Policies and Procedures

Standard of Dress

PLEASE NOTE: THIS SECTION IS CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW

Use of the Internet Agreement

Acceptable uses of the Internet include accessing:

• information and news from many libraries, universities, colleges, and scientific research institutions
• discussion groups on a huge variety of subjects
• Electronically-joined educational opportunities and experiences

All users of the TDSB Internet access points are forbidden to actively seek out materials that are not appropriate in an educational setting. Inappropriate materials include, but are not limited to texts, images, graphics, sound clips, videos, or animations which:

• promote racism, sexism, or hate
• are pornographic in nature
• promote, commit, or counsel the commission of illegal or immoral acts
• are harassing, inflammatory, malicious, fraudulent, or libellous.

Inappropriate use will result in the cancellation of those privileges and disciplinary action.

Sexual Harassment Policy

All persons must be allowed to work and learn in an environment free from sexual harassment.

Definition of Sexual Harassment:

Sexual harassment means any conduct, comment, gesture or contact of a sexual nature such as:

• that might reasonably be expected to cause offence or humiliation
• that might reasonably be perceived by an individual as placing a condition of sexual nature on that person to adversely affect or interfere with achievement, employment, or promotion.

Sexual Harassment Includes:

• the display of disturbing or offensive material such as pictures, cartoons, and graffiti in schools and on other Board premises
• unwanted and unnecessary physical contact
• sexual advances or requests for sexual favours which are known, or ought reasonable to have been known, to be unwelcome by the person making the advances or requests
• unwelcome remarks, jokes, or other gestures of a sexual nature

Sexual Harassment Is Not:

• conduct which both parties find acceptable such as an occasional compliment
• normal exercise of supervisory responsibilities including training, counselling, and discipline when warranted

If you are comfortable with what you hear, see, or feel, it is not sexual harassment. However, you should complain if you find yourself in a situation where someone's conduct or comments intimidate you, threaten you, or make you feel uncomfortable.

Your Reaction Matters! What You Can Do:

Tell the person who is bothering you that the behaviour is not acceptable to you. Sometimes this will be enough to make it stop. But if it continues, or circumstances make it difficult to take this measure, act and seek help immediately.

Complaint Procedures:

You should seek help from a trusted staff member, school principal or vice-principal. These people will tell you how to make a formal complaint and, if necessary, will help you contact your Superintendent of Schools.

Racial and Ethno-cultural Harassment Policy

Racial Harassment is based on a person's race or colour.

Ethno-cultural Harassment is based on a person's ancestry, place of origin, ethnic or national origin, citizenship, creed or faith, or any expression thereof.

You may recognize Racial and Ethno-cultural Harassment as:

• name calling, verbal abuse, or threats
• unwelcome remarks, jokes, or innuendoes
• taunting about a person's race, ethnic or national origin, creed or faith
• graffiti such as degrading or insulting words, messages, or slogans written or drawn on school board property
• racist, derogatory, or offensive pictures and materials
• practical jokes which cause awkwardness or embarrassment
• practical violence
• the production or distribution of hate literature
• vandalism
• intimidation
• being left out because of one's race or ethnic background

How to Report a Complaint:

• If you think you've been harassed or if you see harassment taking place, report it! All students have the right to bring forth a complaint.
• If the complaint is against another student, a teacher, or another Toronto District School Board employee, take your complaint to the principal or vice-principal of the school.
• If the complaint is about a principal or vice-principal, ask a person you trust to take your complaint to the Superintendent of Schools.
• If the complaint is about a Superintendent of Schools, ask a person you trust to take your complaint to the Director of Education.

What Happens When You Complain:

The person on staff to whom you take your complaint must respond to your complaint. The complaint may be resolved through an informal process. A formal process however is always available. Details of the complaint will be kept confidential. Parents/Guardians must be involved if the student is under 18 years old. Parents/Guardians, a trusted friend, or an advocate can represent students 18 and over.

How a Complaint is Managed:

Informally

The person who has complained can:

• directly approach the person against whom he/she is lodging a complaint
• ask someone he/she trusts to speak to the person, or
• agree with the other person or group involved to meet with a third person to help settle the complaint.

Formally

• The person who complained is asked to put his or her complaint in writing. A person is assigned to investigate the complaint.

Resolution

If there is evidence of harassment:

• appropriate disciplinary action will be taken
• the people involved will be informed of the decision
• the decision can be appealed to the Director.

Academic Eligibility Policy For Activities

This policy applies to any co-curricular activity that requires a major commitment of out-of-class time and missed classes.

Student Eligibility

To be eligible to participate on school teams, clubs, or in performances, a student must:

• be enrolled in a full time program;
• maintain a passing grade in three or more subjects as of the most recent report on which marks are recorded;
• demonstrate and maintain a 90% attendance rate in all courses on the student's timetable;
• maintain satisfactory deportment in the school.

Examination Information for Students

• Students are required to be present for scheduled examinations at the time and date set.
• Students who are unable to write their examination(s) must submit an official doctor's medical certificate or a court order explaining their inability to attend, to the Vice Principals' Office in Room 266 before the end of the exam period.
• A student who for any reason does not write the final examination will be assigned an examination mark of zero.
• Students are responsible for knowing where and when their examinations are being written.
• Students with an examination conflict (three examinations on the same day or two at the same time) must report the conflict to Room 266 for alternate arrangements.
• Students who arrive up to 15 minutes late for an examination will be admitted, but will not be given extra time. If a student is more than 15 minutes late for an exam, he/she will be sent to the office.

Reports

Four report cards will be issued during each academic year. Two will be followed by parent-teacher interviews in November and April.

Semester 1 November and February
Semester 2 April and June

Students in Grade 11 and 12 taking Technical Packages and students taking more than 1 credit from the same Technical Department will be evaluated on the basis of the full year. These students receive 3 report cards.

Term 1 November
Term 2 April
Term 3 June

Parent-Teacher interviews are held at Central Technical School in November and April from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This is a chance for parents and guardians to meet teachers to discuss their child's progress within the classroom.

Full Disclosure

All marks for Grade 11 and 12 courses will appear on the student's Ontario Student Transcript. If students do not want a mark to appear, then they must drop the course within the five days after the first formal reporting period. If special circumstances apply after this drop date, a percentage grade is still recorded.