August 2011 Newsletter - St. Augustine CHS

OPENING SCHOOL PROCEDURESATTENDANCEWe believe that regular attendance is fundamental toacademic success but it also has an impact on future success.In the world of work, employers are looking for people whoare reliable and one of the things they focus on to predictfuture performance is dedication displayed by punctualityand regular attendance. If you have not developed the habitof punctuality and regular attendance, make this year theyear you acquire it. The following are guidelines for the St.Augustine attendance procedures.Reporting Student Absences:We urge parents to please call our dedicated attendance line(905) 887-7950 to report student absences. When leaving amessage on the answering machine, spell your child’s nameand give the reason for the absence. Upon their return toschool please provide them with a written note, dated andsigned by a parent/legal guardian which is to be given to theirhomeroom teacher.Early Leaves:Should there be an occasion when your child has to leaveschool early they must report to the Attendance Office beforeschool starts to arrange for an early leave. Early leaves willonly be accepted at the Attendance Office up to 8:10 a.m. in themorning. Students must have a signed parental note, statingthe time, date and reason for the early leave. Our AttendanceSecretary may call parents to verify notes received.PLEASE NOTE: Any student who is ill during thecourse of a school day must first report to the Main Officebefore leaving the building. The student will use the officetelephone to contact their parent and the Attendance secretarywill speak to the parent and arrange for an early leave.Lates:Any student arriving to school after 9:00 a.m. must report tothe Attendance Office to sign in before reporting to class.Telephone Messages:It is the school’s policy not to interrupt classes in session.Parents who need to contact their child during the school dayare asked to call the main office and a message will be relayedto the student.CONTACT INFORMATIONMoving residence, changing jobs? If any of your personalinformation has changed, such as your address, home orbusiness telephone numbers, health information, etc., pleasecontact Mrs. Coutts in the Main Office at anne.coutts@ycdsb.ca to have the changes recorded. It is important thatwe know where to contact a parent/guardian in the event ofan emergency.SCHOOL UNIFORMIncluded in our Student Agenda is the school’s uniformpolicy. We would ask that both parents and studentsreview it.We expect all students to respect and comply with ourschool dress code. In choosing St. Augustine CatholicHigh School, parents and students accept the schooluniform as an integral part of the school community life.• A student must be in complete uniform throughoutthe school day including lunch hours.• All student shirts/blouses should be such a size sothat all buttons close comfortably and they should belong enough so that they stay tucked in to the slacks.• The waist of the dress pant is to be worn at thestudent’s waist.• Uniform sweaters are one of the options of the St.Augustine uniform. However, sweaters are requiredonly when the student is cold. No other sweater willbe permitted to be worn at any time.• Hats or any other headgear, sunglasses, chains andextreme jewellery shall NOT be worn in the school.• If there is a serious domestic emergency that resultsin the student being out of uniform, the student mustsee their Vice-Principal prior to school with a parentalnote. However, students will never be permitted toattend class in jeans.• Serious problems with uniform compliance are tobe directed to the school administration. Persistentinfractions will result in a formal school suspension.Refusal to wear the school uniform is a breach ofthe registration agreement between the school andthe parent/legal guardian if the student is under18 or with the student if he/she is 18 or over.CELL PHONE & ELECTRONIC DEVICESStudents and parents are reminded of and are requestedto please respect the policy at St. Augustine C.H.S. withregard to electronic devices. All electronic devices such ascell phones, cameras, iPods, etc. are to be off and invisiblefrom the beginning of school until the closing bell. Thisalso includes lunch times in the cafeteria.Use of these items during the course of the day may resultin confiscation. In order to prevent loss, confiscation ordamage, students are encouraged to leave these devices athome. The taking of photographs of non-willing staff orstudents is strictly prohibited.