Code of Conduct

The school recognizes that students achieve their best when they feel safe, nurtured, welcomed, engaged, respected and included. We are committed to providing a healthy learning and working environment to support student success by promoting responsibility, respect, civility, academic excellence and good citizenship. For learning to be successful, schools must be free of negative factors such as bullying, discrimination, intimidation, hateful words and actions, as well as physical violence in any form.

In the Peel board, we understand that equity and excellence go hand-in-hand. One of the core goals in our strategic plan, the Report Card for Student Success, is the following:

"Achieve equity for students and staff—we provide equity of access and opportunity for students and staff to learn, work and develop in an environment that is nurturing, engaging, respectful and inclusive." One of the Peel board's projects is the implementation of six core character attributes. The attributes are taught in school, but they are also the basis of the board's working relationships—they help to create a positive climate for learning and working.

• Caring – showing compassion and kindness towards others
• Cooperative – working collaboratively with others for a common purpose
• Honest – being truthful, trustworthy and sincere in your speech and actions
• Inclusive – treating everyone fairly and equitably
• Respectful – treating others, yourself and the environment with high regard and value
• Responsible – being accountable and reliable in your actions and commitments

We believe that parents, the school and community must work together to help students learn to become responsible members of society by being sensitive to the diversity, cultural and special needs of individual students. We must clearly demonstrate respect for social justice and human rights, and promote the values needed to develop responsible members of a democratic society.

Our Code of Conduct aligns with and supports Ontario's Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy, the Peel board's Equity and Inclusive Education Policy.

The school's Code of Conduct applies to all members of the school community including students, parents and guardians, volunteers and school staff, whether they are on school property, on school buses, at school-authorized events or activities, or in any other situation that may impact the school climate.

All members of the school community have a responsibility to behave appropriately, take responsibility for their own actions, and respect and honour the school Code of Conduct.

• demonstrate honesty and integrity
• treat one another with dignity, respect and fairness, regardless of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnicity, creed, citizenship, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, socioeconomic status or any other attribute
• take appropriate action to help those in need, seeking assistance to resolve conflict constructively and respectfully
• show proper care and regard for school property and the property of others

• taking an active role in their child's education by ensuring their child is prepared for learning including attending school regularly and on time, promptly reporting absences or late arrivals, and ongoing communication with the school
• reviewing the school Code of Conduct with their child and helping him/her follow school rules
• helping their child understand that it is not appropriate to tease or bully others
• monitoring their child's Internet use and taking responsibility for his/her behaviour when accessing electronic resources from home

• demonstrating a commitment to learning through punctuality, regular attendance, being prepared and ready to learn
• practising honesty and integrity by not participating in or encouraging plagiarism and misrepresentation of original work
• following school rules and taking responsibility for his/her own actions
• not bringing anything to school or using anything inappropriately that may harm the student or others
• showing proper care and respect for school and community property, as well as only visiting other schools for school-related and authorized activities

• helping students develop self-worth, achieve to the best of their ability, and prepare to become responsible citizens
• maintaining order in the school and holding everyone to the highest standard of respectful and responsible behaviour
• communicating regularly and meaningfully with parents/guardians
• establishing a range of clear, fair and developmentally appropriate interventions, supports, direct skill instruction and consequences for unacceptable behaviour including, but not limited to, homophobia, gender-based violence, sexual harassment and inappropriate sexual behaviour
• responding to and reporting behaviours which may have a negative impact on the school climate

We are teaching students to identify bullying behaviour and giving them strategies to respond to it and stop it from happening.

Bullying is typically a form of repeated, persistent and aggressive behaviour directed at another person that is intended to cause (or should be known to cause) fear, distress and/or harm to that person's body, feelings, self-esteem or reputation. Bullying occurs when there is a real or perceived imbalance of power.

When someone experiences or observes bullying behaviour, he/she is expected to report it to a teacher, teaching assistant or school administrator immediately. Bullying behaviour will be dealt with using a progressive discipline approach.

The school encourages, supports and recognizes acceptable behaviour in our students through a variety of positive practices. Progressive discipline is an approach that makes use of a continuum of interventions, supports and consequences, building upon strategies which promote positive behaviours.

We encourage students to take responsibility for their behaviour and to accept the consequences of their actions. A progressive discipline approach will be used to deal with inappropriate behaviour. This may include: oral reminders, review of expectations, contact with parent(s)/guardian(s), written reflection, volunteer services in the school community, conflict mediation and resolution, peer mentoring, and/or referral for support services.

We recognize that each student is a unique individual and that every situation that requires disciplinary action has its own set of extenuating circumstances. All factors that may have affected the student's behaviour will be considered before progressive discipline is applied. Students who behave inappropriately will receive an age and developmentally appropriate consequence. For a student with special education or disability-related needs, all progressive discipline approaches will be consistent with his/her Individual Education Plan and his/her demonstrated abilities

The school also supports the use of suspension and expulsion for serious incidents as outlined in the Peel District School Board's Safe Schools Policy.

Before considering whether to impose a suspension or make a recommendation for an expulsion, a principal must consider mitigating and other factors.

• swearing (written or verbal) at a teacher or at another person in a position of authority
• bullying
• uttering a threat to inflict serious bodily harm on another person
• committing an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property
• possessing alcohol or restricted drugs
• being under the influence of alcohol or restricted drugs
• committing any act considered by the principal to:
• have a negative impact on the moral tone of the school
• have a negative impact on the physical or mental well-being of one or more school community members
• be contrary to the school or Peel board Codes of Conduct

• physically assaulting another person causing bodily harm that requires medical treatment
• possessing a weapon or using a weapon to threaten or frighten another person
• trafficking in restricted drugs or weapons
• giving alcohol to a minor
• committing robbery
• committing sexual assault
• behaviour that:
• is significantly detrimental to the school climate and/or to the physical or mental well being of others
• causes extensive damage to school property
• causes his/her continued presence at the school to pose an unacceptable risk to other members of the school community
• a pattern of behaviour so inappropriate the student's continued presence is detrimental to the effective learning or working environment of others
• demonstrates a persistent resistance to changes in behaviour that would enable him/her to be successful
• is a serious violation of the school or Peel board Codes of Conduct

Students who are suspended or expelled will be given an opportunity to continue their education through educational programs offered by the school board.

The school recognizes the benefits of a smoke-free environment to all persons. By law, smoking is not permitted at the school, on board property, on school buses or while attending any school-related activity. School property includes cars that are on school grounds and all lands to the edge of the street. The no smoking rule will be enforced within these areas.

Providing tobacco products to anyone under 19 years of age is illegal.

Alcohol and restricted drugs may be addictive and represent a health hazard. Possessing, using, trafficking in, or providing others with restricted drugs and/or alcohol will not be condoned at the school, on Peel board property or at any school-related event or activity at any time. Lighters and drug-related paraphernalia that can be used for substance abuse are not permitted on school property.

Possessing or displaying weapons of any kind, including real, toy or replica, and all other objects that could inflict or threaten bodily harm will not be condoned at the school, on any Peel board property or at any school-related event or activity at any time.

The standards for dress at the school are based on common sense and are intended to support the comfort, safety and modesty of all students. There is a strong relationship between neat, clean and appropriate clothing and a positive learning environment.

Students will demonstrate appropriate online conduct and manners and refrain from improper/unethical use of technology, including computer hacking and cyber-bullying. The Internet must not be used for any purpose that violates the school's Code of Conduct and/or the board's Appropriate Use of Technology Policy #78. This applies to school, work and home Internet use.

Cell phones may not be used for any communication or for taking photographs unless permission is granted by a school official.

Posting photographs or images on the Internet (including social networking sites) without adult permission violates the school and board Codes of Conduct.

Students are expected to follow the standards of behaviour outlined in the Code of Conduct while they are on the school bus.

• be at their bus stop at least five minutes before their pick-up time
• go directly to their seats and stay seated
• follow the bus driver's instructions and behave appropriately at all times

• consume food and drinks on the bus
• fight, swear or cause excessive noise on the bus
• engage in activities that may endanger the safety of themselves or others