We expect
that students will be absent only in the case of illness or a family emergency.
A note from your parent stating the dates absent and the reason must be received
by the home room teacher as soon as you return.
Planned absences should occur only in cases of
necessity. The principal or vice-principal should be consulted in advance of
such absences. In order to leave school early for a medical appointment, you
must present a note from your parent to the Office before 8:50 a.m. An Excuse
Slip will be given to you that is to be presented to the classroom teacher at
the beginning of the class during which you are scheduled to leave. You must
sign out before leaving the school.
Any type of absence other than for illness, a family
emergency, or as excused through a prior request by the parent, constitutes
withdrawal from school in the case of a pupil of school leaving age. Readmission
is at the principal's discretion, in consultation with the parents.
If a student is
absent for an examination or for any other major evaluation due to illness, a
medical certificate must be provided and alternate arrangements for completing
the evaluation must be made with administration.
Students who turn 18 years of age may sign their own notes only after they have completed a signature waiver form which has been countersigned by a parent or guardian. All expectations for attendance previously outlined still apply.
If you are not seated in the home room at 8:55 a.m., you will be recorded as late on the homeroom attendance sheet. Three homeroom lates or three late sign-ins will result in detention. A detention will be assigned for each subsequent late for the rest of that month.
In many of your courses you will be assigned textbooks and other material. You are responsible for them and will be charged replacement value for lost books or any damage that goes beyond normal wear.
Students must use a locker, as coats and book bags are not permitted in the classrooms.
Students must use a combination lock, available for
purchase ($5.00) in the Office, and are advised not to tell anyone the
combination. Money and other valuables should not be left in lockers. The vault
in the Main Office is available if necessary. If, for any reason you change
lockers during the year, the Office must be notified of the new locker number.
Student lockers are the property of the Grand Erie District School
Board, and they are subject to inspection without warrant at any time by Board
personnel and/or Police canine (dog) units. Each student shall be accountable
for the contents of his or her locker.
Hot meals and snacks are available in the cafeteria which is the school's dining room. Please help to maintain it by returning empty dishes and trays to the dishwasher area and placing all refuse in the garbage cans. Request help from a caretaker in the case of spills All food is to be consumed in the cafeteria, not in the halls, classrooms, or student lounge. Inappropriate behaviour will result in cafeteria or campus cleanup.
Students remaining in the school are expected to work in the library or cafeteria. Students leaving the school during spare must sign out in the office.
Students are not to be in halls or in locker bays during spares.
Trips to business and industry and other field studies are part of several courses. Attendance is expected for all official trips. A small charge will be levied to cover the cost of the bus. Students may not, under any circumstances, drive to a field trip location. Appropriate dress and conduct are compulsory for all school trips.
Students are expected to be neat and clean in their personal habits. Shoes must be worn for safety and health reasons. Clothes must be in good repair. Tops for male students must be over the shoulders. A well fitted sleeveless t-shirt is acceptable but no muscles shirts will be allowed. Sun dresses and sleeveless shells may be worn by female students. Sleeveless shirts must have at least 1" wide straps. Undergarments must not be visible. Beachwear of any kind, including tank tops, halter tops and short (bare midriff) tops, is not permitted. The bottom of the shirt and the top of the bottoms must overlap. Shorts must have an inseam of at least 10 cm (4 inches). The rule of thumb will be used to determine appropriate length of shorts and skirts (arms loose at sides, thumb down -> shorts must be at least to bottom of thumb) (arms loose at sides, -> skirts must be to bottom of longest finger). No cutoffs will be allowed.
Head gear is not to be worn in the school except on special spirit days. Slogans and symbols on clothing must not compromise the moral tone of the school.
Any article of clothing which might mark the furniture or floors will be prohibited.
Coats/outdoor attire are not to be worn in the classroom for security, safety and health reasons.
The dress code applies everyday and includes the exam period. If any aspect of the dress code is in question, the final decision is at the discretion of the school administration.
Pay telephones are located in the student lounge and outside the main office. The office telephones will be too busy to handle personal calls for students and only in the case of a serious emergency will the office staff assume the responsibility of accepting telephone messages for students.
Detentions assigned by the office will be in a classroom and take place during the first 20 minutes of lunch. You are expected to bring work to do. Coats are to be left in lockers. Detentions take precedence over every other activity or event such as games or club activities.
Make certain that your name is placed in your textbooks and on all personal property. Lost items may be found by checking in room 210 (Student Council Office).
A note from your parent must be presented if you wish to be excused from physical education activity for one day. For longer periods, a medical certificate is required. Valuables and money should be given to the teacher in charge and not be left with clothing in the dressing room.
Students who have information about vandalism, theft, drug dealing and use, or any other school related crimes and who wish to remain anonymous and possibly receive a reward for their tip, can call our V.H.S.S. Crimestoppers hotline at 1-800-263-6966.
These devices are provided for your safety. Please do not abuse their use. The Criminal Code of Canada states:
“393. Everyone who wilfully,
without reasonable cause, by outcry, ringing bells, using a fire alarm,
telephone or telegraph, or in any other manner, makes or circulates or causes to
be made or circulated an alarm of fire, is guilty of an offence and is liable to
imprisonment for two years.”
1953-54 (Can.) C.51.d.378