School Policies Attendance and Late Procedures At The Dr. G.W. Williams S.S., we know that regular attendance is essential for academic success. It is also recognized that the school and parents must work together to ensure students attend regularly and punctually. The Education Act states that students must attend classes regularly and punctually. In order to be granted a credit, students must accumulate a total of 110 hours of instructional time for each course. Credits are awarded based on a grade of 50% or higher and acceptable attendance. Truancy and irregular attendance can put credits in jeopardy regardless of the mark. Since the significant accumulation of absences directly affects student achievement, attendance will be closely tracked and monitored. Classroom teachers, attendance counsellors and school administrators will work in consultation with parents to resolve their child’s attendance issues. In an effort to further assist students, parents are asked to limit appointments, family outings, etc. outside of regular school hours. For any class missed, the student will be marked truant until a note, phone call or email from the parent/guardian is received in the Attendance Office. Prolonged illness must be supported by a medical note. Parents should also note examination periods, established by the Board (and published in this Agenda Book), to ensure their son/daughter is in attendance. Finally, if there is a question or concern regarding attendance, parents are encouraged to contact the Attendance Office. Students may also invited to request a record of their attendance so that they can monitor their own attendance. Students who have been signed out of classes cannot remain on school property.   Attendance Policy As a general guideline for lates: 3 lates per course will result in *15 minute detention and a phone call home; 6 lates per course will result in a *referral to the Vice Principal for a phone call home and subsequent consequences; and 9 lates per course will result in a *referral to the Vice Principal for meeting with parents and subsequent consequences. As a general guideline for absences, 3 unexplained absences per course will result in a *30 minute detention and phone call home; 6 unexplained absences per course will result in a *referral to the Vice Principal, a phone call home and subsequent consequences; 9 unexplained absences per course will result in a *referral to the Vice Principal for a meeting with parents and subsequent consequences (e.g. loss of privileges, re-assigning of instructional time, and the withholding of credits until instructional time owing is repaid).  * Denotes the minimum consequence as other consequences may be assigned.    General Attendance and Late Procedure 1. If a student is absent from school, then:   (a) A parent/guardian must contact the school on the day the student is absent. The Attendance Office can be reached at 905-727-3131, ext. 101. If the secretary is busy, please leave a message on voice mail or send her an email at dr.g.w.williams.ss@yrdsb.edu.on.ca at any time as these modes of communication are accessible 24 hrs/day, 7 days/week. (b) The student is expected to bring a note upon his/her return if prior communication has not taken place. The student is then to go to Room 101 (Attendance Office), between 8:00 – 8:15 a.m. and get an “Admit Slip” for all periods which s/he was absent. The student is then to show the “Admit Slip” to each teacher. If no note, phone call or email is received, the absence will be considered “truant”.   Signing Out: 2. (a) If a student becomes ill at school, s/he is required to report immediately to Room 101. (b) If a student is under 18, a note, phone call or email from a parent/guardian must be received by the Attendance Secretary before signing out. Otherwise, the absence will be considered “truant”. (c) If a student is 18 or over, s/he is eligible to sign in/out and to call regarding an absence. S/he must take the responsibility to provide an acceptable reason for an absence the same day. The sign-out privilege is for five periods per semester. Students are required to use the Sign-Out binder located in Room 101. Attendance will be monitored closely by administration, and if necessary, signing privileges may be revoked. 3. An automated voice messaging and email system is used daily to contact the homes of students with unexplained absences. If a message is received, parents should contact the Attendance Office before the next school day begins. 4. Students are responsible for informing teachers in advance of an anticipated absence. Participation in a school-sponsored activity constitutes an acceptable reason for an absence. 5. Students are responsible for all missed work (tests, assignments, class notes) when absent. 6. If a student must be away for an extended period, then s/he is responsible for completing and submitting an “Extraordinary Absence” form (available from the Attendance Office) prior to being absent. 7. Students who have been suspended will be allowed to submit assignments and write tests missed, upon return, without penalty. 8. If a teacher does not arrive to your classroom within a few minutes at the beginning of a period, a student is requested to inform the office. All students are expected to wait until a staff member arrives. 9. . Regular classroom instruction/programming continues when a teacher is absent and on inclement weather days. Students are expected to be in attendance in either situation. 10. Students who arrive to class after the bell has sounded are considered late. If the attendance record/sheet for the class has been submitted to the office, then the student must report to the Attendance Office for an “Admit Slip”.   Computer Usage Policy Our Computer Usage Policy is designed to allow users to explore and utilize our school network and the Internet in respectful and responsible ways. More specifically: Subsequent consequences may include the following:   1. All rules and expectations in the school’s Code of Behaviour are considered to be appropriate and in effect when using the Internet. 2. All use of the Internet must be in support of research or consistent with the educational purposes of The Dr. G.W. Williams S.S. 3. Use of the Internet for product advertisement, commercial or for-profit purposes is prohibited. 4. Use of the Internet for personal and private business is prohibited. 5. Users should not provide information of a personal nature to anyone on the Internet. 6. Staff will provide students with Internet sites (Uniform Resource Locators) that allow them to search for information needed for specific projects and teach research methods for using the Internet. 7. Users shall not intentionally seek information on, obtain copies of, or modify files, other data or passwords belonging to other users, or misrepresent other users on the network. 8. No use of the Internet shall serve to disrupt the use of the Internet by others; hardware or software shall not be destroyed, modified, or abused in any way. 9. Malicious use of the Internet to develop programs that harass other users or infiltrate a computer or computing system and/or damage the software components of computer or computing system is prohibited. 10. The use of hate mail, harassment, discriminatory remarks and other anti-social behaviours are strictly prohibited. 11. The illegal installation of copyright software for use on school computers is prohibited. 12. Use of the network to access or process pornographic material, inappropriate text files, or files dangerous to the integrity of the local area network is prohibited. 13. It is the user’s responsibility to keep programs of a viral nature off any school computer. The user will be held accountable for any deliberate attempts at knowingly installing and/or running computer virus. 14. No student is permitted to download any software programs without the express permission of the supervising teacher. 15. All downloaded programs and files must be scanned for viruses before being run on any school computer. 16. Any information which is obtained from the Internet and incorporated into a student’s assignment must be properly footnoted and included in a bibliography. Plagiarism will not be tolerated.   Consequences, for violation of the policy may include the following:   • contact with parents (students under 18 yrs. of age); • withdrawal of computer privileges for specified time; • withdrawal from course in its entirety; • detention; • suspension from school; • police contact when appropriate.   Dance Policy 1. Dances held on school property run until 10:30 p.m. 2. Dances are supervised by paid duty police officers, administrators, teachers, and Students’ Council members. 3. Admittance to the dance will be granted to each student with a ticket, and his/her registered guest. Valid student card and/or driver’s licence is required at ticket purchase and at admit. No person suspected to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs shall be admitted. Any student under influence during the event will be removed from the event, parents will be called, and the student will be subject to disciplinary action from the school administration. Once a student is admitted to the dance, s/he may not leave and re-enter. 4. A coat check will be operated by Students’ Council. All dance participants are required to check their coats, bags, and hats. Lockers will be off limits. 5. No tickets will be sold at the door. 6. The school’s Dress Code is in effect during all dances.   Athletic Eligibility Policy Students participating in athletic activities at The Dr. G.W. Williams S.S. represent the school and as such should be our ambassadors. They should meet academic, behaviour and attendance standards and present a positive image of our school. 1. 1. Academic eligibility: Athletes must be passing all of their courses and have good attendance in order to participate in athletics at Williams. Eligibility will be based on marks in current courses. An Athletic Eligibility Form should be used at the beginning of a semester with mid-term reports being used to confirm continued eligibility. If a student is failing, and wishes to appeal due to extenuating circumstances, s/he may file an appeal through his/her coach. This appeal is then heard by the Phys. Ed. Head and a member of the Administration, usually the Principal, with input from the subject teacher. This group would rule the student eligible with certain conditions applied, or ineligible. 2. Athletes must be enrolled in at least three courses per semester unless in their final semester. 3. Athletes participating in inter-school sports must complete the required documents before being allowed to play. Documents may include eligibility form, permission forms, insurance forms, travel forms, payment of fees, etc., as outlined by the teacher supervisor. Athletes who do not complete the documentation will not be permitted to participate. 4. Athletes are not permitted to drive to sports events. Exceptions must be approved by the principal at least one day in advance. Athletes who drive without permission will not be allowed to participate, will be sent back to school and may face additional consequences. 5. All athletes must pay their athletic fees to the Williams’ Athletic Council (WAC).   Homework Policy Homework is an important part of the school curriculum. It is normally considered to be: • the completion of daily assignments, and specific tasks; • the review and revision of previously studied material; long-term planning and preparation for major assignments; • research and preparation for independent study units.   Objectives: • to provide diagnostic and formative assessments; • to reinforce concepts and skills introduced in class; • to encourage the development of self-discipline and good work habits outside the classroom; • to prepare the student to participate fully in planned classroom activities; • to help the student develop effective time-management skills; • to help acquaint parents with their child’s in-school learning experiences, and to encourage and invite their participation in this shared responsibility; • to encourage lifelong learning and the pursuit of academic excellence.   Guidelines: 1. The length of time recommended for homework in each grade is as follows:   Grade Time Grade 9 1- 1 ½ hours per day Grade 10 1 ½ - 2 hours per day Grade 11 2 hours per day Grade 12 2-3 hours per day     2. If a student is not meeting homework requirements, teachers will discuss the problem with the student and parent(s)/guardian(s). Telephone or parental interviews will be used at the teacher’s discretion. 3. Students are encouraged to use The Dr. G.W. Williams’ Student Agenda to record daily homework assignments. 4. The period of five school days prior to examinations is reserved for completing course requirements. New material may be taught; however, homework during this time should focus primarily on examination preparation, or on final summative evaluation. Major unit tests should not occur during the five days prior to examinations. 5. Special consideration is given to students who are participating in major school events. Teachers will use discretion in assigning homework, tests and major assignments in such situations. 6. To assist with homework completion, a portion of in-class time will be given to complete group projects.   Assessment and Evaluation Policy Evaluation of student progress must conform to Ministry of Education guidelines, YRDSB expectations and department standards.   1. Each student will receive, at the beginning of each course, an outline of the units to be studied and the types of assessment and evaluation to be used. As well, students should review “Assessment and Evaluation: Rights and Responsibilities of Students, Teachers and Parents” in the YRDSB section of this Agenda Book. 2. Academic Honesty: Suspicion of plagiarism, cheating or other dishonest acts may be based on any of the following:   • submitted work that is inconsistent with previous submissions; • work that has been previously or concurrently submitted in other courses without approval of both teachers; • submitted work for which sources have not been acknowledged; • evidence of cheating. It is the responsibility of students to be academically honest in all aspects of their work. A student who cheats on tests, or presents the work done by others as if it were his/her own (plagiarizes), is being academically dishonest. The student must provide proof, such as rough notes, that the work is original. In all cases, the teacher will conference with the student regarding the dishonest behaviour and the subsequent actions required. Depending on the severity of the infraction and/or the number of instances, the consequences for academic dishonesty may include contact with parents, and a mark of “zero”. 3. (a) Final Examinations are usually held on the last five school days each semester. Students will receive a personal copy of the examination timetable at least two weeks in advance of exams. (b) ) All courses will have a final examination unless an exception is approved by the Principal. (c) Students must write examinations at the school, as scheduled. Students unable to write a scheduled examination because of illness are required to submit a doctor’s certificate to the main office. Examinations will not be rearranged to accommodate vacations, employment, etcetera. 4. Late Submissions: A due date is set for submission of assignments. Students are expected to submit all work on time. If the due date has passed, a contract or notice is given to students to establish an absolute deadline. No marks are deducted for late submission. If the absolute deadline has passed, and the assignment has still not been submitted, then a “zero” will be assigned. Exceptions and accommodations may be allowed at the teacher’s discretion. If a major assignment is not submitted at the due date, parents will be notified.   Electronic Devices Policy The Dr. G. W. Williams S.S. seeks: • To promote a learning environment in our school which is respectful and free from distraction or disruption; • To protect the privacy of students and staff in areas such as restrooms and change rooms; • To limit the personal transmitting and receiving of digital information, in both text and picture form, during the instructional school day.   The use of hand-held electronic media players and/or communication devices is prohibited inside the school building during the instructional day. Hand-held electronic media players and/or communication devices include: cell-phones, pagers, beepers, iPods, MP3 players and cameras, etc. These devices will be considered in use if visible and/or audible inside the school building during the instructional day.  Students are welcome to use their devices outside of the school building during non-instructional times (i.e. before school, at lunch time, or after school).  Teachers may approve the usage of personal digital devices for curriculum-based activities. Students with IEP device-accommodations are exempt. Students who abuse the expectations above will be sent to a vice-principal and the device will be confiscated until parents are notified.  Students shall be personally and solely responsible for the security of any electronic device brought to the school.  The Dr. G. W. Williams S. S. and the YRDBS shall not assume responsibility for the theft, loss or damage of such devices.  It is strongly recommended that valuable electronic devices be left at home. Any need for emergency phone contact beyond what is stated in this policy, will require the use of school phones – either by the pay phones near the front hall or the student phone in Room 101. This policy has been approved by the Administration, Teachers and the Williams School Council.   Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIPOP) Student information is private and the school board has a legal obligation to protect it under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. To satisfy other legal obligations, certain information is routinely released to the Ministry of Education, the Board’s insurance company, etcetera Information may also be disclosed for purposes such as: • School Council reports, Parent/Teacher meeting(s), Students’ Council activities • media publicity • yearbooks, newsletters, school displays, videos, registration, and for extra-curricular events   If you do not consent to the release of student information for these purposes, please inform the Principal in writing.