Daily Schedule

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Warning Bell 8:25 am
Homeroom and Announcements 8:30 - 8:35
Travel Time 8:35 - 8:40
Period 1 8:40 - 9:55
Travel Time 9:55 - 10:00
Period 2 10:00 - 11:15
Lunch 11:15 - 11:50
Warning Bell 11:50
Period 3 11:55 - 1:10
Travel Time 1:10 - 1:15
Period 4 1:15 - 2:30
Dismissal 2:30

*** Students in need of extra help are encouraged to arrange to meet their teachers before or after school or during lunch.

CODE OF STUDENT BEHAVIOUR

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RATIONALE: In any community, individual members may exercise their rights as long as their actions do not infringe on the rights of others. For this reason, it is essential that a code of student behaviour be established in order that all students have a clear understanding of the behaviour that is unacceptable.

EXPECTATIONS: The legal basis for student conduct is clearly stated in the Education Act and its supporting regulations. As a student at General Amherst, you are expected: - to show the proper respect and courtesy to your fellow students, all staff members including teachers, secretaries custodians and cafeteria staff and visitors to the school; - to accept such discipline as would be exercised by a firm and judicious parent; - to attend classes punctually and regularly; - to work responsibly in all of your classes and to take all tests and examinations as required; - to be clean in your person and in your habits; - to exercise self-discipline; - to take precautions for the security of your own property; and - to show care and respect for the property of the Board and that of others.

CONSEQUENCES: Most students at General Amherst High School cooperate fully in carrying out their responsibilities as students, in respecting the rights of others, and in helping to establish a positive climate for learning in our school. Irresponsible individuals however, can expect to be dealt with in a fair but firm manner. There are a number of possible consequences for failure to live up to the expectations outlined in this handbook including but not limited to, after-school detentions, contact with a parent/guardian, referral to the Main Office, loss of privileges such as the right to participate in extracurricular activities, removal from a class for a stated period of time or permanently, restitution where applicable, in-school suspension, suspension and/or expulsion from school. Generally, decisions that result in disciplinary measures are made in a uniform manner and are applied equally to all students involved. However, the school reserves the right to make any decision that it believes is in the best interest of any student involved that takes into account the many and varied circumstances that may exist at that time. Except for the most minor problems, parents will be involved in the application of these consequences. As well, the regulations state that school policies and expectations apply while you are on school property; off school property if you are involved in a school related activity such as, field trips and athletic events, and after regular school hours if you are involved in a school sponsored activity such as, a dance and while travelling on a school bus. If you are suspended from school, you will not be allowed on school property and will be ineligible to write any test or exam or to participate in any extra-curricular activity.
SENT OUT OF CLASS: If you are sent out of a class by a teacher for any reason, you must report to the Main Office immediately. Failure to report to the office is a serious offence and may result in additional disciplinary action.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

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24 hour attendance line - 736-9376 Regular attendance is essential to the process of day-to-day learning. Missing school leads to gaps in this process that will result in a loss of continuity for both you and your classmates. In addition, regular attendance and punctuality develops good habits which are vital for your success in future employment. The school day runs from 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.. You are to report to your Homeroom once the warning bell sounds at 8:25 a.m. for attendance and morning announcements. The lunch break runs from 11:15 a.m. until 11:50 a.m. and the school day ends at 2:30 p.m..

ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL: Absence is permitted under the Education Act only for sickness, suspension, or religious holidays. If you will be absent from school, you are asked to have a parent/guardian contact the school prior to, or early on the day of the absence. If the school has not been contacted, your absence will be classified as an unexplained absence and the school will contact your home at the end of the day. It is your responsibility to ensure that a parent/guardian contacts the school the next day to verify your absence or to provide a note that you are to hand in to the Attendance Office the next day. An unverified absence will be considered truancy.

ABSENCE FROM CLASS: Your attendance is checked in each class. You may not be absent from any class without prior permission. Missing class time to work on an assignment or to study for a test is not an acceptable excuse for absence and you will be considered truant.

LEAVING SCHOOL DURING THE SCHOOL DAY: Other than during the lunch break, you are not allowed to leave the school during the day without permission from the Main Office. If you are required to leave during the school day (e.g. for a medical appointment), it is necessary that a parent/guardian call the school prior to the time of leaving or that you bring a note to the Attendance Office before the morning announcements. You will be given a PERMIT TO LEAVE SLIP that must be shown to your teacher at the start of the class during which you must leave. If you have signed out from school and return the same day, you must report to the Attendance Office when you return before you attend any class. If you must leave school during the day as a result of an emergency or illness, you must report to the Attendance Office before leaving the building so that the school can contact a parent/guardian for authorization. If you leave school without permission, you will be considered truant. A note brought to the Attendance Office at a later time (e.g. the next day) will not be accepted to avoid any disciplinary actions that may result from the truancy. You are responsible for making up all class work missed due to any absence. As well, you must be in attendance at school in order to participate in extra-curricular activities such as, team sports and dances.

TRUANCY: If you are absent from school without permission from a parent/guardian and the Main Office, you will be considered truant. Truancy will result in disciplinary action. As well, you will be assigned a mark of zero for any evaluation (e.g. test, quiz, presentation, assignment, etc.) missed during the period(s) that you were truant.

LATE TO SCHOOL: The homeroom session begins at 8:30 a.m. and you are expected to be in your homeroom by 8:25 a.m.. If you arrive at school after the morning announcements have started, you will have been recorded as absent and therefore, must report to the Attendance Office for a LATE SLIP before going to class.

LATE TO CLASS: It is your responsibility to arrive to each class on time. Each classroom teacher is responsible for student lates to class and will deal with students who are late. Persistent lateness will result in disciplinary consequences. EVALUATION POLICY

STUDENT EVALUATION

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METHODS OF EVALUATION: At the start of the semester, each teacher will provide you with a Course Information Sheet that lists the material to be covered, explains how you will be evaluated in the course and outlines the consequences for late and/or missed evaluations. Generally, your final grade will be based upon a variety of evaluations such as, tests, assignments and an ISU (Independent Study Unit).

REPORTS AND PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEWS: There will be three reports issued each semester. After approximately six weeks, a Progress Report with a letter grade will be issued followed by a Parent/Teacher Interview night. Approximately halfway through each semester, a formal Mid-Semester Report with a numeric grade will be issued. A Final Report will be issued shortly after the final exams scheduled at the end of each semester. Normally, you will be given each of the reports and it is your responsibility to take them home.

EXAMINATIONS: Examinations are scheduled at the end of each semester. It is your responsibility to know where and when each of your examinations is scheduled to be written. The dates for the examinations are established prior to the start of the school year. These dates are set by the Board and have been approved by the Ministry of Education and, as such, cannot be altered unless there is an emergency situation at the school level. You will be assigned a mark of zero for any exam that you fail to write unless your absence was the result of illness that can be verified by a medical certificate or on compassionate grounds with the prior approval of the Principal.

HOMEWORK: Homework is a vital part of your success at school. While it is the responsibility of your teachers to provide appropriate and relevant homework, it is your responsibility to make certain that you understand what is required and that the assigned work is completed on time and to the best of your ability. The amount of homework will depend upon the grade level, the type of course and the level of difficulty of the course. If you are absent from school for any reason, it is your responsibility to contact your teachers or other students to make any necessary arrangements for any homework that may have been assigned.

CHEATING/PLAGIARISM: Under Board policy, if you are caught cheating (including plagiarism) and/or assisting another student to cheat on an evaluation, you will be assigned a mark of zero on that evaluation. If you are caught cheating and/or assisting another student to cheat on a Final Summative Evaluation (FSE) such as, a final examination, you will lose the credit for that course.

DROPPING A COURSE/CHANGES TO YOUR TIMETABLE: If you are in Grades 9 to 11, you must be enrolled in eight courses for the school year (four courses per semester). If you are in Grade 12, you are required to enrol in one course more than you need to graduate. Your timetable is based on your course selections submitted during the previous school year. Adjustments may be made to your timetable at the start of the semester if you were successful at summer school or if you were unsuccessful in a course the previous semester. Generally, no other changes will be allowed. However, if a change is necessary, you must make an appointment with a member of the Guidance Department. Any course change does not take effect until a new timetable has been printed. Until you have been given a new timetable, you must continue to attend all classes as listed on your timetable.
UPGRADING AT SUMMER SCHOOL: You may be able to upgrade your mark in a course at summer school provided that your regular school marks are high enough and that all requirements for the course including the writing of all of the components of the Final Summative Evaluation, have been met.

GENERAL INFORMATION

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ACCIDENTS: If you are involved in an accident of any kind while at school, you are to report it to the staff member in charge and to complete an Accident Report Form available in the Main Office.

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES: You must be under the direct supervision of a teacher if you are involved in an after school activity. You are not allowed to remain on school property after 3:30 p.m. unless you are under the direct supervision of a teacher or you are in the gymnasium as a spectator or as a player.

ALCOHOL AND DRUGS: General Amherst has a "Zero Tolerance" policy concerning the use and possession of alcohol and illegal drugs at school and on school-related activities. If you are in possession of or under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, you will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension and/or expulsion from school. As well, the police may be contacted and you may be required to attend individual counselling with an outside agency before you are readmitted to school.

BUS RULES: All of the rules of the school apply while you are riding on a bus and your actions may be subject to disciplinary action. Riding a bus is a privilege and not a right; therefore, failure to comply with school rules may mean a loss of this privilege.

CAFETERIA USE: When you use the cafeteria, you are agreeing to deposit all your litter in waste baskets and your pop cans in the recycling bins, to return all trays and utensils to the servery, to leave the table and floor around your place in a clean condition, and to help clean up the area when requested. Abuse of these conditions can result in clean-up duties or a loss of cafeteria privileges. All food and drinks are to be consumed in the cafeteria. Eating or drinking in the halls is not permitted.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS OR PHONE NUMBER: Please report any change of address and/or phone number to the attendance secretary immediately. This is necessary in order to update school, Board and Ministry records.

COMPUTER USE: The Greater Essex County District School Board has provided computers for the benefit of all students as a vital part of their curriculum. You will be required to fill out an ACCEPTABLE COMPUTER USE FORM and must abide by the terms of this policy. Computers are normally available at lunch and after school in the Library or Room 230. Reasonable costs for printer materials are absorbed by the school; however, you will be charged for excessive printing or waste.

DETENTIONS: A detention to be served before school, during the lunch break or after school may be assigned by either your teacher or the Main Office. A detention assigned by a teacher is to be served before a detention that has been assigned by the office. Failure to serve a detention may lead to further disciplinary action. A written detention that is to be completed at home may be assigned instead of an in-school detention.

DRESS CODE: You are expected to be neat and clean in your appearance and to avoid wearing clothing that is inappropriate for a school setting. Specifically excluded are clothes that do not cover the midriff, low cut tops, clothing that is torn or with holes and muscle shirts. Clothing or accessories including jewellery and/or symbols, hats, backpacks, sports bags, etc. that contain lettering and/or symbols that are obscene, sexually suggestive or abusive toward racial, ethnic or religious groups are not permitted. This includes items that display messages related to alcohol or drugs, or that have gang-related decorations. The wearing of headgear (hats, head coverings, bandanas, etc.) is not permitted in the school at any time, unless there are circumstances approved by the school administration. Headgear is to be removed when you enter the school and stored in your locker during the school day until you leave the building during the lunch break and/or after school. If shorts are worn to school, they must be appropriate and a reasonable length. Generally, jackets are not acceptable in any classroom at any time. For health and safety reasons, no open-toed shoes are to be worn in the Technical shops and proper attire must be worn in physical education classes. Shoes must be worn at all times throughout the building. In all cases, any dispute regarding what is or is not appropriate will be resolved by the administration. You may be required to change the improper clothing or be sent home to change.

EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAMS: General Amherst offers a wide range of extracurricular activities that includes athletics, clubs, field trips, dances and assemblies. All school rules apply to these activities including those that occur off campus and after regular school hours. If the school provides transportation for an extracurricular activity, you must travel by that means. You may not attend or participate in any extracurricular activity if you are under a suspension from school.

EXTRACURRICULAR ELIGIBILITY: Since all extracurricular activities are offered as a supplement to the school curriculum, you must maintain certain academic, citizenship and behaviour standards. For more information, see your coach or staff advisor.

FIGHTING, MAKING THREATS AND ROUGHHOUSING: The school will not tolerate any conduct, such as physical assaults, threats or intimidation that endangers others. Generally, all participants involved in a fight will be suspended. As well, all forms of roughhousing, such as, play fighting, pushing and shoving are not acceptable.

FIRE DRILL PROCEDURE: Ministry regulations require that we conduct a number of fire drills each year. A fire evacuation route is posted in each room and you are to familiarize yourself with the route from each of your classrooms. When the fire alarm sounds, you are to leave the building immediately by the designated exit. Once you have left the school, you are to move away from the building to provide space for others and to remain there until you have been instructed to re-enter. NOTE: IT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE TO CREATE AFALSE ALARM.

GYM BAGS AND BACKPACKS: For safety reason, gym bags and backpacks are to be stored in your locker and not brought to class (except for Physical Education classes).

HARASSMENT/BULLYING: Harassment consists of unwelcome comments or behaviour that can cause a person to feel degraded, embarrassed, offended, threatened or hurt in any way. It can be physical (e.g. intimidation and threat, property destruction, physical contact), verbal (e.g. oral and/or written comments, rumours and graffiti) or non-verbal (e.g. exclusion, intimidation, gestures or negative manipulation). Negative actions directed towards others based upon sexual/gender preference, racial/ethnic/cultural/religious differences and individual personal traits such as, weight, size and clothing are examples of harassment. Bullying can also become assault if there is physical contact and may require involvement of the police. Use of the Internet: The use of the internet as a means to harass or bully another student will not be tolerated. In such an event, the school may apply disciplinary actions that could include a loss of computer privileges at the school, suspension and possibly expulsion from school. If necessary, the matter could be referred to the police. It is important that you are aware that these behaviours do not have to occur at school or during school hours.

LOCKERS: You have been assigned a locker for the storage of your personal property and school related materials such as, textbooks and coats. You must use the locker assigned and lockers are not to be shared. You are responsible for maintaining both the inside and outside condition of your locker including graffiti, etc. and you may be held responsible for any damages to the locker that has been assigned to you. Dudley locks are the only acceptable lock to be used and will be sold in September. For security, lockers must be kept properly closed and locked at all times. As well, it is important that you do not tell anyone your combination. Your locker is assigned for your convenience and remains the property of the school. The administration reserves the right to enter a locker at any time that is deemed necessary.

NON ACADEMIC ELECTRONIC DEVICES: Any electronic device (ie.cell phones, P.D.A.s, pagers, radios, walkmans, game boys, laser pointers) that is not required for classroom should not be taken to class. The school is not responsible for any device that is lost or stolen. You are advised to store such items in your locker during school hours.

PARKING: Parking for cars is provided as a convenience in the lot across Sandwich Street (entrance off Fort Street). As this is school property, all school rules apply to this area. General Amherst High School and the Greater Essex County District School Board assume no liability, implied or otherwise for the loss or damage to vehicles, property, or individuals in any parking area.

PERSONAL PROPERTY AND VALUABLES: Money and other valuables should not be stored in your locker, taken to the gymnasium change rooms or left where they may be a temptation to others. You are advised not to bring valuable items to school.

SEARCHES: The school administration reserves the right to examine any book bag, back pack or locker at any time it is deemed necessary in accordance with Board Policy.

SMOKING ON SCHOOL PROPERTY: In addition to being dangerous to your health, it is also against Board policy and Ontario law to smoke in any building or on any property owned by the Greater Essex County Board of Education, seven days a week, 24 hours per day.

SNOWBALLS: Because of the serious consequences that could result, you are not to throw snowballs or loose snow.

STAFF ROOMS: All staff areas are off-limits to students at all times. If you wish to speak to a staff member, you are to knock on the door and wait for someone to answer.

SEVERE WEATHER (BUSES NOT RUNNING AND/OR SCHOOL CLOSED): On occasion, it may be necessary to cancel the bus runs and/or to close the school as a result of excessive snow and/or foggy conditions. Any decision to alter or to cancel the operation of the school is not made at the school level so you are asked not to call the school. Please listen to the local radio stations for direction.

STUDENT FEE: A student fee is payable at the start of each school year. This fee is used to provide you with a planner, a yearbook, computer supplies and to help cover the costs of various extra-curricular activities such as, sports programs, assemblies, guest speakers and dances.

STUDY PERIODS: As a senior student, you may have a study period scheduled as part of your timetable. If you have been granted a study period, you have the option to leave the school, to go to the library or the cafeteria for study purposes or to go to another area of the school if you are under the direct supervision of a teacher. You are not to loiter in the halls. If your study period is scheduled for Period 1, you may apply for sign-in privileges. If you are granted this privilege, you will not be required to be at school for the homeroom session. However, you must sign in at the Attendance Office prior to attending your first scheduled class. You will be marked absent for the entire day if you fail to sign-in.

TELEPHONES AND PERSONAL MESSAGES: You are to use the pay telephone located by the Main Office for personal calls. Only EMERGENCY messages from a parent or guardian will be delivered. A non-emergency message from a parent or guardian will be announced before lunch or at the end of the day.

TEXTBOOKS, LIBRARY BOOKS AND TEAM UNIFORMS: Textbooks, library books and team uniforms are provided to you on a loan basis and remain the property of the school. You will be required to pay for any lost or damaged items. The school reserves the right not to issue report cards, transcripts, diplomas and/or additional textbooks if you have any amounts due for non-returned or damaged items.

TRESPASSING: During the school day, the grounds and building are out of bounds except for students registered at the school, their parents or guardians, Board employees, or individuals having business with the school or students. All visitors must report to the Main Office. Outside school hours (8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.), students who are not in the gymnasium as spectators or under the direct supervision of a teacher must leave the building.

UNAUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES: The school and/or the Board of Education will not be held responsible for any unauthorised activities such as Prom parties or independent ski trips organized by outside individuals. Advertising such events in the school is strictly forbidden.

VANDALISM: A school and its students are judged by the care they take of their property. Amherst students take pride in the appearance of their school. Vandalism, including writing on lockers and desks, will not be tolerated. You will be required to pay for any damages that result from vandalism that is your responsibility.