Code of Conduct

Expectations of Students

All individuals have the right to:

• be respected as individuals
• take an active part in a worthwhile educational and academic program
• learn, teach, and live in a safe and orderly environment
• be free from physical and verbal harassment.

Every student at E. L. Crossley Secondary School has the right to attend school in an atmosphere that is safe, comfortable, and inviting. It is our expectation that all students will act in a fashion that ensures this.

• All teachers, secretaries, custodians, and any other employees of the board have the right to intervene, and request that a student comply with E. L. Crossley Student Expectations at any time while on school property.
• Students are to be courteous and considerate in dealing with other students, the staff, and in the use of school property.
• A student must immediately identify him/herself by name to any teacher, secretary, or custodian upon request.
• When sent out of class, students are to report directly to the attendance secretary.
• Students are not to bring guests to school without prior administrative permission.
• Students are expected to be aware of all activities that affect them. Always check the announcements that are posted on the bulletin board across from the main office.
• Extra-curricular and co-curricular participation privileges may be withdrawn if academics become at risk or if expectations of behaviour are not met.
• Intimate displays of affection (eg. kissing in the halls) are inappropriate.
• For the safety and security of all students, teachers, and staff of E. L. Crossley, the following activities are prohibited:
  • Any type of prank, grad or otherwise,
    
  • “beach days” or beach parties that involve students missing classes.
• Students are not allowed to ride skateboards or scooters on the school property.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

In order to maintain a positive learning environment for all staff and students it is expected that each student shall:

1. Attend all classes and be on time.
2. Have all equipment needed for each class on arrival. Be prepared and do your homework.
3. Show respect for yourself, others, and the school property.
4. Follow the dress code.
5. Refrain from playing walkmans, CD or MP3 players in class-rooms, the library or assembles.
6. Refrain from using cell phones and pagers in the school.
7. Keep coats and large bags in their locker only.
   
8. Eat all food in the cafeteria only.
9. Carry a hall pass when out of class with a teacher’s permission.
10. Remain in the class until the end of the period until dismissed by the teacher.

CONSEQUENCES TO MISBEHAVIOUR

Any students who do not meet the classroom expectations as laid out by the classroom teacher may be placed on a contract called the Teacher Student Discipline Contract.

Teacher Student Discipline Contract (TSDC)

awareness - opportunity - support - consequence

The purpose of the contract is to ....

• provide strategies for teachers to resolve discipline concerns with a student in the classroom setting

• empower the student to take responsibility for his/her behaviour

• provide an opportunity for the student to make alternative choices

• improve the classroom learning environment

• enforce and track discipline efforts made by school personnel

• increase knowledge and build discipline efforts made by school personnel

• increase knowledge and build discipline strategies that can be shared with all teachers

• provide consistency throughout the school setting.

Each semester, the teachers will review the contract with students in their classrooms.

Continued misbehaviours in a classroom setting and any behaviours which fail to meet with our school’s expectations will be dealt with by the Administration through a series of progressive disciplinary actions which may include detentions and suspensions.

DETENTIONS

Detentions are assigned by staff as a consequence of inappropriate behaviours, lates, or truancies. Failure to attend these assigned detentions will result in disciplinary action by the administration of the school.

SUSPENSIONS

Students who are suspended from school for disciplinary purposes are not to be on school property. They cannot participate in any school function or extra curricular activity for the period of time for which they have a suspension. They are responsible for all work they have missed.

DRESS CODE

E. L. Crossley is proud of our students and wants them to be proud of themselves. The school and school council find that dress affects both behaviour and attitude. The school is the place of business for all students and staff. Therefore, we insist that everyone dresses in a manner appropriate to a productive educational environment. We expect all students while on school property or while representing the school to dress with respect for self and others, and in accordance with time and place.

Students are asked to wear clothing that is clean, neat, and in good taste.

The following clothing is deemed inappropriate for a school setting

• Clothing bearing any language, statement, picture, symbol, action, suggestion, or article that is offensive to race, creed, religion, culture, or sex;
• Clothing or items containing symbols or suggestions of alcohol, drugs, smoking, racism, violence, or gangs;
• Clothing that exposes midriffs or underwear;
• Tank tops with straps less than 2 fingers wide;
• Beach wear;
• Short skirts or shorts;
• Excessively torn or ripped clothing;
• Pyjama wear;
• Clothing with metal spikes/studs or accessories;
• Hats or headgear of any type inside the building.

Any student who fails to comply with the dress code will be asked to change or be sent home to change.

ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY

At E. L. Crossley , we believe that regular attendance in class is essential for student success academically. Failure to attend classes on a regular basis may mean that expectations are not met and students may not achieve a credit in a course.

Parents may excuse a student from school by contacting the attendance office at 905-892-9088. A student who has reached the age of 18 may excuse himself/herself by contacting the attendance office.

Acceptable reasons for absence:

• personal illness
• family emergency
• dental, medical, and legal appointments (It is best that appointments be made outside school hours) 
• religious observance (documentation required)
• music contests

In all cases of absenteeism it is the responsibility of the student to make up any missed work as designated by the teacher in discussion with the student. It may be necessary for tests and assignments to be dealt with prior to the absence.

Please note: Our automated attendance system will call the home of any student who is absent without a reason during any periods of the day. These calls are made between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.

ATTENDANCE ROUTINES:

Reminder: The Attendance Number IS 905-892-9088

1. If you are absent from school:
   
   Parents/guardians must call the school by 9:00 a.m. to notify absence for that day. When you return to class, bring in a note from your parents/guardians to the Attendance Office. You will then receive an Admit Slip, which you show to the teachers whose classes you missed. Students who are absent without parental verification will be marked as truant and will not be admitted to class until contact with the home is made.
   
   
2. If you are late to school:
   
   Sign in at the Attendance Office with a note or have your parent call. You will need an Admit Slip. Admit Slips are not issued if you are late to class while in school.
   
   
3. If you are returning to school from an appointment:
   
   Sign in at attendance office.
   
   
4. If you must be excused during the day:
   
   Bring a note from your parent/guardian and pick up a Dismiss from Class slip. Sign Out.
   
   
5. If you are sent out of class:
   
   Report immediately to the Attendance Office.
   
   
6. If you feel ill:
   
   Report to the Attendance Office.
   
   
7. If you have an accident:
   
   Report to the Attendance Office.

 

ASSIGNMENTS/TEST DUE DATES

Through the assessment and evaluation of students’ work, teachers are able to determine the extent to which students have achieved the curriculum expectations of each course. Additionally the feedback students receive, informs them of their strengths and areas requiring improvement. Results from assessment enable teachers to adapt instruction and review as needed. It also allows the teacher to identify students’ areas of strength and areas for improvement.

Sometimes assessment involves spontaneous feedback to students based on observations made in the classroom, the answers to questions, etc. This is an informal process and generally no marks are assigned to this kind of assessment.

Frequently, work such as assignments, problem sets, essays, projects, pieces of writing, etc. are required to be handed in so that the teacher can accurately gauge the achievement of the curriculum expectations by each student. These represent a more formal kind of evaluation.

There are several reasons why it is important that students submit their work by the deadline indicated by the teacher:

• the teacher is able to give timely feedback to students about their achievement while there is still time to make improvements
• the class is able to move along at an appropriate pace so that all students are productively engaged in learning and the curriculum content can be completed within the time allowed
• students are encouraged to develop efficient time management skills that will be useful not only in school, but in areas outside of school as well
• a more equitable classroom environment is established when all students are expected to submit work at the same time

Teachers will do their best to ensure that students have the information and support they need in order to meet assignment deadlines. This will include the use of student-teacher conferencing and contacting parents/guardians. In addition, teachers may use other techniques, including:

1. student-teacher conferencing
2. contacting parents/guardians
3. ‘mini-deadlines’, on larger assignments, for subunits of work
4. providing opportunities to complete the work under supervision outside of the regular class time (e.g. lunch time or after school)

If a student foresees that he/she will be unable to meet a deadline due to extenuating circumstances, he/she should immediately speak with the teacher to discuss a possible extension.

Once an assignment has been evaluated and returned to the class, late submission of that particular assignment may not be accepted. A substitute assignment and deadline may be offered where appropriate. Failure to do the substitute assignment may result in a mark of zero.

If, despite intervention on the part of the teacher where appropriate, the student does not submit assignments in a timely manner, the teacher may deduct 5% of the achieved grade per school day up to a maximum of 25% of the achieved grade giving consideration to individual student needs and circumstances. The teacher will maintain a record of the grade without the deduction, however the adjusted mark will be used to determine the final grade in the course.

SMOKING

Consistent with the new Tobacco Control Act the policy of E. L. Crossley Secondary School is to prohibit smoking anywhere in the school or on school property, by anyone, at any time. This policy applies to students, staff and anyone using school properties. This policy also applies to field trips by staff and students and anyone using the school bus system. All school staff (teaching and non-teaching) are responsible for ensuring that everyone obeys this provincial statute and complies with this policy. The first offence will be reported to the smoking enforcement officer of the Regional Health Unit, who will lay a charge resulting in a fine of $115.00. Students under the age of 16 must attend court to address the charges.

SCHOOL DANCE REGULATIONS

1. An E. L. Crossley student may invite one personal guest. The guest must be signed in one day prior to the dance. In addition to your guest's name, you will be asked to provide his/her home address, telephone number and present school. You will be expected to be responsible for your guest's conduct and to arrive with your guest for the dance.
2. Dances begin at 7 p.m. and end at 10:45 p.m.
3. Doors will close at 8:30 p.m. No student will be allowed into a dance after the doors have closed without being on the late entry list as approved by the Principal.
4. 1. On dance nights in the gym:
      1. no public displays of affection are permitted
      2. no food or drinks are permitted in the gym; and
      3. only soft-soled shoes are accepted
   2. On dance nights, all students and guests must remain within the designated limits of the building. The backstage area is strictly off limits to all but band members and executives of the sponsoring group. The teacher's staff room is out-of-bounds.
   3. Once admitted to the dance, students who leave the building WILL NOT BE RE-ADMITTED.
   4. Smoking is prohibited at all times on school property.
    
5. An automatic suspension from school will result for any student who is under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs or who exhibits inappropriate behaviour. The parents or guardians will be called to take the student home and the police may be notified. In addition, the student may be barred from any other student council activity for the remainder of the school year.
6. Staff members and members of the student council will have the authority to discipline students exhibiting inappropriate behaviour.
7. Tickets purchased in advance will be at a discount to tickets purchased at the door.

LOCKERS

Each student is assigned a locker. It is the student's duty to keep the locker clean and locked at all times. You are responsible for the cost of repairs to the locker. If any damage is greater than would result from normal use or if your locker is damaged, report this to the main office. Your combination should be kept confidential. Under no circumstances should you give your combination to anyone else. The school does not assume responsibility for the loss of articles from your locker. If necessary, bring cash or valuable to the main office for safe keeping. The locker you have been assigned is for your use only. Do not move your locker. Do not share your locker with another student. When locks or lockers other than those assigned are being used, locks will be cut off and the contents will be confiscated. Lockers are to be locked at all times using a Dudley lock purchased at the main office. A record of your combination is kept at the office and the administration has the authority to open/examine any locker at any time if deemed necessary. Lockers are to be cleaned out and vacated by the last day of examinations in June, afer which locks will be removed and belongings confiscated.

PERSONAL PROPERTY

Students need to bring to school a reasonable amount of personal property for their comfort and learning. Because some items are not conducive to an orderly learning environment some restrictions apply to personal effects:

• Large stereo systems are not to be brought to school.
• Walkmans, CD or MP3 players are not allowed in class.
• Cell phones and pagers are not allowed in school unless written permission has been received from the principal.
• Coats, hats and large bags are to be kept in your locker during the school day. Small bags may be used during the day and brought into the classroom at the teacher's discretion.
• Very expensive items must be left at home. The school cannot provide security for such items and is not liable for lost or stolen items.