1. There are about 375 students at GSS. The Principal is Mrs. Iris Trask. We have two Vice Principals, Mr. Barry Johnson and Mr. Darryl Smith. These administrators can be reached at 250-344-2201 or by e-mail if you have any questions about this information. The e-mail addresses are: iris.trask@sd6.bc.ca, barry.johnson@sd6.bc.ca. and darryl.smith@sd6.bc.ca. Our school fax is 250-344-7116. We have a large number of teachers and support staff.

2. Our school website is www.sd6.bc.ca/gss which contains a great deal of information about our school. Please take a look at the homework page, which several teachers use and is updated twice a week.

3. Our School Code of Conduct is called “GSS R.O.C.K.S.” It is posted around the school. R.O.C.K.S. outlines our expectations for student behaviour and means Respectful, Organized, Cooperative, Kind and Safe. Students who follow R.O.C.K.S. will be successful at GSS.

5. Lockers are assigned. Except in special circumstances, students are assigned individual lockers in designated areas; students are expected to use only the locker assigned to them for the year. Any change in locker location must be approved and recorded by the school administration. Combination locks are placed on all lockers by the school and students are charged a $10.00 refundable fee. These locks are the only locks acceptable for use on the lockers at GSS. Lockers belong to the school and are subject to inspection. Locks must be used (and locked) at all times.

6. School at GSS begins at 8:45 (the warning bell rings at 8:40.) The school day ends at 3:15. There is a 15 minute Nutrition Break (10:56-11:11) and a 46 minute lunch (12:14-1:00.) We expect all of our students to be on time for all classes.

7. If students are going to be absent for any reason, parents must call the office to let us know. Failure to do this will mean that the student will appear truant on the daily attendance report. As well, GSS uses an automated calling system to assist tracking truancies. Calls are made daily from 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. for the previous day’s unexcused absences.

8. If students have an appointment during the day (i.e. doctor, dentist, physio, etc.,) parents must send a note or phone the office in order for the student to be released. Students must always come to the office and follow the sign-out procedure.

9. We send our School Newsletter home each reporting period. Copies will also be emailed to parents if we have the email address. As well, there is a newspaper column containing information about our school in our local paper about once every 2-3 months.

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10. Picture Day usually happens in late September. This date is in the school calendar but is subject to change. Students will be advised as to when the picture is to be taken. Following picture day, students will receive a proofs package, to be returned along with payment in the envelope provided. Photo packages will be received a few weeks later. On Retake Day, the photographer will collect the envelope (with the money enclosed for the package selected) directly from the student. Regardless of whether or not you purchase any pictures, the photos will be used in the yearbook, as well as student ID cards.

11. Our school has an Emergency Action Plan which is an in-depth plan for how we would respond in the event of an emergency. Should the school be evacuated during inclement weather, the plan calls for moving students to Alexander Park Elementary School. If, for some reason, we are not able to re-enter the building, students will be dismissed and bussed home if necessary. Because it is not practical to phone parents in such a situation, it is imperative that each parent establish a protocol with their child (to contact you at work, to contact Grandparents, etc.) to ensure their safe arrival home. This should be reviewed before school begins each year.

12. Formal Student Progress Reports are issued after the end of each reporting period (there are four of these altogether.) All students will receive interim reports for each course they are taking in October. Some students will receive interim reports for their second semester courses in March. Students may receive an “I” (incomplete/in progress) report from a teacher (a copy will be mailed home) at any time during a term if progress in any course is unsatisfactory. “I” letter grades on formal reports will be accompanied by an “I” report form at least once before a student receives a failing grade. These reports will indicate a specific time period available and a work plan to enable students to achieve a passing grade. Formal Parent-Teacher meetings are scheduled in October and again in March each year. The dates will be published in the newsletter and parents are asked to schedule appointments with teachers by calling the school secretaries during business hours.

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13. Final examinations are held in most subjects, in January for first semester courses and in June for linear and second semester courses. Grade 10, 11 and 12 students will have designated exam days at the end of the first semester. On those days, Grade 8 & 9 students will attend school as usual, but Grades 10, 11 and 12 will only attend school to write an exam if they have one or if they are scheduled in a Grade 9 class. At the end of the year, ALL students will have several designated exam days. In some Grade 8 & 9 courses, teachers have the option of granting a “recommendation” (which is to allow a student with minimum required grade and “Good” work habit an exemption from writing the final exam in a course), or requiring that all students write. A parent may request that a student write the final even if the student is recommended. Please call the teacher to arrange this if you desire.

14. We have a School Lunch Program. Lunches must be pre-ordered and pre-paid. Forms are available at the office, and students must have their meal card with them to be served.

15. Sports Teams – There are numerous sports teams that run practices and try-outs for students in all grades. Bantam is for Grade 8’s, Juniors for Grades 9 & 10, and Seniors for Grades 11 & 12. Students must listen to announcements or watch the message board in the forum for dates and times.

GSS Block Schedule 

Please note: This schedule shows “X” block last period Friday. “X” block is a different block every week; It will be “1” this week and “2” next week, and so on. “X” block is often used to replace missed blocks due to assemblies, etc.