Loss of Privileges (LOP)
As students advance through Archbishop Oscar Romero High School, they are welcome to participate in all school-related activities. However, they forfeit this privilege and are assigned to a “study hall” if they do not comply with school rules. Failure to report to the Loss of Privilege room results in a referral to a school administrator for disciplinary action. Lates to the LOP may result in one additional LOP. One unexcused LOP absence may result in an additional LOP. An LOP must be served on the date indicated. As well, students are to bring their lunch.
Alternate Day Assignment (ADA)
If students are given a full-day alternate day assignment (ADA), they must report to the office no later than 8:40 a.m. and remain in a specific location until 3:03 p.m. This consequence includes missing field trips, assemblies, pep rallies, etc. In the event that parents are not informed prior to the ADA being given, students must phone them on the morning of their ADA time. The sole activity permitted in this room is silent study.
All of the provisions listed under “expectations for classroom behaviour” apply to the alternate day assignment. In addition
a) students will be allowed to leave the room only during specified restroom breaks,
b) students must complete all assigned course work
Students must see their teachers for missed work and bring materials to an ADA. Failure to do so can result in one or more of the following consequences: an additional ADA, an out-of-school suspension (OSS), an administration referral, and/or a parent/guardian conference.
Detention
Students may be assigned a detention after school. A detention serves the purpose of finishing missed work or clarifying rules and procedures.
Out-of-School Suspension (OSS)
Under Section 24 of the Alberta School Act, a student may be suspended from school for one to five days. If a student is suspended from school, he or she may not be on the campus or attend any school function for any reasons unless they have made prior arrangements with the administration. Students are responsible for personally contacting their teachers for missed assignments.
Students are not allowed to participate in any athletic practice session or contest, or any co-curricular practice, rehearsal or performance until their suspension is complete.
Expulsion
Under Section 24 of the Alberta School Act, a student may be expelled from school.
Specific Rules and Regulations
The overview of this Student Handbook attempts to present:
1) the general principles that form the foundation of the Archbishop Oscar Romero High School Code of Conduct,
2) the school’s expectations for student behaviour,
3) the rationale for the differences in the way in which the school day is structured for students,
4) the consequences of inappropriate behaviour.
Please recognize that these rules apply while students are in the school or on school grounds, on school-sponsored field trips, to and from school, in proximity to the school, and while in attendance at co-curricular activities in which Archbishop Oscar Romero High School is a participant.
| No listing of rules can be all-inclusive. Students will receive disciplinary action any time their behaviour is disruptive, illegal, or inconsiderate of others. The specific consequences will be assigned by a teacher or an administrator. |
Absences
Students are expected to attend all classes, and absences must be excused by a parent/guardian. Not only is daily attendance required by Alberta Education, it is essential for the successful completion of curricular courses. The most common cause of academic failure is absence. Parents/guardians are contacted daily by phone message and by email regarding student absences.
The school requests parents/guardians to inform them regarding the reason(s) that the student is absent. Students, however, are ultimately responsible to verify ALL absences to their teachers and to the office. It is their task to provide a note from their parent/guardian or to ensure that a phone call has been made to the school office. Students are required to make up any missed work, or assessments.
Excusable absences are:
Ø illness
Ø hospitalization
Ø bereavement/funeral
Ø medical/dental appointments
Ø travel
Ø family holidays and competitions sanctioned by parents
| Each unexcused absence | à | Referral to grade coordinator, and
1 full LOP (Loss of Privileges) may be issued. |
Lates
Students are expected to be in class promptly in order to prevent disruption to learning. “Chronic tardiness” will be addressed by teachers and parents/guardians and if necessary, by the administration.
| Consequence | à | Under the discretion of the individual teacher |
| à | Referral to grade coordinator | |
| à | LOP if warranted |
Dress Code
For our students, school is their work place, and the staff expect them to dress accordingly. Student dress should not distract from a Christian learning atmosphere or be a hazard to students’ safety or the safety of others. Therefore, the following kinds of clothing are not permitted:
Ø Hats, hoodies, bandanas, or other similar kinds of head wear
Ø Clothing which greatly exposes buttocks or cleavage
Ø Clothing or jewellery that promotes the use of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or sex
Ø Clothing with abusive or suggestive language or symbolism
Ø Clothing that exposes the mid-section, back, or under garments, or is distractive
Ø Tube tops, spaghetti straps, and muscle shirts
Students may be asked to put on cover-up clothing or be sent home to change.
| Each offence | à | 1 LOP (Loss of Privileges) and cover-up clothing |
Cell/Mobile Phones
Upon entering the school, cell/mobile phones are expected to be turned off and out of sight until the end of the teaching day. If a student’s cell is seen and/or heard, it will be brought to the office until the parent/guardian is able to pick it up. It will be the student’s responsibility to inform their parents. Phones may be picked up between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at the office. Should parents need to get a hold of their child in an emergency, they are asked to call the school.
Insubordination / Disrespect
Students are asked to respond promptly to the directions of staff members and to act respectfully at all times. Refusal to do so is considered a serious breach of the Archbishop Oscar Romero High School Code of Conduct. Students are expected to behave in an appropriate manner even when off school property on a field trip and when representing the school in the local community at lunch; therefore students are subject to all rules of conduct and expectations.
| Any offence | à | Administration Referral |
Swearing / Profanity
Swearing or profane words or gestures in the school, and school grounds is not permitted, and have no place in an educational atmosphere.
| Each offence | à | 1 LOP (Loss of Privileges) |
Lying to School Official
| First offence | à | Under the discretion of the individual teacher |
Cheating / Plagiarism
Cheating and/or plagiarism are not permitted at Archbishop Oscar Romero High School. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:
Ø Copying from another student, or enabling someone else to do so
Ø Using someone else’s (classmate or published author) words without using quotation marks. Whenever you use a key word or more than two words in a row from another source, you must put those borrowed words in quotation marks and cite your source.
Ø Using someone else’s (classmate) ideas without giving that person credit
Ø Unauthorized use of translators in language courses
| Consequence | à | Under the discretion of the individual teacher |
| à | Reduction of grade to zero
Option to remake at teacher discretion |
Bullying / Harassment
Every member of the school community is entitled to a school environment without harassment, threats, or fear. Bullying and/or intimidation of others may include, but is not limited to, any repetitive aggressive, or negative gesture, or written, verbal, or physical act that places another student in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or property, or that has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student in such a way as to disrupt or interfere with the school environment.
In addition, any off-campus behaviours where there is a reasonable forecast of disruption to Archbishop Oscar Romero High School’s educational environment, or that could interfere with the safety and/or well-being of students/staff, will be considered a breach of the Code of Conduct and will be subject to disciplinary consequences. Archbishop Oscar Romero High School has no tolerance for any racial, sexual orientation, or gender-biased comments. Repeated comments of this type will be viewed as harassment.
| First offence | à | Referral to Administration with possible suspension or LOP |
| Second offence | à | OSS (Out-of-school suspension) – 3 to 5 days
Possible expulsion recommendation |
| Third offence | à | 5 day suspension and recommendation for expulsion. Referral to School Resource Officer. |
Fighting/Assault
Disputes between members of the school community should be resolved through proper channels. Pushing, shoving, wrestling, etc. will be considered as fighting regardless of the intent. If students are involved in a fight, they should be prepared to receive the consequences listed below. Furthermore, charges of assault or battery may be issued against them. Students encouraging, but not participating, in a fight may face an LOP (Loss of Privileges) or in-school suspension.
Fights that take place off school grounds may also be subject to these consequences.
| Each offence | à | Possible LOP (Loss of Privileges) or ADA
1 – 5 days OSS (Out-of-school suspension) , referral to School Resource Officer, and possible recommendation for expulsion depending on the severity of the incident. |
Vandalism and Theft
Vandalism includes, but is not limited to, defacing or damaging school property intentionally. Theft includes, but is not limited to, theft of school property, staff, or student property.
| Each offence | à | Possible referral to police. Students are responsible for replacement/repair cost, possible 1-5 OSS (Out-of-school suspension) and possible recommendation for expulsion. |
Smoking / Tobacco Products
It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to be in possession of or consume tobacco products. This includes cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco. It is also against the Edmonton Catholic School District’s policy for anyone to consume tobacco on school property. Anyone caught under the age of 18 with tobacco products in his/her possession will have them confiscated. In order to keep positive relations with our neighbours, students are prohibited from smoking anywhere on our campus area including the YMCA, Callingwood Arena, and the Lois Hole Library.
| Each offence | à | Administrative referral with possibility for suspension |
| à | Smoking education package | |
| à | School Resource Officer referral |
Drugs / Alcohol
Possession of and use of drugs or alcohol is illegal. Students caught in possession of drugs or alcohol will be severely addressed.
| Each offence | à | 3-5 day OSS (Out-of-school suspension) , possible recommendation for expulsion |
Drug trafficking will be referred to the police.
Gambling
No gambling is allowed on school property. Gambling is defined as any game of chance involving the exchange of money or credit.
| Each offence | à | Administrative referral |
Dangerous Conduct
Any action which endangers the safety and well-being of individuals will not be tolerated. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:
Ø sounding a false fire alarm
Ø possession of dangerous materials
Ø mob action, inciting an altercation
Ø any behaviour causing harm to an individual
| Consequence | à | Immediate OSS (out-of-school suspension) and possible recommendation for expulsion
Referral to School Resource Officer |
Furthermore, if students have knowledge or have reason to believe that the safety of a member of the school community may be at risk, they should immediately contact the school’s administration.
Weapon Offences
Student possession of weapons (examples are, but not limited to, knives, firearms, pepper/bear spray, bats, clubs) is strictly prohibited.
| Consequence | à | Immediate 5 OSS (Out-of-school suspension) and possible recommendation for expulsion
Referral to police |
Personal Displays of Affection
Our school community is a Catholic educational environment. As such, all members are required to show discretion in their public displays of affection. School staff will approach and discuss with students the appropriateness of their conduct. Repetitions of inappropriate behaviour will be considered insubordination and dealt with as such.
Trespassing
Trespassing is illegal; therefore Archbishop Oscar Romero High School students are not to trespass at other schools as they will be dealt with by the administration. Similarly, students are not allowed to have visitors to the school or on school property without prior approval by the school administration.
| Consequence | à | Administrative referral, possible suspension, and/or referral to School Resource Officer |
Cleanliness and Respect of School Property
Be proud of our school! Students are responsible to dispose of personal garbage in the classrooms, hallways, gym, and in the Core. In the Core, students are expected to clean up after themselves. This means putting trash in trash cans and taking cafeteria trays back to the serving area.
No sitting on top of lockers and locker table surfaces.
| First Offence | à | Under the discretion of the teacher |
| Second Offence | à | LOP (Loss of Privilege) and clean-up duty |
Conduct in Celebrations and Assemblies
Students are expected to be on their best behaviour during celebrations and assemblies.
