Important Things to Know about Devereaux:
Start of the school day
Supervision will begin at 7:53 am each school morning. Upon arrival, students will be expected to go directly to the playground where there will be teacher supervision. At the 8:13 the first bell will ring and students will line up to meet their teacher who will welcome them into the school through their designated door and the second bell will ring at 8:18 to indicate the start of daily instruction.
PARENTS, in the best interests of your children’s safety, PLEASE DO NOT DROP YOUR CHILDREN OFF BEFORE 7:50 AM. Please drop them off close to the playground north of the school.
If students arrive late (after the 8:18 am bell) they should enter through the front doors. Please sign in at the front desk so that you are marked as late and not absent.
Check in for safety
If you know that your child is going to be absent or late, please notify the school. If there are changes to the pickup of your child, please inform the school so we know who will be picking up your child.
Attendance
If holidays, appointments, or illness require that students be absent during the school year, please notify the teacher or the office. It will be the student’s responsibility to complete assignments given during absences. Please ensure that students are on time for classes as interruptions do affect the entire class. If your child arrives late, they should report directly to their classroom. If your child is going to leave school early, please notify the teacher.
School Schedule
7:53 Outside Supervision begins
8:13 First Bell
8:18 Class time
10:00 Recess
10:15 Class time
11:30 Lunch
12:00 Class time
1:55 Dismissal
Office Hours
The secretary, will be in the office Tuesday to Friday from 8:35 am to 2:05 pm. The best way to reach a teacher or the principal is by email, texting or by calling the school after 1:55 pm. If we are away from the phone, please leave a message. Messages will be checked before the end of each day, and we will return your call as soon as possible.
Bus Board
If there are any changes to your child’s regular bussing routine, we ask that you provide a note to the teacher outlining any changes or contact the office directly by phone. If there is no answer at the school, please leave a message. Please notify the school of any changes by 12:00 noon, and ALSO inform the bus garage (782-2106) of those changes so we all have the same information at the same time.
Telephone Use
We discourage student use of our school phone because we feel it is important that the line be left clear for school business or incoming messages of an important nature. Students will not be allowed to use the school phone to arrange playdates or ask parents to bring forgotten items to school for them.
Shoes / Boots
Please ensure your child has non-marking indoor running shoes and outdoor shoes appropriate for the weather. If younger students can’t tie their own shoes, please supply them with shoes with Velcro. Students will participate in daily physical education and must be prepared to either stay inside or go outside for physical education. Students should also have appropriate outdoor boots for cold and wet weather throughout the school year. For safety reasons, students are required to take off their boots upon entering the school and carry them to their boot rack in order to keep school hallways dry.
Supplies
The student fees for the 2023-2024 school year will be paid through the Affordability Fund from the BC Government. Please do not submit any payments to the office. All the school supplies will be distributed to students as needed throughout the school year. Teachers may send home a list of some supplementary materials that could be required, such as a USB drive, headphones, gym strip, pencil box, Kleenex, etc.
Consent Forms
Consent forms for field trips must be completed, signed and returned to your child’s teacher the day before the trip.
Newsletter / School Website
Our digital school newsletter will be updated every Friday. Please check out our school website at https://www.sd59.bc.ca/schools/devereaux-elementary to find the newsletter as well as information about Devereaux and upcoming events.
Student Cell Phones
Students will not be permitted to use cell phones or other personal devices at school without explicit permission from their teacher and for specific learning purposes. Students may not text, make calls, take pictures or videos, or play games or apps in class or during breaks. Students should leave their devices in their backpacks or give them to their teacher to hold onto for the school day.
Toys and Money at School
To avoid unnecessary arguing, losses and tears, we ask your cooperation in having children keep toys and money at home, unless it is specifically requested by the teacher for a special occasion.
Birthday Invitations
In order to promote an inclusive learning environment and positive social experiences, and to avoid hurt feelings, we encourage parents to give out birthday party invitations outside of school.
Lost and Found
If your child is missing any items, please have them check the LOST AND FOUND which is located in the school foyer. Any unclaimed items will be donated after the last day of the school each year.
Parent Involvement
Please call the office at 250-843-7300 to make an appointment if you would like to meet with your child’s teacher or the principal. Some COVID safety protocols are still in effect as in hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and Health awareness. School wide events and opportunities for parents to volunteer will be returning this year but we will keep you advised through the school webpage and notes home. Please consider joining our Parent Advisory Council. PAC meeting dates will be posted on our website
Safety Procedures
• At the beginning of each new school year and when a new student registers, the pictures of the children with anaphylactic needs are posted for the staff and individual needs and protocols are discussed.
• The school endeavors to make the school environment safe for children with specific needs.
• The Public Health Nurse is accessed if training of staff is needed to address specific needs.
• The First Aid attendant at school is on call and parents will be contacted if a student is ill or injured.
• Student medicine is kept in a safe place in the office and administered, as directed by physician, by the first aid attendant. Please ask the secretary for the forms to fill out should your child require medicine at school.
• Crisis management and emergency response phone numbers, including the school’s address, are placed by each phone in the school.
Devereaux Code of Conduct 2021-2022
Our Code of Conduct is designed to provide guidelines for appropriate student behaviour while under the jurisdiction of the school or at any school-sponsored function. Devereaux Elementary School Code of Conduct has been structured to align with and adhere to the standards outlined in:
- The School Act
- B.C. Human Rights Code
- B.C. Ministry of Education: Safe, Caring and Orderly Schools Guide (2014)
Prohibited Grounds of Discrimination
Devereaux promotes the values expressed in the BC Human Rights Code (RSBC 1996, c. 210), respecting the rights of individualism in accordance with the law - prohibiting discrimination based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or age of that person or that group or class of persons - in respect to discriminatory publication and discrimination in accommodation, service and facility in the school environment. Also prohibited - gestures, published, or displayed anything that would indicate an intention to discriminate against an individual or group, or expose them to contempt or ridicule on the basis of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and age, or for any other reason set out in the Human Rights Code of British Columbia.
Rationale
To promote a safe, caring and orderly learning environment for all students. We believe in respecting and valuing all people and voices and providing engaging learning opportunities for the students in our school. Our expectations are that students will maintain an attitude that is cooperative, courteous and respectful.
Some Examples of Acceptable Behaviour
- Socially responsible
- Empathetic - learning to take the perspective of others
- Active participation in learning
- Expressing concerns and needs
- Listening to the concerns and needs of others
- Giving and receiving respect
- Trustworthy, helpful and honest
- Caring for/advocating for self and others
- Safe use of school, playground, equipment, and property
- Follow rules, routines, expectations
Some Examples of Unacceptable Behaviour
- Physical or verbal aggression
- Physically dangerous (throwing objects such as sticks, rocks, snowballs)
- Defiance, insolence, non-compliance or disrespect
- Teasing, rudeness or swearing
- Misusing or damaging property or equipment
Safe and Caring School Environments are Free from Acts Of
- Bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment and marginalization
- Threat and intimidation
- Violence, abuse or discrimination in any form
- Retribution against anyone who reported an incident
Do Not Tolerate the Misuse Of
- Cyberspace, Cell Phones, Electronic Devices, Computers
Students should be aware that they may receive a consequence or confiscation of personal property for misuse of technology if it negatively impacts the school environment
Do Not Tolerate the Presence Of
- Theft or vandalism
- Intoxicating or banned substances
- Weapons or replica (toy) weapons and explosives
- Intruders or trespassers
Consequences
Consequences will be applied in a fair and consistent manner, respecting individual rights, responsibilities, age and maturity; and be restorative rather than punitive in nature.
Inappropriate Behaviour Typically Has the Following Consequences
- Review of expectations, timeout, teaching of social skills, loss of privileges
- Restorative practices (restorative conversation, circle, conference)
- Phone call home, meeting with parents
- Work with staff and family to develop a plan to address the behavior
- Suspension (in school or at home, up to 5 days)
- Consultation with police and/or fire department
- Expulsion
Notification
As circumstances warrant, the administrator has a responsibility to advise other parties following a behaviour incident:
- Parent of student exhibiting major behaviours (in every instance)
- Parent of student on the receiving end (in every instance)
- Superintendent and/or other District Staff
- Ministerial agencies
Dress Code
Students should dress in a manner that is appropriate for learning and active play, and for the season (outside play morning, recess and lunch). This includes wearing footwear at all times (inside shoes and outside shoes). Clothing of any kind condoning violence, profanity, hatred, discrimination, negative stereotypes, or promoting drug and alcohol use are not appropriate.
Accommodation of Students with Diverse-abilities
Special consideration may apply to students who are unable to comply with the Code of Conduct due to a disability of an intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional or behavioural nature.
Recess & Lunch Student Guidelines:
- I will treat all the adults and other children with kindness and respect, both in my words and in my actions.
- I will follow supervisor direction at all times.
- I will keep my hands to myself.
- I will play in supervised areas only and remain in my own classroom (or gym if supervised) during inside days.
- I will leave my own toys and games at home, and not play on laptops, iPads or personal devices without teacher permission.
- I will be safe and fair when I play.
- I will use playground and other equipment safely.
- I will dress appropriately for the weather conditions.
- On the sliding hill, I will wear snow pants, gloves or mittens, and a helmet. I will slide down on my bottom, move out of the way and walk around the sliding track to go back up the hill. I will not push or get in the way of others.
- I will follow all health and safety guidelines.
