Digital Handbook

  • Values

    Respect of self, others and property is the main ‘rule’ by which we operate. Please be mindful of others in the building as we share our spaces with a variety of community and KSD groups.

  • School Wi-Fi

    We provide Wi-Fi for student access at Mary Duncan School. There is a Technology Acceptable Use form that must be signed by students to ensure that laptops/school devices are used appropriately.

  • Breakfast Program

    Mary Duncan doors open at 8:40. We are able to provide a nutritious breakfast program through a grant we obtained from the Child Nutrition Council of Manitoba. Janet makes and serves a hot breakfast in the lobby every morning. Breakfast will be provided for those who arrive later in the morning.

  • Lunch Program

    Lunch is scheduled from 11:55-12:55pm. Students are welcome to stay at the school for lunch. Students that choose to stay may eat in the common area/lobby. Students are required to clean up their lunch area prior to leaving.

  • Physical Education

    Physical Education is offered through in-person classes and independent tracking. Students at Mary Duncan School are not required to change for PE classes but should wear appropriate clothing and shoes during scheduled PE time.

  • Student Dress code

    We are a school that supports a student’s right to individuality as long as it doesn’t infringe on another’s rights. School is a more formal setting than home and students are asked to dress in a manner that reflects respect for others as well as themselves.

  • Telephones

    There is a telephone available in the main office. Students may use this phone when necessary throughout the day. If you need to contact your child, please call the office at (204) 623-1420.

  • Cell Phones

    In compliance with the directive given by the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning, Mary Duncan School will be limiting the usage of cell phones in school. Students in grade 7 and 8 are banned from cell phone use at all times. Students in grades 9-12 are banned from cell phone use during class time. Appropriate exceptions will be made to support students with medical needs or diverse learning requirements.

For Your Information

Attendance

We want you here! The best way to succeed in school is to be in school and in class. Staff at Mary Duncan make this a priority as we want everyone to do well. Once attendance for a class is reported absentee calls will be made to your home as soon as possible. We follow provincial standards when it comes to contacting parents/guardians. If we are unable to make contact we will refer the matter to Kelsey School Division’s Social Worker.

It is our goal to work with students and parents to have students in school and to keep students on track. If your child is going to be absent please let us know as soon as possible so that we can enter the attendance accordingly. If you are late getting to school or class you must check in at the office to avoid us calling home.

Declaration of Rights and Responsibilities

  1. Everyone has the right to feel safe and secure; therefore, everyone has the responsibility to act in a manner that ensures the safety and security of others.

  2. Everyone has the right to be treated fairly; therefore, everyone has the responsibility to treat everyone in a fair manner.

  3. Everyone has the right to be respected; therefore, everyone has the responsibility to act in a manner respectful of others in the school community.

  4. Everyone has the right to work in a clean environment; therefore, everyone has the responsibility to pick up their personal items and keep their work space clean.

Student Conduct

As per section 40(1) of The Education Administration Act which reads in part: “The principal has disciplinary authority over all pupils of his or her school in their conduct towards one another on their way to and from school”. Students are reminded that they are responsible to the school for their behaviour throughout the day even when they are off school property. This includes before and after school as well as noon hour.

Use of and/or possession of alcohol, illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia, smoking and the possession of smoking paraphernalia are strictly prohibited in Mary Duncan School. Individuals believed to be under the influence of any of these substances will be dealt with on an individual basis.

Visitors to Mary Duncan

We invite parent/guardian and families to feel welcome in our school and encourage families to join us and participate in the activities that we hold that include families. All visitors must check into the office before entering classrooms or common area. We strongly encourage visitors to make appointments to ensure availability of the person they are visiting.

Accident Insurance

Through the Kelsey School Division Board of Trustees, Universal Student Accident Insurance coverage has been purchased for all students within the division. This insurance provides coverage for all students while at school, while involved in school activities away from the school premises, while travelling to or from a school activity. This insurance does not replace the voluntary student accident insurance and in excess of benefits provided by Manitoba Health and excess of benefits to the student under any group benefits program. Order forms for more extensive coverage are available at the MD office. Claim forms are available upon request. Coverage includes ambulance service.

KSD Extreme Weather Policy

Closing of all schools in the division: This would usually occur because of very severe weather conditions. The decision to close will be made by the Division Office Administration who will also set into motion any required action such as notifying local radio stations and the transportation supervisor, etc. In all cases of school closings, all members of the Board of Trustees will be notified at the earliest possible time of the action taken.

Cancellation of buses only: Kelsey School Division buses will not run at temperatures in excess of -45º Celsius, as defined by Environment Canada (The Pas Airport). The decision as to whether to operate the buses for the whole day will be made at 6:00am.

Parental discretion: With a wind chill in excess of -45º Celsius, as defined by Environment Canada (The Pas Airport), parents will be advised via media that attendance will be at their discretion and the students will not be penalized.

Bus Regulations and Passes

Riding the school bus is a privilege. All normal school rules apply when riding and students are expected to follow the direction of the driver. Improper behaviour on the bus will be dealt with through the Bus Code of Conduct and may result in suspension of future bus riding privileges.

The Bus Code of Conduct provides consequences for minor bus misconduct which are progressive in nature and major misconduct which results automatically in suspension from the bus. The major bus infractions are fighting, threatening/assaulting the driver, smoking/chewing tobacco, lighting matches or lighters, swearing at the driver, serious disrespect or defiance, drug or alcohol abuse, vandalism or endangering the safety of others.