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Code of Conduct

CODE OF CONDUCT

(Reviewed November 2019)

 

GOAL

Norwell D.S.S. is a school that promotes responsibility, respect, civility and academic excellence in a safe learning and teaching environment.

GENERAL

All students, parents, teachers and staff have the right to be safe, in their school community. With this right comes the responsibility to be law-abiding citizens and to be accountable for actions that put at risk the safety of others or oneself.

Our School Code of Positive Student Behaviour is based upon the Ontario Code of Conduct and the Upper Grand District School Board Code of Conduct (Policy # 213) which applies to all members of the school community; students, administrators, staff, parents and guardians, community users, visitors, volunteers, etc. while on all school and Board property, school buses, at school-authorized events and off site at school-sponsored activities, or in other circumstances that could have a negative impact on the school climate.

 

RIGHTS

Students Rights Include:

Parent Rights Include:

Staff Rights Include:

 

STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR

A) RESPECT, CIVILITY AND RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP

All school members of the school community must:

SAFETY

All members of the school community must not:

Definition of bullying:

  1. The behaviour is intended by the pupil to have the effect of, or the pupil ought to know that the behaviour would be likely to have the effect of,
    • Causing harm, fear or distress to another individual, including physical, psychological, social or academic harm, harm to the individual’s reputation or harm to the individual’s property, or
    • Creating a negative environment at a school for another individual
  2. The behaviour occurs in a context where there is a real or perceived power imbalance between pupil and the individual based on factors such as size, strength, age, intelligence, peer group power, economic status, social status, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, family circumstances, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, disability or the receipt of special education; (intimidation)
  3. Bullying by electronic means (commonly known as cyber-bullying), including:

 

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

All students will:

 

STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES

The Principal will:

Teachers and school staff will:

 

PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Parents play an important role in the education of their children and can fulfill this responsibility by:

 

APPROPRIATE DRESS

Norwell DSS expects that all students will dress in a way that is appropriate for the school day or for any school-sponsored event. Students have a right to learn in a safe and caring space that is free of bias and discrimination, and have a right to express their individuality respectfully. It is an expectation that student dress choices respect the UGDSB’s intent to promote a community that is inclusive of a diverse range of identities.

Students must wear:

Clothing must fully cover genitals, buttocks, and breasts with opaque fabric.

Students cannot wear:

 

POLICE SERVICES

The Board believes that the Police are partners with schools and school boards in maintaining safe schools and communities.  Through the guidelines established in the Police/School Board Protocol Agreement, Police support schools by encouraging, enabling and maintaining positive relationships with school administrators, staff, students, parents and members of the school community.

 

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

The Board believes that community agencies and members of the school community are resources that can help boards deliver prevention and intervention programs. Current and new partnerships, protocols and outreach are encouraged and supported by the Board to formalize and enhance relationships to maintain safe communities.

 

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCHOOL’S CODE OF CONDUCT

Schools focus on prevention and early intervention is the key to maintaining a positive school environment in which pupils can learn. The Board supports the use of positive practices and progressive discipline as a whole school approach to foster the building of healthy relationships and encourage appropriate behaviours, as well as the application of consequences for inappropriate behaviour.

 

PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE

Progressive Discipline is a range of early and later interventions, supports, and consequences that are developmentally appropriate, and include opportunities for students to learn from mistakes and that focus on improving behaviour.

 

SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION

It is understood that discipline serves not only to correct inappropriate behaviour, but also as a deterrent. To maintain a safe and effective learning environment, suspensions and expulsions may be imposed not only to deter inappropriate behaviour, but also to remove individuals who pose a threat to the safety and well being of others. The Provincial Code of Conduct specifies that for student actions that do not comply with the Provincial Standards of Behaviour, suspension and expulsion may be considered.  The Board’s Student Discipline Policy (Policy #503) sets out the process for Suspension and Expulsion. This policy specifies the student actions that may result in the Principal imposing a suspension, as well as the student actions that will result in the Principal imposing a suspension and considering an expulsion pending an investigation of the incident.

 

MITIGATING FACTORS

The Principal will consider the following mitigating factors when considering a suspension:

The Principal will also consider the following factors if they mitigate (moderate) the seriousness of the incident or the behaviour of the student involved:

Note: In some cases, even though the offence calls for a mandatory suspension pending an investigation, the consideration of the mitigating circumstances may cause a principal not to suspend.

 

INFRACTIONS THAT MAY LEAD TO A SUSPENSION

Police may be involved, as required, and a suspension may be imposed for one of the following infractions which has occurred on school property, during a school related activity or event, and/or in circumstances where the infraction has an impact on the school climate:

 

INFRACTIONS FOR WHICH A PRINCIPAL SHALL IMPOSE A SUSPENSION, AND MAY CONSIDER RECOMMENDING TO THE BOARD THAT A STUDENT BE EXPELLED

Activities That Will Result in a Suspension, an Investigation and a Possible Recommendation for Expulsion

 Police may be involved, as required, and a student will be immediately suspended, an investigation will occur and may lead to a recommendation of expulsion to the Board’s Discipline Committee for one of the following infractions which has occurred on school property, during a school related activity or event, and/or in circumstances where the infraction has an impact on the school climate:

  1. Possessing a weapon, including possessing a firearm;
  2. Using a weapon to cause or threaten bodily harm to another person;
  3. Committing physical assault on another person that caused bodily harm requiring treatment by a medical practitioner;
  4. Committing sexual assault;
  5. Trafficking in weapons or illegal drugs;
  6. Committing robbery;
  7. Giving alcohol to a minor;
  8. An act or activities considered by the Principal to be significantly injurious to the moral tone of the school and/or to the physical or mental well-being of others;
  9. Activities engaged in by the pupil on or off school property that have caused extensive damage to the property of the Board or to goods that are/were on Board property, or
  10. The pupil has demonstrated through a pattern of behaviour that she/he has not prospered by the instruction available to him or her and that she/he is persistently resistant to making changes in behaviour which would enable him or her to prosper.

Suspension Notice 

The Principal/Vice-Principal will:

STUDENT DEPORTMENT 

Attendance 

All Norwell students are expected to attend all assigned classes and to provide proper documentation for any missed time from school. A phone call from a parent/guardian is acceptable and a message can be left on the school answering machine – Attendance voice mail by dialing 100 – 24 hours/day.

Cell Phones

Cell phones are to be used during the lunch period only and may be permitted in classrooms at your teacher’s discretion.

Food/Beverages

Food of any kind and/or drinks are not to be consumed in the halls or classrooms except in designated hallways during the lunch periods only. Water may be permitted in classrooms at your teacher’s discretion provided the containers are suitably disposed of. All garbage is to be placed in the containers provided (both inside and outside the school).

Hall Deportment

Students are not permitted to play games (cards, hackey sack, etc) in the halls. Students are not permitted in the upstairs hallway during class time nor at lunch. Halls must be kept clear to allow for traffic flow at all times. Students are expected to behave appropriately with their friends while in school; inappropriate signs of affections will not be allowed.

Lunch Period

All students are expected to eat their lunch in the cafeteria, in the designated halls or outside. If students choose to use the cafeteria, the expectation is that they do so in a mature, respectful and responsible manner. Students receiving extra help or who are participating in school clubs may bring their lunches to the activity at their teacher’s discretion. During period 1, 2, 3 and 4 students are not to remain in the halls.

Laser Pens 

Students are not permitted to bring or use laser pens on school property. They will be confiscated and not returned.

Part Time Students

Students at Norwell are expected to maintain full time status in all semesters of their attendance at school. Only students requiring less than 3 credits to attain graduation will be given consideration for part time status or at the Principal’s discretion.

 Private Property

All students are expected to respect the rights and property of our local neighbourhood and businesses. Students are not permitted to loiter on York Street nor are they permitted to congregate on Cumberland Street. Staff parking lots are considered out of bounds during the school day and may only be used as a thoroughfare to get to class.

School Property

Items such as textbooks, desks, and lockers are board property that has been made available for student use; therefore, they may be inspected at the discretion of school staff. Students will be charged for the repair and/or replacement of damaged, defaced or lost Board property, and in certain instances (extensive damage), students may be suspended or expelled.