
5. At the end of the month the homeroom teacher will give a copy of their monthly attendance to the Vice Principal and begin a new month. The Vice Principal will draft a letter to parents/guardians of those students of concern, stressing the importance of attending classes on a regular basis.

LEAVING SCHOOL PROPERTY

At South Queens Junior High School, we encourage students to stay on school property during lunch to participate in various extra-curricular offerings. A student wishing to leave school prior to dismissal may do so only with written approval from the parent/guardian. Students must sign out if they leave before the end of the school day. We prefer students remain on the school grounds, however, for those parents allowing their child to leave at lunch, a signed permission slip to leave school property. These will be kept on file at the office. Arrangements to leave school should be made prior to the start of the school year. Students are not permitted to leave at recess.

STUDENT ILLNESS

If a student becomes ill during school hours, the student is to telephone home from the office to be picked up at the school.
If a student is injured seriously enough to require medical attention, that student will be taken to the Outpatients Department of the hospital immediately. Parents/guardians will be contacted by the school to meet him/her there.

SCHOOL CLOSING FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER

All school cancellation announcements will be aired on CKBW and CBC. Should CKBW be off the air, any school cancellation announcements will be aired over CBC Radio, CHFX and C100. If school is being closed early during the day due to a storm, furnace problems, etc., an announcement will be made over CKBW and CBC.  You can also check online here.

LOCKERS

School lockers will be provided to Grade 7, 8 and 9 students. A fee will be paid by students for the use of the lock. The locker is school property and may be searched at the discretion of the school administration with or without notification to students. Inappropriate use or vandalism of a locker will result in the loss of the use of the locker and payment for repair of damage.

BICYCLES, SKATEBOARDS, ROLLER BLADES, ETC.

Due to safety and liability issues, bicycles, skateboards and roller blades are not permitted to be used on the school property unless the student is wearing a helmet. They are to be confined to the parking lot behind the school.

SCENT FREE SCHOOL

In recognition of and respect for the variety of health and environment concerns that affect our students, staff, visitors and bus drivers, South Queens Junior High School has a scent free environment. Everyone in the school whether student, staff or visitor must refrain from wearing colognes, perfumes, aftershave, scented hairspray, etc. Students will be sent home if in violation of this rule.

PEANUT FREE SCHOOL

South Queens is also a peanut free school. Students are asked not to bring any products with peanut ingredients to school.

SCHOOL FEES

A minimal student fee will be charged to each student in September. Fees are for the following:
- to cover the cost of a student handbook, lock and locker rental, cultural events and other non-core related activities.
- Grade 7 - $20.00, Grades 8 & 9 - $15.00
These items will be provided after the fee has been paid or other arrangement has been made.

SALE OF MERCHANDISE AT SCHOOL FOR PROFIT

Selling merchandise at school for personal profit is not permitted at South Queens.
 

SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY ISSUES

The well being and safety of all students and staff is of utmost importance. Students who commit deeds which needlessly endanger or disrupt normal school operations will be dealt with swiftly and with serious consequences. Tampering with safety equipment will involve suspensions and possible legal action.
Fire Related Equipment - tampering with fire extinguishers, sprinklers and fire alarms results in a suspension and fire department recommendations.
False Fire Alarms - suspension and fire department recommendations.
Dialing 911 - suspension and police recommendation.

There are many devices within the school of a technical nature that cannot be tampered with by unauthorized persons. Disruptions or serious malfunctions cannot be tolerated.
Unauthorized Use of Computers - Loss of computer privileges, detentions and suspensions if unauthorized use continues.
Unauthorized Use of Internet - Loss of computer privileges, detentions and suspensions if unauthorized use continues.

MP3 PLAYERS, IPODS, CAMERA PHONES, PAGERS, CELL PHONES (ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES)
These items are not permitted for use during regular class time as they cause major disruption for teachers and other students. Students causing class distractions with these items will be referred to the school administration. As a consequence, the student may lose the privilege of bringing these items to school for the remainder of the school year. Students are advised that a number of these items have been stolen or damaged in the past years. We strongly advise students that we cannot guarantee their return in the event a theft does occur. Camera phones are NOT permitted due to privacy issues.


STUDENT TRANSPORTATION

USE OF BUSES
The school and the School Board are responsible for the safe transportation of bus students. Students must travel on their own bus and get on and off at their own stop unless they have written permission from their parents/guardians and written approval from the school; should buses be already filled, permission to travel on a different bus will be refused.
Students are not to walk home or leave in a car without clear written instructions that have been communicated to the administrative office from their parents/guardians.