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.

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 homeroom teacher has a significant role. He/she 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.

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 three program tracks: English (Core), Extended French, and French Immersion. There are similarities and differences between how these programs are delivered.

i) Homeroom

A homeroom teacher is the key contact teacher for the class. Homeroom 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 homeroom students. They will teach a combination of subjects to that specific class. Subjects taught by each homeroom teacher differ from class to class. Students will receive their homeroom and rotary teachers’ names, class assignment, and timetable on the first day of school.

ii) Aquatics Program - Currently paused due to COVID restrictions

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 requested 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. Signing the agenda will let your child’s teachers know that you have done so. The agenda also contains effective learning supports and life skill components that will be used in their classroom.

(ii) Schoology

Schoology (www.schoology.com) is a social network focused on collaboration that allows users to create, manage, and share academic content. Schoology is a Learning Management System (LMS). Visually and functionally Schoology is similar to Facebook. It includes an online grade book, tests and quizzes, and homework dropboxes. The social media features facilitate collaboration among a class, a group, or a school.

Each Glen Ames student will be provided with a Schoology account. Permission/sign-up forms have been included in the September package. Students are encouraged to check Schoology on a daily basis for upcoming quizzes, tests, assignments and projects. Some teachers post homework and assignments/projects on Schoology and accept homework and assignments/projects through the dropbox feature.

C. 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.

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.

The following awards are presented at the Grade Eight Graduation Ceremony:

• Harry McArthur Awards (overall top academic boy and girl)
• The Principal’s Award (leadership)
• Valedictorian Award
• The Judy Johnstone School Spirit Award
• The Most Improved Student Award
• The Tammy Chen Citizenship Award
• Jamieson Kuhlmann Memorial Award

Subject Awards:

• English French Immersion
• Core French Extended French
• History Geography
• Mathematics Science
• Information Technology Physical & Health Education
• Aquatics Visual Arts
• Drama Music
• Homeroom Dance

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 Junior Life Saving
• Soccer Cross Country Yoga/Pilates
• Volleyball Track & Field Basketball
• Swimming Hockey Softball
• Drama Eco-Club GSA
• Chess Strings/Band Choir
• Student Parliment Yearbook Art Club
• Guitar Club Knitting Borden Ball
• Cricket Tchoukball Dodgeball
• Me to We Club

F. Lockers - Currently paused due to COVID restrictions

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 only two telephone lines available in our busy office and for this reason, the office telephones are only 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.

We recognize that it is convenient to have direct communication between family members. However, we have had concerns at Glen Ames, as at other schools, DURING CLASS TIME with:

• Student’s text messaging and phoning other students.
• Students photographing others without permission and posting the photos on internet sites.
• Parents phoning or texting their children during school time on their cell phones. Such uses of phones during school time potentially compromise learning and safety. If urgent contact between parent and child is needed during class time, we will gladly facilitate it through the school office. Cell phones may be used outside of the building before and after classes and during lunchtime. Cell phones are to be kept in lockers during school hours.

H. School Day

i. Hours

The Glen Ames school day is 8:52 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Staff supervision of the school and school property is provided Mon. to Fri. from 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Students enter the school with the bell at 8:52 a.m. and 12:25 p.m. and proceed to their classrooms. 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 3:00 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 and Punctuality

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.

1. warning
2. detention/removal of privileges to leave school property at lunch
3. parent phone call/meeting with family
4. formal letter
5. referral for social work and attendance counselling  

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
2. To return to school on time.
3. To leave school property promptly and remain off school property until 12:25 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 (11:38 a.m. – 12:29 p.m.) - Currently paused due to COVID restrictions

Students are advised to bring their lunch from home or purchase a lunch in the school cafeteria. A selection of reasonably priced food is available. This includes fruit, a salad, juice, milk, a vegetarian selection, muffins as well as a healthy food combo priced at around $5.00. Food is to be eaten in the cafeteria only. Food service in the cafeteria will operate from the second week of school until the second last week of school. During the lunch period, students exit only through the outside doors of the cafeteria when leaving. Washroomson 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

i. POSITIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

Glen Ames Senior Public School is committed to a positive school environment that promotes learning, teaching, and attitudes of respect, trust, cooperation, good citizenship and common courtesy.

Everyone has the right to feel safe and secure and to work in an environment that is free from physical, verbal and sexual abuse, bullying, or discrimination on the basis of race, culture, religion, gender, language, disability, sexual orientation or any other attribute. Our policies follow the Ministry of Education and Training (MET) and Toronto District School Board (TDSB) policies. All staff members follow these policies.

Everyone is expected to respect the rights of all people in the school and in the school community, to treat others with dignity, and to exercise good judgment.

Everyone is expected to respect the property of the school, other students, staff and the community. Damage to school and/or personal property is unacceptable. Community complaints sometimes come under the jurisdiction of the school’s Code of Conduct, and are referred to us to help identify students for follow-up through the school or Toronto Police.

We uphold the following citizenship guidelines:

• Mutual Respect
• Appreciation – no put downs
• Appropriate use of cell phones and social media
• Attentive listening
• Right to pass
• Follow directions promptly
• Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself
• No gossip, rumours, name calling, swearing or “dissing”
• Walk quietly in the hallways
• Play games that are safe for self and others

ii. GENERAL SCHOOL RULES

• Come prepared for class. This includes all necessary work, books, paper, writing equipment, calculator, French/English dictionary, math set, gym/pool clothes, etc.
• Store items not required for class in lockers – cell phones, coats, lunches, electronics, skateboards, scooters, roller blades, etc. NOTE: Expensive items increase theft risks and are better kept at home. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Under no circumstances should valuables be left in the pool or gym changerooms.

Cell phones must be stored in lockers during class time and not used in the hallways.

• In order to leave the classroom students must sign out on the classroom sign-out sheets, and obtain a hall pass from the teacher. Only one person uses a hall pass at a time. Students in the portables may use the buddy system to come into the main building to a washroom.
• Chew gum outside the school building only – dispose of it immediately upon entering the building.
• Skateboards, rollerblades and scooters may not be used on school property for any reason. Skateboards and scooters must be hand-held by their owner, and not shared with others while on school property. Items such as scooters, skateboards, longboards can be brought to school for storage but cannot be taken out during lunch.
• In senior school we do not have recess breaks. With permission from the classroom teachers, students are welcome to eat fresh fruits and vegetables and water in class. For health and sanitation reasons, other foods and beverages are not permitted.
• Graffiti markers, spray paint cans (or any other items which would likely be intended for graffiti or tagging) are not to be brought onto school property.

iii. DRESS CODE

AT SCHOOL, EVERYONE, INCLUDING VISITORS, IS EXPECTED TO DRESS RESPECTFULLY. Inappropriate dress includes symbols representing violence, illegal substances, discrimination, and affiliation with gangs or rude language. Coats are to be stored in lockers. Clothing is to be appropriate for school and should allow students to comfortably participate in all class activities.

iv. COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS

Each classroom has computer and Internet access for students to work on school assignments and research. In September, students are informed of Board of Education and school expectations with regard to computer and internet etiquette at school and they must sign an Online 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.

v. PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES AND DANGEROUS ITEMS

In school, cigarettes, vape juice/vaporizers, drugs and alcohol are not permitted. If there is a suspicion of any drug or alcohol use or possession, parents will be informed. Consequences may include suspension and police involvement, where appropriate.

Knives, weapons and replicas, firecrackers, matches, lighters, laser pointers or other dangerous items must not to be brought into the school or be part of any school event under any circumstance. All such items will be confiscated permanently and may result in serious consequences, including suspension and/or police involvement.

As part of our progressive approach to discipline, our goal is always to help students develop effective and appropriate behaviour strategies and patterns, based on the values of the Toronto District School Board. Breaches of our school code of conduct may result in a range of consequences and interventions, including discussions, counselling, parent contracts, detentions, (usually served at noon hour or at the end of the school day and have priority over any other activity) exclusion from selected activities, withdrawal of privileges, restitution, suspension, referral to outside agencies, police involvement, and/or other appropriate measures.