Student Progress
The aim of our school practices
and policies is to have each student make progress at the best rate for
his/her abilities. Our teachers set high academic goals for our students.
School and classroom practices are implemented, following the guide lists
of Dept. of Education and School Board policies, in order to encourage
students to achieve the highest degree of academic excellence that is
possible for them.
Student Assessment and
Evaluation
Student progress will be
determined using a variety of assessment and evaluation strategies (i.e. projects, assignments,
tests, homework, presentations, etc.). Student learning and
progress will be based on provincially defined outcomes which students are
expected to demonstrate in each subject area at each grade level. Interim
reports will be sent home in November and April. Report cards with letter
grades for Grade 7 and 8 students and numerical grades for grade 9s, based on outcomes demonstrated, will be sent home
three times throughout the year.
Student Promotion
According to the Nova Scotia Public School
Program, English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, French, Personal
Development and Relationships and Physical Education are compulsory
subjects. Astral Drive Junior High students must have a pass in each of
these courses to have a clear promotion into the next grade. Teachers
have grade-level meetings in June to go over each student's progress
and to determine grade placement for the following year.
Homework
Homework plays a significant
role in the education of students in ADJH. Students should expect to have
homework each night. This homework may be to finish work started in class,
practice questions, project work, reading over notes taken in class,
background-reading for the next day's class, preparation for tests, etc.
Students are expected to complete all of their homework on time and have
it with them in class when it is due. Students who come to class with
their homework incomplete can expect to stay for detention
after school and parents will be contacted if the situation occurs
frequently.
There may be a special
circumstance when a student is not able to complete homework on one particular night. This could be
due to illness, outside activity, many assignments due on the same day,
student/family situation, etc. If this situation arises parents can write
a note to the teacher explaining the circumstances. The work will still have to
be done but arrangements can be made for the student to complete the work
after school or hand in the homework or assignment on the next school day.
GENERAL SCHOOL INFORMATION
ATTENDANCE, ABSENCES AND
LATE ARRIVALS
Attendance is important and is compulsory. For students to do
well in school, it is important that they are in attendance and on-time
for all classes. As a result, we are asking that parents work
closely with the school to ensure the regular and prompt attendance of our
students.
a.
Parents are asked to phone our school office before classes begin (462-8700 ext.
5) if they know their daughter/son
will be absent from school.
b. A
student who wishes to leave the school during the school day must bring a
note from home to the office. This note must be signed by the principal or
the vice-principal and then presented to the appropriate teacher. The
student reports to the office before they leave. A student who becomes ill
during the day must report to the office before leaving the building.
c. On
days of inclement weather when the school is open (snow storms, bus
cancellation etc.) parents make a decision whether to send their children
to school or not. Students who do attend will be expected to remain in
school until lunch break (if they have a note to dismiss them at lunch, or
parents have made phone arrangements with the school) or must remain to
the end of the school day. Students may not leave at other times if the
school remains open. Parents should make the decision at the beginning of
the day, whether their child should attend school on these days and leave
a message on the safe arrival line if their child will be absent on this
day. The school will ensure that productive school work and learning will
take place at the school for those students who attend on those days.
d. A
student who is absent from school is expected to catch up on class work,
assessments and homework missed.
A student who arrives at the classroom after 8:30 a.m.
is considered late. A student who arrives after
8:35 am must report to the office for a late slip. A detention
is given if a student does not have a valid reason for being late. Parents
will be notified if lateness becomes a problem.
CLASS
TRIPS
Only those students whose general behavior and classroom performance meet
the requirements of the teachers involved shall be allowed to participate
in such outings. Students who do not participate on class trips are
expected to attend school on these days unless given permission by the
school to be absent. Parents who wish their child to stay home on these
days must contact the school to make arrangements. Those who do not make
arrangements with the school will be considered truant. The school will
ensure that productive schoolwork and learning will take place at the
school for those students not participating in a class trip.
COMMUNICATION
Because communication between the home and school is so important, we
would like to promote the following:
a) Teachers will contact homes on individual basis where a need is
required.
b) Tests and selected work will be sent home for a parent to view. We ask
that the parent sign the work and return it to the subject teacher. This
is a key student responsibility.
c) Occasionally the principal/vice-principal, with information supplied by
teachers, will make contact with parents indicating results (good and
bad), various problems or improvements, attendance concerns, suggestions,
follow-up, etc.
d) Parents, when in doubt as to your daughter’s/son’s progress, please
contact the school office at 462-8700; and we will co-operate in sharing
that information with you.
e) Newsletters are sent home with the students monthly, informing parents
of school activities and events.
COMPUTERS
Astral Drive Junior High has computers with internet access for student
use. The computers are available under staff supervision, some noon hours
and some afternoons after school for those students who wish to work on
assignments, projects, research, etc. Students may not use the school
internet connection without staff supervision. Inappropriate internet use by a student will result in internet privileges
being revoked and possibly other disciplinary actions.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
School officials are responsible for safety and security issues. Security
cameras and a video tape machine are in use at Astral Drive Junior High.
The principal/designate may search a student’s locker, clothes or personal
affects. This may include emptying pockets, purses, back packs, gym bags,
lockers etc. Illegal or contraband materials resulting from a search will
be turned over to the police and will dealt with upon consultation with
police. Notes, statements etc. threatening the safety of students or staff
will be considered extremely disruptive behavior and dealt with
accordingly.
DANCES
Dances are held periodically throughout the school year. A
student is permitted to bring a guest provided a guest pass has been
completed and approved by the office. The following regulations must be
observed by both students and guests:
a. Each guest must be accompanied by his/her sponsoring student.
b. No smoking anywhere in the school or on the school grounds.
c. If a student or guest is found to be under the influence of a alcohol
or other drugs, the parents and/or the police will be contacted and the
student will be banned from dances for the remainder of the year. As
well, they will be subject to further disciplinary action in accordance
with the HRSB Code of Conduct.
d. Once in the building, anyone leaving the dance early will not be
re-admitted.
e. High School and Elementary School students are not permitted at our
school dances.
f. Students must dance appropriately, eg. Hands on the waist
g. Students who do not follow our dance rules will lose the privilege of
attending school dances.
DRESS CODE
Astral Drive Junior High is a place of work. Clothing should be appropriate for school and
should not interfere with the ability of a student to do his/her best work, nor should
it be distracting to those around them. Head coverings such as hats, caps,
hoods, scarves and bandanas used as head coverings and headbands (worn
across the forehead) are to be
placed in the student's locker upon entering school. Narrow hair bands – worn off
the forehead and tied in back beneath the hair to hold your hair back –
may be worn. Coats and jackets are to be placed in students' lockers upon
entering school and are not to go along with students to class unless
special permission has been granted.
Clothing worn is to be in good taste and the messages and slogans
presented by them or on them are to constructive and appropriate to the
school environment. Tops that bare stomach, back, shoulders or chest and
pants that reveal underwear are not acceptable. Tank tops with spaghetti
straps, very short skirts, shirts with low necklines and muscles shirts
are not appropriate. Students wearing clothing considered by the school
administration to be inappropriate for school or distracting to the
classroom or school environment will be excepted to change, cover up, or
will be sent home to change.
