SCHOOL PROCEDURES AND POLICY

MISSION STATEMENT:

Our mission is to enable all students to reach high levels of achievement and to acquire the knowledge, skills, and values they need to become responsible members of a democratic society.

North Toronto Collegiate is a community of students, staff, and parents dedicated to the nurture and growth of a learning environment which will foster and support our traditions of curricular and extra-curricular excellence. We will strive to provide facilities, offer programs and develop attitudes towards learning which will reflect our goals in a society increasingly influenced by technological and societal change. We are committed to the creation of a safe, caring and challenging school culture, in which students can grow and develop their potential as mature learners and responsible citizens.

We try to foster the behaviour and attitudes which are needed for both social and scholastic achievement. We especially stress a proper sense of self-respect, acceptance of responsibility for one's actions, and courteous behaviour to all other members of the school community. Good discipline is seen as a positive aid to the maturing of the young adult, not as a negative enforcement of rules by school authorities. As a result, specific rules are kept to a minimum.

It is in this spirit that we have established the following STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES for the students of North Toronto Collegiate:

1. Students are expected to attend classes regularly and punctually. Students are expected to be in their seats in the classrooms before the playing of the national anthem. Refer to the attendance sections of this handbook for procedures relating to absence and lateness.
2. Students are expected to comply with the requests and directions of staff in a polite and mature way.
3. Students are expected to have homework and other assignments completed on time and to arrive at classes with the required learning materials.
4. Students are expected to respect and protect the school property and grounds. Students are expected to care for desks, lockers, textbooks, and other equipment lent to them by the school. Vandalism and the destruction of school property are not in keeping with the recognized maturity of North Toronto students. Students and their parents should be aware that they may be required by the Toronto District School Board to defray the cost of replacing or repairing damaged school property.
5. Abusive and profane language, including racial, religious, homophobic, or gender slurs, is disrespectful and unacceptable.
6. Fighting or physical abuse of any kind is not acceptable behaviour.
7. Students should be aware that the school does not make a distinction between fighting and play-fighting, and that potentially dangerous behavior such as throwing snowballs will not be tolerated.
8. Students must refrain from smoking or holding lit cigarettes on school property or at school events.
9. The use or possession of drugs or alcohol on school property or at school events is strictly prohibited by law. Failure to comply will lead to suspension or expulsion and possible legal action.
10. The carrying of weapons of any kind in the school or on school grounds is strictly forbidden by law. Failure to comply will lead to expulsion and possible legal action.

It has been our experience at North Toronto that the majority of our students are trustworthy, responsible, and considerate. On occasion, however, a student may encounter issues related to discipline because of individual or group behaviour which is inappropriate in a school setting. Usually such problems are solved informally by the teacher and the student(s) concerned. A more serious matter may be referred to the vice-principal or the principal, and the parents of those involved may be called in for consultation. The staff of the school appreciate, need, and expect the support of the parents as partners with them in arriving at the best solution. In all courses of disciplinary action, prime importance is given to the best interests of the student(s) concerned.

The principal, Mr. Waltman, or the vice-principals, Mrs. Laszlo and Mr. Ferguson, are available to discuss in more detail any specific matter related to school discipline.

Students and parents should also be aware that all schools in the province fall under the jurisdiction of the Education Act, 2001 of the Province of Ontario. This Act requires that a student may be suspended by the Principal for a fixed period, not in excess of a period determined by the Board,* because of

1. persistent truancy
2. persistent opposition to authority
3. habitual neglect of duty
4. willful destruction of school property
5. use of profane or improper language
6. conduct injurious to the moral tone of the school or to the physical or mental well-being of others in the school
7. substance abuse