Dear Parents/Guardians,
I would like to welcome you and your child back to General Crerar. For families joining our school community for the first time, welcome! I hope everyone had a safe and relaxing summer. Thank you to our caretaking staff for all their hard work in cleaning the building and ensuring that it is ready for students and staff, our teachers and educators who have created a welcoming environment for your child, and to the office staff for working diligently this past week to ensure that the school is ready to serve all of you.
At this time, I would like to thank Mme. Jean-Charles for teaching at Crerar over the years; we wish her all the best in her new school. I am pleased to welcome Mme. Aynslie Sulker, our new French Immersion Kindergarten teacher, who comes with skills and expertise working with young children. Also joining the Crerar family as Long-Term Occasional Teachers are Mme. Nicole Peruzzo and Mme. Yolette Douyon; they will be starting the year off teaching in our French Immersion Grade 1/2 class and French Immersion Grade 7/8 respectively. Both teachers are familiar with our students and come with great knowledge. Please also join me in welcoming Mr. Lyndon Hibbert, who will undoubtedly serve the Crerar community well as our Child and Youth Worker, he comes with a wealth of knowledge. I am also happy to introduce Ms. Trichanne Young, who will be supporting Crerar as our Special Needs Assistant; she too, comes with skills and experience.
As partners in education, we must continue to nurture a safe and caring learning environment that will allow our children/students to reach their full potential. Within this school community, we will continue to ensure that our students from the early years become proficient in reading and assist all students in developing their critical thinking and problem-solving skills which they can apply academically and socially. At General Crerar, we will continue to examine gaps, biases, and structures that prevent some of our students from reaching their full potential. This must all be accomplished in a collaborative environment involving students, staff, parents, and community agencies.
We will be emailing families the name of your child/ren's teacher by Thursday, August 29; please check your emails carefully. Construction of the new parking lot may not be completed by school opening. As always, please be very careful when walking to school, especially around the West side of the school as staff may have to temporarily park on the field. Due to the many construction vehicles, school busses, and staff vehicles, we encourage everyone to walk to school if possible.
School updates and information will be shared in our monthly newsletters which will be posted on our school website: https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/generalcrerar. Please follow us on Twitter @GenCrerar and @MrsSharonLin. Also, visit the Community Supports page often (updated regularly) to learn about various learning/job opportunities and how you can support your child(ren) and family throughout the year. Please also read Trustee Shan's Webpage which contains his monthly newsletters here: https://www.tdsb.on.ca/ward17/Ward-17/Ward-17-Newsletters
Punctuality
Being on time contributes to student success and is an important life skill. However, we know that there are occasions when events do not go according to your plans. If your child is late, please enter through the front door and check in at the office. If your child is going to be absent, please call the school at (416) 396-6255 and press 1 for the Safe Arrival line. Without a reason for a student's absence, the Safe Arrival line will call you to ensure that your child is safe.
Curriculum Night (Meet-the-Family Night)
We will have our Curriculum Night on Thursday, September 26 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. This is an opportunity for your child's teacher to highlight some of the overall class expectations. It is also a chance for you to ask questions regarding the curriculum or other aspects of the school. This is a meet-and-greet setting. An opportunity for parents to ask more specific questions regarding their child’s progress will be available at a later date.
School Council
We are hoping you consider attending our School Council meetings. Parental input is vital to the success of your child. It symbolizes a team mindset and directly correlates to improved student achievement. Meetings are in-person with a virtual option to join and will alternate between 6 pm and 9 am in the school library. The first Council meeting will take place on October 15 at 6 pm. All parents/caregivers are welcome to attend meetings. If you would like to become a Voting Member, please complete the form by September 20 here: Parent Council Voting Member Interest Form. You do not have to be a Voting Member to attend Parent Council meetings. After our Parent Council meeting on October 15, voting members will elect the Executive Members. Our Parent Council page under “For Parents” on the school website contains more information about School Councils. Here is the link as well: Parent Council Information.
Nut-Free School
Although foods such as peanuts, milk, eggs, and sesame seeds are the most common cause of anaphylaxis, insect stings, medicine, or latex can also cause a reaction. In recent years, anaphylaxis has increased dramatically among students. The TDSB is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy learning environment for all students and works with Toronto Public Health and other partners to ensure student safety. Although this may or may not affect your child's class directly, we want to raise awareness about this life-threatening condition. Students who have severe allergies to such food substances are exposed to a severe health risk when such products are consumed in their environment or shared with them. As prevention is the best approach, we ask that you speak with your child about not sharing their snacks or lunches with other students and please do not send any snacks or lunches with your child that contain peanuts/nuts.
Bussing
Parents can get the latest transportation information by signing up to the transportation portal to receive email notifications when bus companies report late buses. Delays will also be posted to https://www.torontoschoolbus.org/. Occasionally, severe weather conditions may require the TDSB to cancel transportation. Visit www.tdsb.on.ca or https://www.torontoschoolbus.org/, check Twitter @tads, or listen to local radio or TV stations starting at 6 am. for bus cancellations. In addition, parents can contact the Toronto Student Transportation Group at 416-394-4287 in the case of delays of more than 15 minutes. Please note, however, that at the beginning of each new school year, there is always a short adjustment period as drivers familiarize themselves with new routes and students so there may be short delays during this time.
Start-of-Year Forms
The TDSB will be sending all families an email to update student records that you want on file at the school. Families will need to create an account to complete the forms. If you have used the enrollment tool previously to register your child/ren in a TDSB school or program, that same account can be used. These digital forms provide us with necessary medical information and consent for school activities, they include:
- Permission to Participate in Offsite Walk Excursions
- Student Media Release Consent (for School/TDSB Events)
- Student Media Release Consent (Media Organizations)
- Permission to Leave School in Severe Weather Conditions (Grades 6-12)
- Medical Information Form (511E)
For added safety, the school will also be sending three pages home for families to complete (medical, permission to walk around the community with Media Release permission, and lunch procedures). We ask that you complete both the online version AND the three pages to be returned to school.
Upcoming Important Dates:
Meet-the-Family Night is on Thursday, September 26 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
P.A. Day is on September 27, 2024 (NO SCHOOL)
P.A. Day is on October 11, 2024 (NO SCHOOL)
Thanksgiving is on October 14, 2024 (NO SCHOOL)
Parent Council Meeting and Election on October 15 at 6 p.m.
Picture Day is on October 17, 2024
Below are some important information. On behalf of the staff and myself, I wish you and your child a great school year and I look forward to talking with you soon.
Sincerely,
Sharon Lin ~ Principal
School Day Schedule
Yard Supervision 8:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.
Period 1 8:45 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
Period 2 9:15 a.m. - 9:55 a.m.
MORNING RECESS 9:55 a.m. - 10:10 a.m.
Period 3 10:10 a.m. - 10:50
Period 4 10:50 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
LUNCH 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Yard Supervision 12:15 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Period 5 12:30 p.m. - 1:10 p.m.
Period 6 1:10 p.m. - 1:50 p.m.
AFTERNOON RECESS 1:50 p.m. - 2:05 p.m.
Period 7 2:05 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Period 8 2:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Yard Supervision 3:15 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
GENERAL CRERAR STAFF LIST 2024-2025
ADMINISTRATION and NON-TEACHING STAFF:
Principal: Sharon Lin Upstairs LRS: Grant Stafford, Sandeep Pawar
Vice-Principal: Tevoniel Thompson Downstairs LRS: Irene Theopoulos, Dalila Pineda
Office Administrator: Ann-Marie de Jong Kindergarten LRS: Sasha Jegandran
Clerical - Christina Natchov (a.m.)
Caretakers: Douglas Berger and Nidal Abouibrahim
Nutrition Coordinator: Eva Teves
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GRADE
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ROOM
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TEACHING STAFF
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SUPPORT STAFF
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FDK Eng
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K1
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Megan Quinn
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Julie Tracey ECE
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| FDK Eng
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K2
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Marjorie Malcolm
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Grade 1
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1
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Erin Kelly
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Maria Cavazzon EA
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Grade 1/2
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8
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Karen Gilmore
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Grade 2/3
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6
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Perminder Chahal
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Grade 3/4
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16
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Spencer Arnfield
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Grade 4/5
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14
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Ellis Routledge
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Grade 6/7
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18
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Courtney Burns
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Grade 7/8
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10
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Dwayne Micallef (Cindee Karnick-Davison)
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FDK FI
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K3
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Aynslie Sulker
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Karen Viray ECE
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Grade 1/2 FI
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5
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Nicole Peruzzo
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Grade 3/4 FI
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7
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Vicky Mercier
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Grade 5/6 FI
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9
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Monalie Savoie
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Grade 7/8 FI
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13
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Yolette Douyon
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4/5/6 ISP
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4
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Amy Cook
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Nicola Roberts EA
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6/7 ISP
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12
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Taunya Ahier/Kahlille Jazmines
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Christina Panachos EA
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7/8 ISP
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17
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George Vatzolas
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Kim Fallis EA
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| Jr. Support/Prep
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15
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Charlene Sampson
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ROLE
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ROOM
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RESOURCE STAFF
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SUPPORT STAFF
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ESL/Library
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Library
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Kahlille Jazmines/Taunya Ahier
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Tichanne Young SNA
Lyndon Hibbert CYW
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Core French
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10
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Desire Chepi
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PhysEd/Health
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Gym, Port 2
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Sherri Walker
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SERT/MART
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11
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Mary Savva a.m.
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SERT/MART
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11
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Kristen McLean
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| Prep
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6, 7, 16, 18
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Tevoniel Thompson
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General Crerar Code of Conduct
Our Commitment
General Crerar is committed to providing a healthy learning and working environment by promoting respect, civility, safety, responsible citizenship and academic excellence. A positive school climate exists when all members of the school community feel safe, included and accepted and actively promote positive behaviours and interactions. Equity, inclusion and respect are critical components embedded in the learning environment.
The General Crerar Code of Conduct is developed in accordance with the Education Act, the Provincial Code of Conduct1, the Toronto District School Board’s (TDSB) Code of Conduct and all other TDSB operational procedures. The General Crerar Code of Conduct also reflects the values and expectations of the Crerar community.
The standards of behaviour outlined in the General Crerar Code of Conduct will apply to all members of the school community, including students, parents and, Board staff, permit holders volunteers and visitors:
- on school property
- while traveling on a school bus that is owed by the Board or that is under contract to the Board
- in-school sports activities
- in off-site school-sponsored activities; or
- in circumstances where engaging in an activity will have an impact on the school climate
Standards of Behaviour
All members of the school community are expected to:
- respect and comply with all applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws;
- demonstrate honesty and integrity;
- respect differences in people, their ideas and opinions;
- treat one and other with dignity and respect at all times, and especially when there is a disagreement;
- respect and treat others fairly and promote a positive school climate that is inclusive and accepting of all pupils, including of any race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status or disability;
- respect the rights of others;
- show proper care and regard for school property and the property of others;
- take appropriate measures to help those in need;
- respect persons who are in a position of authority;
- respect the need of others to work in an environment of learning and teaching.
Progressive Discipline
When students breach the code of conduct, consequences will be consistent with progressive discipline strategies. Progressive discipline is a whole-school approach that utilizes a continuum of interventions, supports, and consequences to address inappropriate student behaviour and to build on strategies that promote positive behaviours. When inappropriate behaviour occurs, disciplinary measures should be applied within a framework that shifts the focus from one that is solely punitive to one that is both corrective and supportive. Schools should utilize a range of interventions, supports, and consequences that include learning opportunities for reinforcing positive behaviour while helping students to make good choices.
Interventions (in no particular order) may include:
- Discussion with a teacher, member of the support staff, vice-principal or principal
- Attendance/performance/ behaviour contracts
- Time Out
- Reflection Sheet
- Parental contact and involvement in applying an appropriate remedy
- Loss of privilege to participate in specified school activities
- Peer mediation
- Individual or group counselling
- Assessment
- Detention
- Restitution for damage or stolen property
- Community service
- Restorative justice practices
Student breaches of the Board’s Code of Conduct and General Crerar’s Code of Conduct will be dealt with in accordance with Operational Procedure PR697: Promoting a Positive School Climate.
Suspension
The behaviours for which a principal may consider suspending a student include:
- Uttering a threat to inflict serious bodily harm on another person;
- Possessing alcohol, illegal drugs or, unless the pupil is a medical cannabis user, cannabis;
- Being under the influence of alcohol or unless the pupil is a medical cannabis user, cannabis;
- Committing an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property at the pupil’s school or to property located on the premises of the pupil’s school;
- Bullying (continuous targeted oppression/harm/intimidation/harm/coercion of another student);
- Willful destruction of school property; vandalism causing damage to school or Board property or property located on school or Board premises;
- Use of profane or improper language;
- Use of tobacco;
- Theft;
- Aid/incite harmful behaviour;
- Physical assault;
- Being under the influence of illegal drugs;
- Fighting;
- Possession or misuse of any harmful substances;
- Extortion;
- Inappropriate use of electronic communications or media devices; and
- An act considered by the principal to be a breach of the Board’s or School’s Code of Conduct.
Expulsion
The behaviours for which a principal will consider recommending to a Committee of the Board that a student be expelled include:
- Possessing a weapon, including possessing a firearm;
- Using a weapon to cause or to threaten bodily harm to another person;
- Committing physical assault on another person that causes bodily harm requiring treatment by a medical practitioner;
- Committing a sexual assault;
- Trafficking in weapons or in illegal drugs;
- Committing robbery;
- Giving alcohol or cannabis to a minor;
- Bullying if,
i. the pupil has previously been suspended for engaging in bullying, and
ii. the pupil’s continuing presence in the school creates an unacceptable risk to the safety of another person;
- Sexual harassment;
- Racial harassment;
- Hate-motivated occurrences;
- Distribution of hate material;
- Possession of explosive substance;
- Any activity listed in section 306(1) motivated by bias, prejudice or hate based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other similar factor; and
- An act considered by the principal to be a serious breach of the Board or School Code of Conduct.
- Trafficking in cannabis
Attendance and late policies
Students will be on time for classes and will attend classes regularly. Students are responsible for the work missed due to their absence. Students who skip classes or repeatedly arrive late may receive consequences based on the principles of progressive discipline.
Lockers
Lockers are the property of the Board and are subject to inspection by school Administration.
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Cell Phone Policy
Please take a moment to read some of the parameters for cell phone and personal device use to ensure they are being used at appropriate times and in proper ways. The following is a brief outline of our rules for cell phone use based in part on the provincial government's regulation of personal device use:
- Cell phones are not to be out during class time unless a teacher has given permission. Cell phones can be great learning tools, but they can also be major distractions. We have had cases where students are texting with friends, taking inappropriate pictures or videos, or playing games. This causes a major distraction, both for the student who owns the phone and for others. This rule is in place to minimize distractions and have a safe learning environment.
- The use of personal mobile devices is permitted during instructional time for educational purposes, as directed by the educator in the classroom, for health and medical purposes, or to support special educational needs (e.g. SEA claims). You can read more about cell phone use in the Ministry's policy/program memorandum 128.
- Cell phones are not to be taken to the bathroom as they are places where students should feel safe and where their privacy is respected. We have had students take videos and photos in the bathroom, and even in cases where the videos are innocent, there is the danger that someone is incidentally photographed. We have had students ask to go to the bathroom not because they need to, but because they wish to use their phones for texting, games, etc. Students who have phones are expected to keep them in their bags or lockers. This rule is in place to protect student’s emotional safety in the bathrooms and to minimize time spent out of class.
- Students who break these rules may be asked to store their cell phones in the office. We understand that students may need their cell phones before school, after school and at lunch; students who are in this position will be asked to check their phone into the office in the morning and pick it up at times when they need it. This helps to balance the safety concerns of parents and guardians who wish for their children to have phones for transit to and from school, and for lunch communication.
- Students are expected to follow our Online Code of Conduct and the General Crerar Public School Code of Conduct. Cyber-bullying is a very real phenomenon, and cyber-meanness is just as big an issue. Online activities can have a major impact on the students, their classes, and on school climate. Students will be held responsible for any online activity that negatively impacts school climate, even if that activity occurred outside of school hours.
Please review and reinforce these expectations with your children. As partners, it is important that we work together as we guide students through how to use technology in a productive, appropriate and respectful way.
Policy/Program Memorandum No. 128: The Provincial Code of Conduct and School Board Codes of Conduct; Operational Procedure PR585: Board Code of Conduct; G02(R:Secretariat\Staff\G02\03\OP\PR585)sec.1530