Policies

Student dress is expected to be neat and clean so that each student contributes to a positive, respectful, healthy and safe environment.

Student dress is the responsibility of the student and parents. Students must adhere to the following guidelines:

• Undergarments must not be visible.
• Clothing must be sized-to-fit and of appropriate length, including tops and bottoms with no midriff showing.
• Clothing must be void of offensive and inappropriate logos, pictures, and language such as derogatory terms, illegal substances, violence, vulgarity.
• The wearing of a hood is not permitted in school.
• Outerwear is not permitted in class. Backpacks, purses, side slings, and other bags are not permitted in class.

• Students are expected to change for all Physical Education classes (including all sports Concentration programs) and to wear appropriate footwear.
• Exemption from Physical Education: All students are required to participate in Physical Education classes unless excused for medical reasons. Each exemption must be supported by a handwritten letter from their parent/guardian addressed to their Phys. Ed teacher.
• Physical Education students must wear the LSA grey Phys. Ed. T-shirt and black shorts or sweatpants. The LSA hoodie may be worn as well, when cold.
• Dance class students must wear the following apparel to class: LSA grey T-shirt or LSA sweatshirt, thick black tights or black leggings, LSA black sweatpants or LSA black shorts.
• Students are not permitted to wear boots
• Cell phones are not permitted in the gyms.
• Sports Concentration students should wear their practice uniform.
• Bags and outerwear are not permitted in the gyms.

Refer to the document below prior to the start of exams. It contains important information regarding exam procedures and it is vital that students, parents and staff become familiar with these instructions.

Laval Senior Academy’s student who do not adhere to these behavioural expectations must accept responsibility for their actions. Any of the following sanctions will be applied:

• Teacher detention
• Teacher communication to parents
• Administrative communication to parents
• Administrative detention
• Meeting with an administrator
• Administrative warning
• Suspension from extracurricular activities
• Loss of bus transportation
• After school or pedagogical day detention
• Community service
• Referral to the Student Support Centre
• Meeting with parents
• Suspension
• Request to SWLSB for expulsion

• Detentions may be assigned by a teacher and take precedence over all other personal circumstances of students.
• Moreover, additional detentions and community service may be assigned if deemed appropriate by the administrator.
• A student who disagrees with a detention cannot unilaterally decide not to attend.
• Missing a detention is a serious offence. Arriving late for a detention will result in having to make up the time. It is the responsibility of the student to notify teachers when there is a conflict.
• A student who misses a lunch detention given by a teacher will be referred to administration.
• Participation in recess, lunch and after-school extracurricular activities cannot take priority over disciplinary measures.

In the event of:

• Profanity directed at a staff member
• Violence
• Fighting
• Vandalism
• Smoking/vaping on school property
• Possession of a vape on school property
• Drinking alcohol on school property
• Violation of certain clauses in the electronics policy
• Bullying (refer to our ABAV policy for further information)
• Consumption and/or possession of alcohol and/or drugs
• Failure to submit to any consequences given by an administrator, OR

Any behaviour that violates the civil or criminal code of Canada or Québec

In certain cases, parents may be required to meet with administration prior to their son/daughter’s return to school.

Definition: the deliberate, intentional and unauthorized use and imitation of a piece of writing, text, or other work created by someone else other than yourself. This includes information from the internet and all other sources of information, electronic or hard copy.

All Laval Senior Academy students have been instructed on the seriousness of this offence and what constitutes “Plagiarism.”

We place the same importance on plagiarism as our CEGEPs, trade schools, and universities; therefore, students who plagiarise will face the following consequences:

• Review of the work in question in consultation with the teacher
• Notification of parents/guardians and administration
• Designation of an automatic zero (0%) on the work submitted.

Consequence :

Any form of cheating on quizzes, tests, and exams will result in a zero.

Every class is important and students are expected to take responsibility for their learning and always perform to the best of their ability.

The decision of the final placement of the student rests with the principal.

Homework is an essential part of the learning process and students are required to:

• Prepare for classroom discussions by reading and researching at home.
• Review and practise skills introduced during class time.
• Review material and prepare for tests.

Textbooks are lent to students and should be covered. Damaged or lost textbooks must be paid for by the student.

• If textbooks are lent to students and not returned in good order at the end of the school year, the repair cost or replacement cost will be charged to students.
• All students will be held financially responsible for any materials that they borrow from Laval Senior Academy. This includes but is not limited to library books, textbooks, musical instruments, art supplies, etc.

Unjustified absences may result in a grade of zero. Any missed evaluation due to an unjustified absence will not be rescheduled. Oversleeping, traffic, missing the bus, and non-medical appointments, are not justifiable reasons for absences. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the teacher in advance if they have an appointment and/or field trip.

An absence from a MEQ compulsory exam is only acceptable if the absence involves certain specific conditions. If a student is absent from an exam, the school board must submit evidence to the Director de la sanction des études which addresses the reason for the absence. The following reasons are accepted with proof:

• Serious illness or accident confirmed by a medical report or certificate
• Death of a close relative
• Court summons
• Participation in an important event, for which the coordinator for the certification of studies in general education in the youth sector of the Direction de la sanction des études, has given its approval beforehand.

The Student Services Department is composed of a team of professionals, which includes, a guidance counsellor, social worker, nurse, drug counsellor, educational psychologist and spiritual animator.

These professionals are ready, willing and able to assist students and their families with a wide variety of concerns. Students and their families are encouraged to consult this team regarding:

• Education planning
• Health issues and concerns
• Interpersonal conflict
• Addiction
• Mental Health
• At-Risk Sexual Behaviours (STI and early pregnancy)
• External support services

The purpose of summer school is to enable students who have failed a subject during the regular school year to receive instruction that will conclude with a final examination. If they are successful in the final examination, they will be promoted to the next level in that course, but the results might not be used for placement in selected courses.

Summer school should be used as a second chance for those who feel they can succeed and are prepared to make a sincere effort. Students should not have a mark below 50% to be eligible for summer school. If the mark is lower than 50%, then a school administrator must authorize it. Students who have passed a course and who wish to improve their standing may also enroll in summer school.

Summer school results will not be used for placement in enriched courses.

The lockers and locks are the property of the school. The principal has the right to open a student’s locker and carry out a search should the latter have reasonable suspicion that the Code of Conduct has been infringed by the student.

Students must use their assigned locker only.

Bullying runs contrary to the values of the LSA community. Everyone at Laval Senior Academy has a right to attend school without being demeaned or abused. Parents, students and staff will do their utmost to ensure that the dignity of all individuals is maintained. We also understand that an effective deterrent to bullying is education aimed at the bully, the bullied and the bystander. The bully must accept responsibility for his/her actions with the full understanding that such contempt for the dignity of others carries swift consequences.

Bullying” is defined as any repeated direct or indirect behaviour, comment, act or gesture, whether deliberate or not, including in cyberspace, which occurs in a context where there is a power imbalance between the persons concerned and which causes distress, intimidates or ostracizes.

The following actions constitute bullying if they meet the above-mentioned criteria:

Direct (Physical):

• Hitting, kicking, punching
• Pushing, shoving, spitting
• Forcing others to hand over money or possessions
• Forcing someone to do something they don’t want to do

Direct (Verbal):

• Name-calling
• Teasing, insults, putdowns
• Threats of any kind
• Making fun of someone because of their appearance, physical characteristics or cultural background
• Making fun of someone’s actions
• Hurting others based on gender, sexual orientation, religion or ethnic background

Indirect (Social and Psychological):

• Excluding others from an activity or a group
• Spreading hurtful/inappropriate stories about others
• Making inappropriate gestures
• Taking, hiding or damaging something which belongs to someone else
• Sending offensive emails or text messages
• Inappropriately using websites, chat sites or camera phones

Bullying also can happen online or electronically. Cyber-bullying is when children or teens bully each other using the internet, mobile phones or other cyber technology.

This can include:

• Threats, insults, rumours
• Identity theft
• Harassment, discrimination, denigration, defamation
• Filtering or online blocking
• Inappropriate messages (mean, violent, sexual)
• Posting fights/incidents, or pictures about others on any social media platform.

The misuse of technology to threaten, ridicule, spread rumours or defame character will not be tolerated and represents a violation of school safety protocols and as such may warrant suspension, police involvement or expulsion.

The lists above are not exhaustive. They are intended to provide examples of the various types of bullying.

Cyberspace reference means over and above school premises and hours.

At LSA, we believe that all community members need to treat each other with respect. The Anti-Bullying and Anti-Violence plan is in place and reviewed yearly. It is an official document which can be accessed here on our school website.

The school will take the necessary measures to ensure confidentiality for all parties.

An incident of bullying and/or violence can be reported verbally (in person or by phone) or in writing (by email or by letter addressed to school administration). Students who wish to write a note to report an incident are encouraged to include their name for follow-up.

Staff members who receive a report must document the information and submit the information to administration for follow-up.

When parents have been told about a bullying situation or an act of violence, they are expected to communicate with the school principal, an alternate administrator or the classroom teacher. The report will be documented. Following the investigation, the parent should be contacted and advised that the situation has been investigated and appropriate action has been taken. Details are not divulged so as to maintain confidentiality.