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

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

• 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

• COURTESY
• RESPECT
• 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