Canso Academy Mission Statement

Canso Academy supports the development of lifelong learners through the use of community resources, educational methods that respect diverse needs of all learners that are key to individual and community growth. The school endeavors to expose students to the value of the past, the excitement of the present, and the challenges of the future.

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 Allergy Alert for the 2012-2013 School Year

Please be advised that Canso Academy is now a NUT AND SEAFOOD SMART Environment, as we have students who have severe life threatening allergies to these products. Exposure to even a small amount of peanuts/nuts/seafood could cause Anaphylaxis, loss of consciousness and even death. The only way to attempt to ensure a safe environment for these students is to make the school environment NUT/SEAFOOD-AWARE. This means that every student in the school is asked to bring snacks and lunches that are nut/ nut-product free and seafood free. Many commercially produced foods which might not appear to contain nut products actually do, so please carefully read labels of all foods that may be brought into the school. If students come into contact with peanuts or peanut containing products or seafood before coming to school, please remind them to wash their hands.

New Attendance Policy

The Strait Regional School Board has decided to take part in the Minister of Education’s two year Promoting Student Engagement pilot project. As part of the pilot, starting in September 2011, students at the grade 10 to 12 level may lose credit for courses if they do not attend 80% of the allotted class time. Schools will ensure that checks, balances, and appropriate interventions are in place to encourage regular and improved student attendance. Promoting and achieving regular student attendance remains a collaborative partnership and responsibility of the student, parents, and school.

The following procedures WILL be followed in monitoring the minimum attendance standard that must be maintained in order to receive an academic credit. At each of the following stages, there will be documented evidence of individual interventions, aligned with the principles of PEBS (Positive and Effective Behavioural Supports), that support student engagement, attendance, and academic success. These interventions must take into account the personal, social, and cultural/racial experiences which impact student connection and engagement with the school.

• If a student accumulates 5 absences, the teacher will contact the parents/guardians. The teacher contact with parents/guardians may take the form of a phone call, phone message, or a letter mailed to the home.
• If a student accumulates 10 absences, the teacher will directly contact the parents/guardians by means of a phone call.
• If a student accumulates 15 absences, there will be a meeting of parents/guardians, or an adult advocate, administration, and the student to explore the possibility of creating an attendance contract with the student.
• If a student accumulates 20 absences, a registered letter will be sent indicating there is a danger of the student not qualifying for the credit and outlining what must happen to prevent this consequence, and indicating the appeal procedure that is in place.
• If a student accumulates 28 absences, a registered letter will be sent indicating that the student is being recommended for loss of credit and indicating the appeal procedure that is in place.

An excused absence is one approved by the student’s parent or guardian. These absences will still contribute to the maximum of 28 absences which can cause loss of eligibility for the course credit.

Students will be marked absent from a course due to special circumstances. These include: the student has a documented acute or chronic medical condition or specialist appointments; the student is absent due to a verifiable religious observance; the student is absent due to a death in the immediate (as determined in particular cultural contexts) family; the student is absent as a result of participation in educational opportunity or special activity as deemed appropriate by school administration; the student is absent as a direct result of legal obligations which are supported by court subpoenas or appropriate documentation. Such absences shall not be used in the calculation of the 20% threshold. Contact from parents concerning absences are to bemade within two school days of the absence to be considered excused. Please note that if a student is absent for any reason it is their responsibility to make up for any work missed due to being absent from school. Tests or assignments that were missed because of an absence will be written/handed in on the day of return.

A student or the student’s parent/guardian may appeal his/her loss of credit eligibility. The student may do this by explaining why he/she should be reinstated in the course to the Appeal Panel. The Appeal Panel will be composed of the principal or vice-principal, a guidance counsellor, and the subject teacher. The Appeal Panel will be asked to review all required documentation including documentation of interventions and to reach consensus to either uphold the decision to remove the student from the course or to rescind the decision to remove the student from the course. If the panel confirms the loss of eligibility for credit, the principal shall make the recommendation for withdrawal of credit to the superintendent’s designate (SRSB Attendance Committee).

That decision will be confirmed or denied based on a review of the required documentation including notes from the appeal process at the school level. Parents can then appeal the decision of the SRSB Attendance Committee directly to the Superintendent who will establish a subsequent Appeal Committee. The decision of this committee is final and binding.

Note:Any student who lost credit for more than one course because of absenteeism may be put on part time student status or be suspended from school for the balance of the semester.