Code of Conduct

Downloadable version: Ponsonby School Code Of Conduct (Rev 2023)

SCHOOL: Ponsonby PS

DATE: September 30, 2023

It is the policy of 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.

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. 

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

A) Respect, Civility and Responsible Citizenship

All members of the school community will:

• respect and comply with all applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws
• demonstrate honesty and integrity
• respect differences in people, their ideas and their opinions
• treat one another with dignity and respect at all times, and especially where there is disagreement
• 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 swear at a teacher or at another person in a position of authority

B) SAFETY

All members of the school community will not:

• engage in bullying behaviours, including cyber bullying

Definition of bullying:

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

• 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, and

• 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 

1. c) Cyber-bullying as defined in section 1 of the Education Act, is bullying by electronic means including,
2. a) creating a webpage or a blog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person
3. b) impersonating another person as the author of content or messages posted on the internet; and
4. 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
• traffic in weapons or illegal drugs
• give alcohol or cannabis to a minor
• commit robbery
• be in possession of any weapon, including firearms
• use any object to threaten or intimidate another person
• cause injury to any person with an object
• be in possession of, or be under the influence of, alcohol, illegal drugs, or cannabis (unless the individual has been authorized to use cannabis for medical purposes)
• provide others with alcohol, illegal drugs, or cannabis (unless the recipient is an individual who has been authorized to use cannabis for medical purposes)
• 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 or to property located on the premises of a school

Students are to be treated with respect and dignity.  In return, they must demonstrate respect for themselves, for others, and for the responsibilities of citizenship through acceptable behaviour and adherence to the board and school codes of conduct.

All students will:

• come to school prepared, on time and ready to learn
• show respect for themselves, and for others, and for those in positions of authority
• refrain from bringing anything to school that may compromise the safety of others 
• follow the established rules and accept responsibility for their own actions

The Principal

Under the direction the school board, principals take a leadership role in the daily operation of a school.  They provide this leadership by:

• demonstrating care for the school community and a commitment to student achievement and well-being in a safe, inclusive, and accepting learning environment
• holding everyone under their authority accountable for their own behaviour and actions
• empowering students to be positive leaders in their school and community
• communicating regularly and meaningfully with all members of the school’s community
• ensure that a school Code of Conduct, based on the provincial Code of Conduct and board’s Code of Conduct, is developed and communicated annually to the school community
• review the school Code of Conduct at least once every three years, and seek input from school councils, staff, students, parents and guardians, and the school community on the review

Teachers and School Staff 

Under the leadership of their principals, teachers 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, teachers 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

Parents play an important role in the education of their children and can support the efforts of school staff in maintaining a safe, inclusive, accepting, and respectful learning environment for all students.  Parents fulfill their role when they:

• demonstrate respect for all members of the school community
• support the efforts of school staff in maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment
• are engaged in their child’s schoolwork and progress
• communicate regularly with their child’s school
• help their child be appropriately dressed and prepared for school 
• ensure that their child attends school regularly and on time
• promptly report to the school their child’s absence or late arrival
• become familiar with the provincial Code of Conduct, the board’s Code of Conduct, and the school’s Code of Conduct 
• encourage and assist their child in following the board and school codes of conduct
• assist school staff in dealing with disciplinary issues involving their child

Ponsonby PS students will:

demonstrate honesty, acceptance of others, awareness of well-being, kindness to all, and a drive for success.

In the classroom. . .

Students come to class prepared to learn, to follow the teachers’ instructions, and to participate actively without disturbing others. 

In the halls. . .

Walk quietly and safely at all times.

At school assemblies. . .

Listen attentively and participate politely.

When using technology. . .

Use technology for academic reasons only, with permission from and under direct supervision of a teacher. All personal devices must stay off the yard and out of the washrooms and changerooms.

In bus lines. . .

Stand quietly in a single file line and follow the supervisor’s instructions.

On the bus. . .

Respect the driver and remember that riding the bus is a privilege. Everyone’s safety is our prime concern.

On the playground students will. . .

• Play safely, fairly and show cooperation and respect;
• Keep hands and feet to themselves;
• Use objects for how they are intended and not as weapons;
• Play only in designated areas in clear view of yard supervisors (avoid dumpsters, parking lot, bicycle racks, in between and behind the Portables);
• Use playground equipment safely;
• Respect neighbouring properties (e.g. no trespassing, no littering, no throwing objects, not causing any damage);
• Obey winter rules as required by weather conditions;
• Report emergencies or concerns to a supervisor immediately;
• Respect nature and the environment (e.g. trees, animal homes)

Note: The use of roller blades/shoes, skateboards, scooters, and bicycles on school property is not allowed.

Yard Problem Solving Steps

Most of our students play well at recess. However, sometimes a child may be annoyed at the actions of another child, and should work to follow these steps:

1. Use your words – speak up.
2. Go to an adult on the yard. They are wearing bright orange vests. Tell them “I’ve already told [Name] to stop and now I need some help”
3. The adult will talk with the two of you and help to solve the problem.
4. If you still have issues, then after recess ask your teacher to send a note to the office.
5. Ms. Jones will follow up with them later.

Appropriate dress shall be free of images, logos or language that portray ethnic prejudice, racism, sexism, vulgarity, gang-related markings, obscenities, profanity, hate speech or pornography, or reference alcohol, drugs or related paraphernalia, or other illegal conduct or activities.

Dress code implies a range of approved apparel and/or general dress protocols that are deemed appropriate for students regardless of their race, age, ability, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, cultural observance, socio-economic circumstances, or body type/size.

Please refer to the UGDSB Student Dress Code guidelines. 

The police 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.

Community-based service providers are resources that boards can use to deliver prevention or intervention programs.  Protocols and collaborative agreements are effective ways of establishing linkages between boards and community-based service providers and of formalizing the relationship between them.  These partnerships must respect all applicable collective agreements.

Safe Schools Policy 503 (Student Discipline, Bullying Prevention and Intervention, Suspension and Expulsion) provides direction to the school Code of Conduct in order to support and maintain a positive school climate for all students, staff, and community. The school Code of Conduct supports the use of positive practices, including prevention and early intervention, as well as consequences for inappropriate behaviour.  This includes Progressive Discipline, and suspension and expulsion where necessary. Before applying disciplinary measures, the discriminatory and disproportionate impacts of disciplinary decisions on students protected by the Human Rights Code shall be considered.

Progressive Discipline is a whole school approach that makes use of a continuum of prevention programs, interventions, supports, and consequences to promote positive behaviours.  In developing a Progressive Discipline approach, preventative practices, corrective and supportive strategies are used to reinforce positive behaviours.  These approaches build skills for healthy relationships and promote positive behaviours.

Students may participate in age-appropriate reflection, using graphic organizers or in guided conversation with an adult. Whole-class or small-group problem solving lessons may be taught by teachers, administrators, or the CYC. Coaching for socially-appropriate behavior through games groups, clubs, and teams will also help students develop lagging skills which promote positive behaviours.

The school will use a range of interventions, supports and consequences that include learning opportunities for reinforcing positive behaviour while helping students to make good choices.

In addressing inappropriate behaviour by students, schools will:

• utilize appropriate and consistent action to address inappropriate behaviours within the practice of Progressive Discipline
• ensure the degree of disciplinary action is in proportion to the severity of the behaviour exhibited, and that a student’s previous history and other relevant factors are taken into account
• provide students with experience using conflict resolution, anger management and communication skills 
• document incidents requiring disciplinary measures
• consider mitigating factors 
• make contact with parents and guardians of students under the age of eighteen, or students over the age of 18 or those 16 or 17 years old who have withdrawn from parental control (adult students), early in the disciplinary process and involve them in a plan to improve the student’s behaviour until the behaviour is acceptable; and/or
• utilize consequences such as short-term suspension, and respond as required with long-term suspension or expulsion

The application of consequences, supports and interventions are determined by the incident and the individual students involved.  Consequences, supports and interventions used include and are not limited to:

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 Safe Schools 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.

The principal will consider the following mitigating factors when considering the length of a suspension:

• whether the student has the ability to control their behaviour
• whether the student has the ability to understand the foreseeable consequences of their behaviour
• whether the student’s continuing presence in the school does or does not create an unacceptable risk to the safety of any other individual at the school

The principal will also consider the following factors:

• the student’s academic, discipline and personal history
• whether other Progressive Discipline has been attempted with the student, and if so, the Progressive Discipline approach(es) that has/have been attempted and any success or failure
• whether the infraction for which the student might be disciplined was related to any harassment of the student because of race, colour, ethnic origin, place of origin, religion, creed, disability, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, citizenship, marital status, age, culture or harassment for any other reason
• the impact of the discipline on the student’s prospects for further education
• the student’s age

Police may be involved, 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:

• uttering a threat, either verbal or written, to inflict serious bodily harm on another person
• possessing alcohol or illegal drugs or, unless the student is a medical cannabis user, cannabis
• being under the influence of alcohol or, unless the student is a medical cannabis user, cannabis
• swearing at a teacher or at another person in a position of authority
• committing an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property at the pupil’s school or to property located on the premises of the pupil’s school
• bullying, including cyber bullying
• any activity that contravenes the board’s or school’s Code of Conduct
• committing physical assault on another person that does not require treatment by a medical practitioner
• habitual neglect of duty
• not having an up-to-date medical/immunization record

Police may be involved, and a student will be immediately suspended, an investigation will occur and may lead to a recommendation of expulsion to the board’s Student 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:

• possessing a weapon, including a firearm
• using a weapon to cause or to threaten bodily harm to another person
• committing physical assault on another person that causes bodily harm requiring treatment by a medical practitioner
• committing sexual assault
• trafficking in weapons or illegal drugs
• committing robbery
• giving alcohol or cannabis to a minor
• persistent bullying, if the pupil has previously been suspended for bullying, and the pupil’s continuing presence in the school creates an unacceptable risk to the safety of another person
• an activity that is motivated by bias, prejudice or hate based on race, colour, national or ethnic origin, language, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or another similar factor

Please review Policy 503 for additional information.