October 7th, 2020
COVID-19 STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
Daily Student Self-Screening
Parents/guardians must screen their students daily for symptoms of illness, COVID-19, or other respiratory disease before sending them to school. Students must stay home if they are sick. Refer to this STUDENT daily self-screening tool
All Students Must Stay Home if They are Sick
Attendance
Students may only be at school, or on school property, on the days assigned to their cohort. Students are expected to attend all assigned classes and to participate in all distance learning activities provided by their teachers.
In order to reduce the overall risk of Covid-19 in our schools, WRDSB has put in place a strict exclusion policy for all individuals who:
- have symptoms of COVID-19; OR
- have travelled outside of Canada in the last 14 days, OR
- have identified as a “close contact” of an individual with a confirmed case of Covid-19
and must follow advice from Region of Waterloo Public Health until they are advised of their ability to return.
When will students be able to enter the school?
Students will be able to enter the school 15 minutes before the start of the school day. Students are to enter the school using their assigned entrance and head immediately to their classroom.
Where do students go when they arrive at school?
Upon entering the building, students will proceed directly to their classroom. Prior to entering their classroom, students will be expected to wash and/or sanitize their hands.
What does a student do if they arrive late for school?
Students are expected to be in class before the bell rings. Any students arriving after the bell rings are considered “late” for that class.
- Students arriving late, should enter through their designated entrance and proceed directly to their classroom to sign-in with their teacher.
- Your late arrival will be recorded by your teacher.
- If a teacher has concerns about the nature or frequency of a student’s late arrival to class, a student’s vice-principal will be informed and parents will be contacted by the teacher.
How do I report a student’s absence?
Students who are not feeling well, or are experiencing symptoms of illness, must not attend school (see above). There are three ways to report an absence. Please use one of the following options:
- Call
- Send in a note with the student to be shown to the classroom teacher upon return to school.
What does a student do if they have to leave school during the school day?
Students are encouraged to schedule appointments outside of the school day. Students who must leave the school during the day, should have their parents call 519 743 8265 or email the main office ahead of time, and then sign-out with their classroom teacher.
Students who exhibit symptoms of illness while at school will not be permitted to enter or stay in their classroom, and will be moved to a designated waiting area. Parents, guardians, and/or emergency contacts designated by the family, will be called immediately and asked to pick up their child as soon as possible.
Face Coverings and Hand Hygiene
Face Coverings – Students will be required to wear masks indoors while at school, including in hallways and during classes. Students may wear their own, or school-provided, non-medical masks. It is important that the mask fits properly and covers both the nose and mouth and that all best practices are followed when wearing and removing the mask. Masks may be removed during nutrition breaks to eat lunch.
For additional information refer to the Public Health Ontario Resource Non-Medical Face Coverings.
If for medical reasons, a student is unable to wear a mask, a face shield must be worn instead. Students who are not able to wear a mask must first gain approval from their Vice-Principal.
Hand Washing and Hand-Sanitizing – Students should regularly wash and/or sanitize their hands throughout the school day, including:
- When entering and leaving the school.
- Before and after eating.
- Before putting on a face covering or mask and after removing a face covering or mask.
- After sneezing or coughing into hands.
- After using the washroom.
Physical Distancing
It is important to try and maintain at least 2 metres of distance between yourself and other people. Many classroom and school procedures have been put in place to support physical distancing of staff and students.
Students are required to comply with all physical distancing measures that include, but are not limited to:
- Use of specific entrances and exits (both into and out of the school and classroom).
- Specified direction of travel through hallways.
- No use of lockers – students to carry their belongings with them to class.
- Smaller class sizes (cohorting) and seating plans.
- Staggered break times.
- Minimizing the number of students in hallways and washrooms.
- Virtual meetings whenever possible (e.g. guidance counsellor).
Students are not permitted to congregate in hallways, common spaces, or washrooms. Students should follow physical distancing cues – floor markings and signs – when lining up to use facilities.
Student Drop-Off, Pick-Up and Parking
Please get dropped off at a location close to your entrance door. You are encouraged to be dropped off in the neighbourhood and walk 3 minutes to school. There is no student drop off in the staff parking lot. Parents and guardians must remain outside the school (preferably in their vehicles) when they drop-off or pick-up their children, and should not be congregating anywhere on school property.
Visitors to the School
Parents and guardians will not be allowed to enter the building, including to sign-out students for appointments, to talk to a staff member, or to drop off forgotten items. In extenuating circumstances, if approval to enter the school is granted by an administrator, a face covering must be worn before entering the school.
Personal Belongings and Lockers
Lockers will not be available for student use at the start of the school year. Students will be required to limit the number of items they bring to school. Students should leave valuable items at home. The school is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
Lunch
Students will eat their lunch with their class, under the supervision of a teacher. Students are to remain on site throughout the day including during lunch or other break times. Students will not have access to microwaves.
Students will perform hand hygiene prior to and after eating. Food, drinks, dishes and cutlery are not to be shared by students. Students should take home all food waste and containers at the end of each school day.
Water Fountains and Bottle Fillers
Students are required to bring their own water bottles. Water fountains will not be available for use; however, no-touch, bottle-filling stations can be used to fill individual water bottles.
Smoking and Vaping
No smoking or vaping (use of e-cigarettes) in the school building or on school property; it’s the law. Failure to adhere to this rule will result in a school suspension and may result in a fine issued by the Waterloo Region By-Law Office.
Hallways and Stairwells
Students should follow all signs indicating the direction of traffic in hallways and stairwells. Students must proceed directly to their classroom upon arrival and leave the building promptly at dismissal time.
Students are expected to remain with their cohort and under the supervision of their teacher at all times throughout the school day. Students are not permitted to congregate in hallways, common spaces, or washrooms.
Guidance Appointments
Any academic concerns should be discussed with a guidance counsellor by signing up for an appointment online from the school website.
Cell Phones and Personal Electronic Devices
Cell phones and other personal electronic devices must never disrupt the learning environment. When in class, your cell phones should be turned off and out of sight, unless otherwise directed by your teacher. Cell phones must never be used to take photos or videos in class without a person’s knowledge and consent. This is a violation of privacy. Inappropriate use of your cell phone may result in it being confiscated by an administrator.
Use of School Computers and Chromebooks
Use of school computers, Chromebooks, and other technology (e.g. iPads) is a privilege, not a right. Computer and/or network privileges may be revoked for unacceptable conduct and students may be subject to disciplinary action. In order to maximize use and ensure security, please review the WRDSB Responsible Use Procedure. Please ensure Chromebooks are fully charged before arriving at school.
Click HERE for a printable copy of the COVID-19 Student Conduct.
