Expectations for Students

The Catholic school community is called to promote an environment that encourages students to develop their spiritual, intellectual physical and social potential.  Within this context, the school acknowledges the following rights and responsibilities for its students:

Rights

·         To be respected in both person and conscience as children of God

·         To learn in a safe, orderly and stimulating environment

·         To have access to the facilities and equipment of the school

·         To participate in any program offered by the teaching staff

·         To be conscientiously instructed by the teacher

Responsibilities

·         To respect the person and the rights of all members of the school community

·         To give respect, obedience and cooperation to all adults in positions of responsibility in the school

·         To comply with all particular school expectations and regulations respecting student behaviour

·         To contribute positively to the Catholic/Christian climate of the school

·         To use language that is appropriate to their dignity as Christians;

·         To adhere faithfully to the school dress code

·         To respect the property of the school at all times

·         To come prepared with materials required for full participation

·         To participate fully in the religious life of the school; including liturgies, Religious Education Program and the sacramental life of the church

·         To develop personal skills and talents to serve God, and thereby his/her neighbor

Adapted from the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, Code of Student Behaviour and Discipline, March 2000

General In-School Rules

Classroom Guidelines

Students are expected to:

·         Participate in opening exercises respectfully

·         Take pride in the classroom

·         Refrain from rocking on chairs and the chewing of candy or gum

·         Obtain proper permission to leave the classroom, the lab, the library and the gym

·         Provide written permission from parent/guardian to leave the school

·         Arrive to school between 8:45 a.m. and 8:58 a.m. and leave the school grounds by 3:40 p.m. unless supervised by a teacher

·         Abide by set procedures for both exit and entry by using their designated doors, the front doors are to be used only when students are late

Lunchroom Guidelines

Students remaining at school for lunch are expected to:

·         Remain in their classroom until 12:20 p.m.

·         Remain seated for the duration for the duration of the lunch period, talk quietly and clean up after themselves

·         Obtain permission from the Supervisor on duty to leave the classroom

·         Attempt to consume all food and drink in the classroom and not in the hallways and outdoors

·         Make juice/soft drink purchases from the vending machine located near the staff room at 12:00 only

During inclement weather, students will remain inside their classrooms and supervision will be provided through lunch recess.

The privilege of remaining at school for lunch may be revoked by the Principal for persistent, inappropriate behaviour.

Within the School Building

Students are expected to:

·         Respect all school property against any form of vandalism inside and outside the classroom

·         Walk quietly and on the right side of the hall

·         Avoid wandering throughout the building

·         Use the office telephone with teacher permission in emergency situations only

·         Respect the privacy of the staff room unless supervised by a teacher

·         Carry a hall or washroom pass as required

Playground Rules

Students are expected to:

·         Arrive at school no earlier than 8:45 a.m., as there is no playground supervision prior to that time

·         Stay within the school boundaries and designated play areas and away from the parking lot

·         Play in a safe and orderly manner

·         Refrain from throwing or lifting any projectiles, i.e. snow, gravel, rocks or sticks

·         Refrain from all physically aggressive activities/behaviours such as play fighting, wrestling, British Bulldog, martial arts, etc.

·         Observe the restriction on electronic items in school and at recess times

·         End play and line up immediately in designated areas when the bell rings

The following equipment is NOT ALLOWED on the school grounds:

·         Hard balls

·         Ice hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks

·         Bats, (wooden or plastic)

·         Plastic or wooden sleds

·         Skateboards

·         Roller blade/skates/scooters/roller shoes

·         Electronic equipment, e.g. cellphones, gameboys, CD players, etc.

·         Other items deemed unsafe

Bus Safety Rules

Riding the bus is a privilege.  Adherence to the rules of conduct is expected.

Students are expected to:

·         Wait for the bus in an orderly and safe manner

·         Board and exit assigned bus without pushing and shoving

·         Remain seated while the bus is moving and keep your head and arms inside the windows

·         Talk quietly

·         Not eat or drink on the bus

·         Obey the bus driver

·         Cross the street in front of the bus and at the appropriate area

·         Do not trespass on private property while waiting for the bus or returning home

·         Be prompt for buses

Bicycle Safety

Students are expected to:

·         Walk bikes while on school property

·         Place bike in an assigned area

·         Lock bike on arrival

·         Obey all bicycle safety rules

·         Stay away from all bicycles during recess time

·         Wear helmets when riding to or from school

Dress Code

Students are expected to dress in a manner that is neat, modest and suitable to their age, the day’s activity and the season. Clothing must be free from offensive or questionable language or pictures. Hats should be removed in the school building. Appropriate gym clothing should be provided. Shoes should be provided that are worn indoors only.  In addition, the following items should not be worn to school:

                •tank tops

                •sport jerseys that do not fit snugly under the arms (unless a T shirt is worn underneath)

                •short shorts or mini skirts

                •bandanas

Homework Policy

Homework (depending on the grade level) involves reviewing the work of the day, completing work not finished during the day, doing special assignments or projects, reviewing for tests or practising specific skills that a student may be having problems with.  A general homework guideline is  ten minutes a day per grade, i.e., a Gr. 3 student would do 30 minutes, a Gr. 7 student 70 minutes, etc. Students are expected to complete and submit all assignments on time, and to check with the teacher when they do not  understand work. Parents are expected to provide adequate time and space for their child to complete homework, to monitor the work done and communicate with the teacher, by note in this Agenda or by telephone, if there are difficulties.   

Care of School Supplies

The school provides students with a wide variety of consumable materials.  Text, library books and sports equipment are provided for student use. We expect the students to treat these learning tools with respect and replace or pay for items which are lost or damaged while in their care.  Students may be asked to acquire special items for specific projects.