Standard of Student Dress
St Carlo Acutis Catholic High School Standards of Student Dress: In Edmonton Catholic Schools, students are expected to dress in a manner that honors the dignity of the human person, who was created in the image of God, and that supports an inclusive, welcoming, caring, respectful, safe, and Catholic learning environment that promotes the well-being of all. Each school in the Division will have a Standards of Student Dress (ECSD Administrative Procedure 349) for their community. Understanding that it is not possible to list all the specific types of acceptable and unacceptable student dress, the purpose of establishing Standards of Student Dress is to empower students to make appropriate choices.
Students are expected to dress in a manner which is appropriate for the school day or for any school sponsored event. All students shall come to school dressed in a comfortable manner that allows them to be authentically who they are, while also meeting the standards in this document.
Students who do not meet the Standards of Student Dress will be required by the school principal, or their designate, to meet the standards before participating in school activities. Schools will facilitate the enabling of students to meet the standards in such situations whenever possible.
Student dress must maintain personal safety and the safety of the school community.
• Students may wear clothing with logos or text on it that is positive in nature, respectful, or implies or encourages a healthy lifestyle/choice for children and youth.
• Underwear (including but not limited to braziers, bras, underpants, panties, boxers, briefs, drawers) must not be visible or exposed, and buttocks and nipples must be covered with opaque fabric and remain so during all activities over the course of the school day.
• Students are not permitted to wear articles of clothing, jewellery, or accessories that indicate or suggest membership in or affiliation with any group or organization that does not support a welcoming, caring, respectful, safe, and Catholic learning environment that respects diversity and fosters a sense of belonging.
Students at St. Carlo Acutis Catholic High School may wear, as long as they are in alignment with this standard’s philosophy:
* A shirt or the equivalent (tops: t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters, tank tops, blouse) with fabric in the front, back, and sides under the arms.
* A sports bra, worn on its own, is not considered a shirt or equivalent
* Pants or the equivalent (bottoms: jeans, leggings, sweatpants, skirts, dresses, shorts),
* Shoes/footwear
*Headwear that is specifically required for (a) religious observance (i.e., hijab, yarmulke, turban), (b) headwear that reflects a student’s culture such as a durag/do-rag, wig, headband, bonnet, or handkerchief, or (c) headwear worn for medical reasons in consultation with the principal.
*Hats, tuques, and other headwear must allow the face to be visible to staff, and not interfere with the line of sight of any student or staff. Hoodies must allow the face and ears to be visible to school staff. As a sign of respect for important traditions and national institutions, hats/tuques must be removed during school prayer or when celebrations are occurring as well as during the playing of the national anthem (O Canada) and during the Treaty Six Land Acknowledgement.
* Courses or activities may require specific attire for safety or curriculum purposes (i.e.: CTF/CTS, PE, science labs, Foods, field trips)
Students at St. Carlo Acutis Catholic High School may not wear:
*Articles of clothing, jewelry or accessories that indicate or suggest membership in or affiliation with any group or organization that does not support a welcoming, caring, respectful, safe, and Catholic learning environment that respects diversity and fosters a sense of belonging
*Articles of clothing that discriminate based on age, religion, gender, ethnicity, gender identity/expression, body type, race, ability, and socio-economic status
* Articles of clothing with words or text that depict or imply hate, violence, profanity, drugs/drug use, alcohol/alcohol use, sexual activity, or criminal activity
Students who have not met the standard, as outlined above, will be addressed in the following manner:
* At the first possible opportunity for a private conversation, the staff member who has identified the issue will speak to the student about the concern in a manner that respects their privacy and dignity. Care will be taken to avoid “shaming” or statements of bias.
* The student will be presented with options to bring them into closer alignment with the standard for the remainder of the school day such as:
1. Wearing another article of their own clothing which they have at school that is in alignment with the standard
2. Contacting a parent or guardian to bring in an article of clothing that is in alignment with the standard
3. Borrowing an article of clothing from a friend that is in alignment with the standard.
4. Where possible, students should not be required to wear school owned replacement garments and should never be required to wear specific garments as a disciplinary measure.
Student Code of Conduct and Responsibilities
This Student Code of Conduct Policy has been developed by the school community and was based on input from students, parents, and school staff. It is included in this student handbook as communication to all members of the school community. This Student Code of Conduct will be reviewed and adapted as necessary on an annual basis by members of the school community.
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS BASED ON THE EDUCATION ACT and ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE 351
Students are expected to develop the talents and abilities that God has given them. Specifically, students are expected to:
· Attend school regularly and be on time for all classes. For time lost from educational activities because of unexcused absences or lates, the lessons missed may be required to be made up in the student’s personal time. Significant absences or lates may require reporting to the Alberta Attendance Board.
· Students may not access personal electronic devices during instructional time regardless of where instruction occurs. A student may face an out-of-school suspension of one day for the use of an electronic device during instructional time.
· Students are expected to complete all homework and assignments. If a significant amount of work is not completed, the student may be removed from class to work independently until all missed assessments are submitted. Additionally, students who miss 50% or more of classes in a subject without a valid reason may be removed from the course and required to repeat it.
· Respect all school property and the personal property of others. Damaging or stealing school property will result in some form of restitution such as cleaning the area damaged, payment for damage, community service within the school, and a report to the school resource officer as well as a loss of privileges, suspensions, or expulsions.
· Members of our school community will refrain from conduct that serves to deny or discriminate against any person or class of persons regarding any goods, services, accommodation, or facilities that are customarily available to the public if that denial is based on race, religious beliefs, color, gender, physical disability, mental disability, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, source of income, family status or sexual orientation. Students who direct speech, videos, music, or communicate either directly or indirectly with others in a manner which is discriminatory as identified as protected grounds under the Alberta Human Rights Act may be awarded a three day out-of-school suspension.
· Show consideration, courtesy and respect for self and others and use appropriate strategies to deal with conflict whether in person or through electronic means. Students should avoid the use of actions and words that may make others feel unsafe. Resorting to physical violence, intimidation, teasing, threats, harassment, or cyberbullying is never appropriate. Students are to refrain from engaging in violence of any kind at school and during school-related activities. Students are expected to assist in the prevention of violence without putting the student’s own safety or well-being at risk, by co-operating with school staff and supporting intervention efforts. Students are encouraged to report incidents of concern to SCA staff.
If there is a problem that a student needs help with, they should tell a teacher, their grade coordinator, or the Principal. The use of physical violence may result in a suspension for 1 to 5 days, or recommendation for expulsion.
· Weapons: Students who bring weapons or items which are intended to be used as weapons to school and/or have them in their possession or access to them throughout the school day may result in a 5-day out-of-school suspension, or recommendation for expulsion.
· Assault: Students who assault others and/or engage in fights may be awarded a 3-5 day out-of-school suspension, or recommendation for expulsion.
· Possession of drugs and other controlled substances: Students who are in possession of drugs, alcohol, vapes, e-cigarettes or who are in possession of drug/alcohol/cigarette paraphernalia may be awarded a 3-day out-of-school suspension, or recommendation for expulsion.
· Be responsible for their actions and behaviour. Students will be accountable for inappropriate behaviors whether they occur within the school building, during the school day, or by electronic means.
SCHOOL RESPONSES TO INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR
Bullying:
· Inappropriate behavior, including bullying, will not be tolerated
· Bullying is defined as the repeated and hostile or demeaning behavior by an individual in the school community where the behavior is intended to cause harm, fear, or distress to one or more other individuals in the school community, including psychological harm or harm to an individual’s reputation. Students should not engage in bullying behaviour within and outside the school and instructional day, either in person or by electronic means.
· Incidences of bullying may be reported to any teacher, counsellor, Mental Health Therapist, School Resource Officer, or administrator that the student feels comfortable with.
· Consequences for inappropriate behavior, including bullying, will be determined by individual circumstances and may include fines as per the City of Edmonton Public Places Bylaw #7608/Bullying- $250
· All students impacted by acts of inappropriate behavior and/or bullying will have continued access to coursework and will be offered resources and support from administration, teachers, and the school Student Services/Mental Health Team, to overcome the negative actions that have led to this behavior
· Each circumstance of inappropriate behavior will be addressed individually to best determine the corrective and supportive path to follow, so that the student can return to their role in the school. Minor and major breaches of conduct will also be examined with fair and corrective interventions, based on the individual circumstances of the matter
· Note: Any of the above may result in charges, suspensions, or recommendation for expulsion. Students suspended for any reason may be barred from taking part in school sanctioned activities.