Gibbons School Student Services

Using a variety of evaluative techniques students and parents will receive regular reports of student progress in November, March and June. Teachers will also provide interim progress reports in October and February.

Parents and students are encouraged to attend the scheduled interviews held each year. Parent Teacher Interviews are scheduled for Tuesday, November 24th from 5:00 to 8:00 & Wednesday, November 25th from 3:30 to 6:30 AND Tuesday, March 23rd from 5:00 to 8:00 & Wednesday, March 24th from 3:30 to 6:30. Although only two formal interview dates are set, parents should feel free to contact the school/teacher(s) at any time to inquire about their child’s progress.

A Celebration Awards assembly will be held on October 14th, February 3rd and April 28th.

An Awards assembly will be held to coincide with report cards on November 25th and March 17th, to recognize those students who have exhibited academic achievement.

Academic recognition is determined as follows:

1. Principal’s List – 90+ average in core subjects, no failure in any other subjects.
2. Honours - 80% or better average in core subjects, no failures in any other subjects.
3. Merit - 75-79% average in core subjects. No failures in any other subjects.
4. High Five - any student who increases their overall average by at least 5% in the November to March reporting period.
5. Sturgeon School Division provides an award to the student with the highest standing in core subjects at each grade level in Junior High, and who has a pass mark in all other enrolled subjects.
6. Book Awards are presented to the most deserving student in each homeroom, based upon individual development and contribution to the welfare and progress of the homeroom and school.

Final exam dates are posted well in advance and it is the responsibility of the student to familiarize themselves with pertinent dates and times. Students must conduct themselves in a mature and responsible manner during all scheduled exam-writing situations. Many grade 6 and 9 exams written in June are Provincial Achievement Tests and the provincial government sets these dates. Please acquaint yourself with these dates and ensure that no holidays and/or appointments are scheduled during these important assessment times.

During final exams in June Junior High students may be excused from attendance in the afternoon with the written permission of a parent/guardian. We encourage Elementary students to remain at school.

Students in Grade 6 and 9 will write Provincial Achievement Tests in June. All other Grades will write year end exams at the same time.

At the Elementary and Junior High level, students are promoted to the next grade on an individual basis with regard to their effort and achievement in all courses taken during the year. In general, successful completion requires a 50% final average in the four core subjects (Math, Lang. Arts, Science, and Social). An average of less than 50%, or failure in two or more core subjects may result in a recommendation for retention. All decisions will be made in consultation with parents.

To ensure that student evaluation procedures have been fair and just, a student or parent/guardian shall have the right to appeal his/her standing awarded in any subject. The right of appeal may be exercised in the following manner:

1. Appeal of an assignment mark must be made to the teacher not later than 2 days after the assignment(s) has/have been returned. Teacher response must be made within 3 days of receiving the student appeal. In the event that no agreement is reached between the student and the teacher, the student may then submit in writing to the principal an appeal of the assignment mark along with the reasons for making the appeal. The principal will acknowledge receipt of the appeal and indicate the expected date of the decision.
2. Appeals on final marks must be made to the principal not later than 5 days following the receipt of the marks. The appeal must be made in writing, providing the reasons for the appeal. The principal shall advise the student within 5 days of receipt of the appeal of the decision regarding the appeal.
3. Should the student not be satisfied with the outcome of the school level appeals, he/she may request a hearing from an appeal committee appointed through the office of the Superintendent of Schools. The Superintendent must receive the appeal request within 5 days of the school ruling. The Superintendent or his designate, shall advise the student in writing, within 10 days of receiving the appeal.

A variety of extra-curricular activities are available throughout the school year. These activities range from sports to the fine arts. Students are encouraged to become active in their areas of interest; as an active student not only enjoys school to a greater extent, but also tends to achieve better scholastically.

Students are reminded that being a member of an extra-curricular team is a privilege, not a right. As school ambassadors, it is important that they display a positive attitude, behave in appropriate ways and maintain their academic standing to the best of their ability. Students who fail to act as positive role models, both academically and in behaviour may forfeit the right to participate in extra-curricular activities.

The school is equipped with a concession that will be selling a variety of food items from 12:00 - 12:15 p.m.

Each class in our school is very fortunate to have a microwave oven for students to use. However, due to the length of the lunch eating period, we ask that lunches that require heating do not need any longer than one minute. This will allow all students who wish to use the microwave the opportunity to do so.

A variety of options are available to students during the noon hour. The library and computer lab will be open for student use. In addition, intramurals run daily for both elementary and junior high students. Clubs and other activities will be set up throughout the year according to student interest and support.

As Gibbons School works towards ensuring that each student has the opportunity to succeed, as part of our Learning Community focus, it is necessary to provide supports that enhance learning.

The Accelerated Reading Program (ARP) is a school-wide initiative to increase the reading comprehension level of all students. The program is part of the Language Arts Curriculum.

A good reading comprehension level is needed in order to understand textbooks. Science and Social Studies textbooks are written above grade level. To understand, through independent reading a Grade 7 Social textbook, the grade 7 student would need a reading comprehension level of at least Grade 8. Studies show that to improve reading comprehension an individual should read at least 60 minutes per day. Students are encouraged to read their novels at school during L.A., spare time at the end of any other class, and at home each night.

A student chooses a novel within their assigned reading range and reads the book. The student then takes a computerized test on the content of the book and at the end of the test a screen will appear giving the student a percentage correct and the point value earned. A student should attain a minimum of 85% on each test to have fully comprehended the novel.

To encourage students to read, the LA teacher will assign each student a point value and a time frame in which to attain these points, e.g. attain 20 points in 6 weeks.

The Sturgeon Neuro Academic and Adaptation Program (SNAAP) is a blended program designed to support children who have been diagnosed with brain injury and/or have learning needs that are best served in a small group setting. This allows for the effective development of specific learning and coping strategies. SNAAP involves a modified curriculum based on each student’s Individualized Program Plans. The program incorporates both pull out and integrated classes according to the child’s needs.

First-aid is administered to any child experiencing an injury at school. If the injury is a minor scratch or bump, first aid is administered and no school contact is made with the home.

Students must report all illnesses and injuries to their classroom teacher or supervising staff member, or to the office in the event that there are no teachers in the immediate vicinity. If the injury or illness is such that the parents should be advised, the student’s parent/guardian will be notified by phone. If the parent/guardian cannot be contacted, the school will contact the person listed as an emergency contact. It is, therefore, extremely important that you provide the school office with current home and emergency telephone numbers and any necessary medical information. If the parent, guardian, or emergency contact cannot be reached, the student will remain in the sickroom or office. In severe cases the school will contact emergency services for assistance and the student may be transported by ambulance to a medical service. An Alberta Health Care number for each child in attendance at school may facilitate this procedure. In the event that an ambulance is required, parents or guardians should forward their invoice for the trip to the Sturgeon School Division office in Morinville. They will authorize repayment from the School Boards’ Student Accident policy insurers.

Medication, including over the counter and prescription drugs, can be administered only when the family doctor and the parents/guardians provide instructions. Standard Sturgeon School Division forms can be obtained from the office for this purpose.

Counselling interventions promote student’s personal and social growth, and foster their educational and career development. Counselling issues include school attitudes and behaviour, peer relationships, study skills, educational planning, career aspirations, school choice, grief issues, divorce, substance abuse, and family problems. Preventative, remedial crisis counselling is either done in the school setting or appropriate referral choices are made available.

Results from thirty years of research indicates that students who received counselling improved their academic performance in the following ways:

• increase in academic persistence and achievement
• improvement in school attendance
• better classroom behaviour
• increase in self-esteem
• better self-concept
• improvement in attitude towards school

Small group, classroom, and personal counselling are made available to every student at Gibbons School.

Through the current School Health Initiative Partnership, it is now possible for Gibbons School students and families to access Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Mental Health Counselling on-site from qualified professionals.

Appointments can be set up with Mrs. Greenwood.