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St. James School

2015 – 2016

Jr. High

Student Handbook

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St. James

Elementary Junior High School 2227 – 58th Avenue, SW,

Calgary, Alberta, T3E lN6

Telephone: 403 500-2035; Fax: 403 500-2235

http://www.cssd.ab.ca/schools/stjames

WELCOME

On behalf of the staff at St. James School, we extend a warm welcome to all our new and

returning students, and to their parents. It is our hope that you and your child(ren) will find St.

James School an enriching and exciting learning environment.

We invite our students to involve themselves in their learning and to participate in the various

school activities so that they can reach their full potential, academically, physically, spiritually,

socially, and aesthetically.

This handbook is designed for use by students and parents. It contains information pertaining to

the school and the education of your child, as well as rules and regulations related to the school.

Have a wonderful year!

Mr. J. DeSorcy, Mrs. M. Murray,

Principal Vice Principal

ST. JAMES THE GREATER

OUR PATRON SAINT

St. James*, the brother of John and also a fisherman, was among the first disciples

chosen by Jesus to accompany Him. He, along with Peter and John were closest to

Jesus and were selected by Him to be present with Him at the Transfiguration

(Mark, 9:1-7) and the Agony in the Garden (Matthew, 26:36-46). St. James was the

first of the Apostles to be martyred by Herod Agrippa I in 44 A.D. The Church

celebrates his feast on July 25th. He is regarded as patron to those suffering from

rheumatism and arthritis. We must remember that Jesus’ disciples were not perfect

but that they had certain human weaknesses, narrowness of vision, selfishness and

pettiness, like we ourselves do. These human shortcomings allowed Jesus to teach

us by instructing them. James’ and John’s request to sit at the right and left of

Jesus, so as to appear more important, caused Jesus to teach all of his disciples and

ourselves that whoever wishes to be great must first of all serve others. Jesus stated:

“The Son of Man has not come to be served but to serve. (Mark, 10:34-45)

*Referred to as James “the Greater” not the author of the New Testament epistle of James.

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CORE PURPOSE

In the spirit of Catholicity, we at St. James School,

provide quality education for the whole person in a positive, secure, learning

environment.

St. James where we learn, love, lead . . . together

CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF CARING SCHOOL

St. James is a Community of Caring School that strives to

educate through the values of caring, respect,

responsibility, trust, honesty, and family. Our Catholic

faith is the foundation for these values. Students are

expected to know and model their attitudes and behaviours

based on these values.

COMMUNICATION

A school newsletter is published at the end of each month throughout the school year to inform

parents of school activities, and important dates. Parents are requested to urge their children to

bring all newsletters and other correspondence home promptly. Should you wish to access our

newsletter electronically, our office staff can e-mail you when it is posted. This saves paper and

avoids lost or late newsletters coming home. Your comments and ideas regarding the newsletter

are appreciated. Newsletters are distributed to the youngest in each family. Our website can be

accessed as well: http:/www.cssd.ab.ca/schools/stjames

Also, please take the time to have your child’s teacher put your email on their mailing list.

D2L (Desire2Learn):

D2L (Desire2Learn) is the District-wide website for online communication for Junior and Senior

High teachers, students, and parents. Each student has a unique ID and password which is meant

to be shared with parents or guardians only. Using the student’s login credentials, parents may

access the D2L website (https://dl.cssd.ab.ca/) to view detailed information about

coursework. Teachers post NEWS items for assignment information, upload course CONTENT

for students to access, and provide assessment using GRADES. Students may also be able to use

the DROPBOX tool to submit assignments, and a CALENDAR to keep track of important due

dates.

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SCHOOL ORGANIZATION

HOMEROOMS

Students have been assigned to homerooms according to grade levels. Homerooms are used for

registration, attendance, report cards and scheduling purposes. It is important that a spirit of

cooperation, friendliness, and mutual respect be developed among the students and with the teacher in

each homeroom.

SCHOOL WEEK STRUCTURE

We will be following a six-day timetable structure. A school year calendar is included in the back of

this handbook which outlines the “DAY’ assignments for the school year.

LUNCH HOUR

Elementary and Junior High lunch break runs from 11:52 a.m. –12:41 p.m. Students who stay for lunch

and/or are on school grounds during the lunch break are supervised. A fee is collected by the school to

pay for these supervisors. It is expected that students abide by the rules established in the lunchroom.

From parent input at School Council, students in Jr. High will continue to have open campus, exce;t

going to the Plaza location. Parents of Junior High students are urged to establish with their children,

guidelines regarding staying on the school grounds. In compliance with police orders, loitering is not

permitted. Therefore, parental support is requested in deterring children from congregating in walkways

or other such residential areas. This will also assist with maintaining positive school-community

relations. The school cannot be responsible for children’s actions off the school grounds area. All

Junior High students permitted to leave our school grounds during the lunch break must have parental

permission on file at the school. If warranted, parents and/or administration may revoke this privilege.

OFFICE HOURS

The school office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Parents should register student absences with the

school office staff or phone the school and leave a message. Our phone number is 403 500-2035.

SCHOOL TELEPHONE

The school telephone is for school business. Only in an emergency should students be called to the

phone from classes or be allowed to use the phone. Important student messages may be left with the

school office staff.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

All students have the responsibility to:

Show mutual respect for the care and safety of others at work and at play

Show respect for school staff, parents, and visitors

Respect public property, and, carefully use and return all materials and equipment

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Attend school daily unless ill or legally excused

Be on time for all classes

Come to class with necessary books and materials

Complete all in-class homework and assignments and meet deadlines

Respect the rights of other students’ learning

Use proper manners and language at all times

Volunteer information and cooperate with teachers in disciplinary cases

See that school information to parents reaches home

CONDUCT

Our basic expectations regarding conduct are outlined as follows and are based on safety and common

sense:

All students should feel safe and secure in their learning environment. Therefore students are

expected to treat each other with dignity, respect, and compassion.

To avoid injury to anyone, students are expected to walk on the right side of the hallway. Running in

the corridors and classrooms is prohibited.

Students are encouraged to keep their possessions, i.e. valuables, bus passes, jewelry, secured in

lockers. The school cannot assume responsibility for lost or stolen items. Don’t leave valuable

possessions in the gym locker rooms.

Throwing of snowballs, rocks or other dangerous objects is not allowed in the school or on the

grounds.

Possession of dangerous items (knives, guns, laser pens, etc.) will result in immediate police

involvement.

Skateboards, roller-blades, roller shoes, scooters, and bicycles are not to be used on school property.

These items may be confiscated.

Littering in or out of the school is unacceptable.

Students will respect the property of the School Board, other students, staff, and the neighbouring

community. Students responsible for willful damage and vandalism will have to repair or replace

the damaged property and may be subject to suspension.

Students are expected to be polite at all times, especially during class changes, with guest teachers

and with visitors.

The use of obscene or inappropriate language or overt fraternizing in or around the school will not

be tolerated. Corrective action will be taken with students who forget the fundamentals of proper,

Catholic school behaviors.

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a safe and appropriate manner at all times.

“Roughhousing” and “aggressive play” will be dealt with in accordance with our school’s

progressive discipline policy.

Students are expected to leave the school immediately at the end of the day, unless they are involved

in a school-sponsored activity.

CELL PHONES/IPODS/CAMERAS

This generation of learners continues to amaze the generations before them with their ability to use and

master technology. Technology has unlimited benefits in the classroom environment but school staffs

today are also met with many new challenges because of it. Cell phones, Facebook and text messaging

issues are becoming more and more frequent at St. James and all other schools in Calgary.

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To help address this, below you will find the Student Electronics Policy that we will employ at St.

James this year. We understand that parents want their children to carry cell phones to and from school

for safety purposes, and that students enjoy listening to music on their bus ride home. We are also sure

you understand the distraction they can be during the school day. Please read through these expectations

with your child. We ask for your support should we have concerns this year regarding cell phones and

your child.

1. Unless otherwise directed by a staff member, St. James students will put their electronic items in

their lockers upon arrival at school in the morning. However, it is up to individual teachers how they

choose to allow their students to use such technology in their classrooms. Some teachers do, for

example, allow students to use smart technology to complete assignments or make note of

homework items.

2. Students may take their cell phones/iPods with them at lunch.

3. If any staff member of St. James School finds your child to be using their cell phone/ipod/camera

inappropriately during the school day, it may be confiscated and given to administration. Your child

may come to the office and receive the item back at the end of the day only.

4. Should your child have an electronic item confiscated a second time, it may be kept at the school

office until a parent arrives to pick it up.

5. As mentioned above, the school cannot be responsible for personal items which go missing.

We appreciate your support with this important school policy. It is vital for our students to have an

optimal learning environment with limited distractions. Should your child be the subject of any type of

cyber-bullying through their cell phone or the internet, please contact the school immediately.

DRESS

School is a student’s work place. For that reason appropriate, comfortable clothing should be worn.

Hats/caps are not to be worn inside the school building. Health regulations mandate the wearing of

proper footwear in school at all times. Pants hanging below the buttocks will not be tolerated. Parents

are reminded that students should come to school dressed suitable for changing weather conditions. In

addition to District policy excessive make up, or make up applied in such a way that it may distract from

student attention, is not acceptable and students may be asked to remove it.

CALGARY CATHOLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT

JUNIOR HIGH STUDENT DRESS AND APPEARANCE CODE

The purpose of the Calgary Catholic School District Junior High Dress and Appearance Code is to

provide a positive and safe learning environment that will reflect our virtues of decency, modesty, and

respect. Students’ dress and appearance shall be appropriate for educational activities and not cause a

disruption to the educational process.

The Dress and Appearance Code states, but not limited to the following:

Outerwear (i.e. coats, jackets, etc.) sunglasses, hats or headgear shall be left in lockers.

Emblems, printing/writing on attire shall be in harmony with Catholic values and beliefs.

Shorts and skirts shall be in good repair and of appropriate length.

Appropriate footwear shall be worn at all times.

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Clothing, jewelry, piercing or accessories, which create a safety or health concern, or cause, or threaten

to cause disruption to the educational process, are prohibited.

Specifically, the following are prohibited:

Midriff shirts, halter tops, spaghetti straps, muscle shirts.

Garments revealing bare back, shoulders, low necklines, or those made of sheer or fishnet

fabrics.

Clothing or accessories that depict or symbolize alcohol, drugs, violence, gang associations

or inappropriate language/messages.

Heavy or spiked chains.

Students not complying with the Dress and Appearance Code will be asked to change into more

appropriate attire. It will be viewed as defiant behaviour if the student repeatedly violates the Dress and

Appearance Code. Consequences, as outlined in our school’s Progressive Discipline Plan shall range

from a verbal reminder to a suspension from school.

Due to safety issues, flip flop shoes and steel toed boots are not to be worn at school.

LOST AND FOUND

Found articles should be turned in to the office. Valuable lost articles will be kept in the office. All

other items will be deposited in the “lost and found” box, which will be emptied regularly and contents

given to a clothing charity.

LOCKERS

Each student in Grade 5 – 9 will be assigned a locker (depending on availability). These lockers are

school property on loan to the student. School administration may examine their contents at any time.

Only combination locks can be used and these may be purchased at the school. Students are not

permitted to go to their lockers between classes except with permission from a teacher. Students are

asked to maintain their lockers in a neat and orderly fashion.

LIBRARY/LEARNING COMMONS

Students are encouraged to make use of the library to read or to study quietly. Materials which are

signed out must be treated with respect and care. It is the responsibility of each student to return their

books by the due date.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION DRESS

Physical Education attire is compulsory for all athletic activities in Grades 5 – 9. Students must wear

suitable shorts, a T-shirt, and running shoes are compulsory. Students participating on school teams

must wear the school Phys. Ed. outfit that is available through the school.

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PARKING

Please do not drive into the staff parking lot and keep the bus zone clear in front of the school. There

is no parking within the bus zone. Please park at least 5 m behind the crosswalk. Please refrain from

making U-turns at the entrance to Lincoln Dr. Please observe the posted School Zone limit of 30 km/hr.

Preferred drop off/pick up is behind the school on Lincoln Drive at the playground. Please watch for

children crossing Lincoln Drive and remember this is a playground zone. J-walking in front of the

school is prohibited; please use the cross walk at all times

Due to lack of supervision, students not involved in extra-curricular activities should arrive at school

after 8:45 a.m.

JUNIOR HIGH BUS PASSES

Junior High students living more than the 2.4 km distance from their designated school are eligible

to receive the subsidy amount when they purchase a bus pass from a vendor. The subsidy form must be

filled out. The school is provided with a map indicating the bus pass boundary. The school cannot

make any exceptions to this boundary, as it is the School Board policy.

VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL

Parents and visitors are always welcome at St. James School. Please report to the school office, which is

located to the right of the main entrance. Visitors are asked to sign in and take a visitor’s badge.

Parents are asked to come to the office to sign their child out or if items need to be left for them.

Students leaving will then be called to the office to meet with their parent. Parents are asked to wait in

the entranceways and not outside of the classrooms; this will assist in avoiding disruptions. This

procedure enables us to minimize disruptions to our programs and to ensure a degree of safety for our

students.

SCHOOL COUNCIL

School Council is an advisory board consisting of parents, teachers, priest, and school administration. It

exists for the purpose of enhancing communication between the school and the community. All parents

with children at St. James are members of the Council and are invited to attend meetings. The meetings

are held on a regular basis once a month.

EDUCATION SOCIETY

This is a Society consisting of St. James community members who fundraise solely for the benefit of St.

James School. Parents interested in becoming members of this Society are encouraged to contact the

school. The students of St. James School have had their educational experience greatly enriched by the

opportunities and resources provided, as a result of the commitment of this Society.

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VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Volunteers provide a valuable service. They help in the areas of library, curriculum assistance, clerical,

supervisory, lunch program, support services, Liturgical assistance, School Council and Educational

Society. An orientation program for all volunteers is scheduled in early fall. Attendance at this

orientation is recommended for those who wish to volunteer.

To assist with our safe school policy, volunteers should sign in at the office and wear a volunteer

identification badge. This serves the dual purpose of identifying visitors to our school as well as

maintaining a base of contact should a volunteer need to be reached.

FIELD TRIPS

Field trips approved by the school are considered a co-curricular part of the school program. If for some

reason a student is unable to participate, parents are asked to communicate the reason to the teacher. If

students do not participate in the field trip, they must attend school. Parent volunteers providing

transportation will be required to complete a Volunteer Transportation Form. This form is for

insurance purposes. Copies are available in the office.

The Calgary Catholic Board of Education insurance policy will cover claims in excess of $1,000,000.

Driver volunteers are advised to carry this amount of insurance in third party liability as minimum

coverage, in order to protect themselves.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURE

As per District policy safety drills are practiced each month. Lock Down drills will also be practiced, as

part of our disaster plan procedures, at least twice a year.

SCHOOL POLICIES

STUDENTS’ POSSESSIONS

Parents are urged to have all students’ articles marked with some manner of identification. Unless

absolutely necessary, students should be discouraged from bringing large amounts of money or valuable

items to school. Wallets and bus passes should be left locked in the student’s locker. The school

CANNOT be held responsible for items that go missing.

ACCIDENTS

In case of accident or injury, the circumstances will be reported immediately to the teacher on

supervision or to the office. If necessary, the supervising teacher will complete a written report and

office staff will call parents. Important student messages may be left with the office staff.

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PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE

The school’s primary goal is to educate, not to discipline. However, when the behavior of individual

students comes into conflict with the rights of others, corrective actions are necessary for the benefit of

the whole school. Depending upon the seriousness of the situations, one or more of the following

corrective actions may be taken by the school:

Informal talk. School personnel (teacher, administrator, or counselor) will talk to the student and

endeavor to reach an agreement about appropriate student behaviors.

Parent phone call could take place any time during the intervention.

Restriction of privileges (for example: denial of opportunity to participate in school activities).

Detentions: The student may be assigned a school detention(s). During this time the student is to be

involved in productive schoolwork.

Parent conferences. This conference is held between the student, teacher, and parents. During this

conference, agreement is reached as to how the behavior will be corrected.

Out-of-school suspension: Suspensions are given only when it is necessary to remove the student

from the school. School Board Policy and Regulations will then be enforced.

Please note that any of the above steps may be shortened or eliminated depending on the severity of the

incident.

TOBACCO, DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

Smoking by students and other adults on school property is prohibited. Any student found in possession

of, or under the influence of, drugs or alcohol may be suspended from the school and reported to the

proper authorities.

ABSENCES AND LATES

Students who are late for school must obtain a “LATE SLIP” from the office before going to class. If

your son/daughter is going to be late or absent please notify the school prior to 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

We will be calling parents of absent students if we have not received a call from them.

The School Act states that students must be punctual and in regular attendance at school. The District

Social Worker will be involved with habitual unexcused absences. Students are responsible for catching

up on work or exams missed during any absences.

PERMISSION TO LEAVE THE SCHOOL

Any student wishing to leave the building during school hours, including lunch, for reasons of illness,

dental appointments, etc., MUST be signed out by a parent at the office, or a parent can give verbal

permission to a school office staff member to sign them out.

ILLNESS AND/OR OTHER STUDENT EMERGENCIES

Should a student’s illness be severe, parents will be notified immediately so that the child can be picked

up. The school is not equipped to look after sick children for extended periods of time. In case of

accident or other emergencies, the school will take whatever action is appropriate to protect the child,

e.g. call an ambulance or get the child to an emergency clinic. Parents will be notified as soon as

possible. This is the prime reason why a family emergency number is so essential for our files.

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EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

The educational program at St. James School follows Alberta Education curriculum as noted below:

Core Subjects – Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, Health,

Career and Technology Foundations (grades 7, 8 & 9), Religious Studies, and French (Grades 4-7)

Possible Junior High CTF Courses (Choices change yearly): Instrumental Music, French (Grades 8

& 9), Comm. Tech, Drama, Art, Community Care Services, Recreation Leadership, Enterprise &

Innovation, Wildlife, Agriculture, Environmental Stewardship, Choral

Recreational Leadership (Hockey Canada Skills Academy Program) for grades 4 – 9.

HOMEWORK

The Calgary Catholic School District recognizes meaningful, carefully-planned homework can support

student success and be a complementary part of a student’s overall learning program. The district also

recognizes:

The potential impact of homework on family life;

The role homework may play in supporting students’ self-confidence as a successful learner; and

The benefit of a district-wide, balanced, reasonable approach to homework.

The complexity of the topic of homework also requires conversation and cooperation at the school and

classroom level to provide details, to clarify expectations and to support student success with homework

assignments.

FORMAL TESTING PERIODS

The formal Junior High testing period is at the end of June. The exams generally test all the information

studied to that point in the school year in Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, and Religion.

Achievement tests issued by Alberta Education are administered to grade (3), 6, and 9 students. They

begin in the third week of May and conclude late in June.

Mid Term Examinations

In keeping with the policy established by many of the Junior High schools throughout the CSSD, the

administration and staff of St. James Junior High have chosen not to administer midyear examinations in

the core subjects of Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Language Arts. This decision has been

made for two reasons: first, it was felt that a week of valuable instructional time is redirected to

“review” rather than learning new content, when it does not need to be. Secondly, teachers in the core

subject areas are doing continuous evaluations that are giving students accurate indictors of knowledge

acquisition and skill development. This is especially true through the continued implementation of D2L.

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REPORTING PERIODS

There are four reporting periods in each academic year. We have an oral report card and three formal

progress reports.

Cumulative Grading

The D2L GRADES tool allows students and parents to view specific course evaluation results and

receive personalized feedback regarding student work. Junior High School teachers use the D2L online

environment to securely calculate, manage and share assessment with students and parents. This allows

students and parents to review grades continually from home at any time throughout the year.

The use of the GRADES tool corresponds with the District shift from a term-based grading model to a

cumulative grading model for all Junior High Schools. Teachers use a cumulative grading model to

generate report card grades for students, which is calculated on a continual basis, always showing the

most current reflection of student performance. Progress Reports will continue to be printed at regular

intervals throughout the year with student grades. However, the D2L GRADES tool provides on-going

communication regarding student progress with individual assignments, tests, and any other forms of

evaluation utilized by the teacher.

JUNIOR HIGH HONOUR ROLL

EXPECTATIONS FOR HONOURS

Honours

Student must have an overall average of 80% or greater for ALL classes taught at St. James to

qualify.

Marks in the 5 core subjects must be over 70% (Religion, Language Arts, Math, Social Studies,

and Science).

Student must have work habits greater than ‘2’ in all classes.

Honours with Distinction

Student must have an overall average of 90% or greater for ALL classes at St. James to qualify.

Student must have work habits greater than ‘2’ in all classes.

5% Club

Students who raise their average by 5% in ALL subjects from term 1 to term 2 or term 2 to Term 3 will

be recognized at our Honour Roll assemblies.

While academic grades are the primary criteria for honours, this distinction implies consistent

excellence and should not be a result of extra work or bonus assignments at the end of the term.

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An honours student should display the following qualities;

Integrity in never taking advantage of someone else’s work, finding an unfair advantage or helping

someone to cheat

What honour is there in dishonesty?

Persistence in pushing to develop and improve throughout the academic year

Learning may include setbacks that require more concentrated efforts to succeed.

Diligence in the completion of assignments on time

Honours students should not have missed or incomplete assignments.

Initiative to exceed the average expectations

Honours students will do their best on a consistent basis.

Responsibility to take personal accountability for missed assignments and absences

Parents and teachers should not take responsibility for the performance of an honours student

Quality and excellence in the completion of assignments

The standards of an honours student should exceed the acceptable criteria and frequently be to the best

of one’s ability

Consistency in applying effort throughout the entire academic year

Honours students display the qualities of excellence at all times.

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CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND ACTION

In an effort to be focused on being a more "green" friendly school, the following measures have been

implemented to help make students and staff more aware of the impact they have on their environment.

Some of these measures include:

Recycling

Turning off lights and taps

Walking to school

Reduced idling of cars by parents

Connection between Poverty and The Environment

Introducing Low Flow Toilets and Timed Lighting in certain areas

Local action projects

International action projects.

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES

A number of liturgies and celebrations are planned and presented each year. These liturgies are student-

centered. Interested parents are welcome to attend these celebrations. The students are also involved in

charitable activities designed to help others. Whatever the form, these activities are an outward sign of

our Catholic values and beliefs.

INTERSCHOLASTIC SPORTS PROGRAM

Interscholastic team sports play a major part in our extra-curricular program. Both junior and senior

boys’ and girls’ teams are organized for student participation in Junior High. Students are selected for

teams not only on athletic ability, but also on positive attitude and conduct in all areas of school life.

Students compete in the following sport events: Cross-Country, Basketball, Badminton, Volleyball, Flag

Football, Track and Field, and Wrestling.

INSURANCE

The Calgary Catholic Board of Education has adopted the policy that: “No student shall participate in

any practice or compete in any competitive sport under the control of the Calgary Catholic Junior High

School Athletic Association and/or Calgary Senior High School Athletic Association unless he/she is

insured under the Accident Insurance Plan adopted by the Calgary Catholic Board of Education.