Macdonald Policies


MACDONALD CI EXPECTATIONS

For Students To:

  • arrive on time prepared for each class
  • attend and participate in all timetabled classes and remediation as assigned
  • complete all assigned work, and be responsible for work missed during all absences
  • follow the TDSB, school and classroom policies
  • communicate school activities and progress to your parent/guardian
  • be familiar with the TDSB Code of Conduct and the Code of Online Conduct published on the Macdonald website, TDSB Connects and MySchoolDay App

For Parents and Guardians To:

  • report student absence and provide written documentation on the date your child returns to school
  • support learning at school and at home
  • understand the TDSB, school and classroom policies
  • monitor student’s progress
  • communicate and connect with the teachers and the school

For Staff To:

  • deliver programs in accordance with the school, TDSB and Ministry of Education policies 
  • work in accordance with the TDSB and school policies in establishing classroom routines
  • model a professional and business-like demeanor
  • communicate information on student progress and behavior to students, parents and administration
  • provide both leadership and authority within the school
  • foster conflict resolution strategies
  • attend to discipline concerns

ATTENDANCE POLICY

To experience success at Macdonald CI, regular and punctual attendance is expected of your learner. When your child is          absent the following is expected:

  • All absences for students under 18 years of age must be explained by a parent/guardian. Students 18 and over must inform the school themselves.
  • Students should consult with teachers immediately prior to expected absences or upon return from any unexpected absences to arrange for missed tests or assignments.
  • If a student is leaving school before the end of the day, they must come to the main office and sign out. Students must have parental/guardian permission before leaving the building. If the student does not have a note, a parent/guardian will be called for permission.

Students who are absent from school for an extended period of time must provide appropriate documentation.


Consequences of Non-Attendance

  • Automated system contacts the home regarding absences.
  • If lates and/or absences for classes accumulate, teachers will contact parents. If this continues a student will be required to see a counsellor / VP. A “tracking sheet” may be put into effect. This sheet requires the student to obtain the signature of every teacher and their parent/guardian each day and to return it to the office the following morning.
  • If the attendance pattern does not improve, there will be further parental communication and consequences.

Lengthy Absence

For a lengthy illness of more than 5 days, a doctor’s certificate is required.


To withdraw a student from school for reasons other than health, a parent must contact a Vice Principal. The student must see the attendance secretary for a copy of the appropriate form; once this has been completed and approved by Administration, the request for leave will be considered. The student is responsible for all work missed and accepts responsibility for any failure that may result from  the absence. Teachers are not required to provide alternative assessments. 


Late for Class/School

A student is considered late for Period 1 if they are not in their  seat by 9:00 am. If a student is late because of a medical, dental or similar appointment, they should bring a note to the Main Office to sign in with an explained late.  For unexplained lates, students go straight to their classes and teachers will record the time of arrival. 


CREDIT AND COURSE SELECTION POLICY

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that his/her credits are recorded and documented correctly, with regard to both total numbers of credits, and their distribution.


The course selection process takes place each year in February for the following school year.  Students should consider their strengths and areas of interest.  Please pay close attention to O.S.S.D. requirements, as well as specific post-secondary program requirements.


Students should take a full program of study each year as follows:

  • Grade 9               8 classes
  • Grade 10             8 classes
  • Grade 11             8 classes
  • Grade 12             6-8 classes

A student may not have a spare (unsupervised study) unless 23 credits have been completed and they are 16 years of age. In exceptional circumstances, a grade 11 student may ask their Guidance Counsellor to seek special permission from the Administration to have a spare.


Course changes will only be made in September for the following reasons:

  • Summer School
  • Level Changes
  • Omissions/Errors

It is strongly recommended that a responsible balance of academic and extra-curricular workload be a priority in a student’s senior years.


Eligibility for School Awards

In order to be eligible for a Macdonald school award or scholarship, a student must be a full-time student (Grade 12: minimum of 6 Macdonald day school courses). Private school courses are not eligible as criteria for any school awards.


  • An Honours Certificate is awarded to students in Grades 9-11 whose overall average on a full course load is 80.0% or more, in their day school program.
  • The Macdonald Medallion is awarded to Grade 12 students whose overall average on a full course load is 90.0% or more, in their day school program. 
  • Ontario Scholar status is awarded on the basis of 80.0% earned on any 6 grade 12 courses authorized under OSS and taken within two years.
  • All day school courses attempted will be counted in the overall average.

ACADEMIC HONESTY

Cheating and Plagiarism

Cheating occurs when a student tries to gain an advantage during an assessment of learning. Plagiarism is a specific type of cheating where a student tries to present the work of someone else or work generated by artificial intelligence as their own. Students are expected to know and understand that any instance of cheating is taken very seriously.


In order to ensure academic honesty, teachers will incorporate lessons on research skills, proper use of artificial intelligence and test taking strategies. Students are expected to actively participate in those lessons and ask for assistance to avoid instances of cheating.


Consequences of Academic Dishonesty

It is the intention of the TDSB to provide a consistent and fair approach to dealing with instances of academic dishonesty, specifically with plagiarism and cheating. When  plagiarism/cheating is detected, the following process will be followed:


Investigation

  • When a teacher discovers evidence of plagiarism/cheating, the teacher will discuss the matter with the student(s) involved.
  • The teacher will determine if plagiarism/cheating has occurred; and
  • The teacher will consult with the principal/vice-principal to review the situation and discuss appropriate consequences which can include receiving zero on the assessment.

Communication

  • The teacher will inform the student of the consequences of this instance of plagiarism / cheating; and
  • The teacher will inform the parent(s)/guardian (when the student is under the age of 18) that plagiarism/cheating has occurred and the consequences of this action.

Appeal

All students who face the consequences of plagiarism or cheating have the right to appeal the teacher’s decision to the principal/vice-principal.


Students may appeal their case to the principal/vice- principal only after they have first discussed the matter with their teacher.


EXAMINATION POLICY

Student Examination Rules

  • Students must be in the examination room at least 10 minutes before the start of the examination.  
  • Every student has the responsibility to arrive at the examination at the correct time. No examination will be written at any time other than the time indicated on the official examination schedule. 
  • Students arriving late for an exam will only receive the balance of the time left and will be reported as ‘late’.
  • Before the distribution of the question papers, students must place all coats, texts, notebooks, and other such materials in their locker or along the walls of the classroom as directed by the teacher in charge.  
  • No cell phones, smart watches or other personal electronic devices are allowed. Ensure they are at home or in your locker. Cell phones will be confiscated if they are out. Any students found either touching an electronic device or with an electronic device visible during a test or exam situation will have their exam or test paper confiscated.  A mark of “Zero” will be given for the test or exam and a letter may be placed in the student's file. 
  • If a student communicates with another student or uses any unauthorized material on his/her desk or person, examination answer papers will be confiscated, and the office notified. The presiding teacher must call the office and have the Principal or Vice Principal come immediately to the examination room if any student appears to be cheating.  If the allegations of cheating are accurate, the exam mark will be zero and a letter may be placed in the student's file. 
  • Students must come to the examination room equipped with pencils, ruler, pen, and such mathematical instruments as may be needed.  
  • Scientific calculators with extended memory are not acceptable unless otherwise specified by the subject class teacher.
  • Students may leave the examination room only after 1 hour (for a 1 1/2-hour exam) or 1 1/2 hours (for a 2-hour exam) has elapsed. Several students are writing examinations in a conflict room situation and an early dismissal of other students would jeopardize the security of their exams.  
  • In order to ensure the quietest possible conditions, students will not be permitted in the halls where examinations are being written. Students must vacate the hallways promptly following excusal/dismissal from their exam room. They will not be permitted to go to their locker while an exam is in session. 
  • The cafeteria servery is closed for food service during examinations.  
  • Access to the Library will be limited during the examination weeks. The Library is to be used for quiet study only.
  • Students are expected to stay at home to study on those days for which they have no examination scheduled. 

Missed Exam Policy

  • Vacation or family trips DO NOT constitute a valid reason for missing an exam.
  • If a student misses an exam or culminating activity (in whole or in part) for medical or other significant reasons (for example, a death in the family, a court appearance, or citizenship) a medical certificate and/or the appropriate documentation must be provided, clearly stating the reason for the absence.
  • The Medical Certificate must:
    • Be signed by an Ontario licensed medical doctor;
    • List all consecutive days the student was absent from school;
    • STATE CLEARLY THAT THE STUDENT WAS TOO ILL TO WRITE THE EXAM, ON THE DATE THE EXAM WAS SCHEDULED. 
  • A statement merely stating a report of illness made by the student is not acceptable.
  • A parent or guardian of the student will notify the school of the illness, usually by telephone, prior to the start of the culminating/examination or as soon as possible thereafter.
  • The medical certificate or documentation must be submitted to the Main Office within 1 day of the missed evaluation.
  • The attendance secretary will add the student's name to the list of exemptions due to illness for those examinations covered by the medical certificate.
  • Teachers will determine the final mark for students who legitimately miss final examinations, based on their professional judgement in consultation with the school administration. 

Moratorium Policy

No tests or major assignments which require out-of-class preparation shall be scheduled in the 4 school days prior to the beginning of exams. This includes exams written as part of the Culminating Activity in subjects where an exam is to be written.

No special events, assemblies, excursions, or withdrawal of students from class will be permitted for the 4 school days prior to the beginning of exams. 


STUDENT ACTIVITY FEE

At the beginning of the school year all students are asked to pay a $65 fee through School Cash Online. This money provides students with:

  • Student Card
  • Yearbook
  • Access to Clubs, Councils and Athletics
  • Access to school events
  • My School Day App

If school fees are not paid, students will NOT have access to these additional services.  Students experiencing financial hardship are asked to speak to their VP regarding paying these fees. 


STUDENT PHOTO IDENTIFICATION CARD

All students are issued a Student Photo Identification Card.  This card is to be carried at all times, and is required for exams, signing in or out, the Library, athletics and at dances and other events. For school safety, your ID card must be presented upon request to any adult staff member.

Students will NOT be admitted to spectate games, attend dances or other school events unless they present their student card. 


STUDENT DEVICE PROGRAM

In 2021 the TDSB launched a 1:1 Student Device Program. The program offered students a district-owned and managed Chromebook for educational use. This device is assigned directly to the student and will stay with them until grade twelve, 24/7. Devices are tracked through the Insignia Library System. 


Students will be able to take them home each night, on weekends and over holidays and will be required to bring them to school each day to support their in-class learning. This Board-wide initiative supports learning through technology, digital citizenship, and our commitment to equity of access to technology.  


Students and their parent(s)/guardian(s) are responsible for the care, maintenance, and repair of the device.


LOCKERS

All students will be registered with a locker.  Please keep the following in mind:

  • Students are expected to complete a Google form that will be emailed to them, indicating their Locker Combination.  
  • Lockers are the property of the TDSB and as such are loaned to students for their use. 
  • Lockers and locker combinations must not be shared.
  • In rare circumstances, students may request a locker change from the office. 
  • Never leave money or valuables in their lockers. 
  • Access to lockers after 4:00 p.m. may not be possible unless accompanied by a staff member.
  • The school accepts no responsibility for losses if students disregard these policies. 

SPORTS AT MAC

At Macdonald, we would like our student-athletes to enjoy and benefit from athletics. However, students should understand that when they have made a school team and agreed to participate, they have also made a firm commitment to that team and to maintain good academic standing in their courses. It is an honour to represent your school in inter-collegiate sports.


Student athletes must adhere to the Code of Behaviour AND understand the Co-Curricular Policy as outlined below.

Athletic Team Policy

Students may only play one sport per season.

A student may not practice with a team for the upcoming season if their current schedule goes into the next season unless they check with their coaches. If there is a conflict, the current team must take priority. If you do not follow this, you may be asked to leave your present team and may not compete for the upcoming team.

Student athletes are expected to attend all tournaments, games and practices or inform their coach in advance of an absence as part of their commitment to the team. Students are expected to fulfill their commitment to any team for which they are selected. Failure to fulfill their commitments may jeopardize their ability to join a future team.

Parental consent must be received before a student can tryout for a team. Students are expected to help their parents set-up an account at ema.tdsb.on.ca. In rare occasions the parental consent will be done via paper forms.


Code of Behaviour for Spectators

  • Student Card must be presented before entering the venue
  • Cheer only in a positive manner.
  • Respect the decisions of the officials.
  • Refrain from interfering with the game (i.e. yell during a foul shot, cross the floor/field during a game/match).
  • Respect the facilities and obey the regulations with respect to:  SMOKING, DRINKING, GARBAGE.
  • Be courteous and respectful of fellow spectators, competitors, and administrative officials.
  • Discourage poor conduct by other students.
  • Follow at all times the accepted rules of proper and courteous behaviour.
  • Respect the opposition because without an opponent there is no game.

NOTE: Macdonald spectators are not permitted to travel to other schools for scheduled away games. Students who attend away games without permission will be disciplined and/or suspended. Special arrangements will be made for championship games. 


Code of Behaviour for Student-Athletes

Each student-athlete should strive to:

  • Understand the responsibilities involved in being a team member in terms of willingness to participate in practices, games and schoolwork.
  • Be generous in winning and graceful in losing.
  • Gain a good understanding of the rules of the game.
  • Understand that winning is desirable but to win at any cost defeats the purpose of the game.
  • Exhibit the qualities of good sportsmanship, dedication, pride, team spirit, and leadership.
  • Be respectful of the officials' calls no matter what the immediate cost.
  • Understand that the only way to play the game is fairly and cleanly, eliminating fighting and use of bad language.

CO-CURRICULAR POLICY

Macdonald C.I. offers a wide range of opportunities for students to become involved in co-curricular activities. In order to be eligible, each student must meet the terms of the MAC Co-Curricular Contract as follows:

  • Academic success is the primary goal at Macdonald. Students must strive to be in good standing in all subjects. They are expected to meet all course requirements, such as assignments, presentations, tests and make-up tests as well as maintain punctual and regular attendance in class.  
  • Absences from class for other than school-related activities will put one’s co-curricular eligibility at risk.  
  • Attendance throughout the school day is mandatory on the day of the activity.  
  • Students must inform teachers, in advance, of absences related to co-curricular activities.  
  • Students must be responsible for all work covered and assignments given during each absence. 
  • Early dismissal is a privilege, and participants are to leave class only at the indicated time.
  • Behaviour in and around the school and community will be of a positive nature.
  • Individuals suspended from school (including in-school suspensions) or withdrawn from an activity will not take part in any activity (practice/rehearsal) or early excusal related to the co-curricular group during the period of suspension/withdrawal.