Parent Handbook 2026-2027 1
A Message from the Head of School Overview Community HUB Section 1: Brockton Mission and Guiding Principles Section 2: Communication Routes and Problem-Solving Introduction Finalsite Enrollment MySchoolStudent Information System Brockton Newsletter Formal Reports Parent-Student-Teacher & Student-Led Conferences Annual General Meeting Communication with Teachers & Staff: Email Section 3: Community Engagement Brockton Parent Community and Brockton Parent Committee (BPC) Board and Committee Involvement Advancement Alumni, Friends, Family, and more Section 4: Essential Agreements & Policies
Community Code of Conduct Brockton’s Approach: Connection, Collaboration, Restorative Justice Recess/Break & Before/After School Play Pluralism: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging Pluralism Statement Our Framework for Pluralism Pluralism in Action Section 5: Health & Safety Allergies and/or Severe Medical Conditions Emergency Communications & Information School Closure Emergency Evacuation Plan Injury at School Protection of Privacy Prevention of Abuse Communicable Diseases Section 6: School Operations Drop Off and Pick Up Supervision Beyond School Hours Midday Connections/Departures
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Assembly Authorized Absences Extended Absences Punctuality Missed School Work Due to Absences Lost Property Library/Learning Commons & School Resources Student Services Environmental Awareness (Pack it in/Pack it out)
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A Message from the Head of School Welcome to the 2026-2027 School year! As a valued member of this very special community, you play a pivotal role in fulfilling our mission: to inspire the growth of outstanding humans (one of whom is you). As you know, Brockton is a very special school that has found its success through the collaborative efforts of a community. The important connection between family, student, and school cannot be understated. Brockton welcomes and encourages you as parents to maximize your opportunities at the School as you support your child(ren)’s journey of growth. Let’s make the most of this incredible opportunity together. We are truly delighted to have you with us.
Sincerely, Karen McCulla Head of School
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Overview This parent-student handbook is a resource for families to ensure their time at Brockton is a positive and memorable experience. It provides detailed information, and is supplemented by the up-to-date information on the Brockton Community Hub (on the website). New documents are regularly added to the Hub! If you have yet to do so, please register for an account here. If you are having trouble accessing the Hub, please reach out to marketing@brocktonschool.com.
Community HUB The Brockton Community Hub (on the website) includes helpful information for our entire community, including but not limited to: attendance, important dates, first week schedule, daily schedules, uniform guidelines, orientations, cub club/care information, checklists, supply lists, handbooks, parking and traffic information, policies, Outdoor Education and Extracurricular overviews, IT/Tech Guides, Code of Conduct, hot lunch information and more. Please continue to check the HUB as important dates/information may change throughout the year. An example of what our HUB looks like (with many more icons/tabs)
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Section 1: Brockton Mission and Guiding Principles At the core of everything we do at Brockton is our mission.
Brockton’s Mission is to: Inspire the Growth of Outstanding Humans Our Guiding Principles communicate that we are a place where: 1. Every student matters 2. Every family matters 3. Community matters 4. Learning for life matters
The School Strategic Plan speaks with more depth to these items and also outlines the Strategic Direction of the School. Given your pivotal role in the School’s success, you are invited to be an active participant in the school’s strategic priorities. Your ideas and perspectives are welcomed. In addition, Brockton School makes use of the IB Learner Profile and many associated IB concepts. The School is committed to these foundational statements and welcomes parent/family inquiry to learn more.
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Section 2: Communication Routes and Problem-Solving Introduction Families can expect to have communications from three different groups throughout the year: ● The School: administration, staff, and teachers ● The Board: chair of the board, board committees ● The Brockton Parent Committee: BPC executive, class parents, parent volunteers Brockton School encourages parents to play a key role in their child’s education by keeping up to date with school communications and by staying connected with teachers. The school has several structured means of communication: ● School Website and Community Hub (password protected) ● Social Media - @BrocktonSchool - Instagram, Facebook & LinkedIn ● Parent-Student Handbook (this document) ● Finalsite Enrollment System ● MySchool Student Information System (SIS) and database (including Social Directory) ● Brockton Weekly Newsletter ● Scheduled Information Sessions ● Formal Grade Reports ● Parent-Student-Teacher & Student-Led Conferences ● Annual Report ● Annual General Meeting and Special General Meetings ● Special Letters, Notifications, Invitations, and/or Emails ● Teacher and Program Updates (e.g., Agenda Books, Canvas, Toddle, Blogs, Emails) In addition, Brockton welcomes further communication with families as they need. Our doors are open to you!
Finalsite Enrollment Finalsite Enrollment is a password-protected parent portal. An account was created during the enrollment process and families can refer to their dashboard and student checklists for information and action throughout the re-enrollment and billing process.
MySchoolStudent Information System MySchool is the home of our student/family database. This is an essential system for the school and a valuable location for parents to access specific information. Among other things, parents can access their child’s timetable and report cards, messages from the school, the parent social directory, and more. Learn more and watch videos on how to register for MySchool on the HUB.
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Brockton Newsletter Brockton publishes a weekly newsletter via email to keep the community informed on the happenings at school. Please take the time to read this publication as it contains important information about upcoming school events. The newsletter is archived on the Community Hub for easy reference. If you find you aren’t receiving the newsletter, please contact marketing@brocktonschool.com, and we will ensure you are on the list.
Formal Reports Students will receive formal report cards each academic year. Report cards are shared electronically through MySchool, and families are notified via email when the reports are accessible. Families are welcome to contact teachers throughout the year to schedule time to secure updates on student progress.
Parent-Student-Teacher & Student-Led Conferences These conferences are an opportunity for parents, students, and teachers to meet and discuss a student’s progress. The conferences may be held virtually or in person, and may be student-led. Communications will be made to parents in advance regarding dates, times, and sign-up processes. If parents have multiple items to discuss, they are encouraged to set up additional alternate times so that teachers may keep to their schedules. Families are welcome to contact teachers throughout the year to schedule time to secure updates on student progress.
Annual General Meeting Each year, the Board of Directors, the Brockton Parent Community, and the Head of School deliver a report on the progress of the school, the goals for the coming year, and financial statements for the previous year. All Brockton families are invited and encouraged to attend.
Communication with Teachers & Staff: Email Email is used solely to make a quick connect to set up mutually convenient appointments or briefly describe important information (e.g. your child is sick, leaving early, or the teacher is concerned about something). Please refrain from writing more than a paragraph. One-on-one virtual or in-person meetings can be scheduled as needed. Canvas, Toddle, and Other Online Classroom Platforms Families will be invited to learn more about the specific classroom platforms for their child as their school year begins. For support contact tech.support@brocktonschool.com. Information about Canvas, Toddle, MySchool, and Google can be found on The HUB.
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IMPORTANT To promote effective and timely communications, please consider the following (in order) when connecting with school personnel. 1. The individual to whom the concern is most directly connected. For example, the ● Homeroom/Advisory teacher (who is always good to copy in a message) ● Classroom Teacher ● Coach ● Administrative Assistant ● Counsellor ● Other 2. School Divisional Administrator/Leader: ● Department Chair ● Coordinator/Director ● Senior or Junior School Principal 3. The Head of School
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Section 3: Community Engagement Brockton School is a partnership between stakeholders, including teachers, students, families, alumni, friends, and non-teaching staff. Brockton’s impact is, of course, within the immediate school community while also extending to broader local and global initiatives. Brockton invites the expertise and interest of community members. The school expects students and staff to be involved in community engagement, with many opportunities available for parents, alumni, families, and friends.
Brockton Parent Community and Brockton Parent Committee (BPC) Parent involvement is an important part of the inclusive and caring community that allows our children to thrive and grow. Every parent becomes a part of the Brockton Parent Community upon enrollment. The Brockton Parent Committee (BPC) is a parent run organization that plays a crucial role in supporting the School’s Mission, supporting the School’s Strategic Plan, and enhancing the School Community. The BPC shall assist in School activities including, but not limited to working with the Advancement Committee and School Staff in ● coordinating volunteer opportunities at the School, ● coordinating and encouraging participation in School events and social events for the community, ● supporting community and fundraising activities. The BPC also organizes and delivers important support services, such as the hot lunch program. The BPC will hold monthly meetings (as posted on the Brockton Calendar) to discuss events and initiatives. All Brockton Parent Community members are welcome to attend. If you have any questions about the BPC, or want to find out how to get involved, please contact the BPC leadership at bpc@brocktonschool.com.
Board and Committee Involvement Brockton School operates as a not-for-profit organization, known officially as the Brockton Preparatory School Society. The Brockton Preparatory School Society is governed by a Board of Directors and adheres to the BC Societies Act as well as its own Constitution and Bylaws. The Board of Directors is a dedicated group of business and community leaders who give generously of their time and resources for the betterment of the school. Together with the Head of School (and leadership), they work to set the strategic direction of the school, helping to
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ensure Brockton’s strategic direction, financial well-being, and overall success. In addition, the Board has four standing committees: Nominations and Governance, Campus Vision, Advancement, and Finance. Brockton’s Board of Directors welcome hearing from individuals who may be interested in serving on a committee of the board or the board itself. Please contact a board member, committee member, or the school office to express interest. Board member contacts can be made available by contacting info@brocktonschool.com.
Advancement The Advancement team at Brockton consists of an Advancement Committee of the Board and an Advancement team of staff, distributed in three divisions: ● Marketing and Communications (marketing@brocktonschool.com) ● Admissions and Enrollment, and (admissions@brocktonschool.com) ● Community Development and Fundraising (advancement@brocktonschool.com) The Community Development and Fundraising team at Brockton School supports the strategic development of the school as it relates to community connections and leading fundraising for the success and viability of the school. Various events throughout the year support particular Advancement Community Development/Fundraising efforts, including but not limited to: annual fund campaign, wine and cheese social, the gala, the golf tournament, and more. Fundraising at Brockton: As a not-for-profit organization (with charity status), Brockton (like its peer schools) relies on philanthropic generosity to support continuous enhancements for the School today and for the future. Today, those at Brockton School are the beneficiaries of those generous donors before us. Every community member is encouraged to participate in community development and fundraising to the best of their capacity. Together, we fulfill Brockton’s mission: To inspire the growth of outstanding humans! For details on the various ways to support the advancement initiatives and to explore options for giving (including the tax advantage you can gain) please contact the Advancement team at: advancement@brocktonschool.com
Alumni, Friends, Family, and more Brockton School values its relationships with alumni, friends, families, and more.
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The Brockton Alumni Association engages alumni with various networking and social event opportunities, among other things. Alumni are always welcome to share expertise and interests that may be significant to the school community; similarly, Alumni are welcome to engage the expertise and interests within the school community. Please refer to the alumni section of the website for more details.
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Section 4: Essential Agreements & Policies Brockton School abides by specific significant agreements and policies in order to maintain a safe and caring community. Please familiarize yourself with Brockton’s policies and procedures, which can be found on the Community Hub. Families will be asked to agree to and sign off on several of these agreements each year, including but not limited to: ● the Community Code of Conduct; ● Off Campus Field Trip Consent; ● Grade 8 - 12 Student Leaving Campus Consent; ● Academic Integrity Agreement; and ● Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement These are important agreements/consents/policies and community members will be expected to hold accountability for each. These agreements will be shared in the Annual Document Review and/or will be distributed by Advisory/Homeroom teachers to Senior School Students.
Community Code of Conduct Note: this is an abbreviated version. Reference the Community HUB of the website for the full version. Members of the Brockton School Community and in consideration of an individual’s age, maturity, and diverse abilities, must review and abide by the Brockton School Community Code of Conduct. The purpose of the Code of Conduct is to promote Brockton as a safe, caring, orderly, respectful, and inclusive place to learn and grow. The Code of Conduct shall apply to all school activities, including those on and off school premises, during and outside regular school hours, on school coordinated transportation, during school-sponsored events, and when presenting/speaking as a member of the community, formally or informally. The Code of Conduct may also apply to other circumstances, not necessarily related to school sponsored activities, that impact the school environment. Note: ● In addition to the Code of Conduct, all members of the Brockton School Community are expected to follow the laws of British Columbia and Canada as well as Human Rights Codes and additional essential expectations. ● In addition to the Code of Conduct, community members and in particular students will be held accountable to specific agreements and expectations
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including but not limited to the annual: Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement (including Cell Phone Agreement) and Academic Integrity Agreement.
ALL Members of the Community Commit to: ● Support Brockton’s Mission and Guiding Principles. ○ Brockton’s Mission is to Inspire the Growth of Outstanding Humans ○ Brockton’s Guiding Principles state that Brockton is a place where ■ Every student matters ■ Every family matters ■ Community matters ■ Learning for life matters ● Prioritize safety (physical, emotional, psychological, social, and other). ● Respect privacy, property, policies, procedures, expectations, agreements and other needs of the diverse community. ● Respect and treat others fairly with a lens of equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging, regardless of and in consideration of diversity (for example: race, ancestry, religion, family status, gender, gender identity or expression, age, physical or mental differences of ability, and other.) ● Communicate respectfully and responsibly. ● Support regular student attendance and preparedness. ● Support learning opportunities (in all areas - classroom, extra-curricular, and more) and not interfere with the learning of others. ● Support appropriate use of technology and artificial intelligence (responsibly, respectfully, and safely). ● Support academic honesty and integrity. ● Support environmental sustainability. ● Respect the neighbourhood and your position/responsibility within our greater community. ● Be a positive ambassador of/for Brockton School. ● Learn, grow, be grateful, and have fun!
In addition to the Commitments for all Community Members (above), Brockton School Students Commit To: ● Demonstrate the IB Learner Profile attributes: Principled, Caring, Open-Minded, Reflective, Knowledgeable, Balanced, Thinkers, Inquirers, Communicators, Risk-Takers. ● Actively abide by student-related school policies, procedures, expectations and agreements (including but not limited to the appropriate use of technology and academic honesty).
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● Engage in safe and appropriate behaviours, acknowledging personal safety, one’s impact on others, and the modelling of behaviours to other (sometimes younger) students. ● Attend school, be punctual, and be prepared for lessons/activities. ● Wear the correct, clean, and undamaged school uniform. ● Take responsibility for personal actions and belongings; do not bring prohibited or unnecessary high-valued items to school. Note, students are welcomed to use a lock on their locker if they wish. ● Take responsibility for one’s learning and respect the learning environment and opportunities of others. ● Help promote a safe, caring, respectful, and inclusive school environment. Respect the right of others - with their differences - to learn in such an environment. ● Respect one’s position of privilege and responsibility within the school community, the local community, and the greater community. ● Report concerns or ask for help as appropriate. ● Strive to be an engaged member of the community. ● Remember, Brockton is YOUR school.
Code of Conduct Violations and Follow Up: ● Consequences of behaviour that violates the code of conduct and/or is deemed unacceptable will be addressed in a manner that whenever possible and appropriate, will: ○ focus on restorative rather than punitive practices ○ take account of the individual’s age, maturity, and diverse abilities ○ consider both intent and impact ● Every effort will be made to support individuals and to determine the root causes of behaviour. ● Efforts will be made to secure confidentiality; however, school officials may have a responsibility to advise other parties of serious breaches. ● The school will take all reasonable steps to prevent any form of retaliation against a Community member who has brought a complaint forward of a breach of the Code of Conduct. ● In situations where extreme and/or repeated and concerning violations of the code of conduct occur, continued enrollment at the school may be terminated.
Acknowledgement and Agreement: By enrolling at Brockton School, all students and parents are expected to have read and agreed to the School Code of Conduct. There is no opting out of the Code of Conduct.
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Brockton’s Approach: Connection, Collaboration, Restorative Justice At Brockton School, it is understood that: ● the connection and collaboration between school, student, and parents is fundamental ● every student and every situation is considered as unique, and is treated accordingly ● every student has the right to learn without intentional interference or obstruction from others ● schools, being social communities and places of progressive learning, are prone to social differences and diverse perspectives (e.g., there will be disagreements or challenges and opportunities to navigate and learn from such) ● strategies of compassionate communication and restorative justice are encouraged, such that students learn essential life skills like problem-solving when mistakes are made AND have accountability for their actions ● there are situations that may require significant considerations, including but not limited to suspension and expulsion ● perpetuation of assumptions and rumours should be kept in check, and appropriate confidentiality should be honoured What happens if something goes wrong? Families should expect that at some point in a student’s journey, challenges will present themselves. In all scenarios, the school is there to work WITH students and families. If a student or family has a concern, they are encouraged to follow the appropriate communication paths (as listed in Section 1 of this document). If a student recognizes that they have made a poor choice (e.g., a violation of school expectations), they are encouraged to report this to their teacher or administrator promptly. Parental support is welcomed. If a student feels they are on the receiving end of someone else’s poor choices, then they are encouraged to report this to their teacher or administrator promptly. Additionally, it is suggested that: ● Students should not engage in an unsafe/unhealthy situation. They are encouraged to walk away if that is the best course of action and seek support as appropriate. ● If possible and if the student feels safe, they can (calmly) let the other person know of their impactful actions. The use of compassionate communication is encouraged. ● Students (and/or parents) should be as supportive as possible to the follow-up thereafter. ● Students should keep their parents and teachers informed so that support can be given as required/desired.
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Recess/Break & Before/After School Play All students in Grades JK – 7 are expected to play outside during recess. If the weather is truly poor, the school will deem it indoor recess for everyone’s health and safety. Students are expected to uphold the rules and expectations of the playground that are clearly articulated at the start of each year. Parents/guardians are encouraged to support the same rules and expectations in their supervision of their child on campus (e.g., before drop off or after pick up). Playground rules and expectations: ● Students are not to climb fences or dangerous structures. ● The throwing of snowballs, stones, sticks, dirt, or gravel are not acceptable activities. ● Tackling and rough-housing is not permitted. ● Community members are to place garbage in garbage cans or place in a pocket until it can be properly disposed of. ● Students should take turns on play structures and during activities. ● Swearing or abusive language will not be tolerated. ● Students shall play safely and with the IB Learner Profile attributes in mind.
Pluralism: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging
Pluralism Statement Brockton School is dedicated to fostering a pluralistic community that honours the dignity, rights, and distinct identities of all its members. Brockton recognizes that pluralism requires moving beyond mere tolerance to actively building a culture of equity, inclusion, belonging, justice, and more. At Brockton School, our mission is “to inspire the growth of outstanding humans.” We believe that for this mission to be pursued, there must be an authentic engagement of pluralism: the active and respectful engagement with diversity in its many forms. Recognizing that the diversity of our community is a strength, we foster an equitable, inclusive environment where every student, family, and community member matters. Guided by the principles of the United Nations, the Canadian Constitution, the BC Human Rights Code, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and several key associations, we are committed to ensuring that every individual at Brockton is known, challenged, supported, and safe to explore their unique genius. We do not just
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accept differences; we embrace them as essential to developing self-aware, other -aware, purpose-filled, global citizens ready to thrive in a dynamic world.
Our Framework for Pluralism To prepare our students for a future that demands empathy, collaboration, and global awareness, Brockton School’s approach to pluralism is anchored in, and strictly abides by, the following local, national, and global frameworks: ● The United Nations (UN): We uphold the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, ensuring every learner has the right to an education free from discrimination, where their holistic well-being and voice are prioritized. ● Indigenous Recognition and Respect: We acknowledge the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations on which we work, live, learn, and play. We honour the enduring presence, histories, and rights of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples of Canada. ● The Canadian Constitution: We uphold the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian Human Rights Act. ● The BC Human Rights Code: We fiercely protect our community members from discrimination based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age and/or other. ● The Province of British Columbia & Ministry of Education: We meet and exceed the province's mandates for Safe, Caring, and Orderly Schools. This includes the meaningful integration of Indigenous teachings and First Peoples Principles of Learning, comprehensive support for neurodiversity, and adherence to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) inclusive practices. ● ISABC & FISA: As proud members of the Independent School Association of BC and the Federation of Independent Schools of BC, we collaborate with peer institutions to champion social justice, racial equity, and accessibility, ensuring the independent school sector serves the public good. ● CAIS Pluralism Standards: We hold ourselves accountable to the CAIS benchmarks for pluralism. We continuously evaluate and evolve our school culture, inclusive hiring practices, curriculum representation, and community engagement to reflect a diverse and interconnected world.
Pluralism in Action At Brockton, we aim to: 1. Empower Voices: Provide safe spaces and platforms for ALL to share their experiences and lead initiatives.
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2. Ensure Representation: Continuously audit our curriculum, resources, and pedagogy to ensure students see themselves reflected in their learning and are exposed to a wide array of global perspectives. 3. Build Capacity: Educate students and provide ongoing professional development for faculty and staff on anti-bias, equity, and inclusion strategies. 4. Foster Authentic Community: Maintain a school ecosystem where authentic connections flourish and a place where “Every Student Matters, Every Family Matters, Community Matters, and Learning for Life Matter.
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Section 5: Health & Safety Brockton School adheres to specific agreements and policies to maintain a safe and caring community, including the Safe and Caring Schools Policy, available in the Policy Section of the Community Hub.
Allergies and/or Severe Medical Conditions Please be advised that Brockton has a nut aware policy. Parents of children with allergies and/or severe medical conditions MUST ensure that the school is aware and MUST provide the school with corresponding medications and directions (e.g., epi-pens). The school maintains a system of training and educating faculty/staff regarding medical treatments (including epi-pen administration).
Emergency Communications & Information It is vital that the school has up-to-date emergency contact information for all students, parents, and emergency contacts. If there is any change to this information, please notify the school office immediately. In an emergency, the school will make every effort to contact families by phone or text.
School Closure The Head of School (or designate in the Head’s absence) may make the decision to close the school at an unscheduled time and as forced by weather or other unpredictable circumstances. Generally, for local weather purposes, if the North Vancouver School District (SD44) is closed, Brockton will be closed. The decision will be communicated as early as possible to the community in the following ways: ● Our school website ● On our social media (@brocktonschool) ● The school’s mass communication messaging system will send a text message to parents/guardians.
Emergency Evacuation Plan In the event of an emergency during school hours—such as an earthquake or fire—the senior administrator on-site will immediately assess the situation and implement our established emergency response plan.
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Do Not Call the School During an active emergency, it is vital that parents and guardians do not call the school office. We must keep all phone lines open to coordinate with emergency responders and receive critical updates. If communication systems are functional, we will provide updates and instructions via our mass messaging system. If systems are down, please refer to the evacuation sites listed below and monitor local news. If the building is deemed unsafe, students and staff will move to one of the following locations in order of priority: 1. Primary Site: School field 2. Secondary Site: Gravel parking lot 3. Offsite Location: Environmental Ecology Centre in Lynn Canyon (until further notice) The school maintains 72 hours of emergency supplies to provide food, water, and care for all students and staff. We are prepared to support your children for a reasonable duration until a safe reunification can be coordinated.
Injury at School Should a student acquire an injury at school (or while on a school trip), the student will receive medical attention (on the spot and/or report to the office for appropriate support). Pending the severity of the injury: a) additional medical support may be activated. b) the parents will be contacted and updated. c) a medical report will be completed (e.g., scratch that requires a small band-aid would not warrant a call home nor a report; hard hit on the head would warrant both a call home and a report). Brockton School trains as many staff as possible in first aid, with some staff (including Outdoor Education staff) holding higher levels of certification for extreme situations. Brockton School maintains a healthy supply of Band-Aids and ice packs. In addition, the school maintains an emergency medical supply, including materials for anaphylaxis and other serious medical conditions. All staff are provided with detailed information regarding students with severe medical/health scenarios.
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Protection of Privacy The Board of Directors, faculty, staff, and administration of Brockton School are acutely aware of the need for maintaining confidentiality and privacy with respect to any personal information that may be accessible. The school’s Protection of Privacy policies for students, parents, employees, and volunteers are available for review on the Community Hub. Parent volunteers must also respect the privacy rights of those with whom they come in contact in the course of their volunteer work. Volunteers are to retain confidentiality in a way that respects the privacy rights of members of the school community. For further information on our commitment to protecting your privacy, please contact the school office.
Prevention of Abuse The school has established a screening process for employees who work with Brockton students. All Brockton employees must complete a criminal records check and reference checks as a condition of employment. For contract employees working directly with Brockton students, similar expectations regarding criminal record checks apply. In addition, Brockton has guidelines governing the conduct of all employees and volunteers to prevent situations of potential abuse or inappropriate conduct. As per all schools in British Columbia, school staff are required to report disclosures of child abuse (regardless of when/where they may have been reported to have occured nor by whom). Brockton will always operate in the best interests of the students and in compliance with all applicable regulations/requirements.
Communicable Diseases Brockton School works directly with Vancouver Coastal Health to ensure compliance with the latest standards for communicable diseases in school settings. Brockton School adheres to the highest standards of prevention and intervention, as recommended by health authorities, whenever possible. If a child becomes ill at Brockton, parents/guardians will be asked to pick up the child immediately. The school will contact parents directly if it determines the child is not well enough to remain at school. If parents are unsure of whether or not a child’s health status constitutes sickness, the child should be kept at home for further observation and/or taken to a medical professional. Whether or not a child who appears ill is admitted to school day is at the discretion of the teachers/administration.
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Head Lice Head lice are common in younger grades in schools. Parents should periodically check their children for lice. If parents discover that their children have lice, they must immediately inform the school. If lice are found on a student at school, the student will be sent home until the condition is treated. All parents in the class will be informed that there are lice in their class, and extra precautions and checks should be undertaken. Sleep-overs should be kept to a minimum at this time. Please speak with your child about the importance of not sharing hats, scarves, helmets, hairbrushes, combs, and similar items. Please remind your child to use their individual coat hook.
Families are welcome to familiarize themselves with the School Policy for Management of Communicable Diseases, located on the Community Hub.
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Section 6: School Operations Drop Off and Pick Up
To keep our students and community members safe and traffic moving efficiently, please review these key procedures for the start of the school year. Please review THIS DOCUMENT for more detailed information on the HUB. General Traffic & Safety Rules ● Speed Limits: Maximum 30 km/h in the neighbourhood and 15 km/h in the Brockton parking lot. ● Turn Restrictions: Right turns only when entering and exiting the parking lot (from Duval Road to Lyddon Road) during drop-off and pick-up. ● Drop-Off Courtesy: Always pull forward as far as possible in the drop-off zone. Drivers must remain inside their vehicles at all times. Please be considerate of our neighbours and do not block driveways. Procedures by Grade Level ● Junior Kindergarten & Kindergarten: Park in unreserved spots in the paved lot and walk your child to/from their classroom using marked crosswalks. ● Grades 1–5: Drop off in the designated drop-off zone. For pick-up, pull into the south end of the paved lot by the gravel lot; staff will assist with student handoff to pre-approved guardians. ● Grades 6–12 (POD & Senior School): Drop off outside school grounds on Duval Road so students can walk in, unless you are simultaneously dropping off a Junior School sibling. ● Student Drivers: Licence plates must be registered with the front office. Park in the gravel lot or on side streets (Duval Road does not permit all-day parking).
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Supervision Beyond School Hours Supervision of students is provided by the school as follows: ● Classrooms before school from 8:10 am daily. ● School recesses and break ● Planned extracurricular activities There is no formal supervision of students on the school campus after 3:30 pm with the exception of those students who are registered in an extracurricular activity or one of our After School Care/Club programs. Parents or guardians must pick up their child(ren) at dismissal time unless other arrangements have been made. In the event that parents or guardians experience unexpected delays, they must contact the school and their child(ren) will be supervised (by the school staff and/or Cub Care After School Care Program - learn more about our Cub Club program on the HUB). In this case, parents may be charged the daily rate for Brockton’s Child Care program. This should only be considered an emergency plan. Senior school students are permitted to remain at school to study. Students are requested to remain in the main buildings for after school study. Note: Brockton does not provide supervision in this event. All students are expected to have left the school by 4:30pm unless participating in an extracurricular activity or if they are required to stay by special arrangement.
Midday Connections/Departures All visitors to the school are to register at the front office and should secure a visitor tag as appropriate. If a parent needs to drop off an item for a student, it can be left with the school office. If required to leave during the school day (e.g., for appointments), students must provide permission notes to the office and/or parents must contact the office with notification. The student should sign out from the main school office before departing. Students in Grade 8 and above are able to sign out at lunchtime if their parents give permission (annual forms include this permission form; otherwise parents may contact the office). Students leaving during the school day (for any reason) must sign the ‘Sign Out Sheet’ at the divisional office. If the student returns to the school on the same day, they must sign the ‘Sign In Sheet’.
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Assembly Assemblies happen on Wednesday mornings, with the first Wednesday of each month (unless otherwise notified) being a full school assembly. Please make an effort to arrive on time. Special assemblies (e.g., Remembrance Day and others) are scheduled throughout the year. Refer to the Brockton Calendar on the website.
Authorized Absences
Detailed attendance information can be found on The HUB. A few things to note: REPORTING STUDENT ABSENCES AND LATES Option 1: ATTENDANCE EMAIL (preferred) ● Student absences or lates or early departures can be reported by email at: attendance@brocktonschool.com ● Emails must come from a parent or guardian email listed in our student information system, MySchool. If your email changes, please contact the School. ● Students cannot email in their own absence; only messages from parent and legal guardian email accounts are accepted. For all absences, please include the following information: ● Subject of Email: Absence ● Student Name ● Included in the body of the email: ○ First and last name of student ○ Grade ○ Date of absence & whether it is for the full day or what portion of the day ○ Reason for absence (e. g.: ill, appointment, vacation) ○ If late, state approximate time of arrival ○ If leaving early state time of departure.
Option 2: ATTENDANCE REPORTING LINE 604-929-9201 (available 24 hours a day) The School will still be accepting voice messages for absences but would prefer parents send an email in advance instead. 26
During the School Day Check-In and Check-Out Students arriving to school, or leaving school, during the school day MUST sign in/out through the school office - sign in/out system. Students arriving late will sign in and will secure a LATE SLIP (from the sign in/out counter) to enter their class. Students leaving early are expected to have sent a communication to the school from parents in advance through the attendance email system (preferred) and/or by phone. Absences that are not supported (e.g., skipping class) are unacceptable and will be addressed within the scope of the disciplinary policy and procedures.
Extended Absences Taking days away from school unnecessarily can seriously interrupt the process of learning for students. Requests for extended absences should be rare, and should be put in writing to be submitted to the school office well in advance of the intended absence. Older students will be responsible to connect with teachers far in advance of intended absences to address any work that will be missed. NOTE: an excess number of such absences can jeopardize the per capita grant payment provided by the provincial government for the child, in which case parents will be required to make up any difference.
Punctuality Parents/guardians of students registered in Junior Kindergarten through Grade 5 are considered responsible for bringing their children to school on time. Students in Grade 6 and higher are responsible for their own actions in this manner and may face disciplinary follow-up if the tardiness is repeated. Students arriving late must sign in at the office. Students not signing in will be considered absent and an email or phone call home will follow.
Missed School Work Due to Absences Students in Grades 6 and above are responsible for all missed school work during absences, unless otherwise directed by the teacher. Arrangements must be made with individual subject teachers before an expected absence (i.e. sports event or doctor’s appointment) or before an approved extended absence.
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Lost Property Families are responsible for clearly labeling ALL belongings (including lunch containers and uniform pieces. Any item that is found and does not have a label indicating its owner, will be placed in the Lost and Found box in the main office entry. Unclaimed uniform items will be recycled into the Brockton ‘New to You’ uniform shop. Other unclaimed items will be donated to local charities.
Library/Learning Commons & School Resources In addition to supporting the curriculum, the library/learning commons is intended to foster a love of reading, as well as the development of information management and research skills. There are also a number of resources for parents and faculty. Our staff welcome requests and recommendations from all stakeholders. The school provides other resources to students/families on a borrowing basis (e.g., library books, musical instruments, textbooks, etc). Any borrowed school resources must be returned to the school in reasonable condition. If resources are lost or damaged, the replacement costs will be charged back to families.
Student Services Brockton School offers a number of services to support students and families in their journey at Brockton School. This includes but is not limited to the support of personal counsellors, post-secondary counsellors, career education specialists, learning resource teachers, classroom assistants, and home-room teachers/advisors. Brockton School is proud to offer the array and expertise of such services and works in partnership with families as a student progresses on their journey. Should a family wish/need to pursue professional services beyond or in addition to what is offered at the school (e.g., tutor, external counsellor, etc), the school encourages this information to be shared so that collaborative efforts can be optimized. Please note that mental health and social-emotional learning are priorities at Brockton School. To this end, learning around such is woven into our curriculum, and personal counsellors will be introduced to all classes. Students or parents can request counselling services by emailing or phoning our school counsellors directly to set up an initial appointment for support. The goal of school-based counselling is short-term solution-focused interventions. After that, outside supports may be recommended and referrals offered. Engagement will be bound by laws and regulations regarding age of student, scope of disclosures, and other such parameters.
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Environmental Awareness (Pack it in/Pack it out) Brockton School makes sincere efforts to support environmental awareness and action. Families are encouraged to consider environmentally friendly options in all aspects (transit to and from school, packaging, clothing, etc). With respect to waste management on campus, our community is encouraged to contribute as little as possible to the production of unnecessary waste. We ask the following of our community: ● Use reusable food containers (please label them with your child’s name) ● Follow the PACK IT IN/PACK IT OUT philosophy (i.e. if you create/pack in waste, please take/pack it out with you) ● If you do create waste on campus, please use the appropriate garbage, recycling, or organic containers to dispose of it
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Always more to share; however, should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us: email: info@brocktonschool.com or better yet - pop by and ask; we are happy to see you.
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