Philosophy

The Alternative High School (AHS) recognizes that not all students are successful in the traditional school environment. This program gives students another option toward completing their high school diplomas.

History

For nearly thirty years, the AHS has seen students who had difficulty in the regular high school system thrive. Hundreds have earned their high school diplomas, secured employment and some have gone on to post-secondary education. The school began as a satellite classroom at Famous Players theatres in St. Vital Shopping Centre. The concept was so successful that it was awarded by the Conference Board of Canada.

Site

The program is based out of the Jobworks Adult Learning Centre at 1175 Pembina Highway. The facility is technologically well-equipped with interactive white boards and a science lab. Every classroom has computers and wireless Internet access.

Program

The AHS program is organized so that students can join for Grades 9 through 12, or for as little as just one credit. Only forty students are accepted into the program to allow for smaller class sizes and increased one-on-one attention. In contrast to traditional high school semesters that are several months long, the alternative high school year is broken into 10-week modules. This allows students to earn credits quickly for an increased rate of success. What’s more, individuals focus on only three courses at a time to avoid becoming overwhelmed.

English, Math, Science, Social Studies and Physical Education are taught as required courses. There are a variety of electives to choose from such as Art, Career Development, and Family Studies. In addition, students can benefit from unique in and out-of-class activities that include guest speakers, science experiments and monthly celebrations as well as field trips to Fort Whyte Centre, Manitoba Theatre for Young People, IMAX Theatre, even to sporting events like Manitoba Moose games.

Registration

To qualify for the program, students must have successfully completed Grade 8 and be at least 16-years old. Applicants and their parent(s) or guardian(s) must attend an interview with the teachers. The student must be prepared to fill out a questionnaire about his/her past experiences at this time. If accepted, students register and pay an annual registration fee of $60.00. There are not tuition fees for the Alterntative High School. Intake occurs four times a year in September, November, February and April. For more information, please call (204) 453-8351 and ask for Pam Schoen or Miranda Dong.

September 2010

Dear Parents/Guardians/Students:

List of events for September:

• September 7^th & 8^th - Staggered orientation
  (Please see the letter sent home to find out which day you are scheduled to come in!) All students must attend their orientation session.
  

• Sepember 9^th - First day of school. Classes begin at 9 a.m. SHARP.

• September 16^th - Beach Volleyall at Assiniboine Park.
  Our class will be going out for our first Phys. Ed. outing to play volleyball. Students will be expected to meet us at the volleyball courts facing Commissary Road for 9 a.m. A map of the park has been included with the letter sent home. We will provide bus tickets for students to return to school after this event.
  

• September 30^th - Ballet
  Our entire class will be attending a performance of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, entitled Dracula. Students will be required to attend regular morning classes. We will provide bus tickets for students to travel to the Concert Hall. Students will be dismissed from there at 3 p.m.

• A workshop for Ultimate Frisbee and Boot Camp will also be a part of our Phys. Ed. activities this month. Students will not be required to travel to meet for these events. Attending regularly will ensure that you will not miss these two activities. We have included a PAR-Q & YOU form, with the letter sent home, that must be completed before participationg in these events. Please complete and sign the forms and bring them with you on your orientation day!
  

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at 453-8351.

If you need to speak wiht us after school hours, please call our cell phone at 792-9383. We can be reached from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Miranda Dong and Pamela Schoen - Jobworks Alternative High School Teachers

Code of Behaviour

Policy

The policy reflects the Alternative High School (AHS) program's belief that all students progress at their own pace. It also identifies the reality that each student presents their own personal challenges and differences. The intent of the policy is to respect each learner's individuality and to provide opportunities for success. The program will provide a safe, positive learning environment for each and every student.

Guidelines

• The ultimate goal is to develop self-discipline.
• Students should behave appropriately.
• Expectations of appropriate behavior include but are not limited to:
  
  • respect for self and others
  • respect for property
  • courtesy
  • cooperation
  • participation
  • honesty
  • responsibility
  • punctuality
  • appropriate dress/cell phones
  • absenteeism
  • appropriate language
  • academic integrity
  • compliance with laws/policies regarding substance abuse
  • compliance with laws/policies regarding possession of a weapon
  • compliance with laws/policies regarding violence

Procedures

Responses to student behavior occur with consideration for individual needs and circumstances. The policy aims to promote self-discipline, consider developmental differences, support constructive behavior change, reflect the findings of educational research, and consider the safety and welfare of the program. In all matters of discipline, the staff recognizes that each situation is unique, and the application of good professional judgment of teachers and directors is always required, even though a code of behavior exists as a resource. Parents/Guardians will play an active role in the process of behavior management. The process may include the following interventions:

The AHS will respond in the following manner to absenteeism:

1. A student is only allowed to have 5 unexcused absences per module. When the student reaches 4 unexcused absences, parents/guardians will be notified by phone or by mail. If the student exceeds 5 unexcused absences, he/she will be asked to leave the program for the remainder of the module. All the course work completed during this time frame will not count towards credit. The student will be eligible to interview for the next module.
2. Staff will call parents/guardians if they have not already called in to report that their son/daughter will be away due to illness or an appointment. This will count as an unexcused absence.
3. Only the student's parent/guardian can call in for the student, regardless of their age. Calls excusing students will only be accepted if a parent/guardian calls the school before 9:00 am for morning classes or 12:30 pm for afternoon classes. Students will receive unexcused absences if they are not called in before classes start.
4. If this student reaches the maximum number of absences permitted again, he/she will be asked to leave the program for the rest of the school year.
5. If a student is consistently ill or accumulates a total of 10 absences, a doctor's note will be required if the student misses anymore classes. A formal interview with staff and parents/guardians may be requested to determine if the student should continue in the program.
6. Doctor's notes will only be accepted if they are dated for the date of the absence and these must be submitted the first day the student returns to class.
7. Staff will not accept doctor's notes that are back dated.
8. An individualized attendance plan may be requested by parents/guardians during the intake process if a need is expressed and determined necessary by staff.
9. Showing up late to classes 4 times will equate to 1 unexcused absence.
10. Students are marked late between 9:01 am - 10:00 am or between 12:30 pm - 12:35 pm. Arriving to class after 10:00 am or 12:40 pm is an unexcused absence. Parents will be notified and students will be sent home.
11. Missing 1 class is equal to 1 unexcused absence. Missing a whole day is equal to 2 unexcused absences, as students have two classes per day.
12. If a student is asked to leave class by a staff member for behavioral issues at any point during the class, it will be an unexcused absence for that class. Students will be given direction as to when they can return. If another class is missed before they are permitted to return, unexcused absences will continue to accumulate.
13. Any suspensions that a student acquires counts towards their number of unexcused absences.

Drug Policy

Policy

The Alternative High School (AHS) recognizes that the use of illegal drugs, alcohol and / or controlled substances (inappropriately or illegally) by students, is harmful to their physical and mental well-being. It also affects their social and educational development.  The AHS will not tolerate students attending under the influence of or in possession of the above. The AHS supports the collaboration with parents/guardians, and other community organizations to ensure and maintain that our learning environment remains drug free.

Guidelines

• To support our drug free learning environment the AHS will:
  • follow discipline protocols to address drug related infractions.
  • refer to outside agencies for support and information relating to identification, prevention, intervention, and recovery.
  • work with parents/guardians.
  • use good judgment when assessing if a student appears to be under the influence of drugs/alcohol.  Staff has the right, under the Manitoba Public School's Act, to act as a wise and judicious parent when determining if a student is under the influence of drugs/alcohol and applying the necessary discipline procedures.

Procedures

The AHS Drug Policy prohibits the distribution or sale, possession, use or appearing under the influence of drugs/alcohol on school property, traveling to and from school events, or at a school activity or event. The only exception is for prescription drugs, the needs of which will be disclosed to staff during intake.

The AHS will respond in the following manner to the use/suspected use of drugs/alcohol:

1. student will be removed from class for an informal interview with another staff member present and asked about their change in behavior and/or appearance.
2. the student will be asked to leave for the day.
3. parents/guardians will be called.
4. arrange for safe departure.
5. if it is the student's first offence, he/she will be permitted back in class the next day. If the behavior continues, a formal interview with staff and parents/guardians will be required to discuss follow-up action.

In the addition to the above, the AHS may respond in the following manner to student's use/suspected use of drugs/alcohol:

1. student may be required to submit to a search of their personal belongings in the presence of another staff member.
2. suspension, followed by appropriate disciplinary action.
3. student may be required to attend an external drug agency's program and/or attend counseling.
4. student may be asked to leave the program until the next intake.
5. student may be expelled.
6. any other consequences deemed appropriate by the AHS staff.

The AHS will respond in the following manner to the possession of alcohol/drugs:

1. confiscate any drugs/alcohol.
2. conduct a search of the student's personal belongings in the presence of another staff member.
3. contact parents/guardians.
4. arrange for safe departure.
5. the student will receive an automatic 3 day suspension.
6. appropriate follow-up actions will take place prior to the student returning to the classroom such as, but not limited to, a formal interview with staff, attendance at an external agency's drug education plan, attendance at a counseling service, any other conditions or consequences deemed appropriate by the staff.

In addition to the above, the AHS may also respond to the possession of drug/alcohol in the following ways:

1. calling police.
2. student may be asked to leave the program until the next intake.
3. student may be expelled.

The AHS will respond to the supply, sale or distribution of drugs in the following manner:

1. staff will confiscate any observable drugs/alcohol.
2. police will be called immediately.
3. parents/guardians will be called.
4. student will be expelled.

*students who refuse to submit to a search of their belongings will be asked to leave the program immediately*

Anti-Bullying Policy

Policy

The Alternative High School (AHS) recognizes that any form of bullying is harmful to others' physical and mental well-being. It also affects their social and educational development.  The AHS will not tolerate any form of bullying on the premises. The AHS supports the collaboration with parents/guardians, and other community organizations to ensure that our learning environment is safe and comfortable.

Guidelines

• To support our bully free learning environment the AHS will:
  • follow discipline protocols to address bullying related incidences.
  • refer to outside agencies for support and information relating to bullying.
  • work with parents/guardians.
  • use good judgment when determining if an incident is related to bullying. Staff has the right, under the Manitoba Public School's Act, to act as a wise and judicious parent and will ensure that all students are provided equal opportunity to learn in a safe and non-threatening environment.

Procedures

The AHS Anti-bullying Policy prohibits all forms of bullying on school property, while traveling to and from school events, or during school activities offsite.

The AHS will respond in the following manner to bullying:

1. student will be removed from class for an informal interview with another staff member to discuss the incident. An appointment will be set up at this time for a formal interview with teachers and the director to discuss the consequences.
2. the student will be asked to leave for the remainder of the day. This may result in either one or two unexcused absences depending on the time of day the incident occurs.
3. parents/guardians will be called.
4. student will not be permitted to return until the formal interview has taken place.

In addition to the above, the AHS may respond in the following manner to bullying:

1. suspension, followed by appropriate disciplinary action.
2. student may be required to attend an external program and/or attend counseling.
3. student may be asked to leave the program until the next intake.
4. student may be expelled.
5. any other consequences deemed appropriate by the AHS staff.

*students who refuse to discuss the situation will be asked to leave the program immediately*

Nutrition Policy

Policy

The Alternative High School (AHS) recognizes that healthy eating helps youth grow, develop and do well in school. We acknowledge that students at nutritional risk have significantly poorer attendance, their grades suffer and they are more likely to have behavioral problems. The AHS believes that a healthy school nutrition policy reinforces curriculum, acknowledges the increasing number of students who have food allergies, recognizes the problem of adolescent obesity, and provides an environment for students to practice the nutritional plans which are discussed in class.

Guidelines

• To support our healthy school nutrition policy, the AHS will:
  • use the Manitoba School Nutrition Handbook as a resource from which to enhance our continuing development of policy, which follows the Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures All Party Task Force recommendations.
  • follow the Guidelines For Foods Served at Schools and Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating when promoting nutritious eating habits with staff and students.
  • consult outside agencies (ex: Anaphylaxis Canada, Food Allergy Network), and parents for information.

Procedures

Only nutritious foods shall be promoted in the AHS. Those foods which are high in calories and low in nutrients will not be promoted in our classrooms. We will adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Staff and students will be encouraged to bring only food belonging to one or more of the four food groups of Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating to class parties or events.
2. The AHS will not offer less healthy foods (e.g. candy, chips, soft drinks) as a reward to students for good behavior, achievement or participation.
3. The AHS will not participate in fundraising activities, rewards and incentive programs which compromise our student's healthy food choices.
4. Staff will model healthy eating behavior in the classroom.
5. The AHS will address food allergies and special dietary concerns.
6. During intake, this policy will be reviewed with students and parents/guardians.
7. Our school will continue to offer healthy living choices throughout the school year.

Dress Code Policy

Policy

• The AHS believes that dressing appropriately for a school environment is extremely important.
• Students are not permitted to wear clothing that is extremely revealing.
• Low cut shirts are not permitted.
• Strapless tops/dresses are not permitted.
• Clothing with inappropriate language/graphics is not permitted.
• Tank tops/muscle shirts must have wide straps.
• Shorts/skirts must be long enough to reach one's finger tips when standing straight.
• A belt must be worn if pants/shorts are too baggy.
• Undergarments must be worn.

Guidelines

• To support our dress code the AHS will:
  • work with partentsguardians
  • provide Jobworks t-shirts
  • inform students of the policy

Procedures

AHS staff will review the dress code with students at the beginning of each module.

The AHS will respond in the following manner to students who come to school dressed inappropriately:

1. First Offense - staff will speak with the student individually about our dress code and the student will be given a Jobworks t-shirt to wear for the day.
2. Second Offense - staff will call the student's parent/guardian. The student will be sent home with an unexcused absence to change into something appropriate for school. The student will be expected to return to school.
3. Third Offense - staff will ask the student to leave the program for the remainder of the module.