Christian Schools Calgary: AKCS Principal Points

Past Principal Points

Student Supervision Concerns

As the school has grown larger in recent years, we have had to change our procedures to handle the increased numbers. For example, our foyer simply does not have room for the numbers of students arriving early in the mornings or staying late in the afternoons. So, you will notice a new poster going up announcing that the foyer is not available as a student waiting room any longer (except by specific teacher permission.) However, there are other issues to keep in mind:

Needs of students. The primary concern we have for our students is that they are safe. That means that we cannot leave them on site at the end of the day without adult supervision. The threat of dangerously cold weather, and the possibility (though remote) of a kidnapping are too serious to leave any child without either direct supervision or immediate access to an adult.

Needs of parents. The primary concern we have for parents is to try and accommodate their need to transport their children to and from school at a reasonable hour while making it feasible for them to meet their other obligations.

Needs of teachers. The primary concern we have for teachers is to provide them adequate break periods during the day and allow them to arrive at and leave the school at reasonable times.

All of these groups are important, and we are endeavoring to care for them all. Our start time (8:30) was decided upon in the first year because of the numbers of parents who wanted that time in order to get to work on time. Our early dismissal on Fridays is designed to enable families and teachers to get away on the weekends a bit ahead of the traffic. But as always there are compromises to be made. Since student safety is non-negotiable, compromises must be made by parents and teachers.

Morning Supervision: Teachers are at school a few minutes before 8:00. While some are here as early as 6:30 on some mornings, there is no way to ensure that there will be supervision available before 8:00. However, from 8:00 to 8:20 we will provide a supervisor and a place (Bldg. G) for students to come in and wait for classes when the temperature and wind chill is approximately equivalent to -15 degrees or colder. On warmer days they should be able to wait outside. (We generally allow students out for recess in this kind of weather, and so this seems a reasonable standard.) Students in grade 11 or 12 will be allowed into class unsupervised as long as they demonstrate responsible behavior. All other classrooms except Bldg. G will be closed and locked during morning staff devotions. All children, including staff children, will be treated the same.

Afternoon Supervision: A teacher is on duty after school from 3:17 to 3:32 to ensure student safety as they get to their rides. All teachers remain on site until 3:47 and some beyond that, but they do not provide direct supervision.

Problem: The vast majority of students are being picked up within 15 minutes of dismissal, and that is greatly appreciated. However, quite often there are children at the school well after dismissal. Particular problem days are Fridays when there is a detention until 4:00, and half days when there is dismissal at noon. In some cases, teachers and students have not been able to contact a parent, and no other rides have been available. Teachers have had to either wait until a parent arrived or drive students home before they could leave for home themselves. Unfortunately, it only takes one child remaining to keep a teacher behind on a Friday afternoon until 5:00.

Some years ago, the Board set some standards for teachers and parents regarding these kinds of situations. (We haven’t had to use it much, because once people are reminded about it, the problem seems to solve itself!) First, for safety’s sake teachers will continue to remain at the school until the last child is picked up. (Note: This assumes that we know your child is here!) However, parents whose children are not picked up within 30 minutes of dismissal (or by 4:05 after a Friday detention) will be billed a minimum of $10 for every 20 minutes or part thereof for the additional supervision. Teachers will be paid overtime wages for their time as well. It is hoped that this policy will balance the needs of all parties and inconvenience very few. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Finally, a couple of parents have asked about students being able to get into their classrooms in the morning to work or get out of the cold. Unfortunately, we have problems with students when they are left too often unsupervised, and so we feel we should have someone monitoring them (other than the exception for senior students noted above). Staff members have children of all ages and must abide by the same standards, so they are sensitive to this issue. On very cold days we will open Building G. On other days, children should be dressed to remain outside for twenty minutes or so. Thank you for your understanding.

Brian Hazeltine, B.Ed., M.A.
Principal, Airdrie Koinonia Christian School