General Policies
Accidents
A student who is injured should be brought to the Main Office, if
possible. In all cases, the Main Office must be notified and
proper action taken. Under no circumstances should a student who
has injured his/her back be moved.
Age of Majority
Before students can attain age of majority status, they, along with
their parents, must complete an Age of MajorityApplication and submit
it to their Vice Principal. Once approved, students 18 years of
age or older are permitted to sign notes explaining their absences,
lates and dismissals. All absences from school, like non-age of
majority students, must be in accordance to acceptable reasons for
missing school. The school reserves the right to inform parents when
notes are unacceptable or when infractions against the Code of Conduct
occur. Students who are of age of majority are directly
responsible to the Administration for their performance of all duties
and responsibilities of a student, similar to the employer –
employee relationship in the world of work.
Alcohol & Drugs
Immediate suspension will be the minimum penalty faced by a student for
possession of alcohol or illegal drugs. In these instances, police will
be involved as required and conditions to return to school will be
specified in accordance with board policies.
All members of the school community must not be in possession of, or
under the influence of, or provide others with alcohol or illegal
drugs. Police will be involved, as indicated by the police/school
protocol, and the student will be immediately suspended and proceed to
an expulsion hearing for trafficking in drugs or alcohol.
Anaphylaxis Policy
All students and parents/guardians must be aware that we have students
in our school who are known to have a potentially life-threatening
allergy called Anaphylaxis.
Anaphylaxis is a severe life threatening form of allergic reaction. It
may begin with severe itching of the eyes or face; a sense of
constriction in the throat, then other symptoms such as vomiting,
diarrhea and difficulty with breathing may develop. This may lead to
coma and death. Foods such as peanuts, other nuts, fish, shellfish,
eggs, milk, and wheat as well as insect stings from bees and wasps,
latex products and medication, are the most common allergies that
produce anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis requires immediate first aid
response and immediate medical intervention.
All students and parents/guardians are reminded of our Board's
Anaphylaxis Policy. At Lakeshore Catholic High School we have Emergency
Guidelines, which clearly state what medical procedures must occur for
those students who have various life-threatening medical conditions. As
such, no food shall be brought into any classrooms and is restricted to
the cafeteria. Students are encouraged to wash their hands after eating.
Antiracism, Sexual, and Ethnocultural Equity
The Niagara Catholic District School Board and Lakeshore Catholic High
School believe that all persons have been created in the image and
likeness of God and are to be treated with dignity, respect and
fairness in an environment which recognizes and celebrates the racial,
religious and cultural plurality or Canadian society. The
Board’s policy fosters the teaching of Catholic values and
promotes ethno cultural equity and equality as well as the elimination
of racism.
The policy of the government of Ontario is that there be equal
education opportunity in this province. Thus sex-role
stereotyping of courses and programs does not exist at Lakeshore
Catholic High School and the philosophy of gender equity permeates all
aspects of the school’s curriculum.
Assemblies/ Masses
It is an expectation that all students are in attendance for Masses and
prayer services, and co-curricular assemblies during the school
day. A student who skips a prayer service or Mass will be
suspended for three days. Students who skip assemblies will be
suspended.
Care of Property
Students must exhibit care and respect for other people and their
property. Wilful damage, theft or destruction of school property
are major infractions of school regulations. All costs incurred
from such actions will be borne by the student and his/her parents.
Any theft of student, staff or school property will be dealt with
immediately and firmly. Students in possession of stolen goods
will be suspended and will be subject to criminal prosecution.
Students are advised not to bring valuables, expensive electronic items
or large sums of money to school.
The school is not responsible for any property lost, missing or stolen.
We strongly recommend that all personal property, including clothing
apparel, be identified with the name of the owner.
Detentions
Classroom detentions will be assigned at the discretion of the subject
teacher. After repeat offences and subsequent disciplinary
actions, the student will be referred to a Vice Principal. The
Vice-Principal will:
* Communicate with a parent/guardian;
* May assign an office detention;
* Will formally suspend the student after due
warning if the behaviour continues. If a student repeatedly
misses an assigned classroom detention, he/she will automatically be
referred to the Vice-Principal for office detentions.
Office detentions are assigned by the Vice-Principal as a result of
breaches of school policies. These will be served at the end of
the school day or during the student’s lunch time. Assigned
detentions take PRIORITY over any other activity. Failure to serve an
assigned detention will result in further detentions being
assigned. Repeated failure to serve detentions will result in a
suspension for persistent opposition to authority.
Elevator
An elevator is available for students who are physically unable to use
the stairs, either for a short-term situation (e.g. leg injury) or on a
regular basis. Please contact the Reception Secretary for further
information.
Fighting
Students are expected to be courteous and considerate in the dealings
with others. Verbal or written threats, physical, emotional or sexual
violence towards others will not be tolerated.
Fighting is a serious issue. Both participants in a fight will be
suspended from school for up to a maximum of 20 days. The Safe
Schools Act and the Provincial Code of Conduct may require the
involvement of police under certain conditions.
Fires
If you discover a fire:
Leave the fire area immediately, closing
doors behind you
Sound fire alarm
Leave building by using the nearest
exit. Do not use an elevator.
Call Fire Department by dialling
“911” from a safe area.
If you hear the fire alarm:
Close doors and leave the building using
the closest exit
If you encounter smoke in an exit, use
an alternate exit.
Follow the directions of staff members
Report to your teacher in the designated
area and remain in that area until instructed to return to the building.
Fire Alarm
It is critical that everyone treats all fire alarms seriously and moves
as quickly and orderly as possible to vacate the building immediately
when an alarm sounds. Fire drills will be held regularly during
the school year. Wilful false alarms are a criminal offence, and
are punishable by a fine, a jail term or both. The Port Colborne
Fire Department will prosecute offenders to the full extent of the law.
Forgery
Forged notes, altering school attendance, and personation (identifying
oneself as someone else by note or by telephone) are strictly
prohibited and will result in immediate suspension.
Guests
All visitors (students or guests from other schools) must be approved
by the school’s administration prior to the visit. Students
or guests from other schools are not allowed anywhere on school
property during the school day unless they have the permission of
administration. All visitors must report directly to
the Main Office to be signed in. The behaviour of a visiting
student remains the responsibility of the Lakeshore student host. The
student host is subject to any consequences for their guest’s
misbehaviour.
All students or guests found on the school property during the day,
lunch or after school, who have not registered at the Main Office can
be charged under the Trespass to Property Act.
Hallway Conduct
Students are not to openly display romantic affection in the school.
Students engaging in physical signs of affection will be reminded that
this type of public behaviour is inappropriate and unacceptable in a
Catholic high school.
Students who continue to display romantic affection openly will be
referred to the Principal or Vice Principal for disciplinary action,
including contact with the parents.
Students must practice common courtesy while moving in the hallways and
stairways.
Loitering by lockers, washrooms and doorways must be avoided at all
times. Proper language and a normal conversational level of voice are
to be used at all times. Everyone is responsible for maintaining the
cleanliness of the hallways. Proper decorum and behaviour are to be
observed at all times.
Insurance
Student Accident and Life Insurance is made available on the first day
of school. Students participating in co-curricular activities are
especially encouraged to avail themselves of this service.
Library Information Centre
Lakeshore Catholic High School’s Information Centre provides for
the needs and interest of both teachers and students.
Resource-based learning, including inquiry learning, individualization,
independent study, and
teacher directed learning, requires a broad spectrum of resources to
match the students’ abilities and learning styles and to support
instructional programs.
These resources are available through the Information Center in print
and non-print form, as well as information retrieval using some of the
latest in communication and technological developments. A subscription
to an online database has been provided with remote access for at-home
use. Students may access the site at:
CPIQ (Canadian Periodicals)
OPPOSING VIEWPOINTS RESOURCE CENTER
STUDENT RESOURE CENTER BRONZE
http://infotrac.galegroup.com
Username:
Port14216
Home Username: Port14216
Password:
Port14216
Home Password: Port14216
This is a great source for information. Check it
out!
Most reference books, periodicals, videos and pamphlets may be borrowed
on an overnight basis. Circulating books have a three-week loan
period.
A fine of 10 cents per book per day will be applied to all items
returned after the due date.
The Information Centre is restricted to those who will use as a quiet,
individual study area. There is a reference area with tables
where small groups of up to four (4) people may work on co-operative
ventures and a seminar room for group projects.
Conduct in the Information Centre us centered around three simple
principles:
o COURTESY
o RESPECT
o COMMON SENSE
Lockers
Lockers and school-approved Dudley locks are assigned to each student,
and remain the property of the school and school board. Students are
not permitted to change locker assignments without the approval of the
administration. Students are requested to protect their property
by keeping the locker locked when not in use. Students are
cautioned not to give the combination of their lock to another
student. Students are not to post lewd or offensive materials
inside their lockers and are not to deface or write on or in their
lockers. Administration may open a locker for inspection with or
without the permission of the student at any time. A student using an
unassigned locker or lock other than a Dudley lock will have the lock
cut off, the contents removed and will be called to the office.
Any requests for another lock will require a $10.00 fee from the
student. Lockers must be cleared out by the last day of
classes and locks turned into the Main Office.
Lost and Found
Students who find personal articles or textbooks on school property are
asked to bring them to the Main Office. Students who may have
lost such items should check the Main Office to determine if they are
in the “Lost and Found.”
Lunch Periods
Students are expected to eat ONLY in the cafeteria area and to exhibit
pride in our school and our environment through the proper use of
receptacles for litter. Food and drink in the hallways and
classrooms are strictly prohibited. Students are not to take food
outside. Students are expected to be in full uniform at all times
when the school day is in progress. Coats and jackets are NOT to
be worn in the cafeteria and correct foot wear is to be worn at all
times. Students are prohibited from being in hallways
during their lunch times but will be allowed to return to their lockers
15 minutes before the end of the period. Students are asked to
use the Great Hall doors when returning to school from lunch.
Medication
Students who must bring medications to school must follow the
Board’s Oral Medication Policy. The Oral Medication Policy
refers to all types of medication. (i.e. inhalers, pills, liquids,
etc.) Failure to adhere to this policy may result in the student
being sent home until the proper procedure is followed.
Messages
Messages from parents will be conveyed to students at the end of the
school day or at lunch, not during class. Emergencies, however,
will always be dealt with promptly. We ask that parents do not contact
students on cell phones during school hours.
Opening Exercises
Each day will begin with opening exercises which include the playing of
O Canada, morning prayer and announcements. Students in the halls
during opening exercises are to remain quiet and stationary.
Part-Time Jobs
Lakeshore Catholic recognizes the importance and benefits of part-time
employment; however, students who work too many hours usually suffer in
the evaluation process. We strongly encourage students to limit
their part-time hours during the school semester. The demands of
a job must not interfere with the demands of the school and students
should not expect to leave school to attend work. Such absences
are considered truancies.
Pay Phones
Two pay phones are located in the school for the convenience of the
students; one in the foyer next to the Auditorium and the other in the
Great Hall. Students are asked to keep their calls brief and NO
phone calls are to be made during class time or while the announcements
are being made. Students are NOT permitted to use the phones in
the Main Office area unless they are dealing with school business or
are ill and need to be excused.
Posting of Flyers
Activities held off school premises do not have the approval or
sanction of the school or the Niagara Catholic District School
Board. It is illegal to advertise such activities on school
property. Under special circumstances, a student may request
permission from an administrator to post an advertisement.
Profanity
Students must use appropriate language at all times. The Education Act
specifies that “a student may be suspended for a fixed period of
time because of the use of profane or improper language” (Section
23.1) This includes language in hallways, cafeteria, etc.
Registration Fees
Registration fees are collected from students to cover the cost of
yearbooks, student handbooks, locks, some student activities (clubs,
teams) and special events.
Reporting to the Office
A student who is sent out of class or called to the office must report
immediately and remain in the office until interviewed by a Vice
Principal. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary
consequences.
Respect for Authority
Students must treat with respect the Principal and all persons
delegated authority by the Principal. ‘Persons in
authority’ includes, but is not limited to: bus driver,
cafeteria worker, chaplain, counsellor, custodian, educational
assistant, information technologist, librarian, secretary, teacher,
Vice Principal.
Safe Learning Environment
* Students, volunteers or employees who perceive
that they have been subjected to harassment (including ethno cultural
or sexual harassment) are reminded that they may report their
allegations to any member of staff.
* When an individual or staff member makes a report,
it must be communicated to the school administration (Principal or Vice
Principal). It will be the duty of the school administration to report
these allegations to the Family of Schools Superintendent within 5
school days of the initial reporting.
* Where these circumstances involve sexual
harassment, relate to a child and a person in a position of authority,
staff members are reminded of their duties to report forthwith to the
Family and Children’s Services of Niagara, as per the reporting
provisions set out in the child and family Services Act.
Smoking (Tobacco Enforcement)
Provincial law (Tobacco Control Act) prohibits smoking anywhere on
school property and/or while participating in any school-sanctioned
event. Lakeshore Catholic promotes a healthy lifestyle and actively
discourages smoking due to its negative effects on the health of the
smoker, and those in the vicinity who are exposed to second hand
smoke. Any student found smoking on school property will be
automatically suspended from school and the Tobacco Enforcement Officer
from the Niagara Region Public Health will be contacted which may
result in a minimum fine of $305 for persons over the age of 16.
Persons under the age of 16 must attend court with a parent or
guardian. The selling, supplying or sharing of cigarettes with anyone
under 19 can result in a minimum fine of $365. This law applies to
everyone (staff, students, parents, visitors) any time (“24
-7”) and anywhere on school property (including the parking lot,
cars in the parking lot, sports fields, driveway, etc.). Any
student who is found in the Centennial Pool parking lot or standing in
front of our neighbours’ properties, either individually or in a
group, will be automatically suspended from school for three days. Any
student under the age of 16 smoking, or any other student 16 or over
smoking between or during classes will be suspended. Questions? Call
the Tobacco Hotline 1-888-505-6074, ext 7393.
Spare Periods
Students on spare periods are expected to be in either the cafeteria,
the Information Centre, or may leave school grounds. Students are
not to wander about the halls, stairwells or foyer. Only senior
students who have earned 24 credits are allowed to have a spare period
on their timetables. Only students on spare are permitted to purchase
items from the cafeteria staff during the spare period. Students
are expected to use their spare to advance their academic
program. This time should be used profitably towards completing
or enriching school curriculum.
Student Parking
The school supplies busing for student transportation and cannot
provide sufficient parking for students who decide to drive to
school. Students must register their vehicles at the Main Office
and must park in the designated parking lot across from the school -
NOT at the back of the school or in the pool parking lot.
Unauthorized parking may result in the car being towed away at the
student’s expense. Drivers are asked to keep their cars
locked. We cannot assume responsibility for losses or
damages. Students are not to sit in their cars during the school
day or play music from their car radios. No smoking is permitted
in cars at anytime. Drivers should abide strictly by all traffic
regulations. The speed limit in the parking lot is 10 km per
hour. Parking privileges can be revoked at any time.
Surveillance Cameras
For the protection of students and staff, Lakeshore Catholic High
School has surveillance cameras that monitor the main school building
and sections of the school grounds on a 24 hour basis.
Suspensions
Some specific types of student behaviour must result in suspension from
school. Suspensions may range from 1 to 20 days depending on the nature
of the action.
When a suspension is issued, the parent must remove the student from
the school premises. The student must remain off the school premises.
If the student enters school property during a suspension, the police
may be called to charge the student with trespassing.
During a suspension, a student is not eligible to attend or participate
in any school activity, on or off school property or to ride school
buses at any time of the day.
Upon return from suspension, the student must meet with the Vice
Principal to be admitted to class.
Textbooks & Loaned Materials
Students are financially responsible for lost or damaged textbooks
assigned to them. Students who owe replacement fees are required
to discharge this obligation at the end of each semester. Failure
to do so will result in the withholding of final grades, semester
report card, transcripts, and the next semester timetable. This
policy holds for team uniforms and equipment as well.