Daily procedures
Queensborough Middle School is committed to creating a safe, structured, and supportive learning environment for students. Our core daily procedures include the following:
Attendance and extended absences
To report an absence:
- Report the absence online
- Call 604-517-6040 (available 24/7)
If we do not receive a call regarding a student’s absence, the QMS school office will attempt to contact their parent or guardian.
Extended absences
If your child will be away from school for an extended period, please notify the QMS office in writing as early as possible with the dates of the absence.
While travel and cultural experiences can be valuable, they do not replace in-class learning. Teachers do not provide homework for holiday absences and report card evaluations are based only on work completed at school.
Students away for most of a term may not receive a letter grade. If the absence exceeds four weeks, we cannot guarantee their spot in the same class or school upon return.
Illness or injury
If a student feels unwell during the school day:
- They should notify their teacher, who will send them to the office.
- Office staff will contact the family if a pickup is needed.
Please keep children home if they are sick to help keep everyone safe.
Lateness
Students who arrive late must check in at the office before going to class and provide a reason for their lateness. They may be required to make up missed time after school.
For safety, all exterior doors remain locked during the day except the main entrance.
Medical information and medication
If your child has a medical condition that may require assistance at school, please inform the office and keep the information up to date.
According to Public Health guidelines, all medication – prescription or over-the-counter – must be accompanied by a completed Request for Administration of Medication at School Form, signed by a parent/guardian and physician. Please contact the QMS office for more information about the form.
Whenever possible, medication should be given at home. All medication must be kept at the office. Students are not permitted to carry medication to prevent accidental exposure or misuse.
Nutrition break and lunch
For safety reasons, students must stay on school grounds during the day unless a signed permission form allows them to go home for lunch. Forms are available at the office. Students are not permitted to visit friends’ homes or stores at lunch. They may leave only if picked up and accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Students go outside most days to get fresh air, socialize, and enjoy a healthy snack. Please ensure your child dresses for the weather and brings nutritious food.
QMS staff supervise students during nutrition and lunch breaks. There is no supervision before or after school.
Skateboards, scooters, and bicycles
Students may bring bicycles, scooters or skateboards to school, but must walk them while on school property before and after school. Helmets are required when riding to and from school.
Bikes can be locked at the racks in front of the school. QMS is not responsible for lost or damaged items.
Student and family contact information changes
To ensure we can reach you in an emergency, please notify the office of any changes to your child’s address, phone number, or your contact details. Call us at 604-517-6040.
Secure and closed campus
To help keep the school safe, only QMS students are allowed on school grounds during the day. Once students arrive, they must stay at school for the rest of the day unless they have permission to leave.
Students may go home for lunch if a parent or guardian gives written permission. This note must be kept on file at the office.
If a student leaves campus without permission, the school will contact their parent or guardian.
Visitors
All visitors, including parents, must enter through the front door and check in at the office. All other doors stay locked during the school day.
They must wear a Visitor ID Badge while in the school.
Violence threat risk assessment
In the interests of student and staff safety and security, there may be times when schools have to conduct threat assessments.
In case of an emergency
Schools may implement any of the following actions in the event of an emergency or threat to ensure the security and safety of staff and students.
1. Hold and secure
Used if there is a security concern in the school’s neighbourhood.
Hold and secure protects school occupants from danger in the neighbourhood or community outside. For example, a police incident in the immediate area, suspicious strangers on school grounds, or protests/civil disturbances nearby.
2. Shelter in place
Used if an environmental hazard may affect the school.
Shelter in place shields staff and students from hazardous conditions outdoors by holding them inside the school. This action is often initiated in response to environmental or weather-related events (e.g. smoke/chemical/airborne contaminants, severe weather, dangerous animals, etc.) and typically requires closing the school’s exterior doors and windows and shutting off ventilation systems.
3. Lockdown
Used in response to an armed or dangerous assailant inside the school.
Lockdowns are implemented to protect school occupants from a dangerous individual inside the building. For example, a person with a knife, firearm, or other weapon who is threatening to harm or is in the process of harming people.
4. Drop, cover, and hold on
Used in the event of an earthquake, explosion, or any incident that causes the building to shake.
Drop, cover, and hold on is used for emergencies where there is an immediate, physical impact on the school that causes its internal contents (e.g. furniture, books, etc.) to move around in ways that may cause injuries.
5. Evacuate
Used to relocate occupants out of the building when a hazard exists inside. Evacuation instructions are issued in the event of fires, earthquakes, hazardous spills, etc. or as required after a lockdown or drop, cover, and hold on order. Staff must be aware of evacuation routes and designated assembly areas.