Practices and Procedures

Counselling Services 

School counsellors provide various services to the parents, teachers and students. The major focus of our counselling department is to assist students in their personal, social, educational, and career development. Counselling and assisting students are two of the major responsibilities. The keeping of individual records and providing information concerning academic potential is also a valuable service. Advice on selection of post-secondary institutions and career counselling are also provided.

Expectations 

Middleton Regional High School is a place of teaching and learning, where students and staff feel safe, secure and supported.

All rules and regulations governing conduct at MRHS are based on the premise that it is our mutual responsibility to provide a safe, respectful and enjoyable learning experience for all students. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development has implemented a Provincial Code of Conduct which guides the practice of all schools in Nova Scotia.

As a school community, we will promote positive behaviours and hold people accountable for their conduct. Staff at MRHS will continue to teach, promote and reward positive behaviour.

Provincial School Code of Conduct

All students and members of a school community will feel and be safe in their school. Each person will contribute to a safe and inclusive learning environment.

Acceptable Standards of Behaviour

All students and school members will

• show respect for the rights, property, and safety of themselves and others

• accept personal responsibility for their behaviour

• demonstrate socially appropriate behaviour

• respect and appreciate diversity of all school members regardless of their race, culture, ethnicity, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, physical disability or mental disability, mental illness, age, national or aboriginal origin, socio-economic status, or appearance

• treat school property and the property of others with a reasonable standard of respect

• attend regularly and punctually as required under section 24 of the Education Act

• show respect for the roles and responsibilities of students, principals, teachers, parents, volunteers, and the school board

• demonstrate respect for the learning environment of the school and the classroom and school activities and events

• demonstrate and promote positive behaviour through the avoidance of all types of violence

• use information and communications technology, including the Internet, digital resources, and e-communication, and all forms of social media in a responsible and acceptable manner consistent with the Nova Scotia Public School Network Access and Use Policy and the Cyber-safety Act (2013)

• refrain from all forms of bullying and cyberbullying, intimidation, racism, and discrimination

• refrain from the possession of any weapons

• refrain from the use of items as weapons intended to harm another person or themselves

• refrain from the possession of, or being under the influence of alcohol, drugs, and all other forms of intoxicants on school property

Acceptable Computer Use

All students are required to sign an Acceptable Use Agreement, which includes the following rules governing computer use in schools:

The use of the AVRCE network and access to the Internet is a privilege. Unacceptable use may result in disciplinary action consistent with the AVRCE Student Code of Behavior, including the suspension or cancellation of access privileges. Students should understand that the loss of access privileges may negatively impact on requirements for course work for which they are responsible.

1. Personal information which identifies users, such as pictures, addresses, telephone numbers, parents’/guardians’ names, will not be web-published.

2. Users will not install/run applications on AVRCE computers that have not been approved for use by authorized school or school board staff.

3. Users will not play games or engage in the use of Chat lines or variants of Internet Relay Chat (IRC) without prior approval of authorized school or school board staff.

4.  Users will not use the AVRCE network to access, review, upload, download, store, print, post, or distribute pornographic, obscene or sexually explicit material, or materials that use language or images that advocate violence, harassment or discrimination toward other people (hate literature).

5. Users will not use the AVRCE network to transmit or receive abusive, profane, vulgar, rude, threatening or disrespectful language or images.

6. Users will not use the AVRCE network to gain unauthorized access to information resources or to access another person’s materials, information or files.

7. Users will only use email accounts provided to them by their school or the AVRCE. Users will not use anonymous email accounts such as Hotmail, Yahoo, etc.

8. A user will not attempt to gain unauthorized access to the AVRCE network or any other network through the AVRCE network, attempt to log in through another person’s account, or use computer accounts, access codes or network identification other than those assigned to the user.

9. Users will not attempt to connect unauthorized hardware (including personal laptops) to AVRCE networks without the express permission of AVRCE technical staff.

10. Users will not use the AVRCE network to violate copyright laws or usage licensing agreements and will not plagiarize works they find on the Internet.

11. Users will not download or transfer pirated software to or from any school computer.

12. Users will not use the AVRCE network for unauthorized commercial purposes including product advertising and to offer goods and/or products for sale.

13. Users will adhere to other guidelines that individual schools adopt in response to specific requirements of their environment. Such additional guidelines will be communicated in a manner consistent with the normal running of the school. Violation of these rules may result in the loss of computer privileges or – in the event of a serious offense – suspension from school.

Responding to Unacceptable Behaviour

Unacceptable behaviours endanger the well-being of others, result in damages to property, and/or significantly disrupt learning environments. Unacceptable behaviours are referred to the office and where appropriate, will be addressed in a progressive manner through consequences that may include in-school or out-of-school suspensions.

Responses to unacceptable behaviour will

• be appropriate for the student’s age and stage of development and consider a student’s special needs where the behaviour is determined to be unintentional

• be consistent with standards established in the provincial Special Education Policy, when supporting students with special needs programming relating to behaviour

• reflect the severity of the behaviour

• take into account the frequency and duration of the behaviour

• be chosen primarily for their educational value

• occur in a timely fashion

• reflect an individualized approach to discipline

• be fair and equitable and respect the dignity of all involved

A principal may consider suspending a student for up to 10 school days, if the principal believes a student has engaged in any of the following activities while on school grounds, on property immediately adjacent to school grounds, at a school-sponsored or school-related activity, function, or program, at a school bus stop or on a school bus, or off school grounds if any of these behaviours (listed alphabetically below) disrupt the learning climate of the school:

• bullying

• cyberbullying

• discriminatory behaviour

• illegal activity

• insubordination

• misuse of network or online resources

• physical violence

• racist behaviour

• use and/or sale of tobacco, e-cigarettes or vape products

• sexual assault

• sexual harassment

• sexual misconduct

• significant disruption to school operations

• use or possession of alcohol

• drug-related paraphernalia

• illegal drugs

• weapons

• vandalism

• verbal abuse

A principal may recommend to the Regional Centre for Education that a suspension be extended for a period greater than 10 days. Decisions regarding extended suspension will be made following the protocol outlined in section 124 of the Education Act.

MRHS Dress Expectations 

As a school community at MRHS we dress in a manner consistent with the greater community’s accepted standard of dress for workplaces and places of learning. We want all students and staff to be comfortable and to dress in a respectful and reasonable manner. Please make good clothing choices for the school education context.

Cellphones and Electronic Devices 

Members of the MRHS school community will use cellphones and other electronic devices in a manner that will not compromise the education or privacy of any member of the school community.

The following procedures are in place to support the responsible and appropriate use of these devices. During class students may use tablets, laptops, Chromebooks, smart phones and other internet capable devices for educational purposes with a teacher’s permission. Teachers will decide if and when it is appropriate for you to use your device. Students are also asked not to have earphones in during instructional time.

Some teachers have placed a cellphone holder in their classroom for your convenience to help limit unnecessary distractions during instructional time.

Responses to non-compliance:

Students will be sent to the office with their cell phone or other electronic device on the first offence and will have it returned at the end of the day. Subsequent offences may include the phone being picked up by a parent, a detention, or suspension for continued insubordination.

Students may not photograph or otherwise record members of our school community without permission nor post them online. Breaches of this expectation will have consequences deemed appropriate by administration.

Chromebooks 

1. Chromebooks will be distributed to students for use during the regular school year. Students will receive a Chromebook and a power adapter– and will be expected to return the items at the end of the school year in the same condition.

2. All Chromebooks are inventoried and labelled for identification. Students are not permitted to tamper or obstruct identification tags.

3. Students must sign and return the Chromebook agreement before the equipment can be issued.

Returning your Chromebook

1. MRHS students are issued a Chromebook during the school year for as long as they are enrolled at the school. Students will be required to return all of the issued technology if they transfer from the school or at the end of the school year at a set date. Chromebooks are stored over the summer months and the same device is re-issued to returning students in the new school year.

2. As the Chromebooks are school property, damage, loss, or theft of the property will be treated seriously and dealt with accordingly on a case-by-case basis within AVRCE policy and legal boundaries. Users are expected to show reasonable care in the use of the technology (as outlined in Using Your Chromebook at Home and School).

Using your Chromebook at Home and School

1. As the use of information and communication technology is a part of Nova Scotia curriculum, students are expected to use their Chromebooks at MRHS.

2. Students are permitted to use their Chromebooks at home, understanding that the technology is school property and covered under the AVRCE Public School Network Access and Use Policy, even when it is used at home on a private network.

3. If a student does not bring their Chromebook home, they are responsible for securely storing the Chromebook in their provided locker.

4. Any damage, loss, or theft of a Chromebook must be reported to MRHS administration immediately.

5. Any technical issues with the Chromebook must be reported to MRHS staff or AVRCE IT staff immediately. This includes, but is not limited to: battery issues, loss of network connectivity, Chrome OS issues, screen display issues, malfunctioning USB ports, keyboard malfunctions, and other hardware problems.

6. Any hardware or software repairs that are not caused by misuse will be covered without cost to the student. However, repeated accidents may result in restrictions being placed on the user.

7. Any hardware or software repairs or loss of the technology that are caused by misuse may result in disciplinary actions and restrictions placed on the user.

8. Any reports of theft will be referred to the police.

School Dances 

Dances at MRHS are an extra-curricular activity that many students enjoy. Dances will be supervised by administrators, and teachers with the support of parent chaperones.

• Students and invited guests must be in classes on the day of a dance in order to attend.

• Attendance at school dances is dependent on good student conduct and attendance leading up to the date of the dance. Repeated office referrals will result in withdrawal of this privilege.

• Students in Grades 6 -12 may request one invitation for and be responsible for their guests.

• Invitations to MRHS dances are at the discretion of the administration.

• Guests invited to attend MRHS dances must be attending public school and be in at least Grade 6

•  Students inviting a guest must attend the dance.

• Invitation requests close at noon on the day before the dance

• Students must display appropriate public behavior for a school event.

• No student or guest will be permitted to leave the dance and then re-enter.

• Admission to dances ends 45 minutes after the start time unless permission has been granted.

• Jackets, backpacks, hats and purses are to be left in the cafeteria.

• Regular dress expectations apply at all dances.

• No food or drink is to be taken into the gymnasium.

Bus Regulations/Bus Passes

Students must stay in assigned seats and adhere to all school and bus specific expectations. Grades 6-8 students are asked to sit in the forward half of the bus.

Students who do not obey the regulations will be reported to the school administration

Students requesting bus passes to travel on a bus other than their own must have a note from home. These can be redeemed for a pass at recess or lunch breaks only, not at the end of the school day.

We cannot accept phone calls throughout the day to issue bus passes.

Restricted Areas for Students 

Grades 9-12 students are not permitted in the Upper Annex portion of the school unless for a scheduled class.

Middle Level students are not to be in the senior wing or on the North (Tim Horton’s) side of the property.

Attendance Procedures 

At Middleton Regional High School we believe that there is a high correlation between student academic success and regular school attendance. As a result, the following attendance procedures are in effect at Middleton Regional High School:

Absences

Parents/Guardians are asked to call 825-5350 prior to 9:00 am each morning to advise school personnel that your child will be absent from school for illness or other important matters. In the event that a senior high student takes ill at lunch, a call from a parent or guardian is expected prior to the start of afternoon classes (12:45 pm) to indicate that their absence is with their knowledge and consent.

Skipping Class

Students absent from class without their parent/guardian’s prior approval will be considered to be skipping class. This can have a detrimental effect on a student’s achievement, therefore skipping will result in a detention or noon detentions assigned by administration. Continued skipping will be considered insubordination and will result in further detentions and may include suspension.

Students arriving after their first class in the morning without a call from a parent/ guardian or a note are considered to be skipping and detention will be issued.

Leaving School During School Hours

• A phone call or note from the parent/guardian is required in order to sign out at the office.

• In an emergency, the student can phone home and have a school secretary speak with a parent/guardian.

• We ask that a parent call 825-5350 and provide permission for a student to leave throughout the day

• The student must sign out in the office with parental permission prior to leaving – otherwise we would assume he/she has skipped.

• If a student does not return after lunch for afternoon classes, a call must be received by a parent or guardian prior to the start of afternoon classes, (12:45 pm) to indicate that their absence is with your knowledge and consent. Otherwise we would assume he/she has skipped.

Late Arrivals

Students must be on time for class.  Students are expected to be in class at 9:10.  Students arriving late interfere with the learning of others. Although a call to excuse a late student is appreciated it is expected that students do not routinely arrive late even with an excuse. This is disruptive to the office staff as well as the classes that they are entering late. Students arriving late will be assigned recess and noon detentions.

Daily School Schedule

Grades 6-8

9:10-9:15 am Homeroom

9:15-9:50 am Period 1

9:50-10:30 am Period 2

10:30-11:10 am Period 3

11:10-11:25 am Recess

11:25 am-12:05 pm Period 4

12:05-12:45 pm Period 5

12:45-1:20 pm Lunch

1:20-2:00 pm Period 6

2:00-2:40 pm Period 7

2:40-3:20 pm Period 8

Grades 9-12

9:10-9:15 am Homeroom

9:15-10:30 am Period 1

10:30-10:45 am Recess

10:45 am-12:05 pm Period 2

12:05-12:45 pm Lunch

12:45-2:00 pm Period 3

2:00-3:20 pm Period 4

Recess and Noon Time Grades 6-8

All Grades 6, 7, 8, are required to stay on school property once they arrive at school in the morning as well as during recess and lunch.

Recess and Noon Times Grade 9-12

Students are permitted to leave school property during recess and lunch.   Students are also expected to arrive for class prepared before the bell rings. There is a warning bell that will sound 5 minutes before the end of lunch.

Textbooks

The school provides all textbooks required within the system. The individual subject teachers will issue each student the appropriate texts. Books which are lost or damaged must be reported to the subject teacher and paid for, at the current prices, when lost.

Student Fees

A student fee of $25.00 is charged for each student to cover some costs such as Chromebook maintenance, ID cards, locks and other appropriate expenses to enhance programs.  For families with 3 or more students, only the first two will pay the full cost of student fees. 

Lockers

• Most students are required to share lockers as we do not have enough to accommodate individual lockers.

• Students are responsible for damage to their lockers and will be charged $10.00 for damaged or lost locks.

• Students should not give out their locker combinations to anyone.

• Students should keep lockers clean, locked and neatly organized and may not switch locker partners without their teacher’s permission.

• All lockers must be cleaned out prior to Christmas, March Break and the end of the school year. Locks will be returned to homeroom teachers at the end of June.

Senior High Graduation

Students progress through senior high by accumulating credits (passing courses). To graduate and earn a Nova Scotia High School Diploma, a student must achieve a minimum of 18 credits that include specific compulsory credits. Therefore, a student does not pass or fail a grade as such; rather he or she earns credits through earning passing grades in individual courses. As a result, a student may be taking a program comprised of courses from various grade levels. Note: MRHS graduates will usually have between 21 and 24 credits upon Graduation.

Nova Scotia High School Leaving Certificate

English 1 course at each grade level

Mathematics 1 course at each grade level

Science 1 from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Science10 and

 1 other approved science course

Science |Math |Technology 2 more from Math, Science or Technology

Social Studies Canadian History 11, Mi'kmaq Studies OR Histoire du Canada and 

 1 Global History, Histoire Plan.12 or Global Geography 12 course

Physical Education 1 Physical Education credit from: PE 10, Yoga 11, Dance or PE 12

Fine Arts 1 course from Art, Drama, Dance or Music

Note: No more than 7 credits at the Grade 10 level may count toward the required 18 credits. 

    At least 5 Grade 12 credits are required.

Course Load Guidelines

• Grade 10 students will be enrolled in a minimum of 8 courses Grade 11 students will be enrolled in a minimum of 7 courses.

• Grade 12 students will be enrolled in a minimum of 3 courses per semester.

• Students will be enrolled in fewer courses if they are enrolled in Advanced Placement or Nova Scotia Virtual School courses.

Integrated French

Students may enroll in the Integrated French program in grade 7. Students attending our school currently in grade 6 will receive notification of the registration process. The process to secure a spot in this program in the case of a student new to our school will be to indicate your desire to have your child enrolled in this program at the time of registration on the school’s registration form. Names will be drawn from all requests, if needed, and families will be advised of their registration status. There will be no more than 28 spots available. A waiting list will be compiled once the program is full.

Report Cards

Report cards are used to inform parents and students of progress within each subject area. Report cards will be issued electronically in November, February, April and June in Grades 9-12. Grades 6-8 report cards will be issued in November, March and June. If an electronic copy poses a problem, please contact the office for a printed copy.

Parent Portal

Parents and students now have access to up to date attendance and grade data through our on-line Portal. Students are provided with usernames and passwords in September. Parents can get their own access by presenting picture ID at the school to confirm their identity.

Examinations

Examinations will be written by all students in Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 in January at the end of the first semester and at the end of June. Students in Grades 6, 7 and 8 do not write exams; regular classes are scheduled for those grades while the exams are being written by others.

The examination format, value, and length vary depending upon the subject area and grade level. Examinations will be written at the time indicated in the exam schedule. 

A student who misses an exam without a medical excuse or without warning administration of an emergency, such as serious illness or a death in the family, will be given a zero for the exam. Examination timelines will be shared with students and posted on the school website..

Honours and Distinctions Grades 7-8

The honours standing is based upon an average of all marks from all three grading periods including each strand in ELA and Math. Students will receive Academic Honours when this grade is 80% or greater. Honours with Distinction is earned when this grade is 90% or greater.

Honours and Distinctions Grades 9-12

The honours standing is based upon an average of the final marks/grades of the following number of courses taken during the current year or term (including courses completed by correspondence, independent study, Virtual school and/or challenge for credit). Any marks/grades for correspondence courses shall be included in the calculation of the average for the academic year the course was completed:

Honours: 80% with no failing grades; Honours with Distinction: 90% with no failing grades 

Grades 9, 10 and 11: any six (6) courses

Grade 12: any five (5) courses.

Students who are enrolled for one (1) semester only in any given year are eligible for honours standing by taking a minimum of three courses in that semester.

Plagiarism 

Plagiarism is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own. Examples of plagiarism include:

• Turning in someone else's work as your own.

• Copying large pieces of text from a source without citing that source.

• Taking passages from multiple sources, piecing them together, and turning in the work as your own.

• Copying from a source but changing a few words and phrases to disguise plagiarism.

• Paraphrasing from a number of different sources without citing those sources.

• Buying an essay or paper and turning it in as your own work. Students who plagiarize will receive no value for the work submitted.

Curricular and Extra-Curricular Transportation Policy

The Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education has approved the following policy concerning the transportation of students:

When the school is responsible for arranging transportation, students will be transported to both curricular and extra-curricular events either by bus or in privately owned vehicles operated by a responsible adult (parent/guardian). Standard passenger vehicles and multi-purpose vehicles (1994 models or later, including sport utility and minivans) are approved to be used to transport students. A completed Student Conveyance Agreement (Form “J”) must be on file in the school office before any students are transported by privately owned vehicles. Students are not permitted to transport other students to or from a school sponsored event.

Extra-Curricular Activities 

Extra-curricular activities include committees, organizations, and sports that students may join. These activities help to encourage students in developing interests, leadership, organizational skills, and the ability to cooperate with others. However, they should take second place to the student's school work. These activities are offered most years, depending on demand and the availability of a teacher or responsible adult approved by the administration to supervise. * A student must have been in school in order to attend an extra or co-curricular event on the same day.

 Extra-Curricular Eligibility Statement

The Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education sponsors a wide range of extra-curricular activities. Participation in school-sponsored extra-curricular activities is a privilege, not a right. If the extra curricular is a school team then only those students, as defined in the School Sport Nova Scotia (SSNS) guidelines are eligible. Additionally, eligible students must take responsibility for their actions, perform to their academic potential, be in regular attendance, behave in an acceptable fashion, and accept their responsibility to the team or activity group in question.

If a student is not passing his/her subjects or if his/her absence from school to attend events is having a negative effect on his/her school work then the student may be placed on a two-week academic probation. This probation may be extended if no improvement is observed in the student’s work. Students on academic probation would not be permitted to attend extra-curricular school events such as dances, Spring Fling, coffee houses and may (after consultation with the student advisor concerned) have to be removed from the sports team or events until a positive change occurs. The bottom line is … Academics come first!

The following is a list of possible student activities which may be offered this year (other activities may be offered):

Student Council Spirit Committee

Apparel Committee Techsploration

Graduation Committee Junior Achievement

Drama Club Environment Club

Awards Committee GSA

Communications Debating Club

Senior & Junior Bands Fusion

Yearbook Committee Photography

Tech Crew

Volunteers in Schools

Student safety is a top priority of the AVRCE and every effort is made to mitigate student exposure to risk. It is essential that volunteers in the schools understand the role, responsibilities, expectations and standards for volunteering in schools. If a parent/guardian wishes to volunteer in a school (eg. coach, driver, and chaperone), a Criminal Record Check, Child Abuse Register Check, and School Volunteer From must be filled in by the parent/guardian.