Attendance Policy

Students must attend the first class of the course in which they are registered or notify the office if they cannot attend. Voice mail is available 24 hours per day at 250 360-4332.

Educational research indicates that there is a positive correlation between attendance and student success. In general, the greater the class attendance and student success, the higher the class mark. It is the expectation of the Continuing Education Program that students will attend classes regularly.

If a student cannot attend a class, he or she should inform the instructor prior to missing the class, if possible. Absence does not absolve the students from the responsibility of completing the homework/readings assigned and of understanding the content covered that day. Students are encouraged to network with their classmates to ensure they keep up with the readings, class content, assignments, and discussions.

Wait Lists

Courses that are in high demand may have a wait list. During the first week of classes, if course space becomes available, students who are on the top of the wait list are contacted and advised of course availability. Please wait for the Continuing Education staff to contact you.

    Note: During the first week of classes, wait listed students can only attend the wait
             listed classes with approval from the office. When, and if, there is space
             available, the office will provide permission to register.

Course Changes

Adding or changing a course will be permitted during the first six (6) hours of instruction in a specific class each semester, subject to seat availability and office permission. Contact the Continuing Education office or make an appointment with a counselor / advisor to complete a “Course Change / Withdrawal” form.

Withdrawal From a Course

Secondary school graduated students who have paid full tuition fees for a course may receive a refund if they advise the office of this decision within the first six (6) hours of instruction. Non-tuition paying students who wish to drop a course can do so anytime prior to the last week of the semester. Contact the Continuing Education office or make an appointment with a counselor/advisor to complete a “Course Change/Withdrawal” form.

You will be automatically withdrawn from both sections of a course unless you specifically advise the office of your intent to attend further sections later in the school year.

    Note: You are not officially withdrawn from a course for fee refund purposes until
             the “Course Change/Withdrawal” form is completed and your textbooks are
             returned to the office.

Dropping or adding courses may negatively affect grad requirements. Students are recommended to carefully review their Individual Education Plan (IEP) with a counselor/advisor to assess the impact of changing courses.

Fees and Deposits

$70.00

Refundable Course Deposit

    Note: Any Student who is experienceing financial hardship will have their fees waived.
             Please contact the Continiuing Education Office.

Payment of Fees

Fees and deposits are payable in cash, by cheque, money order (made payable to “Continuing Education”), Interac, MasterCard or by Visa at the time of registration for current semester courses. Receipts are issued at the time of payment and should be retained by students in the event of a question regarding their refund. Students who pay with post-dated cheques, or through an outside agency, will be given their receipt via their teacher.

Fees are due upon registration. An administrator or a counselor/advisor may authorize a payment schedule for students who have exceptional circumstances. Fee payment may be postponed to a date specified by the administration when a student registers in advance of the first day of class. It is expected that students will make all the necessary arrangements to pay these fees by that date. If the student has not notified the office by the due date as to why the fee(s) cannot be paid, the student will be contacted and may be dropped from courses. Re-enrolment and payment may be permitted if there is available space.

Refunds

Students must ensure their current address is available at the office.

Refunds will be issued only after the student has completely withdrawn from the program and returned all textbooks. A refund will be issued by mail within 3-4 weeks with the exception of year-end, when refunds will be sent out at the end of July.

    Note: The refund is first applied to any outstanding Continuing Education debts.
             The refund is made payable to whomever the receipt shows as the payee.
             Those students funded by outside agencies will have their refund sent directly
             to that agency.

Funding Sources

Students may finance their education programs in a number of ways:

    • Full-time or part-time work

    • Social Assistance

    • Ministry of Advanced Education, Training and Technology
       (Skills Development Division)

    • Workers’ Compensation Board

    • Band offices

    • Human Resources Canada (Employment Insurance)

    • Parents or relatives

At this time, the Canada and BC Student Loan Programs do not cover secondary school graduation courses.

Sponsored Students

A student must provide the appropriate paperwork if he or she is being funded by an outside agency. Students may only register for the number and type of courses approved by their sponsor.

Students are Responsible for:

    • Ensuring the accuracy of their registration information at the time of registration

    • Ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the Individual Educational Plan (IEP)
       and checking with a counselor/advisor during the school year to ensure their
       selected courses are applicable to their educational/career objectives

    • Ensuring that the Continuing Education office has their current address,
       telephone number, and other pertinent information on file at all times

    • Picking up their schedule at the beginning of each semester, as there may be
       changes in teachers or classrooms up until the first day of class

    • Picking up their reports at the specified availability date

    • Informing teachers of absences from class

    • Exhibiting appropriate behaviour and respect by following the School’s
       Code of Conduct

    • Adhering to the provisions of the policies and regulations of the Greater Victoria
       School District and the School Act

Textbooks

A $70.00 refundable deposit is required for all courses, and is due upon registration. Textbooks or other resource materials for courses are given out by the teacher. In the event that a textbook or course material is lost or damaged, the student is responsible for paying for the cost of replacement. The Continuing Education office has a price list available to verify the cost of replacement. If a textbook is lost or damaged (as determined by an administrator), the cost of replacement is deducted from the $60.00 refundable course deposit.

If a student drops a course at a time during the school year, textbooks are to be returned immediately to the Continuing Education Office, NOT to the teacher.