Expectations of RCDSB Students

It is the expectation that each student of the Renfrew County District School Board will:

• attend classes punctually and regularly;

• be neat and clean in person and habits;

• come to school prepared, on time, and ready to learn;

• show respect for themselves, for others, and for those in positions of authority;

• be kind and courteous to fellow students;

• use proper, acceptable language at all times;

• have respect for personal and public property;

• exhibit honesty and responsibility in personal obligations;

• refrain from bringing anything to school that may compromise the safety of others; and,

• refrain from using personal mobile devices unless directed by an educator.

In cases where student behaviour occurs that is contrary to district and school Codes of Conduct, it is expected that the principle of progressive discipline, consistent with Ministry of Education direction and Policy/Program Memorandum No. 145, will be applied as appropriate.  

Progressive discipline is an approach that makes use of a continuum of interventions, supports, and consequences, up to and including suspension and expulsion, and builds upon strategies that promote positive behaviours. The range of interventions, supports, and consequences used must be clear and developmentally appropriate and must include learning opportunities for students in order to reinforce positive behaviours and help students make good choices.

Attendance and Punctuality

Regular attendance at school is very important for optimal student achievement. The Education Act and Ministry of Education guidelines require that all students attend school regularly from 6 years of age until they either graduate or they turn 18 years of age.  Schools must also report pupil absences to parents/guardians, and in cases of excessive or chronic student absenteeism, report these developments to external agencies for follow-up.

Evidence has shown a direct correlation between successful course completion and regular course attendance.  Students are expected to attend every class and to be punctual.  Skipping class (truancy) is not acceptable. Absences for medical or dental appointments or for long-term illnesses (more than 3 days) may require confirmation by a medical certificate. 

When a student is absent from school, a parent or guardian (if the student is under 18) must phone or email the school.  If no telephone or email contact is made before the student returns to school, the student should have a note from a parent or guardian (if the student is under 18) which explains the absence. 

If a student needs to leave school early for an appointment or due to illness, the student must sign out at the school's Main Office.

Student Dress Code

The primary responsibility for a student’s attire resides with the student and their parent/guardian(s).  Students have the right to express themselves, feel comfortable in what they wear and have the freedom to make dress choices (e.g., clothing, hairstyle, makeup, jewelry, fashion, style, etc.); however, students also have the responsibility to respect the rights of others, support a positive, safe and shared environment and to comply with the Student Dress Policy.

Student dress must:

• Be worn in such a way that all bottom layers cover the groin and buttocks and top layers cover nipples, both with opaque material;

  • • Tops may expose shoulders, abdomen, midriff, necklines and cleavage;

    • Bottoms may expose legs, thighs and hips; 

    • Undergarments may not be substituted as outerwear and, if worn, should be worn beneath a layer of outerwear;

    • Straps and waistbands may be exposed, however; 

    • Any headwear that does not obscure the face may be worn;

• Conform with established health and safety requirements for the intended activity (e.g., health and physical education classes, science and chemistry classes, sporting events, technical education, drama/dance classes, etc.);

• Respect the District’s intent to sustain a community that is positive, anti-oppressive, equitable, accepting and inclusive of a diverse range of social and cultural identities;  

• Not promote offensive, lewd, vulgar, or obscene images or language, including profanity, hate and pornography;  

• Not promote, nor, could not be construed as or include content that is discriminatory (e.g., racist, anti-Black, anti-Indigenous, anti-Semitic, Islamophobic, sexist, transphobic, homophobic, classist, ableist, sizeist, etc.),  or that reasonably could be construed as defamatory, threatening, harassing or promoting bias, prejudice or hate;  

• Not symbolize or display: tobacco, cannabis, alcohol, drugs or related paraphernalia, promotion or incitement of violence or any illegal conduct or criminal activities;  

• Not interfere with the safe operation of the school, limit or restrict the rights of others, or create a reasonably foreseeable risk of such interference or invasion of rights; (e.g., except for creed accommodations and safety requirements, no headwear may obscure the face, all other headwear may be worn); and, 

• Conform with any established standard school uniform (e.g., secondary school physical education uniform).

For additional details regarding student dress, please see RCDSB AP-352 - Student Dress.

Student Lockers

A locker is loaned to each student to store their books and personal items during the school year. Each student is responsible for keeping the locker locked with a lock that meets their school's requirements. 

The locker may be opened at any time by a designated staff member for the purpose of inspection. 

The school makes every effort to safeguard lockers, but students are cautioned against storing valuables in their lockers. 

School-Loaned Resources

Books and other resources may be issued by classroom teachers.  Students are responsible for these loaned items.  

If students deface, destroy or lose the textbooks or other learning materials, they are required to produce a suitable replacement or to reimburse the school. 

Failure to do so may result in the loss of certain school privileges.

Damage to School or School-Owned Property

In the event of school property being willfully defaced, the damaged item shall be paid for by the person or group responsible. In the case of students, the parent or guardian may be held responsible for payment.

The district does not accept responsibility for personal property or funds of students, teachers, other staff members, volunteers or community groups which is brought onto school property and which is lost or damaged, unless it was specifically accepted by the principal for safekeeping or for school use.

Bus Policy

Students are expected to behave with due attention to safety and the rights of others on the school bus.  Failure to do so will result in the loss of bus privileges.  

Students are to remain seated at all times.  Students must refrain from physical altercations, swearing, throwing objects, littering and yelling.  Absolutely no food or drink is to be consumed on the bus.  The driver’s instructions must be followed promptly at all times.  

Bus passes will not be issued for reasons such as appointments, birthday parties, sleepovers, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, etc.  Bus passes are for emergency purposes only.

Smoking & Vaping

Renfrew County District School Board recognizes and accepts its responsibility to provide a safe and comfortable environment for all those who use its buildings and/or grounds. As a consequence, all buildings and grounds operated by the district shall be free from tobacco smoke (including those from vaping and/or e-cigarettes) at all times.

Smoking and the use of tobacco products (including vaping and/or e-cigarettes) in board buildings or grounds, on school buses or in taxis is prohibited. This extends to excursions and school-related functions.

Alcohol and Restricted Drugs

The Renfrew County District School Board recognizes that the use of alcohol and illicit drugs is detrimental to education and harmful to the health of students.  The Board prohibits persons who are under the influence or in possession of alcohol or illicit drugs to be present on school property, at school-sponsored functions or while travelling to and from school activities.  

Students found using or in possession of alcohol or restricted drugs will be suspended for up to 20 days or possibly expelled.  Parents and the police will be notified.

A student with a medical condition who must take prescription drugs or who may require emergency prescription medications (e.g., Epipen, asthma inhaler) during the school day must inform the school.  The school principal will work with the student and their parent/guardian (if they are under 18 years of age) to ensure that the proper paperwork is completed and proper procedures are followed.

Bullying

Bullying is not accepted at any school in the Renfrew County District School Board.  

Bullying, as defined by the Province, is typically a form of repeated, persistent, aggressive behaviour that is directed at an individual(s) that is intended to cause (or should be known to cause) fear, distress and/or harm to another person’s body, feelings, self-esteem, or reputation.  Bullying occurs in a context, where there is real or perceived power imbalance.  

Incidents of bullying should be reported to any staff member or directly to the school administration.

Harassment

Harassment is behaviour that is unwelcome, one-sided and makes the receiver feel uncomfortable or offended.  It may be comments about someone’s appearance or lifestyle, or it may be behaviour that causes a person to feel embarrassed or inadequate.  Usually, harassment is repeated behaviour.  At its worst, harassment may be threats, intimidation, or assault.  

In adherence with the Ontario Human Rights Code, it is the policy of the Renfrew District School Board that every teacher, staff member, parent or guardian, volunteer and student has a right to freedom from harassment in the workplace and school system because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, record of offences, marital status, employment status or disability.  

Incidents of harassment should be reported to any staff member or directly to the school administration.

Violent Threat Risk Assessment Protocol

When a student’s behaviour poses a potential threat to safety or serious harm, the Community Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) Protocol helps principals take further steps to protect all students’ well-being. The protocol helps schools respond quickly to threatening incidents such as possession of a weapon or replica weapon, bomb threat or plan, fire setting, verbal, written or electronic (e.g., Internet, text) threats to kill or injure oneself or others, and/or other threats of violence. 

The Community VTRA Protocol outlines how a school responds immediately to threatening behaviour. Principals may first bring together a School Threat Assessment Team, which includes the principal/vice-principal, the designated regional lead, and the police. If the situation is serious, the principal may also consult with the superintendent responsible for the school and/or call in the Community Threat Assessment Team. This community team also includes representatives of community agencies who work with us to keep our schools safe, such as local police and children’s mental health organizations. 

Parents and guardians will be notified if their child will be discussed through the Community VTRA Protocol. If parents/guardians cannot be reached, or if they choose not to provide consent, but a concern for safety still exists due to threatening behaviour, the threat assessment may still proceed. 

Personal information shared throughout this process will respect and balance each individual’s right to privacy with the need to ensure the safety of all.