International Student Code of Conduct
All international students in the Cowichan Valley must adhere to the following Code of Conduct:
ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
1. Students will obtain satisfactory results in their courses to continue in the program.
2. Students will take a full program. If students wish to change their program (e.g drop a course) they must receive approval form the ELL teacher, administrator, and the school counselor.
3. Students will follow the rules & code of conduct of the school as outlined in the school handbook
4. Students have the responsibility to share their report cards and school letters with their parents.
5. The Cowichan Valley International Program will provide written reports to the parents of students who are experiencing difficulties in our school system.
ATTENDANCE
1. Students must attend all classes on days that school is in session.
2. Students who are absent from school for a valid reason (e.g. illness) must notify the school.
3. The student is responsible to make up any missing work or assignments.
4. Students who cannot maintain regular attendance at school will be withdrawn from the program.
CONTACTS
1. Students must provide the ISP office with a current email address and phone number. They are expected to check this daily and notify the office of any changes.
2. Students must provide the ISP office with current parent addresses, emails and phone numbers.
HOMESTAY
1. Students will follow and respect the homestay family rules and property. This includes showing consideration and courtesy, respecting the rules for bedtime, visiting friends or socializing, and advising host parents of locations and contacts outside of school time.
2. Students will negotiate the use of telephone, computer and Internet facilities with the host family. They will abide by the decision in relation to this usage.
3. Students will be treated as a respected member of the family and will be expected to be an active member of the household.
CANADIAN LAW
1. Students will obey Canadian laws and regulations at all times.
2. Students will obey the terms and conditions described in their study permits as issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
DISTRICT POLICY
1. Students are not permitted to purchase or consume alcohol or narcotics.
2. Students are not permitted to learn to drive, drive, rent or own cars while registered in the program.
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Activities for the School Year
The Cowichan Valley International Student Program will be offering activities throughout the school year. Students and host families will receive updates and forms via email.
Tentative activities for this year include:
! Wednesday Sept. 5: Program Orientation
! Saturday Sept. 23: Vancouver day trip
! Saturday Oct. 14: Tofino surfing
! Wed. Oct. 25: Galey Farms Hallowe’en Haunted House
! Sat. Nov. 4: Vancouver day trip
! Thurs. Dec. 7: Christmas in Victoria
! Sat. Dec. 16: Christmas baking
! Wed. Jan. 17 – Sat. 19: Whistler skiing
! Wed. Jan. 24: Mt. Washington snow activities
! Thurs. Feb. 8: Victoria shopping
! Wed. Feb. 14: Mt. Washington skiing
! Fri. March 1: Mt. Washington skiing
! Mon. Mar. 18 – Thurs. 21: Rocky Mountains
! Sat. April 6: Vancouver day trip
! Sat. Apr. 27: Vancouver day trip
! Sat. May 11: Tofino surfing
! Sat. May 25: Wildplay
! Sat. June 8: Horne Lake caves
! Fri. June 14: Camp Imadene (included for all students, no additional fee!)
Fees for the activities will depend on the number of students registered, and will be determined closer to the date of the activity or event. Some activities may require a “high risk waiver” form signed by your natural parents. We will provide this to natural parents to sign and return to our office.
We are always looking for good ideas! If you have any ideas or suggestions for activities, events, or field trips, please send Ms. Keple or Mr. O’Donnell an email with details!
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Medical Services
Serious medical emergencies must be reported to the ISP administration. As custodian, the decision to proceed with treatment will require custodial consent. It is our job to inform agents and parents of serious conditions.
Students are covered through guard.me Medical Insurance. See www.guard.me for details of this plan.
All students will be issued a guard.me card for their wallet.
The ISP office staff will help with any questions. We have made arrangements with the following clinics to accept ISP students and direct bill to the plan:
• Valleyview Treatment Centre, Cobble Hill: 250-743-9395
• Duncan Family Practice, 2763 Beverly St, #201, Duncan: 250-597-3390
Students are encouraged to use Shoppers Drug Mart to fill prescriptions as they bill guard.me directly.
Students can also use mobileDOCTOR (by guard.me) to speak with a Canadian-licensed general practitioner online in minutes 24/7 from their phone, tablet, or computer This is fully covered for your first three months in Canada, and once you’re on MSP you have free access from 10-4 on weekdays. To set up a mobileDOCTOR account: Go to www.guard.me/mobiledoctor and enter your date of birth and guard.me policy number.
Medical Services Plan
After 90 days, students here for more than 5 months will be transferred onto the BC Medical Services Plan. Dental work, prescriptions, cosmetic work, eyewear and ambulance services are not covered under this plan, but students have the guard.me “top-up” (extended medical)
Full year students will be issued a BC Care Card for their wallet.
• Students should carry their BC Care Card and their guard.me card in their wallet at all times and ALWAYS present it on arrival at any clinic/hospital BEFORE accessing any services.
• Students should not pay a bill at a doctor or clinic; please get a paper copy of the bill and bring it to our office so we can help submit it to guard.me
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Communication
We will send all messages, information, field trip forms and other forms, and newsletters via email. It is important that you give the ISP office an email address that you check daily. This will ensure that you have received updates and required forms for events.
International students are required to have a local cell phone number so your host family can always get in touch with you – as not all places have wifi.
Study Permit Renewals
From the day you arrive in Canada, check and REMEMBER when your study permit expires!
Each year in March the ISP office will invite students to return to the program or ask what your plans are for next year. If you are returning to our school district, or a Canadian University, our office will work with you to renew your study permit.
We will need you to:
1. Sign official IRCC renewal papers
2. Bring $300.00 (cash) to the ISP secretary to pay renewal fees.
3. Get a letter of financial support from your parents and have it couriered to the ISP office. *Any student that is late with their renewal will be fined an additional $350.00 by IRCC*
Study Permits can take over 90 business days (over 3 months) to process. If you do this early you will have your permit before summer holidays.
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Emergency Procedures
Emergencies can happen anywhere in the world. Even though Canada is recognized as one of the safest countries in the world, any one of these things could happen during your stay here:
• Earthquake
• Large storm (snowstorm, windstorm, thunderstorm)
• Fire
• Flood
• Power outage
You should talk to your host family and your teachers at school to learn the local emergency procedures. It is very important to know how to escape and what to do if a fire or earthquake happens in your home or at school.
Show this page to your host parents and talk to them about emergency procedures. If you ever need the help of police, an ambulance, or a fire truck, you should phone the emergency number: 911.
You should always know how to contact your host parents, and have their phone numbers in your phone at all times Again, you are required to have a local phone number so your host family can reach you anytime.
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Important Laws in British Columbia
1. Everyone riding in a car must wear a seatbelt. It doesn’t matter if you are riding in the front or the back.
2. You can only buy cigarettes if you are 19 years old. However, international students in our program may not smoke, vape, or use chewing tobacco.
3. A person can buy alcohol and cannabis if they are 19 years or older. However, international students in our program are not allowed to purchase or consume drugs or alcohol regardless of age.
4. It is against the law for anyone to buy alcohol or cannabis for someone who is younger than 19 years old
5. It is against the law to use illegal drugs.
6. It is against the law to take things from a store without paying (this is called shoplifting).
7. You must wear a helmet when you ride a bicycle.
8. You must be over 18 or have your natural parent’s written permission to get a tattoo.
If you break the law in Canada, you can get into serious trouble. You can even be forced to leave the country.
In case of an emergency and dealing with the authorities, please contact Ms. Keple or Mr. O’Donnell IMMEDIATELY.
DO NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS WITHOUT US THERE TO REPRESENT YOU!
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Behaviour of Students
All international students must abide by the rules provided in our program’s Code of Conduct.
Each school also has its own Code of Conduct published in their school handbook. It is the student’s responsibility to read this and be familiar with their school rules.
Consequences for Students Not Following The Rules
A student will be given a warning if they are misbehaving (at school or at home), frequently absent from school, or if they are failing a course. Your natural parents and/or agent will receive notification informing them of the behaviour.
Finally, a student may be asked to leave the program if they do not show signs of improvement.
There are no refunds for students expelled from the program.
Report Cards
Most of our high schools will produce two report cards a semester. Students will receive this halfway through the semester and at the end of the semester.
Validation Fees
Students will be invoiced for validation fees This process is done though our office and is usually finished by late July.
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Attendance Expectations for Students
All students in the International Program are obligated to attend school every day, on time, and prepared to work.
Your host family should notify the school anytime you are absent. If you are absent without host family or ISP approval there can be serious consequences.
You may:
• Lose academic credits
• Be suspended from school
• After repeated warnings, be expelled from the district
Graduation Requirements
Any student wishing to graduate from the high school program in British Columbia must complete 80 credits of course work. These include both required and elective (student choice) courses.
A student may be able to receive credits for some courses done in their home country but this must be officially approved by ISP administration. Please discuss this with your ELL teacher and they will bring this information to administration on your behalf. For example: A student from Turkey that has completed grade 10 Physical Education will receive credit and not have to repeat the course. The student must provide official documentation from their home country school.
For more information on graduation requirements in British Columbia, see https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/support/graduation
Course Exams
All international students are required to complete the entire course regardless of the length of their stay in our program. This includes writing the assessments that are attached to specific courses. The exception to this ruling is a student registered in a short term program. Only the District Principal can make exceptions to these rules.
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Cheating
Cheating is a form of academic dishonesty. This includes presenting, as your own work, material produced by or with the help of others, or permitting or helping others to present your work as their own.
• Plagiarism (submitting the work of another person as your own, or copying the work or words of another person and presenting it as your own) is a serious offence. A student can receive a “0” or fail a course or assignment for plagiarizing someone else’s work.
Cheating may also mean knowingly falsifying or changed information on tests without the teacher’s permission.
Consequences of Cheating
Cheating is considered a serious academic offence.
First time offences may be dealt with less severely than repeated offences. The following is a list of progressive disciplinary measures for cheating:
• A teacher may adjust the grade on the assignment/test or ask the student to redo the assignment or a similar assignment/test.
• If cheating involves a personal electronic device, its use during school time may be restricted or result in confiscation.
• Close monitoring of the student in all classes may begin to ensure compliance with ethical behavior.
• Depending on the severity and context of the cheating, students may be removed from a course. This may result in changing graduation plans, validation requirements, or funding from outside sources.
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Studying in Canada
You will likely find some differences between the educational and values system in your own country and Canada. It is essential for you to understand the appropriate and accepted rules for students in the Canadian educational system.
• Ask questions! Be involved in learning!
• Expect lots of class discussion.
• Group work is important.
• Teacher-student relationships tend to be relatively informal. For example, teachers may begin the class with a joke or with friendly conversation.
• You will learn how to arrive at conclusions, to solve problems, and to analyze.
• You will often be asked how you got an answer rather than just what the answer is.
• Be on time!
• Class tests, presentations, discussions, assignments, and working in groups are all part of your marks.
• TEAMS AND CLUBS: Getting involved is an important part of school life. Try out for sports teams! Join clubs! (There may be additional fees for teams, which each student is responsible to pay).
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Role of the Custodian
All international students in the Cowichan Valley are assigned to the Custodianship of the District Principal, Ms. Keple. This meets the requirements of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the policies of our school district.
The custodian is the person who makes decisions concerning your welfare, and you must follow directions given by the custodian. Your custodian is also responsible to report changes or issues to parents in their home country, to agents abroad, and to district senior staff. Ultimately all medical, academic, and legal decisions fall to the responsibility of the District Principal as your custodian.
Your Host Parents
Our Homestay Program is the most important part of the international student experience. Our students and our homestay families have developed relationships that last a lifetime. Host parents provide the same care you would get from your family, and are daily caregivers who provide social, emotional, and support for your well being.
Preparing for Your Homestay Experience
Every host is different just like every student. What our hosts have in common is that they want to provide a safe, caring environment for you. We choose hosts who will provide the same comfortable, healthy and supportive home life they would ask a host family to provide for their own children.
Why do we trust our hosts?
Because we’ve met them in person and toured their homes; we’ve talked with them about their experiences in the world and in Canada, and we’ve helped them adjust to being hosts.
We have also asked students like you to evaluate them. If they fail to meet our and your expectations, we won’t work with them again.
If you’re not happy with your match, tell us. You can call or email us. You can also speak with our Homestay Coordinator, Ms. Fotos, and our Homestay Manager, Ms. Langlois We are always happy to hear from you.
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What makes a great homestay?
Your homestay experience will largely depend on your own attitude and friendliness. How can you make the most of living in Canada? Come with an open mind and be ready to embrace the ways in which Canada and the people you will meet here are different and unique. Your host family will be eager to help you adapt to their family and Canada. The more you get involved in your new life the happier you will be.
Getting settled:
The first few weeks living in a new country with a new family can be difficult. You may feel homesick and frustrated with your new environment and the language. This is natural. Give yourself time to adjust to your new surroundings. Please remember: you’re not alone; we’re always here to help.
A tour of your new home:
Please ask for a tour of your house when you first arrive. Your host should show you where everything is, with special care to point out your bedroom and bathroom; the kitchen and dining area; the laundry room; the linen closet (or wherever clean linen and towels are kept); and so on.
Please make sure you understand how to use:
• the bathroom, including the bath/shower, toilet and sink;
• appliances and entertainment items, like the TV, and microwave;
• the fire extinguisher, as well as what to do in the event of a fire (for example, suitable exits and emergency phone numbers).
See below for a discussion of the laundry facilities, telephone and internet.
You can treat this house as your own but do respect everyone’s right to privacy and quiet. Always knock and announce yourself before entering someone else’s room, and be considerate when using common areas.
Make sure you meet all members of your host family. Repeat their names so you can remember them.
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A tour of the neighborhood:
Ask your host for a tour of your new neighborhood, including directions to and from your school and any local attractions or meeting places.
Ask your host for help using buses: how and where to buy passes/tickets and getting to know the local routes.
Most of our students will take the school bus to school. Please ask your host family to get these details for you.
As a courtesy, the homestay family may drive you to an appointment but be respectful and organize your schedule ahead of time.
Life inside the Canadian home: Your host family will have certain rules concerning daily life in the house. These include:
• when to have baths and showers
• where food can or cannot be eaten
• how to do laundry
• curfew
• no-smoking policies
• limits on the use of the television/stereo/internet and other family property
• family schedules & bedtime hours
• when it is OK to have friends over, and so on.
There may be areas of the house your host will ask you not to use. Please respect their wishes.
All the rules or guidelines that apply to your family members also apply to you. We ask our hosts to arrange a family meeting to go over the house rules at the beginning of your stay.
For ALL international students the following rules will be upheld regardless of household customs and rules, and your age:
No smoking (and no purchasing cigarettes)
No drinking alcohol or cannabis or other drugs
It is your responsibility to understand and observe all household rules. If you are having any difficulty doing so, please contact our Homestay Team.
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Household chores:
Your host parents will welcome you into their home as a member of the family. As part of the household, you will be expected to do some assigned chores. For example, you will be responsible to keep your room clean, and other areas of the house if you use them. You should also be prepared to help with meal preparation, cleaning of dishes, and doing your own laundry.
In many cases, you may also be an older brother or sister to your homestay family’s children. We hope you set a good example for them. However, you will not be expected to babysit them.
Laundry:
Please check with your host at the beginning of your stay to work out a laundry schedule. They may ask you to do your own laundry. Please ensure that you have a full load and are not washing a few items every few days.
Your Bedroom:
Your bedroom will include a window and smoke detector nearby, bed & bedding, a dresser, a place to study, a closet, and adequate heat, light & ventilation. Please ask your host to show you how to use the bed and blankets, and where to find extra blankets if needed.
Your homestay family will discuss with you what you can put on bedroom walls and how to attach items.
As a courtesy, and to conserve energy, please turn off the light before leaving your room. Your host may also ask you to turn down the heat in the room when you are gone for the day, if it is operated on a thermostat.
Your host parents will have access to your room when it is reasonably appropriate. It is not unreasonable to them to ask you to keep your door open when you are studying or when you are at school. There should be no food brought into your bedroom. You must keep your bedroom clean. What that looks like will be determined by your host family. Remember you are not renting a hotel room, you are joining a Canadian family.
Bathrooms:
Please leave the bathroom clean and dry after you use it. Your host will explain when to use the bathroom and for how long. Most students will share their bathroom with one or more family members or other students. If there are several members of your household, please be considerate with the use of hot water, which might run out before everyone has showered!
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Damage to the home:
Regular wear and tear is to be expected However, if students cause accidental or intentional damage to their homestay’s home, the student is expected to pay the cost of the repair. For significant damage, homestays have access to Third Party Liability coverage through guard.me. This coverage would only be accessed if the repair is beyond what a student & their natural parents could reasonably cover.
Cell Phone:
Many students find it easier to purchase a “pay as you go” cell phone. Ask your host parent to help you purchase a ‘pay as you go’ cell phone plan. All students must have a phone plan that allows host families to know where their students are at all times. (Wi- fi is not available everywhere and at all times.) PhoneBox offers competitive rates.
Internet:
Every family will have their own rules regarding the use of the Internet. You must ask them for their guidelines regarding connecting, hours of use and browsing.
Use of Technology:
We encourage you to use technology for schoolwork. However, our ISP guideline is that computer use must end at 10:00 p.m. We understand that the technology is the easiest way to contact family and friends; however, the use of the technology should not affect your interaction with your host family and completion of school work
Meals:
Everybody likes different food. Part of the fun of homestay is learning what Canadian families like to eat, and teaching your host family what you like to eat. Now is your chance to prepare a traditional meal from your home country for your host family. This will be a treat for you and them!
Your host family will always provide your meals - but this doesn’t mean that your meals will be served to you. Sometimes your hosts will not be at home for every meal - and sometimes they will have different customs from you for certain meals.
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What You Can Expect in a Typical Homestay Regarding Meals
Breakfast:
Each host family has its own unique morning schedule, so it is important to decide on a routine that will work best for everyone. Weekdays, breakfast is a quick, light meal. On weekends, families may prepare breakfast together. Some families eat a hot breakfast; others prefer to have something cold, such as cereal or toast, and juice. Your family might leave it up to you to decide what to eat in the morning; please ask them to show you where the food is kept and how to prepare your own breakfast if this is the case.
Lunch:
Lunch is eaten midday and usually consists of a light main course (soup, a salad, or a sandwich), a drink (water, milk, or juice), and a dessert of fruit or cookies. Your family will provide you with a bagged lunch to take to school. Sometimes you may be able to take some dinner from the night before that you can heat up at school if there is a microwave. Do not be offended if it is your responsibility to pack your own lunch - this is common in many families in Canada.
Dinner:
Your host family will try to have a sit-down dinner, which is usually the largest meal of the day. It may consist of a main course, with or without a salad, as often as their weekly schedule allows. It is the most important meal of the day, and very important that you communicate with your family when you will be home for dinner (dinners are usually eaten between 5:00 and 7:00 pm). This family dinner hour is often the best time for families to talk about their day and for you to bond with your host family.
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Life Outside the Home & Nightlife
Canadian families spend a few evenings each week engaged in leisure activities and relaxation. We encourage you to spend some time with them. However, it’s perfectly all right to spend an evening out with your own friends from school on Friday or Saturday.
When you do go out, you must tell your homestay family where you will be going, how you can be reached (include all relevant phone numbers), when you will be home (remember your curfew!), who you will be with, and how you are getting home. You must have all of this planned in advance or your host family may not approve you going out. This information is important for your safety and your host’s peace of mind. Please do not assume your homestay family knows where you are, or remembers plans you have discussed in advance. Always review your plans with your homestay family on the evening you’re going out. Always let your host know when you will be coming home and always call if you’re going to be late. They will worry if you’re not home on time. When you do get home, please enter the home quietly!
Curfews
Host families and international students need to discuss curfews. Students are expected to respect the routines and rules of the household.
Weekend curfew guidelines are as follows:
Grade 8: 9:00 p.m.
Grade 9: 10:00 p.m.
Grade 10: 10:00 p.m.
Grade 11: 11:00 p.m.
Grade 12: 12:00 a.m.
Weeknights and Sunday evenings after supper are considered to be study and family time. Students should be home unless they have a scheduled school activity such as sports, music, tutoring etc. You should be home at 9pm. You must phone your host if you are delayed past your curfew, or require help, at any time. If you do not follow these guidelines you may be asked to leave the program.
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How To Solve Homestay Problems
New students are placed with the best host families we have. There are no perfect students and no perfect host families. Students and host families should accept each other’s differences and try to have a good homestay relationship.
All host families and students have some problems. That is normal. Students and host families need to work together to solve problems.
Step #1: Talk to your Host Parents about the problem
• Tell your host parents what the problem is
• Talk to your host parents about possible solutions to the problem. You and your host parents agree on a solution to the problem.
Step #2: Talk to your Homestay Team about the problem
• If it’s too hard to talk to your host parents about the problem or if you have talked to your host parents and the problem is still there you can talk to our Homestay Team about the problem. They can help by talking with you about different ways to solve the problem.
• Our Homestay Team, you, and your host parents can talk together about the problem.
PLEASE REMEMBER
• The first few days are the most difficult. Please be patient, things will get better.
• Host parents want their students to tell them if there are problems.
• Your host parents can help you solve a problem if you tell them there is a problem.
• Most problems can be easily solved.
• Your Homestay Team can help you solve problems
• Most homestay problems are about communicating and understanding each other.
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Some Questions to Ask your Host Family During the First Few Days
• What time should I be home for supper?
• If I want to invite a friend for supper what should I do?
• How can I help at meal times?
• Will I make my own lunch for school or will you make it? (If your host parent expects you to make lunch ask for help at first to learn where things are and what you can use. If you have never made your own food don’t be shy...tell your host parent and ask for help)
• When should I take a shower or bath? Is there a time limit for me to shower or bathe? (Ask your host parent to show you how the bath and shower work and where to put wet towels and sanitary supplies)
• What time do people in this house usually go to bed? After what time should I be in bed or quiet in my room? What time do you usually get up? Discuss how you would like to get up: do you have an alarm clock or do you want your host parent to call you?
• What time do you expect me to be home on weekdays? On weekends? What should I do if I want to stay at my friend’s house overnight, or if I want to have a friend stay at my house?
• What are the phone rules? How long can I stay on the phone? How late can I use the phone?
• Is there someone in the home who can help me with homework? When is a good time for getting help with homework?
• Can you help me with some plans to improve my English? What can we do together to work on my English? (e.g. conversation every day, watch T.V. together and talk about the programs, etc.)
• What jobs would you like me to do around the house while I’m living here?
• What kinds of things will we do together while I’m here? Can you drive me to my friend’s houses or to other activities sometimes?
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Local Travel
** We strongly suggest that international students not accept rides from drivers who are under the age of 21. While it is legal for you to do so, we believe older adult drivers can provide a higher level of safety in your travels. **
Students are not permitted to get their driver’s license while in our program.
We do not allow our students to own or rent vehicles while in our program. Even good drivers become disoriented on international roads, and owning a car is often a considerable distraction from school studies. The safety of our students is our first priority, and vehicle ownership introduces a level of risk and distraction we are not able to support.
Community Transit System
There are routes, schedules, fares, and a trip planner available online. Please help your student to access the website at: https://www.bctransit.com/cowichan-valley/home
Away Overnight
Safety is always a concern for parents, agents, host families, and International Student Program staff. International students cannot be left alone overnight regardless of age.
It has always been our policy that if a student wishes to leave our district for overnight or longer we need to know where they are going and they must be under the care of a responsible adult. For that reason we do not allow our students to go with a group of friends and stay together in a hotel in Vancouver, for example, unless there is an adult there who will be present and responsible for them.
We require the following process any time that a student leaves our district overnight:
1. The student and the host family must complete the Out-of-District Student Travel form, and submit it 10 business days prior to travel.
2. The completed form must be delivered to Ms. Keple or Mr. O’Donnell.
3. Failure to follow this process by a student who leaves the district overnight will result in disciplinary action.
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The Out of District Student Travel Form on the next page may be copied. Additional forms are also available from all ISP staff.
If your host family is going away overnight without you: There are issues of safety and liability that could be a real concern if anything were to happen to you while your host parents are away from your home overnight. If they plan to be away they must make alternate plans for you. Two options are:
• Arrange for another adult (25+ years old) to stay in the home to supervise you.
• Arrange for you to stay in someone else’s home (either a family friend or another host parent).
If you want to take a trip without adult supervision: Sometimes a group of students will decide to go somewhere together for the weekend. This is against program rules. You cannot go away overnight without adult supervision. If a student wishes to leave our district for overnight or longer we need to know where they are going and they must be under the care of a responsible adult.
If you have out-of-country vacation plans during school breaks: There are restrictions on minors traveling alone in many countries, and many of our students require special entry visas to be permitted entry into the U.S.
At the present time our school district will not grant permission to students to travel outside of our program field trips. All students should travel with letters of identification from the school district.
For all good reasons it is important for program personnel to know well in advance if you are planning out-of-country trips. You must make contact with the district principal or viceprincipal to discuss these plans.
DATES FOR TRAVEL 2023/24
Arrival: September 1-3, 2023
Winter Break: December 25, 2023 – January 5, 2024
Spring Break: March 11 – 22, 2024
Departure: June 24 – 30, 2024
Arrival 2024/25: August 31 - September 1, 2024
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PLEASEATTACHYOUR TRAVELITINERARYTO THISFORM
27 Out of District Student Travel Form
Storage of Luggage and Personal Items
Each year we have students that are planning to return to their current homestay or move to a new homestay after the summer holidays. Often their amount of belongings prohibits the family from using their space during the summer. As a result, we are offering storage to students during the summer time. For a $200 fee, students will have up to 3 items (luggage or boxed) placed in a storage unit provided by our office. All items must be marked, and we will have a designated drop off time and date organized at the end of the year.
While we are providing this service, we will not be responsible for the damage or loss of any of these articles.
Homestay Handbook Excerpt
The following sections are an excerpt from our Homestay Handbook for your reference.
What a Host Provides
As a host parent you are expected to provide essentially what you would normally provide for your own family:
• A private bedroom
• Three wholesome meals a day and snacks as required
• Prepare the evening meal and have dinner as a family with the international student
• A comfortable, quiet, adequately lit and heated study space
• Hot water and facilities for bathing
• Use of family phone and internet (wi-fi)
• Invite student to participate in all family activities and pay for the student to participate. The student may be asked to contribute financially in extraordinary circumstances such as expensive trips or activities such as skiing
• Laundry (you may expect a student to do their own laundry if you wish)
• Toiletries (shampoo, toothpaste etc.) which you would normally provide for family members
• Emotional support if your student suffers from homesickness, difficulties at school, etc.
• Academic support (help with homework if possible, communication with teachers, attendance at parent-teacher-student interviews, etc.)
• Include your student in family outings, trips to restaurants, special occasions, recreational activities
• Access to the common living areas of the house that a family member would normally have access to.
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Early in the host experience, have conversations with your student about expectations: both yours and the student’s. Reach a mutual agreement about the amount of interaction between your student and your family, and the kinds of activities which you will participate in together. Bring it up regularly for further discussion as the situation changes.
You may not charge additional fees to a student without prior consent from the administration.
Suggested Homestay Guidelines for Students
The school district supports the right of host parents to determine appropriate rules and procedures for their international students. It is suggested that all rules be developed in consultation with the student, and that they be appropriate for their age. It is wise to es tablish an understanding of house rules and regulations with your student as soon as possible.
Discuss your rules early and often, making sure that the student understands them. Deal with a few rules at a time. Reach mutual agreement about as many rules as possible. Discuss with the student what kinds of rules they had at home and what kinds of rules other international students have.
Explain the reasons for your rules. Enforce your rules, and do not let the student get away with breaking them. These are typical teenagers and as such they are likely to test your authority.
Drugs & Alcohol
Be fair and firm.
Establish reasonable consequences for breaking rules
International students in this program are prohibited from using drugs and alcohol, regardless of their age.
All international students, before beginning this program, signed a Student Participation Agreement that explicitly states that they are prohibited from using drugs and alcohol. Students are expected to follow this rule while they are in our program, or risk expulsion. Some international students in this program are 19 years of age or older. They too are not permitted to consume alcohol or drugs. This is a high school program and as such we have rules that are appropriate for high school students.
Do not allow your student to attend parties where students will be unsupervised.
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Check Ins, Curfews, and Sleepovers
Students should be at home for dinner on weeknights and Sundays. Evenings after supper are considered to be study and family time. If you give students permission to be out on school nights (to participate in school activities, teams, etc.) they should be home at an appropriate time in order to get enough sleep to be able to function at school. The guidelines are that all students should be home by 9:00 p.m. during the week.
When students go out on weekend nights they should have an appropriate curfew.
Weekend curfew guidelines are as follows:
Grade 8: 9:00 p.m.
Grade 9: 10:00 p.m.
Grade 10: 10:00 p.m.
Grade 11: 11:00 p.m.
Grade 12: 12:00 a.m.
Host parents are expected to know where students are at all times.
Sleepover arrangements must be made in advance and host parents are expected to check on all such arrangements with the responsible adult where the student will be staying. Host parents may request that students speak to each other in English in their presence.
Host parents have the right to say no to inappropriate requests and to set reasonable limits around sleepovers and time spent away from the family home.
Discussion Points with Your Student
• Students are not allowed to smoke, vape, or use chewing tobacco
• Students may be expected to have chores such as cleaning their room and helping with the dishes. They are not expected to cook meals, vacuum the home, or perform other household tasks.
• Students should never babysit their host’s children.
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• Students should ask ahead of time if they need rides to special events, if they wish to have a friend overnight, etc.
• Students should not have visitors of the opposite sex without the host parent being present in the home.
• Students should never be left alone overnight. Adult supervision must be arranged if you are away.
• Students may not stay overnight at the homes of students of the opposite sex.
• Host parents should feel free to limit the number of overnights (i.e. one night only on weekends).
• Groups of unsupervised students should never be given permission to go away together for overnight trips.
• Students are not allowed to go on day trips to Vancouver without host families.
• You may wish to make additional rules re: showers/bathing, table manners, other manners, use of household appliances, laundry, bringing friends home, use of computers, etc.
• Host parents should establish healthy routines and life balance around computer use. We recommend that on weekdays all electronic use ends at 10:00 pm. We want students well rested for each school day.
• Host parents have access to their student’s bedroom when appropriate. Host parents determine rules around no food in and clean-up of the bedroom.
Please feel free to contact the International Student Program at any time with questions. We are happy to have you here in Canada and in Cowichan, and want to help make things as smooth as possible. Do not hesitate to call or email us!
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