 SD23 Student Code of ConductUpdate February 2008
From the Superintendent
The Board of Education and School District No. 23 staff believe that every student has the potential to be a self-disciplined, positive contributing member of society. We also believe students have the right to a safe, nurturing and healthy learning environment.
As the result of these beliefs, the Board adopted Discipline Policy and Regulations 455 to provide conditions for the creation of school cultures and environments that promote safety, fairness, equality, mutual respect, and cooperation.
As well, the Board has encouraged and supported District/school-based intervention and prevention practices such as:
• regular liaison with the RCMP, Ministry for Child and Family Development, and other support services;
• inservice for teachers, administrators and support staff;
• establishment of Safe School committees;
• establishment of the District Racism-Free Committee;
• establishment of school-level crisis management protocols;
• School-Based teams;
• Student counselling and support services;
• peer counselling/mediation programs;
• integrated youth services;
• behaviour support teachers.
This pamphlet identifies general behavioural guidelines for students in our District. Families are encouraged to preview these behavioural expectations which will help ensure school success for all School District No. 23 students.
Additionally, individual schools have guidelines that speak more directly to the organization and expectations of a particular school. These guidelines are routinely provided to students in the first week of school in September, or on registration when a student transfers in from another jurisdiction.
If you have any questions regarding any information contained in this pamphlet, you are encouraged to contact your school Principal.
Mike Roberts
Superintendent of Schools
Code of Conduct
The code of conduct is intended to encourage acceptable student behaviour and to provide an atmosphere where all individuals feel a sense of respect, safety and belonging.
Each school develops its own code of conduct. The following principles, however, are universal to all schools and apply to each student. Students are expected to:
• conduct themselves in an appropriate manner when going to and from school, in classes, in schools, on school grounds, during extra curricular activities, on school buses, and on field trips;
• apply themselves in all curricular areas and set high standards for personal achievement;
• attend school and classes on a regular basis and be punctual;
• dress in a manner which reflects purpose and propriety within the school dress code;
• be considerate of the thoughts, feelings and heritage of others;
• be free of illegal drugs/alcohol (possession, use or under the influence) during any time they are under the jurisdiction of the School District;
• be aware of their rights and responsibilities and to exercise those responsibilities when under the jurisdiction of the School District.
Towards ensuring the above expectations, schools will create an environment that will encourage students to exercise self-discipline by:
• developing programs which promote appropriate behaviour;
• using methods and procedures which enhance selfesteem and self-discipline;
• providing opportunities for students to practice cooperative classroom behaviour;
• using procedures which model fairness, equity and respect;
• establishing a site-based Code of Conduct consistent with Board policy.
Schools will also provide opportunities on a regular basis for students and parents to assist in the review of the site-based Code of Conduct.
Principal Authority
The Principal has the right under the School Act to discharge discipline from the time a student leaves home to go to school until such time as the student returns home at the conclusion of the school day. The Principal’s authority and the District’s authority, however, also extend beyond the normal ‘home-to-home’ rule when the behaviour of a student off school premises or after school hours adversely affects the operation of a school.
Principals may suspend any student, regardless of age, when the principal concludes that:
• a student is willfully disobedient to a teacher or any other employee of the Board carrying their responsibilities or
• the behaviour of the student has a harmful effect on the character or persons of other students; or
• a student fails to comply with the school’s or District’s Code of Conduct.
When a student 16 years of age, or older, has failed to apply him/herself to his/her studies as set out in the School Act, a Principal may decide to suspend that student indefinitely. In such cases a reinstatement hearing shall be conducted for consideration of return to school.
Suspensions
As part of the corrective discipline process, the student may be suspended when student behaviour is judged to be in serious conflict with a safe and positive learning environment, or when the school’s progressive interventions have failed to correct inappropriate behaviour, or when all other procedures have failed.
By definition, a suspension is the removal of a student’s right to attend regularly scheduled classroom instructional sessions. Suspensions, both definite and indefinite, may have one or more of the following objectives:
• protect the suspended child and/or other children and/or staff from dangerous behaviours;
• deter other students from similar behaviour;
• plan proactive educational interventions;
• initiate problem clarification and solving;
• remediate and correct inappropriate behaviour;
• improve student behaviour.
Suspensions may be either:
DEFINITE - up to and including ten school days. Definite suspensions are the prerogative of the school-based administration.
INDEFINITE - in excess of ten school days. Indefinite suspensions are referred to the District Suspension Review Committee for a review hearing.
Drugs and Alcohol
Any student using, possessing, or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol while under the jurisdiction of the School District, including extracurricular activities sponsored by the school or at a school other than that attended by the student, may be indefinitely suspended by the Principal.
Additionally, any student trafficking in drugs or alcohol during any time the school has jurisdiction over the behaviour of students will be reported to the RCMP.
Violence
Any student presenting violent or intimidating behaviours including: physical aggression with intent to injure, possession or use of a weapon, verbal or physical harassment or intimidation, or any behaviour deemed by the school Principal to be a serious risk to the safety, security and wellbeing of students and staff may be definitely or indefinitely suspended by the Principal.
In incidents where it is deemed appropriate and necessary, the RCMP will be contacted by the school Principal.
Attendance
Every student shall be required to attend school daily on each prescribed school day and shall not leave without authorization as determined by the school’s Code of Conduct.
Access to Networked Information Resources
Students are responsible for their behaviour on school and District computers just as they are in a classroom or a school hallway. Students will be expected to adhere to standards as established by the Student Acceptable Use Agreement. Violations of the provisions of this agreement may lead to the revocation of access privileges and/or suspension.
Cell Phones
Cell phones and hand-held communication devices are prohibited from use in classrooms, locker rooms and washrooms. Violation of this policy may lead to suspension.
Appeal Procedure
Parents and students are entitled to seek a review of any decision which significantly affects a student’s education. The Central Okanagan School District wants to ensure that you receive a fair hearing if you believe that a decision is unfair or unreasonable. For that purpose we have established an appeal procedure.
Information about this procedure can be obtained from the:
Secretary-Treasurer
1940 Underhill Street.
Kelowna, BC V1X 5X7
Tel. (250)860-8888
A copy of the appeal procedure is also available at your neighbourhood school.
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