DISCRETIONARY EXCUSED ABSENCE (DEA) POLICY
Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to allow a simple way for parents to take their student(s) out of school/work when they need to, without having to go through a time-consuming approval process for normal situations. The policy is not intended to be viewed as a bank of vacation days for students, to be taken or lost. If many parents used all of their available DEAs in a given semester, the school program would not be able to handle the absences. So, DEAs are intended for situations where parents need to take their child from school/work, and not used if not needed.
Beyond such unavoidable circumstances as medical needs, weddings, or scheduled family business, it is understood that sometimes there is a need simply for family time, so DEAs may be used for this as well. They are not to be used for students to spend time away from school with other students or with non-family.
For absences beyond the allotted number of DEAs, and for absences during 1-5 (above) for which an exception has not been granted, a penalty of $85 per day will be charged. This penalty is in addition to any transportation charges incurred.
Transportation is scheduled to and from Abbotsford International Airport; Vancouver International Airport and Seattle, Washington’s SeaTac International Airport FREE OF CHARGE on the first and last day of all school breaks (including summer). Please note that there is NO school bus service to or from Vancouver airport, British Columbia.
Due to our distance from some locations (ie SEATAC Airport) there is considerable time and energy needed to accommodate travel requests that fall outside our regularly scheduled travel times. Our bus drivers are governed by very specific laws regarding on-duty and driving hours, which enable us to provide our students with the safest transportation possible. When driving from Fountainview to SEATAC airport and back, we cannot afford to wait for flights booked outside of our pick-up/drop-off window.
Incoming Flights (Travel to Fountainview Academy)
Outgoing Flights (Leaving Fountainview Academy)
Travel Plan Register
Parent Travel Arrangements
Students arranging music, composing lyrics and/or music, singing in vocal recordings, and/or playing in instrumental recordings while training at Fountainview Academy and/or during Career and Technical Development give Fountainview Academy unlimited rights to duplicate and distribute the resulting works created and Fountainview Academy also holds the sole ownership of the works created.
Students should understand that while attending Fountainview Academy they represent the school and are responsible to uphold the high-standards of the school. No media or music with any affiliation to Fountainview Academy is to be produced or recorded by any student and distributed (on YouTube, Facebook, mass-distribution, or published in written form, etc.) without meeting clearance of the music director and the approval of the Administrative Committee.
Fountainview Academy activities are often photographed and/or videoed for the benefit of family and friends, for the promotion of the school, and in gospel music productions. I/We hereby grant permission to Fountainview Academy to photograph, record, and video my/our child, and to publish and use the resulting photographs, recordings, and videos in any school production, publication, website, and/or promotional material.
Rationale
Fountainview Academy is completely opposed to bullying and will not tolerate it. It is entirely contrary to the values and principles we work and live by. All members of the school community have a right to be in a safe, orderly, and caring environment. They also have a responsibility to contribute, in whatever way they can, to the protection and maintenance of such an environment. This policy is put in place to protect students’ physical safety, social connectedness, inclusiveness, and protection from all forms of bullying, regardless of their gender, race, culture, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.
Mission Statement
Fountainview Academy actively promotes positive interpersonal relations between all members of the school community. “We should be ever looking out for opportunities, even in little things, to show gratitude for the favours we have received….., and watching for opportunities to cheer others and lighten and relieve their sorrows and burdens by acts of tender kindness and little deeds of love.” Adventist Home 428.1
Principles
Definitions
Bullying is an act of aggression, causing embarrassment, pain or discomfort to someone. It can take a number of forms; physical, verbal, making gestures, extortion and exclusion. It is an abuse of power. It can be planned and organised, or it may be unintentional. It may be perpetrated by individuals or by groups of pupils.
“Bullying” is conduct that meets all of the following criteria:
Scope
The scope of this policy includes the prohibition of every form of bullying, harassment, and cyberbullying/harassment, whether in the classroom, on the school premises, when a student is travelling to or from school, on a school bus, or at a school-sponsored event, whether or not held on school premises. Bullying or harassment, including cyberbullying/harassment, that is not initiated at a location defined above is covered by this policy if the incident results in a potentially material or substantial disruption of the school learning environment for one or more students and/or the orderly day-to-day operations of any school or school program.
Fountainview Academy expects students and staff members to conduct themselves in a manner in keeping with their levels of maturity, and demonstrated capabilities with a proper regard for the rights and welfare of other students, school staff, volunteers, contractors, and guests.
Forms of Bullying
PARTICIPATION & CONSULTATION PROCESS
Awareness-raising programmes
RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALL STAKEHOLDERS
The Responsibilities of Staff
Our staff will:
The Responsibilities of Students
We expect our students to:
Anyone who becomes the target of bullies should:
The Responsibilities of Parents
We ask our parents to support their children and the school by:
The Responsibilities of All
Everyone should:
PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH INCIDENTS OF BULLYING BEHAVIOUR
Fountainview Academy requires the Student Life director to be responsible for determining whether an alleged act constitutes a violation of this policy. In the case of suspected bullying between staff members, the Administrative Committee will determine whether or not an alleged act constitutes a violation of this policy.
In so doing, the Student Life Director or the Administrative Committee (for staff related reports) shall conduct a prompt, thorough, and complete investigation of each alleged incident. The investigation is to be completed within three school days after a report or complaint is made. If one or both parties are absent, the investigation will be conducted and completed within 7 days to allow time to contact the parties involved. The parents of the students involved shall receive verbal and written notice from the school on the outcome of the investigation (in compliance with current privacy laws and regulations). All reports on instances of bullying and/or harassment must be recorded by the school for annual data review.
Fountainview Academy prohibits reprisal or retaliation against any person who reports an act of bullying or harassment or cooperates in an investigation. The consequences and appropriate remedial action for a person who engages in reprisal or retaliation shall be determined by the Discipline Committee or the Administrative Committee (for staff infractions), after consideration of the nature, severity, and circumstances of the act.
Fountainview Academy prohibits any person from falsely accusing another as a means of bullying or harassment. The consequences and appropriate remedial action for a person found to have falsely accused another as a means of bullying or harassment may range from positive behavioural interventions up to and including suspension, expulsion, or termination (in the case of a school staff member).
Consequences for a student who commits an act of bullying or harassment shall vary in method and severity according to the nature of the behaviour and the student’s history of problem behaviours and performance, and must be consistent with the disciplinary process outlined in the student handbook and administrative policies. Remedial measures shall be designed to: correct the problem behaviour, prevent another occurence of the behaviour, and protect the victim of the act. School employees will also be held accountable for bullying or harassing behaviour directed toward other school employees, volunteers, parents, or students.
The consequences and remedial measures may include:
Examples of remedial measures could include, but are not limited to:
Fountainview Academy requires the school administration to make this policy available electronically, via our website, or in print, upon request, to all school staff, students, and parents.
The Student Life Department shall develop an annual process for discussing the anti-bullying policy with students and staff.
Fountainview Academy shall incorporate information regarding the policy against harassment and/or bullying into each school employee training program and handbook.
December 9, 2013
Fountainview Academy
Independent school authorities are well served by policies and practices regarding student records. Such policies and practices will benefit independent school students, parents, office staff, administrators, and authorities by providing guidance for the collection of information and its storage, use, transfer, and protection. Legal and public expectations regarding the confidentiality, disclosure and transfer of school student records are increasing, as are societal concerns regarding school record keeping and storage.
The legal framework for the development of this Student Records Requirements and Best Practices Policy is provided by section 6.1 of the Independent School Act, Sections 9 and 10 of the Independent School Regulation (the Regulation), the Student Records Order (I 1/07) (the Order), and the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA). Section 9(2) of the Regulation obliges independent school authorities to, subject to the requirements of the Order, (a) establish written procedures regarding the storage, retrieval and appropriate use of student records, and (b) ensure confidentiality of the information contained in the student records and ensure privacy for students and their families.
In addition to the above, the Office of the Inspector of Independent Schools and FISA BC have collaborated in producing the Student Records Requirements and Best Practice Guidelines for Independent Schools, Ministry of Education, June, 2012, which serves as a guide for independent school policy development in this area.
The school authority may add, modify, or remove portions of Fountainview Academy’s Student Records Requirements and Best Practices Policy when it is considered appropriate to do so, if it is not in conflict with legal requirements and government policy.
Fountainview Academy is committed to ensuring that student records are handled in accordance with all legal requirements.
The purpose of this document is to define policy and to determine procedures for the collection of student information and its storage, use, disclosure, transfer and protection.
The following policy statements are provided to inform all parties who collect, store, use, disclose, transfer and protect student information.
Fountainview Academy will:
The following inclusions must be listed on Form 1704, including document date, title and expiry date or date rescinded (if applicable), and copies of the documents listed must be filed with the PSR:
The following inclusions may be listed on PSR Form 1704, including document date, title and expiry date or date rescinded (if applicable) and if listed, copies of the documents must be filed with the PSR:
If the above optional inclusions are NOT listed on PSR Form 1704, then they may be included in the Student File (see section 2.03, h below).
Additional items must (see a below) or may (see b – h below) be included in the school’s student records as part of the Student File. These items include:
This may include information which by its nature requires that school staff observe a high level of confidentiality. Examples include:
Student eligibility information (see Appendix 1) will be updated during student registration each year.
As stated above, the lead administrator or designate will regularly review Student Records and Student Files to ensure that the information is current and complies with legal requirements.
The lead administrator is responsible for ensuring that personal information taken off campus is safely stored and that personal information is protected.
Access to Sensitive Student Information is restricted to the lead administrator or a person or persons authorized by the lead administrator to access such information defined in section 2.04 of this policy.
The lead administrator or designate will obtain parental consent (written, dated and signed) for the collection, use and disclosure of Sensitive Student Information, including psychiatric reports and family assessments, and will store these as highly confidential documents with restricted access.
Sensitive Student Information will only be disclosed or transferred in accordance with the law.
The lead administrator is responsible for ensuring that school initiated reports under section 14 of the Child, Family and Community Service Act are retained only for the purpose of child protection proceedings and that information is not disclosed to third parties or transferred to other schools. Such reports are strictly confidential and should only be stored where the lead administrator or designate can access them.
The school authority may use an individual student’s personal information for the following purposes, assuming that the school has disclosed such purposes to the individual student verbally or in writing on or before collecting the personal information:
An entitled person may access and verify personal information in the Student Record and Student File pertaining to the particular student with appropriate notice to the school administration. Access will be provided during school hours.
On receipt of a request for student records from a school, a Board of Education, or an independent school authority from within British Columbia where the student is (or will be)enrolled, the school authority will transfer that student’s PSR (including declared inclusions), the current Student Learning Plan (if any), and the current IEP (if any) to the requesting institution. The school authority will retain a copy of the PSR, indicating the school where the records have been sent and the date of the student record transfer.
If the requesting institution is outside British Columbia, a photocopy of the PSR will be sent (including declared inclusions), along with the current Student Learning Plan (if any), and the current IEP (if any).
Requests for a student’s record from a public school require that the public school administration provide a copy of the PSR (including declared inclusions) and current Student Learning Plan (if applicable) and IEP (if applicable) to the independent school authority. The original PSR must be retained by the public school.
The school authority will only transfer sensitive, confidential information (e.g. psychiatric assessments) after dated and signed parent/guardian consent has been obtained.
The school authority will not transfer a record of a Section 14 Child, Family and Community Service Act report of alleged sexual or physical abuse made to a child protection social worker.
A summary of a former student’s school progress may be provided to prospective employers, at the written request of a former student. The school authority reserves the right to assess a fee for this service.
A Student Record will be reviewed when a student transfers. The lead administrator will ensure that the documents listed as inclusions are still required inclusions (eg. not expired or rescinded) or still deemed to be relevant and important to the educational program of the student. Expired, rescinded, or irrelevant inclusions will be removed from the Student Record and the documents themselves will be shredded.
Appendix 1: Form A – Status of Parent/Guardian (Admission to Canada and Residency)
Appendix 2: Links to information on Student Record legislation:
Appendix 3: Links to Student Record Policy: Student Records – Requirements and Best Practice Guidelines for Independent Schools, June 2012
Appendix 4: Link to the Child, Family and Community Service Act:http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/00_96046_01
Introduction & Rationale: Fountainview Academy is a boarding school and as such our staff are entrusted with the care of our students at all times, day or night, while the school programmes are in session, on campus or off. It is the perspective of the academy that adequate adult staffing be provided for our students at all times in all of our varied activities and locations. Philosophically we prefer a “facilitation” model over merely “supervision.” The difference being, a facilitator intends to come alongside a student to both participate and mentor while engaged in the activity while a supervisor is often aloof and apart from the activity. For the purpose of this policy we will define supervision to satisfy the necessary minimum requirements for accountable adult staff, but it will still be our expectation that our staff involvement take a facilitation/mentoring role whenever they are involved in the “supervision” of an activity.
On Campus Supervision:
While on campus, our teachers and vocational trainers are responsible to provide supervision during regularly scheduled school hours. We require a dean of each gender to be available at all times on call to respond to needs such as student illness, medical appointments or other extenuating circumstances. During such times the dean(s) scheduled are responsible.
When students are unwell, it is the responsibility of the deans to alert other staff as well as provide food, hydration and basic comfort care. Comfort care is to include ongoing hydration, checking temperature, offering relevant vitamins as needed. If needs exceed basic care then the dean on duty will arrange further medical attention.
Dormitory deans are required to do an accurate room/bed check every night. Written record of any guests and/or students absent must be made as applicable. Our ideal awake time ratio of deans to students is 1:10 while our minimum is 1:20.
Outings / Field Trips:
Transportation and lodging (if applicable) will be arranged by school administration or a designated representative.
Provision of adequate supervision is the responsibility of the Student Life Director.
On overnight trips, if students of both genders are involved, the supervision of the group must include staff or designated volunteers, of both genders.
The supervision ratio will be a minimum of 1:10 and will be increased if required for safety or to comply with other expectations which may be required.
Responsibilities of Supervisors on Off Campus Outings:
In compliance with the Independent School Act of BC, Fountainview Academy is bonded according to the requirements of the Ministry of Education for a Group 4 certified school.
This bond is retained to provide for the prorated repayment of all money received by the Fountainview Academy Association for or on behalf of students (or persons applying to become students) when courses are not taken or completed as a result of:
Earning Graduation Credits Policy
This policy covers the various ways that a Fountainview Academy student may earn credits toward graduation other than taking a course in a BC classroom. These ways include Equivalency, Challenge, Independent Directed Study (IDS), Distributed Learning, External Credentials, and Post-Secondary Credits.
Section 1: Equivalency
A student may earn credit for a course through Equivalency when the following conditions are met:
a. The student took the course from an educational institution outside of the BC school system, or in a homeschool setting.
b. The student can provide an academic record showing that the course was taken.
c. The course taken by the student meets approximately 80% of the Prescribed Learning Outcomes of a BC Ministry of Education defined course or a Fountainview Academy BAA course. This is determined by the Principal in consultation with appropriate teaching staff. Consequently, a description (in English) of the course taken by the student must be available to the Principal.
When a student is granted Equivalency for a course, the grade earned by the student in the original course will be assigned to their Equivalency credits. If the Equivalency is met by a combination of courses, the grade will be determined by a combination of the original grades, weighted according to the Prescribed Learning outcomes met by each course. Where no grade can be determined, a Transfer Standing mark will be assigned.
Section 2: Challenge
When Equivalency cannot be determined, a student may challenge a course for credit. The process for challenge is as follows:
a. The student must provide evidence that a challenge is likely to be successful. This evidence may take various forms, including but not limited to
• Teacher oral examination
• Records of completed coursework
• Written confirmation from a reliable source
b. The student writes a challenge test. This will normally consist of a comprehensive final exam for the course, prepared by the teacher of the course. In the case of a provincially examinable course, the challenge test may be a previous Provincial Exam or similar test.
c. The mark received on the challenge test becomes the student’s school mark for the course. In the case of a provincially examinable course, the student will then write the Provincial Exam for the course. For optional exams, the student may choose to write the Provincial Exam or not.
Section 3: Independent Directed Study (IDS)
A student may earn credit for a course through IDS under any of the following circumstances:
a. The student has taken only a portion of the course
b. The course is not available at Fountainview Academy
c. It is deemed best by the Principal for the student to pursue the course outside of the regular classroom setting. Reasons may include scheduling conflicts or budgetary considerations.
Under circumstance (a), there are two possible scenarios:
1. At Fountainview: The student has taken the course at Fountainview Academy but has not completed it. This may be because of late entry, early withdrawal, of unsuccessful attempt at portions of the course. In this scenario, the Principal will consult with the teacher (where necessary) and assign 1, 2, or 3 credits designated IDS. The student’s grade will consist of the grade received for the credited portions of the course.
2. Elsewhere: The student has successfully completed a portion of the course in an educational system (or homeschool) outside of Fountainview Academy. In this scenario, the Principal will review the documentation in a process similar to an Equivalency review. The Principal will then assign either 1, 2, or 3 credits designated IDS, depending on the percent of Prescribed Learning Outcomes met (20% = 1 credit, 40% = 2 credits, 60% = 3 credits). The student’s grade will consist of the grade received for the credited portions of the course. In cases where a grade cannot be determined, a Transfer Standing will be assigned. In this scenario, the credits will also be designated as Equivalency credits.
Under circumstances (b) and (c), the following procedure will be used:
1. A plan for an IDS structure will be proposed by a teacher or the Principal. The Principal will determine whether the proposed structure will be suitable to the circumstances.
2. The approved structure will include the following elements
• An appropriate level of teacher supervision/direction
• A plan for providing the necessary time for the student to complete the course (or desired portions of the course)
• An accountability arrangement whereby the teacher can ensure that the Prescribed Learning Outcomes of the course are being met
• An evaluation method whereby the teacher can assign a grade to the student for the credits earned.
3. The student will proceed according to the approved structure
4. When the student has completed the course (or desired portions of the course), the teacher will report to the Principal the grade assigned and the number of credits earned, based on the percent of Prescribed Learning Outcomes met. This information will then be added to the student’s academic record and reported to the Ministry of Education.
Section 4: Distributed Learning
Distributed Learning is a method of instruction that occurs when the student is primarily at a distance from the teacher and school. In some cases, a student may engage in Distributed Learning with another institution while attending Fountainview Academy. This section of the policy outlines the circumstances under which this may occur. Note that Distributed Learning occurring prior to a student’s enrollment at Fountainview Academy will be handled under the appropriate one of the previous sections.
Fountainview students may engage in Distributed Learning under one of the following scenarios:
a. The course is not offered at Fountainview Academy that year or term.
b. The Principal has deemed it preferable for the student to take the course via Distributed Learning rather than in the regular classroom setting.
The Principal’s approval must be obtained before a student enrolls in a Distributed Learning course for credit at Fountainview. Valid reasons for scenario (b) above include:
• The student has learning challenges that would give preference to the Distributed Learning method.
• The Distributed Learning course offers additional, beneficial options that are not available in the classroom.
• The student’s schedule conflicts with the scheduled classroom course.
Note that such situations as a personality clash with the teacher or a preference for self-study are not valid reasons for scenario (b).
In considering approval, the Principal will take into account the following factors:
1. The student’s likelihood of success with self-directed study
2. The implications of the course on the student’s graduation status
3. The fitness of the desired course in reference to Fountainview’s educational philosophy and standards
4. The cost of the course
5. The student’s available time for working on the course
6. The availability of adequate supervision, monitoring, and assistance
Payment: Fountainview Academy will pay for the Distributed Learning courses and materials under scenario (b) unless other previous arrangements have been made. Under scenario (a), Fountainview Academy will pay for the course and materials if the Principal deems that there are not sufficient options available for that student in a given elective period, or that the student needs to have that course made available to him/her. Otherwise, the student/parent will be responsible for costs associated with the course, including postage and materials.