School Code of Conduct

 

Members of our school community are expected to do all they can to create a Catholic learning community in which all members are able to develop their spiritual, intellectual, physical, and social potential. 

 

 

School Hours 

  

Time	Duration	Activity
8:40 - 8:55	15 min	Supervision
8:50 - 8:55	5 min	Entry
8:55 – 9:35	40 min	Period 1
9:35 – 10:15	40 min	Period 2
10:15 – 10:30	15 min	RECESS
11:30 – 11:10	40 min	Period 3
11:10 – 11:50	40 min	Period 4
11:50 – 12:05	15 min	LUNCH
12:05 – 12:45	40 min	RECESS
12:45 - 12:50	5 min	Entry
12:50 – 1:30	40 min	Period 5
1:30 – 2:05	40 min	Period 6
2:05 – 2:25	15 min	RECESS
2:25 – 3:05	40 min	Period 7
3:05 – 3:25	20 min	Period 8
3:25	0 min	Dismissal

 

Policies and Procedures 

 

 

Punctuality and consistent attendance is important.  It is the responsibility of each student to be in attendance at all classes and scheduled activities, on time and with the proper materials required for full participation.  Parents are required to inform the school as soon as possible if their child will be absent by using the app or calling School Messenger.  If a student arrives late to school (after morning announcements have begun, they must report to the office to be admitted late.  If a student is habitually late or absent from school, the principal and school social worker will contact the child’s parents to discuss the issue and develop a plan to address the situation.

 

 

 

Entry and Dismissal:  Students are dismissed to and enter from the main yard.  Parents are welcome to drop off and pick up their child(ren) from the yard.  Parents are not permitted to enter the school at these times. Should a parent need to enter the school for any reason, they must report to the office at Door "A".

 

Please be aware that during entry and dismissal times, there is no parking on or in front of school property for parents.  In the morning, the parking lot is used for our Kiss & Ride drop off program and in the afternoon it is where buses park for students to board.  Parents who choose to drive their child(ren) to school are required to park a block or two from the school and walk to the school yard (or have their child walk to/ from them as appropriate).  Brief parking is permitted in the East Lion's Community Centre parking lot for Panther Parents at pick up and drop off times.  This is approximately five minutes walk from the school. 

 

Dress Code:  Students are expected to dress in a modest manner that is suitable to school expectations and appropriate to our Catholic school community.  Clothing should allow the student to participate safely in the full range of activities in a typical school day and must be free from offensive or questionable language and pictures.  Neither hoods nor hats are to be worn in the school, and appropriate footwear must be worn at all times.   

 

Examples of clothing which do not comply with our dress code are:  halter tops, tank tops with thin straps, “muscle” shirts, short shorts or mini-skirts (must pass mid-thigh), clothing which shows undergarments or exposes the midriff or chest, shirts which advertise adult beverages or contain profanity.  

 

During this time while special protocols are in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, students are required to wear a face covering which covers their nose and mouth while in the school building. 

 

Steps if Dress Code Not Followed:  The following steps will be taken when a student does not comply with the dress code:  i) Reminder about appropriate dress and student will be required to change into gym clothes or extra clothing if available at school. ii) Reminder about appropriate dress and student will be required to change into gym clothes or extra clothing if available at school.  Note sent home to parents. iii) Parents contacted to pick student up from school and take home to change into appropriate school attire. 

Anaphylaxis or “allergic shock” is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction.  It may begin with severe itching around the eyes or face, then other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing may develop.  If the reaction is not stopped, the symptoms may become more severe and even life-threatening.  All of this may happen within a few minutes.  Parents, teachers and students need to be aware that there are students at St. Pius X Catholic School with these allergies. 

 

It is the responsibility of the parents/ guardians to ensure that the specific information about their child is made available to the school.  Parents will be informed of the presence of a student with a life-threatening allergy in their child’s class.  We ask that all students avoid including life-threatening allergens in school lunches and snacks. 

 

 

Safe Schools:  All members of our Catholic school community have the right to:  be respected as a child of God, in both person and conscience; experience a sense of self-worth; learn in a safe, orderly and stimulating environment; have access to the facilities of the school. 

 

Students are encouraged to resolve disagreements in an appropriate manner, such as engaging in respectful debate, employing Kelso's choices, or using the help of school staff to reflect on Restorative Practices if needed.  If a situation cannot be resolved using these strategies, school administration and the student’s parents will be informed and involved to assist in finding a solution to the issue. 

 

Bullying is defined (PPM 144) as a “form of repeated, persistent and aggressive behaviour directed at an individual or individuals that is intended to cause fear and distress and/ or harm to another person’s body, feelings, self-esteem, or reputation.  Bullying occurs in a context where there is a real or perceived power imbalance.”  When situations of bullying are identified, steps will be taken to deal with the issue and come to a resolution in a timely and appropriate manner.  Online social networking, which involves any form of harassment, which is deemed to be “conduct injurious to the moral tone of the school,” including comments posted electronically, is not acceptable.  Social network sites must not be used to harass or demean students or staff. 

 

All members of our school community have a right to freedom from harassment.  In keeping with the Ministry’s and Board’s policies, expressions of physical, psychological, sexual or verbal abuse directed toward any student, staff member or member or our community will not be tolerated. 

 

The possession of illegal or dangerous items (drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, weapons, etc.) is not allowed.  If a student is in possession of these or any related items, the consequences (suspension, involvement of police, etc.) will be implemented as appropriate to the offense. 

 

To meet the goal of creating a safe and accepting school environment, the staff of St. Pius X Catholic School uses a variety of positive practices as well as consequences for inappropriate behaviour, including progressive discipline.  Progressive discipline is an approach that makes use of a continuum of interventions, supports and consequences, building upon strategies that promote positive behaviours.  Suspension and/ or expulsion are given only when all other strategies and means have been used and exhausted or if the incident is of a significant and serious nature.  In all cases, the partnership between home and school is vital in promoting long-term improvement. 

 

Examples of progressive discipline include, but are not limited to, the following: staff speaking with a student; loss of recess or a privilege; removal from class to an alternate location in the school for a period of time; contact with the student’s parent(s); replacement of lost or vandalized object; meeting with the principal/ vice-principal; suspension from school.

 

 

Personal Electronic Devices (PEDs):  To promote and maintain respect for the dignity of all members of our school community and to enhance student achievement and safety, the use of PEDs is restricted to academic purposes, and may only be used in the classroom when permitted and under the direct supervision of staff.  Students are not permitted to use PEDs for personal reasons in the school or on the school yard at any time during the school day.  If students bring a PED to school, they must hand it in to their homeroom teacher, who will place it in a secure location for the day and hand it back to the student at dismissal.  If a PED is used in an inappropriate or unapproved manner at school, it will be confiscated, and progressive discipline action taken.

 

 

Students who are eligible to receive bussing to and from school, and students who ride a bus for a school activity must follow all bus safety rules and expectations. 

All students are expected to wait and walk to the bus in an orderly and safe manner; remain seated and use a reasonable tone of voice on the bus; obey the instructions of the bus driver; refrain from eating or drinking; and overall conduct themselves in a safe and courteous manner. 

 

If a student is not able to follow the bus safety rules and expectations, the following consequences will take place: i) The principal will speak to the student about the behavior and remind him/ her of expectations.  ii) The principal will speak to the student and notify the parent(s).  iii) The principal will speak with the student, notify the parent(s) and bus privileges will be suspended for a period of time.  Severe or repeated behaviour infractions may result in immediate and/ or permanent removal of bus privileges. 

 

School Visitors and Volunteers:  Many times throughout the year, we welcome parents, guardians, and other family members and friends who would like to visit the school and participate in school events.  All visitors to the school are required to report to the office, sign in and wear a visitor’s sticker while in the building.  Permission and/ or an invitation is required to enter classrooms during the school day.   

If parents plan on volunteering in the school or on a field trip, an updated Criminal Reference Check must be completed and submitted to the office in advance. 

 

Should a parent need to pick up their child during the school day, they are required to report to the office and their child will be called from class to meet them. 

 

Medical Information:  Parents are asked to inform the school immediately if their child has need of any emergency help in case of bee stings, diabetic conditions, severe allergies, etc. A medical safety plan is developed once the school is made aware of a medical condition which may require support at school.  A consent form signed by a doctor is required if a situation arises when a child needs medication

administered at school.  The form may be obtained by emailing or calling the office. 

 

 

Student Verification Forms:  In the fall, families will receive a student verification form.  We ask that the information be verified by parents, and the form returned to the school with any necessary updates made.  It is extremely important that the school have up to date contact information in case of an emergency.  It is also necessary that the school have a current and active email address to receive school newsletters and information items.  All communication from the office will go to the email registered with the school.   

 

 

Emergency Closure of Schools:  As mentioned in a previous section, in the fall parents will be asked to update student verification forms.  These forms contain necessary information such as advising the school what should happen with your child in the event of an emergency closing due to weather or other unforeseen circumstance during a school day.  The school must be kept up to date of any changes to this information in case of an emergency.  All students require an alternate emergency person to contact should the school be unable to reach parents. 

 

 

 

Freedom of Information and Personal Privacy Act (FIPPA):  During the school year, there will be opportunities for students’ work to be displayed, students’ special achievements to be publicized, and students to be photographed in a variety of activities for newspapers, school newsletters, school or board website or display and twitter.  We make every attempt to exercise discretion and common sense in any publications emanating from St. Pius X Catholic School, but we wish to ensure that parental wishes for privacy are respected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Personal Privacy Act.  If there are any concerns or questions regarding the disclosure of child(ren)’s pictures, work and/ or names being used in instances such as those indicated above, parents are asked to contact the school.  Under this Act, we do not release the phone numbers or email addresses of any families in the school unless we have written, signed permission.  Some of our parent committees, however, may need numbers to contact parents about special events and projects.  If there are any objections to our sharing these numbers in these circumstances, parents are asked to contact the school office with that information in advance. 

 

Field Trips:  Field trips are an extension of the classroom and are planned as an instructional activity.  Students are expected to follow all school rules during field trip activities.  Parents must give written consent on an authorized consent form before a student can take part in a field trip.  Students who do not have written consent on the appropriate form returned in the timeline required may not take part in the trip and will be reassigned to another classroom for the duration of the trip. 

 

No student will be denied participation in a field trip because of an inability to pay.  If the cost of a trip poses a financial burden, families may contact the principal directly to share this information confidentially. 

 

 

Payment of fees:  From time to time, such as for field trips, there may be occasion for the school to ask for the payment of a fee.  These payments are made through a secure service purchased by the board, SchoolCashOnline.  The school does not accept cash.   To use this service, you need a bank account or a credit card.

 

St. Pius X offers a hot lunch program (usually on Thursdays) when food is available for purchase.  Payment for these lunches is also made using SchoolCashOnline.