A.B. Lucas Secondary School

Code of Conduct

Every student has the right to come to school in peace and safety and has the corresponding responsibility to refrain from any behaviour which threatens the mental and/or physical safety of other students.

This Code of Conduct represents the behavioural expectations for the students at A.B. Lucas Secondary School and operates in conjunction with Ontario’s Provincial Code of Conduct.  The A.B. Lucas Secondary School Code of Conduct has been developed in accord with Policy/Program Memorandum 128, the Education Act, and the Safe Schools Policy and Procedure of the Thames Valley District School Board.

This Code of Conduct applies on school property, on school buses, at school-related events or activities, or in other circumstances that could have impact on the school climate.

BEHAVIOURS SPECIFIC TO A.B. LUCAS SECONDARY SCHOOL

Academic Honesty

• Students are expected to…
  • Complete all course assignments, assessments, and evaluations on their own unless otherwise instructed by their teacher.
  • Cite another person’s words or ideas to avoid a charge of plagiarism. 

Achievement

• Students are expected to…
  • Come to class with the necessary materials.
  • Submit assignments on the due date and study for tests, examinations, and final evaluations.
  • Extensions are to be requested in advance of a due date, not on the day the assignment is due.
  • Come to class on all assessment and evaluation days unless attending a school sanctioned event.
  • Complete homework.  Homework may involve projects, assignments, independent study, and review of notes.  Students must organize and prioritize their time to meet the workload for each course

Attendance and Punctuality

• Students are expected to…
  • Arrive to classes on time and prepared to learn.
  • Schedule appointments and vacations to occur outside of school time.
  • Ask parents/guardians to excuse non-school related absences through School Messenger on or before the day of the absence.
  • Understand that all unauthorized or unexcused absences are truancies and consequences will be assigned (missing a class to complete assignments for another course is considered an unauthorized absence).

Assemblies

• Students are expected to…
  • Attend all scheduled assemblies.  Backpacks/bags are to be left in locked classrooms and students are to proceed to the designated location when called by the office.  Students are not permitted to go to their lockers prior to an assembly.
  • Demonstrate respectful behaviour and remove hats.

Buses

• Students are expected to…
  • Ride only their assigned bus.
  • Follow the Code of Conduct as well as other school and board regulations while on the bus or waiting for the bus (the rules that apply in a classroom also apply on a bus).
  • Understand that inappropriate, disrespectful, and/or unsafe language on the bus may result in the loss of bus privileges and are subject to consequences.

Cafeteria

• Students are expected to…
  • Consume food and drinks in the cafeteria and put all waste and recyclables in the appropriate receptacles.  Keep floors and tables clean.
  • Not bring backpacks or school bags into the cafeteria line.
  • Follow individual teacher’s discretion regarding food or drink in classrooms.

Cell Phones and Personal Mobile Devices

• Students are expected to…
  • Have cellphones and other mobile devices, such as tablets and smartwatches, turned off or set to silent and stored out of view.  Students are not allowed to use mobile devices during class time, unless explicitly allowed by a teacher.

Changing, Adding, or Removing Courses

• Students are expected to…
  • Attend all courses on the assigned timetable.  Students wishing to add, drop, or change a course must make a guidance appointment.  Students are to continue in regular attendance in each course until a completed add/drop sheet is signed by a parent/guardian and/or supported by the Administration and returned to the guidance counsellor.  Students in grades 9 and 10 will be scheduled in four courses each semester.  Spares are not permitted until 24 credits have been successfully earned.  Only in special cases will rare exceptions be made.

Class Start and End Times

• Students are expected to…
  • Attend all classes on time.  Class start time is signalled by the school bell and times are posted in classrooms and throughout the school.
  • Be dismissed by the classroom teacher and not the bell.
  • Remain in their class for the entire period.  Classes are not released early.

Computer and Media Use

• Students are expected to…
  • Complete and follow the Computer/Media Usage Agreement before they are given access to a computer account.  The agreement outlines user fees, responsible use requirements, and consequences for violation.
  • Access their own files and use only their own password.
  • Work only in assigned areas of the computer system.
  • Demonstrate appropriate conduct that is related to instruction when using equipment and the computer system.

Dances

• Students are expected to…
  • Purchase and possess a Student Card to attend a dance.
  • Enter the dance before 8:00 pm.  No one will be admitted after this time.
  • Attend school the day of the dance unless the absence can be explained by a parent/guardian.
  • Complete a Guest Application Form for one guest and submit the form to the office/student council by 2:45pm two-days prior to the dance.  A. B. Lucas students are responsible for the conduct of their guests.  Guests must present a current student card from their own secondary school (A. B. Lucas graduates may not attend dances).
  • Leave all belongings in the coat check area.  Lockers are not accessible. Valuables are to be left at home.
  • Remain in the building during the dance.  Students who leave the school building will not be re-admitted.
  • Comply with all Code of Conduct requirements while at a dance.  Alcohol, vaping, and drug-related violations will result in a suspension and possible police investigation that may result in a charge.

Detentions

• Students are expected to…
  • Report to the designated detention area promptly at the beginning of lunch or when otherwise assigned by a staff member.  Food, drinks, and talking are not permitted.
  • Behave appropriately in the detention room.  Inappropriate behaviour while in detention will result in additional consequences.
  • Bring homework to complete or a book to read.

Dress

• Students are expected to…
  • Be familiar with the TVDSB Guidelines for Student Dress.
  • Wear dress suitable for a K-12 educational environment including a top and bottom layer made from opaque (not see-through or transparent) material.  Bottom layers of clothing will cover the groin and buttocks; top layers will cover the nipples.  Undergarments (e.g. boxers, briefs, bras or any form of lingerie) worn as the only layer of clothing, and swimwear worn other than as required for an activity with the permission of a principal, are not suitable for a K-12 educational environment.  Students may wear clothing that exposes straps and waistbands of undergarments.
  • Wear footwear appropriate to the activity and environment.
  • NOT wear dress that could reasonably be construed to symbolize, suggest, display, promote or incite recreational drug or alcohol use, illegal or criminal activity; profanity; pornography; violence; the promotion of racial, creed-based, or other identity-based hatred; or that otherwise threatens health and safety.  These items are not consistent with ensuring a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students and are therefore not permitted.

Emergency Drills

• Students are expected to…
  • Understand their responsibilities during mandatory fire, severe weather, and lockdown drills.
  • Listen to teachers’ instructions during emergency drills.

Examinations and Final Evaluations

• Students are expected to…
  • Attend each end-of-semester evaluation.  The exam/evaluation dates for the school year are set in advance and are found on the board and school calendars.
  • Schedule vacations, family trips and other appointments to occur at times other than the final evaluation period.  Failure to write a final examination will result in a mark of zero.  Deferral from writing an examination will be given only for a valid medical or bereavement reason with supporting documentation.

False Fire Alarm

• Students are expected to…
  • Be diligent in reporting an unsafe situation or emergency.  Signalling a false alarm of fire by pulling an alarm or other form of communication puts the entire community at risk and is a criminal offence.  Fines and/or criminal charges could result.

Field Trips and Authorized School Functions

• Students are expected to…
  • Complete a signed permission form from a parent/guardian before the student may participate in a school sanctioned activity.
  • Notify your other teachers well in advance of the activity that you will be missing their class.  With reasonable accommodation, students are responsible for all work missed.

Hallways

• Students are expected to…
  • Remain in the assigned area of instruction for the entire class time.  Students are excused from their class for washroom purposes with the permission of the teacher.
  • Time in hallways is to be kept to an absolute minimum.
  • Travel quietly through the hallways.  Students are not to interrupt classes.

Harassment

• Students are expected to…
  • Treat all people with mutual respect, dignity and worth.  The learning environment is to be free of inappropriate behaviours as they relate to race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, record of offences, family status, and/or handicap.

Health Room

• Students are expected to…
  • Notify a teacher and/or report to the office if the student becomes ill at school.  Students may be admitted to the designated Health Room for a brief time or sent home under parent/guardian supervision.
  • Notify the office of changes to their symptoms.

Language

• Students are expected to…
  • Use language appropriate to a secondary school environment while refraining from the use of profanity in spoken or written form.

Library Learning Commons

• Students are expected to…
  • Use the Library Learning Commons with respect (includes the use of library and IT equipment).
  • Maintain a quiet atmosphere: the library is used for study, assignment completion, and other quiet work.

Locks and Lockers

• Students are expected to…
  • Use only the one locker assigned to them.  Lock combinations are to be registered with the office.  Lockers are to be kept free of graffiti and damage.
  • Display text, graphics, or photos that are in good taste, do not promote illegal activity, and do not contravene any section of the Code of Conduct.
  • Empty and clear their locker of pictures, posters, stickers and trash by the specified time.
  • Understand that lockers are the property of the school and may be searched by school administration.

Loitering

• Students are expected to…
  • Socialize in the cafeteria.  Hallway traffic is not to be impeded.
  • Keep the entrances to the school clear to promote safety as well as a positive school image.
  • Leave the parking lot immediately.

Lunch

• Students are expected to…
  • Stay out of academic halls during lunch to ensure a quiet learning environment for students in classes.

Music Players and Speakers

• Students are expected to…
  • Use sound equipment and instruments, for educational purposes, in a responsible manner that is not a distraction.  Sound equipment may be used in class at the discretion of the teacher.
  • Use headphones to listen to music in the halls.  Speakers are not permitted in hallways.

Opening Exercises

• Students are expected to…
  • The national anthem and announcements begin at 8:15am.  Students are expected to stand quietly and remove hats/hoods during the national anthem and to listen to all announcements.

Parking

• Students are expected to…
  • Use only the parking lot located on the north side of the school.  Student parking in any other area is prohibited.  Safe and lawful driving practices must be demonstrated.
  • Arrive to school on-time or parking privileges will be revoked.

Posters, Pamphlets, Displays

• Students are expected to…
  • Receive permission from the principal or a vice-principal to distribute or post material on school property.

Private Property

• Students are expected to…
  • Always stay off private property.  Residential and commercial neighbours have made it clear their property is out-of-bounds.

Respect for Authority

• Students are expected to…
  • Follow the rules of the school and the directions of members of the school staff in a co-operative manner.
  • Give their correct name when asked by a member of the school staff.

Respect for Others

• Students are expected to…
  • Refrain from engaging in bulling and/or harassing behaviour.  Bullying and/or harassment will not be tolerated.  Such behaviour includes, but is not limited to: physical, verbal (oral or written), sexual, or psychological harassment or abuse; bullying or intimidation, including cyberbullying; discrimination based on age, ancestry, colour, race, citizenship, ethnic origin, creed, disability, family status, marital status, gender identity, gender expression, receipt of public assistance, record of offences, sex, sexual orientation (see The Ontario Human Rights Code).
  • Refrain from horseplay in the hallways, classrooms, and on school property.

Respect for Property

• Students are expected to…
  • Care for the school grounds, buildings, equipment, textbooks, lockers, learning materials, cafeteria, parking areas, buses, other public and private properties, and personal properties of others.

Scent Aware Environment

• Students are expected to…
  • Not use products such as perfumes, colognes, and deodorants that contain scents.  The goal is to create a scent-free learning environment that is safe for everyone.

Shop and Lab Safety

• Students are expected to…
  • Wear the required personal protective equipment for the task.
  • Wear appropriate clothing/footwear while in the shop or laboratory work areas.
  • Keep the work areas clean, return all equipment to assigned locations, and follow the safety guidelines

Signing In and Signing Out

• Students are expected to…
  • Report to the Main Office with a note from their parent/guardian to leave the school during the school day.  A call may be made to confirm the note.
  • Report to the Main Office when they return to school from an appointment to sign in and to receive an admit slip.  Failure to sign out of school is considered an unexplained absence.  Parents/guardians will receive a phone call home for any period their child has missed where a note or call was not received.
  • Meet with an administrator if they are 18 years of age or older and they sign out repeatedly to attend appointments during class time.  Provide a note of proof for repeated, acceptable absence.

Smoking, Vaping, and Cannabis

• Students are expected to…
  • Adhere to all laws and rules regarding smoking and vaping.  The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 prohibits the use of tobacco, cannabis, or vape products on or 20-metres from school property.  Students cannot possess or use tobacco products, e-cigarettes (vapes) or nicotine products at school.  If a student is caught with any of these items, the item must be given up and the parent/guardian will be notified.  At school or at a school event, students cannot: possess recreational cannabis; be under the influence of recreational cannabis; give others cannabis for recreational use.  The use of tobacco, cannabis, or vape products in the school or on school property is prohibited by law and may result in a charge, fine, or a Part 3 Summons to appear in Court.

Spare Time and Study Periods

• Students are expected to…
  • Be in the cafeteria or library during a spare period.  Hallway wandering is not a productive use of time and violates the intent of the study period.

Textbooks, Supplies, and Equipment

• Students are expected to…
  • Exercise care with materials loaned from the school.  Students are responsible for the textbooks, library books, supplies, and equipment loaned to them and will need to pay for any loss or damage.  Report cards, transcripts, and new textbooks will be issued only to students who have returned all books and other resources.

Washroom Capacity

• Students are expected to…
  • Follow the capacity guidelines for all shared washroom spaces.  Washrooms are private places and not meeting areas.