Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute

GCVI

Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

1. How do I find out what is happening at the school and when?

Check the school website calendar , as well as the calendar of events listed in the handbook which is distributed to all students at the beginning of the school year. Letters will be sent home inviting parents to information nights (Grade 9 in late September, and Grade 11 Course Selection night in February). Parent/Teacher Interviews are held the 2nd week in November and 3rd week of April. Special events are usually posted on the outdoor sign. School Council meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month (except December) from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the Cafeteria. An evening of workshops organized by School Council will be held in November. Check out the Fall School Council Newsletter for details.

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2. What should I do if my child is sick or is going to be absent for any period of time?

Phone the school 824-9800, then press 1 (for attendance concerns) and leave a message. When the student returns, send a note of explanation and the date(s) absent. This note is to be signed by a parent or guardian and given to the home room teacher.

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3. How can I contact my child at school in an emergency situation?

Phone the school office 824-9800 and then follow auto-attended instructions to leave a message. It would be very helpful if you knew what class the student was in. Messages are checked every ½ hour. In an extreme emergency, call the Principal at extension 301 or Vice-Principals at 307 or 308.

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4. How can I reach my child’s teacher?

Messages can be left on the teacher’s voice mail (call the school 824-9800 follow the auto-attended instructions). Notes may also be passed to the teacher through the student. If you do not hear from the teacher within 48 hours, try again, messages can get lost.

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5. What if I want to visit the School Office/Guidance Office?

In the interest of safety, all visitors must report to the main office, identify themselves to an Administrative Office Assistant and receive a visitor’s pass. The office is located on the main floor, near the Yorkshire-Paisley Street Entrance. If you want to speak to a guidance counsellor, report to the guidance Administrative Assistant and fill out a orange slip that is found near the entrance door. Please call ahead for appointments when possible. Guidance counsellors can help with course selection, course changes, timetable changes or help in obtaining a tutor (824-9800 ext. 340)
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6. How is the year split?

Generally, Semester 1 starts at the beginning of September and runs to the end of January finishing with an exam week. Semester 2 starts at the beginning of February and runs to the end of June finishing with an exam week.

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7. How are students evaluated?

An interim report is distributed in the 6th week of the semester. This alerts parents to the pending problems with their children's academic studies and allows time to resolve the problems. A midterm report then goes out in November. Final exams are written at the end of the semesters and a credit is gained with a passing mark. Some subjects may have in-class summative evaluations and no final exams. Other subjects only have a final exam. There are five exam days at the end of each semester. Your child will not attend regular classes a this time but will only go to the school to write his/her scheduled exam. There is on PA day at the end of January following the exam days. In case of school closure due to inclement weather, the exam schedule will be pushed back one day for every day the school is closed.

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8. What and when are midterm reports and final exams?

An interim report is distributed in the 6th week of the semester. This alerts parents to pending problems with their children’s academic studies and allows time to resolve the problems. A midterm report then goes out in November. Final exams are written at the end of the semesters and a credit is gained with a passing mark. Some subjects may have in-class summative evaluations and no final exams. Others subjects only have a final exam. There are 5 exam days at the end of each semester. Your child will not attend regular classes at this time but will only go into the school to write his/her scheduled exams. There is one PA day at the end of January following the exam days. In the case of school closure due to inclement weather, the exam schedule will be pushed back one day for every day the school is closed.

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9. What is the procedure for the Parent-Teacher Interview Night?

Interim reports are sent home in October and in March. Parent/Teacher Interview Nights are arranged for the following week. Interviews are held in the auditorium from 3:00-4:30 and 6:00-7:30p.m. Teachers are arranged in rows in alphabetical order. Appointments in advance are required and may be obtained by completing the interview request sheet brought home by your student. If you do not have pre-arranged appointments, and the teacher’s booking time permits, an appointment can be made that evening. There are students situated outside the auditorium to make appointments. Ten-minute interview times are strictly adhered to. If you need further time with a specific teacher, arrangements should be made to meet at a later date.

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10. What is Homeroom/Teacher Advisor?

The home room teacher ( Period 1 teacher) will:

help students review and complete their Annual Education Plans;
monitor student’s attendance and academic progress
be available to communicate with parents/guardians to keep them informed about student progress

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11. What is the Community Involvement component that is needed for graduation?

Students are required, as part of their Ontario Secondary School Diploma (O.S.S.D.) to complete a minimum of 40 hours of unpaid community involvement over their four years of secondary school. A student booklet will be distributed to all Grade 9 students early in the fall (students must be in grade 9 before collecting hours). This booklet is to record all volunteer hours and must be turned into the guidance office upon completion and before graduation. After this information is recorded on the student’s transcript. A confirmation slip will be sent to the student indicating that they have completed this graduation requirement. The booklet highlights eligible and ineligible activities. If the student has any questions they should check with a Vice-Principal before undertaking any volunteer activity. Volunteer opportunities are posted on the bulletin board outside the guidance office. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they complete the 40 hour community involvement requirement. Check out The Volunteer Centre of Guelph/Wellington for possible volunteer opportunities.

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12. What are the provincial math tests and the provincial literacy tests?

The Education, Quality and Accountability Office of the Ministry of Education has designed two types of testing for secondary students. In grade 9, students take a provincial math test to determine not only the student’s knowledge of their grade 9 course but to test the curriculum. Results are sent to parents.

The OSSLC is a provincial test to assess the reading and writing skills of students. Grade 10 students take this 2 ½ hour test in October based on their knowledge to date. The test is a standard test designed by the EQAO for all students in Ontario. The results are shown as a pass or failure (no marks are given). Students must receive a pass in order to obtain their O.S.S.D. Students who do not pass will be given remedial help and may retake the test as many times as necessary. For those students who have been eligible to take the test twice and have failed at least once a Grade 12 literacy course is offered. Successful completion of the course will count as the O.S.S.D. literacy requirement for graduation.

13. Are there any fees to be paid?

There is a fee charged by the Student Senate when the student registers at the beginning of the year (currently $35). This fee is for the student ID card (needed to obtain student bus tickets and sign out library books; to participate in clubs and sports; for a school yearbook; student agenda book; and for entrance to dances. Please check your course calendar for any additional course fees. Courses such as music, physical educational, art, technology etc. usually involve a course fee. There are fees for overdue library items [.25¢ a day until the item has been brought back up to $5 maximum.] Consideration will be given to families suffering from severe financial hardship. Please check with a Vice-Principal or the Principal on this issue.

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14. Does the school have a cafeteria and where is it located?

The school cafeteria is located on the 2nd floor of the new building and is open from 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Students may purchase their lunch or bring one from home. Lunch is from 11:35-12:35. The cafeteria is not large enough to accommodate all students.

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15. What is the Breakfast Club?

School Council, in conjunction with St. James Anglican Church, operates a Breakfast Club every regular school day in the church hall located one block from the school (corner of Glasgow and Paisley St.). The Club is open from 7:30 a.m. to 8:40 a.m. to all students and staff. There is no charge but donations are always accepted. This is a non-profit club whose aim is to encourage students to come to school well-fed and ready to learn. Please enter the church by the back door near the parking lot.

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16. What type of Services are available to the students?

These people are on staff to help your student:

Nurse - Sandy Hollan (Tues., Wed. afternoon and Thurs.) 824-9800 ext. 332
Doctor - Dr. Mary Pierson (Tues. a.m. by appointment through Nurse Sandy Hollan)
Drug & Alcohol Counsellor - Chris Polito (Wed. p.m.) 824-9800 ext. 448
Resource Officer - Constable Jeff Hunt (½ time) 824-9800 ext. 343
Counselling & Attendance - Lori Lutes (Tuesday a.m.) ext. 352
Youth Counsellor - Mark Lyons (Mon., Tues. Wed. & Fri.8:30-3:30)824-9800 ext. 345

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17. Are there school dances?

School dances are held by various clubs in the school. They are held on a Thursday evening from 7:00-10:00 p.m. Supervision is provided by teachers, police officers, students, and parents. If a student wishes to bring a guest an invitation must be obtained before 12:00 noon on the day of the school function. Students are responsible for the conduct of their guest. Re-entry to the dance is not permitted. Students are to remain in the building until they are ready to leave the dance. Students are not allowed to access lockers. Coats, knapsacks and bags must be checked at the coat check.

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18. What types of clubs and extra curricular activities are offered at GCVI?

There are a variety of clubs that are run by the Student Senate (under staff supervision). These are listed in the Student Handbook. There is a “club fair” organized by the Student Senate in early October to encourage students to sign up for the club activities. Students may participate on sports’ teams (intra and extramural). Students may also join the choirs and bands. It is important to note that not all activities can be offered every year. Activities depend on student interest and the availability of staff to supervise or coach these activities.

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19. POLICES -DRESS CODE, CODE OF CONDUCT, SUSPENSIONS & EXPULSIONS

Policies on dress code, code of conduct, suspension and expulsion are clearly outlined in the Student Handbook and the Parent Handbook. They are explained in the home room early in September. Students are expected to follow all policy guidelines. Parents should address any questions on these matters to the Principal or the Vice-Principals.

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20. How can I be involved in the school during my child’s high school years?

Volunteers are always welcome in the school. Check with a Vice-Principal if you wish to help out. Supervisors are always needed for dances. Leave a message for the Student Senate President if you are available to help. One of the most important ways to be involved is by becoming a member of the School Council. Meetings are held the 2nd Wednesday of the month from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the cafeteria. A membership drive takes place in the spring and in early September with membership being finalized by the end of September. Parents or guardians are always welcome to attend meetings as observers. Please contact the Principal (extension 301) or the School Council (extension 410) if you wish further information. For Council information check out more of this website.

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21. How can I help my child succeed in school and in life?

parents must realize that there is no correct way to study, some students are self-directed some need more support; but students should study in a quiet area with few distractions
set a quiet tone in the house during study time to avoid distractions
parents need to be involved with the students, know what courses they are taking, what assignments are due
students need to learn time management skills, they need to be self-motivated (you can’t force a student to learn)
insist on a scheduled time for study every night; homework does not just mean assignments, time should be spent reviewing and organizing notes, doing self-quizzing - set a time minimum for studying
encourage students to maintain an at-a-glance calendar listing all assignments, tests etc
encourage students to develop task lists setting out priorities for homework
encourage students to break studying down into sections over a period of days - cramming for tests is not effective
encourage students to use a variety of methods to study including cue cards, charts, self-testing
when writing essays students should consolidate, reorganize and evaluate material from numerous sources not just recopy the information
encourage students to review library materials (books, periodicals, old newspapers, encyclopaedias) not just use internet for information
encourage students to seek assistance - asking for help is not a sign of weakness it is a sign of maturity
students need to know that quantity of time studying is not the same as quality of time studying (student should have a plan of attack not just aimlessly reading through the text)
parents need to remember that nagging creates power struggles - ask your child what their plan is for studying and help them keep to the plan constant encouragement is far more powerful than constant nagging
students who study effectively sleep better and enjoy their free time more
limit number of hours student spent on internet games, MSN chat rooms, television or video games
encourage students to be physically active and to eat healthy foods
students should not be forced into taking courses that are too difficult this will only cause low self-esteem when they struggle, students can always move from applied to academic courses if they do well
when considering course levels check out class median average against your child’s marks
don’t let students get involved in too many extra curricular activities - too many sports, long part-time job hours, constant socializing - this will cause stress when it comes to study time
let your child take the time to decide where he/she wants to go - students do not have to graduate in 4 years; many students are takings 4 to 5 years to graduate allowing them to take co-op classes and special interest classes
don’t overlook non-traditional career paths such as apprenticeships
encourage students to seek help from guidance in every grade not just in their final year
students should not drop classes without thoroughly discussing the issue with parents and guidance
successful students usually have successful home lives where their parents are involved with their learning
set family routines - dinners together, activities, that are fun
have conversations with your children not just lectures - learn to be constructive listeners
don’t always feel you have to fix your child’s problems discuss the issue with them and let them come up with solutions, be there to help not to take charge
notice your child’s behaviour be concerned if there is a sudden change of friends; student seems unfocussed (red eyes); has secretive phone conversations; doesn’t want to eat; wears loose or baggy clothing or always wears long-sleeves (could be self-harming)
remember the most important thing is to have a healthy, happy, independent and responsible child who has good life skills!
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Thank you to the members of the Communications Committee and the Council for helping put together this information. Thank you also to McNeil Consumer Health Care and Nestle Waters for their continuing support.

Copyright © 2002-2005 [GCVI School Council]. All rights reserved. Revised: November 20, 2006