ACCIDENTS
Accidents must be reported immediately to the Main Office.
ASSIGNMENTS & HOMEWORK
Students at BCI will be responsible and complete all assigned work in a timely manner. This includes homework, process work, readings etc. so that you are prepared for class. Students will also be responsible to hand in assignments and write tests on their respective due dates. Students are expected to discuss alternative arrangements with their teachers if assignments and tests are not submitted due to unforeseen circumstances.
If you do not submit a major assignment on the due date any combination of the following may occur:
- Your teacher will meet with you to discuss the reason why the deadline was not met. As a result of this meeting: an extension or an alternative assessment may be given and your parent/guardian may be contacted to discuss next steps.
- You may be referred to Student Success to complete the assignment. Your teacher and or Vice-Principal will determine if this completion will take place during lunch or during class time.
- Your completed work will be evaluated. Students who do not submit work in a timely manner shall have this reflected in the Learning Skills and Work Habits section on the Provincial Report Card.
- If work is still not submitted on the established date or if you do not follow through with Student Success you will be referred to your Vice-Principal and next steps may include but are not limited to: student referral to in-school intervention support (School Success Team, Special Education LAC, Guidance etc.); a negotiated extension that meets teacher mark reporting deadlines; and/or an alternative opportunity for the student to demonstrate the same critical elements or an “incomplete” (I) will be entered for this evaluation.
- The use of “I” indicates that work has not been submitted. When determining a final grade the teacher’s use of professional judgment based on interventions and data collected determine whether or not the student has demonstrated the required critical elements at another point in the course.
ATTENDANCE AND LATE ARRIVAL
Academic success is related to attendance and participation in the day-to-day activities of the class. Students are required to be present in all of their classes unless valid reasons for being absent are presented. It is the student’s responsibility to make up all work missed due to an absence.
Validating Absences
The school validates absences related to curricular (i.e. field trips) or co-curricular activities (i.e. school athletic events). A parent or guardian and those students 18 and over must validate absences due to illness, medical or dental appointments, bereavement, family matters or legal obligations.
To validate an absence a parent or guardian or student 18 and over may either:
a) call the school on the day of the absence, or
b) provide a written note or send an email to bci-attendance@wrdsb.ca stating the student’s name, date, days of absence and reason for absence. Notes are to be signed by a parent/guardian and presented to the main office the day following the absence.
Extended Absences
Extended absences due to illness may require medical documentation. A parent or guardian or student over 18 should notify the school prior to any extended absences due to work, travel or any other reason. A Temporary Withdrawal Form must be completed for any absence of five or more consecutive school days.
Truancy
A student absent from any class without valid reason is truant, and truancy may be cause for disciplinary or legal action. Potential consequences for truancy include loss of opportunity to complete class work, including tests or other forms of evaluation, academic penalties and disciplinary consequences, including detention(s), suspension or expulsion.
Signing-Out
Students under 18, who must be excused early, are to provide an email, note or phone call from their parent/guardian to the main office. All students must report to the main office to sign-out if they are leaving the school before their day is finished.
A student who becomes ill during the school day is to report to the main office. The office will contact the student’s parent or guardian to make arrangements for the student to sign-out.
Late Arrival (Signing-In)
A student’s late arrival to class disturbs other students and interferes with the learning process. Students are expected to be in class before the bell rings. Students who arrive after the bell rings are considered late and are responsible to the subject teacher.
- Students who arrive late will report directly to class unless they have a note. Notes must come to the main office.
- Repeated late arrivals will be referred to administration by the subject teacher and may be subject to disciplinary consequences.
COUNSELLING
Counselling services are available to every student in the school. Assistance is offered for course selection, college and university planning and other issues affecting school performance.
Other Resources
Students have access to the services provided by a school-based Public Health Nurse, a Child and Youth Worker and a Social Worker. Students can access these resources through a guidance counselor or Vice-Principal.
COURSE LOAD
Students under the age of 18 who have not earned a graduation diploma must be enrolled in a full-time program (minimum of 3 courses per semester). Students with fewer than 16 credits should be enrolled in a full program of four courses per semester.
DRESS CODE
Student dress should always project a positive image of the individual and should be appropriate to a school setting at all times. The Principal or designate shall determine the appropriateness of dress and appearance. Students are encouraged to dress casually and in clothes they are comfortable wearing, keeping in mind that some fashion trends and style choices may not be appropriate for school, which is a learning/working environment. Students who wear inappropriate attire may be asked to remediate the situation. Please respect the following: All clothing & accessories must have school-appropriate language, graphics and images. One’s upper body and lower body must be appropriately covered. Keep your outdoor attire (coat, jackets, boots) in your locker.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
To foster a healthy teaching and learning environment, cellphones and other personal mobile devices are used only during instructional time for educational purposes (as directed by an educator), for health and medical purposes and/or to support special education needs.
GOOD NEIGHBOUR POLICY
Students are not to loiter in front of or near neighbouring houses, businesses, or on neighbourhood sidewalks.
HONOUR ROLL
Students who achieve an average of 80% in a full program of 6 or more credits will be recognized on BCI’s Honour Roll.
LEARNING ASSISTANCE
- Students experiencing difficulty with their course work or in the completion of their assignments are always encouraged to speak with their teacher first to receive assistance. Teachers are available to provide extra help.
- The Learning Assistance Centre (LAC) is a service available to students with IEPs. Staffed by teachers and EAs, the centre aids students in their learning through individual support and consultation.
LOCKERS
Lockers are the property of the school and on loan to the student for the duration of the school year. Students provide their own numerical combination lock and are responsible for keeping the locker orderly and locked at all times. The school reserves the right to inspect lockers at any time and to revoke locker privileges. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen articles (see personal property).
LOST AND FOUND
Our Lost and Found box for larger items is located adjacent to the elevator. Smaller more valuable items i.e. jewelry may be found at the office.
PERSONAL PROPERTY
Each student is responsible for the security or their own personal property and any items loaned to them by the school. Students should not bring valuables or large sums of money to school. The school cannot guarantee the security of items stored in lockers, classrooms or change rooms and does not assume responsibility for any lost or stolen articles.
PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism is a serious academic offense. Plagiarism is defined as the appropriation as one’s own, the writings, inventions, or ideas of another. To plagiarize is to be dishonest with your teacher, your peers, your “source” and yourself.
Cheating and plagiarism are serious academic offences. Plagiarism is defined as using the work of someone else as their own. Using the writings, inventions, or ideas of another without proper sourcing is considered plagiarism. The acts of cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. Both academic and behavioural consequences should be expected.
Consequences:
If your teacher suspects that you have plagiarised or cheated, your teacher will inform your Vice-Principal and meet with you to determine the nature, intent and extent of the incident and your understanding of the situation.
If it is determined that you have plagiarised/cheated you may face one or more of the following:
- Your parents will be notified.
- Within a given timeframe, given the opportunity to redo part or all of the assignment, or complete an alternative assignment.
- A record of your academic infraction will be logged and kept on file until you graduate.
In consultation with Administration, additional consequences may be determined such as:
- Serve a detention or an in-school suspension, or a suspension.
- Assigned to do the plagiarism tutorial course to avoid future infractions
- Limit your access to recognitions (e.g., school awards, scholarships).
All consequences will be progressive in nature and take into consideration the number and frequency of incidents and the grade level, maturity and individual circumstances of the student
SAFE AND SECURE SCHOOLS
Everyone has the right to a safe and secure environment free from deliberate insult and injury. No form of behaviour that in any way threatens the well-being of another person is acceptable on school property or during school-sponsored or related activities. This includes actions off school property and outside of school activities where the result has a negative impact on the school climate. Principals, teachers and support staff are required to demonstrate non-tolerance of unacceptable behaviour by taking positive, considered and immediate disciplinary action in compliance with Board policies, the Education Act and other appropriate legislation. The following behaviour is prohibited and will not be tolerated:
- The use, possession, or sale of weapons (or items intended to be used as weapons), alcohol or illicit drugs (including marijuana);
- Swearing at a person in a position of authority;
- Vandalism;
- Any physical assault, threats, bullying or intimidation;
- Any gang/youth group displaying a pattern of delinquent or disruptive behaviour;
- Any sexual, ethno-cultural and/or racial abuse, slurs or harassment.
SMOKING/VAPING
Provincial law prohibits smoking/e-cigs/vaping or use of any tobacco product on school property/school buses. Students who are found smoking/vaping on school property will face consequences that may include a suspension and/or fine issued by the Waterloo Region Bylaw Office.
SPARE PERIODS
Students who have a scheduled spare period must be in the library. Hallways must be kept clear and quiet during class time.
VISITORS
During the school day, the school grounds and building are out of bounds to all except registered BCI students or persons having business with the administration or staff. Visitors must report to the main office to obtain a visitor’s pass.