Important Info

EXTRA-CURRICULAR MISSION STATEMENT

To have all students participate in a variety of events and activities at O'Neill Secondary School, to promote school spirit, to make our school a vibrant, healthier place, to develop a positive personal attitude and to have fun while doing so.

Academic studies, extra-curricular activities and good citizenship are all important facets of an education. A student earns the privilege of representing the school in extra-curricular activities only if he or she is achieving academically to the best of his/her ability, has satisfactory attendance and exercises appropriate sportsmanship and self-discipline when representing O'Neill CVI.

AWARDS, SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES

ATHLETIC AWARDS

Each year the O’Neill Physical Education Department awards Athletic Letters to those students who have earned the required number of points. Points are awarded for participation and achievement in interschool competition while representing O’Neill. The Athletic “A” 220 points; Athletic “O” 400 points and the Athletic Award of Excellence 550 points. These awards are given out at the Athletic Awards Night.

SUBJECT AWARDS

Recognition is given at the annual Awards Ceremony and Commencement to all students from Grade Nine through Grade Twelve who achieve the highest marks in the regular school year in each subject.

HONOUR AWARDS

Full-time secondary students have the opportunity to earn a Durham District School Board Honour Roll Certificate in each of the Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12. A secondary student will earn a Durham District School Board Honour Roll Certificate in their Grade from July to June if they have achieved the following:

· Grade 9: An aggregate of at least 640 marks in their highest achieving eight credits earned.

· Grade 10: An aggregate of at least 640 marks in their highest achieving eight credits earned.

· Grade 11: An aggregate of at least 640 marks in their highest achieving eight credits earned.

· Grade 12: An aggregate of at least 480 marks in their highest achieving six credits earned.

Note: Secondary school students excused from full-time attendance on compassionate grounds (Education Act, Reg. 374/10), Grades 9-12, will be considered for a Durham District School Board Honour Roll Certificate at the principal’s discretion.

SERVICE AWARDS AND ACTIVITY AWARDS

These awards are presented to students who have demonstrated leadership and outstanding participation in school activities. Recipients of these awards must be in in their graduating year.

ACCIDENTS, Illnesses and injuries

Accidents, illnesses, and injuries must be reported to the teacher in charge immediately no matter how minor they may seem. If an accident, illness, or injury occurs outside of classroom time, inform the office immediately. It is necessary to have written reports of all accidents and injuries on file. Parents or guardians (and listed emergency contacts, if necessary) will be contacted should a student become injured or ill. If a “listed person” is not available or cannot be contacted, the student may be referred to the hospital. Students will be expected to follow a Covid 19 self assessment prior to entering the building.

ACCIDENT INSURANCE

Providing safe learning environments is a strong and constant focus at the Durham District School Board. Families should however recognize that there is always a potential risk of injury with field trips, sports and other student activities both on and off school grounds. Accidents can happen, despite precautions to prevent them. Accidental injuries may involve medical, dental or other expenses not covered by provincial health care or employer group plans.

Please be aware that the Durham District School Board does not provide accident insurance coverage for student injuries. For your convenience, we do make available a Student Accident Insurance program through Old Republic Insurance Company of Canada. This program offers a variety of plans and benefits at affordable prices.

All rates are one-time annual premiums. The insurance agreement is between you and Old Republic Insurance Company of Canada. For complete details please refer to the insuremykids Protection Plan information/application form or visit their website at: www.insuremykids.com.

Any questions should be directed to Old Republic Insurance Company of Canada toll free at 1-800-463-5437.

ACTIVITY FEE

A mandatory fee of $10.00 is required by all students.

This fee covers the following:

· O’Neill Student I.D. Card, identifies current registered students, allows students to borrow books from the Resource Centre, participate in school activities and use school computers

· Video License

All O’Neill C.V.I. Students MUST have a Student I.D. card to participate in any school activities.

ALLERGIES

Our school is an Allergy Awareness Zone. Safety of our students, staff and visitors is always our number one concern. Life Threatening allergies are present with both staff and students in our building and are posted at all entrances to the building. Please honour the needs of those on staff and the needs of our students when packing lunches from your home.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSING DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER

Students/parents must listen for radio announcements early in the morning during inclement weather. In the event of a heavy snow/ice storm, families will be advised as soon as possible, through the Board Website (www.ddsb.ca) or local radio stations, if schools will be closed. The statement will be either: “Transportation services have been cancelled but schools are still open” or “Schools are closed for the day and parents are requested to keep their children at home.”

FIRE DRILLS

Each room has a posted fire exit route. When the alarm sounds, move quickly and quietly to the indicated exit. Do not run. Once outside, students are to remain in class groupings with their teacher. Move well away from the building and keep roadways clear for emergency vehicles.

HOLD AND SECURE

Is used when it is desirable to secure the school due to an ongoing situation outside and not related to the school. In this situation, the school continues to function normally, with exterior doors being locked until such a time as the situation near the school is resolved. Students are to stay in their classrooms and only move in halls with a staff member. There are no classroom changes while in a Hold and Secure.

LOCK DOWN PROCEDURE

If a situation occurs in the school which poses an immediate danger to the safety of the school community, an announcement will be made that the school is proceeding to a Lock Down situation. Students are to stay in their classroom and follow the instructions of their teacher. Any person in the hallway should report to the closest available classroom. People in the cafeteria must enter the server. Students are not allowed to use personal entertainment and communication devices (e.g., Chromebooks, iPods, cameras, cell phones, etc.,) unless authorized by the Administration. Lock Down drills are held periodically throughout the school year to help prepare staff and students should the school ever be in a real Lock Down situation.

DRESS CODE

At O’Neill we believe in the importance of a dress code that respects the equity and diversity of all school members. The school dress code exists to ensure a safe and welcoming inclusive environment. Clothing must be respectful and non-discriminatory. With the option to wear face masks while indoors, please ensure your face remains as visible as possible if wearing a hat or hood.

Students must wear:

*Clothing which includes both a top and bottom layer

*Footwear

Students may not wear:

*Clothing that promotes /symbolizes illegal activity (including gang activity) or drugs or alcohol or their use

*Clothing that promotes, symbolizes or incites hate, discrimination, bias, prejudice, profanity, pornography, incites harassment or bullying, threatens harm to the safety of self or others or that includes offensive (e.g. sexist, racist, homophobic, anti-indigenous, anti-Black, anti-Semitic, Islamophobic, etc.) images or language

*Clothing (tops) that exposes nipples

*Clothing (bottoms) that expose groin and/or buttocks

*Clothing (mask/scarf) that obscures the face (unless required to meet human rights related needs or accommodations)

*Undergarments as outerwear

*Transparent clothing that fully exposes undergarments

*Sunglasses (while in the building)

*Swimwear unless required for curricular or co-curricular approved activities

All dress shall respect the ethnocultural and religious diversity of the community and comply with the Ontario Education Act, the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Durham District School Board’s Guidelines and Procedures for the Accommodation of Religious requirements, Practices and Observances.

HEALTH AND SAFETY DRESS CODE REQUIREMENTS

Students must comply with Health and Safety requirements for specific courses and/or co-curricular programs. Specialized dress requirements including personal protective/safety equipment occur in many classes/programs including science, physical education, technology and cooperative education.

Parent(s), guardians, and students must be informed well in advance, and individual needs will be accommodated by the school short of undue hardship.

In some special circumstances students may be required (or choose) to wear personal safety clothing for medical reasons. Communication between the student, parent(s), and guardians and administration must occur for these situations.

LEARNING COMMONS & RESOURCE CENTRE (LIBRARY)

The O'Neill Library Information Centre plays a key role involving students in the active process of learning using a variety of print and non-print resources. Computer software resources and Internet access are of special interest to many of our users.

Once the library opens, students will need their student I.D. cards to allow them to borrow books. The Resource Centre/Library provides information on Documenting Essay/Report Resources, APA or MLA Style, and there is information also found at the end of this agenda.

In high school you are expected to use various forms of writing in all subject areas. You will find information on plagiarism and referencing on posters in a variety of subject classrooms as well as the school website.

LOCKS AND LOCKERS

Students will be assigned a locker by the school. It is their responsibility to keep their locker clean and free from writing, damage, and decorations. Repair charges will be levied where students purposefully or carelessly damage lockers. Students are not permitted to move to another locker or to exchange or share lockers without permission from administration.

Lockers must be secured with a combination lock which is also available to students to purchase in the main office for $7.00. The combination must be on record in the office. Failure to meet these requirements may lead to your lock being removed at your expense. During class time, locker visits must be kept to a minimum. The school is not responsible for lost, missing or stolen belongings. Lockers must be emptied at the end of each school year.

If there is a problem with your locker, if you change your lock combination, or if you feel that there are extenuating circumstances that require you to exchange lockers at any point during the year, please see the main office to put in a request with your VP.

The locker is the property of the Durham District School Board, and is not the property of the student. Lockers must only be used to store school related materials and authorized personal items. Students are responsible for the contents of their lockers. Lockers are to be treated with respect, and the inside of the locker must be kept free of inappropriate graffiti, postings or pictures. Illegal or unsafe items stored in lockers may lead to school consequences based on Bias-Free Progressive Discipline. In addition, following Procedure #3041 – Police/School Board Protocol, the police may be contacted. Administration have the authority, with reasonable suspicion, to search personal property and lockers. The right to search allows school administration to provide a safe and secure learning environment. Principals have the right to seize contraband material. Illegal contraband will be held by an Administrator for evidence in disciplinary proceedings, and will be turned over to a police officer. The parent/guardian of a minor student or the student, if the student is 18 years of age or older, shall be notified by the school administration if illegal or unsafe items are removed from his or her locker.

LIABILITY / VALUABLES

Students are discouraged from bringing valuables to school. The school does not assume liability for lost or stolen articles. The school is not responsible for lost, missing or stolen belongings. Take the following precautions to protect valuables and personal items:

1. Keep your locker combination private.

2. Do not bring large sums of money or valuable items.

3. Do not carry electronic devices, wallets, watches, or jewelry to physical education classes. Leave them at home, or in your locker.

4. Do not carry outerwear to classes within the school.

5. Lock your bicycles to the racks.

LOST AND FOUND

All found items must be turned into the office. Clothing and valuables such as calculators, rings or watches will be kept in the office. Texts and notebooks will be returned to the student. Unclaimed items will be given to local charities at the end of each semester.

PROGESSIVE DISCIPLINE

Progressive discipline is the underlying philosophical approach to determining the consequences for students whose behaviour is deemed to be inappropriate and requiring disciplinary action.

Positive reinforcement of students, parental involvement, community links, liaison with community police officers, and modeling behaviours related to non-violence are strategies used to promote acceptable behaviour and maintain a safe school climate and a positive school environment.

Consequences for unacceptable behaviour may range from initial intervention strategies such as counseling, peer mediation and conflict resolution programs and parental communication to detention, behaviour contracts, restorative practices, support responsibility agreements, restitution, community service, suspension, and expulsion.

SCHOOL COMMUNITY COUNCIL (S.C.C.)

The S.C.C. provides a forum for parents, community members, students, teachers and administrators to work together to share ideas regarding education and the school community. The meetings are open and everyone is welcome to attend. Contact the principal for more information.

SCHOOL FUNCTIONS AND TRIPS

When you attend any school activity, even when away from the school building, you are expected to demonstrate responsible behaviour. All school regulations apply to these functions and some have special regulations attached. Students attending any of these functions may be denied access at any time. Students who are participating in a school trip or playing on a school team must notify subject teachers of pending absence and will be responsible for all missed academic work. Failure to comply may result in loss of future privileges.

STUDENT SERVICES (GUIDANCE)

GUIDANCE COUNSELLORS

Grade 9- Mme Muir & Mr Maki

Grade 10- Ms. Kenny

Grade 11- Ms. Hadjigeorgiou

Grade 12- Ms. Aunger

GUIDANCE APPOINTMENTS

Your Guidance Counsellors are here to support your success, well-being and planning for your future. You can connect with your Guidance Counsellor in one of the following ways:

· In-person appointment in the office during one of your in-class blocks

· Send your Counsellor a message through the Guidance Google Classroom

All appointments will now be booked online. Visit the Guidance website or the Guidance Google Classrooms to submit the Google Form requesting an appointment. It will allow you to specify which format of meeting you are most comfortable with, along with your preferred period to miss.

TIMETABLE CHANGES

Guidance will begin semester one timetable changes as soon as possible. Priority will go to students with the following situations:

· You have already earned this credit

· You do not have the prerequisite for the course

· You have selected the wrong pathway/stream for the course

· You are missing a compulsory credit (ie – withdrew from a summer school course)

Elective timetable changes may be difficult and will only be made if space allows. The final day to submit a form to request a semester one timetable change is: Tues. Sept. 13, 2022

TEXTBOOKS

Textbooks are issued by subject teachers, who will record condition and number of each text assigned to each student. Students are responsible for their textbooks. Replacement charges will be levied if a textbook is damaged or lost.

TRANSPORTATION

Durham Student Transportation Services (DSTS) offers an automated bus information system. This system is accessible 24 hours/7 days a week. The automated transportation line provides detailed information regarding the bus number, planned bus stop times, and the location of the bus stop. Parent(s)/guardians are urged to contact the automated line at 905-666-6979. Parent(s)/guardians will require the following information: The student’s date of birth, and the student’s nine digit Ontario Education Number (OEN). The OEN number can be found on the report card.

VISITORS / TRESPASSING

During the school day, the school grounds and buildings are out of bounds to all except registered students of the school and their parents or guardians, Board of Education employees, or persons having business with the administration or staff. All visitors must apply directly to the office for permission to be on the school site. Visitors must sign in.

Failure to contact the office for approval, and being on the property without approval, may result in a charge of trespassing being laid by the Durham Regional Police. Do not invite friends to visit you at school during the school day. They will not be allowed to attend classes or on school property. Students and staff who notice people who do not belong on the property should immediately notify the main office. All of us have a responsibility in keeping O'Neill C.V.I. safe.