Progressive Discipline and School Safety

Student safety is our primary concern; our policies are based on changes enacted with Bill 212 (2007): An Act to amend the Education Act in respect of behaviour, discipline and safety, and Bill 157 (2009) “Keeping our Kids Safe at School.”

Suspension

Suspension will be considered where a student is engaged in any of the following activities while the student was at school, at a school-related activity, or in other circumstances where engaging in the activity will have an impact on the school climate:

  • Uttering a threat to inflict serious bodily harm on another person.
  • Possessing alcohol or illegal drugs or possession or use of a prohibited item.
  • Being under the influence of alcohol and/or illegal drugs.
  • Swearing at a teacher or at another person in a position of authority.
  • Committing an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property at the pupil’s school or to property located on the premises of the pupil’s school.
  • Any other activity that is an activity for which a principal may suspend a pupil under a policy of the board.
Note: Students under suspension may not participate in any school related activities at any school.

Bullying

  • Bullying will not be accepted on school property, at school-related activities, on school buses, or in any other circumstances where engaging in bullying will have a negative impact on the school climate.  Students who engage in bullying behaviour can expect for their behaviour to be addressed by an administrator, school consequences and may include police involvement.
  • Bullying can take many forms: physical (hitting, pushing), verbal (name calling, mocking, making sexist, racist or homophobic comments), social (spreading gossip or rumours), or it can occur through the use of e-mail, cell phones, text message, Internet websites or other technology.  Bullying using technology is often referred to as cyberbullying.

Suspension and Possible Expulsion

A principal shall suspend and may recommend a pupil for expulsion if he or shebelieves that the pupil has engaged in any of the following activities while at school, at a school related activity, or in other circumstances where engaging in the activity will have an impact on the school climate:
  • Possessing a weapon, including possessing a firearm.
  • Using a weapon to cause or to threaten bodily harm to another person.
  • Committing physical assault on another person that causes bodily harm requiring treatment by a medical practitioner.
  • Committing sexual assault.
  • Trafficking in weapons or in illegal drugs.
  • Committing robbery.
  • Giving alcohol to a minor.
  • Any other activity that, under a policy of the board, is an activity for which a principal must suspend a pupil and, therefore in accordance with this Part, conduct an investigation to determine whether to recommend to the board that the pupil be expelled.
  • Students under suspension may not participate in any school related activities at any school.
  • As per Bill 157 “Keeping our Kids Safe at School”, these activities includeincidents that occur while at school, at a school related activity or in circumstances where the activity will have a negative impact on the school climate.

Statement of Non-Tolerance

The following behaviour will not be tolerated within Waterloo Region District School Board schools, on school property, or at school–sponsored or related activities, and will be subject to disciplinary action:
  • the use, being under the influence, possession, or distribution of alcohol or illicit drugs.
  • the possession or use of weapons, or items intended to be used as weapons.
  • any physical assault, threats of assault, intimidation, or bullying.
  • participation in any gang/youth group displaying a pattern of delinquent or disruptive activities.
  • any sexual, religious, ethno–cultural, and/or racial abuse, jokes, slurs, and harassment.
  • any non-physical abuse including emotional and psychological abuse, verbal violence, social exclusion.
  • vandalism to school property and property visited during school activities hate–motivated violence.

Emergency Drills – Fire, Lock Down, Tornado

Several emergency procedures will be practiced each year. Each area of the school, such as classrooms, common areas, but not limited to, have emergency signs that indicate what to do and where to go in case of an emergency.

Injury

Students who sustain an injury while on school property MUST report the incident immediately to a staff member. The main office must be informed and appropriate documentation completed.

Wheeled Transportation

With the exception of wheel chairs and other assistive devices, no wheeled transportation devices are allowed in Huron Heights due to safety concerns. This includes wheels on shoes, skateboards, bicycles, etc… Skateboards are not to be used on Huron Heights’ property.

Elevator

For medical reasons or injury, Huron Heights has an elevator to assist staff or students to the next floor.

Lockers

Students may choose their own locker using the Locker Registration system. This assignment may not be changed by the student without permission from the office.
  • Each student is responsible for keeping his/her locker neat and clean.
  • Writing on or in lockers is unacceptable.
  • Students will be financially responsible for any damage to the interior or exterior of their locker.
  • Students are responsible for immediately reporting locker damages to the office.
  • Sharing of lockers is not permitted.
  • Students should keep their lock combinations confidential.
  • Combination locks are to be used on school lockers. These locks may be purchased at the school or in the community.
  • Students are required to have correct lock combinations on file in the main office. Failure to do so will result in locks being cut from lockers.
Note: Lockers are school property and are subject to search at any time.

Sports Lockers

  • Sports lockers are for team equipment only and are not to be accessed during class time.
  • Students must store books, coats, and regular gym clothes, etc. in their assigned locker—not in the sports locker.
  • Sports lockers are to be cleaned out and vacated immediately following a sports season.

Medical/Prescription Drugs

Students who must take a prescription drug during the school day are to inform their vice–principal.

Money and Valuables

Students should not bring large sums of money or valuable personal items to school. Do not leave ANY valuables in the Phys. Ed. change rooms AT ANY TIME. This includes before school, at lunch, after school and during class. The WRDSB does not cover loss of, or damage to, personal articles.

Photo Requirements

All students are required to have a school picture taken for safety and security reasons, whether or not a photo package is being purchased.
A photo is essential should the student wish to purchase a student card or yearbook.

Prohibited Items

The following items are not permitted on school property:

  • firearms/replica firearms of any kind.
  • knives/replica knives of any kind.
  • laser pointers.
  • fire crackers/fireworks.
  • alcohol.
  • illegal drugs.
  • gang-related clothing or insignia.
  • any paraphernalia associated with the items listed above.
  • electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), personal vaporizers (pv), or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).

Smoking, Vaping & Cannabis Use Policy

The school and school property are smoke–free environments. No one is permitted to smoke any type of smoke related products on school property or at school sponsored events. This includes no smoking in vehicles in the school parking lots.
Students smoking off school property during the lunch period, or before or after school, must keep clear of the school driveways along Strasburg Road.
Anyone who is smoking on the property of Huron Heights Secondary School is violating the Ontario Tobacco Control Act and can expect appropriate consequences.

Visitors

  • All people visiting the school must report to the main office as soon as they arrive and adhere to all current Covid-19 protocols.
  • Parking for authorized visitors is available in the lot at the front of the school.
  • Visitors to the school will only be given permission to enter the school for a specific school-related purpose.
  • Social visits by students from other schools are NOT permitted. This includes visitors who arrive by car and wish to socialize in the parking lot.
  • Visitor badges are available in the main office and must be worn while visitors are in the school so that they are easily identifiable to staff and students.

Bus Zone

Buses enter the front driveway SW of the school.  They follow the designated parking signs along the driveway, in front of the school and all the way to the exit.

  • Morning drop off varies from 7:40 – 7:55 am.
  • Evening Pick up varies from 1:30 – 2:00pm.
  • Extra-curricular activities use busing and taxi’s, depending on the event.

Accessing the School

School doors are open from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm

Should outside sports occur outside of these times, staff members on the HHSS coaching staff have access cards to allow people in the building.  A Porta Potty is provided outside next to the main playing field.