General Policies

General Policies

Indigenous Education Policy

Integrating Indigenous perspectives into our school community is an initiate we started in 2018 by analyzing Indigenous Perspectives of Learning.  We discovered Indigenous values are very similar to Biblical values and therefore our school can easily implement appreciation and caring related to the First Peoples of Canada.  We strive to implement the following perspectives in our practice daily:

  • Learning ultimately supports the well-being of ourselves and others. We should learn to be “caring” and good stewards.
  • Learning is holistic, reflexive, reflective, experiential, and relational with a focus on connectedness and a sense of place
  • Learning involves recognizing the consequence of one’s actions
  • Learning involves generational roles and responsibilities and the role of history
  • Learning involves patience and time
  • Learning requires exploration of one’s identity
  • Learning recognizes that some knowledge is sacred and only shared with permission and/or in certain situations

CHeS Administration & Teachers will work on becoming more informed and aware of Indigenous resources that mutually support our Biblical values.  Our desire is to be a blessing to the Indigenous community and all those who seek a place of safety and belonging.

 

CHeS Student Discipline Policy

CHeS acknowledges that parents or guardians are the primary disciplinarians for their children learning at home. However, when students meet with a teacher or other students online, they must respect these guidelines.

  • All speech will be respectful and uplifting
  • Chatting must be limited to a focus on course material
  • No private chatting during sessions
  • All presentations must be approved by the teacher and appropriate for group presentation
  • Students will not exchange contact information unless their parents/guardians approve
  • Students who violate these boundaries will not be allowed to attend future sessions

 

Family Values Respected - While CHeS teachers strive to interpret all standards according to Biblical principles, standards in the PHE learning area may be sensitive topics that families want to keep private and deliver in their own way. Alternate delivery (AD) & personal discretion is encouraged for all such topics. Parents have the legal right to guide their children morally & Biblically and CHeS will respect every family's personal choices and boundaries.

 

Provincial Online Standards - The online program at Christian Homelearners eStreams operates within the Standards for Delivery of K-12 Independent School Distributed Learning in British Columbia.

CHeS supports and following "STANDARDS FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES"

  • Management of Learning
  • Fostering Social Learning
  • Stimulating Cognitive Processes
  • Planning for Learning
  • Supporting Instruction and Learning
  • Communicating About Learning

 

Standardized Performance for online Students - It is a policy of Christian Homelearners e-Streams to have a standardized level of acceptable student performance for each course offered at each grade level. For each course these standards are listed in the BC Curriculum website as well as imbedded throughout our planner system (course templates). Learning standards are divided up 3 ways. Go here for more details:

 

Big Ideas - Overall Understanding - general course objectives

 

Course Competencies - What the student will be able do

 

Course Content - what the student will know

 

Learning standards can be met across the grades for Elementary learners (K-9). Bench-mark checks are in place for Grades 3, 6, & 9. This is a ministry strategy to help prevent learning gaps. High School courses are competency driven and may be stand-alone learning experiences or integrated learning across the subjects.

 

Course Completion Policy - One Year Boundary - High School students are expected to complete their courses within one year of start date.  After one year the course will be closed but more time (up to 6 months) may be granted if brought to the Principal for permission to continue.  We are tightening up on course completion boundaries as allowing 2 years for course completion has not helped motive our students towards responsible studies. Students who fail to complete their courses on time will be faced with final assessment or they may withdraw from their courses and restart from the beginning.

 

Withdrawing out of the CHeS Online Learning Program - If a student is withdrawing from the Online Program the first person aware emails all departments (records, accounts, the teacher, SE Coordinators, and Principal) about the withdrawal.

  • Students who do not engage with course communication requirements for more than 3 months may face withdrawal consequences
  • The teacher will document attempts to contact the student for engagement (contact tab)
  • After three months of silence withdrawal will occur.  To reverse this decision the student must contact the teacher promptly.
  • Students may request withdrawal at anytime but must have a parent or guardian confirm the decision to withdraw
  • Students may not restart the course until 2 funding periods have elapsed after their withdrawal. Funding periods are: Sept. Feb. and May.
  • Past learning evidence from the withdrawn course isn’t usable for the new course, it must be new learning material

School Vaccinations - Christian Homelearners does not endorse any proposed or particular healthcare plans that may or may not conflict with any families personal healthcare choices,  philosophy or preferences for personal health care initiatives that may or may not be in the best interests of the family. Therefore, all parents/families will independently decide if, to what extent and how they choose to participate in any proposed, recommended or Government sponsored student health programs. Christian Homelearners endorses a biblical worldview; to encourage each family to independently interpret their personal position on a plethora of personal healthcare issues that could affect their families health in the light of God's Word.

 

Anaphylaxis Policy - For families at CHeS with life threatening allergies. Please see Policy here & Emergency Response Plan here

 

Parent Appeals Procedure - Parents should use this step-by-step process when working to solve problems at CHeS:

If a concern involves a teacher:

  • The first step for parents is to talk to the teacher about your concerns. Because school life is filled with human interactions, differences between teachers and some students will occur and it is important that parents hear both sides. Experience has shown that the majority of problems can be solved at this step.
  • If consultation with the teacher does not bring about a solution, then discuss your concerns with your school principal.
  • The next step, if you are still dissatisfied after discussions with the school principal, is to contact the Christian Homelearners eStreams office at 1-877-777-1547 and ask for our administrator.  If you remain dissatisfied you may take your complaint to the FISA Ombundsman.  Advocate for Independent Schools.

If a concern involves the principal:

  • Please take your concern directly to our school administrator and he will help problem solve to the best of his ability. This may involve inviting the principal to a discussion.

*Note: if the problem cannot be solved between direct parties, the person the issue involves will be removed from the appeal decision-making process.

 

Challenge and Equivalency Policy – There are a variety of options for earning credits towards Graduation.  The BC Ministry of Education outlines how students can earn high school credits through challenge and equivalency.  Go here. CHeS will seek to honor all options.  

  • Equivalency (Documented Prior Learning) - Awarding credit to students who have successfully completed an equivalent Grade 10, 11 or 12 course from an educational jurisdiction or institution outside the BC school system.
  • Challenge (Undocumented Demonstrated Prior Learning)- Awarding credit to students who can demonstrate prior learning.
  • External Credentials - students earn credit towards graduation through certain external credentials (Documents or credentials earned by a student on successful completion of an external course) approved by the Ministry. Ex. Bronze Cross, Royal Conservatory of Music, etc...
  • Credit from Post-Secondary Courses (Dual Credit)- Students earn credit towards graduation by earning credit for courses at specific Post Secondary Institutions. Students are entitled to earn "dual credit" if they earn credit that leads to a post-secondary credential from a post-secondary institution which is a member of the British Columbia Transfer System or offered in French through Educacentre.
  • Independent Directed Studies (IDS) - enables students to initiate their own area of learning and to receive credit towards graduation. Elective credit only. See further details in our IDS Policy.
    Note: All IDS courses must be approved by the Principal before activation.

 

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING and CASH PAYMENT POLICY

CHRISTIAN HOMELEARNERS eSTREAMS CHeS

NOVEMBER 24, 2022

The rational for this policy is to mitigate the risks associated with accepting cash, and to align with anti-money laundering requirements under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act. CHeS is committed to detecting and preventing any money laundering activities and to ensuring that it does not become involved in any arrangements involving criminal or terrorist property.

Policy

As a school, CHeS does not handle cash. CHeS does not have a petty cash, so there is no need for cash record keeping.

Regulations

CHeS ONLY ACCEPTS payments by electronic email transfer.
CHeS accepts email transfers from families banking at any Canadian banking institution incorporated, formed, or authorized under the Bank Act of Canada.

Receiving Cash Payments

CHes does not accept cash payments. If any school employee is offered funds that he or she knows or suspects are criminal property or may represent terrorist finance, or if he or she receives any unusual request to receive or transfer money, it will be reported immediately to the Administrator, in accordance with the Reporting section of this policy. The Administrator, Randy Andres will, if appropriate, contact the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), police, or other relevant agency.

Refunds

All refunds will be made using the original form of payment, electronic email transfer.

Suspicious Transactions

Employees will use their judgement to evaluate the source of funds that are paid to the school and be alert to unusual patterns of behaviour, or activities that may indicate the possibility of money laundering or other terrorist financial crimes.

The following are some possible money laundering/terrorist financing indicators:

  • Transactions: Multiple transactions conducted below the reporting threshold within a short time period, may indicate a desire to avoid reporting

  • Structures: Payments involving complex or illogical arrangements that make it unclear who is making the payment may be structured to avoid identification

  • Third Parties: Payments or involvement by companies, trusts, off-chore entities, or other third parties with no obvious relationship to the student may be to avoid client identification

  • Assets: Are there reasons to doubt the ability of a person to have a legitimate source of the funds?

  • Identity: The payer has taken steps to hide their identity, or it is difficult to identify. Or there are doubts about the honesty, integrity, identity or location of the parent, guardian or payer.

  • Behaviour: The payer seems unusually anxious to complete a transaction, or requests a cancellation, reversal or refund of earlier transactions, or makes overpayments for no good reason.

  • Documents: Information or documentation is withheld by the payer, or appears falsified.

Reporting

CHeS employees will make a report to the Administrator, Randy Andres, as soon as reasonably possible, where they have knowledge or suspicion, or where there are reasonable grounds that another person is engaged in money laundering, or that terrorist property exists.

Your ‘Suspicious Transaction Report’ should include as much detail as possible, including:

  • Full available details of people/organizations involved, including CHeS staff

  • Full details of transaction and nature of each person’s involvement in the transaction

  • Suspected type of money laundering activity with reasons for your suspicion

  • Details of transaction, date(s), location, how it happened, and likely amount of money involved

  • Information details of investigation, to date

  • Whether any aspect of the transaction is outstanding and requires action

  • Any other applicable information

Once you have reported your suspicions to the Administrator, you will follow any instructions provided. You will not make any further inquiries unless instructed to do so by the Administrator.

The Administrator will consider all Suspicious Transaction Reports and will make an external report to the FINTRAC, who will undertake any necessary investigation as soon as is practicable.

Record Keeping Practises

All Suspicious Transaction Reports, plus any inquiries made about them, will be documented electronically. CHeS will also document details of actions taken in respect of the Report. The school will also keep a copy of any FINTRAC Reports with associated evidence. All information, evidence, and reports will be kept for a minimum of 5 years.

Name Changes

Personal name changes will be respected for communications if the parents or guardians agree with the change, but our formal reports or IEPs, etc… must use the name the student has as their official name on our paperwork and documents, birth certificate, etc…We will not be able to honor name changes on formal documents without an official name change document issued by the province.”  If any unforeseen issues arise concerning name changes, the final decision on which name to use will be decided by the principal (Example: parents disagree on the change, one is okay with it but the other is not.