Destiny Discover
We Are Hiring
Parent Website
Screening

Student Responsibilities

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that demonstrates respect for themselves and others. All students will be expected to demonstrate respect for authority, consideration and respect for others, good work habits, self-control and will consistently show good effort in all that they do.

To this end, students will:

1. Respect the ideas and respond positively to the achievements of others.
2. Put forth their best effort in all that is done during the school day.
3. Be punctual and consistent in attendance.
4. Demonstrate self- discipline.
5. Behave and speak courteously and respectfully to all members of the school community.
6. Bring to school and classes all necessary materials.
7. Complete and return all homework assignments.
8. Bring their agenda planner to class every day and maintain it as required by their teachers.
9. Show respect and care for all school property.
10. Be aware of the consequences of inappropriate behaviour and the use of profanity.
11. Neither take nor touch another person's property without his/her permission.

Behaviour Code

Students Will:
1. Speak and treat each other with respect and with manners.
2. Keep their hands to themselves and avoid harmful bodily contact - “Hands-off Policy”.
3. Use appropriate language at all times and respect the school property and the property of others.
4. Be prepared and prompt for school classes.
5. Line up quietly at the bell and enter the school in an orderly and quiet manner.
6. Remove hats upon entering the school.
7. Keep their workspace respectable and neat.
8. Use audio-visual equipment/computers only in the presence of a teacher. Eating and
drinking near the equipment is not permitted.
9. Refrain from chewing gum at school or on school property.
10. Use the washroom before or after recess with the teacher's permission.
11. Follow the Board’s Internet Policy.

Recess Rules
1. Remain on school property.
2. For safety reasons, students must use softly textured balls while on the playground.
3. Respect the property of others.
4. Avoid games with potentially harmful bodily contact.
5. During winter months stay off snow hills and do not throw snowballs.

Lunch Rules
1. Follow all school rules.
2. Remain seated in your own class until dismissal.
3. Clean up after yourself.
4. Remain on school property throughout the entire lunch period.
5. Demonstrate courtesy to all Lunchroom Supervisors and Leaders.

Personal Property
Any personal belongings brought to school are the student’s responsibility and should be clearly labelled. Expensive items, such as electronic games and equipment, cell phones, pagers, card collections, and other trendy toys should NOT be brought to school.

Allergy Warning

We have several students at our school with severe allergies to nuts, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish (shrimp, lobster, crab), latex (present in gloves and balloons), and eggs. Please plan your child’s lunch with consideration for the health and safety of these students. We all thank you for your cooperation. NO NUT / PEANUT / TREE NUT / SHELLFISH FOOD PRODUCTS ARE ALLOWED.

Appointments

If you wish to speak to your child's teacher, please make an appointment. You may do this by calling the school or communicating with the teacher using the agenda book.

Student Attendance

Regular and punctual attendance is expected from each student. Absence from school must be entered through school messenger prior to 9:00am. Attendance is taken in each class following morning announcements and at the beginning of the afternoon session. Attendance is monitored closely by the office; as poor attendance affects academic performance.

Personal Mobile Devices

Please view the attached documents regarding mobile digital devices as posted on the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board.


A12 - Personal Mobile Devices  A12 - Personal Mobile Devices
S15 - Internet and Technology - Acceptable Use for Students  S15 - Internet and Technology - Acceptable Use for Students

Buses

Safety on our buses is a primary concern so we must expect that students listen to the drivers. Students will take a seat promptly when they board the bus and must remain seated for the duration of the route. Students will be picked up and discharged at their assigned stop only. Bus stops cannot be changed without the consent of the Transportation Department. If there is a problem on the bus, the bus driver will write up a pink slip and contact the school. The incident will be investigated and may result in the student having bus privileges removed for a period of time. Please remember that the safety of the child is the responsibility of the parent between the home and the bus stop.

Please note that students will be bussed to and from St. Ann’s Parish for school masses.

Catholic School Council

It is the responsibility of the Catholic School Council to ensure that the Mission and Vision of the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board are supported and promoted by the Catholic School Council. It serves as an advisory body to the school Principal. It is an opportunity for parents/ guardians to be involved in their child's education.

Change of Contact Information

Please notify the office in writing if you are moving. If your address, or home/cell/work phone numbers/ emergency contacts change, please contact the school immediately.

Driving Students to School

If you are driving your child to school, in order to ensure the safety of all children, please remember to obey all traffic signs and parking signs. It is recommended that you park your car across the street in the parking lot, or on a side street if you wish to walk your children to school. Our school parking lot is very limited and we would appreciate your cooperation in leaving it available for staff members and school board employees. The bus drivers would appreciate a clear pathway for their entry and exit to our school. Do not park in the entrance way in front of the school. This is a no stopping, no parking area. This entrance laneway is used by school buses only. Thank you for your cooperation and for keeping our school community safe.

Our morning bells rings at 9:15am. Our staff supervision schedule begins 15 minutes before the morning bell so students should not arrive to school before 9:00am.

Home-School Communication

On-going communication between the home and school is important. The staff at Holy Name of Mary Catholic Elementary School is dedicated to student success.

Internet - Posting Information

The Keeping our Kids Safe at School Act came into effect on February 1st, 2010. It explains what must happen when serious student incidents or inappropriate student behaviour takes place at school.

With the passing of this act, students who post inappropriate content on the internet at school or at home (such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, MySpace, etc.) which negatively affects the school climate may be suspended or expelled depending on the nature of the issue. The police may also be involved.

Students are warned not to post any information about other students on the internet or serious consequences may occur.

Illness

Please do not send your child to school if they are not well enough to participate in all activities, including outdoor recess. If a student becomes ill during school hours, the student will be directed to the office and a parent or emergency contact person will be called.

Lost and Found

The school is NOT responsible for any items lost at school.

Lunch Procedures

All students who eat lunch at school ARE NOT PERMITTED TO LEAVE THE SCHOOL PROPERTY during the lunch period. Students who choose to stay at school for lunch must stay each and every day unless a note is provided by a parent/guardian in advance of the lunch dismissal time.

Medication at School

Any students who must take medication on a daily basis at school must have their parents and their physician complete the medication permission forms which are available at the office. This form is required by School Board Regulation and must be kept on file. Please notify the school if medication distribution stops so that all medication can be returned to the parent/guardian as soon as possible. Unprescribed medications, such as cough syrup or Tylenol, or short term medication such as antibiotics should not be sent to school as school staff are not authorized to administer it.

Personal Property

Any personal belongings brought to school are the student’s responsibility and should be clearly labelled.

Public Display of Photographs and Student Information

Your child’s name and/or picture may appear or be published on our bulletin boards, and/or be used by the Parish, the Catholic School Council, or the School Board for public display. Please refer to the school’s September newsletter for more details and information. It contains a form which parent’s are required to sign.

Early Dismissal

Parents/guardians must enter absences using school messenger. For safety reasons, students will NOT be allowed to walk home alone during school hours.

Student of the Month Award

Each month, beginning in October, students in grades 1 - 8 will have a chance to receive an award for excellence based on our yearly school goals.

.

Weather Conditions/Footwear

Weather conditions are carefully monitored and students are not sent outside if it is raining or extremely cold or hot. Please ensure that children come to school dressed properly for the weather conditions. In order to keep classrooms dry and clean, indoor shoes at school are required.

.