General Information

All students attending the Bridgeport High School are required to conform to all the rules and regulations laid down by the Ministy of Education, Youth & Culture and the school. The guide-lines for the Code of Conduct and Admission of students in school set forth in this handbook have been adopted from the Minsitry of Education, Youth and Culture and incorporated into our existing rules.

In light of high levels of indiscipline displayed by students in society and by extension our school, the Bridgeport High School Board of Governors, Principal, Vice-Principals, teachers and all otehr significant stakeholders with vested interestes in the success of the education process have seen it fit to revise the previous rules and regulations of the school.

This amended version of the school rules encourages both parents and students and all other significant stakeholders to be more accountable for their actions in the school system.

It should be noted that every new and returning student must participate in the period of orientation which will assist their smooth integration in our school system.

Students are expected to participate in at least one club, sport or co-curricular activity.

Admission Procedures

Students are admitted to this institution subject to the Ministry of Education and Youth, and the School Board. Students are thus admitted to the school on the basis of:

Primary Exit Profile (PEP) Approved Transfer

Students are asked to register at grade 7 and re-register at grade 10. To allow for a smooth registration process at this school, the following documents must be handed in:

• Registration Form - properly completed, signed and dated
• Two recent passport size photgraph (graduation photographs are not accepted)
• Birth certificate - original plus a photocopy
• Medical certificate - attesting your child/ward's good health to participate in Physical Education. If your child has a medical condition, this must be pointed out to our nurse at Registration
• Proof of Parent Contribution for Enhancement Fee and PTA Fee
• Recommendation
• Immunization Card plus a photocopy
• School Registration Number (SRN)
• Tax Registration Number (TRN) for student
• Signed Contract (Form enclosed in package)

Students are also required to take along with them on Orientation Day - Student's Handbook

PLEASE NOTE: ALL DOCUMENTS FOR REGISTRATION MUST BE PRESENTED ON REGISTRATION DAY. IF NOT, YOUR CHILD WILL NOT BE REGISTERED.

PARENT'S CONTRIBUTION FEES

Parents' Contribution (Enhancement Fees and PTA Fees) are due and payable at the beginning of each school year. Fees are to be paid at the schools's accounts at National Commercial Bank Ltd. (NCB), Portmore or any other NCB branch.

Parents are urged to make contributions to Enhancement Fee and PTA Fee early and return proof of payment on Registration Day. Parents, if your child/ward is on PATH, please inform the Adminstrative Staff. Please take in PATH Letter (from the Ministry of Labour and Social security) on or before Registration Day. Parents are encouraged to contribute to Schools Enhancement Fund and PTA. Your contribution provide you with the following, but not limited to:

• School Development
• Learning resources
• Technology Support
• Laboratory fee
• Operation Support
• Sports development
• Insurance
• Transporation and Bus Upkeep
• Extra Curricular activities
• Students' welfare and development

School's Banking Information for Parent Contribution:

Bridgeport High School Enhancement Fee Account # 361046358 Chequing Account NCB Portmore Branch. Bridgeport High Enhancement

Bridgeport High School PATH Account # 361151194 Chequing Account. NCB Portmore Branch. Bridgeport High PTA

Options of making contributions:

1. Pay online transfer bank accounts. Send proof of payment to bhsparentcontribution@gmail.com. Please indicate Child's name and grade.

2. Pay using NCB deposit slip. Enter the school's account number as well as Child's name and Grade. Take in proof of payment to the Main Office/on Registration Day.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

The following is an abridgement of the school rules.

Click here to see all school rules.

SCHOOL HOURS

Bridgeport High previously ran on a shift and extended system but starting officially on September 1, 2025, we will be conducting regular school hours.

School begins at 7:30 A.M. and concludes at 2:25 P.M.

Students must be punctual for school at all times. After 7:15 A.M. students are deemed LATE for school and be marked as such. Students should arrive at school on or before the time stipulated above for their respective shifts. No student will be allowed in after 7:30 A.M. without a written excuse from parent/guardian After dismissal, all students should leave the school compound for home, unless they are engaged in some organized extra curricular activities/sports that are sanctioned by the school and consent received by parents/guardians. The school allows access to the premises for morning shift students and staff members from 6:00 a.m. Students are to remain in the designated waiting area until devotion begins.

Students are not allowed to leave the school premises during school hours without a written permission from the Dean of Discipline/Guidance Counsellor, the School Nurse (in case of medical reasons) or the Vice Principal/Principal. If parent/guardian wishes for their child/ward to leave school during stipulated school hours, the parent/guardian must furnish the school with a letter and contact number and must state the reason(s) for the early departure.

Students waiting for authorized pick-up by Parents/Guardians must wait by the Gazebo on the school premises. Once students leave for the day, there is absolutely NO re-entry.

ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL AND CLASSES

ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL

In the case of a planned absence, the Grade Supervisor or Form Teacher must be informed prior to the day when the child/ward will be absent, along with the reason for the absence. Illnesses, or any other emergency cases are treated differently. Any child who is absent from school for three or more consecutive days is required to present a medical certificate when he or she returns to school.

OR

Parent or guardian must accompany the child and meet with the Form Teacher, Grade Supervisor, Guidance Counsellor, Vice Principal or Principal. A child who is absent for over one month without any valid documented reason from parent/guardian will be removed from the register. [The Education Regulation, 1980 Section 27(3)].

ABSENCE FROM CLASSES

It should be the goal of every student at Bridgeport High School to attend all classes. When at school, students should endeavour to be on time for all classes. When at school, necessary wants such as use of bathroom and use of library must be done at break time and should it warrant that the need should arise for any student to leave their class they must obtain a pass from their class teacher.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

The uniform is the main symbol and identifying mark of the school and as such must be awarded the highest respect at all times and must be worn with pride. Students are expected to wear their full uniforms to school which should be clean at all times. Any uniform/dress code deemed inappropriate by the school, the school reserves the right to carry out disciplinary measures. All students must be wear their house and school pins. Uniforms are sold at the school. The following dress code is given and will be strictly enforced:

For Boys:

• ABSOLUTELY NO KHAKI JEANS OR TWILL PANTS. Only Brown khaki will be permitted, NOT cream, white or beige.
• No designer pants with small cuffs, baggy look, wide wiast, tight fitting or altered pants will be allowed.
• Pants must always be worn with a plain black belt and a simple buckle at the waist and NOT at the hip.
• Only white v - neck undershirt or merino should be worn if necessary. When worn it should not be exposed at the neck nor at the sleeves.
• Hair should be kept low cut and no processing or patterns in place

For Girls

• The heels of shoes should not be more than two (2) inches high
• The skirt or tunic must be three inches below the knee.
• All socks must be worn above the ankle and must be neatly folded, NOT rolled. No ankle socks allowed.
• Hair accessories worn by girls should be navy blue, black or white.
• Only one colour can be worn at a time. NOT more than 2 pairs of clips are to be worn on any occassion. No bows, roses, ribbons, flamboyant or excessive hair accessories are to be worn.

General Department and Grooming for Boys and Girls

• Shoes worn MUST be solid black. No multi-coloured footwear
• Eye brows must not be shaved or patterned.
• Chemical alteration (including bleaching and tattooing) of the skin is not allowed.
• No hair extensions, coloured or bleached hair. Hairstyles should be simple and not what style and fashion dictates. No elaborate hairstyles such as the “Mohawk” will be allowed. The use of hair gel is also prohibited.
• Students who enter the school as Rastafarians must wear their hair neatly pulled back in a ponytail
• Nails should be clean, short and well groomed. No nail extension or nail polish is allowed.
• The blouse or shirt sleeves are to measure half way between the shoulder and the elbow. No skin-fitted shirts or blouses to be worn.
• The sleeves of the blouse and shirts are not to be folded.
• Absolutely no make-up is allowed. This includes, lip gloss, eye liner, tinted or sparkling chap sticks.
• The only jewellery allowed is a wrist watch. Only black, navy blue, white, silver, gold or brown watches are to be worn. No other form jewellery must be worn at school or on the road while students are in uniforms.
• Face rags, handkerchiefs/bandanas should not be seen hanging out of pockets or worn around the neck, face, head or shoulder. Rags, handkerchief/bandanas are not part of the school uniform and should not be displayed as such. If seen they will be confiscated. No headgear - hats, caps and wraps must be worn. These will be confiscated and will not be returned.

Uniform for Disobedient/Undisciplined Students

Students who fail to adhere to the school’s rules and regulation will be taken out of their regular uniform and will be required to attend school in the following:

Girls: Full Pink Dress (long)

Boys: Long Pink Bush Jacket with khaki pants

CELLULAR PHONES AND ELECTRICAL GADGETS AND BANNED ARTICLES

Students are not allowed to take cellular telephones to school. Neither are they allowed to make telephone calls unless in the case of an emergency, in which case calls can be made from the administrative office.

Electronic gadgets (pagers, compact discs, AM/FM radios, MP3 player headphones, short-wave radios, video-games, etc.) are not to be taken to school.

Failure to comply will result in:

• Confiscation of items without warning
• Confiscation of cell phone and electronic devices will attract a return fee of $1500.00 within the school year and MUST becollected on Fridays ONLY
• Confiscated items should be paid for and collected by parent/guardian from the Bursar’s Office ONLY.
• The school will not be responsible for items left beyond the final term.
• The school cannot be accountable for lost, stolen, or damaged items while in storage after the school year.

Physical Verbal, and Sexual Assaults

Students are expected to use a non-confrontational approach to settle their grievances. These problems are to be communicated via this channel: Form/Subject Teacher/Grade Supervisor/Deans of Discipline/Vice Principal/Principal.

Matters will be referred to the Guidance Counselor where necessary.

The following code of conduct must be adhered to:

• Fighting is strictly prohibited. No child must harm or injure another child, teacher, security, administrative or ancillary staff.
• No weapons used or distributed must be taken to school, (i.e. knives, ice picks, guns and any other dangerous implements/substance).

No student must issue threats of any nature against other students, teachers, security, administrative or ancillary staff. Students are expected to show respect to all members of the school community. Disrespect, rudeness or insolence by students is a serious offence.

Extortion practices are prohibited.

• Lewd or suggestive and unpleasant comments, (e.g. obscene, indecent or expletive language) should NOT be made, whether orally or in writing to fellow students, teachers or any other member of staff. Students are expected to be courteous to each other, to all adults. They should exercise self control and speak properly.
• No form of sexual harassment or sexual assault will be tolerated as this is a criminal offence.
• The act of engaging in intimate physical contact are strictly prohibited.