Codes of Conduct

Middle School Code of Citizenship

Statement of Purpose

A safe, caring and orderly school is the foundation for a successful learning environment. This Code of Conduct is designed to build and sustain a community that values and fosters respect, inclusion, fairness and equity. Therefore all members of the school community shall not discriminate against others on the basis of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, family or marital status, physical or mental disability, age, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, or for any other reason set out in the Human Rights Code of British Columbia, nor shall a student publish or display anything that would indicate an intention to discriminate against another, or expose them to contempt or ridicule on the basis of any such grounds. All reasonable steps will be taken to prevent retaliation against a student who has made a complaint of a breach in the Code of Conduct.

Safe

A safe school is one in which members of the school community are free of the fear of harm, including potential threats from inside or outside the school. The attitudes and actions of students, staff and parents support an environment that is resistant to disruption and intrusion, and ensures a constant focus on student achievement.

Closed Campus

I have the right to be safe at school during my school day.

I have the responsibility to abide by school bells and boundaries.

Why?

The safety and security of students is of primary importance. School administration is legally responsible for student safety and whereabouts during the school day. Therefore, I must bring written permission from my parent or guardian (or have a parent speak directly to office staff) in order to leave the school grounds.

Bikes, Skateboards, Rollerblades, Scooters, etc

I have the right to be in a safe environment that does not pose threats to my physical well-being.

I have the responsibility to walk my bike, and carry my scooter, roller blades, and/or skateboard on school property.

Why?

The use of the above equipment or other wheeled vehicles on school property can be dangerous to the students themselves as well as others. Therefore I will walk my bike or carry my scooter, roller blades, and/or skateboard on school property during the school day.

School and Public Buses

I have the right to be safe and respected while riding any bus to and from school, or when on a field trip or an extra-curricular activity.

I have the responsibility to follow the school bus guidelines established by School District No. 63 (reference Admin Procedure 351 - Student Discipline on School Buses). I also have a responsibility to be viewed by the public in a positive manner.

Why?

The safety of students is a main concern. Therefore, as an ambassador of the school, I will abide by this Code of Conduct when riding a school bus. In particular, I will get on and off the bus in a safe manner, ride calmy facing forward, and follow any directions given to me by the bus driver or other adult supervisor.

Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco, E-cigarettes, Vaporizers

I have the right to be in a learning environment free of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, e-cigarettes and vaporizers.

I have the responsibility not to be in possession of, under the influence of, or involved in providing to others: alcohol, drugs, tobacco, e-cigarettes and vaporizers at any time at school or during any school function.

Why?

For our own protection and the protection of others, the law forbids the use or possession of these substances by students. Therefore I will not be in possession of, under the influence of, or involved in providing to others alcohol, drugs, tobacco, E-cigarettes or vaporizers. I understand that forbidden items include, but are not limited to: alcohol, illicit drugs as defined under the Criminal Code of Canada; unauthorized prescription drugs, and other chemical substances which impair a person's judgement and ability to participate appropriately in the learning environment established by the school (reference School District Admin Procedure 162 - Smoking &  Admin Procedure 356 - Possession or Use of Alcohol/Non-Medical Drugs).

Weapons (including replicas), Violence, or Intimidation

I have the right to be in a learning environment that is free from weapons, violence (acts or threats of), bullying, cyberbullying or intimidation.

I have the responsibility to use online resources and electronic devices (social networking sites, blogs, e-mail and messaging services, cameras, etc.) in an appropriate manner.

Why?

Intimidation or bullying through the use of electronics will not be tolerated at school. Therefore, I will not be involved in posting photos and or derogatory messages or comments about others in any electronic forum. I will not be involved in sending inappropriate or hurtful messages to other individuals online. I will refrain from taking pictures or video of any individual at school unless I have their express permission to do so (reference School District Admin Procedure 357 - Weapons).

Caring

A caring school is one in which members of the school community feel a sense of belonging and have opportunities to relate to one another in positive and supportive ways. All aspects of school life embrace and reflect diversity. The school is an inviting place for students, staff, parents, and visitors.

Respect for Self and Others

I have the right to learn in a respectful environment and be treated with courtesy and respect.

I have the responsibility to treat all individuals with courtesy and respect, regardless of their differences.

Why?

Every person should feel valued, be treated respectfully, and be free of harassment. Therefore, I will not engage in behaviours such as rudeness, intimidation, bullying, fighting, or inappropriate physical displays of affection.

Positive, Supportive Learning Environment

I have the right to a positive and supportive learning environment.

I have the responsibility to demonstrate a commitment to my learning.

Why?

A positive, supportive learning environment is necessary for success. Therefore, I will actively engage in the learning process, come to class on time prepared to learn, complete all class and homework assignments, and use my school agenda.

Appropriate Language

I have the right to be spoken to respectfully.

I have the responsibility to speak politely and use language and tone of voice that is respectful to all members of the school community.

Why?

Being able to use appropriate and tasteful language is a valuable life skill. When language is offensive to others, hurt feelings may lead to further conflict. Therefore, I will not engage in name calling, yelling, swearing, or crude, rude or obscene language, whether it is spoken, written, implied or gestured.

Respect for School, Public, and Private Property

I have the right to a clean and well-maintained school-learning environment.

I have the responsibility to respect school property, as well as the property of staff, students and the people who live in our neighbourhood.

Why?

Taking care of the school and its surroundings demonstrates pride in the school. A clean school offers a healthy and pleasant place to work. Therefore, I will use garbage cans and recycling bins appropriately. All students and staff should feel that their personal belongings are safe at school . Therefore I will respect school property and other people's belongings, and I will be accountable for any wilful damage.

Orderly

An orderly school is one in which members of the school community are informed about and exercise their rights and responsibilities as school citizens. Expectations about acceptable behaviour, respect and decorum are generally understood. Responses to violations are based consistently on sound principles and are appropriate to the context.

Attendance

I have the right to attend school without excessive disruptions.

I have the responsibility to attend all my classes and be punctual.

Why?

Success comes through respect, responsibility, honesty, trust and fairness. The most basic level of student responsibility is attending school. Therefore, I will be present and on time to the best of my ability, and I will bring in a note from my parents/guardian if I have been sick at home. I will also sign in or out if I am late to school or leaving early.

Personal Electronic Devices

I have the right to use electronic devices for educational purposes in appropriate ways at the direction of supervising staff.

I have the responsibility to use my personal electronic devices ethically, safely and responsibly.

Why?

Electronic devices can be used to support educational purposes in significant ways, but they can distract others if used inappropriately. It is important to learn how to use these devices in appropriate ways and at appropriate times.

Personal Appearance

I have the right to dress comfortably in a way that reflects my personal identity.

I have the responsibility to dress in a manner that does not promote drugs or alcohol, display offensive language or images, or which encourages discrimination, and which recognizes school is a place of work.

Why?

I believe that positive personal appearance reflects good judgement as well as respect for myself and others.

Student Movement and Designated Areas

I have the right to attend an orderly and safe school.

I have the responsibility to demonstrate orderly and safe conduct.

Why?

Students should be able to enjoy a peaceful and orderly environment. Therefore, I will walk in the hallways, be respectful of people's personal space, and be in the areas that are designated for my grade at any given time during the school day.

Interventions and Consequences

Regardless of the nature or location of the misconduct, or the staff member involved, the following is a range of interventions and consequences that will be used in Saanich Middle Schools:

1. On-the-spot conference or redirection.
2. Follow-up meeting between the student(s) and staff member(s).
3. Contact with parent or guardian.
4. Restitution, including a logical remedy for the problem (e.g., paying for damage wilfully caused) and supporting anyone who is a victim or who suffers as a result of the student's actions.
5. Supportive intervention and/or service to school.
6. Additional time for the student with the teacher or office (detention).
7. Referral to counselling, administration, and/or community support services.
8. Serious or repeated indiscretions are reported directly to the vice-principal or principal.

Administration response may include steps 1–7 above, but response to serious or repeated indiscretions will be consistent with school and district policy. Where students refuse to cooperate with staff directions and school expectations, as repeat offenders or through single incidents, parents will be involved and a suspension may result. As well, suspensions will be strongly considered and parents and police will be involved where chargeable offences occur (fighting, threatening, assault, wilful damage, possession or use of weapons, theft, tampering with fire alarms, possession or influence of drugs or alcohol). Special consideration may apply to students with special needs.

Sequence of Consequences

The range of responses is not necessarily sequential. This means that the point at which an intervention begins will vary with the severity of the incident, and that not all steps are necessary in all situations. For example, a teacher may simply confer with a student or may refer the matter to counselling or administration. Some issues, such as classroom misbehaviour, may result in sequential elevation up the scale, depending on the student's response to teacher intervention. On the other hand, major infractions such as fighting, involvement with alcohol, etc. may be elevated directly to step 8.

Updated July 2018

Secondary School Code of Conduct

Statement of Purpose

A safe, caring and orderly school is the foundation for a successful learning environment. This Code of Conduct supports socially responsible behaviour and allows members of the school community to be fully informed of School District 63 Secondary Schools’ common expectations for student behaviour.

Social Responsibility

We are guided by the following four aspects of Social Responsibility for BC Schools as identified by the Ministry of Education:

• Contributing to the classroom and school community
• Solving problems in peaceful ways
• Valuing diversity and defending human rights
• Exercising democratic rights and responsibilities

All members of the school community shall not discriminate against others on the basis of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, family or marital status, physical or mental disability, age, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, or for any other reason set out in the Human Rights Code of British Columbia, nor shall anyone publish or display anything that would indicate an intention to discriminate against another, or expose them to contempt or ridicule on the basis of any such grounds. All reasonable steps will be taken to prevent retaliation against anyone who has made a complaint of a breach in the Code of Conduct.

Supervision

All staff (teaching and non-teaching) have a general supervision responsibility during school time and at any school function, whether on formal duty or not, and students are required to comply with this authority. School rules apply at all school functions even when they occur off school grounds or outside of the regular school day. Students are also reminded that they may be held responsible to the school from the time they leave home before school until the time they arrive home after school.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend all of their classes on time. Teachers record attendance for each class. Missed classes mean missed learning! Full attendance is essential to school success. Students who miss classes are responsible for making up the missed learning time.

Late to Class

Students are expected to be in classes on time. Late is a type of absence and interferes with learning. Frequent tardiness may result in teacher intervention to make up for the missed learning time.

Academic Honesty

Students are expected to present their own work in class and homework assignments. In Saanich Secondary Schools, the working definition of plagiarism is using another person's work and presenting it as your own. Plagiarism is a form of cheating, and could be in the form of written, visual, audio, or other media. If another person's ideas are used, credit must be given in the form of a citation. Plagiarism will result in consequences determined by the teacher and/or administration and may include loss of marks for the assignment.

Dress Code

School is a place of business. Students and their parents are expected to support a learning environment where attire is appropriate. Articles of clothing that promote alcohol, drugs, inappropriate language or racism are not permitted. Students wearing such clothing will be asked to go home and change if they do not have suitable clothing at school.

Cell Phones

Students have the right to use electronic devices for educational purposes in appropriate ways at the direction of supervising staff. Students have a responsibility to use their personal electronic devices ethically, safely and responsibly. Electronic devices can be used to support educational purposes in significant ways. But they can distract others if used inappropriately. It is important to learn how to use these devices in appropriate ways and at appropriate times. Misuse of personal electronic devices may result in confiscation of the device by the administrator for the school day. The school will not be responsible or liable for lost, stolen or missing electronic devices.

Cameras

Photographing people at school or at school functions using still or video cameras can be a privacy issue and should not be done without appropriate permission.

Gambling

Schools are venues in which gaming is not permitted. Placing bets and wagering money are not appropriate school activities.

Litter

The school environment should be neat and litter-free. We ask all students to look after their litter by putting it in the nearest garbage can or recycling container.

Respect for Public Property and Careful Use and Return of School Materials and Equipment

Students are expected to take good care of textbooks or school resources signed out in the student's name. There should be no damage to school resources, property or equipment. If such damage creates an expense to the school, then the person who does the damage will be expected to reimburse the school for costs.

Parking

Students will park in unassigned spots in the area designated for student parking and will display a valid school parking permit (where applicable). Parking in staff reserved spots may result in loss of parking privileges. Students are not to be in or around parked vehicles during class time. Driving with undue care may result in a suspension of parking privileges. In extreme cases where safety is compromised, i.e., fire lane, vehicles may be towed at student's expense and referred to police liaison officer.

Public Displays of Affection

Students are asked to minimize public displays of affection. These may be inappropriate to the school setting and can be addressed by any student or staff member.

Appropriate Language

Language used by all members of the school community should be respectful and polite. Any communication that is disrespectful or demeaning to others, including lying, inappropriate or profane language, is unacceptable.

Loss/Damage to School or Personal Property

We expect members of the student body to respect school and personal property. Students are responsible for any damage done to other people's property and will be charged for replacement or repair. Students should also respect the property and rights of the people who live in the neighbourhood of the school or those people we come in contact with through our many off-site activities.

Safety First

Student activities at the school should take into account student safety and minimize risks to students. Skateboarding, rollerblading and snowballing have a significant enough safety risk that they are not permitted on school grounds. Fireworks, water guns and water balloons are not allowed at school. Any other activities that are unsafe or unhealthy will be addressed by school staff.

Security and Safety

Students are expected to refrain from any act, including verbal or written comments, that disrupts the good order of the school. Jokes or pranks that may be seen as a threat to security and safety will be addressed as a serious issue. “I was just kidding” is no defence once the damage is done.

Scented Products

There is an increasing number of staff and students who react to scented products. These reactions can range from headaches to anaphylaxis. We request that students and staff refrain from wearing or using scented products while at school.

Intimidation, Harassment and Violence

Every student, regardless of peer group, has the right to feel safe at school. Any acts of harassment, discrimination, intimidation, threats of any type (physical, emotional, verbal or sexual, including bullying, cyberbullying, physical violence, or retribution against a person who has reported an incident) are unacceptable.

Instigators or Spectators

The daily endeavour of students, and all school activities, should take place without interference or disruption. Students who encourage, support or promote acts of intimidation, harassment or violence either by direct action or by spectating are subject to school disciplinary action. This can include activities that occur during or after school hours, on or off school property.

Acceptable Use of Internet Technology

School computers and internet resources, used carefully and wisely, can provide important avenues of learning for students. Inappropriate uses of Internet communications including the sending of threatening or harassing comments or cyberbullying are unacceptable. Any incidents will be addressed as a very serious issue. Students will engage in appropriate curricular behaviour when using the district network. Students will only publish their own personal information if related to curricular activities and parent/guardian consent is given. Students will not publish other people's personal information. For example, name, location, phone number, images, video, work, username, or other personal information.

Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco, E-Cigarettes, Vapourizers

Individuals have the right to be in a learning environment free of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, E-cigarettes and vapourizers. They have the responsibility not to be in possession of, under the influence of, or involved in providing to others: alcohol, drugs, tobacco, E-cigarettes and vapourizers at any time at school or during any school function. Smoking anything is not permitted in the school building, on the school grounds, in the neighbourhood of the school or at any school function. The Capital Regional District’s Clean Air Bylaw allows for a $50 fine for people who smoke on school grounds (reference School District Admin Procedure 162 - Smoking & Admin Procedure 356 - Possession or Use of Alcohol/Non-Medical Drugs).

Weapons/Explosives

Our School District has Administrative Procedure 357  - Weapons. Students who bring weapons/explosives to school are subject to suspension from school. Weapon replicas may also be considered as weapons and will be dealt with accordingly. Laser pointers are included in the District Weapons Administrative Procedure and are prohibited at school.

Duty to Report

Students are expected to inform a staff member of incidents of bullying, harassment and intimidation as well as of any knowledge related to possession of weapons or illegal substances. Any student who is involved in, observes, or knows about an emergency situation at school, or at a school function, should contact the nearest staff member as soon as possible to report the details of the event. In these cases, the staff will take all reasonable steps to prevent retaliation against a student who has reported a breach in the Code of Conduct. Students may report incidents anonymously on-line by accessing the ERASE Bullying site, available under the student link on the school website, or by completing an anonymous reporting form found on the office counter. School Administrators and counsellors will review these reports and do everything possible to find a solution.

Interventions

Range of Interventions: Regardless of the nature or location of unacceptable behaviour, or the staff member involved, the following is a range of interventions and consequences that may be used in Saanich Secondary Schools. School staff will take into consideration IEPs, safety plans, or any other pertinent documents.

• On-the-spot conference or redirection
• Follow-up meeting between the student(s) and staff member(s)
• Contact with parent or guardian
• Restitution, including a logical remedy for the problem (e.g. paying for damage wilfully caused) and supporting anyone who is a victim or who suffers as a result of the student's actions
• Restorative Justice conference/facilitation
• Supportive intervention and/or service to school
• Additional time for the student with the teacher, at the office or at tutorial/learning support
• Referral to counselling, administration, and/or community support services
• Suspension, including in-school or out of school
• Referral to district student review committee
• Police involvement

Rising Expectations

As students move through their years in secondary school, they are expected to assume increasing responsibility and self-discipline. Students will be given numerous opportunities to participate in making decisions and to work on committees and in groups to improve the school community and environment. Students are expected to take on more of a leadership role and to serve as role models as they move through the graduation years. As such, there will be increasing consequences for inappropriate behaviour.

Notification of Parents or Other Agencies

The school has the responsibility to advise parents of unacceptable behaviour demonstrated by the student. We expect that parents and the school staff will work together to bring about a change of behaviour and that efforts will be made in this regard. In some cases, parents of a second party (e.g., a victim) will also be contacted and informed of an investigation into another student's conduct. Administrators may be required by policy or law to contact School Board Officials, police, or other agencies.

Crimestoppers

Any students who have information about inappropriate behaviour or criminal activities are asked to contact a staff member. Students can also engage our school Crimestoppers program by contacting the school administration or calling the anonymous Crimestoppers Tips Line at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Visitors

In order to safeguard students and staff, all visitors to the school must first report to the main office upon arrival.

Updated August 2016