Attendance
For obvious reasons, Crestwood must insist that regular attendance is imperative for academic success. Moreover, the Ministry’s granting of credits depends upon a student completing 110 hours of successful in-class instruction. Attendance difficulties will be communicated to parents as soon as they become evident. In the case of an absence, a student’s parent or guardian is required to call the school ((416) 391-1441 ext. 0) before 8:30 a.m. to inform the office. When returning to school after an absence, the student must report to the office before 8:30 a.m., present a note from home explaining the length and reason for the absence, and obtain an admit-to-class slip. This slip will then be shown to the student’s teachers to explain why certain classes were missed.
Students who need to leave school before the end of the school day must present a note from the parent or guardian to the office and receive permission to do so. Medical or personal appointments should not be made during school hours. Students who leave school without permission are considered to have “skipped” class, and appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken. Students who miss tests or exams due to illness will be required to provide specific reasons for their absence to the teacher involved. In some cases, a doctor’s note may be required. Our holiday schedule is generous. Parents are advised to plan family trips within these periods so that a student’s academic responsibilities are not compromised.
Lates & Late Policy
Classes begin daily at 8:35 a.m. and end at 3:15 p.m. Students should arrive at school in enough time to go to their lockers and make the normal preparations required for morning classes. They should be in their first class by 8:30 a.m. Chronic inability or unwillingness to arrive at school or class on time will be viewed as a serious offense and appropriate remedial measures will be exercised. Students who arrive at school after period 1 begins must report to the office to check in before attending classes. They should realize that “notes from home” do not and cannot excuse attendance situations that are clearly out of control.
Leaving the School Grounds
Students in Grades 7 to 9 may NOT leave the school grounds during school hours. When students are off school grounds, before and after school or on a school trip or function, it is important that they represent themselves and the school in an honorable and appropriate manner. Complaints about Crestwood student behavior on these occasions will be followed up in earnest by the administration. Students in grades 10, 11 and 12 must have a waiver form signed by parents/guardians to be able to leave the school property. Students who drive to school are strongly discouraged from taking their cars out at lunch or during spares.
Student Behavior Code
Most, if not all, of the rules governing behavior at Crestwood, are determined by the usual and necessary standards dictated by common sense and civility. Violence, verbal abuse, bullying, opposition to legitimate authority, truancy, willful destruction of school property, improper or profane language and chronic neglect of duty will not be tolerated at Crestwood. In the event that disciplinary action is necessary, the school will inform parents of the offense and the subsequent decision of the administration with a view to remedying the problem. In the interest of fairness and a genuine concern for staff and students, the Administration reserves the right to suspend or expel a student depending on the severity of the situation. It is important for families to understand that any disciplinary measure is designed to ensure an orderly, productive and safe environment for all students and staff.
Lunches
Hot and cold lunches will be available on a daily basis in the cafeteria should students wish to purchase their lunch. Students may purchase the whole lunch that is being offered or, for example, choose to purchase only the soup and fruit. Students should bring enough money to pay for whatever they purchase on a daily basis. The school will NOT be billing parents for lunch. Students may also choose to bring their lunch from home. Vending machines will be available for drinks and snacks.
Lockers
Each student will be assigned a locker at the beginning of the school year. Lockers are valuable storage areas and certain precautions must be taken to ensure a clean and secure school environment. Students are to keep their lockers clean at all times and make sure not to share combinations with anyone. The school cannot assume responsibility for lost or stolen articles. Students who willfully and maliciously take another student’s property will be dealt with accordingly. The principal or designate may inspect any locker at any time. For the sake of securing property or finding lost items, students should put their names on all their belongings, particularly books and articles of clothing. Students are also encouraged to leave expensive or sentimental items at home.
Fire and Emergency Drills
The school will periodically, and upon direction from the Fire Department, conduct fire drills. All students and personnel must evacuate the building in such instances and be prepared for real emergencies. Evacuation routes and directions are posted in each classroom. The entire school population will remain outdoors until specific directions are given to return to the building.
Telephones
Cellular phones must be kept in lockers and only used outside the school building. The school cannot accept responsibility for the loss or theft of these items. The telephones in the main office are to be used only for emergencies. Parents should not telephone messages to the main office except in cases of real emergency. Personal listening devices are not to be used during school hours.
Cars / Parking
Parents driving students to school are asked not to pull into the school parking lot to let out students. Please find a safe and accessible spot near the school to do so. Crestwood will do what it can to provide parking for student cars. Students must apply for parking permits in September of each school year and will be governed by the standards communicated in the Student Parking Contract. Students who demonstrate an unwillingness to abide by these safety regulations will be denied parking privileges.
Textbooks
Crestwood will supply book lists and supply lists to students and parents in the summer preceding each school year. A specific book supplier will also be identified. It is the responsibility of the student to purchase all texts and to bring the appropriate texts and materials to class. Students should print their names conspicuously on all their textbooks and notebooks. The school will provide dates when students and parents can purchase used textbooks.
Learning Commons
Crestwood has a well-equipped and spacious Learning Commons including many computers with internet access. All students will find the Learning Commons an excellent research and study area and must respect the legitimate needs of all people using the space. Food and beverages must not be consumed in this area.
Guidance/Counseling Services
A full range of counseling services are available to Crestwood students. These services form an essential part of the school’s academic mandate. Students are expected to visit their counselors regularly. Counselors will visit classrooms to instruct students in areas related to career planning, time management and study skills. Parents may make appointments to discuss their child’s academic performance, subject selection or career choices with the guidance teachers. University and college academic calendars are readily available and important sources of information. University/college officials will be invited to speak to students about post-secondary programs and career opportunities. Considerable effort will be spent by this department as well as all other staff to ensure that our students are well prepared to achieve their academic and career goals.
Guidance and Career Education Program
The guidance and career education program is a vital and integral part of the Crestwood Preparatory College program. Through the program, students will acquire the knowledge and skills that they need in order to learn effectively, to live and to work cooperatively and productively with a wide range of people, to set and pursue education and career goals, and to carry out their social responsibilities. This program will be delivered through various means, including classroom instruction, the teacher-adviser program, orientation and exit programs, completion of the annual education plan, career exploration activities, and individual assistance and short-term counseling. The goals of the guidance and career education program are outlined in the policy document entitled Choices Into Action: Guidance and Career Education Program Policy for Elementary and Secondary Schools, 1999. As stated in this document, students are expected to:
- Understand the concepts related to lifelong learning, interpersonal relationships (including responsible citizenship) and career planning
- Develop learning skills, social skills, a sense of social responsibility and the ability to formulate
- Pursue educational and career goals
- Apply this learning in their daily lives both at school and in the community
To help students achieve these goals, the content of the guidance and career education program is organized into three areas of learning: student development (i.e., the development of habits and skills necessary for learning), interpersonal development (i.e., the development of knowledge and skills needed in getting along with others) and career development (i.e., the development of knowledge and skills needed for setting short- and long-term goals and planning for the future). Under the direction of the principal, Crestwood will develop and implement a guidance and career education plan to ensure that students have access to the learning experiences, personal assistance and information they need in order to achieve the program goals outlined in Choices Into Action, as well as the expectations given in the secondary school curriculum policy documents for guidance and career education.
The key features of the province’s policy in the area of guidance and career education, which are described in detail in Choices Into Action, are as follows:
- Clearly stated competencies for students in Grades 7 and 8 and Grades 9 to 12
- A range of career exploration activities in the community
- Completion of the compulsory half-credit career studies course as a secondary school graduation requirement
- Preparation of an annual education plan for each student, beginning in Grade 7 and continuing to the end of secondary school
- A teacher-adviser for students in Grades 7 to 11
- Individual assistance and short-term counseling
The guidance and career education program plan will include strategies to ensure that students have access to the information they need in order to make informed decisions and prepare for further education, apprenticeship programs or the workplace.
Academic Assistance
Teachers at Crestwood are available for extra help either upon request or as specified by a teacher. Students who are having difficulty in a subject are identified early in the year and receive mandatory help on specified days after school. Students are urged to claim ownership for their education and make sure to alert teachers to any difficulties that may arise. Homework is considered an integral part of the student’s program, and teachers fully expect assignments to be completed on a daily basis. The purpose of homework is three-fold:
- To consolidate what has been taught in the classroom
- To provide opportunities to practice and apply learned skills
- To develop independent work habits
If a student does not meet commitments on a regular basis, the school will notify the parents and a meeting will be scheduled to decide what the best course of action should be. We prefer that parents not become involved with the student’s homework unless, for example, they are quizzing them for upcoming tests. It is important that the student exercise his/her own talents in completing a task. If the student is having difficulty with an assignment, he/she may not have fully understood the concept taught in class. It is very important for the teacher to be aware of this. As difficult as it may be, parents are asked to encourage independent thought and effort in completing all school work.
Reports and Parent Interviews
Parents will have at least two formal opportunities each school year to discuss their children’s academic performance with each subject teacher. We believe that success must be shared with parents and that problems can only be remedied with the knowledge and co-operation of parents as well. Parent interviews will be held in November and January of each school year. All parents, of course, can contact teachers when necessary to discuss their child’s progress. Written reports are sent home four times per year: November, January, March and June. Teachers may request interviews with parents after each distribution. Parents are advised that teachers and administrators will not be available in the morning for phone calls and/or interviews unless prior arrangements have been made. Teachers understand the importance of being proactive and cooperative in addressing student issues, academic or otherwise. Knowing this, Crestwood parents must always approach teachers with the understanding and sensitivities required by all civilized adults.
Promotion Policy
In Grades 9 through 12, a credit will be earned in a subject with a minimum mark of 50% on the June report. Less than 50% in any subject on the June report is a failure in that subject and a credit is not earned. Failure to earn a credit in a subject will require consultation to determine the best course of action for the student. Solutions will be determined on an individual basis. If a failure occurs in a subject compulsory for the granting of a graduation diploma, the student must make arrangements to earn the credit elsewhere, such as summer school, in order to continue at Crestwood Preparatory College.
Examinations
Formal examinations are written in June. Students and families will be advised in advance as to the academic weight of each exam. Students in Grades 7 through 10 will write one-and-one-half-hour exams. Students in Grade 11/12 will write two-hour exams. A student must complete all of his/her term academic requirements before he/she will be allowed to sit for an exam. Please be advised that examinations will be virtually impossible to reschedule and that holidays must be scheduled with examination periods in mind.
Mentoring System
Each student will be encouraged to make an appointment with his/her mentor to discuss more personal difficulties or issues. These mentors will assist as much as possible in helping students bond with all aspects of the school program as well as helping them relate to staff and peers. Teacher-advisers are responsible for helping students make informed choices at key transition points in their schooling. Each teacher-adviser will work with students for a minimum of one academic year and will have regularly scheduled meetings with them. Teachers assigned teacher-adviser duties are responsible for:
- Helping students complete and review their annual education plan
- Monitoring students’ academic progress in all subject areas and the achievement of their goals, as outlined in their annual education plan
- Communicating with parents and keeping them informed about students’ progress
School Closing Due To Inclement Weather
If it is necessary to close the school as a result of a winter storm, an announcement will be made on the following radio stations:
AM STATIONS: 1050 CHUM, 1010 CFRB, 740 CBC
FM STATIONS: 98.1 CHFI, Q107, 104 CHUM.
