outline: Windsor House School Handbook

Part 1: AN OVERVIEW OF WINDSOR HOUSE

Entrance Requirements:
Go to the Central Registration Office (Room 102, 2132 Hamilton Avenue - Lucas Center) and apply for
registration (remember to bring along with your child's original birth certificate and proof of residency).

1. Contact the school to arrange a tour of the facilities.

2. Windsor House staff will contact the previous school to discuss student needs.
3. Set up an interview with the principal and a teacher to discuss the program.
4. Make arrangements for your child to attend three days at school.
5. Your child needs to write or dictate a note to the students and staff indicating “their reasons for
wanting to attend the Windsor House Alternative Program”.
6. After the above requirements are met, the School Council and Staff will make a decision on whether
the program can accommodate you at the present time. You will be notified when your registration
has been accepted.
7. A Sponsor teacher will facilitate and assist you with the completion of Basic Needs Profile.
8. You will then need to fill out some forms, and make up an Earthquake Comfort Kit.
9. Student fees will be assessed according to board policy.
Each family is expected to contribute to the community.

1.1 The Windsor House Community

Windsor House is a community that consists of students, staff, parents, family members, graduates and
volunteers. The Windsor House Alternative Program is in an ongoing state of evolution as it reflects the
direction and concerns of its current community members. The rules change constantly as the community
adjusts to new challenges. What does not change, however, is our overriding commitment of respect for
oneself and others, and guidelines around school district policies i.e. student conduct and safety. We act
quickly and firmly against physical violence, bullying, and any of the ‘isms’.

1.2 Philosophy
The school philosophy centres around: a) the student and their ability to come and develop into who they are.
i.e. an innate ability and desire to direct their own education, a tolerance of self, exploring their passions,
understanding themselves as learners in relation to the Provincial Curriculum, acting responsibly, gaining
knowledge of life, building self-esteem, learning about freedom and power, understanding commitment and
respect and b) building community i.e. cooperation over competition, inclusion of all, individuals and their
contributions. (There are celebrations and fun).

1.2.2 Parent Participation

Part 2: PROCESS & COMMUNICATION

2.1 Introduction
Every member of the Windsor House Community has the right, if he or she chooses, to participate in setting
the school's direction and the guidelines, which govern its daily operation. Guidelines and direction are set by
Resolutions, which are passed by a two-third's majority at School Council meetings (daytime) within the
framework of the North Vancouver School District’s policies and procedures. Contentious or difficult issues
can be referred to committees involving all interested parties. Committees use a problem-solving process to
reach consensus before bringing a resolution back to the larger community to be voted on. All resolutions are
published in Windsor House's weekly Newsletter. This process for setting direction and rules is an organic
one, as any Resolution may be replaced at any time, however every resolution must meet the North
Vancouver School District’s policies and regulations. Consequently, the school reflects the needs and
priorities of its current community members. However, a rule is only as good as the willingness of the
community members to enforce it.

2.2 School Decision-making Structure

2.3 Meetings
2.3.1 Mandatory Meetings (evening)
P.A.C. & S.A.N.E. Meetings
2.3.2 Evening Resolutions Meetings
2.3.3 Daytime Resolution Meetings
School Council Meetings
2.3.4 Committee Meetings
2.3.5 Open Committee Meetings
2.3.6 Philosophy Meetings
2.3.7 Information Meetings
School Meetings / Assemblies
Mandatory Meetings
2.3.8 Individual Meetings with the Staff

2.3.1 Evening Meetings

P.A.C.
P.A.C. Function
The Parent Advisory Council shall serve as a source of information and opinion on matters relating to the
school. The council may provide opportunities for parental participation in activities such as:
* developing school objectives and establishing program priorities
* developing suggestions regarding school learning experiences
* reviewing curriculum and evaluating school programs and procedures
* providing input into the school administrator evaluation process
* disseminating in the community information concerning school programs
* strengthening the relationship between home and school
* advising on community activities which affect both the home and the school
* advising on adult activities held in the schools
* advising on the use of community agencies
* developing a sense of community within the school attendance area

S.A.N.E.
The Society for the Advancement of Non-Coercive Education (S.A.N.E.) is a non-profit organization.

S.A.N.E. Function / Purpose

The purpose of The Society for the Advancement of Non-Coercive Education (S.A.N.E.) is to support the
advancement of non-coercive education in many places and in many ways. We have the advantage of being
a registered charity and an incorporated non-profit society that supports the school with fund-raising, and
disburses S.A.N.E. funds. As we slowly move along the path of encouraging non-coercive education
elsewhere, we will continue to support Windsor House.

2.3.2 Evening Resolutions Meetings

2.3.3 Daytime Resolutions Meetings

2.3.4 Committee Meetings

2.3.5 Open Committee Meetings

2.3.6 Philosophy Meetings

2.3.7 Information Meetings

School Meetings / Assemblies

Mandatory Meetings

Emergency Mandatory Meetings

2.3.8 Individual Meetings with Staff

2.3.9 Further Notes on Meetings

2.4 Resolutions

2.5 Councils

2.5.1 School Council

2.5.2 Judicial Council

2.5.3 Room Councils & Area Councils

2.5.4 Licensing

2.5.4 Levels of Responsibility

2.6 Complaints and Problems

2.6.1 Problem-Solving

2.6.2 Conflict Resolution

2.6.3 Anger

2.6.4 Emotional Development

Part 3: DETAILS

3.1 Newsletter

3.2 Finances

3.3 Windsor House Phone List

3.4 Health

3.5 Safety (Refer to Policy 301 – Student Safety)

SAFETY RULES

SAFETY TIPS

3.6 Clothing, Lunch Boxes, and Other Items From Home

3.7 Field Trips

Supervision
 RULES FOR OUT-TRIPS

3.9 Sign-In and Sign-out (Policy 302 – Student Conduct)

WINDSOR HOUSE SIGN-OUT PROCEDURES

RULES FOR BEING OUT IN PUBLIC

3.9.2 Picking Up Students

3.9.3 Early Pick Up

3.10 Emergencies

3.11 Executive for School Council

3.11.1 The Chairperson

3.11.2 Vice-chairperson

3.11.3 The Recorder

3.11.4 The Treasurer

3.12 Executive for P.A.C. General Meetings

3.12.1 The P.A.C. President

3.12.2 The Vice-President

3.12.3 The Secretary

3.12.4 The Treasurer

3.12.5 The Family-Participation-Records Keeper

3.13 Jobs for School Council

3.13.1 Newsletter (this job is usually done by several people)

3.13.2 The Social Convener

3.13.3 Fund Raising Coordinator

3.13.4 Duty Parent Coordinator

3.13.5 Phone-Tree Coordinator

3.13.6 Internet Coordinator

3.13.7 The Adult Ombudspersons

3.13.8 Clean-Up Coordinator

3.13.9 Aesthetics Coordinator

 3.13.10 Out of School Parent Coordinator

3.13.11 Plant Tender

3.13.12 Archivist

3.13.13 Video Librarian

3.15 Family Files

3.16 Lost and Found

3.17 Lockers

3.17 P.E. Equipment Sign Out

Part 4: SCHEDULING

4.1.1 School Hours

4.1.2 Meetings

4.1.3 Gym Schedule

4.1.4 Open Space

4.1.5 Stone Soup

4.1.6 Organizing an Event or Speaker

4.1.7 Play Schedule School Year 2005-2006

4.2 Evening Scheduling

4.2.1 Meetings

4.2.2 Dance Schedule School Year 2005-2006