Code of Conduct

Schools are most effective when a partnership exists between home and school. For this reason, we value your commitment in making our Code of Conduct, procedures and routines understandable to your child. We ask that you and your child read the Code of Conduct together. Questions and concerns regarding the code of conduct should be directed to the Principal.

The Student Commitment Contract can be found on the last page of the PDF version of the Code of Conduct.

Note: Failure of students, parents or guardians to familiarize themselves with the code of conduct does not excuse them from following the guidelines or the consequences identified held within.

Index

  1. Rationale

  2. Our Commitment

  3. Purpose of the Code

  4. Standards of Behaviour

  5. Safety Standards

  6. Activities Leading to Possible Suspension

  7. Activities Leading To Possible Expulsion

  8. Search and Seizure

  9. Principal Roles and Responsibilities

  10. Teachers and Other School Staff Roles and Responsibilities

  11. Student Responsibilities

  12. Parent Responsibilities

  13. Electronic Devices and Social Media

  14. Dress Code

  15. Code of Sportsmanship for Participants and Coaches

  16. Parents/Spectators/Volunteers Code of Sportsmanship

  17. Attendance/Truancy

  18. Immunization

  19. Intervention and Supports

  20. Supports and Follow-up

  21. Conclusion

1. Rationale

The Ministry of Education in the Provincial Code of Conduct for Ontario Schools requires that each school develop a code of conduct that promotes responsibility, respect, civility, and academic excellence in a safe, inclusive and accepting learning and teaching environment.

These standards of behavior apply to students whether they are on school property, on school buses, at school related events or activities or in other circumstances that can have an impact on the school climate. They also apply to all individuals involved in our Catholic schools: principals, teachers, other school staff, parents, volunteers and community groups.

2. Our Commitment

At St. Alexander School we are committed to making our Catholic school a place where:

  • Students, parents, teachers, other school staff, volunteers and community groups have the right to be safe, and to feel safe, welcomed and accepted;

  • Healthy and respectful relationships based on Christ’s teachings are promoted among all members of the school community;

  • Students are encouraged to be leaders;

  • Students, staff, parents and community members are expected to be positive role models and actively engaged;

  • Positive behaviour is reinforced and celebrated;

  • The Catholic Graduate Expectations are emphasized and support the improvement of learning outcomes for all students;

  • Everyone is respected and valued.

3. Purpose of the Code

To ensure that all members of the Catholic school community, especially people in positions of authority, are treated with respect and dignity;

  • To promote responsible citizenship by encouraging appropriate participation in the civic life of the school community;

  • To maintain an environment where conflict and difference can be addressed in a manner characterized by respect and civility;

  • To encourage the use of non-violent means to resolve conflict;

  • To promote the safety of people in the schools;

  • To discourage the use of alcohol and illegal drugs;

  • To prevent bullying in schools;

  • To respect the teachings, traditions and principles of the Roman Catholic Church.

4. Standards of Behaviour

Respect, Civility, and Responsible Citizenship

All members of the Catholic school community must:

All members of the Catholic school community must:

  • 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 when there is disagreement;

  • Respect and treat others fairly, regardless of, for example, race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or 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 assistance from a member of the school staff, if necessary, to resolve conflict peacefully;

  • Respect all members of the school community, especially persons in positions of authority;

  • Respect the need of others to work in an environment that is conducive to learning and teaching;

  • Use appropriate and respectful language with teachers and all members of the school community.

5. Safety Standards

All members of the school community must not:

  • Engage in bullying behaviours;

  • Commit sexual assault;

  • Traffic in weapons or illegal drugs;

  • Give alcohol 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, or provide others with alcohol or illegal drugs;

  • Inflict or encourage others to inflict bodily harm on another person;

  • Engage in hate propaganda and other forms of behaviour motivated by hate or bias;

  • Commit an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property or to property located on the premises of the school.

6. Activities Leading to Possible Suspension

Under subsection 306 (1) of the Education Act, a principal shall consider whether to suspend a pupil if he or she believes that the pupil has engaged in any of the following activities while at school, at a school-related activity or in other circumstances where engaging in the activity will have an impact on the school climate:

  • Uttering a threat to inflict serious bodily harm on another person;

  • Possessing alcohol or illegal drugs;

  • Being under the influence of alcohol;

  • 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.

7. Activities Leading To Possible Expulsion

Under subsection 310 (1) of the Education Act, a principal shall suspend a pupil if he or she believes that the pupil has engaged in any of the following activities while at school, at a school-related activity or in other circumstances where engaging in the activity will have an impact on the school climate:

  • Possessing a weapon, including possessing 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 a sexual assault.

  • Trafficking in weapons or in illegal drugs.

  • Committing robbery.

  • Giving alcohol to a minor.

  • Any other activity that, under a policy of a board, is an activity for which a principal must suspend a pupil and, therefore in accordance with this Part, conduct an investigation to determine whether to recommend to the Board that the pupil be expelled.

A pupil who is suspended under this section is suspended from his or her school and from engaging in all school-related activities.

8. Search and Seizure

Desks and lockers are school property and as such there is no expectation of privacy on the part of students; therefore, a search of such property is permissible by the school administrator. In this case, the principal or the vice-principal is acting under the authority of the Education Act to maintain proper order and discipline in the school, and not as an agent of the police.

9. Principal Roles and Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Nipissing-Parry sound Catholic District 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 academic excellence in a safe, inclusive, and accepting teaching and learning environment;

  • Holding everyone under their authority accountable for his or her behaviour and actions;

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

  • Communicating regularly and meaningfully with all members of their school community.

10. Teachers and Other School Staff Roles and Responsibilities

Under the leadership of their principals, teachers and other school staff maintain order in the school 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 their full 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;

  • Maintain consistent standards of behaviour for all students;

  • Demonstrate respect for all students, staff, parents, volunteers, and other members of the school community;

  • Prepare students for the full responsibilities of citizenship.

11. Student Responsibilities

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. Respect and responsibility are demonstrated when a student:

  • Comes to school prepared, on time, and ready to learn;

  • Shows respect for himself or herself, for others, and for those in authority;

  • Refrains from bringing anything to school that may compromise the safety of others;

Follows the established rules and takes responsibility for his or her own actions.

12. Parent Responsibilities

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:

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

  • Communicate regularly with the school;

  • Help their child be neat, 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;

  • Show that they are familiar with the provincial Code of Conduct, the board’s code of conduct, and school rules;

  • Encourage and assist their child in following the rules of behaviour;

  • Assist school staff in dealing with disciplinary issues involving their child.

13. Electronic Devices and Social Media

Use of electronic devices and social media will adhere to the overall expectations of this code of conduct:

  • The use of cell phones and electronic devices will not, in any way, interfere with teaching conducted by the staff, and/or the learning of any student(s) during the school instructional day;

  • The use of cell phones or other devices, for any purpose; including telephone calls, text messaging, games, taking pictures and other functions, is not permitted at any time, other than the designated times, on school grounds, without permission and supervision from the classroom teacher and/or school administration;

  • Cell phones or other devices need to be stored in a secure location, pocket, purse, backpack, etc. They are not to be visible unless permitted by the teacher.

  • The use of cell phones or other devices is not allowed; especially in private areas such as, washrooms, dressing room areas, buses or classrooms. Camera phone violations may be considered a criminal offense.

  • Any phone communication during the instructional day will take place only through the use of school telephones, and, only with permission from administration, staff, or, office staff (with the exception of emergency situations as deemed by the principal). Parents should continue to contact their child/children through the normal school channels for any emergency situation.

Possession of a cell phone and/or other electronic device by a student is a privilege which may be denied to any student not abiding by the terms of this code. Students shall be personally and solely responsible for the security of their cell phones and/or other electronic devices.

14. Dress Code

Students are expected to dress in a tidy and modest manner. Clothing offensive to race or Christian teachings is not permitted. Clothing should not be a distraction to others. Clothing that promotes alcohol, drugs, vulgar language, tobacco products or violence is inappropriate in the school. Shirts must cover the shoulders and must extend beyond the waistband at all times. If the school dress code is not adhered to students will be asked to change the clothing and parents will be notified.

15. Code of Sportsmanship for Participants and Coaches

The purpose of competition is to make us better people. Winning is a bonus. (Fr. Mike Cundari)

  • Doing one’s best is more important than winning or losing;

  • Respect the rules and spirit of the game;

  • Treat officials, opponents, teammates and spectators with respect;

  • Commit to your activity and your team;

Play hard, play fair, play under control.

16. Parents/Spectators/Volunteers Code of Sportsmanship

  • Cheer in a positive manner;

  • Respect officials’/coaches’ decisions;

  • Do not interfere with the competition;

  • Keep clear of the playing area;

  • Be courteous and respectful.

Failure to comply with this Code of Behaviour may lead to ejection.

17. Attendance/Truancy

Regular attendance and punctuality on the part of the student is vital to learning and for academic success. In case of absence, a student’s parent or guardian is expected to call the school at 705-472-6376 (Safe Arrival) to inform the office. If the office has not been notified, when returning from an absence a note or telephone call authorizing the absence must be received. A note or phone call may explain an absence but will not necessarily excuse or approve an absence.

Any unauthorized absence will be investigated as per the safe arrival policy. Please note that repeated concerns about punctuality or absence will be addressed by the school administration.

18. Immunization

The Immunization of School Pupil’s Act, 1982, states that parents/guardians are required to complete the prescribed program of immunization for each pupil. Failure to do so will result in suspension and/or exclusion from school by the Public Health Unit. We, therefore, urge all parents/guardians to make sure that all children have the required up-to-date immunization.

http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90i01_e.htm

19. Intervention and Supports

Infractions of the Code of Conduct will be investigated and addressed through the teacher and/or principal/vice-principal. In addressing infractions the following mitigating factors will be kept in mind such as age, circumstances, history, IEP, and a progressive discipline approach which could include the following:

  • contact with the pupil’s parent(s)/guardian(s);

  • verbal reminders;

  • review of expectations;

  • written work assignment with a learning component relevant to the behaviour;

  • peer mentoring;

  • detention;

  • peer mediation;

  • restorative justice;

  • referrals for consultation; and

  • transfer.

In some circumstances suspensions and expulsions may result.

20. Supports and Follow-up

Students who contravene the code of conduct will receive support which may include but is not limited to the following:

  • One on one and/or group meetings;

  • Learning opportunities;

  • Restorative justice;

  • Contracts or behaviour plans;

  • Referrals to board-based supports and services;

Referrals to community partners.

21. Conclusion

As previously expressed, schools are most effective when a partnership exists between home and school. For this reason, we value your commitment in making our CODE OF CONDUCT, procedures and routines understandable to your child. We ask that you and your child read the CODE OF CONDUCT together. Questions and concerns regarding the CODE OF CONDUCT should be directed to the Principal.

Note: Failure of students, parents or guardians to familiarize themselves with the CODE OF CONDUCT does not excuse them from following the guidelines or the consequences identified held within.

Please download the PDF version of the Code of Conduct, print, sign and return it to your school. If you do not have access to a printer, please contact the school for a paper copy.