Policies

Anti-Discrimination

The safety and well-being of children in Adventist schools is of paramount consideration. Children deserve to be protected from abuse, neglect, bullying, harm or threat of harm. Therefore, all Seventh-day Adventist Church, BC Conference schools will ensure that children attending these schools will experience a learning environment that enables every child to feel safe, accepted and respected.

Adventist schools will continuously develop strategies to make students feel valued, respected and connected within the school community. This will include the protection of the students’ physical safety, social connectedness, inclusiveness as well as protection from all forms of bullying, regardless of their gender, race, culture, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, while remaining consistent with the Seventh-day Adventist faith-values, cultural perspective and philosophical values.

Attendance

Attendance is important to be successful. Please attend all school days.

Students are expected to attend classes on a regular basis. Tardiness is disruptive, therefore students are expected to be on time (20 minutes late is considered absent). Parents should send a note or phone the school if a child is absent (failure to do so may result in an unexcused absence). Students are expected to bring a note to the office and present it to each teacher upon their return to school. At that point, makeup opportunities can be explored for any missed class activities.

Excessive tardies may result in a meeting between teacher, student and parents. Chronic tardiness limits a student’s ability to succeed. It is also very disruptive to class when students are tardy on a regular basis. Excessive absences may jeopardize continued enrolment at PCS. Grade 10, 11 and 12 students will risk losing their course credits if too many hours of instruction are missed.

Teachers should be informed at least a week in advance of a planned absence. The teacher should not be expected to provide homework on demand or to provide make up opportunities for missed exams. Once again, student success depends on regular attendance throughout the entire school term.

Bicycles

Bicycles are to be used as transportation to and from school only, and may not be used outside of class. The school does not assume responsibility for loss or damage to personal items.

Bullying and Harassment

The safety and wellbeing of children in Adventist schools is of paramount consideration. Children deserve to be protected from abuse, neglect, bullying, harm or threat of harm. Therefore, all Seventh-day Adventist Church, BC Conference (SDABC) schools will ensure that children attending these schools will experience a learning environment that enables every child to feel safe, accepted and respected.

SDABC schools will continuously develop strategies to make students feel valued, respected and connected within the school community. This will include the protection of the students’ physical safety, social connectedness, inclusiveness as well as protection from all forms of bullying, regardless of their gender, race, culture, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, while remaining consistent with the Seventh-day Adventist faith-values, cultural perspective and philosophical values.
Any student engaging in activities of promoting hatred, intolerance, aggression, or hostility, including bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, intimidation, threatening or violent behavior against any individual or group because of their gender, race, culture, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity and expression threatens the safety and wellbeing of students. These behaviours may occur at school, at a school-related activity, or in any other circumstances where engaging in the activity will have an impact on the school environment. These aforementioned activities will immediately become subject to disciplinary review which may include consultation with parents and legal authorities. A student’s age, unique personal needs and mitigating circumstances will be considered in such a review, and every sensible option to educate and remediate will be explored. However, the protection of every student’s physical safety, social connectedness, inclusiveness as well as protection from all forms of bullying, will carry the highest priority. Major behavioural infractions such as these may result in removal from enrollment at a SDABC school and/or referral to law enforcement.

SDABC schools and the authority will take all reasonable steps to prevent retaliation by a person against a student who has made a complaint concerning a breach of this policy.

Busing

Students of PCS are welcome to use the public school bus system for a small user fee. School District 59 charges $40/child/month for the first and second child(ren) of a family. It is $15/month for the third child. This is payable at the beginning of each school year.

A shuttle bus runs from the high school to PCS and returns in time to catch the regular routes. Contributions for riding our shuttle bus from the high school to PCS and back is by donation.

All PCS rules and regulations must be adhered to while riding the bus.

As a significant number of our students use the bus system to come to school, it is difficult to cover curriculum in the classroom without these students. Therefore, our policy is when the School District #59 (SD59) Chetwynd buses are cancelled due to weather/road constraints, PCS does not have school that day. SD59 bus information can also be found on their website. Notification will also be posted on PCS social media accounts (which also show on the bottom of our website).

Child Abuse Protocol

Peace Christian School follows the policies and protocols as set out in the BC Handbook for Action on Child Abuse and Neglect, as well as Supporting our Students: A Guide for Independent School Personnel Responding to Child Abuse.

Conduct and Dress

In order that Christian youth might understand that certain types of conduct and dress reflect poorly upon the name of Christ and the School, the following will not be acceptable for the students of Peace Christian School:

Profanity
Lying
Gambling
Vulgarity
Immoral conduct
Negative attitude
Use of alcohol
Use of non-medicinal drugs
Disrespectful behaviour
Smoking or vaping

Student appearance should be in harmony with Christian principles. Modesty is about function not flamboyance. Clothing or jewelry choices which draw attention should not be worn.

Our preference is for no jewelry. The wearing of jewelry is also a safety concern. All jewelry may be requested to be removed during sports activities. It is at the discretion of the administration to decide what personal adornment and clothing choices are acceptable. If you have any questions regarding a specific item, please contact the school.

Wilful or accidental actions involving damage to school property or equipment will be the responsibility of the student’s parents. Suitable arrangements must be made for either repairing or paying for necessary repairs.

Disciplinary Appeal Process

Parents with concerns regarding disciplinary matters have the following options:

Talk to the teacher
Talk to the principal
Meet with the School Board
Meet with a representative of the School Authority.

A more detailed outline of the appeal process is available upon request.

Electronic Devices

There is a zero tolerance policy for unauthorized use of electronics at PCS. Cell phones, iPods, MP3s, or any other electronic devices will be confiscated by staff if used during school hours.

Grading System

Grades K thru 3

4 = Exceeding Expectations
3 = Meeting Expectations
2 = Approaching Expectations
1 = Not Yet Meeting Expectations

Grades 4 thru 12

A = 86 – 100%
B = 73 – 85%
C+ = 67 – 72%
C = 60 – 66%
C- = 50 – 59%

Less than 50% may result in a student repeating the class

Graduation Credit

Courses taken in grades 10 through 12 will become part of the student’s diplomas and students are encouraged to take this seriously. Information regarding K-12 Provincial Education program may be found online at www.bced.gov.bc.ca

Leaving School Property

Students are required to remain on school grounds throughout the school day. Parents are asked to speak to office administration and/or provide a note (paper or email) for student records if circumstances require that a student leave during school hours.

Locks and Lockers

Lockers are the property of PCS but the care of the lockers are the students’ responsibility. Lockers should be kept locked and combinations carefully guarded.

Lost and Found

In an attempt to keep our school tidy and attractive we plan to empty the lost and found receptacle at the end of each month. We encourage students and parents to check this resource regularly.

Medications

No staff member may dispense medications to any child, including over-the counter medications such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Aspirin, etc. Parents are strongly advised not to send medications to the school with their children. If a prescription drug is required to be taken, then the school must have the following information:

Written parental permission
Physician’s instructions
Medication in its original container

Plagiarism

It is important for students to perform to the best of their ability. Diligent effort in their studies will provide the basis for the opportunity to succeed in future life experience. Work turned in should reflect the effort from that student, not that of a classmate. Students who copy or allow others to copy their work will not receive credit. Further disciplinary action will result, following the continued application of this form of cheating.

Politeness and Courtesy

Students will be taught, and expected to practice, courtesy and good sportsmanship with each other, teachers, and visitors to the school. Politeness is a requirement, not an option. Continued disrespect toward teachers and/or other students are grounds for expulsion from the school.

School Cleanliness

While the school does employ custodians to take care of the basic cleaning, the students are expected to do their part in keeping the school clean. Teachers may ask students to assist in cleaning their classrooms.

Outside footwear may not be worn in the school. Boots and other outside footwear should be removed at the entrance to the building. Students are expected to wear non-marking, soft soled shoes for indoor use.

School Grounds

PCS is located in an interface area. Students are not permitted to enter the treed area around the school without the direct permission and supervision of school staff.

School Insurance

Basic school-time insurance is provided to each student. Foreign students are not covered by this and must pay extra premiums to receive coverage.

Special Needs

PCS does not have the resources to accommodate students with special needs. The School Board will consider applicants on an individual basis.

Student Vehicles

Students are allowed to bring vehicles such as cars or motorcycles on campus providing that they:

register vehicle with the office
park in the assigned area
don’t allow other students to drive their vehicle or give rides to other students
observe the appropriate safety rules

Note: driving to school is a privilege that may be revoked if a student’s use of a vehicle is unsafe or inappropriate. The school assumes no responsibility for students who choose to ride in motor vehicles without having parent approval.

Supervision

Morning Supervision
Staff supervision begins at 8:20am. Upon arrival, students are to proceed to supervised areas of the school until school begins.
Please do not send your child(ren) to school before 8:20am unless you intend to stay with your child(ren) until a supervisor arrives.

During School Supervision
Each PCS student will be under the care of no less than one adult staff member at any point during the school day.*
In the event where a student and a staff member need to be alone, all reasonable efforts will be made to allow for the opportunity for visual contact to be made by a third person outside of the room.

After School Supervision
Staff supervision will be in place until the departure of the shuttle bus at 2:40pm. Students inside the school are required to make arrangements with school staff to be supervised after 2:40pm. Students who wish to play outside in non-school sponsored activities are the responsibility of the parent. There is no supervision on the school grounds after 2:40pm.

*The intent for the basis of PCS Student Supervision, corresponds to YouthSafe Outdoors, Guidelines for BC School Safety: “In-the-area-supervision means that while any supervisor may not be able to see all of the students at one time, the students know where the supervisors are and can contact one if necessary.”

Suspension and Dismissal

Misconduct may result in suspension or dismissal. Temporary suspension of students may be decided by school staff. Dismissal from the school would only be by action of the School Board. The following is a list of reasons for suspension or dismissal: gross insubordination, violation of school regulations, disruptive behaviour, vandalism of school property, aggressive behaviour, undermining Christian ideals of school, leaving school campus without permission.

Visitors and Guests

Visitors are welcome to visit the school when it is in session providing arrangements have been made with staff prior to the visit. Students should not bring relatives or friends to school without prior permission.