1. Cell Phone Policy:  As part of the Province’s ban on Cell Phones, BHSS has created a Cell Phone Policy that we hope will help to manage our students’ cell phone usage and keep them on task while in class.  In order to ensure clarity, I feel it is important to walk through the new policy here with our families.  It is important to note that this is a new policy and changes could be required as the need arises.  

• Cell phones are only to be used during non-instructional times.  This means before and after school and lunch hour.  The five minute passing period is not time to stop and connect with friends. 

• Please do not call a student during class time.  If there is an emergency please call the school immediately and we will work with you. 

• When students are in class their phone should be in their bag out of sight. 

• If a teacher sees a student with a cell phone they will ask them to put it away.

• Once the teacher has had to speak to the student three times they will call home.

• If after that the student still struggles to manage their phone in class they will be sent to the office and required to turn it in for the remainder of the day.  Parents will be called again at that point by a member of the Admin Team

• If students still struggle to manage their phone they could find themself in a situation where they have to turn their phone in every day upon arriving at school for a period of time or they could face other discipline such as suspension

• Phones will be labelled and stored in the safe in the main office 

Please note a new addition to our cell phone and personal device policy for students: Students’ personal mobile devices must be stored out of view and powered off or set to silent mode, except under the circumstances outlined below:

• for educational purposes, as directed by an educator

• for health and medical purposes

• to support special education needs

Please speak to the alpha administrator if you have any questions or concerns.  

While we must enforce this policy now in our schools, we don’t want to be in conflict with our students.  We care about their education and many studies have shown that cell phone use is disrupting student learning.  We ask you for your support as we try to establish classroom norms that will promote and support student learning.  

Vaping

You are likely aware that vaping among students is on the rise.  Vaping is prohibited in public spaces and BHSS is no exception.  If a student is found vaping in the school their vape will be confiscated, parents/guardians will be notified and the student will be sent home.  Tobacco Control can also be called and the student can face a fine.

Having had the opportunity to serve the BHSS community for 4.5 years as a Vice-Principal, I am incredibly excited to have the opportunity to continue my journey here as Principal of BHSS.  Our students, teachers and community members make BHSS a special place to attend school.  In the 6.5 years I have been here, we have gone from 750 students to over 2000 students and counting.  We firmly believe we continue to grow because of the diversity of experience BHSS offers across all facets of school life. 

The BHSS community is a place of diversity where our student and staff population is rich in various cultures, backgrounds, beliefs, identities, expertise, and experience.  We value and respect each other and continue to learn from one another on a daily basis.  At BHSS, our daily goal is to ensure our students feel safe, included, valued, and supported.  It is within this inclusive environment where our students become young adults of good character with strong academic skills to take them into the next chapter of their lives.   

At BHSS, we realize the world we live in is changing faster than the education system that has been built to prepare them for it.  It is for this reason, BHSS adopted the Six Global Competencies and integrated them into our entire school experience.  We realize that more than ever before, soft skills are required if we plan to be ready for the world ahead of us.  At BHSS we aim to equip our students with these skills to set them up for success in this rapidly changing world by building skills in areas such as Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, Citizenship, Creativity and Character.  We also place a focus on Leadership as we work to build leaders for tomorrow here in our halls.  

We continue to work together to build an inclusive environment where Equity work and a focus on Mental Health and life balance play a pivotal role in our learning and school life.  We will continue to work to improve outcomes for all our students in partnership with our families and the community.  We feel tremendously privileged to be able to call your children our students and value your continued support as we work together to help them realize their full potential.

I look forward to continuing this journey with you and can’t wait to see what lies ahead for our BHSS Community.

Sincerely, 

Rob Cotey 

Principal

Computer Devices:

1. BHSS a 1:1 (Bring Your Own Device Program).