ethics

STUDENT RIGHTS

At M. E. LaZerte all students have the right to:

• Learn
• Be respected
• Hear and be heard
• Privacy and their own personal space
• A healthy and clean school environment
• Be safe.

 

GENERAL SCHOOL POLICIES - M.E. LaZerte High School
M.E. LaZerte aims to provide students with a safe, caring and supportive environment.  All students are responsible for ensuring that they follow these behavior expectations. Consequences (ranging from a reprimand, parental involvement, attendance board, loss of privileges, detention, exclusion from class, suspension, removal from a course and assignment of a final mark and expulsion from the school or district) will be administered for failure to comply with these expectations.
 

• Students shall be responsible and accountable for their behavior and conduct:

- while involved in school-sponsored or related activities.
- while on school property, during any breaks or lunch periods on or off school property.
- while traveling to and from school.

• - beyond the hours of school operation, if the behavior or conduct detrimentally affects the           
•   welfare of individual students or the governance, climate or efficiency of the school.

 

SCHOOL ETHICS
            It is expected that all M. E. LaZerte students will:

• attend all classes on time prepared to learn and contribute in a positive manner.
• allow teachers to teach and students to learn without interruption.
• demonstrate honesty, courtesy and respect for peers and all staff.
• respectfully comply with any requests made by staff members

• have on their person at all times their valid M. E. LaZerte ID card.
• present the ID card on request of any staff member.
• be respectful and remove headwear prior to entering the school (unless worn for religious reasons).
• display appropriate conduct and behavior.
• not smoke or gamble on school property.
• not use or possess alcohol, illegal drugs or weapons.
• not be under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs or inhalants.
• obtain the maximum number of credits as assigned on their timetable.
• keep hallways clear and quiet during class time.

• follow the dress code at all times.

• follow the cell phone and electronic device rules at all times.
• not take unauthorized pictures or video in the school. Administrators have the right to review and delete any pictures or video taken in the school.
• not use, or have in their possession, any electronic devices during examinations.  Failure to adhere to this policy will result in disciplinary action.

 

ADDITIONAL BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

Physical violence or fighting to resolve conflicts is not tolerated.  Students who fight will receive serious consequences ranging from a suspension to a recommendation to the Superintendent for expulsion from M.E. LaZerte. If students are having difficulty resolving a conflict, they should seek assistance from a school counselor, administrator, or the school resource officer. There is zero tolerance for weapons in the school.  Possession of a weapon will lead to a recommendation for expulsion and involvement of to police.  Anything that could potentially be harmful to oneself or others may be considered to be a weapon.

Skateboards, roller blades and scooters are not to be used on school property.  These items must be stored in student lockers during the entire school day.

Edmonton Public Schools has a three-year high school policy.  Within three years from the time a student qualifies for grade 10, he or she is expected to earn the credits required to graduate.  Fourth year students are directed to Centre High.

 

ON TIME AND READY TO LEARN
At M.E.LaZerte we want students in class, on time with all necessary materials, ready to learn.  Students who are chronically late or are caught in the halls without a hall pass will face a consequence such as a detention or an in school or out of school suspension.  

 

CELL PHONES
Absolutely no cell phone usage in any classrooms during any classes – phones must be off and out of sight. If the rule is broken, the phone will be brought to the office and the student must speak with an administrator at the end of the day to have the phone returned.

Absolutely no cell phone usage in the breaks between blocks 1 and 2 and between blocks 3 and 4. Students need to be focused on getting to their next class on time.

Cell phone may be used in the school:

• in the morning before block 1  begins
• at lunch
• after 3:30

Once the hallway music starts to signal the start of the school day or the end of lunch hour, students must immediately turn off their cell phones, put them away, and keep them out of sight. Students must respectfully cooperate when any staff member directs them to hand over their phone if they are caught breaking the cell phone rules. Consequences for breaking the rules will include: a warning, detentions, phone calls home and suspensions. 

 

ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Students may only use electronic devices such as IPODS or MP3 players to listen to music in class if the teacher has given them permission to do so. Students may not use any electronic device that also has cell phone or internet browsing capability in the classroom to listen to music or as a calculator.

DRESS CODE

• Dress that is suggestive, provocative, insulting and/or unsuitable for public school wear is inappropriate. Graphics depicting or suggesting violence, profanity, pornography, alcohol (including beer slogans), drugs, etc. will not be permitted on clothing.  “FCUK” clothing is not acceptable.

• The key element of our dress policy is moderation.  Details are as follows:
• “underwear” items should remain under cover.
• Tops should reach the waistline:  midriffs should be covered (belly buttons are to remain covered at all times).
• Necklines should be modest.  Skimpy tops (i.e. spaghetti straps or strapless and see through tops) are out.  Cleavage should not be visible.
• Shorts and skirts should be at moderate length.
• Pants, shorts and skirts should not hang too low below the waistline.

• No hats or headgear.

 

Students are not allowed to wear hats or headgear in the school except for religious reasons.  Students who do not comply with this rule will be asked to remove their headgear and hand it to the staff member who has made the request.  Headgear, which includes hats, bandanas, dew rags, etc., will be kept in the office and returned to the student at the end of the day.  Students are not to wear their hoodies on their head in the school.  Students that are continually reminded to remove their hoodies off their head will be sent to see an administrator. Students whose dress does not meet the requirements of our dress regulations will be asked to change into appropriate wear.

 

• ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY
• Regular attendance in class is one of the most important contributing factors to student learning.
• Responsibility for regular attendance rests with students and parents.  All absences must be reported to the main office, by a parent phone call or signed parent note, within one week of the absence.

• Medical documentation is required for ongoing absenteeism due to health concerns.

• All unexcused absences from class will be recorded and will be reported to the home on a daily basis by an automated phone reporting system.
• By district policy, high schools use the terms:

• EXCUSED – students attending a field trip or school activity.
• EXPLAINED - any other absence where the parent has made contact with the school.
• These explanations for illnesses or appointments will be recorded and shared with teachers so they may make appropriate decisions about missed exams or assignments.
•  
• Daily up-to-date summaries of student attendance are available on SchoolZone and upon request by phoning the school.  Students are responsible for all course material missed while absent for any reason.

 

Medical and dental appointments should be made outside of school time if possible.  Parents are requested not to schedule holidays or pull students out of school prior to, or during, major exam periods.  Absenteeism will be addressed through communication between teacher, student, parent and administration.  Excessive unexcused absences may result in withdrawal from classes.

M. E. LaZerte does not permit early dismissal for summer holidays.  Missed exams and assignments could seriously jeopardize students’ success. 

LOCKERS

• Lockers are the property of M. E. LaZerte School.  There will be no student selection of locker locations.  Valuable items should not be left in backpacks, in rooms or in a student’s locker or the physical education lockers.  Students should not bring valuables or large amounts of money to school.  THE SCHOOL CANNOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LOCKER LOSSES OR UNATTENDED VALUABLES LEFT IN AN UNSECURED STATE.  Lockers will be assigned by the 1 Day 1 Block 1 teacher on the first day of regular classes. Students without a Day 1 Block 1 class will have their locker assigned to them by the main office.  Teachers will register the student locker number and lock combination with the main office. Students are responsible for the cleanliness and care of their lockers and will be held responsible for any defacing or damage occurring during the school year.  Students are not allowed to share lockers. Students can either purchase a lock from the school or use their own. If they use their own, they should make sure it is a strong, sturdy lock.  

• NOTE: School officials may search a student’s locker and seize any illegal materials.  Such materials may be used as evidence against the student in disciplinary proceedings. If school authorities have a reasonable suspicion that the locker may contain materials that pose a threat to the health, welfare and safety of students in the school or the school environment, a student’s locker may be searched without prior warning.   If the student is not present for the search, and the locker combination provided by the student is incorrect, the lock will be cut off and the student will be responsible for replacing the lock. 
• FEES AND TEXTBOOKS

School fees should be paid in full on registration day.  If families are unable to pay the full amount on registration day, they may setup a payment plan with the Accounts Department. Failure to pay fees may result in students not being able to participate in co-curricular activities such as sports teams and graduation commencement.

Students are responsible for the care of the textbooks that are signed out to them.  Textbooks must be returned at the end of the course.  Students will be responsible to pay for lost or damaged textbooks.  This ensures there will be textbooks available for all students. 

VISITORS

 

STUDENT DROP OFF
Students are to be dropped off in the student parking lot on the east side of the school, not the staff parking lot. The roadway in front of the school on 144th avenue between the two crosswalks is clearly marked as a no stopping zone. Parents wishing to drop off or pick up students in front of the school on 144th avenue must do so past the west crosswalk where parking and stopping is allowed.

 PARKING

Student parking is available in the 66th street parking lot located on the east side of the school.  Students and staff must not park in the visitor parking areas and must keep designated handicap parking stalls, no parking areas, and the handicap bus zone clear.  During class times students are not to be in the parking lot.

LEAVING THE SCHOOL

Students needing to leave the school during regular class time due to illness or to attend an appointment must sign out through the main office. Office staff will need to speak with a parent/guardian by phone before the student can sign out.

 

INJURIES
Students must report any injuries immediately to the teacher in charge of the activity or to the main office.  A written report of the accident will be completed by the teacher or administrator.

 

SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS
To enhance safety and security, M.E. LaZerte is monitored by surveillance cameras.

 

CAFETERIA
The cafeteria is operated for the convenience of students and staff.  Full course meals, as well as soups, salad plates, sandwiches, desserts and snacks are available.  Special event menus will be a regular feature.
Hours of Operation: Mornings: 8 a.m. to 8:55 a.m.
            Lunch:      11:50 a.m. to 12:40 p.m.
Hot meals and sandwiches are served daily.  This is your cafeteria so please keep it clean. The cafeteria is not open to students during class time.  Studying is done in the library. Vending machines are not to be used during class time.

 

SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER
Our school is fortunate to have Constable Thomsen assigned to us as our school resource officer.  He is here to answer questions and provide assistance on any issues regarding the police and the law. He has the authority to press charges under the Criminal Code and the School Act.   If he is not in his office, he can be reached through the main office. 

 

FITNESS & LIFESTYLE CENTRE
If you wish to use the facility, there is a fee of $25.00 per semester. If students are using the fitness centre during a spare they must be in the facility by the start of the period and must stay in the facility until the bell rings to end the period.  

 

FIELD TRIPS
M. E. LaZerte recognizes field trips are valuable educational activities which enhance student learning and development.  Throughout the school year, students will be invited to participate in field trips in order to enhance and complement course work through the use of facilities and sites outside of the school.  In order to inform parents of the goals of the trip, as well as location, any special provisions, safety requirements and potential costs, a field trip consent form will be issued to the students involved.  In all cases, a parental/guardian signature will be required in order for the student to participate.  If you have any questions regarding any aspects of field trips we would welcome your inquiries at 408-9800.

 

ACCEPTABLE USE OF TECHNOLOGY
Students have access to technology in several areas.  The library and counseling areas have computers available for student use.  Students can use computers for research (including CD-ROM and Internet access), as well as typing and printing assignments.  Students also have access to computers in the computer labs where they can work on their assignments during the lunch hour and/or after school.
Computers are available to students for educational purposes only.  Students shall demonstrate the highest level of respect for the school’s technology resources and only use these resources in ways that are appropriate and consistent with the educational goals of M. E. LaZerte High School and Edmonton Public Schools.  Students are able to access the school’s network by using their login name and password.  These must be kept confidential.  All students are expected to demonstrate responsible and appropriate behavior at all times.  In addition to the direct supervision staff provides, computer technology allows the school to monitor the activities of all students while logged onto the network.  This includes our ability to monitor all internet sites viewed by students. 

Each student is expected to comply with the following:

The following behaviors are examples of violations of our expectations and are not acceptable:

Students who violate these rules may face any or all of the following consequences:

RESPECTFUL LEARNING AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Edmonton Public Schools, in co-operation with its staff groups, is committed to creating a healthy, respectful learning environment for students, staff members, trustees, parents, volunteers and contractors. We recognize the worth of every person without discrimination. We are committed to working toward the elimination of objectionable behavior in our schools and workplaces, and to maintaining an environment that is respectful, safe, nurturing and positive for everyone. Please help us achieve this goal by interacting in a manner which respects the dignity and value of others. 

 

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
To be eligible to participate in commencement, a Grade 12 student must:

The school will only record an absence as “excused” if parents/guardians report the reason for the absence to the main office within one week of the absence. Medical documentation must be provided for chronic absenteeism. If parents/guardians notice any discrepancies in attendance, as communicated in SchoolZone and the automated phone system, they must notify the main office within one week of the absence, in order for it to be corrected.  

 

M. E. LAZERTE GUIDELINES FOR REGISTRATION
GRADE 10   

GRADE 11

GRADE 12

Students must maintain good standing in a minimum of 10 credits per semester in order to remain registered.

Choosing Your Program
It is your responsibility to choose your classes wisely in consultation with your parents, your teachers and your counselor.  Switching courses will be allowed in extreme cases only.  Dropping courses may seriously jeopardize your high school education.  You will not be allowed to drop any course before a consultation with your counselor.  Your parents will be required to submit written permission acknowledging that they are fully aware of the impact on your education.