Safety of Students and Staff
Accidents/ Medical Emergencies
Any accident/medical emergency that occurs in the school or at a school sponsored event must be reported to the General Office as soon possible. First-aid equipment as well as Ambulance and C.P.R. staff is available. Any student who becomes ill during the school day must report to either the Attendance Office or the General Office. At that time the school will contact the student’s parent/guardian to indicate the nature of the student’s discomfort. At that time arrangements will be made to ensure the student’s safe return either to the home or back to the classroom. Both Board and Ministry Policy state that no staff member is permitted to dispense any form of medication to any student.
It is very important that the school has current phone numbers to reach parents/guardians in case of an emergency. Parents are asked to contact the Attendance Office whenever there is a change of home, business or cell number.
Trespassing
All visitors must report to the General Office. The school does not have provisions to entertain student visitors from other schools. In the event that situations arise in which the mental or physical well being of students or staff are put in jeopardy by trespassers or visitors, school personnel will be supported by the Board in pursing the courses of action available under the Trespass to Property Act.
Students are not allowed to invite casual visitors onto school property. If an acquaintance visits, it is the student’s responsibility to direct the visitor to report to the office. Students who cause difficulties at another school will be disciplined by the authorities in their home schools.
Surveillance Cameras
For the protection of students and staff members, Fr. Michael Goetz Catholic Secondary School has surveillance cameras which monitor the main school building and some sections of the school grounds on a 24 hour basis.
Fire Alarm
When the fire alarm rings, students are expected to leave the building immediately and in an orderly fashion according to the exit outlined on the fire exit signs in each classroom. Students must remain with their class to allow the teacher to take attendance and re-enter the building only if the all-clear signal is given.
Lock Down Alarm
The lock down alarm consists of a P.A. announcement followed by the lock down bell. Students must immediately proceed to the area of the classroom farthest from the door and windows and remain on the floor. Entering and exiting rooms is forbidden during a lock down. All doors must be locked. The lock down ends only when the all clear signal is given by the proper authority. The lock down alarm consists of a P.A. announcement followed by the lock down bell. Students must immediately proceed to the area of the classroom farthest from the door and windows and remain on the floor. Entering and exiting rooms is forbidden during a lock down. All doors must be locked. The lock down ends only when the all clear signal is given by the proper authority. It will be announced as a “Hold and Secure.” In such a case, normal activities will continue in the school and all exterior doors will be locked preventing entrance from the outside.
Evacuation
If an evacuation of the school becomes necessary, the meeting and staging area will be Christ the King Church across the street from the school. The default location will be Bishop Scalabrini School on Central Parkway.
CRIME STOPPERS NEEDS YOUR HELP!!...HAVING A SAFER SCHOOL IS YOUR CALL.
If you have any information about any “crime” committed on school property please call Crime Stoppers. Rewards will be given.
1-800-222-TIPS - 905-455-TIPS
Cafetorium
All food and drink is to be consumed in the cafetorium – not in foyer, hallway, or stairwells. Please help the environment by using the recycling bins when disposing refuse/garbage.
Inclement Weather Policy
As we are on a public transit route, our school is unlikely to close. The closing of school due to adverse weather conditions is generally announced on all major radio stations. A cancellation of buses does not mean the school is closed. Students who arrive to school will be expected to remain the full day.
Lockers
Lockers are school property with students having temporary use only. It is expected that lockers be kept neat and clean and that materials displayed will respect the Catholic values. Students must not vandalize lockers.
The administration reserves the right to open students’ lockers at any time with or without the students' permission. Every student is expected to have and use a locker. Each student should make every attempt to ensure combination secrecy. Valuable items and electronic equipment should remain at home. Only Dudley combination locks will be allowed on school lockers. Other locks will be removed. A limited number of locks will be on sale at the school tuck shop or General Office. Materials and books for consecutive classes should be obtained at the same time. This would avoid locker visits and ensure that students arrive to the next class on time. Students must only go to their locker during the first or the last 5 minutes of any given period.
Laser Pointers
Laser pointers are not permitted in school. The laser light can damage the eyes of anyone who looks directly into the beam. Students who violate this rule, will be consequenced, parental contact will be made and the laser pointer will be confiscated.
PEDS (Personal Electronic Devices)
As per General Administrative Procedure 541 of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, students are not permitted to use personal electronic devices (cell phones, MP3 players, etc.) in the school building during the school day. Students in violation of this rule will be consequenced. PEDS may be confiscated for later pick up. PEDS should be kept at home or safely stored in locked lockers. PEDS must be kept out of change room areas. They should not be kept in backpacks. PEDS can be stolen and the school administration will not spend time searching for PEDS lost/stolen in the school.
Prohibited use of PEDS that may result in disciplinary actions up to and including confiscation, detention, suspension or expulsion, are as follows:
• Use that compromises the academic integrity of student assessment and evaluation
• Use that interferes with or disrupts the academic day or teaching-learning environment
• Use that violates a person’s reasonable expectation of privacy
• Use that compromises personal and/or school safety
• Use that facilitates the commission of a crime
Smoking
Section 9 of the Tobacco Control Act prohibits smoking in schools in Ontario, as defined under the Education Act. The Tobacco Control ACT was passed in the spring of 1994. This law restricts the sale or supplying of tobacco products to 19 years of age. Therefore, smoking is banned in the buildings and grounds of Fr. Michael Goetz Catholic Secondary School.
Smoking in the school or on school grounds will result in a consequence which may include charges.
Any and all Public Displays of Affection are not permitted in the school, on school grounds or at school activities.
(updated September 2011)