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Monthly Newsletters - 2012-2013

Principal's Message - April

I hope spring break was a relaxing and restful time for students and staff. Our last three months of school are always a hectic time for both students and staff as we complete our year.

On Thursday, March 7, 2013, Grade 6 students from Douglas Harkness, Monterey Park and Pineridge schools visited Clarence Sansom for an orientation. It was an exciting afternoon for approximately 150 Grade 6 students. Students had the opportunity to tour the school and ask questions about junior high school.

In the evening there was an information session for parents facilitated by Sansom Administration, Staff, STUCO Leadership students and the School Council Chair. The grade six parent turn-out was excellent and we had the opportunity to answer many engaging questions about our school, our programs and junior high school in general. I was excited about the opportunity to showcase our school. A great program was presented and this is a tribute, first and foremost, to the hard work of our Grade 6 Orientation Committee. These events are supported by the strong involvement of the total staff and the support of about 150 students who willingly helped us showcase our programs.

The key to our success is simple: ownership, commitment, involvement, high standards and shared responsibility by students, staff and parents at Clarence Sansom.

Cell Phone Use, Text Messaging and Electronic Devices at School
We would like to address the issue of cell phones in the school with parents and students. I would hope parents understand with 520 students in the building why cell phone use and text messaging is prohibited at school. Our preference is that students leave cell phones at home, however we are aware in today’s world cell phones are viewed as a necessity. That said, cell phones need to be turned off while in the building and not visible at any time.
Our rationale –
1) Cell phones are disruptive in classes to student learning.
2) If you need to get a message to your son or daughter, office staff answer our phones between 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The automated answering system will take calls if the office phones are busy or after hours.
3) Theft of cell phones and iPods are a constant problem.
4) Students have attempted to cheat on exams by text messaging friends.
5) Students have communicated in their classrooms with classmates, in other classrooms with friends, in the library across the room to other students and with individuals outside the school.

The later can also pose a threat to safety and security of the school. All these events mean a loss of learning for students and are a huge waste of professional educator’s time. Students showing a disregard for school policy and expectations by displaying and/or using cell phones in the school environment will have their phones confiscated. The student’s parent will need to schedule an appointment with an administrator for the pick-up of the confiscated cell phone. If the situation persists with particular students the school will proceed with more direct disciplinary action.

I would ask that all parents have a conversation with their child(ren) about responsible use of cell phones.

R. D. Million, Principal