Updated September 2026-27

GOAL

It is the policy of John F. Ross C.V.I. and the Upper Grand District School Board to maintain a safe and inclusive learning and teaching environment through the adoption of a Code of Conduct which promotes responsibility, respect, civility, and academic excellence, and sets clear standards of behaviour for all members of the school community. The goal is to create a positive school climate where all members of the school community feel safe, included and accepted. 

GENERAL

Our school Code of Conduct is based upon the provincial Code of Conduct and the Upper Grand District School Board Code of Conduct (Policy 213), which apply 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.

RIGHTS

Student rights include:

● to be treated with dignity and respect

● to be provided with activities that are success oriented and build on individual strengths

● to receive a quality education

Parent rights include:

● to be treated with dignity and respect

● to be heard and to have concerns addressed

● to communicate with the school

Staff rights include:

● to be treated with dignity and respect

● to have a safe working environment

● to expect parents and students to be involved in creating a positive school environment

STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR

• A) Respect, Civility and Responsible Citizenship

• All members of the school community must:

• ● respect and comply with all applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws

• ● respect and comply with all Ministry of Education, school board, and school policies

• ● demonstrate honesty and integrity

• ● respect differences in people, their ideas and their opinions

• ● treat one another with dignity and respect at all times, both in person and online, especially where there is disagreement or difference

• ● respect and treat others fairly, regardless of age, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, race, colour, place of origin, culture, citizenship, ancestry, origin, religion, creed, family status, marital status, socio-economic status, employment, housing, disability

•  respect the rights of others

•  show proper care and regard for school property and the property of others

•  take appropriate measures to help those in need

•  seek school staff assistance, if necessary, to resolve conflict peacefully

•  respect all members of the school community, especially persons who are in a position of authority

•  respect the needs of others to work in an environment that is conducive to learning and teaching

• ● not use abusive language or swear at another person

• ● not use personal mobile devices during instructional time except under the following circumstances:

• ○ for educational purposes, as directed by an educator

• ○ for health and medical purpose

• ○ to support special education needs

• Personal mobile devices must be stored out of view and powered off or set to silent mode during instructional time, except when their use is explicitly permitted by the educator.

SAFETY

All members of the school community must not:

● engage in bullying or cyber-bullying behaviours

Definition of bullying: As defined in section 1 of the Education Act, bullying means aggressive and typically repeated behaviour by a pupil where,

a) 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,

i) 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

ii) creating a negative environment at a school for another individual, and

b) 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 c) Cyber-bullying as defined in section 1 of the Education Act, is bullying by electronic means including,

a) creating a webpage or a blog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person

b) impersonating another person as the author of content or messages posted on the internet; and

c) communicating material electronically to more than one individual or posting material on a website that may be accessed by one or more individuals

● commit sexual assault or sexual harassment

● traffic in weapons or illegal drugs

● give alcohol or cannabis to a minor

● commit robbery or theft

● be in possession of any weapon, including firearms

● threaten or intimidate another person

● cause injury to any person with an object

● be in possession of alcohol, cannabis (unless a medical cannabis user), or illegal drugs

o Students must also not be in possession of electronic cigarette, tobacco or nicotine products.

● use, or be under the influence of, alcohol, cannabis (unless a medical cannabis user), tobacco, electronic cigarettes, illegal drugs or related products

● provide others with alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, electronic cigarette, cannabis or related products

● inflict, or encourage others to inflict, bodily harm on another person

● engage in hate propaganda and other forms of behaviour motivated by bias, prejudice or hate

● commit an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property, to property located on the premises of a school or board facility, to the property of a member of the school community

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

All students will:

• Accept responsibility for their personal actions;

• Demonstrate respect for self, and others, and for those in authority;

• Fulfill expected academic obligations;

• Come to school punctually each day, prepared and willing to learn;

• Obey the rules of the school, on school buses, other sites during the school day, and at school authorized events;

• Dress appropriately in accordance with the Board’s and the school’s policies regarding appropriate dress;

• Use respectful language, free from profanity;

• Work cooperatively with staff and other students;

• Be honest in their academic work (refrain from plagiarism, cheating, etc);

• Use free time responsibly;

• Refrain from bringing anything to school that compromises the safety of others.

STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES

The Principal will:

• Take a leadership role in the daily operation of the school by demonstrating care and commitment to academic excellence and a safe teaching, and learning environment;

• Hold those under their authority accountable for their actions and behaviour;

• Empower students to be positive leaders in their school and community; 

• Communicate meaningfully and on a regular basis with all members of the school’s community;

• Ensuring that a School Code of Conduct, based on the Ontario Code of Conduct and the Board’s Code of Conduct is developed and communicated annually to the school community; and,

o Communications shall highlight the restrictions and requirements for personal mobile device use and the consequences of non-compliance.

• modeling the standards of respect, civility and responsible citizenship

• Reviewing the school Code of Conduct at least once every three years, and seek input from School Council, staff, students, parents and guardians and the school community on the review.

Educators and school staff 

Under the leadership of their principals, educators and other school staff maintain a positive learning environment and are expected to hold everyone to the highest standard of respectful and responsible behaviour. As role models, educators and other school staff uphold these high standards when they:

• help students work to fulfill their potential, and develop their sense of self-worth

• empower students to be positive leaders in their classroom, school and community

• communicate regularly and meaningfully with parents and guardians

• maintain consistent and fair standards of behaviour for all students

• demonstrate respect for one another, all students, parents, volunteers, and other members of the school community

• prepare students for the full responsibilities of citizenship, in particular the skill of respectful communication, both in person and online

• model the standards of respect, civility, and responsible citizenship. This includes modeling appropriate use of personal mobile devices. Educators are not to use personal mobile devices during instructional time, unless explicitly for work-related purposes.

PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES

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

• Demonstrating respect for all students, staff, volunteers, and the members of the school community;

• Supporting the efforts of school staff in maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment;

• Showing an active interest in their child’s school work and progress;

• Communicating regularly with their child’s school;

• Assisting staff in dealing with disciplinary issues involving their child;

• Helping their child be neat, dress appropriately, be well rested, have proper nutrition, and prepared and ready to learn;

• Ensuring that their child attends school regularly and on time;

• Promptly reporting their child’s absence or late arrival with a note;

• Showing that they are familiar with the Ontario Code of Conduct, the Board’s Code of Conduct, and the school’s Code of Conduct and rules of behaviour; and

• Helping and encouraging their child in following the Board’s Code of Conduct and the school’s Code of Conduct and the rules of behaviour.

Police Services

Police services play an essential role in making our schools and communities safer. The police investigate incidents in accordance with the guidelines established in the Police/School Board Protocol.

SPECIFIC EXPECTATIONS FOR SCHOOL

VAPING AND TOBACCO

Vaping, smoking, or chewing tobacco on school property (including school events, on field trips, in school washrooms, or in vehicles on school property)  are not permitted.  Signs are posted at the school entrance doors and on washroom doors to remind students that smoking and vaping are prohibited.  Consequences will apply for those who are found to be vaping or smoking on school property, or in possession of vapes, vape juice, or tobacco. These consequences may include confiscation of property, detention, or suspension.  Under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017, students may also be charged with an offense and subject to a fine.  It is also illegal to sell or supply tobacco or vapour products on school property.  This includes giving another person tobacco or vapour products.  Students who are found to be selling or supplying tobacco or vapour products on school property may also be subject to a fine.  Students caught vaping or smoking on school property may be reported to Public Health and Guelph Police, who follow up to determine the fines that are imposed for violations to the Smoke-Free Ontario Act.

SKATEBOARDING

The use of skateboards. longboards, roller blades, scooters, are not permitted in the school or on school property. School consequences apply. 

STUDENT PARKING LOT

Students may only park in the south lot by the playing fields. Park between the lines. Do not block traffic lanes, or block other vehicles. Vehicles may be towed if they are not parked properly.  Please drive slowly and respectfully. Remember to lock your car. The Upper Grand District School Board does not assume liability for damage or lost items.

Parking at JFR is a privilege. That privilege may be removed if the student abuses the privilege by violating school expectations or behaving in an unsafe manner. Students must consider the safety of others when entering or exiting school property. Students are not to be in the staff parking lot with their vehicle at any time.  

WINTER EXPECTATIONS

Students may be suspended for throwing snowballs or other objects that could harm or cause injury to another person.