​P​OLICY FOR RELIGIOUS STUDIES AND ACTIVITIES

A Christian view of life permeates all subjects in Catholic schools.  Education in religion is also taught as separate courses each year of secondary school.  Every student at St. Paul Catholic Secondary School will participate in a Religious Education Program in each of 4 years of study.  Religious Education credit courses shall be those prescribed by the Ontario Conference of Catholic Bishops in the document by the Institute for Catholic Education:  Ontario Catholic Secondary Curriculum Policy Document:  Religious Education (Revised 2010).

Students are also expected to live the Christian message through prayer, attendance at school liturgies, and through service to others.

 ATTENDANCE POLICY & PROCESS

At St. Paul Catholic Secondary School we take student attendance very seriously; not only is student attendance inextricably linked to the most successful academics, but it is also a matter of safety that we know exactly who we have here at school during the day.  Therefore, it is the policy of the school that all students must attend on time, Home room and all classes, unless they have been legitimately excused by a parent/guardian and the attendance secretary has been advised.

In keeping with that policy, students who are “unaccounted for” by missing classes or Home room without parental notice to the school, or by failing to sign out will be considered “truant” and will incur the appropriate consequences.  Students who are absent or have signed out with parental permission or otherwise, are expected to not be in the building and are ineligible to use any school facilities (library, computer labs, gym etc…) and are also ineligible to participate in any extra-curricular activities for that day.  The school attendance monitoring system will call home at the end of the school day to report any absences during the day that fall into this category.  The following procedures will assist all of us as we work together with students, parents/guardians and the school staff to minimize concerns.

• As a safety precaution, parents/guardians must notify the school prior to Home room when they know that their son/daughter will be absent or late on a given day.  The office is open at 7:30 am or a message may be left on the voice-mail at any time.
• When signing in late, or out early, a parental note is required to be in the student agenda and presented to the attendance secretary (and any teacher directly affected by a disruption) upon entering the building or before leaving the building.  In cases of unexpected illness, a student may report to the office to make a phone call for parental permission to leave and then bring the note in upon their return to school the next day.  Note:  the important thing is that the office and parents/guardians are both aware that the student’s attendance is being altered for the day.
• Following an absence, to confirm the phone call has been made to the school for safety reasons, a written note of parental consent is required to be in the student agenda and presented to the attendance secretary before Home room on the first day of return to school.   Upon entry to classes, the note must then be shown to all teachers in order to verify their records. 
• It is the student’s responsibility to see teachers about any missed work during an absence.  In the case of a planned absence, any assessments should be completed ahead of time.  In the case of an unplanned missed assignment due-date or test, the student must be prepared to immediately hand in the assignment and/or to write the test that day either during class time or at lunch, as deemed appropriate by the teacher.   In cases where teachers are concerned about a pattern of absence for such assessments, the teacher will speak to the student and contact the parent/guardian to inform them that in future, a medical note for absence may be requested for classes missed when assessments have taken place.

Note:      During the examination period, medical notes or court-orders are required for legitimizing an absence from an exam. 

FEES, SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT AND TEXTBOOKS

As a system we offer students everything that they need to be successful in their education.  We encourage parents to consider the long-term benefits of purchasing items such as student cards, yearbooks, school excursions, extra curricular activities and physical education uniforms which are offered to students on a cost-recovery basis. There are some programs which are considered optional courses, such as senior phys ed or art courses which may require additional cost to the student.  

 It is the responsibility of the student to provide the traditional school supplies such as binders, paper, writing instruments, calculators, etc.  We also require the purchase of locks to be used on lockers for student safety. 

Assigned textbooks become your responsibility.  If a book is lost or damaged you will be assessed the cost of the book.

STUDENT INFORMATION CHANGES AND TRANSFERS

If during the school year you change your name, address, phone number, etc., please notify the office at your earliest convenience.  Please inform the office as soon as it becomes known that a student will be transferring.  On the last day of attendance, return all school property such as musical instruments, library books, and textbooks.  Make sure all debts owed to the school for such things as lost texts are paid.

Homework incorporates a wider definition than most students realize.  It includes:

a.  completion of work not finished in class,

b.  completion of short term and long term work,

c.  review of work taken that day,

d.  study for exams and tests.

Students who set aside time on a regular basis for homework, studying or reading have an advantage over those who do not.  Experience shows the most common reason for failure is the inability to complete assignments as required.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

The St. Paul Catholic Secondary School staff strongly encourages participation in extra-curricular activities.  Our school provides an excellent opportunity for all students to get involved in a wide range of activities.

DETENTION

Detentions may be given for a variety of reasons: truancy, wasting of class time, disruptive behaviours, incomplete work, etc.  If a student has been given a detention, they must serve it.  Failure to serve a detention will mean that students will be required to serve the assigned detention plus an additional penalty.  In extreme or repeat cases, failure to comply with detention guidelines could result in suspension, although parental contact will be made before reaching that point.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

Fire Alarm:  Whenever a fire alarm sounds, all students and staff must leave the building via the nearest exit.  Directions are posted above each classroom door.  Causing a false alarm or misusing fire fighting equipment is a criminal offence.  Offenders will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law which includes criminal charges and/or a substantial fine. 

The Algonquin & Lakeshore Catholic District School Board’s lockdown procedures are as follows:

 Shelter in Place: will usually be initiated by Emergency Services in response to an environmental concern (for example, a chemical spill) or a severe weather event (for example, a tornado).

 Hold and Secure: response is initiated when the threat is proximate to, but not inside the building.  It poses no immediate danger to students or staff unless they leave the building.  Examples could include:

• police activity on the school grounds
• a crime in progress
• police searching for an offender in the neighbourhood.

Lockdown: response is initiated when imminent danger is present on the school site and the safety of students and staff is threatened.  (for example, an active attacker is in the building or on school property/grounds.)

​LOCKS AND LOCKERS/PERSONAL PROPERTY

Lockers are the property of the school.  Students are assigned individual lockers and are not to share their lockers or combinations with another student.  Lockers may be searched by administration when necessary.  Personal property posted on lockers must be in good taste.  Students will be required to remove any material deemed to be inappropriate.  Students are discouraged from bringing valuable items and large sums of money to school.  St. Paul CSS will not be held responsible for theft of cash or valuable items left in lockers or change rooms.

 UNIFORM POLICY

St Paul Catholic Secondary School Uniform Policy

All of our uniform pieces can be purchased online through - McCarthy Uniforms - School and Workplace Uniforms.  ONLY McCarthy pieces are accepted as uniform.

Uniform Top Options:

• White, red, or navy golf shirt (short or long sleeved) with school emblem
• Navy cardigan with school emblem
• Navy sweatshirt or fleece (full or ¼ zipper) with school emblem

Uniform bottom Options:

• School kilt, at a length of no more than 10 cm above the knee always worn with opaque tights; kilt should not be rolled; if tights are unfooted then they need to be ankle length and worn with the same colour sock
• Grey dress pants (not tucked into pants at the ankle), navy chino or fleece performance pants
• Navy school uniform shorts only from September to November30 and March break to June 30

Additional Required Uniform Pieces:

• Socks or footed opaque tights in sold white, navy, grey or black
• Unfooted tights need to be ankle length and worn with socks of the same colour
• Black shoes (shoes must be completely black)
• Ankle boots in black or brown

Hats: Hats are not permitted to be worn in the school and must be removed at the door before entering the building.

Civvies and Spirit Days:  On non-uniform days, modest clothing befitting a Catholic school environment can be worn.  Students not in full uniform or dressed unsuitable will not be permitted to attend class.

Please note that Spirit wear is different from uniform and is only acceptable on civvies or spirit days.  It is not permitted to be worn to class on regular days as it is NOT part of the uniform.

Summer and Winter Uniform:

• First day of school to November 30 = summer uniform
• December 1 to March break = winter uniform
• March break to last day of school = summer uniform

• Summer uniform includes shorts as an option
• Winter uniform includes ankle boots in black or brown as an option

Gym Uniform:  Currently there is no requirement to purchase a St. Paul gym uniform.  Students should wear sport clothing that is comfortable, modest and easy to move it.  Running shoes are mandatory.  Hats are not permitted for phys ed class unless going outdoors and then hats must be removed at the door before entering the school.

Drama Uniform:  Students require full uniform in drama as we have moved away from wearing all black.  No non-uniform sweaters are permitted in drama. 

Cultural and Special Needs Exceptions:  If you require an exception/modification to uniform for any reason (ie. cultural, special needs sensitivities, medical reasons like broken foot) please contact Administration. ​

COURSE LOAD

Students in Grades  9, 10 and 11 must carry a full course load, which is 4 credits per semester.  Students in Grade 12 must carry a minimum of 3 courses per semester.  A student entering Grade 12 who has not achieved 24 credits is not entitled to a spare unless he/she has met with a guidance counsellor and Administrator to outline an alternate, acceptable plan for meeting graduation requirements in a timely fashion.  In cases where students desire to return for a 5th year, an Administrator will review the academic rationale for the choice and meet with students when necessary.  Students returning for a 5th year must have a meeting with the school principal to discuss their academic plans. 

 VISITORS TO ST. PAUL

All visitors to St. Paul are to go directly to the Main Office.   Students should report the location of an intruder.  Intruders may be issued a “no trespassing” letter which is filed with the school and police.  If this warning is violated, a fine will be issued by the police.  Students are not permitted to have student guests on the property.  Students from other schools will be asked to leave.

 PARKING/TRAFFIC

Student parking is only available in the north parking lot.  Handicapped parking is available in the parking lot beside the chapel. Vehicles parked on school property are not to be used as gathering points for students.  All drivers are required to drive with caution while on school property.  Failure to comply with these provisions may result in suspension of parking privileges.

 AUDIO, VIDEO, PHOTOGRAPHIC AND TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICES

Technology continues to expand at an exponential rate.   With that growth come implications related to safety, privacy, and intrusion in our school community.

The use of any personal electronic device which interferes with or disrupts academic instruction or learning in the classroom is not permitted.  The inappropriate use of such electronic devices will result in progressive disciplinary action.  The use of such personal electronic devices in the communication of test or examination contents or in the storage of materials for assessment purposes will result in disciplinary action through the Policy for Academic Integrity as well as carry a disciplinary response of suspension.

The taking, transmission or posting of photographic images of a person or persons, on school property, at school events and during school activities and/or hours, is prohibited without the permission of the person(s) being photographed, the permission of their parent/guardian if they are under the age of 18, and the principal or designate.  This is in accordance with Privacy Legislation; therefore, any concern brought forward by a person or persons whose rights have been violated could result in a contact with the Quinte West Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police.​

As a Catholic Secondary School, we value our time as a community and therefore want to be both physically and emotionally present to others while here in the building.  Being consistently “plugged in” to electronic devices impedes our ability to be fully present to one another.  

Where a student violates any portion of this policy, the audio, video, photographic or telecommunication device may be confiscated and kept for the remainder of the day in the school safe before being returned to the student at the end of the student’s instructional day.  In the case of a repeat violation, the device will be returned to a parent.  Progressive disciplinary action, up to and including suspension, will be taken when the violations continue. 

 DANCE PROTOCOL

1. All guests must be signed in by the week prior to the dance so that the guest’s school may be contact for approval.  There will be one guest per sponsor, and the sponsor from St. Paul is responsible for the behaviour of their guest (exceptions must be approved by administration).  A maximum of 75 guests will be permitted.  No additional guests after this point may be signed in.
2. Everyone, including guests, must present a current Student Secondary School ID card at the door to gain admittance.  Students will not be permitted to verify the identity of guests in the absence of a Student ID.
3. Dances will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will end at 11:00 p.m.  The doors will remain open until 9:00 p.m. unless the capacity of 500 persons has been reached, in which case no additional participants will be admitted.
4. There will be a mandatory coat check at the main entrance for all students and guests.  All coats, jackets, bags, etc. must be left at the coat check.  All items will be left at the owner’s risk.  While making every effort to protect checked items, Student Council accepts no responsibility for personal property damaged, lost or stolen. Students will submit to a search of their personal belongings before entry to the dance.
5. Dress code will be as for any non-uniform day.  Students failing to comply with dress code will be asked to leave until they find appropriate attire.
6. Anyone leaving the dance and going outside will not be allowed re-entry.
7. Student Council and Administration reserve the right to refuse entry or eject any individual whose behaviour is considered inappropriate.  This includes anyone found in a restricted area of the school.
8. Any individual in the possession of, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, will be detained until a parent or guardian arrives, will be subject to a minimum three-day suspension and may face legal charges.

The information provided here is based on The MLA Handbook for Writers of Research (5^th edition).

Works Cited.

The works cited section of a research paper lists all the material used in your text: facts, opinions or quotations.  Entries in the list of works cited are to be alphabetized by the author’s last name.  If the author’s name is not known alphabetize by the first word in the title other than A, An or The.  Do not number the works. 

Documentation

Parenthetical documentation is used to acknowledge sources wherever another person’s words, ideas, statistics, etc. are used either indirectly, through paraphrase, after the borrowed material within the body of the essay or report.