Student Handbook

Cochrane High School endeavours to prepare students who will:

• demonstrate leadership in civic, social and environmental concern
• balance academic, athletic and creative endeavours
• progress in a positive and focused school environment
• develop and have respect for self and others
• advocate for their diverse learning needs
• demonstrate a commitment to life-long learning
• develop career awareness to make informed decisions
• demonstrate social and emotional awareness and competence

Hours of Operation:

The school office will generally be open from 8:00 am to 3:45 pm, Monday through Thursday and from 8:00 am to 1:45 pm on Friday. We encourage you to contact us at 403.932.2542 during these hours if you have any concerns.

Student Services:

Our Student Services Team comprises administration, guidance, learning support and our CHAT program.

Guidance appointments are available during school hours. Students and parents are encouraged to consult the counsellors about academic, vocational and personal concerns by making an appointment by emailing Guidance (found on our homepage under "Guidance"). Many educational events are coordinated with the Career Centre. Students and parents can keep updated by checking the Cochrane High School website.

Career Resource Centre:

Students are encouraged to drop in or make an appointment to access materials and/or assistance with: Post-Secondary calendars and application procedures, occupational research, resume writing, labour market information and job search skills.

The Career Advisor also organizes several career and post-secondary events throughout the year. A listing of these and other post-secondary events and deadlines is updated regularly and posted on the website.   Student volunteerism has become an important aspect of the career portfolio and students are encouraged to sign up to become ambassadors for these events.

Communication:

Important information and school events can be found on our school website. In addition, the school publishes and emails a weekly newsletter "The Commit to the 'C'" which highlights upcoming events and important announcements. We encourage parents to review the weekly newsletter to keep abreast of what is happening at CHS.

School Messenger is also used to inform the home of student absences, critical informatoin and/or of upcoming events.

Parents, as partners in education, are encouraged to communicate directly with classroom teachers when they have questions or concerns. Teachers are in the best position to answer specific questions regarding a student's progress or those related to the course. Administration encourages parents to connect with teachers as a first step. If there are further questions or concerns, we encourage parents to contact their child's grade level administrator.

Learning Commons Services:

The learning commons is open daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm from Monday to Thursday and 8:00 am to 2:00 pm Friday and is available to both classes and individual students for research, independent study and reading. Our learning commons features periodicals, videos and data base subscriptions, as well as a large book collection.

Internet access including email is available and wireless access for laptops. Books normally circulate for a two-week period.

RVS Community Learning Centre (RVS CLC):

High school courses are offered through the RVS Community Learning Centre Cochrane Campus. This provides students with the opportunity to complete their High school diploma in special situations. Please note, these courses are not to be used as replacement for Cochrane High School classes. Please check with your Guidance Counsellor concerning regulations.

PowerSchool Portal:

PowerSchool is the primary portal by which student progress and attendance is communicated. All students have PowerSchool accounts and parents may created thier own accounts to access student data. Teachers update marks regularly in PowerSchool, keeping students and paernts informed of their progress. For assistance with your PowerSchool account, please call the school and ask to speak to our student records office.

Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences:

Parent, student, teacher conferences are held in each semester. While CHS strongly encourages ongoing and open communication between home and school, these conferences provide an opportunity for parents to meet with teachers to discuss their child's academic progress.  Conference Manager is used to book conference times. Please watch the Commit and the school calendar for upcoming meeting times. Parents are also encouraged to reach out to the classroom teacher at any point if they have questions or concerns; they do not have to wait for the scheduled conference times.

Parents are an important partner in education. Our school council provides a monthly opportunity for parents to meet with school administration and the school trustee to provide advice and input to school programming. The school council meets on the first Monday of the month. We encourage all of our parents to attend and participate in this important aspect of our CHS community.

Bussing:

Rocky View Schools has developed extensive policies, which cover all facets of their school bus operation. Rural students and their parents should become familiar with these. Copies of the aforementioned policies are available online.

In addition, if you have any concerns you may first contact your bus driver. You may also contact Southland Transportation at 403.932.7100 or RVS Transportation Department at 403.945.4104.

Students at this age should realize the need for proper conduct conducive to the safe operation of the vehicle.

The bus driver is in full authority and his/her wishes must be respected. Students who do not comply with the direction given by the bus driver or to board policy may have their transportation privileges revoked.

The urban bus and rural bus registration forms for new families can be applied for online through your PowerSchool account under "School Engage" from the Rocky View Schools website.

Information on busing can be found on the Rocky View Schools website under "Transportation".

Student Parking:

Due to the limited parking space available, one parking pass per family is available to Grade 11 and 12 students only. Students must purchase their parking pass and register all vehicles in the office.  Parking passes only identify registered users and do not guarantee parking in the student parking area; parking is on a first-come-first-served basis. If student parking areas are full, students are encouraged to find authorized on-street parking in the area (north of the arena). Students must not park in visitor or staff parking areas.

Students parked inappropriately or without their pass visible may be subject to fine and tow. Garbage recepticles are present in the parking lot and students are encouraged to be "good neighbors" and ensure they are treating their parking privileges with the respect and responsiblity that comes with operating a motor vehicle.

PARKING LOT RULES:

• The speed limit is 15 km/h.
• Students are expected to drive in a safe and responsible manner.
• Students are expected to yield to bus drivers, and after school exit the parking lot from the north exit only,
• Students are to use the parking lot as an arrival and departure point only; students are not to loiter in the parking lot or sit in vehicles during the school day.
• Appropriate school behaviour as outlined in the Student Handbook applies to all areas in the parking lot.

Transportation to School Activities Outside of School:

Students are not to drive to currlcular activities. For extracurricular activities, students may drive themselves to games/events etc. as transportation to these events is the responsibility of the family. Students CAN NOT drive any other student in a vehicle to school sponsored events (curricular or extracurricular).

Updated inclement weather information can be found on our home page.

Parents can check the RVS and Cochrane High website for updates as well bus information can be found on the Rocky View School Division web page.

Rockyview employs the Bus Status app where parents can track the updated status of thier bus route. More information can be obtained through Rockyview Transportation.

Credit Loads:

Grade 10 students: must be enrolled in a full schedule.

Grade 11 students: Grade 11 students may apply to have one study block (spare) per academic year in their timetable.

Grade 12 students: must complete at least 30 credits for the school year. Special consideration may be granted for students who wish to complete their program early (at the end of semester one).

WeConnect Courses:

WeConnect provides flexibility for students who have timetable conflicts, need to access courses that are not otherwise offered at CHS or have special circumstances. If a student is able to access a course in the regular timetable, they are required to do so. It is important to note that WeConnect courses are offered division-wide and there is limited space and resources to support these requests. Students wishing to enroll in a WeConnect course should consult with their Guidance Counsellor or Grade Administrator.

Fast-Tracking:

Due to challenges ensuring that subsequent courses in a pathway will have room and resources in the following year/semester, fast-tracking will only be available to Grade 11 students wishing to take a 30-level course. Students wishing to fast track a course (i.e. take a 30-level course in Grade 11) must have a minimum 90% final grade in the pre-requisite course and teacher recommendation. Enrollment in the subsequent course is dependent upon room and resources. Students considering fast-tracking should meet with their grade level administrator or a guidance counsellor for more information.

Course Fees:

Many option/complimentary courses have a fee attached. The purpose of the course fee is to cover the incidental costs of consumeables, field trips and other materials used in the optional program. We will endeavor to have the school fee schedule updated by October 31 of each year. Fees associated with extracurricular activities and athletics will be posted to School Cash at the start of the season/prior to the activity.

Exam and Diploma Policies:

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS
To attain an Alberta High School Diploma, a student must:

• earn a minimum of 100 credits
• complete and meet the standards of the following courses:
  - English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2 or Français 30-1 or 30-2
  - Social Studies/Etudes Sociales 30-1 or 30-2
  - Mathematics 20-1, 20-2 or 24
  - Science 20 or 24 or Biology 20 or Chemistry 20 or Physics 20

Note: Completion of a diploma examination is required for English 30-1 or 30-2 or Français 30 and Social Studies/Etudes Sociales 30-1 or 30-2.
Note: For those taking Mathematics 30P, Mathematics 30A and 30-level science courses, successful completion of a diploma examination is required.
However, successful completion of these courses is not a condition of Alberta High School Diploma graduation requirements.

• complete and meet the standards of the following:
  - Physical Education 10 (3 credits)
  - Career and Life Management (CALM) 20 (3 credits)
  - 10 credits, in any combination, from: career and technology studies (CTS)
  OR
  fine arts or second languages
  OR
  locally developed/acquired and authorized courses in CTS, fine arts or second languages
• earn, in addition to English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2 and Social Studies 30-1 or 30-2
  - 10 credits in any 30-level courses, including:
  locally developed/acquired and authorized courses
  3000 series courses (advanced level) in career and technology studies
  35-level work experience

Diploma Examinations Program & Regulations:

Provincial diploma examinations are in place for the following courses: English 30-1 & 30-2, Social Studies 30-1 & 30-2, Mathematics 30P & 30A, Science 30, Biology 30, Chemistry 30, Physics 30, French Language Arts 30 and French Social Studies 30. These examinations will be course-specific, based on the required content of each of these courses.

To receive credit in these courses, students will be required to write the provincial diploma examinations.

Students who are absent from Alberta Education Diploma exams receive an incomplete and must write the next scheduled government exams or may apply for an Alberta Education exemption.

There are many more regulations governing the issuance of the high school diploma and it is incumbent on each student to be familiar with these regulations. Further information can be found on the Alberta Education website

Reporting Results of Diploma Exams:

Students who write diploma examinations will be provided with a statement of results showing three marks for each examination subject:

• the school-awarded mark
• the diploma examination mark, and
• a final course mark based upon the weighting of the school based mark and the diploma examination mark.

Appeal Procedures for Diploma Exams:

Students may appeal their diploma examination mark by requesting that their examination be re-scored or by rewriting the examination at a subsequent administration.

Course Changes:

Once students have registered in a particular program, they have contracted to complete the program.  Students may neither add nor drop courses without proper authorization given by administration or the guidance counsellor.

During the first two weeks of each semester, students may adjust their program by seeing their grade administrator or counsellor.

Students in Grades 9-12, may not withdraw from a 5 credit course under normal circumstances after the course change deadline.  If extenuating situations exist, a student's request may be appealed to the principal.

Failure to attend classes in courses not officially dropped may result in disciplinary action.

Course Pre-requisites and Changing Streams:

A minimum mark of 50% is required in order to receive credit in a course. To proceed to a subsequent core course a student should obtain a 60% (eg. English 10 to English 20).

Extensive regulations exist with regard to changing streams and these are outlined in the Course Description Handbook or are available from your counsellor.

Out of Province Programming for Alberta Resident Students:

Families should contact the principal to discuss the implications of taking out-of-jurisdiction courses prior to registering for the program.

If a student successfully completes a summer Social Studies or English course through an out of province provider, this will NOT be considered in lieu of completing the Alberta Education authorized English or Social Studies courses required for a high school diploma in Alberta. However, the student may be granted credits toward graduation, as they require 100 credits to graduate. In short, the student would still need to successfully complete a 30-level English and Social Studies class based on the Alberta program of studies for those courses.

If a student successfully completes a semester-long Social Studies or English course through an out of province provider,  credit for the Alberta equivalent of the course they took may be granted upon evaluation of the completed course for its alignment to the Alberta Program of Studies and graduation requirements.  In that case, the student would not receive a grade, rather their transcript would indicate a “pass” and credits allocated for that English or Social Studies course.

Additional questions regarding this procedure may be directed to Rockyview Schools Area Director for the West side. Contact information is available on the RVS website.

In order to take part in the program, students must have the potential to graduate. The following requirements MUST be met:

1. registered in enough courses to meet a minimum of 100 credits by the end of Semester 2.
2. have completed, or be registered in, the necessary courses to fulfill the diploma requirements
3. if using Distance Learning/We Connect, one half of the course must be completed and submitted by April.
4. have a minimum mark of 50% (second semester mid-term report card) in any compulsory course to meet graduation requirements. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that these requirements have been met!

Due to expenses incurred by the graduation committee, on behalf of the student, only a portion of the grad fee can be refunded after November 30th. Students can be removed from the grad list at any time if the above rules, or rules pertaining to attendance, are not followed.

Cochrane High School organizes and sponsors the graduation ceremony. If parents so desire, they may, independentlly from the school, organize other celebrations (e.g. banquet, dance). The school does not have any responsibility to organize graduation activities beyond the graduation ceremony.

School attendance is one of the most important factors contributing to the academic success of a student. Studies show that missing 10% of classtime has a significant negative impact on student achievement; this amounts to 18 absences over the course of a year or just 2 days per month. We support and encourage students to ensure they have regular attendance.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to use the Safe Arrival app to report absences or call the school absence line at 403-932-2542. School Messenger is used to inform the home of students absences, critical information and/or upcoming events.

Diploma (Grade 12) and Provincial Achievement Exams (PATs, Grade 9) are scheduled by the province and are secure exams. We are unable to adjust the administration time of these exams. Families should consult the Alberta Education website or the school when planning days away during the end of semester to ensure that plans do not interfere with the adminsitration of the exam.

EXTENDED ABSENCES

Under the Education Act (section 7), an excused absence is defined as missing school due to sickness or other unavoidable cause (including medical/dental appointments, bereavement, family emergency etc.), recognized religious holiday, or due to suspension or expulsion. While the school recognizes families may elect to remove students for a variety of reasons (family vacations, sporting events etc.), it should be noted that teachers are not obligated to provide work prior to the absence or additional tutoring for the learning covered during the absence if the absence is not an excused absence as defined under the Act. Families should carefully consider the impact of a planned absence on the education program of their students and contact the classroom teacher with any questions they may have.

FAIR AND JUST TREATMENT OF STUDENTS

To ensure that the rights of students are protected and the student evaluation practices followed, all policies and adopted procedures used, and judgments made, must be fair and just. Implicit in the meaning of 'fairness' and 'justness' are the following three basic principles:

1. Objectivity - meaning impartiality and freedom from prejudice.
2. Equity - meaning equal treatment of all concerned, unless special consideration is warranted in extenuating circumstances, ie. positive discrimination.
3. Justice - implying the exact following of a standard of what is right and proper.

TEACHER EXPECTATIONS

Students shall receive from teachers in advance of instruction a clear statement
of:

• course objectives,
• course content,
• evaluation procedures with weightings assigned for various facets of required term work and the final examination, plus
• other course expectations beyond those normally in place.

REASSESSMENT PERIODS

At the end of each quarter and semester, CHS has dedicated a portion of time for student reassessment (limited time in Q1 and Q3). As per RVS Administrative Procedure 233, reassessment should be ongoing throughout the term; the formal reassessment periods provide students an opportunity to resubmit assessment artifacts that would have a significant impact on their course final grade (to a maximum of 2 assessments). Students who are failing a course are expected to attend school during the reassessment period to receive support, tutorials and opportunities to submit missed work. Students who are passing their courses, may elect to attend reassessment periods to submit work that may have a significant impact on their final grade. Teachers will address reassessment procedures in their course outlines at the beginning of the course. Please see the RVS website for the specifics of AP 233.

REPORT CARDS

Student academic achievement is primarliy communicated through PowerSchool. Final course grades are available through the parent portal on PowerSchool. Paper based report cards are available upon request. Official transcripts are available from the student's MyPass account with Alberta Education.

AWARDS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

There are many awards and/or scholarships available in the academic, vocational, practical arts, and business education fields of which students should be aware. We will be publicizing these during the school year so please take note of those that are applicable in your situation. Lists of scholarships are available online under guidance department.

Cochrane High School hosts an annual awards assembly in June of each year. Scholarships, Academic and Athletic awards are presented at this time. Please see the school calendar for the upcoming date.

HONOUR ROLL

Cochrane High School encourages our students to pursue academic excellence. To celebrate strong academic achievement, we present honour roll awards each June. The criteria for the honour roll are as follows:

• Student must have an 80% Average on their best 6 courses in a given school year. If a student does not take 6 courses, they are not eligible for the honour roll (special consideration will be given to graduating students who finish in the first semester).
• At least 3 of the 6 courses MUST be core courses (ELA, FLA, SS, ES, SCI, MATH)
• If a student has a course mark below 65%, they will not be considered. 
• Quarter option CTS courses will be considered as the accumulated average of 3 modules (i.e. individual modules must be combined to create a "course average")
• Honour Roll will be given once per year at the June Awards Assembly where students will have their names on a projector slide and be recognized as a group. Students will receive a certificate.
• Marks for second semester/quarter four will be determined based on the student's course standing during the last week of May.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The Education Act (2019) outlines the responsibilities of students in section 31:

"A student, as a partner in education, has the responsibility to:

• attend school regularly and punctually,
• be ready to learn and actively engage in and dillegently pursue the student's education,
• ensure that the student's conduct contributes to a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environment that respects diveristy and fosters a sense of belonging,
• respect the rights of others in the school,
• refrain from, report and not tolerate bullying or bullying behaviour directed toward others in the school, whether or not it occurs within the school building, during the school day or by electronic means,
• comply with the rules of the school and the policies of the board,
• co-operate with everyone authorized by the board to provide education programs and other services,
• be accountable to the student's teachers and other school staff of the student's conduct, and,
• positively contribute to the student's school and community."

SCHOOL CODE OF CONDUCT

Cochrane High School is committed to providing a safe and secure environment in which students may flourish and therefore will not condone any behaviours that endanger the moral or physical well-being of its students and staff. The high school will respond strongly and appropriately with respect to the following actions or behaviours on school property or in school-sponsored or related activities:

• The use, possession or sale of tobacco, alcohol, vapourizers or illicit drugs;

• The possession or use of weapons or items which are intended to be used as a weapon; including laser pointers, pellet guns, paintball guns, device that fires projectiles or knives of any type;

• Any physical assault, threats of assault, intimidation, harassment or bullying;

• Any gang/youth group displaying a pattern of delinquent behaviour or disruptive activity;

• Any sexual, religious, ethnocultural and/or racial slurs or harassment;

• Any acts of vandalism on the physical facilities and the personal property of the student or staff;

• Any act of theft with regard to personal property of the student or staff on the physical facilities.

• Any behavior or dress that violates reasonable expectations of modesty (that is, streaking, mooning or pulling down trousers or shorts).

The policy is intended to be a guideline, which will be used by Cochrane High School in response to those students who violate this policy. Violators face suspension and or the possibility of expulsion.
NOTE: The criminal code defines words such as weapon, assault, gang, harassment, and vandalism.

SCHOOL DISCIPLINE

Cochrane High endeavors to create a safe, caring, and welcoming learning environment. As in any community, at times, students make decisions that may have a negative impact on the school environment. Adminstration employs restorative practices and positive behaviour strategies when dealing with student discipline. We understand that poor choices sometimes result in adverse outcomes but strive to treat these incidents as a learning opportunity to improve student behaviour moving forward.

With a focus on the three "C's", administration works with students, their families and teachers to support students to make good choices. Challenges are dealt with on a case-by-case basis and administration strives to maintain consisent consequences for violations while understanding the unique circumstances of each incident. Possible sanctions may include, restorative meetings, suspension from class or school (both in-school and out of school), and revocation of privileges. Parents are an integral part of the process and we encourage all parties to work collaboratively to maintain our safe community at school.

SEARCH AND QUESTIONING PROCEDURES

Where no external agencies are involved, the questioning and/or search of students, their possessions or their lockers will be conducted under the direction of the school principal or designate acting in loco parentis. Searches are conducted in the presence of two adminstrators (or a teacher if an administrator is unavailable). While searches are typically conducted in the presence of the student, at the discretion of the principal, in matters of safety or urgency, searches may occur without the student being present. Searches of students, their possessions or locker will only be conducted when there is reasonable suspicion that they are in possession of contraband or stolen goods.

CHS ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY

We at Cochrane High School (CHS) believe academic integrity supports intellectual growth and creates a fair learning environment. Teachers and Administrators at CHS recognize that there are significant expectations and pressures to achieve academic excellence, this pressure can lead individuals to be dishonest and/or cheat. However, we firmly believe that cheating diminishes the value of education, damages the ethical character of the individual student and undermines the integrity of our school community. CHS Academic Integrity affirms that we value learning, and that we expect personal integrity and intellectual honesty.

WHAT IS ACADEMIC INTEGRITY?

• Intellectual honesty

• Personal truthfulness

• Learning for its own sake

• Representing your work honestly and accurately

• Giving full credit to others who have helped you, or whose work you have incorporated into your own

WHAT IS CHEATING?

Cheating is defined as seeking to obtain (or aiding another to obtain) credit or improved scores through

the use of any unauthorized or deceptive means.

Some examples of what cheating looks like:

• Presenting information collected, organized, or envisioned by someone else as your own (with or without the author's permission) or allowing someone else to present your work as his or her own

• Taking shortcuts (such as unauthorized use of study aids) that allow you to bypass steps of an assignment

• Using forbidden material to "help" during an exam, such as cheat sheets, graphing calculators, or cell phones.

• Asking about or sharing questions and/or answers to quizzes and exams.

• Submitting the same work for more than one assignment without express permission from your teacher(s).

• Altering corrections or scores with the intent of changing your grade.

• Misrepresenting yourself in any way to your teachers in regard to the work you have done, such as saying you've turned in an assignment when you did not, or that you've worked hours longer than you actually did to complete an assignment.

• Fabricating information to try to earn more time, more credit, or grading leniency on an assignment, project, or exam.
• Missing class in order to avoid turning in an assignment or taking a test.
• Doing more or less than your share of a group project without permission from your teacher

APPEAL PROCEDURES

 Please see Rockyview School's policy and procedures on dispute resolution. Click here. 

ETHICAL USE OF DIGITAL DEVICES

At the beginning of each school year, families must complete the annual Schoolengage form to gain network access for the school year. The school also makes available loaned devices for students who do not provide their own device for learning.

Students must comply with the following expectations while using school owned devices and network resources:

Students will not;

1. Damage computers, computer components, computer systems or the network through physical means or through the use of software.
2. Install or uninstall any programs, add-ins, plug-ins, or updates without express permission of the school technologist or teacher.
3. Bypass any Rocky View Schools Internet Security Measures.
4. Intentionally waste limited resources such as the school’s internet connection by downloading personal files or streaming video unrelated to course work.
5. View, share, send, or post any violent or obscene messages, pictures, videos or web sites.
6. Download any illegal or offensive material.
7. Use someone else’s password or trespass in another person’s folders, work or files.
8. Violate copyright laws.

The computers at Cochrane High School are maintained by network administrators, therefore THERE IS NO EXPECTATION OF PRIVACY ON A SCHOOL COMPUTER. Files and communications of students are reviewed periodically to maintain system integrity and to ensure that users are using the system responsibly. Personal devices in use at school can be subject to a search of contents by school administration.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT

The school will take no responsibility for lost or stolen items or electronic equipment such as iPods, personal computers, laptops, cell phones, etc. If brought to school, these should be left in lockers or backpacks at all times unless required in class. Students are discouraged from bringing digital devices, money, or other valuables into the change rooms, unless locked in a locker.

A lost and found is located in the school. Students are encouraged to check periodically for lost personal items.

RETURNING GRADE 12 STUDENTS

Students who have completed their diploma requirements and are seeking to upgrade or take additional courses should make an appointment to speak to the prinicipal. Due to the lack of room and resources, CHS may not be able to accomodate these requests but can provide advice on obtaining courses through other avenues in RVS (Summit Trails online school, Community Learning Centre).

INJURY REPORTING

We ask that in case of an accident, minor or major, the student(s) involved report it to the supervising teacher or to the office. Our ability to respond to emergencies depends on the accuracy of our database. Please ensure all parent contact information is current.

INFIRMARY AND ILLNESS AT SCHOOL

Students who become too ill to continue classes must report to the office so that arrangements with parents/guardians can be made for the student to go home. Students should sign out of the office prior to leaving the school in the event of illness.

SCHOOL WITHDRAWAL PROCEDURES

1. Parents must first meet with their student’s grade level Administrator.
2. Students must complete a withdrawal form.
3. Students must clear their locker, return textbooks, and settle all accounts.

STUDENT DRESS AND ATTIRE

All students are expected to adhere to reasonable standards of taste in dress and grooming and in keeping with the building's function. Student dress and grooming shall not disrupt, interfere with, disturb, or detract from school activities. Students wearing items that include references to drugs, alcohol, smoking/vaping, violence, vulgar or inappropriate slogans may be asked to change. Repeated offences may be dealt with through the disciplinary cycle.

Physical education dress is required for PE and Sports Performance classes.

SMOKING AND VAPING

Consistent with the law, no vaping or smoking is allowed on the school grounds or in the immediate vicinity of the school.  This includes any form of a vapour cigarette.

It should be noted that it is illegal for anyone under 18 to smoke or be in possession of any tobacco or vaping product.

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THIS POLICY MAY RESULT IN SUSPENSION FROM SCHOOL.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The deadline for submitting announcements to the Learning Commons is 8:00 am from Monday through Friday.  Please keep your announcement brief and to the point.

LOCKERS

Each student in grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 may be assigned a locker. Students must use a school-issued lock on their locker. At the end of the term, students should remove their lock for use in the next year. Replacement locks are available for purchase from the office.

Students will be issued a lock. Lockers are to be kept clean and tidy or this privilege may be withdrawn.

While the student does have a degree of privacy with the locker, impromptu locker searches may be conducted to maintain the integrity and safety of the school environment.

Locker contents are removed at the end of each term. In conjunction with the lost and found, items remaining in lockers will be placed on display in the Snake Pit for students to recover. Items left in the lost & found at the end of the school year are sorted and those items in good repair are donated to community resources for those in need.

CHANGE ROOMS in the school are not secured and students should NEVER leave valuables in the locker rooms at any time.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

We would ask that all students assist in making all visitors to our school welcome. A friendly smile or an offer of assistance leaves those who visit with a positive feeling about our school.

It is also important that we maintain a positive relationship with residents and businesses in the area. Please refrain from disposing garbage in and around the school which includes 4th Avenue.

ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE

All students, staff, and parents should be aware that Cochrane High School is equipped with security cameras around the outside of the building, the parking lots, some hallways, and in the stairwells leading to our change rooms. This security further enhances our ability to maintain a safe and caring environment.  DO NOT leave valuables in change rooms or vehicles.

TELEPHONE USE AND MESSAGES

There is a phone available for student use in the office.  Students are also reminded that messages will only be taken for emergencies.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES and CELL PHONES

The use of cell phones and other electronic devices can be used appropriately for educational purposes; however, they can also be a significant distraction to the learning process. Teachers are given the authority to govern the use of cell phones and other devices in their instructional spaces and students are expected to respect and adhere to these directives.

Devices capable of capturing, transmitting, or storing images or recording and storing audio may NOT be operated in restrooms, dressing rooms, or other areas where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Under NO circumstances shall any video, picture capturing or audio recording device be used in any classroom without the express consent of the teacher and school administration. Special consideration shall be given to protect the privacy of students in the classroom if such permission is granted. Operation of any electronic device is prohibited in testing situations or where testing materials are present.

HOUR ZERO PROCEDURES

Emergency procedures are conducted using the Hour Zero Emergency Protocols. Divisional policy requires that we conduct planned evacuations of the building and emergency procedures during the year. We do ask for your cooperation during these practices. Your teachers will make you aware of procedures.

CHS SENATE

The Students’ Council has evolved into the CHS Senate, a group which oversees and coordinates all the leadership, spirit, and fundraising activities in the school.  The following groups are represented:    Cobra Spirit Council, Interact, Sustainable Development, Girls’ Athletic Council, Boys’ Athletic Council, Performing Arts, Drama, Grad, Healthy Eating Initiative, Psychology Class, Student Engagement, and the Prep Group.  The Senate meets once a month, and the individual groups meet weekly.  We encourage you to become involved in any of these groups in order to develop your leadership skills.

 

Interscholastic sports, intramurals, clubs and service groups are a part of the extra-curricular program offered at Cochrane High. Administration recognizes and supports a well organized and supervised extracurricular program and we encourage students to get involved. The school is primarily a learning institution
and therefore classes must receive the highest priority. The following regulations reflect this priority:

• A student must normally be registered in a minimum of 15 credits in the semester(s) in which the activity is taking place. (WeConnect and Alternative Courses IF APPROVED may be included.)
• If a student is absent from school on the day of an event, he/she may not be eligible to participate in the event (except in very special cases).
• Students are to follow the regulations of the school, either at or away from school, while participating in a school-organized event.
• Because students are representing their school and the community, their behaviour should be beyond reproach.
• Students should give careful consideration to their academic course load before participating in one or more extra-curricular activities.

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARD

Annually a Junior Varsity and Varsity female athlete and a Junior Varsity and Varsity male athlete are selected for Athlete of the Year.

Criteria and Procedures:
Students must participate in a minimum of four Cochrane High sponsored athletics. These sports include cross-country, football, volleyball, basketball, badminton, track and field, golf, curling, soccer and rodeo. The athlete must complete the season as a member of the team. Attendance, punctuality, effort, commitment, cooperation, and dedication are taken into consideration when determining the finalists. Athletes must display sportsmanship and leadership and be coachable. Final nominations will be voted on by the Athletic Council and the respective coaches of the Junior Varsity and Varsity teams and approved by the principal. (Parent coaches or parent staff members of students nominated will excuse themselves from the voting process).