Code of Conduct
EXPECTATIONS
All members of the CDDHS community are responsible for creating an inviting, safe, orderly school environment where everyone is treated fairly and can learn, grow and achieve success.
ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITY & PLAGIARISM
Centre Dufferin is a community dedicated to learning. All expectations, rules, policies and procedures must support this central purpose. Plagiarism includes the use of images, quotes, ideas from an outside source without giving proper credit (endnotes/footnotes/bibliography). Consequences may include resubmission of work, loss of marks and/or suspension.
ATTENDANCE & LATES
We believe that regular attendance and punctuality are required for academic success, and that both are desirable work habits. The Education Act R.O. 2019, Reg. 298, s.23 (1) states:
(1) A pupil shall:
- Be diligent in attempting to master such studies as are part of the program in which the pupil is enrolled;
- Exercise self-discipline;
- Accept such discipline as would be exercised by a kind, firm and judicious parent;
- Attend classes punctually and regularly;
- Be courteous to fellow pupils and obedient and courteous to teachers;
- Be clean in person and habits;
- Take such tests and examinations as are required by or under the Act or as may be directed by the Minister; and
- Show respect for school property.
Students arriving late to school should report directly to their class. Upon late arrival the student should quietly enter the class. Morning students arriving after 9:15 am and afternoon students arriving after 12:45 pm must enter the school by the main entrance doors at the front of the school. At the teacher’s discretion the late should be discussed at an appropriate time during the class. Students with chronic lateness can expect consequences from teachers and/or administrators.
CONDUCT
- Staff and students conduct is based on mutual respect and consideration.
- Violent behavior (physical, verbal, sexual, or psychological abuse or bullying), illegal acts, harassment or discrimination on the basis of race, culture, religion, gender, language, disability, or sexual orientation are not tolerated at Centre Dufferin.
- The SAFE SCHOOLS ACT and THE UGDSB CODE OF CONDUCT clearly describes what is meant by violent behavior and spells out the consequences of such behavior. As well, any behavior punishable by law will be addressed by school authorities and the police.
- Possession or use of alcohol or illegal drugs is not tolerated. It is understood that school conduct includes all school activities (clubs, dances, bus transportation or any extracurricular activity).
- Sexual Intimacy: School is a public place. Displays of affection should not be excessive nor offend others.
NON-MEDICAL OR CLOTH MASKS
All students in the UGDSB will be required to wear non-medical or cloth masks indoors in school, including in hallways and during classes, allowing for appropriate medical exemptions. Outdoor times may be used as opportunities to provide students with breaks from wearing masks, so long as students maintain 2 meters of distance from classmates. Students may wear their own non-medical masks, and families who cannot provide a mask for their child may request support from the school principal, and where available, a mask will be provided. Any logo or design on a mask will be subject to school dress code policies.
HAND HYGIENE AND RESPIRATORY ETIQUETTE
Schools will ensure that hand hygiene products are available in all rooms where possible and at school entrances (e.g. hand wash sink with soap dispenser or hand sanitizer). All staff, students and essential visitors will be expected to conduct proper hand hygiene, washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using hand sanitizer, at the following times:
- Upon entering the school
- At regular time intervals throughout day
- Before/after eating food
- After using the restroom
- After sneezing or coughing
- Before putting on and after removing PPE and/or non-medical masks/face coverings
Respiratory etiquette includes:
- Covering the nose and mouth during coughing and sneezing with a tissue or sneezing or coughing into your sleeve or elbow.
- Disposing of used tissues into the garbage immediately after use.
- Practicing proper hand hygiene immediately after coughing or sneezing or touching one’s face.
PHYSICAL DISTANCING
Students are required to follow protocols in place to ensure physical distancing. This includes following all directional signage and respecting the posted occupancy limits in bathrooms. In the classroom, students will sit at their assigned desk and follow the instructions of their classroom teacher with respect to procedures for classroom equipment.
PROPERTY
All school property (including lockers) and the private property of students and staff are treated with care and respect at Centre Dufferin. Neighbour’s property is private and should be treated as such.
VISITORS TO THE SCHOOL
Only essential visitors are permitted inside the school (e.g., maintenance personnel). All other parents and visitors will not be permitted inside schools during the pandemic, except in case of emergency. At entry and dismissal times, parents are to remain outside the school and adhere to physical distancing protocols.
LOCKERS AND PERSONAL STUDENT BELONGINGS
Students are asked to bring a minimal amount of personal belongings to school (please see below).
- Secondary students are to bring: knapsack or tote bag for personal belongings, face masks, personal water bottle, seasonal outdoor wear, only those items that are necessary for the day (e.g. laptop, textbook, notebook, pens/pencils, calculator, etc.). Personal technology can be brought in, but it cannot be shared and must be wiped down when it comes into the school. Students will be encouraged to bring their own labelled water bottle to school each day. All water fountains can be used to refill water bottles. Drinking directly from water fountains during COVID-19 will not be permitted.
DRESS
Dress is a form of expressing individuality, however, staff and students at Centre Dufferin must dress in a manner which neither offends nor distracts others because of immodesty or offensive logos or language. Appropriate dress is defined as student attire that is free of symbols of hate and/or gang membership, of images that portray violence, racism, sexism, death, abuse, alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, drug paraphernalia and/or obscene words and/or political or sexual statements.
Therefore, the following applies to both male and female students:
- Clothing should cover buttocks, genitals & breasts
- Some courses may require protective or supportive clothing
- Undergarments, should not be visible
Students dressed inappropriately as deemed by the administration may be required to change into attire provided by the school.
INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (ICT)
Students with cell phones or other personal electronic devices in classes can disrupt their own learning and the learning of others. Therefore, these devices are only to be used for learning purposes at the discretion of the teacher. Additionally, collection or confiscation of cell phones is at the teacher’s discretion, and may be turned over to the administration if the problem is reoccurring.
At CDDHS it is expected that students will respect the learning environment that is determined by their teachers. It is also clear that ICT devices are expensive and valuable items. As such, students are responsible for the care, maintenance and security of their personal devices. No personal ICT devices should be left unattended. Students are not to share devices with their peers due to COVID-19.
CHARACTER EDUCATION
There are universal attributes that schools and communities value. Character development is the deliberate effort to nurture these attributes and use them as a standard against which we hold ourselves accountable. They are key aspects of school life. They bind us together and form the basis of responsible citizenship. They are a foundation for excellence and equity in education and for school communities that are respectful, safe, caring and inclusive.
At CDDHS we value:
Fairness Responsibility Honesty Co-operation
Respect Compassion Friendliness Perseverance
EQUALITY AND ANTI-BULLYING
CDDHS is a learning institution that is dedicated to equal opportunities for all students. Discrimination of any type and for any reason is taken very seriously and will be addressed through education and progressive discipline. Centre Dufferin is proud to support the entire student community and students of every race, religion and sexual orientation.
Bullying can occur in a variety of forms, ALL of which are forbidden in and around the school community. Bullying can consist of (but is not limited to) physical bullying or violence, threats, and/or intimidation. Social bullying including spreading rumours and exclusion as well as cyber-bullying via text and on social media sites is also prohibited in and around the school community.
Be aware that being a bystander makes you an accomplice to bullying, and at CDDHS we encourage all students to stick up for those in need and refuse to participate in any form of bullying.