ECI Policies

Absence from Class
It is the student's responsibility to be present for all classes, especially when tests, seminars, group work and/or major assignments are scheduled. If a student knows in advance that he/she will miss a class, arrangements must be made ahead of time for any work missed. This includes field trips, athletics, medical appointments, etc. Failure to make prior arrangements may result in a mark of zero. Skipping class when a test or assignment is scheduled shall result in a mark of zero. Students over 18 may not "excuse themselves" from the consequences of missed work without a demonstrated valid reason for absence.

Assessment Policy
Assessments and evaluation of student achievement is an ongoing process of gathering information from a variety of sources (e.g. assignments, projects, demonstrations, performances, and tests) that accurately reflects how well a student is achieving the curriculum expectations in a course.

A student's final grade in a course will be based on a student's achievement of the curriculum expectations and will be determined as follows:

» 70% of the grade will be based on assessments and evaluations conducted throughout the course.
» 30% of the grade will be based on a final evaluation in the form of an examination, performance, essay, research reports and/or other method of evaluation suitable to the course content and administered towards the end of the course.

Assessment and evaluation at Etobicoke Collegiate is based on the Ontario Ministry of Education curriculum expectations outlined in each subject specific curriculum policy document. The assessment and evaluation policy is provided for students at the beginning of each course as part of the course outline. Teachers also use the achievement chart provided in each Ministry of Education document to assess and evaluate student achievement.

Attendance
Regular attendance is an essential component of every course. New information, as well as review and assignments, is covered on a daily basis. Responsibility for attendance rests with students and their parents/guardians.

Students who are ill and unable to attend classes should have a parent/guardian call the school before 10:00 a.m. or after lunch for afternoon absences. Alternately, students under 18 may bring a note from a parent to the Attendance Secretary specifying the date(s) of absence. Notes are kept on file. It is your responsibility to account for every absence promptly. Failure to do so will result in the absence being considered unexcused and will result in disciplinary action.

Attendance Office: 394-4888 Ext. 20002

Leaving school without first contacting the main office to sign out is considered as missing classes without permission (i.e. skipping). Students under 18 must have parental permission to sign out.

All students must sign in and out at the office.

Crime Stoppers
ECI is proudly affiliated with Crime Stoppers and organized by the Prefects in our school. Students may report any inappropriate activity to the police by calling 1-800-222-TIPS and never need to give their name! Crime Stoppers promotes a safe, healthy environment in which to learn.

Dropping Courses
All students in Grades 9 and 10 will have a full timetable (eight courses). A student with 16 or more credits may arrange a spare period. Students who have spares should be in the cafeteria, library or Student Services. Students are responsible for seeing their counselor if they wish to drop a course. Students must attend the course until the completed form has been returned to Student Services and textbooks returned to the teacher.

We are unable to entertain requests for timetable additions or changes in September. Changes because of summer school credits will be allowed, as will "drops."

Eligibility for School Sports
1. Student athletes in their first four years of high school must be enrolled in at least six courses. In your fifth year you must be enrolled in at least four courses. These courses must be at ECI. Night school, private school or summer school do not count.
2. Student athletes must purchase a current student activity card and pay an athletic activity fee.
3. Student athletes must be in attendance at school on a given day in order to be able to practice or play on that day.
4. Student athletes must participate in physical education class on a given day in order to be able to practice or play on that day.
5. Students may participate in only one major sport per term.
6. Students who transfer to ECI from another secondary school are ineligible to play inter-school sports until their eligibility status is appealed. Transfer students are to consult with the Physical Education Curriculum Leader in September to see how they can become eligible to play.
7. Students will be eligible for no more than five consecutive years of competition from the time of entering grade nine.
8. ACADEMIC AND CITIZENSHIP ELIGIBILITY FOR SPORTS TEAMS

During the first week of try-outs the coach of each team will review the last set of marks for each student trying out. The Physical Education Curriculum Leader will review any student who fails to achieve an average of 60%. The student's achievement, effort, deportment and attendance will be reviewed and one of the following actions taken:

a. the student will not be permitted to participate in any inter-school sports activity that term;
b. the student may be permitted to participate on a probationary basis. Teachers will be asked periodically to comment on attendance, effort and performance in class;
c. the student will be allowed to participate if achievement, effort, attendance and deportment remain satisfactory.

Evaluation/Course Outline
In September, students will be given a written course outline by each subject teacher indicating textbooks, expectations, content and mark allocation (i.e. how report marks will be calculated from tests, assignments, classwork, summatives and exams). For more detailed information on homework and assessment, see the school evaluation policy on pages 30-35 of the Student Agenda.

Excessive Absences
The school computer will phone home regularly regarding daily absences. Students or parents who believe that an error in reporting absence has been made should contact the attendance office at the telephone number listed on page 18. Students are responsible for monitoring their own attendance and punctuality. Chronic absence will severely affect a student's progress towards earning a diploma and will result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension. Teachers may refuse to accept work from students who are chronically absent until the validity of the absences have been reviewed with the vice principal. Teachers are under no obligation to arrange makeup work for students who are chronically absent for unexcused reasons. After 15 consecutive full-day absences, students 16 years of age and over may be demitted from the roll of ECI. All absences from class are included in the official record.

Full Disclosure
As of September 1999, the Ontario Student Transcript is issued to all students. This transcript will include all courses failed, passed or dropped according to the Full Disclosure Policy in effect since 1999. If students wish to drop courses taken at or above the Grade 11 Level, they must do so within five instructional days after the November Report Card is issued. For the 2005-2006 school year, the date is December 5, 2005. After this date, the course and the mark earned to date will be permanently listed on the transcript, even if the course is subsequently dropped.

Injury
In case of injury, students must report to the office. Personal accident insurance forms are distributed at the beginning of each school year. We strongly recommend that this insurance be purchased. The office cannot dispense aspirin or other medication to students unless prior arrangements have been made.

Late to Class
Students are expected to be in class on time. The subject teacher may call home from time to time to inform parents/guardians when their child has been late to class several times and to solicit their help in encouraging punctuality. Teachers may assign penalties for lateness, but may not refuse admittance to class for occasional lateness. Students who demonstrate chronic lateness will be referred to the vice principal. Chronic lateness will result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension.

Lockers
Lockers will be made available for students. Assigned lockers are the only ones that may be used. Students must use a Dudley style combination lock purchased on their own. Locker security and condition are a student's responsibility. Do not give out the combination, not even to friends. Money or valuable items should not be brought to school. The Board assumes no responsibility for missing items. Lockers are the property of the Toronto District School Board and may be inspected.

Do not write on or deface or place stickers in/on the lockers.

Lost and Found
All "found" articles must be turned in to the office. The Lost and Found box is located at the main office.

Parking
There is no student parking at Etobicoke Collegiate. The total number of spaces available barely accommodates staff members and would never satisfy the number of students who would prefer to drive. While there is no student parking available, there is a lot just north of the baseball diamond across the football field west of the school operated by the Kiwanis Club.

In exceptional circumstances and for compassionate reasons, a student may apply to the vice principal for a temporary permit. Cars parked illegally will be tagged and towed. Staff must have their ECI pass visible in the front window.

Physical Education Uniform
All students taking physical education are required to purchase an ECI T-shirt and crested shorts. Cost is $35. Cash only.

Prolonged Absence
Any prolonged absence--e.g. travel plans--must be discussed in advance with the principal, and an Unusual Absence Form must be taken to all teachers for signature prior to leaving. Long-term illness should be reported to the appropriate vice principal when it becomes apparent that the student may be away for some time. Teachers will be notified and arrangements for school work will be made. Medical certificates must cover dates of absence and must state that the student is unable to attend school.

Report Cards
Formal report cards will be issued in November, February and June. An interim report will be issued in October and April. Term marks are cumulative throughout the year.

Student Activity Fee
The SAC fee for the 2007-2008 school year is $60, payable by cash, money order or certified cheque (no personal cheques). A new payment option called CyBux to use online payment is available. The SAC fee includes your copy of The Etobian, ECI's yearbook, and the right to:

» receive a photo I.D. card;
» purchase tickets to school dances, semi-formal and formal;
» participate on athletic teams;
» belong to many organizations and clubs and groups;
» use as photo I.D. to check materials out of the library;
» participate in Outdoor Education Week and leadership camps.

Students initially will receive a number-coded temporary card that will later be replaced by a permanent picture card. In addition to the student activity fee there may be occasions where students are required to pay a supplies fee for some courses or a user fee to participate in some extra-curricular activities, such as the weight room.

Textbooks, Library Books, and Equipment
These are the property of the Toronto District School Board and are lent with the expectation that they will be treated with care and returned in good condition.

It is the responsibility of both students and teachers to ensure that textbook numbers are correctly recorded when books are signed out or turned in. Students must immediately pay the new replacement cost for lost or damaged texts, library books, or loaned equipment. Teachers will not issue replacement textbooks until the lost or damaged book has been paid for.

Teachers will send students who owe money for books or equipment to Mrs. Lee in the main office to make payment, using the form provided in the staff handbook for that purpose. A replacement textbook or equipment will not be signed out until the student brings the form showing proof of payment back to the teacher. If the text, library book, or equipment is subsequently returned in good condition during the school year, the replacement cost will be refunded.

Items missing at the end of June may be still be paid for or returned to the main office at designated times during July and August. However, if items remain outstanding as of September 2005, textbooks will not be issued until the problem is resolved. Similarly, library sign-out privileges will be withheld from students with outstanding library books or textbooks. June 2006 report cards will be held back until students have met with their vice principal regarding books outstanding at the end of the year. The increased cost of textbooks combined with decreased school funding requires strict adherence to this policy.

Transfers or Retirement from School
If you will no longer be attending ECI, you should advise Student Services as far in advance of the last day of attendance as possible. All textbooks must be returned to the office or the subject teacher prior to picking up your transfer.

Video Surveillance
Be advised that many areas of the school property are under video surveillance.

Visitors
Students may not bring visitors or siblings to class. Persons not registered as ECI students are not permitted on ECI property. Visitors with a legitimate purpose must report directly to the main office and will be issued a short-term parking pass, if needed, for a valid reason.