High School 101 for Parents/Guardians & Students

KEYS TO SUCCESS Attending Being on time Participating Avoiding conflict KEYS TO SUCCESS

Perfect Attendance - Book appointments after school or at lunch. Student Absence – Parent/Guardian must call the main office before 8:15 am –refer to Attendance Policy in the Start Up Guide. Daytime Appointments – Send a note – students must sign out in the main office. Extended Absence – Complete an Extended Absence form and contact your teen’s teachers to get homework. Planned Absences – Your teen should inform his/her teachers prior to the date of absence. Sports or Other School Activities – Students should inform teachers well in advance of absences. Exams – Do not book holidays in January and June! ATTENDANCE

YOUR TIMETABLE

COMMUNICATION Weekly e-bulletin Summative attendance report – report discrepancies to the classroom teacher Teacher communication – e-mail/ TeachAssist/telephone School sign School LCD screens School website Synervoice COMMUNICATION

X DRESS CODE No revealing clothing No T-shirts with inappropriate slogans No hats, or bandanas X DRESS CODE

Leave valuables (e.g. money, headphones, electronic devices – tablets) at home. The school does not take responsibility for lost or stolen articles. Students should not leave expensive items in lockers or change rooms. Students should not share their locker combinations. VALUABLES

HOMEWORK Expect. 1-2 hours of homework per day. Establish a routine. Set a regular time and stick to it. Set the mood. Ensure the room is quiet, well lit with supplies nearby. Remove distractions. Turn off the TV., use Internet wisely and avoid social phone calls during homework time. HOMEWORK

ASSIGNMENTS Write due dates in their personal agendas. “I FORGOT that the assignment was due,” is not an acceptable excuse. Set up a schedule to complete work on time and not at the last minute! Review completed assignments to ensure that all requirements have been met. Encourage your teen to share returned assignments so you can review the teacher's comments together. ASSIGNMENTS

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT 40 Hours of community involvement is a graduation requirement Start today! COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

TEXTBOOKS You are responsible for the textbooks assigned to you Take good care of your text Write your name in your textbooks and on the textbook card Mid-semester checks of books will take place in all classes Return your textbooks during the exam TEXTBOOKS

EXTRA HELP AHS teachers are available for extra help! You should set up a time to meet with your teacher before school, at lunch time, or after school. Be sure to keep your appointment. The Student Success teacher provides intensive support to students who are at risk. EXTRA HELP

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Acceptable Use Agreement Will be reviewed during homeroom Students review with parents/ guardian and return signed forms to homeroom teacher as requested INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Under the Smoke Free Ontario Act, smoking is not permitted on school property Supplying and sharing cigarettes is trafficking and it is not permitted Students who do not comply with the law may be suspended and/or fined NO SMOKING

RESTORATIVE APPROACHES IN YORK REGION SCHOOLS restoring and strengthening relationships is foundation to dealing with difficult situations effectively. Restorative Approaches helps to create learning environments that are: Safe Inclusive Equitable Respectful Supportive Caring RESTORATIVE APPROACHES IN YORK REGION SCHOOLS

RESTORATIVE APPROACHES IN YORK REGION SCHOOLS RESTORATIVE APPROACHES gathers information leading to the understanding of an incident, what needs to happen next to address the harm done, and how to restore relationships. The questions asked focus on learning from experience. RESTORATIVE APPROACHES IN YORK REGION SCHOOLS

RESTORATIVE APPROACHES IN YORK REGION SCHOOLS RESTORATIVE APPROACHES Is a way of approaching relationships in a way that builds community. To that end, it has to take into account the strengths and needs of every member of the community. RESTORATIVE APPROACHES IN YORK REGION SCHOOLS

CARING & SAFE SCHOOLS Board Policy #668 in Guide to the School Year Reviewed with students during homeroom Students will review policy found in the Guide to the School Year with parents/guardian and have it signed Return signed forms to homeroom teacher before September 8 CARING & SAFE SCHOOLS

SUSPENSION Uttering a threat A suspension may be enforced for the following infractions: Uttering a threat Possessing or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs Swearing at a teacher or a person in authority Vandalism Extortion Bullying SUSPENSION

Conduct injurious to the physical and mental well-bring of others Conduct injurious to the moral tone of the school Opposition to authority Truancy Violation of the appropriate dress code Intimidation Possession of a weapon SUSPENSION

EXPULSION An expulsion may be enforced for the following infractions: Possessing a weapon or replica weapon Using a weapon to cause or to threaten bodily harm Assault causing bodily harm Sexual assault Trafficking in weapons or illegal drugs Robbery Providing alcohol to a minor Committing an act that endangers the lives of others EXPULSION

High School 101 for Parents/Guardians

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT have higher achievement are better adjusted DID YOU KNOW...?? When parents are involved in their teen's high school experiences, students… have higher achievement are better adjusted are less likely to drop out of school PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

Computers should be in a common area in the house and not in your child’s bedroom. Limit the time spent on the Internet each day. Be aware of the websites your child is visiting. Ensure privacy settings are correct on Facebook etc. MSN and CHAT ROOMS – Parents should be aware of who their children are chatting with and what they are saying. Walk by your child when they are on the computer to see what they are doing. Safety – Any information or photos posted online are public and can be viewed and manipulated by anyone. Report Suspicious Activity. If you or your child encounter suspicious or dangerous situations online, report them to your Internet Service Provider and local police. INTERNET

TIPS FOR PARENTS Encourage your teen to do his/her best in school. Remember “personal best” does not mean “perfect” and learning is not the same as achieving high grades. Teens need the freedom to make mistakes and learn from them. Encourage your teen to get involved in AHS’s sports teams, clubs, or councils! TIPS FOR PARENTS

Your attitude toward education makes a strong and lasting impression on your teen. Help your teen set goals. At the beginning of each term, help your teen identify three or four goals. Post the goals where they can be seen. Make sure the goals are specific. TIPS FOR PARENTS

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT Check your teen’s calendar regularly Attend parent/teacher interviews. (October & March) Attend School Council meetings. Attend concerts, art shows, presentations, sports events, and multi-cultural events. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

FINAL COMMENTS Encourage your teen to become independent. Communicate - Encourage your teen to talk about school, social events, and his/her peers. Friends – Get to know your teen’s new friends. Bullying - Watch for symptoms that your teen may be a bullying victim. Be aware of signs such as withdrawal, a drop in grades, physical signs, or needing extra money or supplies. Inform administration immediately! FINAL COMMENTS

Most of all….................... BE INVOLVED and ENJOY EXPERIENCING YOUR CHILD’S GROWTH – socially, emotionally and academically! BE INVOLVED!