General Information
North Highlands Elementary
General Information
* Parents can get hard copies of any policies on our Centre for Education website.
Mission Statement
The North Highlands School community strives to create for each child in our care, a safe environment conducive to the love of learning and respect for themselves, others, the environment and education. We expect excellence while recognizing the uniqueness of each individual and their desire to grow to their full potential in all aspects of their development and in their understanding of their place in the community. We strive to develop life long learners who will experience success in their future endeavours.
Philosophy/Beliefs
Every student needs opportunities to attain their potential. These opportunities come in many forms and continue throughout the student’s life.
Each student at North Highlands can achieve success and this success should be everyone’s first priority.
North Highland’s staff believes that the quality of education is improved when students respect themselves, others, and the school environment. Staff will provide consistent and positive ways for students to develop and value this respect. Children develop at their own pace. The school recognizes and respects this developmental process.
North Highlands’ school community will share in the responsibility of educating the youth. Those involved will strive to provide a stimulating environment.
Parental support and involvement are essential to the success of North Highland’s students. Parents have the responsibility to see that their child is properly rested, has good nutrition, is appropriately dressed and attends school daily and on time.
Communication Plan
The Nova Scotia Department of Education gives direction to teachers on what children should learn. The Province provides curriculum guides that describe what children are expected to know and be able to do. The gathering of information about the children is known as assessment. Teachers then make decisions as to where each child is and where they need to go next in his/her learning. North Highlands staff will communicate with you parents throughout this school year so that you understand where your child is in relation to the expected outcomes.
Formal Communication:
- Report Cards will go out three times a school year: November, March and June. The basis for assessing student learning will be the expected learning outcomes outlined by the Department of Education.
- Curriculum Night is postponed this year but Communication has been sent home.
Informal Communication:
- Student communication folders are distributed to students in September. They are essential to home/school communication and are checked by both parents and teachers on a daily basis.
- Unacceptable school behaviors have consequences. A PEBS incident report will be filled out for these behaviors and parents will be contacted either through a note or a phone call home.
- Parents wishing to make contact with a classroom teacher are asked to do so before or after school, so as not to disrupt class time. If teachers need to contact parents regarding a student, they will use the phone numbers parents provide in September. If numbers change please update the school.
- Memos are sent home by the principal and individual teachers. Newsletters are also sent home on a regular basis.
- Monthly calendars are sent home.
- Our web page is located at https://sites.google.com/a/gnspes.ca/north-highlands/
- In case of school cancellation, a general announcement will be made over the local radio stations and the Board's "School Messenger" system will be put in place. If school is cancelled during the day parents/ guardians will be contacted before students get on the bus.
- Parents are asked to make contact with the school if their child is absent from school.
- Home & School Meetings will be posted on on the school calendar. If you wish to join please send communication to the office.
School Code of Conduct
North Highland's staff believes that all students require a safe and happy place to learn. To support this nurturing school community, we have adopted PEBS, Positive Effective Behavior Strategies. PEBS is a school wide belief that emphasizes rewarding students who constantly display positive behaviors. The Department of Education encourages schools to adopt this system.
North Highlands School discipline plan is based on 4 Rs. Students are expected to:
1. Respect themselves
2. Respect others
3. Respect the environment
4. Respect education
Student expectations covering all settings are included in a matrix. Students have been taught the expected behaviors. Positive student behaviors will be rewarded. Unacceptable school behaviors will have consequences. A PEBS incident report will be filled out for these behaviors and parents will be contacted, either by a note or a phone call home.
North Highland's Code of Conduct is consistent with the policies of the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board and the Province and with the Nova Scotia Education Act. All documents related to our Code of Conduct and PEBS are available for viewing on the Centre for Education website .
School History
North Highlands Elementary was built during the period 1999-2000 replacing Dingwall Elementary and Highland Consolidated. The school was officially opened in October 2000. It serves students from Meat Cove to Smelt Brook.
Technology
Electronic devices can distract from school, safety and learning. It is this school’s policy that any such devices remain at home.
Extracurricular Activities
On school buses and at extra-curricular activities, all relevant school rules apply. Our boardwide rules, PEBS included, will be enforced. You should remember that during those activities, you represent your school. Always let others know that you are proud to be a student at North Highlands. We also expect all students to adhere to our policies when visiting North Highlands Elementary.
Clothing & Footwear
It is important to have your child’s name on all his/her clothing: boots, jackets, caps, pants, ski suits, etc. Very often mix ups occur and they are easily resolved if clothing is identifiable. Believe it or not, many children do not recognize their own clothing and every year a large number of articles remain unclaimed in our LOST AND FOUND. Because we do not have adequate space to save clothing, items not claimed will be donated to a charity. Children require some form of indoor footwear which need to be left in school. Gym sneakers can be used for indoor shoes. During inclement weather, it has been necessary at times to call parents for a change of clothing. To avoid this inconvenience, we are recommending that all students from Grades Primary to three bring a complete change of clothing to be kept in a plastic bag.