Welcome to Glen Ames, where our goal is to strive for academic excellence and to promote a strong sense of belonging and a positive self image. We have four important Community Agreements to guide all members of our school community and support a positive school climate.
Glen Ames Community Agreements
- Practice kindness
- We are here to learn and help others learn.
- Each day is a chance for growth.
- Follow community expectations.
- Pratiquez la gentillesse.
- Nous sommes là pour apprendre et (pour) aider les autres à apprendre
- Chaque jour est une chance de croissance.
- Suivez les attentes de la communauté.
Your teachers, staff, vice-principal, and principal will support and guide you in your pursuits. Even though your stay at Glen Ames is a brief two years, we hope that you find it fulfilling and challenging. Glen Ames is your school. We ask that you respect the people and property and the various practices that are part of the Glen Ames tradition.
You will be working with a number of teachers each day in different classrooms. Your advisor teacher has a significant role. He/she/they will get to know you well, and will be ready to discuss goals, problems, or concerns with you, and when necessary, with your parents.
Education is a shared responsibility - shared among teachers, students, and parents. All students and staff are responsible for ensuring a calm and orderly environment for learning.
The agenda has been designed to help you and your parents or guardians become familiar with Glen Ames Senior School. In senior school, students have more responsibility than before for their own learning, with support from staff and parents. Please read the following information carefully and review the contents with your parents.
We hope you have two successful and enjoyable years at Glen Ames by striving to do your personal best.
A. Program
Glen Ames has two program tracks: English (Core) and French Immersion.
i) Advisor
An advisor teacher is the key contact teacher for the class. Advisor teachers will distribute/collect first day forms, help liaise with other teachers when parents request support with any school matters, and help coordinate school-wide activities/events for their advisor group of students. Students will also have teachers who teach rotary subjects and homeroom cluster subjects as well.
ii) Aquatics Program
Aquatics classes are part of our Physical Education Program and are compulsory. No initial swimming skills are necessary. Students’ skills are developed from their starting levels of proficiency.Due to the nature of some of the activities, (ie. diving) a one-piece bathing suit is required in order for the students to participate fully. Students are welcome to wear a T-shirt over their swimsuit. Only under special circumstances with a note from a parent or doctor, will students be exempted from swim class. Students unprepared for class will be given a written assignment to do and/or will have to make up the missed class.
iii) Physical & Health Education
All students are encouraged to wear the school T-Shirt (black with school logo), shorts or track pants and running shoes for all gym activities. School t-shirts may be purchased from the school office. For health and safety reasons, appropriate clothing must be worn during all gym activities. Students not prepared for class may be given written assignments.
B. (i) Agenda Use
The student agenda has been provided for all students. The agenda is not a diary or photo album and it is expected that all pages will remain in place (as a record) for the entire school year. It is the responsibility of the student to record homework, assignments and upcoming tests and their results in the agenda daily for the teachers and parents to see. Teachers may check the agenda regularly and try to ensure that students have recorded all the necessary information. Students could be asked to go back to their teachers to record the missing information if nothing is recorded. Parents, please check this agenda regularly so you are aware of homework, assignments, due dates, results and comments from teachers. Parents are welcome to use the agenda as a method to communicate with teachers.. The agenda also contains effective learning supports and life skill components that will be used in their classroom.
(ii) Schoology
Schoology is an online learning management system (LMS) that schools use to organize classroom materials, assignments, grades, and communication and it includes specific tools for connecting teachers, students, and parents/caregivers. Each Glen Ames student will be provided with a Schoology account. Permission/sign-up forms and more information are included in the September package.
C.i) Textbooks, Library Books, and Materials
Textbooks and materials will be distributed to students during the first week of school. The student will be financially responsible for the loss of or damage to textbooks belonging to Glen Ames beyond what is considered normal wear and tear.
Students may borrow library materials for a period of two weeks. A student is expected to return books/materials on time. The replacement cost of paperbacks is $5 and at least $15 for hard cover library books. The replacement cost of textbooks is $50-$90.
ii) Student Device Program - Individual Student Chromebooks
Starting in September 2021 until September 2025, students in grades 5 & 9 received a TDSB-owned & managed Chromebook. The program's purpose is to empower students to use technology for learning when and as needed. Students are encouraged to use the device during school and take it home daily, on weekends and holidays, including the summer. The device will be assigned to students and will remain with the student for four years. A signed Student Device User Agreement is required. When a student leaves the TDSB, the Chromebook must be returned to the school. If there is a pattern of repairs due to abuse or neglect of the device, the school may put restrictions in place for usage, such as limiting it to school use only. Parents/guardians will also be asked to help pay for repair costs as well, when there are repairs required due to abuse or neglect of the device, or the device is out of warranty.
D. Academic Achievement
i) Report Cards
Glen Ames issues report cards in accordance with Ministry and Board guidelines. Parent-teacher interviews are a part of the reporting process. Information about our interview process is sent home each term. Teachers make contact with parents throughout the year. Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher at any time should they require clarification or have concerns. Our Staff appreciate knowing parent concerns and hearing constructive feedback.
ii) Graduation Awards
Awards are given out to Grade 8 students at graduation. Staff members collaborate on the merits of possible recipients and make the final selection. At Glen Ames, the Global Competencies are part of the programs, practices and lessons throughout the school community, and are an important part of our school climate. We recognize the Global Competences in our Grade 8 Recognition Awards, focusing on:
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
- Global Citizenship and Character
- Communication
- Collaboration and Leadership
- Creativity, Inquiry and Entrepreneurship
The following awards are also presented at the Grade Eight Graduation Ceremony:
- Homeroom Awards
- Harry McArthur Awards (overall top academic student)
- The Principal’s Award (leadership)
- Valedictorian Award
- The Judy Johnstone School Spirit Award
- The Outstanding Effort Award
- The Tammy Chen Citizenship Award
- Jackie Jurmain Social Justice and the Arts Award
E. Extra and Co-Curricular Activities
There are a multitude of exciting activities and events for our students to enjoy. Glen Ames has traditionally offered superb sports activities. We also have other groups that meet on a regular basis to expand and explore interests, which may include:
Football Robotics Caring and Safe Team
Soccer Cross Country Intramurals
Volleyball Track & Field Basketball
Swimming Hockey Softball
Ultimate Frisbee Eco-Club GSA/Justice League
Chess Strings/Band Rugby
Badminton Yearbook Knitting Club
F. Lockers
Lockers are the property of the School Board and are on loan to the student. A locker is assigned to each student for their own use only during the school year. It is the student's responsibility to keep it tidy and secure. All lockers must have a combination lock. Locker break-ins are almost always the result of using low quality locks or sharing the combination with others. Students are urged to purchase a high-quality combination lock from a retail store (a limited number of locks will be available for purchase from the office). Please do not purchase keyed locks. The combination must not be shared for the protection of student possessions. A record is kept on file in the office should it be forgotten or required. The student will be held responsible for any damage, graffiti, or defacement of the locker. Items such as student timetables may be attached to the inside of the lockers. Any item placed in a locker must be appropriate and consistent with Board and school policies.
G. Telephone Communication During School Day
There are two telephone lines available in our office and the office telephones are available for student use, in the case of emergencies or urgent calls to/from parents. To minimize interruptions to classes, parents, please have your children note appointments, family responsibilities and timelines in their agenda before school.
If an urgent contact between parent and child is needed during class time, we will gladly facilitate it through the school office. Personal Mobile Devices may be used at school for educational (such as, but not limited to, in-class activities, translation services, excursions/fieldtrips, extra-curricular activities, and before/after-school programs), health and medical purposes or to support special education needs only, as directed by and with explicit permission from the Educator or Designated School Staff. Students in grades 7 to 12 are required to store their Personal Mobile Devices out of view and powered off or set to silent mode during Instructional Time, except when their use is explicitly permitted by the Educator or Designated School Staff. Students in grades 7-12 may use their Personal Mobile Devices during non-Instructional Times, such as between classes and during lunch periods, provided such use does not disrupt school operations and the learning environment or contravene applicable TDSB policies and procedures.
We are guided by the TDSB Personal Mobile Device Use in Schools Policy P106.
H. School Day
i. Hours
The Glen Ames school day is 8:50 a.m. to 3:06 p.m. Staff supervision of the school and school property is provided Mon. to Fri. from 8:40 a.m. to 3:12 p.m. Students enter the school with the bell at 8:45 a.m. and 12:27 p.m. and proceed to their lockers. Students must not be in the building prior to this time unless they have made previous arrangements with a specific teacher who will supervise them on that day. Dismissal at 3:06 p.m. is for those students who have completed all of their work and who are not scheduled for remedial assistance or detention. Remedial time is at the request of a teacher or student to complete unfinished work or homework, or to receive extra help.
ii) Inclement Weather
Students may wait inside in designated areas (e.g. main lobby, staff supervised stairwells) when weather is inclement. Students are expected to behave responsibly while they wait quietly inside the school. All other areas of the school are out of bounds.
iii) Absences, Punctuality and Class Expectations
Parents are requested to contact the school each day a student is absent. Calls should be made to the school (416-393-1800) stating the student's name, homeroom number, and reason for absence.
The board-wide automated Synervoice system will repeatedly attempt to call parents who have not notified the school of their child’s absence. The system will also make calls in the evening time to notify parents if their child was late that day.
When other students are participating in special activities such as track and field, paddling, skiing, etc., we always expect the remaining students to attend classes whether we have a modified or regular program. For school and for class, students are expected to arrive on time. Lateness creates delays and interruptions, reducing the amount of time available for teaching. Chronic lateness hinders progress and overall success. Students arriving late must sign in at the office and obtain an admit slip for class. Parents are asked to call the school when they know their child will be late. Punctuality is an important life skill. Consequences are given for numerous lates. The following strategies may be in place as appropriate.
- warning
- detention/removal of privileges to leave school property at lunch
- parent phone call/meeting with family
- formal letter
- referral for social work and attendance counselling
Students are expected to remain in class and take full advantage of learning opportunities. Students who need to leave the class for any reason (i.e. drink, washroom etc.) must sign out with permission, obtain hall pass, and return promptly to class when finished.
iv) Leaving School Early
Students who request sign-out privileges during the school day require parental permission, in the form of a note, to leave school. They must then sign out at the office.
I. Lunch
i) Expectations
Students leaving school property for lunch are expected:
1. To behave appropriately when out in the community, including neighbouring parks and ravines. This includes cleaning up litter left by lunches.
2. To return to school on time.
3. To leave school property promptly and remain off school property until 12:27 p.m. A parent’s permission for their child to leave school property indicates the parent understands that their child will not be supervised, and that the school’s behaviour code will still apply.
Students unable to meet these expectations may lose their off-property privileges.
ii) Cafeteria (11:36 a.m. – 12:27 p.m.)
Students are advised to bring their lunch from home and they will eat at tables in the school cafeteria. Washrooms on the first floor are open to students over the lunch period. Students staying for lunch must remain on school property.
J. Health and Safety
i. Medical
Medication such as inhalers (puffers) for asthma may be kept in student lockers and self-administered by the student when needed. We are not permitted to give any medication to students unless the Administration of Prescribed Medication form is signed and completed by parents.
It is very important that parents ensure that we are informed if your child has any life-threatening allergies. All students with prescribed Epi-pens are to carry an Epi-pen on their person at all times and to store a second Epi-pen in the school office. Our staff members are trained in the use of Epi-Pens and emergency procedures. TDSB medication forms must be completed before any medications can be administered by staff. We keep a file in the office of all students who have known allergies and medical conditions. We are endeavouring to be an allergen-safe school.
In recent years, more and more children have allergies to peanuts and peanut products and we ask that you avoid nut products when preparing lunches and sending food to the school. For some children, even the smell of peanut butter may trigger a severe allergic reaction and accidental ingestion of even a trace of peanut butter could be fatal.
In accordance with the TDSB’s Scented Products Awareness Program, all individuals inside the school building are asked to be very considerate to people with physical sensitivities to scented products, and to act in a responsible and respectful manner which does not place an individual in jeopardy or at risk. We ask that students use roll on deodorant and refrain from using body sprays, spray deodorant, and perfumes (i.e. Axe Spray).
ii. School Security
All safety and security concerns should be reported immediately to the school office. Action will be taken as outlined in the Board’s Safety and Security Policy. Visitors to the school must sign in at the office and wear a visitor’s tag. Any staff member who sees a stranger in the school is instructed to approach the individual, direct them to the office, and inform the office immediately.
K. Code of Conduct
Code of Conduct
Glen Ames is committed to creating a school learning environment that is caring, safe, peaceful, nurturing, positive, respectful and that enables all students to reach their full potential.
When a school has a positive climate, all members of the school community feel safe, included, accepted and actively promote positive behaviours and interactions with each other. All students are guided by the Board Code of Conduct and are expected to demonstrate respect for human rights and social justice. (TDSB.on.ca)
Promoting a Positive School Climate PR697
The Promoting a Positive School Climate Operational Procedure (“The Procedure”) affirms the Board’s commitment to creating school learning environments that are caring, accepting, safe, peaceful, nurturing, positive, equitable and respectful, and that enable all students to reach their full potential. This Procedure supports the implementation of the Caring and Safe Schools Policy (P051).
The following activities may impact the school climate, and are not permitted: Uttering a threat, Possessing alcohol or illegal drugs, Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Swearing at a teacher, Vandalism, Bullying, Physical assault, Fighting, Inappropriate use of electronic devices, Possessing a weapon, Sexual assault, Theft, Harassment, Hate motivated occurences, Traffiking, extortion.
Progressive Discipline and Promoting Positive Student Behaviours PR 702
The TDSB Progressive Discipline Policy defines Progressive Discipline as a whole-school approach that utilizes a continuum of interventions, supports, and consequences to address inappropriate student behaviour and to build upon 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 a focus that is both corrective and supportive.
Bullying P 051
The Bullying Prevention and Intervention (“the Procedure”) affirms the Board’s commitment to bullying prevention and intervention within a broader system of actions in order to strengthen human rights and equity at the TDSB. This Procedure supports the implementation of the Caring and Safe Schools Policy (P051).
Bullying, as per subsection 1(1) of the Education Act, refers to aggressive and typically repeated behaviour (through any physical, verbal, electronic, written or other means) by a pupil where:
a) the behaviour is intended by the pupil to have the effect of, or the pupil ought to know that the behaviour would be likely to have the effect of,
- causing harm, fear or distress to another individual, including physical, psychological, social or academic harm, harm to the individual’s reputation or harm to the individual’s property, or
- creating a negative environment at a school for another individual, and
b) the behaviour occurs in a context where there is a real or perceived power imbalance between the pupil and the individual based on factors such as size, strength, age, intelligence, peer group power, economic status, social status, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, family circumstances, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, disability or the receipt of special education; (“intimidation”)
Bullying is not accepted at Glen Ames, at school related activities, or in any circumstance where engaging in bullying will have a negative impact on the school climate.
Student Dress Policy PR 042
The dress code supports a learning environment that is safe, equitable, welcoming and inclusive and recognizes that decisions about dress reflect individual expression of identity, socio-cultural norms, and economic factors and are personal and important factors to a person’s well-being and health (PR 042).
Students may not wear anything that promotes or symbolizes drugs, alcohol, illegal activity, hate or discrimination, profanity, pornography; or that incites violence or harassment; or threatens health and safety. The policy mandates that students must wear clothing that conforms to the health and safety requirements for a particular class or activity. (TDSB Student Dress Policy - Q and A)
TDSB Online Code of Conduct
In September, students are informed of The TDSB Online Code of Conduct and school expectations with regard to computer and internet etiquette and safety. Students must sign an On-line Code of Conduct in order to gain and maintain this access. Inappropriate use of computer/Internet media which can likely be expected to be unwanted by or harmful to other people may result in serious consequences, including suspension and/or police involvement.
Restrictions on Alcohol, Drug and Tobacco Use Policy (P095)
The Board prohibits all persons from being in the possession of, or under the influence of alcohol or drugs (including cannabis) while on Board premises or while engaging in Board related functions. The Board will ensure that all TDSB students and employees understand that violation of this Policy and related legislation and Board policies could result in disciplinary action(s), up to suspension, or expulsion,... as appropriate.