NOTE: In the event of discrepancy between any of the policies listed on this site and those published by the NB Provincial Government, those of the NB Provincial Government shall prevail.

School District 8 Policies Manual - 900 Series

901: GOALS/PRIORITY OBJECTIVES

No Policy available at this time

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902: EVALUATION OF SCHOOL, HOME, COMMUNITY RELATIONS

No Policy available at this time

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903: COMMUNITY USE OF SCHOOL FACILITIES

903.1: Alcoholic Beverages in Schools

POLICY:

Consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on school premises. School principals may make an exception when an organization, or community group, has requested and received approval to use the school facility at times when students are not present, provided that:

i. the organization, or community group, has obtained the written approval of the Superintendent with respect to serving alcohol at their function; and

ii. The organization, or community group, has obtained a permit to serve alcohol from the New Brunswick Liquor Licensing Board (N.B.L.L.B.); and

iii. The organization, or community group, undertakes to prominently display the permit received from the N.B.L.L.B. in the area where alcoholic beverages will be served.

Reference
Department of Education Policy 407 Community Use of Schools

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903.2: Community Use of Schools

Policy 407: Community Use of Schools (Information current as of August 2002) (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Reference: http://www.gnb.ca/0000/pol/e/407A.pdf

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903.3: Public Performances or Presentations for Schools

1. GENERAL:

It is incumbent upon school administrators to ensure that live or audiovisual performances targeted to a student audience that occurs during school hours meet acceptable community standards and are relevant to the curriculum and school education plan.

2. RESPONSIBILITY FOR SCREENING THE PROPOSED PRESENTATION:

2.1 The primary responsibility for the appropriateness of curricular, co-curricular and extracurricular activities rests with the school principal.

2.1 The school principal shall ensure that every effort is made to preview the materials to ensure that they are age appropriate and are suitable according to community standards.

3. TEST FOR CURRICULUM RELEVANCY:

Any individual, or group, that wants to provide students with the opportunity to view or listen to performances or presentations in the school setting must provide the principal with information as to the educational benefits of the material, or its relevancy to the curriculum outcomes or school education plan.

4. PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED:

4.1 The principal may request from the individual(s) that are proposing the performance or presentation any information they may require to make an informed, objective opinion of the educational value of the proposal. This includes information respecting previous screening, background, history or content of the proposed performance or presentation.

4.2 The principal may consult with the Director of Education, a District Education Officer, or the School Parent Advisory Committee in order to make the final decision with respect to the appropriateness of the proposed presentation. Such consultation is encouraged in the interests of having more than one opinion being considered prior to the final decision being made.

4.3 If at the time of the performance or presentation it becomes apparent that there is unacceptable material that was not anticipated as a result of the preview process, the principal, or designate, may authorize the teacher supervisor(s) and students to leave or terminate the performance.

5. PARENTAL CONSENT:

5.1 The principal shall require signed consent forms from parent(s)/guardian(s) prior to students attending school activities, performances and presentations that are not offered on school property.

5.2 The principal shall be the contact person for parents who, before or after signing the consent form, have questions regarding the nature of the activity, performance or presentation.

6. COMPLAINT PROCESS:

Any person who wishes to make a complaint regarding the appropriateness of performances or presentations for students may do so by contacting, verbally or in writing, the appropriate District Office officials.

7. NON-CURRICULUM RELATED ACTIVITIES:

Educational staff must have due regard to the effective education of all students in their care and adhere to acceptable community standards, both during instruction or during school hours, whether or not the activities are relevant to the current curriculum.

8. HYPNOTISM:

Schools cannot sponsor any performance or presentation that involves hypnotism.

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903.4: Rental of School Facilities

Policy 407: Community Use of Schools (Information current as of August 2002) (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Reference: http://www.gnb.ca/0000/pol/e/407A.pdf

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904: PARTNERSHIPS

904.1: Partnerships

1. SCHOOL-SPONSORED PARTNERSHIPS:

1.1 Partnerships between schools and businesses resulting in sponsorships are encouraged, provided that the sponsorship

i. results in the provision of a product or service that is beneficial
to the school and complementary to the educational, CO-curricular and extracurricular program; and
ii. is discreet and in good taste.

2. DISTRICT-SPONSORED PARTNERSHIPS:

2.1 District-sponsored partnerships will supersede school-sponsored partnerships with one year's notice being given by the District to the school(s).

3. COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING:

3.1 Commercial advertising through the use of logos, trademarks, and other corporate names or symbols is permitted provided it is part of the sponsorship agreement.

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904.2: Playground Equipment

1. CONTRIBUTIONS TO ESTABLISH OR MAINTAIN PLAYGROUNDS:

School District 8 recognize and appreciate the contributions that various school and community groups have made, and continue to make, by providing playground equipment for public schools.

1.1 Where a Home and School Association, service group, or other organization wishes to make a contribution of time, labour, or materials to establish or maintain playgrounds on school property, the following conditions will apply:

i. A written proposal will be submitted to the Superintendent, outlining a detailed timeline for the project with cost estimates, short term and long term plans, and a description of the nature of the contribution that the group wishes to make.

Ii Upon receiving approval in principle of the proposal, School District 8 will present to the group a written legal agreement outlining the rights and responsibilities of the parties.

iii. Action cannot be taken by any outside group toward the establishment of the proposed playground prior to finalizing the legal agreement between the parties involved.

Iv The Superintendent, in consultation with the Maintenance Manager, for safety reasons shall approve acceptance of or installation of any playground equipment on school property.

2. MAINTENANCE OF PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT:

It shall be the policy of School District 8 to assign the responsibility for maintenance of playground equipment that is located on school property to the relevant municipality.

3. PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT SAFETY:

3.1 Each piece of playground equipment will be inspected according to school district guidelines by the school principal, or an appropriate designated person, monthly during the school year.

3.2 If the school principal, or designate, considers the equipment dangerous, then

i. the school district Maintenance Department immediately will repair or remove the equipment in the case of School District 6, and

ii. The Recreation Department of the City of Saint John, or the school district Maintenance Department, immediately will repair or remove the equipment in the case of School District 8.

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905: PUBLIC INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS

905.1: Crisis Communication

1. GENERAL:

School District 8 endeavour to release information as quickly and accurately as possible, addressing the public's right to know of events that affect the lives, well-being and property in the community. The process outlined in this policy shall not, however, jeopardize or hamper rescue efforts or the right to privacy of the person(s) directly affected by the crisis.

2. DEFINITION:

A crisis is a crucial point or situation that disrupts normal operations and brings about an unstable condition, sudden change or tragedy that in turn threatens or has the potential to threaten public health and safety.

3. RESPONSE TO CRISIS:

A communications response in a crisis situation will depend upon the type of crisis and the scope of the crisis.

4. SITE-BASED CRISIS COMMUNICATION RESPONSE:

4.1 Once the principal is informed of a crisis involving a student or staff member of the school, he/she will notify the Superintendent or Director of Education.

4.2 The principal is responsible for overseeing school-based communication of events surrounding the crisis at the school. A communications checklist should be included in the School-Based Traumatic Events Response Plan [Reference Appendix ____: District 8 Guidelines for a School-Based Response to Traumatic Events, 1996]

4.3 The Superintendent and school principal shall decide jointly who will be the official spokesperson to the media.

4.4 In the event of injury, the principal shall inform the family. In the event of death, the appropriate law enforcement agency shall inform the family.

4.5 The District Communications Officer will be responsible for:

i. communicating events to the educational and support staff of the district;
ii. co-ordinating the release of information to the public through the media, including preparation of news releases, notwithstanding Section 4.2.

5. SYSTEM-BASED CRISIS COMMUNICATION RESPONSE:

5.1 The Superintendent shall brief the District Communications Officer, and they jointly will prepare a list of persons, or groups, to be informed.

5.2 In the case of a bus accident, the principal and designated staff will be responsible for communicating the status to parents of students involved in the accident and responding to parental inquiries.

5.3 The District Communications Officer will be responsible for:

i. communicating events to educational and support staff of the district;
ii. Coordinating the release of information to the public through the media, including preparation of news releases and statements.

6. MANAGEMENT OF INFORMATION DURING A CRISIS:

6.1 In any crisis situation, an official spokesperson will be responsible for the initial response to the public and the media regarding the facts of the situation.

6.2 Depending upon the type and scope of the crisis, the District Communications Officer may undertake to direct, or assist, the official spokesperson in the distribution of information to appropriate staff and other key people.

6.3 Whether the crisis is school-based or district-based, the District Communications Officer shall provide the switchboard operator, and other appropriate staff, with updated statements for public release.

6.4 Inquiries or information received from off-site staff members, who are assisting in the response to a crisis, will be directed to the District Communications Officer who will then inform the appropriate staff.

7. AFTER A CRISIS:

7.1 The District Communications Officer will continue to release information on the crisis situation up until closure or summation.

7.2 The media and public will be informed of the closure or summation of the crisis.

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905.2: Graduating Students: Release of Information

No Policy available at this time

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905.3: Public Relations and Media Contact

POLICY:

The Superintendent, or his/her designate, shall make responses to inquiries for information from the news media.

GUIDELINES RESPECTING STAFF/STUDENTS BEING CONTACTED BY MEDIA:

1. Staff and students should not be subjected to media interviews.

2. Any employee who is approached by a media representative, or freelance journalist, for an interview is advised to use good judgment in responding to an inquiry. If in doubt, the employee should contact the Superintendent before responding to the media representative.

GUIDELINES RESPECTING RESPONDING TO DISTRICT/PROVINCIAL DECISIONS AND POLICIES:

In the best interests of all school district staff and students, relationships among District Office staff, school administrators, and teachers will remain to the degree possible formative and collegial in nature.

1. School District 8 officials recognize that school level staff input into the decision-making process is valuable. Where teachers have concerns or opposition to policies or decisions, the first step toward resolution should be through the proper channels and procedures.

2. Policy statements to be released to the news media, or to private individuals, will be given to school administrators prior to their release. These will be distributed in the appropriate manner to the school staff.

3. Where teachers have concerns or opposition to district or provincial policies, open and frank communication at the school level should be the first step toward resolution.

4. In matters where it is not clear that the situation causing any potential disagreement conforms to the requirements of a Collective Agreement, the teachers as well as the school administration should refer the matter tot he local grievance committee assigned with responsibility for interpretation of the Collective Agreement.

5. If the concern is a matter pertaining to employer-employee relations and could lead to potential conflict, and if school level discussions are not successful, the teacher or group of teachers should ask the school administration to inform the Superintendent and request a meeting of the persons concerned.

6. Where any school district employee takes action, individually or through other mechanisms, and that action would hinder the implementation of a policy or decision of the school district officials, and be harmful to the general operation of the system, such action would be just cause for disciplinary action to be taken by the Superintendent.

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906: SOLICITATIONS (REQUESTS) IN SCHOOLS

906.1: Contests, Questionnaires & Surveys

POLICY:

1. Contests, questionnaires, and/or surveys intended for public schools, and sponsored by provincial, national, or international organizations must be approved by the Minister prior to involving public school staff or students.

2. The Superintendent may authorize local organizations to conduct contests, questionnaires, or surveys in the schools.

GUIDELINES:

1. Any community agency, group, or individual must submit to the Superintendent for authorization any questionnaire or survey intended for research purposes to be completed by school staff or students

2. The community agency, group, or individual must state clearly the purpose(s) of the questionnaire or survey and how the results will be used.

3. It should be stated clearly on the questionnaire or survey that is submitted for authorization that the research is not initiated by School District 8.

4. If authorization is given, the Superintendent may request a summary of the findings of the questionnaire or survey.

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906.2: Contribution of Resources by Parents

Policy 132: Contribution of Resources by Parents (Information current as of August 2002) (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Reference:http://www.gnb.ca/0000/pol/e/132A.pdf (Intranet connection needed)

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906.3: Distribution of Materials to Schools

1. REQUESTS TO DISTRIBUTE MATERIAL TO SCHOOLS USING THE INTERNAL MAIL DELIVERY SYSTEM:

1.1 Individuals and organizations are permitted to use the internal mail delivery system to distribute materials to all schools, or a group of schools, provided the material is packaged and marked with the school name.

1.2 Individual school principals shall decide, based on the following conditions, whether such material is distributed further to teachers, students, or to the home via students.

1.3 The following conditions will apply:

i. Promotional material for a profit-oriented product or service shall not be distributed via students to the home [e.g. daycare services, music lessons.]. However, the school principal may post such material at the school, and may provide the information to parents upon request.

ii. Promotional material for a non profit-oriented product or service may be distributed via students to the home [e.g. registration for a sports team].

iii. Promotional material for a political party shall not be distributed via students to the home.

iv. Requests for students to participate in contests or fundraising activities must be complementary to educational programming or accrue a tangible benefit to students [Reference: Fundraising and Canvassing Policy No. _____]

[If the school principal is in doubt with respect to the application of the above conditions, they may contact the Director of Education for clarification and guidance.]

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906.4: Fundraising and Canvassing

1. GENERAL:

School District 8 recognize that fundraising and canvassing activities might be necessary to provide assistance in the operation of certain programs and activities that offer educational benefits to students.

2. FUNDRAISING OR CANVASSING BY NON-SCHOOL GROUPS:

Any agency, group, or individual wishing to involved students in their fundraising or canvassing activities must submit a proposal to the school principal for approval. The proposal must indicate what tangible benefit would accrue to the students or to the school district as a result of the fundraising activity.

3. FUNDRAISING OR CANVASSING BY STAFF OR STUDENTS:

3.1 The principal must authorize all fundraising projects organized by staff or students of the school.

3.2 Before authorizing any revenue-generating activity within the school, the principal shall ensure that the purpose of the fundraising or canvassing activity:

i. is consistent with the school education plan and goals for school improvement; and
ii. will provide a tangible educational benefit to the students in the school.

3.3 The purpose of the fundraising or canvassing activity must be explained clearly to staff, students, parents and the community involved before the commencement of the activity.

3.4 If any of the above requirements in Sections 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 are not satisfied, the Superintendent may disqualify the activity as a fundraising event for that school.

4. SUPERVISION AND CONSENT:

During fundraising and canvassing activities, the school principal shall ensure that:

i. the safety of children receives prime consideration;
ii. the written consent of a parent/guardian is on file for each K-3 student who participates in a fundraising activity;
iii. K-3 students will not be involved in door-to-door canvassing;
iv. proper supervision of students is in place; and
v. appropriate record keeping and accountability with respect to money raised is ensured.

Policy 708: Fundraising Involving Door-to-Door and Public Solicitation (Formally Policy 312) (Information current as of August 2002) (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Reference: http://www.gnb.ca/0000/pol/e/708A.pdf

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