ENGLISH - DRAMA - ESL

DEPARTMENT HEAD - Mr. P. Kay

STAFF - Ms. S. Bentivoglio, Mr. M. Bodnarchuk, Ms. M. DiCarlo,

             Ms. V. Ryan, Ms. M. Tobin, Ms. E. Vono, Mr. M. Zitnansky

Introduction

The members of the St. Paul English department are members of the Ontario College of Teachers and they recognize that in their position of trust that they must demonstrate responsibility in their relations with students, parents, guardians, colleagues, educational partners, other professionals, the environment and the public.

Teachers have an ethical standard of Care that includes compassion, acceptance, interest and insight for developing students’ potential.  They have a standard of Trust that embodies fairness, openness and honesty.  The standard of Respect requires trust and fair-mindedness; they model respect for spiritual and cultural values, social justice, confidentiality, freedom, democracy and the environment.  Honesty, reliability and moral action are embodied in the ethical standard of Integrity. 

The teachers of the St. Paul English department continually reflect on their duties and roles in order to exercise integrity in their professional commitments and responsibilities.

Communicating With Parents          

The partnership between parents and teachers often happens in informal ways – a phone call or a note to keep in touch.  Teachers welcome frequent contact from parents.  Problems can often be avoided by early and frequent dialogue.  Communication is vital to solving any problem a student encounters in school.  When a parent has a concern, we encourage early and immediate contact with the teacher. 

Department Textbooks       

The teachers in the English Department must make sure that all lost textbooks have been recovered or that students have paid the replacement cost.  If a student has damaged a book, he/she must pay the replacement cost. 

Plagiarism

Students must not plagiarize, cheat, copy or knowingly and deliberately present the language, ideas or thoughts of another individual as their own work.  Consequences will include assessing a grade of zero on an assignment, test or exam.

Cheating on tests, exams and assignments is viewed as morally and academically unacceptable and will result in a mark of zero on that test, exam or assignment.  Students who assist others in plagiarizing and/or cheating will be disciplined accordingly.

Absenteeism

Parents and students should be aware that the semester system at St. Paul means that the school year is divided into two equal sections.  Parents and students should be advised to plan their holidays and family vacations according to the DPCDSB Calendar.  It is difficult for a student to make up work for ‘extra’ family holidays taken before or after a regular weekend or holiday.  Remember that one (1) day missed in a semester system is the equivalent of two (2) days in a non-semestered system.

Culminating Performance Task

Parents should be aware of a number of key pieces of information around the culminating performance task (CPT) which counts towards the Final 30% of a student’s mark.  A CPT is a consolidation of learning and a demonstration of achievement requiring students to create, produce, or perform.  A CPT builds on prior knowledge and skills.  It is completed during class time and under the supervision of the teacher, although minor aspects of the task may be completed outside of class time.  It will vary in value, depth and number of days allotted for completion, depending on the discipline, course, and grade level.  Days allotted should be proportional to the value of the task.  It relates to several categories of the achievement chart and involves higher order thinking skills.  The CPT should be interesting, relevant, and engaging for students.  Students may work in groups but they must be evaluated individually and scoring tools are designed to reflect individual achievement.  The CPT rubric should be provided up front.  The CPT is not a review for the final exam, a series of multiple choice questions or an ISU.

Parents are referred to the Ministry document Program Planning and Assessment 2000 (page 15).

Homework

Parents and students are asked to check the link to the Homework Policy and Procedures – Kindergarten to Grade 12 document provided in the links section.  A copy is also available in the student handbook and on-line at the Dufferin-Peel website.  Homework is a learning experience assigned by a teacher, for completion outside of class-time that supports and enriches the learning and development of each student.