BOARDING COMMUNITY STANDARDS AND POLICIES

Two terms of Macdonald House Captains apply and are interviewed from boarding applicants in Grade 11 for work in Macdonald House. Day House Captains are selected in a similar process from the day population to work with Middle School advisory groups.

Grades 10 to 12 students are encouraged to apply and be interviewed for various student leadership councils within the school. These 15 councils are arranged into five distinct categories based on their mandate and their role within the school: student life and school spirit, arts and culture, philanthropy and community service, school service, and character development.

The moral development of the student through social awareness and the boarding life curriculum is paramount at St. Andrew’s College. Our houses establish an important framework for educating our students outside of formal academic classes. Our boarding program encompasses daily activities and an overall character education program that nurtures students’ ethical, moral, and social development in issues such as respect, responsibility, cooperation, understanding, integrity, caring, and citizenship. We strive to prepare boys for the future by encouraging them to develop healthy and positive relationships within the school and their houses. The program teaches them problem-solving skills with their peers and encourages them to work with others to develop a positive atmosphere and community within the school. It also cultivates decision-making, time-management, leadership, and study skills. It develops young citizens who will act locally within their community and think globally outside the school environment.

Our boarding vision statement is:

To support the school’s mission statement by teaching our students the essential life and character skills necessary to develop leadership, experience personal growth, manage time and study habits, and foster the development of relationships in a nurturing and supportive environment

The success of each student’s experience at St. Andrew’s College is determined, to a large part, by the friendships formed amongst those living closely together in the houses. They are expected to respect one another and treat the boarding houses as they would treat their homes. The following general house rules are designed to help us live as a community.

St. Andrew’s College is composed of four boarding houses. Macdonald House (Grades 5-9) and Flavelle House, Memorial House, and Sifton House (Grades 9-12).

Macdonald House is named in honour of Rev. Dr. D. Bruce Macdonald, Head of School of St. Andrew’s College from 1900 to 1935, and Chair of the Board of Governors, 1937-1941. At one time, Macdonald House was a separate Middle School entity with its own dining room and classrooms for students in Grades 4-9. In the early 1960s, it became a boarding house for

Grades 7-9 boarders. Today it is a boarding house for boys in Grades 5-9 along with House Captains (Grade 11) and Student Heads of House (Grade 12).

Mr. Keith Ramon is the 10th Head of Macdonald House and serves as the Director of Boarding. Assistant Heads of Macdonald House are Mr. Kyle Fraser-Shoemaker, Mr. Ryan Turley, Ms. Meera Balendran, and Ms. Jacinta Sarfo. Macdonald House also has a Don and can accommodate up to 80 students. Clan: MacDonald

Flavelle House is named for Sir Joseph Flavelle, a benefactor of the school. Until 1962, students moved from Macdonald House to Flavelle House for Grade 10 and remained there until they completed Grade 11. After 1962, Flavelle House accepted students from all grades within the Upper School and can accommodate up to 62 students.

The current Head of Flavelle House is Mr. Jeff LaForge. Mr. Mark Burton and Mrs. Emily Keating are the Assistant Heads of Flavelle House Clan: MacPherson

When the school moved to Aurora in 1926, Memorial House was established as a memorial to Andreans who perished in the First World War. Memorial Chapel was built in 1931 and remains a reminder of those who did not grow old. Prior to 1962, Grades 12 and 13 occupied Memorial House, which was the senior house. It now houses students in Grades 9-12 and can accommodate up to 59 students.

Mr. ChrisPapalia is the current Head of Memorial House. Mr. Kevin Gate and Mr. Andrew Abes are the Assistant Heads of Memorial House. Clan: Buchanan

Sifton House was the last Upper School boarding house to be added to St. Andrew’s College and initially served as the infirmary and cafeteria. As the demand for boarding grew, the building was converted into Fourth House in 1962. In 1984, modifications were made to the building and the boarding house was renamed Sifton to honour the benefactions of the Sifton family. Sifton House can accommodate up to 59 students.

Mr. Paul Bedard is the Head of Sifton House. Ms. Deanna Harris and Ms. Tomika McIntosh are the Assistant Heads of Sifton House. Clan: Stewart

New boys will be assigned a room and roommate(s). Returning boarders have, in some cases, previously chosen their rooms and their roommates. While reactions to different rooms and roommates may vary from student to student and parent to parent, we ask you to give your new environment a chance. Through experience, we have found friendships develop quickly, most 90

problems can be resolved, and most boys are very happy in a relatively short time. Your support and cooperation would be most appreciated in this area. At the discretion of the Head of House and/or the Director of Boarding, moves may be required to create a better environment for all boarding students. Again, we ask for your cooperation and understanding in this matter. The Heads of House will do their best to ensure everyone is dealt with fairly.

The following regulations apply to a student’s boarding room:

• No writing on walls, ceilings, or furnishings. • The furniture is to be left in its present location unless the Head of House grants permission to change it. • Dartboards are not permitted. • Posters must not be sexist or vulgar, must not promote the use of drugs and alcohol, and must be hung on cork boards and not on the wall. • By order of the Fire Marshall’s Office, nothing will be hung from the ceilings, including sloped ceilings. • Tampering with fire or smoke detection devices is strictly prohibited and is a violation of the school’s Fire Hazard Policy. In addition, fire of any kind, including smoking or vaporizer/ecigarette use, is a serious hazard and not permitted in boarding houses or on school property. Students who violate the Fire Hazard Policy are in serious breach of school rules and subject to suspension, expulsion, or an appearance before the school’s Discipline

Committee. • Rooms must be kept tidy at all times. Each student is expected to make their bed, tidy their desk, and empty the garbage and recycling containers on a regular basis. • TV sets, large computer monitors, and video game console systems are not permitted in individual rooms. • Common areas (washrooms, TV room, common room, etc.) must be treated with respect.

Please remember to turn off the showers and flush the toilets. Furnishings may not be removed from any common room without the permission of the Head of House. • Quiet times are exactly that. Please respect the needs of all students. • Damage to rooms will be charged to the student occupying the room. • Damage to common areas will be evenly divided among the residents of a house unless it can be attributed to specific individuals. • Students may not have pets in boarding houses. • Students are not permitted to sleep in another student’s room due to hygiene issues and fire safety. • No hasps or other locking mechanisms may be installed on any piece of school furniture. • All baggage should be placed in the storage room and not in the student’s room due to fire safety regulations. • The school supplies mattresses, sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and pillows. Students may want to bring their own duvets and blankets. They should also purchase their own laundry bag and towels. • Students should report any issues (e.g., damage, insects, etc.) to their Heads of House as soon as possible so the matter can be dealt with by professionals.

Due to the nature of the residence, the following will not be allowed to be kept in the rooms: televisions, microwaves, hairdryers, large stereo units, kettles, toasters, toaster ovens, hot pots, air conditioners, portable heaters, and any other heat-producing appliances. Because room circuits are not designed to handle the current these appliances produce, they are considered 91

fire hazards. Heat-producing appliances may be used in the kitchenette area, which has a circuit designed to handle the extra current. Small refrigerators may be permitted in rooms if there is sufficient space. The use of diffusers and humidifiers is subject to the discretion of the Head of House.

Each room has a lock on the door. Each boy will have the option of having a key for safety and security reasons. If the key is lost, please report this to the Head of House immediately. If your key is not found within 24 hours, a new lock and key system will be installed on your door, again, for security reasons for you and your roommate(s). For each lost key, the student’s account will be charged a fee to replace the lock and key. As such, please ensure you keep your key in a safe place during the day.

Each boarding house is equipped with alarmed security doors. Students will remain in their boarding house after the doors are activated at 11 p.m. Students who know in advance they will arrive late can have their SALTO adjusted by their Head of House to enter the house. It is a serious breach of the school’s policy for a student to attempt to circumvent the boarding security system.

Please do not bring large sums of money or items that have great personal value to you. It is recommended you have your name engraved on electronic items and label items of value.

It is also recommended that students purchase a safe box to keep in their room for the storage of valuables and money. Students are encouraged to keep money in the bank and simply use debit or credit cards for all purchases with parental approval. There is very little need for cash on campus.

Students will also be provided with a storage locker for small personal items and valuables. Students must purchase a combination lock. These lockers are located in the basements of the boarding houses.

Other than family, visitors to the house must be entertained in the common areas. For security reasons, day students are not permitted in boarding houses unless permission has been given by the Head of House. Students from St. Anne’s School are not permitted in any boarding house at any time.

Security cameras are located throughout the boarding houses in main traffic areas and the electronic lock-up room. These are in place to further increase and protect the security of our boarding students and the house itself.

In order for a student to bring a car onto campus, he must submit a form to register his vehicle with Mr. Jamie Inglis, Associate Director, Student Life. The school takes no responsibility for monitoring students’ use of vehicles. It is a clear expectation that parents communicate with their son about their family expectations in this regard. Anytime a student leaves campus, he must sign out via REACH. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action at the discretion of the Heads of House and school administration. Students must park in designated student parking spots.

Positive contributions are highly encouraged within the residence. Students will be acknowledged for participation in house activities and events, attending health and wellness activities, and volunteerism.

A Tier 1 gating will be given if a student earns six demerits in any one of the following categories: 1. SISO (sign-in/sign-out issues), 2. deportment (e.g., dress, issues during lights out, etc.), 3. lates (e.g., late for assembly, late for chapel, late for study, late for a house meeting, etc.)

Ongoing disciplinary issues in any category will be dealt with at the discretion of the Heads of House and administration.

Tier 2 gatings will be issued for missing a Tier 1 gating or more serious infractions within the boarding houses. These gatings cannot be deferred and are at the discretion of the Heads of House and administration.

All boarders are encouraged to eat breakfast each day. Food service ends 15 minutes before closing. Students will be notified of any changes to Cole Hall mealtimes.

Attendance is vital to the learning process and is an essential component of every course and activity. Students are expected to attend all classes, chapel gatherings, and assemblies. It is the responsibility of the student and his family to inform the Head of House (who, in turn, will inform the school) about planned absences such as appointments. The Head of House must also be informed as soon as possible of absences that result from unforeseen circumstances. Boarding students must be cleared by our Health and Wellness Centre if they are too ill to attend any school commitments (the parent/guardian of a boarding student cannot excuse the student from missing school commitments due to illness, nor can the student excuse himself). Boarding students must sign out of their house and inform their Head of House if they need to leave the school during the school day for personal, medical, or dental appointments.

Study is mandatory in all houses. Students should be organized and have a plan for their homework before study begins.

In Macdonald House, study runs from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday and from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. in the Upper School. If a student knows he will be missing study for a personal or school commitment, he must inform his Head of House in advance and use the REACH app to indicate his whereabouts. This includes school activities and outside commitments. Daily study attendance and work habits are tracked by Heads of Houses and duty supervisors.

Study takes place in the study hall or the student’s room, depending on where he has been assigned. Doors will be kept open during study. No unnecessary noise or movement is permitted during study. Music is permitted with headsets. Studying with a peer is permitted with permission from the supervisor on duty.

During study, laptops are to be used for academic purposes only. Students are reminded that they should not be playing games on their computers, watching movies, chatting, logging on to social networks, etc. Personal electronic items must be placed away from their work desk in the Rolodex basket. Any electronic issues during study may result in an electronic strike and/or house infraction or gating.

Heads of House or advisors may intervene at their discretion if they feel a student is spending too much time gaming and not enough time on school commitments. In extreme cases, the student may lose access to certain aspects of his laptop for a specified period of time.

Bedtimes are as follows:

• 9:30 p.m. electronic lock-up, 9:45 p.m. in rooms, and lights out for Grades 5-7 • 10 p.m. electronic lock-up, 10:15 p.m. in rooms, and lights out for Grade 8 • 10:45 p.m. electronic lock-up, 11 p.m. in rooms and lights out for Grades 9-11 • 11:15 p.m. electronic lock-up, 11:30 p.m. in rooms, and lights out for Grade 12

Upper School students must be in their house by 10:45 p.m. Arrangements outside this time must be made in advance with their Head of House.

After lights out, there should be no movement in the halls.

Bedtimes are as follows:

• 9 p.m. in house, 10:30 p.m. in rooms and lights out for Grades 5- 8 • 11 p.m. in house, midnight in rooms and lights out for Grades 9- 11 • 11 p.m. in house (unless permission is granted for a later time) for Grade 12

All students should be back in their houses by 9 p.m. Students unable to make it back for this time must communicate with their Head of House.

The boarding houses are closed during the extended holiday periods in December and March. Students must make alternate housing arrangements if their departure or arrival is outside the prescribed time and make their Head of House aware.

A student will not be given permission from the administration to spend the weekend in a hotel room, Airbnb, or travel on his own. He must sign out with a parent or local guardian and be in their care. If a student has no local guardian to sign out with during long weekends, he must attend the Weekend program. Students with no local guardian can also spend the weekend with a day family, provided all permissions have been approved by the host family, parents or guardian of the student and Head of House via REACH.

It is critical all boarding students make their Heads of House aware of their whereabouts at all times and obtain permission from their Heads of House when leaving campus at any time. Students must sign out via REACH any time they leave the campus for any reason.

Students risk suspension (and, in serious cases, dismissal) if they leave campus without signing out. If students are going to be late returning to their house, they must contact their Heads of House. Special leave requests must be discussed with the Heads of House a minimum of 24 hours in advance. This includes any trips outside the Aurora/Newmarket area.

By approving your son’s leave request, you are explicitly accepting responsibility for their care and the care of any student you are hosting. If the plans you have approved on REACH have changed (e.g., your son is no longer going home or to a host family as approved in the request) the parents retain responsibility until the Head of House on duty is informed and the change has been acknowledged by the Head of House on duty. In other words, we need to know if your son has changed his plans and will remain in boarding or is going to another host family. In this last case, new permissions are required to be approved on REACH.Misrepresenting weekend or leave plans is in direct violation of the school’s Code of Conduct.

Parents must notify their son’s Head of House if he is: • leaving school during the school day or overnight • leaving school for a medical/personal appointment or an outside commitment and are missing study • leaving home for vacation or any other reason during the school year • missing classes or a school commitment • changing their email or phone contact number

Parents must provide up-to-date contact information to the Head of House if they are leaving home for an extended business trip or vacation.

Any student who is ill or not feeling well must report to the Health Centre for assessment. Parents should not pick up their son to take him home during the school day or evening until they have discussed the matter with our Health and Wellness Centre staff and their son’s Head of House. Students missing class or any other school commitments due to illness may only be excused by Health and Wellness Centre staff. The parent or guardian of a boarding student cannot excuse their son from classes via a phone call or email if he is directly under our care. The student must report to the Health and Wellness Centre. Parents must notify the Health and Wellness Centre if their son(s) have contracted any communicable illness.

It is important the Head of House knows a student’s whereabouts at all times and the student uses the REACH sign-out system anytime when leaving campus or during supervised study. In addition, if there is an issue with a student’s REACH sign-out, he cannot leave campus until he has resolved the matter with his Head of House and his departure is approved.

Failure to follow proper sign-in/sign-out (SISO) procedures will result in a house SISO infraction.

Students may sign out to leave campus (Aurora/Newmarket) during lunch. MS Macdonald students are not permitted to leave campus during the academic day.

All boarding students are permitted to leave campus after school commitments have been met. Students must be back in boarding 15 minutes before the start of study. Leave after study is not permitted unless permission is granted by the Head of House. If a student misrepresents his day leave or does not sign out (e.g., leaves outside the Aurora/Newmarket area), he is in direct violation of the Code of Conduct.

Students may sign out from campus to Aurora/Newmarket but must ensure they sign out and return by the prescribed times. Special leave requests (e.g., trip to Toronto) must be made to the Head of House in advance and requires parental permission via REACH. The Head of House may deny leave requests depending on the circumstances (e.g., inclement weather) surrounding the request for the safety or well-being of the student. There is no leave for Macdonald House students after 7 p.m. unless permission is granted by the Head of House. Students should not leave campus until permission has been given and they have used REACH to sign out. If a student misrepresents his leave or does not sign out (e.g., leaves outside the Aurora/Newmarket area), he is in direct violation of the Code of Conduct.

Students must request weekend leave no later than Thursday evening via the REACH boarding program. Any weekend overnight leave request after Thursday evening requires a meeting with the Head of House and will only be granted if approved by the host/parents via REACH.

Overnight leave requires the parents or guardian to approve the leave request. The Head of House will approve the leave request to host families only after parents/host families have verified the leave request via REACH. Students granted overnight leave must sign out following school commitments and return by 9 p.m. on Sunday. Special requests should be made in advance.

By approving your son’s leave request, you are explicitly accepting responsibility for their care and the care of any student you are hosting. If the plans you have approved on REACH have changed (e.g., your son is no longer going home or to a host family as approved in the request), the parents retain responsibility until the Head of House on duty is informed and the change has been acknowledged by the Head of House on duty. In other words, we need to know whether your son has changed his plans and will remain in residence or is going to another host family. In this last case, new permissions are required to be approved on REACH.

The REACH Boarding approval process provides all parties involved with the opportunity to decline any leave and makes being a host a choice. If a family agrees to be a host, they accept the responsibility for the care of the student guest. As such, they are responsible for the safety, care, and well-being of student guests.

If a student signs out to a host family, the Head of House involved is relinquishing their guardianship to the host. It is therefore expected that, while in their care, any St. Andrew’s student will adhere to the guidelines detailed in the Parent and Student Handbook. We encourage all parents and hosts to communicate with each other to ensure everyone is aware of the specific plans involved with any leave request.

If a parent gives consent for their son to enter into the care of a host family, the school assumes no responsibility for him until he returns to the school and signs back into his house. Parental approval demonstrates they understand their son will not be in the care of St. Andrew’s College during the designated period but with the host family. We encourage all parents to communicate with host families so they are aware of the details surrounding the leave request.

By approving your son’s leave request, you are explicitly accepting responsibility for their care and the care of any student you are hosting. If the plans you have approved on REACH have changed (e.g. your son is no longer going home or to a host family as approved in the request), the parents retain responsibility until the Head of House on duty is informed and has acknowledged the change. In other words, we need to know whether your son has changed his plans and will remain in residence or is going to another host family. In this last case, new permissions are required to be approved on REACH.

Food deliveries are not permitted to campus from Monday through Thursday, inclusive. An evening snack will be provided for boarders.

Food deliveries are permitted from Friday to Sunday until 10:30 p.m. All deliveries are to be made to the front door of the boarding house and not to individual rooms. Any food delivery after “in-room” time will not be accepted, and, depending on the circumstances, the student may be responsible for paying for the food.

House kitchenettes are located in each common room. Students are asked to respect the area and follow posted rules. House food is to remain in the kitchenette and may not be stored in boarding rooms.

Smartphones may not be used during study or after lights out. Students with cellphones must provide their number to their Heads of House. Improper use of cellphones or any other electronic devices will result in an electronics strike.

Only school-issued laptops are permitted at SAC.

Unauthorized use of any electronic device during study may result in a boarding electronic strike. This includes electronic items such as phones, iPads, etc. Personal electronic items must be placed away from students’ work areas in the Rolodex basket.

All students will lock up all their electronic devices in their locker area in the basement of their boarding house. They may collect their devices after 6 a.m. the next morning.

If students are found to be using electronic devices after lights out, their device will be confiscated, they will receive a boarding electronic strike, and they may be subject to additional repercussions at the discretion of the Heads of House or administrator in accordance with the school’s Code of Honour. In extreme cases, the student may be made a user only of his laptop for a specified period of time.

Emails are sent to parents/advisor/Health and Wellness Centre with each strike.

There should not be any playing of sports of any type in house hallways and house rooms. This includes horseplay or any bouncing, kicking, or throwing of balls. Fire sprinklers and heat sensors are very sensitive to any impact, so even brushing them in the hallway or room may set them off. A student may be held responsible for, and may be reprimanded, fined, and/or charged by the Fire Marshall and the school should this occur.

In the basement, there are washers and dryers. It is important these be used in a manner allowing the greatest access for all residents. If a student puts a load in a machine, he should be aware of when the cycle will end and clear the machine immediately after. There is no charge for the use of these washers and dryers.

Do not remove clothes before a cycle is complete or throw clothes on the floor. It is also unacceptable to leave your laundry in the laundry room for an extended period of time.

These facilities must be used by everyone, and cleanliness is important. Please ensure toilets and urinals flush after use.

Bed linen is provided by the school. Exchange is available after the house meeting on Sunday for US students. Macdonald House students have their sheets changed every Tuesday. Dry cleaning services, clothing repair, and laundry services are also available. Charges will be made to your account for these services. Dry cleaning pickup is on Tuesday with return scheduled for Thursday.

A first aid kit and an EpiPen are in each boarding house. Please report any serious injuries immediately to the Head of House or Health and Wellness Centre staff.

In the case of emergencies, students can contact any of their Heads of House on their cell phones. If you are sick at night, speak with your Heads of House in person and they will then contact the Health and Wellness Centre. Students should not call home and have their parents pick them up during the night without following this protocol. Heads of House will inform students and parents of their cell numbers at the start of the year and during weekly communication.

If you suspect fire, pull the fire alarm, and alert an adult (e.g., Heads of House, duty supervisors, etc.) as you exit the building. Follow the posted and rehearsed boarding fire policy. It is a serious crime to pull the fire alarm without cause or to tamper with any fire or smoke detection device. Offenders will be dealt with by the Fire Marshall and school authorities and may face dismissal from the College.