GENERAL INFORMATION

ACADEMIC INQUIRY AND EXCELLENCE

The staff at Pine Ridge is dedicated to promoting academic inquiry. Special recognition is given to students who obtain honours standing throughout the school year. To achieve Honours standing, students must meet the following criteria:

1. Years 1, 2, 3: 80% average in 8 credits over the school year

2. Year 4: 80% average in best 6 credits over the school year

3. Ontario Scholars: 80% average in best 6 4U/M/C credits

There are also awards for academic inquiry and academic excellence provided by sponsors at our annual Commencement. Information on these SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS is available in Student Services (phone ext. 237).

ACCIDENTS/INSURANCE

Parental support is a determining factor in a student's success at school. The community expectation is that teachers and administrators communicate with parents about the attendance and performance of all students. The Education Act supports this expectation. Students 18 years of age and over are required to fill out a form indicating their request to sign their own notes. This form must be authorized by parents to ensure that parents are aware that their children will be signing their own notes. Requests for confidentiality will be respected by the school administration and must be communicated by the student to his/her parents. The school emphasizes that open communication between the home and the school is the best way to support student achievement. If this procedure is abused, the privilege may be removed.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

With permission from an administrator, announcements about upcoming events sponsored by the school are announced on the intercom, posted on bulletin boards, featured on the school sign or are sent through the computer network and school web site. Team triumphs and individual student accomplishments are also featured on special announcements and through Pine Ridge newsletters. Students should check with the office if they have something special to announce.

ASSEMBLIES

Students are expected to demonstrate courtesy at assemblies. Students must treat performers, award winners, speakers and guests in a polite and respectful manner at all times. Students who fail to show appropriate behaviour during special events may be removed from the current event, lose the privilege to attend special functions or activities, and will see a Vice-Principal for discipline.

ATHLETICS AND EXCELLENCE

Pine Ridge promotes a positive relationship between athletics and academic excellence. Participation in the athletic program is a privilege. In order to compete on a school team, students must:

CAFETERIA AND FOOD SERVICES

The provision of food services is based on the expectation that students will maintain a clean environment in the cafeteria.  Students are expected to clean their eating area by using the garbage containers.  Recycling bins are available so that students may practice their environmental consciousness.

Cafeteria food services are available during lunch periods. Students failing to clean up may be asked to see a Vice-Principal and may have to assist with the cafeteria clean up.

• If a staff supervisor asks a student to assist with clean up, whether or not he/she left the debris, the student is expected to help with the clean up as an act of good citizenship.
• There is to be absolutely no panhandling for spare change or lunch money.
• Students are to be on the first floor during the lunch period.
• Food must be consumed in the cafeteria areas or outside of the school, and not in classrooms or hallways.
• Students will not access vending machines during class time or between classes.
• With the exception of the Resource Centre, Cross-Curricular Lab, Dance Studio and Student Services, the 2^nd and 3^rd floors are out of bounds during lunch and after 2:45 p.m.

COMPUTER LABS AND NETWORK

There are a number of computer labs in the school; all part of the school network. Certain labs may be available before school, during the lunches or after school. Students and their parents must sign a Computer Ethics Policy form before computer privileges are granted.  The Durham District School Board does not provide network access to personal computer/devices.

COOPERATIVE EDUCATION

Students who would like to explore career paths, while earning credits towards their diplomas, should see the Cooperative Education Department in Room 3007.

The Pine Ridge Student Crime Stoppers is affiliated with Durham Region Crime Stoppers Incorporated. Any student who has information regarding any criminal activity at Pine Ridge S. S. can call the Durham Region Crime Stoppers line at (905) 436-8477 (TIPS) or 1-800-222-8477. Anonymity is guaranteed and the caller may be eligible for a reward.

DANCES

The date and cost for each dance will be announced in advance on the S.A.C. bulletin board and during morning announcements. Tickets must be bought in advance. There are no ticket sales at the door. Times for admittance to the dance will be clearly posted. Conduct at school dances must respect the rights of others at all times. Students are not allowed to access their lockers during dances. Students will not be re-admitted if they leave. All students must show their Student I.D. Card at the door to gain admittance. Bags will be searched at the door. The school dress code applies. Drinks, including water bottles, will be confiscated at the door. There will be no refunds issued to those who are removed from the dance. Only students registered at Pine Ridge Secondary School will be admitted to the dance, NO GUESTS will be allowed to attend dances.  Students under suspension will not be permitted to attend dances.

DAYCARE

Pine Ridge Secondary School shares its building with an independently-operated child care centre, Schoolhouse Playcare Centre. Pine Ridge students in Child Studies and Cooperative Education will have the opportunity to observe and participate in early childhood education at this facility. Staff and students with children may contact 905-839-8586 for more information. Daycare parking is exclusive to daycare use only.

E.Q.A.O. LITERACY AND MATHEMATICS ASSESSMENTS

Every year, the Ministry of Education administers, through the schools, province wide assessments in both literacy and mathematics. All students are required to write these assessments in their respective grades or while taking the related course.

Attendance for both assessments is mandatory and a Ministry requirement.  The Grade 9 EQAO Mathematics Assessment is worth 5% of the course mark as mandated by the Board.  The passing of the Grade 10 OSSLT is a diploma requirement.

The Provincial Assessment of Mathematics takes place each year in Grade 9. All students enrolled in a Grade 9 math course are required to take the test. The multiple choice section of the assessment is counted as part of the student's summative mark in the course. This year, the test will be written on January 18-19, 2011 for semester 1 students enrolled in a Grade 9 math course, and on June 14-15, 2011 for semester 2 students enrolled in a Grade 9 math course.

All students are required to successfully complete the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) as part of their graduation requirements. This test is first written in the grade 10 academic year.

All courses at Pine Ridge contain components that support students in their preparation to write the Literacy Test. Special test preparation sessions are held for all grade 10 classes.  Students with IEPs are provided with Academic Resource support.  In addition, all students writing the Literacy Test will have the opportunity to write a Practice Test prior to the actual test date.

This year's Literacy Test will be written on Thursday, March 31, 2011, with results available in the spring of 2011. Remediation and additional opportunities to write the test will be available for students who are unsuccessful on their first attempt at the test. Students who are unsuccessful a second time can complete a Literacy Course (OLC-4O1) to satisfy the graduation requirements.

EXAM WRITING POLICY

Examinations are held at the end of each semester. All students must write exams in applicable courses.  The examination period is published in the calendar portion of this Agenda.  The specific time and date for each course exam will be clearly posted around the school closer to the exam time. Students who are:

• LATE for an exam: must report to the main office immediately.

• ABSENT from an exam: The school must receive a doctor's note or other acceptable documentation within 24 hours of the scheduled exam otherwise a mark of zero for the exam is given.

In the event of an emergency school closure, the exam schedule will be adjusted accordingly.

EXTENDED ABSENCES

The Ministry of Education requires regular attendance for the granting of credits.  Extended absences must be approved by an Administrator.  "Extended Absence Forms" are available in the main office.  It is the student's responsibility to inform the teachers and administration well in advance.  Students will be responsible for all work, assignments, and tests held during the time they are away.  Formal examinations must be written as scheduled.  Please take note of the examination period stated in the Calendar in the Agenda.

FIELD TRIPS

Students are expected to demonstrate responsible behaviour during any school activity.  All school regulations apply to field trips.  Students are requested to dress appropriately for trips away from the school since they act as an ambassador for Pine Ridge Secondary School in the larger community.

FIRE DRILLS/ALARM

Each room has a fire exit route (and an alternate) posted for use during fire drills. When the alarm sounds students must move quickly; they are not to run. They should move at least 50 metres from all school buildings to a designated area so that those following may get out. Students must stay with their class for attendance purposes. All roadways must be clear for emergency vehicles and no vehicles are to exit the school parking lot. It is a criminal offence to sound a false fire alarm. Students are not to leave school property during a fire alarm or drill.

GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT - STUDENT SERVICES

Students should visit the Guidance Department for:

• Career and Educational Planning
• College and University Application Procedures
• Course selection and timetable counselling
• Ontario Student Transcripts (OST)
• Personal Counselling/Services
• Referrals to Community Agencies
• Summer School/Night School applications

Guidance appointments are to be made outside of class time (before/after school or during lunch).

Students who wish to make changes to timetables should take note that:

• Registered students must follow the timetable change schedule posted in guidance office, school calendar and website.

• A timetable change can only be accommodated if space permits.

• Students registered in a Semester One course may not re-register for the same subject for Semester Two.

• Auditing of courses is not permitted (i.e., sitting in on a class without being registered in the course).

Full Disclosure

This policy was implemented by the Ministry of Education and Training effective September 1999.  All students taking grade 11 and 12 courses will be subject to this policy.  All courses taken after the date of full disclosure (5 days after the first official report card is issued) will be recorded on a student's transcript whether the course has been successfully completed or not.

Commencement

As of June, 2011, all graduation exercises will be held on the second last day of the school year.  In June 2011, this will fall on Wednesday, June 29.

Graduation Fee

The graduation fee (TBA) includes:  cap and gown for Commencement Ceremony; 2 tickets for Commencement on Wednesday, June 29, 2011; a Pine Ridge Pin keepsake; and a Graduation Barbecue in Spring 2011.  The graduation fee deadline is October 5, 2010.  If a student does not qualify for Commencement, the money can be held over until the next year.

Community Service Hours and Literacy Test Fulfilment

In order to graduate in June 2011, students must submit their 40 hours of community service to the Guidance Office no later than May 2, 2011.  Students must also successfully complete the Literacy Test or the OLC4O1 course in order to receive their high school diploma.

LOCK DOWN

If a situation occurs in the school which poses an immediate danger to the safety of the school community, an announcement will be made that the school is proceeding to a Lock Down situation. Students are to stay in their classroom and follow the instructions of their teacher. Any person in the hallway should report to the closest available classroom. People in the cafeteria must enter the servery.  Students are not allowed to use personal entertainment and communication devices (e.g., MP3s, IPods, PSPs, pagers, walkie-talkies, cameras, cell phones, etc.) unless authorized by the Administration.  Lock Down drills are held periodically throughout the school year.

LOCKERS

All students are assigned a locker each school year at Pine Ridge. The locker must be secured with a combination lock in a reasonable time after it is assigned or it will be re-claimed and re-assigned. Students are responsible for both the inside and outside of that locker and may seek assistance from the custodians to keep it clean of any markings. The locker number and combination must be on record in the office in the event of an emergency. Although students will have use of a locker, it remains the property of the school. Under the Education Act, the Principal has the right to search personal property and lockers to provide for the safety and welfare of all students and staff. Only Dudley locks (combination locks) are permitted.

• For personal protection, locker combinations should not be given to anyone, and students should ensure that locks have been properly secured before leaving.

• Valuables should not be kept in lockers!

The most common causes of lost property result from locks being preset to open and from giving combinations to other students and friends who do not share the locker. Students are not to trade or abandon lockers as they are responsible for the locker that they have been assigned. Any change of locker information (e.g., lock combination, discontinuing use, change of locker, etc.) must be reported immediately to the Vice Principal in charge of lockers.

Evidence of forcible entry into a locker, and damage or personal loss of items, must be reported to the main office and a Theft Report Form must be filled out so that the matter may be investigated further by a Vice-Principal.

LOST AND FOUND

Found articles are to be turned in to the office. The lost and found box is located in the Main Office and the Physical Education Office. Texts and notebooks will be returned to the subject teacher. Unclaimed items at the end of each semester will be given to local charities.

MEDICATION AND MEDICAL CONCERNS

Students are to bring to school only the required dosage for one school day at a time. Parents and guardians are requested to ensure that this procedure is followed. No persons shall give any medication to another person. This practice could be grounds for suspension or expulsion. The school does not store, distribute, or administer any medications for students.

It is a student's responsibility to inform the office if he/she has any serious allergies or medical conditions. Forms to advise teaching staff of serious allergies are available at the beginning of the school year in home room and are available in the main office. The school also requests that students contact their Vice-Principal to discuss the medical concerns.

PARKING

Parking at Pine Ridge Secondary School is by permit only and is a privilege. This privilege may be withdrawn due to inappropriate driving or inappropriate behaviour in the parking lot. Students who receive a student parking permit must display it prominently in the windshield area of their car and park in student designated parking only. Visitor parking, the Daycare area and the staff parking lot are not for student use.  Repeated parking violators will have their privileges revoked. Parking is not allowed along the driveway parallel to the front of the school. The driveway must be kept open for emergency vehicles.

All traffic signs on Pine Ridge S.S. property must be respected. Failure to do so may result in loss of permit and/or referral to Police for a Traffic Act Violation.

Students are not to sit in cars on school property at any time. Loud music from parked cars or cars waiting to pick up students disturbs the learning environment. Music should not be audible on school grounds.

Students are expected to show respect for Pine Ridge's neighbours by not parking in front of their properties or along Liverpool Road.

The City of Pickering playing fields, facilities in Beverly Morgan Park, and the parking area are under Pine Ridge jurisdiction during the school day until 5 p.m. or until supervised school teams vacate the area. As a result, school rules in these areas must be followed.

PHOTOCOPYING AND PRINTING

Photocopiers for student use are available in the Resource Centre.

Network printers must not be used to make multiple copies.

Before mass producing certain materials, students should first speak with their teacher. The Business Department also has stand-alone computers with an attached printer. Students are welcome to print their personal projects before and after school in the Resource Centre. They must bring all of their own school supplies for project work and a nominal fee will be charged for printing or photocopying.

POLICE LIAISON

The Ajax-Pickering Community Relations Unit of the Durham Regional Police Service operates a police-school liaison program. This program is a proactive initiative to develop and build trust, respect and a mutual understanding between police and youth. The school police liaison officer visits the school regularly to discuss law enforcement issues with students, teachers and administrators, and to promote anti-violence, drug awareness, impaired driving awareness and safety concerns.

REPORT CARDS AND PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEWS

Report Cards are issued twice each semester. Student progress reports are issued in October and March and are followed by parent-teacher interviews within a few days. Provincial Midterm Report Cards are issued in November and April. Students, who are in danger of failing a credit, will receive mark updates from subject teachers in December and May. The final semester reports are issued in February and July.

• Students are expected to show all report cards and mark updates to their parents/guardians.
• Signed report cards must be returned to the school within 3 days of reports being issued.

RESOURCE CENTRE

The Resource Centre is the hub of communication and information technology; Internet, presentation software, multi-media production, resource/book borrowing, daily newspapers, audio-visual previewing, photocopying, and current magazines. Most resources may be borrowed for a period of two weeks with a Student ID Card. Fines will be charged for late returns.

The Resource Centre is a classroom. Students are welcome in the Resource Centre for quiet study and research on their own time. They are required to bring all their own supplies for project work.  The Resource Centre is open before and after school, and during lunch.  The weekly schedule is posted on the doors.

SAFE SCHOOL PROCEDURES

Pine Ridge is committed to providing a safe and a secure learning environment for students and staff. The school has a Safe Schools Committee involving students, staff and parent participation.  The committee reviews policies and procedures established by the Board.  Regular contact is made with the school's Police Liaison Officer and Durham District School Board personnel to discuss strategies associated with providing a safe school environment. Procedures in the Code of Conduct follow the Ontario Schools Code of Conduct and Education Act established by the Ministry of Education.

SCHOOL AGENDA

The School Agenda has been provided by the school, and it is expected that students carry this School Agenda with them at all times. It should be used to record homework, due dates and to plan time. Classroom teachers will encourage students to use the Agenda regularly.

There is a Parent Tear-Out Page listing important dates and a more detailed Calendar of Events in the Agenda.  General Information, School Code of Conduct, and a Calendar of Events are also posted on the school web site.

SCHOOL CLOSURE - SNOW DAYS

In the event of a heavy snow/ice storm, families will be advised as soon as possible (by 6:30 a.m.), through the Board Website (www.durham.edu.on.ca) or local radio stations, if schools are to be closed. The statement will be either:

"Transportation services have been cancelled but schools are still open"

Or

"Schools are closed for the day and parents are requested to keep their children at home"

If a Snow Day occurs during the examination period, the exam schedule will be adjusted accordingly.

The following Radio Stations will be the source of information:

• C.K.D.O. 1580 Oshawa
• C.F.Z.M. 740 Toronto
• C.K.G.E.F.M. 94.9 Oshawa
• C.H.F.I.F.M. 98.1 Toronto
• C.B.C. Radio 99.1 Toronto
• C.H.U.M. 104.5 Toronto
• C.F.R.B. 1010 Toronto
• 680 NEWS 680 Toronto
• C.K.F.M. 99.9 Toronto
• C.H.K.T. 1430 Toronto

SCHOOL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

The School Community Council (SCC) is composed of parents, school administrators, community members and students from Student Council. The role of the SCC is to provide input on a wide range of topics that affect school life at Pine Ridge. The SCC  meets every last Monday of the month at 7:00 pm. in the Library.  Interested parents should check the school calendar and website for exact dates. The SCC can be contacted through the School Administration.

Textbooks or on-line textbooks are supplied in most courses. Students are responsible for the care of the textbooks assigned to them. Students are required to pay for replacement of lost texts and for the repair of damaged texts.

• A student report card/transcript will be withheld until all outstanding textbook matters, outstanding Resource Centre fines, and returned team uniform issues are settled.

• Resource Centre materials will be treated in the same way as texts. Students will be required to pay for replacement or repair.

• Students are required to purchase all writing materials necessary for class (e.g., binders, paper, pencils, pens, rulers). It is not the school's responsibility to provide these materials. Some courses have a fee for supplementary materials. These are listed in the Course Calendars available from Guidance and on the school web site.

Students seeking assistance in improving academic performance should contact the Academic Resource Department.  Support can be provided in areas such as study skills, organization, time management, tests and examination preparation, expressing ideas, understanding printed material, following directions, and solving problems.

STUDENT ACTIVITY COUNCIL

The Student Activity Council (S.A.C.) is a lead group of students who are elected by their peers to represent the student body. Throughout the year, the S.A.C. plans and organizes events such as dances, talent shows, spirit weeks, fashion shows and the Prom. Campaigning and elections for S.A.C. positions are held at the end of second semester and run for a week.

STUDENT AMBASSADORS

Student ambassadors are students who represent the school and provide assistance at school events. The role of ambassadors includes the following duties:

• Conducting grade 8 and 9 orientation tours.

• Welcoming and orienting new students.

• Helping at school functions (e.g., Commencement, parent-teacher interviews, etc.)

Student Ambassadors can count their volunteer time outside school hours as Community Involvement Activities. Students who would like to become a Student Ambassadors should contact Student Services.

STUDENT IDENTIFICATION CARDS

Students who have been directed to the Study Hall must report promptly to the Main Cafeteria for attendance and assigned work.  Assigned work must be completed during the Study Hall period in the Main Cafeteria.  Students must bring requisite course materials to the Study Hall.  Not reporting to Study Hall will be considered to be truancy and will be dealt with accordingly.

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STUDY PERIOD

Students with a study period are permitted to sit in the New Cafeteria.  Study periods are intended for quiet study time and they may be taken in the New Cafeteria, the Resource Centre, or away from school.  Please restrict activities in the New Cafeteria to school work. Loitering in the main foyer or around the building is not permitted. There is to be no wandering the halls at any time.

TELEPHONES

Office telephones are for signing out and emergency use only. Students may use the pay phones for personal business. The pay phones are not to be used during class time.  Cell phones may be used before or after school, or at lunch OUTSIDE of the school building.

TEST AND LATE ASSIGNMENT POLICY

In order for teachers to evaluate the extent to which a student has achieve curriculum expectations, a variety of assessments and evaluations must be provided, completed, and submitted.  At all times, students are responsible for missed tests and assignments.

TESTS

• Students should respect the rights of their peers to write in an environment conducive to success.

• It is the responsibility of each student to know tests dates, to prepare for them, and to write the test on the set date.

• If a test is missed due to illness, legal issues or other substantiated reasons, it is the responsibility of the student to provide a note from his/her parent or guardian to the subject teacher indicating the reason for the absence and the awareness that a test was missed.  It is the responsibility of the student to make alternate test date arrangements with the subject teacher.

• A student may receive a mark of zero if he/she skips the class on the day the test was administered.

ASSIGNMENTS

• Students are expected to submit work by the assigned due date.  Deadlines are realistic in normal working life outside of the school setting.  Regular submission of work allows the teacher to mark the work and to provide feedback to assist the student in improving his/her performance.  The deadlines are also set as a way of bringing closure on one unit of work and moving ahead to another.

• It is the responsibility of the student to seek assistance from the subject teacher when he/she is unable to complete a task / assignment due to insufficient knowledge or skill. It is not acceptable to advise the teacher of difficulty the day before or on the due date of a task / assignment.

• It is not acceptable to submit work late without negotiating alternate deadlines with the subject teacher.

• Some deadlines are negotiated; some are absolute. If a student does not submit / complete work on either a negotiated or absolute deadline, the student may receive a designation of zero.

• Additional guidelines or expectations relating to late assignments will be published for each subject according to Department Policies.

VALUABLES

Valuable items should not be brought to school. Precautions can be taken to safeguard valuables by following these suggestions:

• Students should buy only a Dudley lock (combination lock). A Dudley lock with a protected hasp is highly recommended. Students should keep the combination absolutely private.

• Large sums of money or valuable personal items should not be brought to school.

• Wallets, watches, electronic equipment, rings or jewellery, or other valuables should not be brought to physical education classes. These should be left at home or stored in a locker, not in the change room.

• Students must lock bicycles to the stands.

• Students should never broadcast to others that they have valuables with them.

The school is NOT RESPONSIBLE for the loss or theft of personal items.

VISITORS AND TRESPASSERS

All visitors to the building should report immediately to the school office upon arrival at the school, including staff from other schools, former students, teachers and parents of former students, as well as delivery people and vendors. Guest speakers and parents will be guided to their destination within the school. Persons who are on school property without office approval are trespassing and, in accordance with the Trespass Act, may be prosecuted.  Suspended students become trespassers if they do not leave school property immediately as instructed, and must remain off school property for the duration of their suspension.

The strict enforcement of the visitor/ trespasser policy minimizes theft and vandalism and maintains a safe and orderly environment at Pine Ridge. Students are not permitted to bring friends/guests who are not currently registered as students at Pine Ridge to the school.

YOUTH CENTRE - A COMMUNITY HEALTH FACILITY

The Youth Centre is a community health centre for youth from which they can obtain advice, medical services, programs that will help provide them with choices or information about health and the community. Address - 360 Bayly Street West, Ajax, Ontario, LIS 1P1.

Tel: (905) 428-1212 Fax: (905) 428-9151

WEEKLY BELL SCHEDULE

Week 1 8:23 am........................Warning Bell 8:30 am – 9:45 am...............Period 1 9:45 am – 9:50 am...........Homeroom 9:50 am – 9:55 am..........Travel Time 9:55 am – 11:10 am.............Period 2 11:10 am – 11:55 am...............Lunch 11:48 am......................Warning Bell 11:55 am – 1:10 pm.............Period 3 1:10 pm – 1:15 pm.........Travel Time 1:15 pm – 2:30 pm..............Period 4

Week 2 8:23 am.......................Warning Bell 8:30 am – 9:45 am..............Period 2 9:45 am – 9:50 am..........Travel Time 9:50 am – 9:55 am...........Homeroom 9:55 am – 11:05 am.............Period 1 11:05 am – 11:55 am..............Lunch 11:48 am......................Warning Bell 11:55 am – 1:10 pm.............Period 4 1:10 pm – 1:15 pm.........Travel Time 1:15 pm – 2:30 pm..............Period 3

SCHOOL GROUPS/CLUBS/TEAMS2010 - 2011

TEAMS	CLUBS	GROUPS
Alpine Skiing	Anime Animation	Ambassadors
Badminton	Astronomy	Athletic Council
Baseball	Chess Club	Best Buddies
Basketball	Dance Club	DECA
Cross Country	Environmental Club	Character Education at PRSS
Curling	Fit Club	IMPACT
Dance	History Club	Intramurals
Dragon Boat	Homework Club	Leadership Group
Football	IMPROV	Leaders in Training
Golf	Junior Band	Leaders of Tomorrow
Hockey	Junior Choir	Library Volunteers
Mountain Biking	Photography Club	Moulin Ridge Cafe
Rugby	Puma Productions	Muslim Student Association
Soccer	S.A.S.S. Club	Peer Tutor
Softball	Senior Band	Prom Committee
Swimming	Senior Choir	Prowler Magazine
Tennis	Sewing Club	PUMA Squad
Track and Field	Ski Club and Snowboard	Safe School
Volleyball	Stage Band	S.T.A.R.
Wrestling	Weightlifting Club	Student Activity Council (SAC)
	White Pine Book Club	Teen Support Group
		Yearbook