Student Code of Conduct

Purpose

The Board of Education has a responsibility to establish expectations of student conduct in schools as part of its governance role for the district. The Board believes that the responsibility for student behaviour and conduct in schools is shared among students, staff and parents in order to create a safe, caring and orderly learning environment. To support these aims, the Board has established a District Code of Conduct for Students that shall be followed in all schools.

The Board affirms its commitment to the anti-discrimination principles and values contained in the B.C. Human Rights Code that includes the prohibited grounds of discrimination in respect of discriminatory publication and accommodation. The Board recognizes that students and staff have the right to a safe, inclusive and welcoming learning environment regardless of their “race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or age…” (s. 7)

Responsibilities

School staff are responsible for consistently supporting and applying the District and their School’s Codes of Conduct and establishing a positive climate in which structure, support and encouragement assist students in developing a sense of self-discipline and responsibility. School staff are required to inform volunteers and the school community about the Code of Conduct and its expectations.

Students are responsible for respecting the rights and dignity of others in learning environments free from discrimination as set out in the BC Human Rights Code and becoming actively and productively involved in their own academic learning and social growth.

Parents/Guardians and all other adults working with students are responsible for knowing and supporting the District’s and School’s Codes of Conduct and encouraging students to understand and follow these Codes of Conduct.

Conduct Expectations

The Board believes that acceptable behaviours and conduct are fostered in a positive climate in which:

• All students feel safe, valued and trusted, and have the opportunity to develop, assume and maintain responsibility and self-motivation;
• All students feel supported without fear of retaliation in reporting unsafe conditions, actions or potential incidents;
• There is a joint effort to learn and a feeling of mutual respect among staff, students and parents;
• Appropriate behaviour is taught, encouraged, modelled, practiced, and acknowledged, thereby increasing student self-respect and positive social behaviours;
• Disciplinary action, wherever possible, is preventative and restorative, rather than solely punitive;
• Expectations for student behaviour increase as they become older and more mature;
• Disciplinary action is considerate of students with special needs if these students are unable to fully comply with the Code of Conduct due to a diagnosed disability of an intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional or behavioural nature.

The Board believes that acceptable student conduct, based on respect for oneself, respect for others, and respect for property is essential to the development of responsible citizens. Students are expected to:

• Be aware of and obey all school rules;
• Respect the rights of all persons within the school including peers, staff, parents and volunteers;
• Refrain from lying, cheating, stealing;
• Attend classes punctually and regularly;
• Work cooperatively and diligently at their studies and home assignments;
• Respect the legitimate authority of the school staff;
• Respect all school property, including buildings and equipment;
• Respect the diversity of our school community;
• Behave in a safe and responsible manner at all times;
• Refrain from any behaviour that would threaten, harass, bully (bullying includes but is not limited to, physical or verbal intimidation, verbal harassment and cyberbullying), intimidate, assault or discriminate against, in any way, any person within the school community on or off school property;
• Refrain from being in possession of, or under the influence of, drugs and/or alcohol in all school facilities or on school grounds or at school-sponsored functions and activities;
• Refrain from being in possession of weapons of any kind in school or at school activities;
• Refrain from inappropriate computer usage and/or multi-media devices in accordance with Board policies (cell phones, iPhones, cameras, etc.).

The Board believes that any breach of Code of Conduct behaviours or expectations would be considered unacceptable. Students are encouraged to inform a responsible adult when becoming aware of any infraction of the Code of Conduct.

Notification

The Superintendent will ensure that each Principal, in consultation with staff, parents and, when appropriate, students, establishes a Code of Conduct for their school that is consistent with the District Student Code of Conduct and which reflects the provincial standards.

The school’s Code of Conduct and a summary of the district’s procedures on Student Suspensions (AP 333), Possession of Weapons or Explosives (AP 320), Drugs and Controlled Substance Abuse (AP 331), Search and Seizure (AP 332) and Information and Communication Services (AP 417) shall be communicated to all students annually.

Under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Protection Act and/or other relevant legislation, it may be necessary to advise other parties of serious breaches of the District Student Code of Conduct.

Consequences

Students will be disciplined in a timely and fair manner and such discipline shall be in accordance with district procedure AP 333, ‘Student Suspensions.’

Students, while attending school and/or school-sponsored functions and activities, shall be subject to the District Code of Conduct as well as the school’s Code of Conduct. Students may be subject to discipline under the school Code of Conduct and/or the District Code of Conduct for any conduct which has the effect of negatively impacting the school environment, whether that conduct occurs on or off School District property, at a school-sponsored function or activity, or elsewhere.

Serious breaches of conduct that threaten the safety and welfare of others will be referred directly to a District Board of Review (Level Three suspension). The condensed version of the District Code of Conduct is posted in every school.

REFERENCES

Safe, Caring and Orderly Schools: A Guide
School Act
BC Human Rights Code
Canadian Charter of Rights
Constitution Act
Multiculturalism Act
Official Languages Act
Youth Criminal Justice Act
School District Administrative Procedure (AP 333)

Updated May 2023