Attendance, Punctuality and Reporting Absences

Teachers, counsellors, and administration regularly monitor attendance, attitude, and achievement.  Classroom teachers record absences and punctuality for each class into MyEdBC (Ministry of Education student information data system). Student absences are then reported daily to parents/guardians via the School Messenger System by both voice mail and email notification. It is the parent’s responsibility to notify the school office for both a daily absence and/or extended absence. 

Daily Absences

Parents/guardians are to report all absences by email at uhillswitchboard@vsb.bc.ca Emails should be sent using a parent/guardian email address and should provide the students name, date(s) of absence, grade, student number and reason for the absence.   

For extended absences parents/guardians must email the student’s counsellor.  A student should also be provided a note for their teachers. Students must be reminded that falsifying attendance notes is unacceptable.  It is the student’s responsibility to make up any work that is missed, regardless of the reason for the absence. Exceptions to this may be granted due to unforeseen circumstances.  If a student becomes ill while at school, or has an appointment during school time, students must sign out at the office.   Students will only be released with parent permission.  Students who are ill should not come to school and if they attend school and is deemed to be unwell, parents/guardians will be contacted to pick up their child.  

Extended Periods of Absence 

Any student who misses more than one month of school in consecutive absences may be withdrawn and asked to re-register upon their return. Please contact the school office for questions. 

Notice of Late Return

Any student who arrives late for school in September without having completed a Notice of Late Return Form may be withdrawn.   Any student who leaves school before completing the Provincial Assessments must re-write the exam at a later date.  Note that UHill Secondary may not offer all assessment sittings.

Request for Reference/Enrolment Letters & Transcripts

We receive an extremely high number of requests for letters of reference, letters verifying enrolment and transcripts. Please be reminded that requests for a letter of reference from a teacher, counsellor or administrator is a privilege and not a right.   Please follow social protocol when requesting a letter of reference. Requests for letters verifying enrolment or requests for transcripts must be made in writing by using the appropriate forms in the office.  Note, the turnaround time is five business days after the formal written request has been submitted.  

Academic Integrity

It is expected that all students will show academic integrity by not cheating on homework, assignments, or tests. Cheating includes plagiarism, having someone else do an assignment for you, submitting the same assignment more than once, cheating on a test or exam, and consciously assisting another student through misrepresentation.  Inappropriate use of tutors and /or use of cell phones and/or other electronics during exams is also considered a breach of academic integrity. The incident will be recorded, and Parents/Guardians informed. The student may not be eligible for school awards recognition for that term or year. They may not be eligible for school-based scholarships for that academic year. Repeated incidents of cheating could result in suspension.   Academic integrity must also be maintained on records of volunteerism and letters. Students who are found to have submitted forged, altered, or falsified documents, will receive disciplinary action by their grade administrator. 

Alcohol, Drugs and Smoking

VSB policy states that: Students are not to attend school or school functions while in possession of or while under the influence of any intoxicating, banned or controlled substance. This policy is strictly enforced, and violation will result in parent contact and may result in suspension.  The administration has the right to search the property and locker of a student that they suspect of having drugs and/or alcohol.  Smoking in the school or on VSB property is both prohibited and illegal.  Offenders will be referred to the administration for appropriate disciplinary action. 

E-cigarettes, Personal Vaporizers (PV) or Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS)

These are forbidden for students to possess and/or use while at any school function, or on school property. The health impact of repeatedly inhaling e‐cigarette chemicals is unknown. As such, this policy is strictly enforced, and violation will result in parent contact and may result in suspension. The administration has the right to search the property and locker of a student that they suspect of having e-cigarettes, vaporizers and/or ENDS. Offenders will be referred to the administration for appropriate disciplinary action.

Harassment and Violence Prevention

Individuals should be treated with respect and dignity, and all students have the right to be free from harassment.  A student who bullies others in person, via the internet, or in other forms or commits racial, religious, or sexual harassment will be disciplined.   Harassment based on real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity will not be tolerated.  Violence of any kind also will not be tolerated.   Violence comes in various forms: verbal and written threats; physical, emotional, and sexual abuse and harassment; and racial discrimination.  Any form of violence or intimidation that threatens the health, safety or welfare of students and staff is unacceptable.  If a student has been affected by harassment or violence or knows of others who have been affected by violence, it is important to inform a school Administrator, Teacher, or Counsellor. 

Personal Digital Device Usage

To foster a safe and focused learning environment for students, the use of personal digital devices, that distract from learning, such as cell phones, tablets and electronic devices, are restricted during school hours and on school property. Educators and school staff will continue to model digital citizenship in the classroom and avoid the use of personal digital devices for non-instructional purposes. 

Personal digital devices must be turned off or placed on silent mode before entering the classroom and remain silent during instructional time.  Personal digital devices are not permitted for use during class/instructional time unless an educator has given permission.  

The use of personal devices is permitted under the following circumstances: 

• For educational purposes, as directed by the educator in the classroom. 
• For health and medical purposes as outlined in an Individual Education Plan or Student Safety Plan. 
• To support special or diverse educational needs, such as assistive technology related to Individual Education Plans or Student Support Plans. 

The expectation is that students will follow the personal digital device policy and school guidelines.  

The Vancouver School Board is not responsible for the loss, damage, or disappearance of personal digital devices that students decide to bring to school. 

A regular review of the school’s Code of Conduct guidelines for personal digital devices are essential to ensure their effectiveness and relevance in addressing current issues and meeting the evolving needs of students, teachers, and parents. Adjustments to the Code of Conduct may be necessary to ensure that school guidelines remain relevant and effective in promoting a conducive learning environment.  Changes may be prompted by emerging incidents that highlight the need for enhanced measures to protect student well-being and privacy. 

Weapons

Students are not permitted to bring weapons, replica weapons or toy weapons into the school.   Weapons are defined as any object that is used with the intent to hurt or frighten someone.  Any student found with a weapon, involved in a violent act, or in soliciting others to commit a violent act will be disciplined. In all cases, the school Administrator will notify the student’s Parents/Guardians, and one or more of the following actions may be taken: the Police may be called; the student suspended; the student may be required to sign a behaviour contract.

School Program

Apart from special circumstances which are approved by the principal, students in Grades 8 through 11 are enrolled in eight courses.  With the approval of the Principal, Grade 12 students may take seven courses and a study block. Physical and Health Education (PHE) is compulsory for all students in Grades 8, 9, and 10, unless medically excused, and is an elective (optional) course in Grades 11 and 12.  A student requiring an exemption from PHE is to present a letter from the family doctor to the Administration for approval. Students are expected to wear a T-shirt, shorts, and running shoes for PHE.

Student Timetable Changes

Deadline to make changes to your 2024 - 2025 timetable was September 13, 2024.

Any requests for changes to your timetable including dropping a course AFTER the September 13^th deadline will NOT be considered unless there are exceptional, extenuating, and unforeseen circumstances that have arisen. A low grade will not be considered as an acceptable reason. These special requests will require application to and approval from the grade administrator.

Changing a student timetable, once the school year has commenced, is not encouraged and often not possible due to timetable constraints. However, individual circumstances may arise whereby altering a student program may be beneficial to potential academic success. Our school policy is that all students should complete all courses they chose to be enrolled in at the beginning of the year.

Withdrawals & Repeating Courses

Students withdrawing from courses after Term I will receive a “W” on their report card along with a date stamp and percentage at time of withdrawal. Student repeating courses need to seek permission from grade administrator. Priority enrolment will be given to students taking the course for the first time.

Homeroom

Students are grouped by grade into same age groups of students that meet at the beginning of the year and various times throughout the year to facilitate administrative duties, to complete core competency self-reflection and goal setting, and to receive encouragement, support, and guidance.

Advance Placement (AP) Program

AP is an enrichment program. Students are expected to maintain a full course load when 

taking AP courses.  Students may take up to a maximum of 4 AP courses at U-Hill per 

year. Course Change Policy: Students wishing to drop an AP course(s) MUST follow 

regular course drop deadline and guideline. These requests will require application in 

writing to and approval from the grade administrator. Students who register late to an 

AP course must take the initiative to sign up and pay for the exam.

For more information and a list of course see the current course planning booklet on the

school website (Click Course Planning under the Guidance and Support Tab) 

Bicycles, Scooters and Skateboards 

Students are welcome to ride or board to school but must dismount once on school property.   Students are strongly recommended to lock up these items as the school accepts no responsibility for these lost or damaged items. 

Environmental Friendliness

University Hill recycles and composts.  Students are asked to place their food waste in the green containers located throughout the school.  Our compost is collected by the U-Hill Environmental Club and taken to the UBC Farm.   Students are also asked to recycle refundable bottles and cans.  The U-Hill Leadership Class coordinates all recycling and donates all the money earned to the U-Hill Scholarship Fund.  

Illness & Accidents

All cases of illness and accidents occurring in the school or on the grounds are to be reported to the office. No student is to leave the school because of illness or accident without reporting to the school office so that parents/guardians may be notified. 

Field Trips/Career Preparation 

Prior to participating in field trips and work experience placements, students must have consent forms signed by a parent/guardian and have obtained approval from subject teachers. 

Lost & Found

Please check the Lost and Found section on the All-Students Teams Channel for a lost item. Found items will be posted for one month and if not claimed they will be donated. If you find an item, please bring it to the office as soon as possible.

Lunch

The school has a cafeteria open before school and at lunch.  There are microwaves available for students who wish to bring a hot lunch. 

Parking Lot and Student Drop Off 

The school parking lot is for University Hill Staff only and it is very busy before and after 

School. Therefore, we encourage students to walk, bike or take transit to school. 

Textbooks

Textbooks are provided free of charge, subject to their return in good condition. Students are charged the REPLACEMENT COST for lost or damaged textbooks. Yearbooks, reports, and registration documents may be withheld if there are outstanding charges. 

Thefts

Students are reminded to lock their items in a locker. Please report your loss or theft at the office immediately. It is imperative that students do not bring valuables to school or share lockers.  Parents/Guardians and students are reminded that neither the school nor the Vancouver School Board has insurance to cover the loss of or damage to a student’s personal property.