General Information Those responsible for your adolescents are: NOTICE **IF THERE IS A * BY THE STAFF NAME THAT PERSON IS A TEAM LEADER** Orange Team Joanne Chamberlain *Nancy Wilbur Cynthia DeCoste Lillianne Doucet White Team *Rachael Guidry Sharon Walsh Blue Team Stephaine Trudel Annie Ross *Cindy Fortune  Yellow Team Donna MacKay Holly Scott John Mann *Alistair Tulloch Ralph Burns Janice Hache   Purple Team Anne Arseneau *David Chassion Nancy Tardiff Red Team *Alfred Arseneau Lynne Melanson    Green Team *Lisa Mallet Chris Aube Jude Walsh Jogn Cleland Marlene Quellette Support Staff Kathy Grebenc, Principal Scott Ferguson, Vice-Principal Judy Couture, Secretary Elaine Good, Librarian Marlene Francis, CAC Manager (http://www.cap.ic.gc.ca/nb/bathurst-superior) Steven Lavigne, Teaching Assistant Maurina Dobson, Teaching Assistant Yvonne Doucet, Teaching Assistant  Peggy Firlotte, Teaching Assistant Gail Hennessy, Teaching Assistant Lois Sheppard, Teaching Assistant Claude Hachey, Custodian David Lavigne, Custodian Stella Legacy, Custodian Gary Peters, Custodian II   Middle School Philosophy and Structure Our school seeks to improve achievement in numeracy and literacy while maintaining the success levels of high achieving groups. Although our middle school strives for academic success, we want students to experience a variety of activities to develop their talents as well as to meet challenges outside the classroom. At all times, we want an atmosphere of respect for all students and teachers. The school day is from 8:40 AM to 2:08 PM. Students may catch the first run of buses or participate in a variety of extra curricular activities offered after school and then take the second set of buses at 3:05 PM. During the academic day, students are divided into six teams at Superior. Those teams are: Red (Intermediate Imm.); Blue (Inter Ed); White (Gr. 6&7); Purple (Gr. 7); Orange (Gr. 8); and Green (Gr. 6). All teams are responsible to follow the curricular guidelines set by the province and outcomes of our district. Each team of teachers has agreed on common behavior, expectations and consequences for their students. Students are expected to become familiar with those expectations so that a productive safe environment is ensured for all. All teachers follow the same school discipline policy called the STEP PROGRAM. Basically, the program is designed to teach students responsibility for their own behavior. According to the program, for students who choose to continually break the rules, there are consequences meant to aid in the improvement of their behavior. Copies of this program are available at the school. There are three reporting periods. That is, one report card should arrive home about every sixty days. Parents/Guardians whishing to discuss a student's progress may do so at the student/parent/teacher interviews, or if the situation warrants, parents/guardians may contact the school at their convenience to schedule a meeting. Provincial Literacy Assessments are very important. Students are expected to pass this assessment in GRADE 8, but MUST pass it by the end of high school to receive a high school diploma. Parents/Guardians are welcomed at our school, and may help with fund raisers, reading and math skills, decorations, in activity areas or assist in supervising field trips or excursions. Interested? Please call the school and ask for Ms. Grebenc or one of the team leaders. Parents will need to have completed the "Policy 701" training if in direct contact with students. General Information About Superior Middle School 1. District 15 Office District's 15 officice is now located in Dalhousie, but the toll free number is 1-888-950-1515. The number to call regarding school closure is 1-888-950-1919 2. Homework Homework is considered to be an essential part of the middle school experience. Without good study habits, success is difficult. Students often assume that if no specific assignments have been given they have nothing to do. Certain practices should become part of their routine. For example: A standard 20-30 minutes of reading should be completed nightly. Work not completed in class should be completed at home. Long term assignments may be continuously improved. Reviewing previously learned concepts will increase retention of those ideas. Studies indicate that 70% of material learned can be forgotten within three days if not reviewed. 3. TRANSPORTATION A. Busing The use of buses to and from school is a privilege in New Brunswick and most students at Superior Middle School take advantage of the transportation system. Students are expected to demonstrate safe procedures while loading, traveling on, and disembarking from the buses. While waiting to load the bus, in an orderly fashion, students should stand in single file behind the "white line" in the bus loading zone. Students must obey the supervisor's instructions. Common sense must prevail so that no unfortunate incidents occur. The bus driver must be heeded while students are on the bus. Bus drivers are required to monitor behavior and make every effort to correct misbehavior. Consequences for misbehavior are incremental and range from letters home to detentions and suspension of busing privileges. Students are assigned certain buses according to where they live. If there is a change (even a change in bus stops), students need written permission in the form of a signed and dated note from parents/guardians, as the bus drivers have been instructed not to let students on the bus without a bus pass. Simply drop the note to the office in the morning and the secretary will complete a bus pass which can be picked up by the student at day's end. In the morning, students are welcome to access the building through the students' entrance. Students are to remain in the hall and entrance way while behaving in a calm orderly manner until 8:25 AM. At 8:25 AM students are go to their designated team areas so as to prepare for classes. B. Skateboards According to District 15's Transportation Office, skateboards are not permitted on buses or in school as they are extremely awkward and do not fit in lockers. For these reasons, skateboards are best left at home. C. Roller Blades Students may roller blade to school, however, we insist that shoes be put on prior to entering the school. Roller blades should not be worn in the school nor in the bus loading areas for safety reasons. C. Bikes As soon as a student arrives at school, his/her bike must be locked to the bike rack in front of the school. Bikes must never be driven in the bus loading area. The law requires that students wear a helmet and these can be kept in lockers, not left with the bikes. D. Accidents Minor first aid will be given, but we ask that all accidents be reported to the office immediately. 4. Attendance and Punctuality A. Punctuality Students are expected to be on time for classes and to be prepared by having a pen/pencil, completed assignments, texts and notebooks. There are no breaks between classes and since students are changing classes within a confined area, there is no excuse for tardiness. Students who are late in the morning must go to the main office to sign in on the appropriate form. Each student is responsible for informing their homeroom teacher of their arrival. Continual tardiness will be dealt with by the team of teachers. B. Absences Absence from school for either part of or for the entire day requires a dated, signed note from the parent/guardian explaining the reason. This should be given to the homeroom teacher as soon as the student returns to school. This is required by School Law. In addition, home contact is often made by the staff to verify absences. During any absence, it is the student's responsibility to acquire notes or any missing assignments which are to be completed within a reasonable length of time. Classmates may help but parents/guardians may also contact the school if the absences will be for an extended period of time. C. Illness at School When a student becomes ill at school, he/she must inform his/her teachers and make all attempts to remain in class. If that is impossible, the students may use the phone in the office so that arrangements can be made for a parent/guardian to pick up the student. No students are to leave the team area without first informing the teachers and must then go sign out on the appropriate form in the office. Also, no students is to wander in the halls or sit in the washrooms, etc. unattended. D. Medical Considerations To help us in the protection of your child's health and safety, please make us aware of any special medical considerations. Medicare numbers and a contact person in case of emergencies will be requested within the first week of school. 5. Substance Abuse A. Smoking Smoking is not permitted inside or outside of the school premises. If smoking does occur, consequences range from detentions to suspensions. B. Drugs District 15's policy states that no student shall possess, use, sell or be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while on school property. This includes District' 15's buses or while participating in any school sponsored event. After an investigation, if a student is found to have violated this policy, an automatic five day out of school suspension will be levied for the first infraction. Further incidents could result in long term suspension. 6. Violence and Weapons Any form of violence or weapons on school property will result in a minimum of five days suspension. 7. Dress Code It is expected that all students are to be suitably groomed and clean. Modesty should prevail. T-shirts and hats with crude slogans or pictures are not considered to be appropriate. Also, as students are maturing physically, student must change their clothing both before and after physical education classes. Sneakers that do not mark the floors are best for the gymnasium. The staff has the authority to require any student who is unsuitably dressed, to chose from our alternate clothing, to call home for new clothing or to return home to make the necessary changes. 8. General Procedures A. Field Trips or Outings Superior Middle School expects students to maintain the highest standard of conduct wherever and whenever they are representing our school. All school rules of conduct (expectations, drugs, alcohol, etc.) are to be respected. Consequences will be the same as if misconduct occurred during the school day. Parents/Guardians will be informed in advance of any trip by organizers. B. Students Transferring If a student is going to move to another school, the homeroom teacher and the secretary should be informed before the departure. Transfer forms will be completed by the homeroom teacher so that the change can be made smoothly. These forms are to be given to the new school the student will be transferring to. On the last day of attendance, all school and library books/materials, must be returned to the homeroom teacher. C. Visitors/Parents We like to have parents/guardians in our school, however, we would like visitors to visit the office prior to going directly to classes. If students have forgotten something, (books, lunches, projects, etc.) we ask that parents/guardians or other family members bring the items to the office, rather than leaving the student wait at a doorway for the package's arrival. 8. General Procedures From time to time damage, intentionally or unintentionally, may occur. If deemed to be intentional, students will reimburse the school for the cost of replacement of that property. The same replacement cost is required if a student is involved in the theft of another person's property. Prevention is essential so lockers should always be locked (including the gym area). Clothing, etc. should not be left lying aroung. A. Texts Teachers assign texts for some courses. If a book is lost or damaged, the student will be assessed a replacement cost. If a lost text is found, the money will be refunded if the book has not been damaged. 10. Fire Drills Fire Drills are to be regarded as a safety training exercise which may help save a life someday in school or in some other circumstance. During a fire drill, students are expected to: Close all classroom windows and the classroom door. Move from their class to the exit designated for that room. Move quickly but calmly along the corridor close to the wall. The first two students to an exit will hold the doors open until all classes for that exit have left the school. Avoid talking, noise and disorder so that everyone can hear all necessary instructions. Students are to meet outside of the building in a spot designated by the teacher for that classroom. Students are to promptly line up in twos and remain in that formation for re-entry into the school. Return to the building and classrooms only when instructed to do so by teachers. Our Emergency Shelters are: The Royal Canadian Legion Bathurst Community College Field Trips Or Outings Superior Middle School expects students to maintain the highest standard of conduct wherever and wherever they are respected our school.  Consequences will be the same as if misconduct parents nedd 701 Policy training:http://cnbb.nb.ca/701 11. School Socials Socials will be held throughout the year. They are supervised by the school staff, however, parents are welcomed to become involved in the decorating or supervision of these evenings. Generally, they are from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The year end dance is casual! No major purchases of dresses should be made. Since our socials are held in the gym, we encourage students not to wear shoes that will track mud, grit or water onto the gym floor. Black soled shoes leave scuffs, so we ask that they not be worn. Food and drinks are to be eaten in the entrance way to the gym. Only Superior Middle School students may attend! 12. Lunch Time Superior Middle has a cafeteria with daily specials for $3.00. during the lunch break all students must go to the cafeteria, whether eating or not. If students live close enough to school and wish to eat at home, a note must be given to the homeroom teacher and also to the administration. Any student invited to that home for lunch must also have a note from their parent for that day. Stores off of school grounds are off limits. 13. Lockers Lockers are assigned to students and are located in team areas. Combination locks are required and are distributed at the first of the year. It is important that combinations not be shared with anyone for reasons of security. If a lock is broken, stolen or lost, the student to whom the lock was issued is responsible for replacement. Students receiving a new lock must report the new combination to their homeroom teacher. Locks are to be returned to the homeroom teacher in June. Lockers are rented from the school and are property of the school. They may be searched by staff if needed. Personal property should be secured in lockers at all times while in school. Anything that has great personal or economic value should not be brought to school. If something is lost, broken or stolen, we will do our best to recover the items but the school cannot assume financial responsibility. Lockers are also available in the Physical Education changing room. These are for use during Phys. Ed. period only. Students wishing to store things in these lockers may use their own personal locks, but these must be removed before leaving the changing rooms for other classes. Money or other valuables must never be left in the dressing rooms unattended. 14. Extra Curricular Activities The entire staff hopes that all students will take advantage of the activities offered by teachers from 2:10 to 3:10 PM each school day. The program offers a variety! There are many sport programs offered throughout the year. Some examples include indoor soccer, softball, basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, ping pong, archery, floor hockey and track and field events. Also many teachers provide help with counseling sessions. Band and drama are other happenings that provide students with ways to meet people and to become skillful. You can have lots of fun and everyone is welcome to participate! If not involved, students must go home. If not going directly home a note must be shown to the supervisors -- especially if a student is permitted downtown between 2:00 and 3:00. The 3:00 PM bus run is then not an option. After 2:00 to 3:00 PM activity time, there are often competitive teams for those students who wish to tryout. Volleyball, basketball and soccer practices take place after 3:10 PM. Travel and game schedules are not hectic. Band and drama, at times, will also conduct practices after regular school hours. For more information on After School Activities please look under its section on this web site, or click here. 15. Awards Medals are popular! Each students can earn them if their team wins in the extracurricular program. To be considered a member of the team, a student must participate 80% of the time during that activity. Students will receive medals for excellence as well. For instance, medals are awarded to Superior Stars Honor students also receive certificates and medals at the year's end. Honor requirements are: ALL A's with only two B's each term. Only one of the B's can be in Language Arts or Math. Our middle school also recognizes students through the year-end SUPERIOR AWARDS. Rather than saluting only one student or athlete of the year, we attempt to acknowledge the "whole" person. Students will be awarded a Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze or Copper plaque for meeting the following requirements: Platinum Honors each term Participates in at least four after school activities, with one of them being a 3:00 to 5:00 PM activity Participates in school based Science Fair, Heritage Fair, French or English Speeches AND wins at least one medal in one of the above Represents SMS at a provincial or national competitions for Science Fair, Heritage Fair or Public Speaking event Not of the Step Program Minimum sales for school fund raiser Student fee paid in full Gold Honors in two of the three terms Participates in at least three 2:00 to 3:00 PM after school activities 80% of the time Participates in at least three of: school based Science Fair, Heritage Fair, French or English Speeches or 3:00 to 5:00 PM activities Not of the Step Program Minimum sales for school fund raiser Student fee paid in full Silver All A's and B's with a maximum of 3 C's over the year Participates in at least three 2:00 to 3:00 PM after school activities 80% of the time or 3:00 to 5:00 PM activities Not of the Step Program Minimum sales for school fund raiser Student fee paid in full Bronze All A's and B's with a maximum of 6 C's throughout the school year Participates in at least three 2:00 to 3:00 PM after school activities 80% of the time or 3:00 to 5:00 PM activities Not of the Step Program Minimum sales for school fund raiser Student fee paid in full Copper Meeting expected academic outcomes Participates in at least two 2:00 to 3:00 PM after school activities 80% of the time or 3:00 to 5:00 PM activities Not of the Step Program Minimum sales for school fund raiser Student fee paid in full 16. Student Fee Every student at Superior Middle School is to pay in full, a student fee of $25.00. For this payment students will receive an agenda, a lock and locker and a student ID which reduces admission to the sock hops and socials. The school has only one major fund raiser, so this student fee is essential. Every student benefits since there are many awards, activities, socials and many whole group presentations. Cheques may be made payable to Superior Middle School. Students may not participate in certain activities if the fee is not paid in full, so if there are any difficulties please contact us and we can arrange a payment schedule. Also, please ask about a family rate. 17. Parent School Support Committee (PSSC) With the recent changes in the education system, every school has a PSSC. The major role of the committee is to advise the principal on issues pertinent to the school. The principal also shares information about the school improvement planning process and plan. In the past we have met four times a year for no more than two hours per meeting. There will be vacancies in the fall and elections will take place during the September parents meeting. More information will be given to parents during the first days of the 2002-2003 school year.