PSSD Policy Manual

We respectfully recognize that Prairie Spirit School Division schools are located on the traditional territories of Treaty One, and the shared lands of the Anishinaabe peoples and on the homeland of the Metis Nation.

About Regulations, Policies, Procedures, Guidelines, and Exhibits

Regulations are the rules used to carry out the intent of statutes (Acts) enacted by the Parliament of Manitoba or Canada. They are instruments of legislative power and have the force of law. Regulations contain more specific information than Acts. The actions of the Prairie Spirit School Division is governed by the regulations associated with the Public Schools Act and The Education Administration Act, among others.Policies are principles adopted by the Board of Trustees to chart a course of action for the Prairie Spirit School Division. Policies may include statements of facts, beliefs, goals and objectives, or directives. They function as principles for action, rules for conduct, and guidelines for activities. They create the boundaries within which decision-makers choose their plans of action.Procedures are more specific than policies. Procedures are the agreed methods or means by which the Prairie Spirit School Division takes action in its day-to-day functions. They provide a common set of strategies to accomplish policies and to ensure that a standardized course of action is being followed. They tell how, by whom, where, and when things are to be done, that is, what procedures are to be followed.Guidelines are statements by which to determine a course of action. Guidelines aim to streamline particular processes according to a set routine or sound practice. By definition, following a guideline is never mandatory. Guidelines are not binding and are not enforced. Guidelines are typically derived from publications of Manitoba Education or other provincial government entities, although the Prairie Spirit School Division board, administration, or individual schools may create guidelines within their own contexts.Exhibits are documents intended to provide additional information and to facilitate the understanding and uniform application of policies and procedures and guidelines (maps, lists, calendars, rubrics, forms in use, etc.)A note regarding the hierarchy of terms:Federal Acts and regulations outrank Provincial Acts and regulations. When there is a conflict between a Federal Act and a Provincial Act, the Federal Act prevails.Provincial Acts and regulations outrank policies of the Prairie Spirit School Division. When there is a conflict between a Provincial Act or regulation and the policies of the Prairie Spirit School Division, the Provincial Act or regulation prevails.Guidelines are not mandatory and are suggestions for a course of action to be determined by the Prairie Spirit School Division, its schools, and staff.Procedures, Guidelines, and Exhibits must align with the policies to which they are associated.Additional InformationVarious signs and symbols are used in the Manual.P. This symbol following a code indicates that the statement is an Administrative Procedure, not a Board policy. E. Exhibit. This symbol following a code indicates that this is a reference document, such as a calendar, a map, an application form etc. rather than a policy, procedure or guideline. M.R. Manitoba RegulationPSA Public Schools ActDates Where possible, the original date of adoption/issuance appears in the header, above the policy statement. No date entry indicates that the policy was adopted at the time the Manual was adopted by the Board of Trustees.Pertinent legal references are given to tell the reader where, in provincial or federal law, they may find certain statutes that relate to a policy.Certain policies/procedures relate to others and overlap with other policies/procedures. Cross-references are provided to help the reader find all of the related information.