Thames Valley District School Board
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Pearson School for the Arts: Student Handbook
The program at Pearson provides an integrated academic and enriched arts experience for students. The academic program is consistent with the Ministry of Education guidelines. Language, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies (History & Geography) are enhanced and often integrated with the various arts areas. The arts program consists of dance, drama, visual arts and music (wind, string, electronic piano, and vocal). Students must meet expectations that include active participation in all facets of the arts program. There are extra responsibilities placed upon students to participate in performance activities both inside and outside of regular school hours. Students face a greater homework load due to the compacted curriculum and daily instrument practice routines. Commitment to the school is crucial and fundamental to supporting the quality academic and arts program.
Pearson's Integrated Arts Demands
Code of Behaviour
General PrinciplesWE EXPECT to be treated with respect and dignity. This means that no person will ridicule or hurt another's feelings.
WE HAVE a right to be ourselves. This means that no person will be treated unfairly because of size, appearance, background or language.
WE HAVE a right to be safe. This means that no person will harm another in any way, at any time.
WE HAVE a right to learn about ourselves. This means that everyone will listen, will be heard, and will be free to express feelings and opinions in a responsible manner without being interrupted, punished, or ridiculed.
General Expectations
All members of our school community (staff, students, parents/guardians, and their guests) are expected to act in a responsible and self-disciplined manner while at school, at school activities, and on the school bus. There are clear expectations discussed with each class at the beginning of the school year. Each student must become familiar with these requirements and be made aware that consequences are set in place if rules are disobeyed.
Individuals are expected to:
- abide by this code of behaviour at school, at school activities, and on school buses treat others, especially persons in positions of authority, with respect and dignity, accept responsibility for protecting their rights and the rights of others
- use non-violent means to resolve conflict, as physically aggressive behaviour is not a responsible way to interact with others
- avoid the possession, use, or threatened use of any object to injure another person, or endanger the safety of oneself and others
- resolve conflict in an open and fair manner
- assist others when they need help
- participate fully as a member of a caring learning community
- In particular, students are expected to complete classroom and homework assignments, discourage the misbehaviour of others, listen respectfully to others, do a fair share of classroom and school chores, and encourage and support those less able or new to the school
All members of the school community must:
- respect the need of others to work in an environment that is conducive to learning and teaching, including by ensuring that cell phones and other personal mobile devices are used only during instructional time (as directed by an educator), for health and medical purposes and/or to support special education needs.
Rules
Expectations for reasonable behaviour are co-operatively developed and are founded upon courtesy, safety, and common sense. There are only a few fundamental school rules to ensure the welfare of all and to maintain a positive school environment. Any member of our school community accused of wrongdoing is entitled to a fair hearing.
We do not:
- use physical, verbal (oral or written), sexual or psychological abuse, discriminate or bully any person, regardless of their race, colour, culture, religion, gender, language, sexual orientation, age, or disability
- permit cigarettes, matches, lighters, drugs, alcohol, or weapons of any sort on school property, threaten or intimidate other people, or use profane/abusive language -or offensive gestures, destroy, damage, steal, or deface school property, or the property of others, stay in an area which is unsupervised by an adult
- use computers in any way which might damage equipment; we do not download, copy or transmit any material which is in violation of any Federal or Provincial regulation such as copyrighted material; we do not breach security measures on local or remote sites, including using another user's account; we do not unlawfully enter or attempt entry into any network system; we do not attempt to gain unauthorized access to view, alter, copy, share, or destroy data created and/or wilfully transmit computer viruses or virus hoaxes
- in accordance with the Thames Valley District School Board policy Code of Conduct, the possession or use of electronic devices such as pagers or cell phones etc, is discouraged at school. This is based on the need to respect the needs of others to work in an environment that is conducive to learning and teaching and to respect the privacy of others.
Resolutions and Consequences
Violations of this code of behaviour will lead to consequences and interventions which may include: being given a warning, making restitution; contacting a parent; isolation within the classroom; removal from class for the period; setting up a behavioural contract; completing a daily report; removal of privileges; removal from class for more than one period; suspension by the Principal, as per Board policy.
In addition, the Code of Conduct for Ontario Schools, 2000, directs schools to respond with mandatory consequences of suspension, and proceed to an expulsion hearing, for the following: possession of weapon, including, but not limited to, firearms; trafficking in drugs or weapons; robbery; use of a weapon to cause bodily harm, or to threaten serious harm; physical assault causing bodily harm requiring professional medical treatment; sexual assault; providing alcohol to minors. Immediate suspension will be the minimum penalty faced by a student for: uttering a threat to inflict serious bodily harm; possession of illegal drugs; acts of vandalism causing extensive damage to school, property, or property located on school premises. A student will be immediately suspended for: swearing at a teacher, or other person in authority; being in possession of alcohol, being under the influence of alcohol.
Dress Code
Thames Valley students come from diverse backgrounds and have diverse identities and experiences. Decisions about dress are personal and reflect individual expression of identity and socio-cultural norms and are therefore important to student well-being.
Dress codes in schools often create and maintain ideas about dress that is ‘normal’ or ‘appropriate’ that do not reflect students’ identities – including their gender identity, cultural identity, race and creed. As a result, dress codes can reinforce harmful stereotypes and treat certain groups of students differently than others, resulting in discrimination. They may also devalue students’ ability to exercise control over their own bodies by choosing how they dress. Thames Valley learning and working environments must be free from discrimination.
All staff must ensure students feel safe and included and are treated fairly at school. This means affirming students’ identities in everyday practice, and supporting interactions between staff and students that are based on individual dignity and mutual respect.
Dress Code in The Arts
Dance:
- black T-shirt, and black sport shorts or black dance pants
- most dance activities will require bare feet
Drama:
- Dress comfortably for work in the drama studio
- Follow instructions for costumes for required rehearsals & performances
- Take care of costumes provided by the school
- Due to role requirements, students may be required to wear attire that might not be normally accepted at school, or use props which might otherwise be prohibited
Gym:
Physical Education Safety Guidelines for our Board require:
- Students must wear appropriate clothing for physical education classes.
- Running shoes, shorts or sweat pants, and T-shirts are expected.
- Ill-fitting clothing, scarves, jewelry, hard-soled shoes/ socks without shoes can inhibit movement and possibly cause injury during active movement. These items must be removed.
- Where cultural dress presents a safety concern, modifications to the activity must be made.
- Dangling jewelry must not be worn.
- Jewelry which cannot be removed must be taped.
- Deviations from this minimum are listed on activity sheets in the guideline.
- Long hair must be secured so as not to block vision.
- Safety precautions must be followed with eye glasses for some activities, including an eye glass strap and/or shatterproof glass or removal of glasses if vision is adequate.
Performance Attire
All students are required to wear the appropriate performance attire for all school performances, in and outside of the school. Performance attire is defined as: performance red sweater, performance black polo, black pants or skirt, black socks or stockings, and black shoes. Students are assigned a red sweater and black Pearson polo for the year. It is the students' responsibility to look after their shirt and return it in good condition at the end of each academic year. If the shirt is not returned, a $50 replacement fee will be required.
School Procedures and Property
Mandatory Attendance at Performances
One of the major requirements and highlights for students in our program is participation in performances. The dates of these functions are outlined in our website and also there was a contract sent home and signed. These events are often scheduled during the evening and on weekends. This demands an extra commitment from all Pearson students. All students are expected to participate in the performances to which they have been assigned. Please refer to the dates listed on your child’s contract for all mandatory performances.
School Property
Respecting school property both inside and outside the building is one indication of pride in our facility. This includes caring for textbooks, musical instruments, music folders, sheet music, performance sweaters and equipment in the gymnasium, drama, dance and visual art areas. Students must replace any lost musical instruments.
Telephone
The hall telephone near the office is available for student use at recess and lunch breaks for EMERGENCY FAMILY CALLS ONLY. This phone is not to be used for long distance calls at any time.
Absence and Late Arrivals
Parents are requested to use the https://go.schoolmessenger.ca/#/account/login App/website, phone #1-844-305-3756 or the smartphone app Safe Arrival before 9:30am if their child will be absent. Students arriving at school late must report to the office and sign in before joining the class.
Early Leaving and Leaving School Property
A parental note is required when a student must leave school early, or leave the school property during the day for any reason. All such notes are to be signed by the parent. Parents must then sign out the student at the office before the student leaves the building. [see also lunchroom policy]
Lunchroom Policy
Lunchroom facilities are provided for all pupils at L.B. Pearson since they must remain at the school during the lunch period which begins at 12:30 p.m. and ends at 1:10 p.m. Pupils eat their lunches from 12:30 p.m. to 12:50 p.m. in a lunchroom supervised by teaching staff. Pupils are expected to remain seated and to eat their lunches in the lunchroom during this indoor time.
Pupils are supervised outside from 12:50 p.m. - 1:10 p.m. Pupils should be dressed appropriately for outside play during the 20 minute period. Students in grades 4, 5, and 6 are not permitted to leave school premises during the lunch period unless they are accompanied by a parent who has signed their child out in the school office.
For the parents of grade seven and eight students who would like their child to leave the school building/grounds for any reason over the lunch period, please ask your child to bring home a liability release form from the Principal's office. Due to the extremely busy area of the city in which we are located, this is strongly discouraged for safety reasons. No student will be allowed to leave without the release form signed by a parent. The release form is attached at the bottom of this page for download.
Learning Library Commons
In order for the Resource Centre to efficiently meet the program needs of all the staff and students, it is imperative that the following procedures be followed:
- A maximum of three books or media items shall be signed out to a student at one time
- A three week circulation period is observed
- Replacement fees will be charged for damaged or lost items - All books must be returned by June 8.
Pearson's Integrated Arts Program Demands
Dance
The dance program allows students to express thoughts and emotions in imaginative or creative ways. Activities involve students intellectually, emotionally and physically while stimulating creative and expressive abilities. Dance offers a unique experience to heighten aesthetic awareness. In addition to movement skills, the program incorporates education in dance history. Dance requires the student to:
- Have appropriate attire for class, black shorts and a black T-shirt
Drama
The drama program focuses on the development of interpersonal skills, communication skills and self-awareness. Activities include creative movement, voice study, mime, storytelling, puppetry, improvisation, role playing and creative writing. Students also team about make-up, sound, lighting, props construction and costuming. Guest artists and experiences with community arts further enrich the program.
Music
The music program is designed to ensure that each student experiences personal success through vocal and instrumental music education. Listening, performing and creative activities help to develop a broad musical background. Visiting performers, student performances and class excursions complete the comprehensive and challenging music curriculum. Music requires the student to:
- Be responsible for their instrument and music
- Have instrument and music at school to participate in instrumental classes
Visual Art
The visual arts program incorporates a broad range of techniques and media. Skill development progresses from grade four to grade eight as students work with the main elements of the program: drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Visits to art galleries and a background in art history complement the program. Visual art requires the student to:
- Have a sketch book (9x12) for class room and preliminary sketches
- Maintain a portfolio to be reviewed at the end of grade eight
Computer Policy
General Computing Policy for the Network and Lab
- Use only your personal USER ID for network and email. Do not examine or change files/data/email belonging to others. Respect others' privacy by not reading their screens.
- Use appropriate language as defined by the school code of conduct.
- Use only the software on the provided menu.
- Leave established settings (e.g., screen savers, background, toolbars, etc.) as is.
- Keep computer tables clean and free from clutter, eraser shavings, food, and drink.
- Get permission for print jobs.
Use the network computer system appropriately, without monopolizing the resources (like the printer) or interfering with the normal and proper operation of school computer equipment/network. Repair costs will be the responsibility of any student wilfully tampering/disrupting the system and causing damages.
- Respect all laws (provincial or federal).
- Do not copy system files or copyrighted materials from school computers.
- Do not download copyrighted software or bring in software from home to use on the school computers.
- Do not transmit copyrighted, threatening, obscene, racist or hateful material.
Internet Use Policy for Students
- I will not give out personal information such as my address, telephone number, or parents' work address/phone number. I will not give out the name and location of my school without permission.
- I will click 'stop' and 'back' and tell the supervisor if I come across information and/or pictures that make me feel uncomfortable.
Contact(s)