July School Newsletter

NDRS Webmaster
Jul 11
6 min read

Updated: Jul 11

Dear Parents,

As Principal of Notre Dame Regional Secondary, I continue to be deeply impressed by our entire community. Any success the school has achieved during my tenure has truly been the result of a team effort. In so many ways, we continue to move in a very positive direction. There is undoubtedly still room to grow, and we will persist in seeking ways to make Notre Dame an even better school tomorrow than it is today.

Please find attached some expectations related to school policy that will either remain in place or be added or amended as of the start of the 2025–2026 school year. Our hope in sending this information early is to avoid unnecessary problems regarding these policies. This notice serves as the first clear communication to all students and parents regarding what we will expect—and enforce—beginning September 2, 2025.

Of special note, there is an addition to the girls’ formal dress code, and we have taken further steps to address the ongoing challenge of vaping at school.

It is important to highlight that overall, our students responded exceptionally well this past year to most of the policies and expectations. The support of our parent community has been outstanding. We are very optimistic about the continued positive response of the majority of our students in areas such as academics, attendance, dress code, and behavior.

With renewed excitement and optimism, I look forward to working with the staff, parents, and students throughout the upcoming school year. May God bless us all in our efforts to meet the needs of our students and to maintain an effective and authentic faith and learning community. I look forward with great anticipation to the support of our school community as we begin again in September.

Please read the attached carefully and completely!

Yours in Christ,

Mr. R. DesLauriers

Principal

Progressive Discipline Model

Notre Dame follows a Progressive Discipline Model intended to:

Make clear the policies and expectations related to student behavior (e.g., letters home, student handbook, ND website, full-school, grade-level, and individual meetings).
Specify the consequences when students make choices that violate policies and expectations.
Communicate with students and parents if initial interventions are unsuccessful and undesired behaviors persist.
Clearly outline stipulations in writing when problems persist (e.g., probation, contracts).
Hold meetings with students and parents to discuss the concerns necessitating probation or contracts. These meetings will usually involve the Grade Level Coordinator (GLC), the grade-level vice-principal, and the principal.
Give students opportunities to learn from their mistakes, improve behavior, make better choices, and remain at Notre Dame.

Students may lose extracurricular privileges, be asked to leave during the school year, or be informed they will not be allowed to return the following year if there are serious or ongoing concerns related to:

Behavior: Unwillingness to adhere to school policy, uncooperativeness in or out of class, or disrespect towards staff, students, neighbors, or parents.
Dress Code: Refusal to comply with expectations related to “appropriate” attire, including how the uniform is worn or wearing unapproved clothing items.
Attendance: Being late or absent from class without legitimate reasons or permission.
Grades: Failing two or more courses due to attitude, effort, or behavior rather than ability.

After-school consequences related to these areas will, in most cases, take precedence over participation in school-sponsored extracurricular activities (e.g., practices, games, rehearsals, performances).

Revised Late Procedures

Unexcused lateness will result in the following consequences:

After 7 cumulative lates: 1-hour detention and a letter sent home.
After 10 cumulative lates: 3 one-hour detentions.
After 15 cumulative lates: Meeting with the student, probationary letter sent home, signed by the student and a legal guardian.

Students with legitimate reasons for lateness (supported by a note, email to office@ndrs.org, or phone call from a legal guardian) will, in most cases, have their lateness excused. Phone calls must be followed by written confirmation for auditing purposes. Students late to any class after the first block must check in at the main office for a late slip. Any student late after lunch without excuse will receive an automatic 30-minute detention.

Dress Code Changes and Reminders

Supplier Reminder: Cambridge Uniforms is our exclusive supplier for main uniform items. Parents are advised to purchase pants, kilts, shorts, dress shirts, etc., from Cambridge to avoid challenges.

The primary challenge continues to be how students wear their uniform, particularly pants and shorts for the boys and kilt for girls.

Following consultation with the Archbishop’s Representative, the Regional Education Committee, staff, and the Grade 8–12 Student Council, and meetings with all students in grades 8–12, please note the following.

Regarding the boys, only school sanctioned shorts will be permitted. The boys have been spoken to, and it has been made clear that continued issues with respect to not wearing appropriate shorts may result in the school removing that as an option for the summer dress code. If that occurs, all boys will continue to wear pants for the entire school year.

Navy or black walking shorts.
No cargo shorts, side pockets, spandex, or athletic shorts

With the formal dress code, all boys will be expected to wear a black belt with their pants.

As of the 2025-26 school year, all girls will be expected to wear black, opaque tights as part of the uniform during the formal uniform period (excluding the summer option). This aims to ensure consistency in appearance, uphold the uniform’s integrity, and maintain high standards as a Catholic school. The policy will be reviewed annually.

Specific guidelines on acceptable tights will be sent to parents prior to moving from summer to formal dress code. Girls will also have the option of wearing pants if, for health reasons, they are unable to find appropriate tights.

Summer dress will be in effect as of September 2 and be extended to October 31. Formal dress code for all students will begin on Monday, November 3. The start of spring summer dress code will begin by or before the Mother’s Day weekend in May.

Electronic Cigarettes (Vaping) 2025–26

Vaping remains prevalent among youth and poses significant health risks. We strongly encourage parents to educate themselves about vaping.

Notre Dame’s policy:

Vape detectors will be in place in all school bathrooms effective September 2025.
Possession, use, sale, or purchase of vaporizers at school or on school grounds will result in immediate consequences, including suspension, probation, and loss of extracurricular privileges. Escalating consequences will apply to repeat offenders.
In line with B.C. provincial law, Notre Dame is a tobacco-free school, prohibiting cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, and all vapor-related products.
Bathrooms will be monitored at breaks and lunch; only one student per stall is allowed, and usage must be for intended purposes only.

Students choosing to vape must do so off school grounds. Repeated violations may lead to permanent consequences affecting enrollment at Notre Dame.

Miscellaneous Items

1. Extra-Curricular Policy:

Students absent from school on the same day they are scheduled to participate in extracurricular activities will not, in most cases, be allowed to take part. This applies to absences due to illness, fatigue, or parental permission. Students must arrive before the end of first block to remain eligible for extracurricular activities that day. Exceptions include appointments or representing the school off-campus with advance notification. If in doubt, please check with the school before allowing your child to miss school on a day involving practice, rehearsal, game, or performance.

2. School Locks:

Locks will be provided for Grade 8 and new students on September 3. Replacement or extra locks cost $10. Only school-issued locks are permitted on assigned lockers; non-school locks will be removed at the student’s expense. All students must secure their lockers with a lock. Students who choose not to do so will lose the privilege of having a locker.

3. Cell Phones:

The expectations at Notre Dame include:

Students in Grades 8 and 9 will have their cell phones collected at the start of every class unless needed for a lesson.
Students will have access to their phones between classes, at break, and at lunch.
Students may opt not to bring a cell phone to class.
Parents needing to contact their child during class time should call the main office.
Students may request permission to use a school phone or their own phone when necessary.
Teachers of Grades 10–12 students may also collect phones at the start of class; however, this is currently optional. If phone-related problems persist in senior grades during the first term, the policy may be extended school-wide.
During PHE (gym class) all students should leave their cell phones (and other valuables) in their personal lockers and not in the changing rooms. When valuables go missing it is usually in the changerooms where there are no cameras and limited supervision.

We sincerely appreciate your continued support and partnership as we strive to foster a safe, respectful, and faith-filled learning environment for all students. By understanding and upholding these expectations, we can help ensure that Notre Dame remains a place where each student can grow—academically, socially, and spiritually—while making a positive contribution to our faith and learning community. Thank you for your commitment to our shared mission. We look forward to a successful and grace-filled year ahead.