The Durham Catholic District School Board focuses on prevention, early intervention and progressive discipline as the key to maintaining a positive school environment in which students can learn and teachers can teach. When inappropriate behaviour occurs, schools in the Board will be required to utilize a range of interventions, supports and consequences that are developmentally appropriate, that include opportunities for students to learn from mistakes, and focus on improving behaviour. In some circumstances, a short term suspension may be a useful tool. In the case of a serious incident, a long-term suspension or expulsion, which are further along the continuum of progressive discipline, may be the response that is required.
Continuing Education
In Continuing Education, we expect our students to conduct themselves honourably at all times, both on campus and off campus.
The following guidelines are essential for educational success and harmonious community life:
▪ Mutual respect between students and staff;
▪ Respect for personal and school property;
▪ Pursuit of studies with honesty and integrity; and
▪ Compliance with all rules and regulations.
We are committed to providing safe learning environments for all students, staff, school visitors and community members. When student behaviours pose a potential threat to safety or serious harm to self or others, our school follows the Community Threat Assessment and Intervention Protocol (C-TAIP), which outlines how a school responds immediately to threatening behaviour. This protocol involves supports from various partners, including community agencies, hospitals and police services. Personal information shared throughout this process will always respect and balance each individual's right to privacy while ensuring the safety of all. For more information, visit our Board's website for "Safe School" information or speak to your principal.
Attendance
Regular attendance is vital to the process of learning. It is the responsibility of each student to be in attendance at all times with the proper materials required for full participation. Persistent late to class and/or unexplained absences will be dealt with by the school office and may lead to withholding of a course credit or withdrawal from a program.
Punctuality
Punctuality is essential for success as new material is introduced daily. The teacher can monitor student's progress and provide help immediately if required. Punctuality is a courtesy to teacher and fellow students and student should arrive on time for classes.
Dress code
Our students are expected to wear clothing which is neat, clean and in good taste. Inappropriate attire is any clothing that disrupts the educational process, threatens the learning environment, or endangers the health or safety of students or any other persons.
Personal hygiene
Students are expected to maintain a personal cleanliness which is not offensive or a nuisance to other people as to interfere with their learning.
Harassment
Insults, disrespect and other hurtful acts disrupt learning and teaching in a school community is strictly prohibited. Sexual harassment in any form will not be tolerated. If violations occur, disciplinary action will be taken. A serious offense may lead to expulsion or criminal prosecution.
Using appropriate language
Students are expected to refrain from using offensive or vulgar language. Verbal abuse of any person or conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person will lead to suspension or expulsion.
Drugs and Alcohol
Possession of, usage of, under the influence of or providing others with any alcoholic beverage, narcotic, controlled drugs or intoxicants in school and/or at any school activity is prohibited.
Tobacco
Smoking and/or processing chewing tobacco in the school building, on school grounds, or at school events is prohibited.
Cheating
Students who cheat, copy, plagiarize, or forge in connection with academic endeavor and/or school procedures are subject to disciplinary action.
Fighting
Students should seek staff assistance, if necessary, to resolve conflict peacefully and in a manner which reflects the teaching of Christ.
Students involved in violence of any kind, either before, during or after school on school property, or in an area that will reflect negatively on the school - may be suspended or expelled.
Academic honesty
Students are expected to:
- submit work, including tests and exams, consisting of their own ideas expressed in their own words;
- demonstrate respect for the ideas of others by acknowledging the sources they use in appropriate ways; and
- take responsibility for completing work on time and seek additional time or assistance when needed
Failure to meet these expectations may result in a variety of consequences, one of which could include a mark of zero.
Disruption
Disruption or obstruction of teaching, administration, school activities, co-op placement will be dealt with disciplinary procedures and consequences.
Electronic equipment
Portable stereos, cassettes, CD players, mp3 players, iPod, DVD players may not be played in classrooms while school is in session without the explicit approval of the classroom teacher or school administration. Pagers and cellular phones may not be used while inside the school and must be turned off while school is in session.
Personal belongings
You should not bring valuables or large sums of money to school or placement locations. The school cannot be responsible for any lost or stolen items. Stealing or attempt to steal school or personal properties will be reported to the authorities
Safety and prohibited items
A school is a place that promotes responsibility, respect, civility and academic excellence in a safe learning and teaching environment. Students may not possess the following items on school property or at school events without the explicit permission of a teacher or administrator,
- Beepers, laser pointers, cameras, television sets or any other electronic items of distraction.
- Gambling devices: dice, playing cards etc.
- Drugs, alcoholic beverages, narcotics, cigarettes, inhalants, cigarette lighters, matches, tobacco products, and look-a-likes.
- Explosive devices, including firecrackers, fireballs, cherry bombs, stink bombs, etc.
- Gang paraphernalia, such as rags/bandannas, etc.
- Weapons, look-a-like weapons, guns, knives, screw drivers and/or other items designed or easily used to cause physical harm.
- Animals and pets.
Parking
The privilege of driving motor vehicles on school property will be denied if it becomes detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of the school community. All provincial motor vehicle laws apply on school property. Students should not park in reserved area, fire exit and main entrance. Use the North/East parking lot at back.
Computer use
We strives to achieve educational excellence and enhance learning and work-related experiences using Information Technology to share resources, access information, communicate, and collaborate. The following are the use of computer rules:
- Students may choose a unique password and shall not share it with others or attempt to learn or use other passwords.
- Use of software is restricted to computer applications provided by the system, teacher or other supervisory staff.
Downloading of games, other non-authorized software from external or internal sites is strictly prohibited. - Accessing unacceptable Internet sites that are not in accordance with the mission and purpose of Catholic Education,
including chat rooms, are strictly prohibited. - Games are not to be played on the computer.
- Viruses must not knowingly be introduced to the system.
- Hardware damages are strictly prohibited.
- The language used and the content in all communications will not be illegal nor offensive, and will be in accordance with the
mission and purpose of Catholic Education. - Any gaps or security breaches are to be reported to the teacher, system administrator and school administrators. Students
will not try to circumvent existing security systems. - No food or drinks are allowed in the computer rooms at any time.
Improper use of Information Technology will result in loss of access and/or restricted and/or monitored use. More serious action may be taken by administration in the form of restitution, suspension, expulsion, termination or criminal prosecution, where appropriate.
