Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct

The OSDSS Code of Conduct is derived from the Ontario Code of Conduct, Bill 81 - the Safe Schools Act, 2000, and Bluewater District School Board Policies Foundations For Learning, and Safe Schools. It has been developed in collaboration with students, staff, parents/guardians and the community.

Guiding Principles (Provincial Code excerpt)

  • All participants involved in the publicly funded school system, students, parents or guardians, volunteers, teachers, and other staff members, are included in this Code of Conduct whether they are on school property, on school buses or at school, authorized events or activities.
  • All members of the school community are to be treated with respect and dignity, especially persons in positions of authority.
  • Responsible citizenship involves appropriate participation in the civic life of the school community. Active and engaged citizens are aware of their rights, but more importantly, they accept responsibil­ity for protecting their rights and the rights of others.
  • Members of the school community are expected to use non-violent means to resolve conflict. Physically aggressive behavior is not a responsible way to interact with others.
  • The possession, use or threatened use of any object to injure another person endangers the safety of oneself and others.
  • Alcohol and illegal drugs are addictive and present a health hazard. Ontario schools will work cooperatively with police, drug and alcohol agencies to promote prevention strategies and, where necessary, respond to school members who are in possession of, or under the influence of, alcohol or illegal drugs.
  • Insults, disrespect, and other hurtful acts disrupt learning and teaching in a school community. Members of the school community have a responsibility to maintain an environment where conflict and difference can be addressed in a manner characterized by respect and civility.

Roles and Responsibilities (Provincial Code excerpt)

Principals, under the direction of their school board, take a leadership role in the daily operation of a school. They provide this leadership by:

  • demonstrating care and commitment to academic excellence and a safe teaching and learning environment;
  • holding everyone, under their authority, accountable for their behavior and actions;
  • communicating regularly and meaningfully with all members of their school community.

Teachers and School staff, under the leadership of their principals, maintain order in the school and are expected to hold everyone to the highest standard of respectful and responsible behavior. As role models, staff upholds these high standards when they:

  • help students work to their full potential and develop their self-worth;
  • communicate regularly and meaningfully with parents;
  • maintain consistent standards of behavior for all students;
  • demonstrate respect for all students, staff, and parents;
  • prepare students for the full responsibilities of citizenship.

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 behavior. Respect and responsibility are demonstrated when a student:

  • comes to school prepared, on time and ready to learn;
  • shows respect for themselves, 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 action.

Parents play an important role in the education of their children and have a responsibility to support the efforts of school staff in maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment for all students. Parents fulfill this responsibility when they:

  • show an active interest in their child's school work and progress;
  • communicate regularly with the school;
  • help their child be neat, 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 Code of Conduct and school rules;
  • encourage and assist their child in following the rules of behavior;
  • assist school staff in dealing with disciplinary issues.

Police and community members are essential partners in making our schools and communities safer. Community members need to support and respect the rules of their local schools. Police investigate incidents in accor­dance with the protocol developed with the local school board. These protocols are based on a provincial model developed by the Ministry of the Solicitor General and the Ministry of Education.

Standards of Behaviour (Provincial Code excerpt)

Respect, civility and responsible citizenship

All school members must:

  • respect and comply with all applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws;
  • demonstrate honesty and integrity;
  • respect differences in people, their ideas and opinions;
  • treat one another with dignity and respect at all times, and especially when there is disagreement;
  • respect and treat others fairly, regardless of their race, ancestry, place of origin, color, 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;
  • respect persons who are in a position of authority;
  • respect the need of others to work in an environment of learning and teaching.

Physical safety

Weapons
All schools members must:

  • not be in possession of any weapon, including but not limited to firearms;
  • not use any object to threaten or intimidate another person;
  • not cause injury to any person with an object.

Alcohol and Drugs
All school members must:

  • not be in possession of, or under the influence of, or provide others with, alcohol or illegal drugs.

Physical Aggression
All school members must:

  • not inflict or encourage others to inflict bodily harm on another person; seek staff assistance, if necessary, to resolve conflict peacefully.

Mandatory Consequences (Provincial Code excerpt)

Police will be involved, as indicated by the police/school protocol, and the student will be immediately suspended and proceed to an expulsion hearing for the following:

  • possession of a weapon, including, but not limited to firearms;
  • trafficking in drugs or weapons;
  • robbery; use of a weapon to cause bodily harm, or to threaten serious harm; physical assault causing bodily harm requiring professional medical treatment;
  • sexual assault;
  • providing alcohol to minors.
  • Immediate Suspension will be the minimum penalty faced by a student for:
    uttering a threat to inflict serious bodily harm;
  • possession of illegal drugs;
  • acts of vandalism causing extensive damage to school property or property located on school premises.

In these instances, police will be involved, as required, and conditions to return to school will be specified in accordance with school board policies.

Discretionary Consequences
The development of self-discipline is the responsibility of all students with the assistance of all adults with whom they have contact. Consequences shall be appropriate to the individual and the circumstances, and may include the following actions:

  • reminder
  • warning
  • interview
  • communication with parents
  • removal of privileges
  • isolation within the classroom
  • in-school suspension
  • restitution
  • pupil-teacher contract
  • involvement of outside agencies
  • suspension
  • expulsion

Levels of consequences will depend on the severity of the violation and will be progressive in nature.

OSDSS Standards

The following discretionary standards of behavior are considered important at OSDSS.

  • In order to reach their academic potential, students must bring required materials to class, participate actively and positively in class activities, and complete all assignments. Students can expect that there will be homework and studying that cannot be completed in class time.

It is a violation of this code to plagiarize, (i.e. to offer as your own work, the work of others without appropriate acknowledgment) or to cheat on examinations or tests. Con conduct will include assignments of a low grade (including zero), failure in a course, and/or suspension from school.

End-of-semester evaluations/examinations are compulsory at OSDSS. The examination dates for the school year are set in advance and can be found by referring to the school year calendar. It is expected that vacations and other appointments will be avoided during the examination periods. Generally, failure to write a final examination will result in a mark of zero and a possible loss of credit. Deferral or possible excusal from writing an examination i medical reason. A medical certificate will be required, clearly indicating that the examination could not be written.

Students must have signed permission from a parent or guardian before they can participate on a school-sanctioned trip. Students are responsible for all work missed. Arrangements with teachers should be made well in advance of the ac permitted to drive their own vehicles to or from any excursion or sports event without permission from the Principal.

Students who work to their individual academic potential are eligible to participate. Poor academic achievement may result in removal of extra-curricular privileges.

Behavior Standards

Bullying

Here at OSDSS, bullying is unacceptable. Bullying is a conscious and willful act of aggression or manipulation by one or more person or people. It maybe premeditated or opportunistic and can last for a short period of time or go on for years.

SPEAK: Students Prnce & Kindness have a confidential incident reporting line @ 37cteristics of Bullying include:g]Abuse of power either ply or sexually

  • Call and put down
  • Exclude Pick on the most vulnerable people
  • Manifest different behaviors according to gender
  • Escalate to include ostracism, sexual harassment, and cyber-bullying

Student Expectations:

  • Model and promote a school culture of mutual respect
  • Take responsibility for their own behaviour
  • Discourage and report any incidents of bullying

Consequences for Bullying:

  • Specific re-education (eg. anger management sessions, social skills courses, behavior modification programs )
  • Letter of apology
  • Counseling
  • In-school supervised time-out
  • Behaviour contract
  • Police intervention
  • Conflict resolution
  • Peer mentoring
  • Suspension which could lead to an Expulsion
  • Police intervention

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