SUBJECT:                            School Closure Due To Weather Conditions And/Or Hazardous Road Conditions

EFFECTIVE:             March 4, 2002

REVISED:                 August 19, 2013

PURPOSE:                           To provide a plan of action for the organized closure of schools in the event of hazardous road and/or weather conditions.

REGULATION:

For the purpose of this regulation, Anglophone North School District will be subdivided as follows:

Campbellton/Dalhousie – All Anglophone North schools located in Campbellton and Dalhousie.

Bathurst Area – All Anglophone North schools in the Bathurst area including Jacquet River.

Miramichi Area – All Anglophone North schools excluding those located in the Rexton/Kent County area.

Rexton Area – All Anglophone North schools located in Kent County as follows: Bonar Law Memorial School, Eleanor W. Graham Middle School, Rexton Elementary School and Harcourt School.

Individual schools may be closed separately under certain localized weather/road conditions.

A.        Parents have the right and responsibility regarding the attendance of their children at school when weather/road conditions are such that the parents believe their child/children may be subjected to unsafe or hazardous conditions.  The child will not be penalized academically for an absence of this nature.

B.        The decision to close schools/cancel bus transportation will be the responsibility of the Superintendent.  The transportation department will notify the Superintendent of the district of any school closures/cancellations.

C.        All decisions regarding school closures/cancellation of bus transportation will be made with the safety of the students and staff as the primary objective.

D.        Decisions will be made based on sound, factual information provided by various sources including, but not limited to the following:      

• Environment Canada Weather Forecasts                      
• Department of Transportation Personnel
• Actual Weather/Road Condition Observation
• School Principals in Some Locations
• School Bus Drivers in Some Locations

E.        Where Anglophone North School District shares transportation services with the Francophone districts, consultation with each district is required prior to any final decision regarding school closure.

F.        The decision to close the district or a part of the district will normally be made prior to 6:00 a.m.  The announcement of closure will be broadcasted via local public radio stations and the district recorded snowlines.

G.        In the event that a decision is made to delay the operation of buses, schools will open at the normal time.  Bus routes may be delayed for a specified period to allow time for conditions to improve.  The district reserves the right to cancel classes prior to the end of the delay period should road/weather conditions not improve. 

H. When schools are closed due to hazardous road/weather conditions, the principal of each school will be responsible for the cancellation of any scheduled co-curricular or extra-curricular activities.

I. Closure during the school day should be avoided if at all possible.  Should weather conditions and/or road conditions reach a hazardous state during the school day, the same procedure used for an early morning closure will be followed.  The announcement of closure should be made at least one hour prior to actual dismissal time.

J.         Should a school bus route or routes be cancelled, but the school served by the route remains open, parents transporting children to that school will also be responsible for transportation of those students after the afternoon dismissal.

SUBJECT:                Student Activity Vehicles and

                                    Transportation To and From Off-Site

                                    School-Related Extra-Curricular Activities

EFFECTIVE:             March 4, 2002

REVISED:                 November 16, 2010; August 19, 2013; November 6, 2019

PURPOSE:                           To regulate, control and provide guidelines for the acquisition, maintenance and operation of extra-curricular activity vehicles and the transportation of students in a student activity vehicle or other vehicle as organized by a school.   

REGULATION:

Superintendent’s Responsibility:

• The Superintendent or his/her delegate must ensure that Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Policy 512 & 513, and Anglophone North School District Offsite Extra-Curricular Transportation Requirements are reviewed with all school principals at the start of each school year, and that new principals are briefed on these at the time of appointment. 

• The Superintendent or his/her delegate must conduct an annual audit to monitor compliance with Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Policy 512 & 513.

Principal’s Responsibilities:

• A school principal must not permit students to be transported to an off-site school-related activity unless the requirements of this regulation and Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Policy 512 & 513 are met.

• A school principal must ensure that Early Childhood Development Policy 512 & 513, and Anglophone North School District Offsite Extra-Curricular Transportation Requirements are reviewed with all teachers and activity organizers at the start of each school year or at any point in the year that new personnel and organizers assume duties with the school.

Use of Seat Belts

Seat belt use is mandatory under provincial law, and therefore, all passengers must wear their seatbelts at all times.  Drivers and passengers are responsible to ensure their own seat belts are worn properly.  In addition, the driver must:

• prior to departing, instruct all passengers to fasten their seat belts, and ensure they have done so.

• repeat this procedure prior to departing from any breaks in travel.

Student Activity Vehicles

Superintendent’s Responsibilities:

• The Superintendent or his/her delegate must ensure that Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Policy 512 are reviewed at the start of each school year with principals of schools with direct access to multifunctional activity busses, and that new principals of such schools are briefed on these at the time of appointment.

• The Superintendent or his/her designate must conduct an annual audit to monitor compliance with Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Policy 512.

Package Includes:

APPENDIX A

For Travel on a Yellow School Bus

APPENDIX B

For Travel in a Student Activity Vehicle or Other Vehicle Intended For        10 or More Students

APPENDIX C

For Travel in a Rented Vehicle Intended For Less Than 10 Students

APPENDIX D

For Travel in a Private Vehicle Arranged by the School

(i.e. Staff, Parent or Volunteer Vehicles Intended for Less Than 10 Passengers)

APPENDIX E

For Activities Where School is Unable to Provide Transportation

APPENDIX F

Annual Driver’s Declaration and Safety Agreement

APPENDIX G

Standards for Cancellation Of Extra-Curricular Travel

APPENDIX H

Procedures for Accidents Involving a School Vehicle

ANGLOPHONE NORTH SCHOOL DISTRICT

OFF-SITE TRANSPORTATION CHECKLIST

APPENDIX A:

For Travel on a Yellow School Bus

Activity organizer must ensure the following criteria are met:

• List of names of driver and all passengers has been left at the school

• Driver has a readily accessible record of the names of all passengers

• Appropriate adult supervision is in place for the students being conveyed

• For out-of-town travel in winter conditions, activity organizer has ensured that there is an emergency plan to stay overnight should conditions change

• Trip does not involve overnight travel (i.e. travel between midnight and 6:00 a.m.) unless approved by the Superintendent

Activity:  ______________________________________________________________

Destination:  __________________________________________________________

Date(s) of Trip:  ________________________________________________________

Activity Organizer:  _____________________________________________________

Signature of Activity Organizer

ANGLOPHONE NORTH SCHOOL DISTRICT

OFF-SITE TRANSPORTATION CHECKLIST

APPENDIX B:

For Travel in a Student Activity Vehicle or Other Vehicle

Intended For 10 or More Students

Activity organizer must ensure the following criteria are met:

• List of names of driver and all passengers has been left at the school
• Driver has a readily accessible record of the names of all passengers
• Appropriate adult supervision is in place for the students being conveyed
• Trip does not involve overnight travel (i.e. travel between midnight and 6:00 a.m.) unless approved by the Superintendent
• Return to drop-off site planned for no later than midnight
• Driver or at least one passenger is trained in Emergency First Aid
• Driver’s combined on-duty work hours will not exceed 14 hours on the day of travel
• Driver has access to the commercial log book and will complete it properly
• Vehicle is equipped with a fire extinguisher and a First Aid Kit
• Vehicle has received a pre-trip inspection in accordance with provincial standards
• Information for accident procedures is readily available to driver
• Emergency contact names and numbers are readily available to driver
• Driver is at least 21 years of age
• Driver is not a student enrolled in a public school
• Driver has appropriate driver’s license
• Driver has completed an approved extra-curricular driver training program
• No alcoholic beverages will be transported in the vehicle
• Smoking will not be permitted in the vehicle

• Driver is not under the influence of any drugs or medication that may impair his/her ability, and is not under the influence of any level of alcohol
• Vehicle will not tow a trailer
• At least one of the passengers has a cell phone
• Safe storage of equipment is ensured.  Emergency exits shall be clear of obstacles.  Vehicle shall not be overloaded.
• For out-of-town travel in winter conditions, activity organizer has ensured there is an emergency plan to stay overnight should conditions change
• Prior to departing, (and after each break in travel), driver will instruct all passengers to fasten their seat belts, and to ensure they have done so
• Between November 1 and April 30, vehicle is equipped with winter tires
• Driver has completed and signed declaration form

Activity:  ______________________________________________________________

Destination:  __________________________________________________________

Date(s) of Trip:  ________________________________________________________

Activity Organizer:  _____________________________________________________

Signature of Activity Organizer

ANGLOPHONE NORTH SCHOOL DISTRICT

OFF-SITE TRANSPORTATION CHECKLIST

APPENDIX C:

For Travel in a Rented Vehicle Intended for Less Than 10 Students

Activity organizer must ensure the following criteria are met:

• “STUDENTS” magnetic signs have been affixed to sides and back of vehicle when there are more than seven students in the vehicle
• List of names of driver and all passengers has been left at the school
• Driver has a readily accessible record of the names of all passengers
• Appropriate adult supervision is in place for the students being conveyed
• Trip does not involve overnight travel (i.e. travel between midnight and 6:00 a.m.) unless approved by the Superintendent
• Return to drop-off site planned for no later than midnight
• Driver’s combined on-duty work hours will not exceed 14 hours on the day of travel
• Information for accident procedures is readily available to driver
• Contact names and numbers are readily available to driver
• Driver is at least 21 years of age
• Driver is not a student enrolled in a public school
• Driver has appropriate driver’s license
• No alcoholic beverages will be transported in the vehicle
• Smoking will not be permitted in the vehicle
• Driver is not under the influence of any drugs or medication that may impair his/her ability, and is not under the influence of any level of alcohol
• Vehicle will not tow a trailer
• At least one of the passengers has a cell phone
• Safe storage of equipment is ensured.  Exits shall be clear of obstacles.  Vehicle shall not be overloaded.
• For out-of-town travel in winter conditions, activity organizer has ensured there is an emergency plan to stay overnight should conditions change

• Prior to departing, (and after each break in travel), driver will instruct all passengers to fasten their seat belts, and to ensure they have done so.
• Liability coverage on rental vehicle of at least $1 Million
• Between November 1 and April 30, four winter tires are installed on the vehicle
• Driver has completed and signed declaration form

Activity:  ______________________________________________________________

Destination:  __________________________________________________________

Date(s) of Trip:  ________________________________________________________

Activity Organizer:  _____________________________________________________

Signature of Activity Organizer

ANGLOPHONE NORTH SCHOOL DISTRICT

OFF-SITE TRANSPORTATION CHECKLIST

APPENDIX D:

For Travel in a Private Vehicle Arranged by the School

(i.e. Staff, Parent or Volunteer Vehicle Intended for Less Than 10 Students

Activity organizer must ensure the following criteria are met:

• Parents are aware of travel arrangements
• List of names of driver and all passengers has been left at the school
• Driver has a readily accessible record of the names of all passengers
• Appropriate adult supervision is in place for the students being conveyed
• Trip does not involve overnight travel (i.e. travel between midnight and 6:00 a.m.) unless approved by the Superintendent
• Return to drop-off site planned for no later than midnight
• Driver’s combined on-duty work hours will not exceed 14 hours on the day of travel
• Information for accident procedures is readily available to driver
• Contact names and numbers are readily available to driver
• Driver is at least 21 years of age
• Driver is not a student enrolled in a public school
• Driver has appropriate driver’s license
• No alcoholic beverages will be transported in the vehicle
• Smoking will not be permitted in the vehicle
• Driver is not under the influence of any drugs or medication that may impair his/her ability, and is not under the influence of any level of alcohol
• Vehicle will not tow a trailer
• At least one of the passengers has a cell phone
• Safe storage of equipment is ensured.  Exits shall be clear of obstacles.  Vehicle shall not be overloaded

• For out-of-town travel in winter conditions, activity organizer has ensured there is an emergency plan to stay overnight should conditions change
• Prior to departing, (and after each break in travel), driver will instruct all passengers to fasten their seat belts, and to ensure they have done so.
• Liability coverage on vehicle of at least $1 Million
• Between November 1 and April 30, four winter tires are installed on the vehicle
• Driver has completed and signed declaration form

Activity:  ______________________________________________________________

Destination:  __________________________________________________________

Date(s) of Trip:  ________________________________________________________

Activity Organizer:  _____________________________________________________

Signature of Activity Organizer

ANGLOPHONE NORTH SCHOOL DISTRICT

OFF-SITE TRANSPORTATION CHECKLIST

APPENDIX E:

For Vehicles Where School Is Unable to Provide

Transportation

Activity organizer must ensure the following criteria are met:

• Parents have been informed of their responsibility to arrange transportation for their own children

Activity:  ______________________________________________________________

Destination:  __________________________________________________________

Date(s) of Trip:  ________________________________________________________

Activity Organizer:  _____________________________________________________

Signature of Activity Organizer

Signature of Principal

ANGLOPHONE NORTH SCHOOL DISTRICT

OFF-SITE TRANSPORTATION CHECKLIST

APPENDIX F:

Annual Driver’s Declaration and Safety Agreement

_______________________________

School Name

I will be transporting students to an extra-curricular activity.  I am in compliance with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Policy 512/513.  I will ensure the following conditions are met:

• The vehicle is equipped with winter tires (as applicable) if trip is between November 1-April 30, and the tires are in acceptable condition.
• The vehicle has a valid NB Safety Inspection Sticker.
• All persons in the vehicle must wear their seat belt at all times.
• My driver’s license is in good standing and of the proper classification, and I have completed the Extra-Curricular Driver Training Program (if applicable).
• My accumulated work and driving times combined (on-duty time) in a day will not exceed 14 hours and it will be followed by 8 hours of rest.
• A minimum of 1 million dollars of liability insurance has been purchased for the vehicle that I am driving.
• I have completed the Policy 701 training.
• I have not consumed alcoholic beverages or narcotic substances.
• I am not under the influence of any drugs or medication that might impair my ability.
• I am not transporting alcohol or narcotic substances.
• I will not smoke or vape, or permit smoking or vaping in the vehicle when students are being transported.

My signature confirms my compliance.

_________________________________          ________________________________

                                  ^{Print Name                                                                           Signature}

_________________________________          ______________________________

                        ^{Cell Phone Number                                           Driver’s License Number}

Date:  _______   _______  _________

                 ^{Day              Month            Year}

ANGLOPHONE NORTH SCHOOL DISTRICT

OFF-SITE TRANSPORTATION CHECKLIST

APPENDIX G:

Standards for Cancellation of Extra-Curricular Travel

In accordance with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Policy 513 (Transportation to and from Off-Site School-Related Extra-Curricular Activities), the following standards must be in place for Anglophone North School District.

Decision Making

• Decisions about extra-curricular travel are officially delegated to the school principal, with advice and support as needed from the Superintendent and his or her staff.
• The Superintendent reserves the right to over-rule school based decisions at any time.

Cancellation Standards

The following actual or predicted conditions for the travel area will lead to cancellation of extra-curricular travel:

• Heavy snowfall warning or blizzard warning
• Winter storm warning
• Freezing rain, sleet or ice storm warnings
• Drifting snow leading to white-out conditions
• Extreme cold with wind chill
• Snowfall amounts greater than 10 cm

Other Weather Conditions – Monitoring Requirement

• For other weather conditions (i.e. snow flurries, snowfall less than 10 cm, rain other than freezing rain, wind chill, high winds), the principal/designate and the activity organizer must monitor weather forecasts and make every effort to schedule travel so as to avoid inclement weather.

• Combinations of weather conditions (such as light snowfall combined with blowing snow, etc.) could lead to cancellation depending on the expected intensity, duration, time and geographic area being impacted.

• Activity organizers and principal/designate must monitor ongoing changes in weather patterns, and be prepared to cancel or suspend travel at any time, and to stay overnight if necessary.

• Parents will be reminded of their right to keep their child or children home at any time without the fear of negative consequences should they choose to make their decision based on concerns about winter travel.

ANGLOPHONE NORTH SCHOOL DISTRICT

OFF-SITE TRANSPORTATION CHECKLIST

APPENDIX H:

Procedures for Accidents Involving a School Vehicle

At the Scene

In the event of an accident, a school vehicle driver must follow these steps:

• Attend to the immediate physical and emotional needs of students.

• Secure emergency services (police, ambulance, fire services) as may be required considering the nature of the accident.

• Report the accident to the school and District Office.

• When reporting the accident, provide the following information:
• Location of the accident
• Telephone number from which the call is being placed.
• Vehicle/bus number and driver’s name.
• Number of students involved.
• Physical and emotional status of the students and driver.
• Physical status and position of the vehicle.
• Need for alternate transportation.

• Record the following:
• Names and address of every person involved in the accident as well as any witnesses.
• License plate number of other vehicles involved.
• Names and driver’s license numbers of the operators of other vehicles involved.
• Identification of persons injured in the accident.

• Inspect the school vehicle to assess its condition, and determine if it is safe to operate.

• Refer to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Education Policy 510 for detailed procedures.

SUBJECT:                            Community Use of School Facilities

EFFECTIVE:                         July 1, 2012

REVISED:                             August 19, 2013

PURPOSE:               Anglophone North School District endorses the use of the district school premises/facilities by individuals and organizations whose purpose and activities are of an educational, cultural, recreational or community service nature, and who fulfill the conditions established in this regulation and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Policy 407:  Community Use of Schools.

                                    School facilities will be made available to the general community with priority to non-profit community activities for pre-school and school-aged children.  The use of education facilities must not place the school system in competition with private sector interests.       

REGULATION:

1.         Applications for the use of school premises/facilities will be available at the Office of the Superintendent and Education Centers. Requests for use of facilities must be initiated at least two weeks prior to the event and are subject to approval by the Office of the Superintendent.

2.         It is recognized that municipalities or local service districts may choose to coordinate and negotiate school usage agreements for recreation activities in their community.

3.         Applications for long-term usage must be renewed on an annual basis.  Liability insurance must be carried and submitted prior to approval.

4.         Approval of an application must be subject to the user and/or the Renter contacting the Administrative Services Coordinator to review “on site” details.

5.         The user must complete a Usage Agreement releasing the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development and the school district of all liabilities, claims,  suits, damages or expenses due to or arising out of any act or neglect by the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development and/or the school district.  The user is aware that the district does not carry liability insurance for the benefit of the user.

6.         Recognizing the problem created for user groups, when an activity must be preempted, it will be the responsibility of the coordinator to notify the user of any necessary cancellations with as much lead time as possible. These             changes/cancellations must also be reflected in the monthly calendar to ensure appropriate charges to the Renter.

7.         When the school premises/facilities are closed due to weather or other circumstances, the user activities will be automatically cancelled.  The school district reserves the right to cancel an activity under exceptional circumstances and will not be held responsible for any claims arising out of such cancellations.

8.         The Renter must ensure that the maximum capacity rating as posted is respected.

9.         The Renter must ensure that only the designated entrance for user activities is used.  The door will be unlocked 15 minutes prior to the activities and locked 15 minutes after.  All further entry will have to be monitored by the Renter.

10.      The Renter must ensure that adequate supervision is provided at all times and that all activities are conducted in a safe manner.

11.      Only that portion of the school premises/facilities which has been approved for use of the applicant will be used.  Individuals will not wander throughout the school in unauthorized areas.

12.      Prior approval of the Senior Education Officer must be required before any posters or signs are displayed by the user.

13.      Consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on school premises unless approval is obtained from the Superintendent prior to the date of rental.  A copy of the license issued by the New Brunswick Liquor Licensing Board for the event will be required.

14.      Tobacco use is prohibited in all school buildings and premises, which include parking lots and school grounds, under District Education Council Policy E-3.  All groups and individuals renting/using Anglophone North School District facilities are required to inform all participants and spectators that they are in a smoke-free environment.  The Renter will be required to monitor the event.  If anyone is seen smoking on school property during an event, a warning will be issued.  A second violation will result in   cancellation of future rentals for that group or individual.

15.      Appropriate footwear must be worn during sporting activities in the gymnasium to prevent damage and markings on the gym floor.

16.      Booking of gymnasiums for the purpose of floor hockey is limited to specific facilities. In facilities where floor hockey is permitted, only hockey sticks with plastic blades and white tape are permitted.

17.      It will be the responsibility of the Renter to provide all expendable materials required for user activities.

18.      School equipment of any kind must not be used without the expressed written permission of the school principal.

19.      Authorization by the school principal will be required before any equipment or furniture is moved.  Due care of the floor must be exercised in any moving of equipment and must be returned to its original position.

20.      All aspects of the use of school facilities must meet the requirements of the Fire Marshall.

21.      The Renter will be held financially responsible for property damage or loss caused by the Renter including the Renter’s members, guests and participants.

22.        Agreements between the school district and municipalities or local service districts for recreation activities will be based, where feasible, on the principle of an exchange of facility use or services between parties.

23.      A custodian may be placed on duty for group activities as deemed necessary.  If additional custodial services are required, the cost may be charged to the Renter.

24.      The school premises/facility must be left tidy.

25.      All payments, including fees for any supplementary services, will be made, as per invoice rendered, not later than 30 days from the invoice date.  Fees of less than $100 must be paid in advance.

26.      Applicants may be required to deposit a certified cheque or money order payable to the Minister of Finance prior to being granted approval for the use of school facilities.

27.      Individuals, groups or organizations that are in financial arrears of previous school use agreements will not be eligible for rental of school facilities.

28.      Approval of the use of facilities may be cancelled immediately if the terms of the policy have been breached.

29.      The Superintendent may set additional conditions as the situation warrants.

30.      No food or beverages are permitted in theatres.

REFERENCES:

• Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Policy 407:  Community Use of Schools
• District Education Council Policy E-3: Tobacco & Smoke Free Environment

---

Additional resource: After Hours Use of Facilities 2023

SUBJECT:                a)  Threats

                                    b)  Possession of a Weapon

                                    c)  Use of a Weapon

                                    d)  Fighting, Hostile Behaviour, Physical Aggression

                                    e)  Violence in School Sports

EFFECTIVE:             March 4, 2002; January, 2003

REVISED:                 August 23, 2005; January 21, 2008; August 19, 2013

PURPOSE:                           To guide and regulate school responses to threats, fighting, hostile behaviour, physical aggression, and to the possession or use of weapons in school or at school events.

REGULATION

a)  Threats:

Successful intervention into incidents of threatening and violent behaviour is dependent upon immediate and coordinated assessment of each situation. Threat assessment is a means to comprehensively examine the potential and magnitude of threatening and violent behaviour that would impact on the safety/health of individuals within the school or at school events.

Procedures:

1. Reporting:  Any person in a school having knowledge of a threat/threat-related behaviour  or having reasonable grounds to believe there is a potential for behaviour that may cause injury to others, must immediately report the information to the school administration or designate. No action shall be taken against a person unless it is made maliciously or without reasonable grounds. Malicious reporting will result in disciplinary action.

• Duty to Respond:  A school administrator or designate must respond to all threat/threat-related behaviours. Administration is expected to secure the school environment by detaining students involved in a threatening or violent situation, notifying parents/guardians, implementing the school discipline policy as appropriate to the situation or by taking any other immediate action deemed necessary to ensure student and staff safety.

• Responding to the Threat:   If the behavior warrants measures beyond the school discipline policy, then the response to the threat/threat-related behaviour(s) must be guided according to the level of threat (Low, Medium, High, Immediate) as per the Keeping Our Schools Safe Protocol, pages 7 and 8. Upon receiving a report of threat/threat-related behaviour, the school administrator or designate will activate the school threat assessment protocol to assess the level of threat behaviour. During this initial process, the school administrator or designate must take immediate precautions to ensure the safety of all. Immediate supervision of the student must be provided to a level consistent to the nature and seriousness of the threat/threat-related behaviour(s).

• If the behaviour poses an Immediate Threat  (places the school population in imminent danger), the school administrator or designate must take steps to ensure the safety of all those in the school by activating established procedures for school evacuation or lockdown.

• If the threatening behaviour is not imminent, the school administrator or designate will activate the threat assessment protocols to determine the level of risk:

                 High Risk Threat:  This situation appears to pose a serious and specific danger.

                 Medium/Moderate Threat:  There is no clear indication of preparatory steps, but there is a concern about a potential for violence. 

Worrisome/Low Threats:  There is no expression of a lasting intent to harm.

• Threat Assessment Documentation and Storage – The principal will be responsible for submitting to the Positive Learning Environment Coordinator a copy    of the completed Threat Assessment Documentation. The Positive Learning       Environment Coordinator will ensure that this document is kept on file at the Office of the Superintendent.  A Threat Assessment Notification form will be completed and sent to the school and placed in the student’s cumulative record card.

Principals shall keep the original threat assessment documentation in a folder or binder in his/her office.

A student who makes a threat to harm others is guilty of a serious breach of school discipline and, pending a threat assessment, is subject to suspension of up to five (5) days. Depending on the gravity of the offense, the principal may recommend a longer suspension. Prior to readmission, the student and his parent(s) or guardian(s) may be involved in a meeting with school officials.

b)  Possession of a Weapon

A student found to be in possession of a weapon is subject to suspension for one full semester or an equivalent period of time. A threat assessment must be completed before the student can be readmitted to school.  For the purpose of this regulation, schools shall consider weapons to be those defined by the criminal code, or any other object that can bring serious harm or injury to another.

c)  Use of a Weapon

A student who uses a weapon, or an object as a weapon, at school or a school-sponsored activity shall be suspended from school for a minimum of one year. During that year, the student will not be eligible to write examinations or participate in any school-sponsored events in any school within the Anglophone North School District. Re-admittance to the school system is dependent upon proof of action directed toward improved conduct.

d)  Fighting, Hostile Behaviour, Physical Aggression

A student who is aggressively hostile is subject to an immediate suspension of up to five(5) days. Depending on the gravity of the offense, the principal may recommend a longer suspension. Prior to readmission, the student and his parent(s) or guardian(s) may be involved in a meeting with school officials.

For a second infraction, a long-term suspension must be imposed, and the student will be suspended from participation in all school-sponsored activities for the duration of that school year. The length of the suspension will be contingent on the nature and gravity of the offense. Re-admittance will be dependent upon proof of action taken toward improved conduct.

Principals of elementary schools have the discretion to deal with such instances on an individual basis. The consequences outlined in the policy may be invoked, but are not mandatory.

e)  Violence in School Sports

One of the primary mandates of the Anglophone North School District is to create a positive environment where students can be free of abuse, violence and other activities that degrade the individual.  Interscholastic sport is an activity that is promoted, organized and carried out by schools to benefit their students.  Anglophone North School District is committed to the fostering of a high quality of athletic experience for all participants through:

• Fun, fair play and sportsmanship
• Quality coaching
• Safe and healthy environment

It is understood that there should be a high standard of behaviour expected from all persons who participate in interscholastic competition including athletes, coaches, parents, volunteers and officials.  Behaviours that are disrespectful, offensive, racist or sexist and/or potentially violent or abusive must not be tolerated.

Incidents of abuse and violence that occur during competition must have the same consequences as if a similar behaviour occurred during regular school activities. 

It is proposed that a high standard of behaviour for student athletes is established and if misconduct occurs, that the school principal administers the sanctions.

Procedures:

1.  It is the responsibility of the coach to inform the student athletes and parents of the standards of behaviour and the consequences if they participate in violent acts.

• Any athlete that commits an act of violence, or exhibits abusive behaviour towards others that results in an ejection from a game is to be immediately referred, by the coach, to the principal of the school in writing for further disciplinary action.  The principal will administer sanctions in accordance with the discretion awarded him/her in the Education Act and in support of the Positive Learning Environment.  Any sanction must be consistent with those taken for any other student in the general population given the act would have occurred elsewhere in the school.

• If a second offense occurs, the principal will review the case and levy increased sanctions as he/she sees fit.  Sanctions can include suspension for the remainder of the school year from all interscholastic activities and possibly suspension from school.

• The principal must notify the student and parents, in writing, of the appropriate sanctions and file this notification with the Senior Education Officer and the Superintendent.

2.  The primary objective towards initiating this policy in Anglophone North School District is:

• To reflect and support the mandate to create a Positive Learning Environment for all students, one where they will not be subject to violent or abusive acts;
• To establish a high standard of conduct for student athletes;
• To provide consistency among Anglophone North high schools toward the application of sanctions against those that do not adhere to expected standards of behaviour;
• To have sanctions administered within the framework of school and district policies.

NOTE TO PRINCIPALS:

a)        The use of laser pens are banned from use in district schools.  Because of the potential of laser pens to cause serious injury to one’s vision, they will be considered as a weapon for purposes of this policy.

b)        The ban on the use of laser pens applies to the school staff as well because of     the potential for students to gain access to them.

REFERENCES:

• Department of Education Policy 703: Positive Learning Environment 
• Department of Education Policy 705: Crisis Planning
• Department of Education Procedures – Keeping Our Schools Safe: Protocol for Violence Prevention and Crisis Response in New Brunswick Schools
• Threat Assessment Training Guide – Second Edition
• Guidelines For Responding To Student Threats of Violence- Cornell & Sheras, 2006

SUBJECT:                            Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco, Cannabis, Vapes

EFFECTIVE:             September, 2002

REVISED:                 August 19, 2013; April 10, 2019

PURPOSE:                           The District Education Council must ensure that all district schools, buildings, properties and vehicles used for school transportation are alcohol, tobacco, drug and smoke free.  This applies to all staff, students and the general public and relates to owned and leased properties, buildings and vehicles.

Staff and students have an obligation to report to the school principal or his/her designate, all known instances of possession, use, or trafficking of any of the above-mentioned substances in school, on school property, or at any school-sponsored event.  The purpose of this regulation is to guide and regulate the school’s response to the same.

REGULATION:

First Offence:            A student found in possession of, under the influence of, or using, alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, cannabis or vapes at school, or at a school-sponsored event, will be subject to a suspension up to five (5) days. Students in possession of any drug paraphernalia may be subject to the same consequences.  Depending on the circumstances, the principal may recommend a longer suspension and/or further sanctions.  Prior to readmission, the student and his parent(s) or guardian(s) may be involved in a meeting with school officials.

Second Offence:      For a second infraction, a long-term suspension may be imposed, and the student may be suspended from participation in all school-sponsored activities for the duration of that school year.  The length of the school suspension shall be contingent on the nature of the offense.

Trafficking:             The suspension for trafficking at school, either on or off school property, will be remainder of the current academic year. 

Involvement of Police:         School officials may involve police for possession or other lesser offences, and shall involve police for trafficking offences.

Dissemination And Awareness:         Principals shall acquaint students and their parent(s) or guardian(s) of the contents of this statement on an annual basis.

Notes for Principals:

This regulation applies to the “admiring circle”. Those who choose to be in the presence of misuse of any of the above in schools, on school property, or at a school-sponsored event face same consequence.  The same applies to instances of trafficking of either alcohol or illegal drugs.