studenthandbook

The Ontario Science  Centre  Science  School (OSCSS) Student handbook June - 2009 Matt Olmstead, Education and Special Programs Coordinator Contents: ||
 * ** Introduction ** || 1.0 ||
 * The Ontario Science Centre (OSC) || 1.1
 * The Ontario Science  Centre  Science  School (OSCSS) || 1.2 ||
 * ** What school am I registered with? ** || 2.0 ||
 * How does that affect my time at the OSCSS? || 2.1 ||
 * ==== This doesn’t look much like a school… ==== || 3.0 ||
 * Who’s who? || 3.1 ||
 * Attendance || 3.2 ||
 * Late for School/Sick/Missing School || 3.3 ||
 * Late policy || 3.4 ||
 * Dress code || 3.5 ||
 * Photocopying || 3.6 ||
 * Textbooks || 3.7 ||
 * Wow! Look at all these people! || 3.8 ||
 * A red lab coat to keep || 3.9 ||
 * Where are my classes? || 3.10 ||
 * Where do I go when I’m not in class? || 3.11 ||
 * Keeping it Clean || 3.12 ||
 * Lockers || 3.13 ||
 * ==== How will people find me? ==== || 4.0 ||
 * Telephones || 4.1 ||
 * Email || 4.2 ||
 * Visitors || 4.3 ||
 * ** Safe and Sound – a security guide ** || 5.0 ||
 * ID Cards || 5.1 ||
 * Discounts || 5.2 ||
 * Central Security Desk || 5.3 ||
 * Fire Safety || 5.4 ||
 * Lab Safety || 5.5 ||
 * When can student be in the building? || 5.6 ||
 * What if I need to stay late? || 5.7 ||
 * Public events || 5.8 ||
 * Private events || 5.9 ||
 * Weekends || 5.10 ||
 * Code of Conduct || 5.11 ||
 * Emergency Contact || 5.12 ||
 * ** The OSCSS RULES ** || 6.0 ||
 * ** Living in **** Toronto ** || 7.0 ||
 * ** Student Computer Lab Protocol ** || 8.0 ||
 * ** Budgeting ** || 9.0 ||
 * ** School Contacts ** || 10.0 ||
 * ** Important Dates ** || 11.0 ||
 * ** Science ** ** School **** Weekly Schedule ** || 12.0 ||
 * ** Driving and TTC Directions to the OSC ** || 13.0 ||
 * ** Science Centre Map ** || 14.0 ||
 * ** Checklist for Summer/September/February ** || 15.0 ||

1 - Introduction
== Welcome to the Ontario Science  Centre  Science  School (the **OSCSS**)! This school is special not only because of its location but also because of the variety of people who work and study here. It is different from a traditional high school and takes some getting used to. This handbook is designed to give you some information that will help during your time here. ==

· **1.1 - The** **Ontario** **Science Centre (OSC)** The Ontario Science Centre opened in 1969 as part of Ontario’s Centennial Project. The official name is the Centennial Centre for Science and Technology. Over a million people visit the Centre every year and more than half of those enjoy a movie at the Shoppers Drug Mart OMNIMAX theatre. Visitors include local and international tourists, school groups, campers and recreational and corporate groups. The mission guides __ Science Centre __ employees to__ work towards __ common goals. Y ou will have many chances to delight, inform and challenge visitors yourselves, as you work with our visitors.

· 1.2 - The Ontario Science Centre  Science  School (OSCSS)
The OSCSS is part of the Science Education Branch of the Science Centre. It was established in 1982 and is made possible through a partnership with the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board. Over 1400 students have graduated and are pursuing careers in engineering, genetics, medicine, chemistry, music, journalism and more - one is even training to be an astronaut. The Science School program brings together students from across Ontario and allows you the unique opportunity to take an active role in the life of the Science Centre by interacting with visitors, participating in workshops, special events, focus groups and exhibit development. Work in these areas may count towards community service hours. Science School students are also involved with our partner school, Grenoble Elementary, which is a public school located only a few minutes walk from the Science Centre. You will have the opportunity to write and present science based children’s books to Grade 1 and 2 classes, or perhaps teach a science lesson based on the Ontario Science and Technology Curriculum to Kindergarten to Grade 6 classes. There may also be opportunities to get involved with their Environmental Club or Science Club. You will be very busy here!

2 - What school am I registered with?
The OSCSS is affiliated with two schools in the area. Why two? One is a part of the Toronto District School Board, the other of the Toronto District Catholic School Board. If your home school is a member of a Catholic Board you will register with **Senator O’Connor**. If your home school is part of a Public board you will register with **Don Mills Collegiate Institute**. Registration happens at the OSC and will take place within the first two weeks of school.

· **2.1 How does that affect my time at the OSCSS?** The OSCSS does not generate report cards. We send your marks to the affiliated schools to be officially recorded, forwarded to Universities and so on. Guidance counselors from the schools regularly visit the OSCSS and will handle registration, marks, university and scholarship applications etc.

** 3 - This doesn't look much like a school… **
In many ways the OSCSS is exactly like a school. We have classrooms, textbooks, take attendance, give marks, etc. In other ways it is very different. The following will tell you how the OSCSS operates as a school and give you some hints on how to share the space with all the other people you will encounter. = · 3.1 Who’s who?= Ø **Lesley Lewis** is the CEO and Director General of the Science Centre. Ø **Catherine Paisley** is the Director of Science Education which means she is head of the Branch which contains, among other things, the Science School. Ø **Paul Kortenaar** is the Associate Director of Education and is directly responsible for the OSCSS. He is your Principal. Ø **Matt Olmstead** is the Science School Coordinator and takes care of the OSCSS’s administration. He is your Vice-Principal. Ø **Stewart Craven** is the Math teacher Ø **Leslie Fradkin** is the Chemistry teacher Ø **Margaret De Jesus** is the Biology teacher Ø **Maria Price** is the Physics teacher As the school is located in a business environment, you will be calling the teachers and other staff by their first names (which can take some getting used to). · **3.2 Attendance** Even with only a small number of students to keep track of, attendance is taken daily and submitted to Senator O'Connor or Don Mills C.I. · **3.3 – Late for School/Sick/Missing School** If you are going to be late for school or are home sick you __MUST__ contact Matt at 416-696-4620 or email him at science.school@osc.on.ca before 9:00 or as soon as you know you are going to be late/home sick. If you plan to miss school for ANY reason other than illness you must speak with Matt AND any teachers for which you will miss classes (including homeroom). Contact in person or by email and get __permission__ to miss school. **2 school days notice is required. If advanced notice is not given, the answer is __NO!__** You are responsible for any work missed during absences. = · 3.4 Late policy= Students are expected to arrive on time to class. At the discretion of the teacher: · **3.5 Dress Code** There is a dress code at the Science School: No jeans, shorts, tank tops, baseball hats, white running shoes or sandals are to be worn. This applies whether you are in class or working with the public. You will be in a business environment and the visitors will see you as staff, not as students, and so your dress should be business casual. · **3.6 Photocopying/Printing** There is a photocopier in the Education Dept. We are subject to the Copyright Regulations for photocopying materials. We will give you more information on how to use the copier when you arrive. The photocopier is to be used for OSC activities only. There is a printer for student use in the student computer room = · 3.7 Textbooks= You will be issued with the textbooks necessary for your courses. They are the property of Don Mills C. I., Senator O’Connor or the OSC and need to be treated with care and respect. **You are financially responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged books.** · **3.8 Wow! Look at all these people!** On any given day you may share the Science Centre with thousands of visitors. Please use the escalators to get around, the elevators are for people in wheelchairs, or with strollers. You will have to plan your travel time - it can take up to 10 minutes to get from one end of the building to the other!! · **3.9 A red lab coat to keep** Part of your OSCSS experience is to earn your red lab coat (more about how when you get here). Wearing your lab coat means you will be easily identified as someone who knows more about the Science Centre than the average visitor! Make sure that if someone asks you a question you answer them or take them to someone who can. · **3.10 Where are my classes?** Classes are held in the Dupont Wet and Dry Labs located on Level E of the Science Centre. The doors of the labs have windows and Science School students often have to get used to being viewed as living exhibits! · **3.11 Where do I go when I'm not in class?** The student centre is located on level A in our BRAND NEW EDUCATION WING! You will be the first class to enjoy our new location for a full semester. Most students bring their lunch to school. There is a cafeteria where lunch can be purchased on Level D of the OSC – Pizza Pizza, and Grillworks are found here as well as a variety of sandwiches, salads and bagels. = · 3.12 Keeping it clean= =Please work together to keep the area clean and free of clutter. As there is no sink in this area please plan to clean reusable lunch containers at home. If there is trouble with any of the appliances please let a teacher know right away. Use of the student lounge is conditional on it being kept clean!= · **3.13 Lockers** You will each have a locker which should be locked at all times. You must bring your own lock. Members of the public do find their way into this area occasionally and we cannot take responsibility for anything that is lost or stolen. Tape, glue, stickers and markers must not be used on lockers. · **3.14** ** π ** The ratio of the diameter of a circle to its circumference… rounded off.
 * The classroom door will be shut at the start of class. Late students should knock and wait to be let in at a suitable break.
 * Late students may not have extra time to complete any tests or quizzes in progress.
 * If students have not called to explain that they will be late and have missed a test or quiz they may **not** be given the opportunity to write it at a different time and will receive no marks.
 * Students may be asked to make up missed class time after school hours. Students may be asked to perform extra duties to make up for missed time (NOT FUN DUTIES!)
 * Parents will be contacted if lateness becomes a problem.
 * Late assignments and labs may be penalized 10% (teacher’s choice)
 * HINT:** The Information Desk on Level D is a great place to drop off bemused visitors - it is also on your way to class! Many of these questions will be about the location of washrooms, telephones, and the 'thing that makes your hair stand on end'. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with these.

There are a few other methods of communication, both within the OSC and with the outside world! · **4.1 Telephones** There is a phone complete with voice mail in the student centre. The number is 416-429-4100 ext 2680. Please give this number to your friends and families as it is one way for them to get in touch with you and to leave you messages. The phone allows you to make calls within Ontario and Quebec free of charge. It will not dial out to the US or other parts of Canada. If you need to call elsewhere, such as to a university out west, please speak to Matt who can help you. Remember all phones in the OSC are for business use. When answering the phone even in the student centre consider it a business call and answer courteously. As a courtesy to your fellow students, please do not monopolize the phones and let people know when there are messages for them = · 4.2 Email= You will be given an email account while you are here. **__ You must check it each day __** as it is the main way to distribute information. Your email is part of the OSC system and there is a list of rules and a code of conduct that must be agreed to in order to receive an OSC email account. If your email or computer login stop working for any reason, please report this to Matt ASAP. He can get it fixed. Don’t wait! = · 4.3 Visitors= Visitors are often welcome. This is up to your teachers. Please let your teachers know in advance if you are having visitors. If at all possible you should meet them at the front of the OSC and register them at the Membership Desk. If you cannot meet them, please make sure that they register with the Membership Desk. The staff there will also know how to direct them to you if they are going to attend a class. Please arrange this with the teacher prior to your guest’s visit. The OSC is a big place, with many different people working in and sharing one space. The following are OSC policies and procedures that are followed in order to maintain safety and security. = · 5.1 ID Cards= All staff, volunteers and students are identified with a photo ID. (You will have your photo taken on the first day of school so be prepared! Make sure you have a good hair day!) This ID card will serve as your student card and allow you through the magnetically locked doors into the education wing. You must wear your ID card every day. Should you loose it contact Matt __immediately.__ · **5.2 Discounts** Your photo ID card has some great perks attached to it. The OSC is part of a reciprocal agreement with various organizations in and around the Toronto area. In addition to identifying you at the OSC, your ID entitles you to: o 10% discount in OSC restaurants o 10% discount in Mastermind shop o Free admission often with a guest at many attractions such as the ROM and the Zoo. You will be given the list of attractions when you arrive. You are required to hand in your ID card on the Friday before Graduation. Make sure you plan to do everything you want to do before the end of the semester! · **5.3 - Central Security desk** (“C” DESK) C desk is staffed by a member of security 24 hours a day. The phone extension is 2403 for non emergencies or 3900 in an emergency situation. Red emergency phones that are located throughout the building will connect directly to C desk. If at any time you see a situation that you are unable to deal with contact security. = · 5.4 - Fire safety= You will receive specific training on Fire safety in the building on your first day. = · 5.5 - Lab safety= Students are restricted from using the labs without an OSCSS member of staff present. Work with chemicals or other potentially dangerous materials or equipment is not permitted unless an OSCSS teacher is present in the room. It MUST be an OSCSS teacher, NOT any other member of the Science Centre staff, no matter where in the building the work is taking place. Always check before going ahead with any work. __Eating and drinking are not permitted in the labs.__
 * 4 - How will people find me? **
 * 5 - Safe and Sound – OSC Security **

· 5.6 - When can students be in the building?
=Monday – Friday: Students may be in the building when there is an OSCSS staff member in the building. This usually means from 8:00 – 4:30 Monday through Friday. The labs, computer room and student centre __are not available on weekends.__= · **5.7 - What if I need to stay late?** If you need to stay late to complete work you **must** arrange for a staff member to also stay late**. Hint:** try to do this BEFORE the day you want to work late to make sure that a teacher can stay – they may have plans! On some occasions all of the OSCSS staff will be leaving before 4:30. When this occurs, all students must leave the building when the last OSCSS staff member leaves. We will try to let you know ahead of time so that you can plan accordingly. Note: For legal reasons you must not accept rides from any member of Science Centre or Science School staff. · **5.8 - Public events** If you are attending a public function, for example a movie that runs after 5:00, you will be considered a member of the public and should not be in any non-public areas including the student lounge or the teachers desk area. = · 5.9 - Private events= Lots of after hours events are held at the Science Centre. You should not enter the areas that are in use during a private event. If you are exiting the building during an event you must behave in a quiet and considerate manner towards the guests. = · 5.10 - Weekends= If you visit the Centre on the weekends with friends or family you are to be in public areas only. = · 5.11 - Code of Conduct= The OSCSS code of conduct must be followed. You will receive information about the code of conduct separately. · **5.12 – Emergency Contact** The science school has an emergency cell phone that is kept with Matt at all times. __ONLY call this number if you have a legitimate emergency__. Call anytime: 416-738-4283. This number will be attached to your ID card. You should also use this number if you become separated from our group while on a field trip. Do not call this phone for non-emergency reasons (late for school). If you have doubts about the safety, appropriateness or consequences of something please ask an OSCSS staff member. Incidents are reported by security to the Deputy Director (our Principal).

** 6 - The Rules: **
A list of school rules follows. Please read through and remember them. In general, remember to think through your actions and how they will be perceived by visitors and members of OSC staff. Be sure that you are not endangering yourself, others or damaging Science Centre property in any way. · There is a dress code: No jeans, shorts, tank tops or sandals are to be worn. No white sneakers. No logo t-shirts. Business Casual dress is expected. · Students must not be in the labs without an OSCSS member of staff present. · Work with chemicals or other potentially dangerous materials or equipment is not permitted unless a teacher is present in the room. It MUST be an OSCSS teacher, NOT any other member of the Science Centre staff. Always check before going ahead with any work. · The student center is available 8:00-4:45 Monday through Friday. · If you are going to be absent or late you must call Matt at his office at 416-696-4620 before 9:00am. Do not call the emergency phone for lateness. · No eating or drinking in the labs. · All texts and books must be returned by the last day of class otherwise final marks and certificates may be withheld. · You must hand in your photo ID the day before graduation. · You must not accept rides to or from the Science Centre from ANY member of staff. · Students are not allowed on level F of the Science Centre. · The Code of Conduct for the Science School must be upheld. = 7 - Living in Toronto = Besides security within the building, we are concerned with safety while you are in Toronto. Toronto is a great city but like many cities not all parts of Toronto are great at all times. Do not travel alone at night. Try to make sure that someone knows where you are going and when you will return. Wherever possible stay in groups and look out for each other. Keep your money out of a pickpocket’s reach and do not leave your bags unattended. You can call the emergency number for the school any time 24 hours a day if you have an emergency and don’t know what to do. We will help or find help for you. If you have a medical emergency or require police call 911 first! · **// Students MUST check their OSC e-mail daily!!! //** · The computer facility is for the use of everyone in the Science School. Proper operation of the machines is important so that all may have complete access. The rights of future Science School students to a properly functioning lab must also be respected. · The Desktop presented on each computer must not be changed. Screen savers, icons, shortcuts, sounds, or anything else that alters the appearance of the Desktop should not be modified or added. The screen characteristics are not to be personalized since these are public machines. · Computers left logged into the system unattended will be logged out without saving any open documents. You are responsible for the security of your own accounts. · Programs are not to be downloaded from the internet and left on the hard drives without the permission of the System Supervisor. This helps to ensure adequate resources for all students. In particular, games are not to be downloaded onto the hard drives. · The room is to be kept clean at all times. Should it not be maintained properly, it will be closed until students agree to clean up. Food and drink are **not allowed** in the computer lab. · If your account or email stop working, or you forget your password. Talk to Matt right away to get it fixed. So you can __Check your email every day__! · Leisure activities are not prohibited, __but school work has priority at all times__. Those requiring the computers for school work also have priority over those using the computers for personal e-mail. · Students are not to use obscene or offensive language when using e-mail. Chain e-mail letters are not to be passed on to others at the Science Centre. Failure to observe these rules will result in removal of e-mail privileges. Students are not to use the Science Centre computers to access internet sites containing offensive material or to use internet chat facilities. · **// Students MUST check their OSC e-mail daily!!! //** This information is to give you a brief idea of the school trips you will need to pay for throughout the semester. We do not need all of this money at the beginning of the semester, and these figures are estimates. · $20 – Red Lab Coat Fee (Paid in advance, thank you!) · $100 - Communications Workshop: Overnight trip to Geneva Park in Orillia. · $15 to $45 – Dinners out: Each semester we have a few dinners as a group. Each costs around $15-$25 depending on your appetite. · $10 to $20 - Blue Jays Game/Theatre: Usually one evening trip per semester. · $10 - End of Semester “Fun Day”: Trip to the Rom/Toronto Island/Other Toronto attraction as a fun social day after Exams and before grad. · Other trips: We try to keep costs of field trips low by using TTC for transportation where possible, and making use of the OSC’s affiliate sites. If cost of a field trip is an issue, please speak to Matt privately and we will see if we can work something out. 10 – School Contacts || || Feb 9-10 || Overnight Trip || ||^  || (****770 Don Mills Rd****)** **Taking the Transit to the** **Ontario** **Science Centre (#25 BUS north from Pape station to** **St. Dennis Dr****)**
 * 8 - Student Computer Lab Protocol **
 * 9 – **** Budgeting **
 * Paul Kortenaar – Principal || 416-696-3198 || �1092��332��333��334��335� Matt Olmstead – Vice Principal || 416-696-4620 || �1095��340��341��342��343� Stewart Craven - Mathematics || 416-429-4100 x 2800 || �1098��348��349��350��351� Leslie Fradkin - Chemistry || 416-429-4100 x 2368 || �1101��356��357��358��359� Margaret De Jesus - Biology || 416-429-4100 x 2810 || �1104��364��365��366��367� Maria Price - Physics || 416-429-4100 x 2889 || �1107��372��373��374��375� Official School Webpage |||| www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/oscschool ||
 * Student Wiki Central |||| www.oscss.wikispaces.com ||
 * Emergency Cell Phone |||| 416-738-4283 ||
 * 11 – Important Dates **
 * Sept 8 || First Day Semester 55
 * Sept 9-10 || Overnight Trip || Feb 15 || Family Day ||^  ||
 * Oct 12 || Thanksgiving || Mar 15 – 19 || March Break
 * Dec 21 - Jan 1 || Christmas Break || Apr 2 - 5 || Easter Break ||^  ||
 * Jan 22 - 27 || Exams || May 24 || Victoria Day ||^  ||
 * Jan 30 || Graduation Ceremony || June 11 - 16 || Exams ||^  ||
 * Feb 8 || First Day Semester 54 || June 19 || Graduation Ceremony ||^  ||
 * 13 - Maps **
 * Driving to the** **Ontario** **Science Centre



** 12 - **** Science ** ** School **** Schedule SEMESTER 55 - 56 ** || || ** Fill this box with your first name please. ** ||
 * Time ||  Monday  ||  Tuesday  ||  Wednesday  ||  Thursday  ||  Friday  ||
 * 8:30  || ** MATHEMATICS ** || ** BIOLOGY ** || ** HOMEROOM ** || ** CHEMISRY ** || ** PHYSICS ** ||
 * | ||  Stewart  ||  Margaret  ||  All Students  ||  Leslie  ||  Maria  ||
 * 10:00  || ** DRY LAB ** || ** WET LAB ** || ** DRY LAB ** || ** WET LAB ** || ** DRY LAB ** ||
 * 10:05  || ** CHEMISRY ** || ** MATHEMATICS ** || ** PHYSICS ** || ** BIOLOGY ** || ** HOMEROOM ** ||
 * | ||  Leslie  ||  Stewart  ||  Maria  ||  Margaret  ||  All Students  ||
 * 12:00  || ** WET LAB ** || ** DRY LAB ** || ** DRY LAB ** || ** WET LAB ** || ** DRY LAB ** ||
 * 12:05  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||
 * | || ** L ** || ** U ** || ** N ** || ** C ** || ** H ** ||
 * 1:10  ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   ||
 * 1:15  || ** BIOLOGY ** || ** PHYSICS ** || ** MATHEMATICS ** || ** INNOVATION ** || ** CHEMISRY ** ||
 * | ||  Margaret  ||  Maria  ||  Stewart  ||  All Students  ||  Leslie  ||
 * 2:15  || ** WET LAB ** || ** DRY LAB ** || ** DRY LAB ** ||  Events  || **__ DRY LAB __** ||
 * ||  ||   ||   ||  TBA  ||   ||
 * 2:20  || ** PHYSICS ** || ** CHEMISRY ** || ** BIOLOGY ** ||   || ** MATHEMATICS ** ||
 * | ||  Maria  ||  Leslie  ||  Margaret  ||   ||  Stewart  ||
 * 3:45  || ** DRY LAB ** || ** WET LAB ** || ** WET LAB ** ||   || ** DRY LAB ** ||
 * | ||  Margaret  ||  Maria  ||  Stewart  ||  All Students  ||  Leslie  ||
 * 2:15  || ** WET LAB ** || ** DRY LAB ** || ** DRY LAB ** ||  Events  || **__ DRY LAB __** ||
 * ||  ||   ||   ||  TBA  ||   ||
 * 2:20  || ** PHYSICS ** || ** CHEMISRY ** || ** BIOLOGY ** ||   || ** MATHEMATICS ** ||
 * | ||  Maria  ||  Leslie  ||  Margaret  ||   ||  Stewart  ||
 * 3:45  || ** DRY LAB ** || ** WET LAB ** || ** WET LAB ** ||   || ** DRY LAB ** ||
 * 3:45  || ** DRY LAB ** || ** WET LAB ** || ** WET LAB ** ||   || ** DRY LAB ** ||
 * 3:45  || ** DRY LAB ** || ** WET LAB ** || ** WET LAB ** ||   || ** DRY LAB ** ||

** Meet at **** 9:00 AM **** in Studio 1 at the OSC ** September 8th 2009 – Semester 55 February 8th 2010 – Semester 56 · **__This Handbook__** · **Field Trip Form Signed by Parents** · **Cheque for $100 for Field Trip (We leave on the 2nd day of school)** · **Medical Forms Signed by Parents (and Doctor if required)** · **Registration information form (filled out with** **Toronto** **Address and Parents contact info)**
 * 15 - Checklist: **
 * In the Summer **
 * **Let Matt know if you have any food allergies/requirements by August 20th so that he can inform the staff at our first field trip for your meals.**
 * **If you are from out of town, find accommodations near the OSC (see housing list included with your package)**
 * **Fill out all of your forms to bring on the first day. Check www.oscss.wikispaces.com for a new copy of any forms if you lose them.**
 * **Get a Transcript and Credit Counseling History (if available – You will need this for guidance counselors in 2nd week)**
 * First Day **
 * **Write your first name in __Huge letters in the box above__.**
 * **BRING WITH YOU:**

· **This…**