Code of Conduct

Introduction

Wilfrid Jury is a school that promotes responsibility, respect, civility and academic excellence in a safe learning and teaching environment.  A positive school climate exists when all members of the school community feel safe, comfortable, and are accepted.  All students, parents/guardians, teachers and staff members have the right to be safe, and feel safe, in their school community.  With this right comes the responsibility to contribute to a positive school climate.  

Code of Conduct is based on the premise that each individual in the school is responsible for his/her own behaviour and that progressive discipline is a shared responsibility of school staff, as well as parents and guardians.  The Wilfrid Jury Code of Conduct includes the provincial standards of behaviour.  It specifies mandatory consequences for student actions that do not comply with these standards.  The standards of behaviour apply not only to students, but also to all school members, i.e. individuals involved in the school system -- teachers, staff, parents/guardians, volunteers, community members-- whether they are on school property, on school buses or at school-authorized events or activities, or in other circumstances that could have an impact on the school climate.

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. In the process of becoming good citizens, students are expected to learn the importance of adhering to the rules and regulations, which have been adopted for the benefit of all individuals. We expect our students to take responsibility for themselves and for their actions.

WE BELIEVE ALL INDIVIDUALS HAVE A RIGHT TO:

• a quality education;

• have themselves and their property treated with respect and care;

• learn in an environment free from undue interruption;

• work, learn, and play in an atmosphere supportive of quality learning and safety;

• be helped when in need;

• have their differences respected and celebrated;

• express their opinions, needs, and concerns in a respectful and non-violent way;

• a clean school environment;

• be free from racial, ethnic, verbal, Internet, physical, sexual harassment and bullying.

WE BELIEVE ALL INDIVIDUALS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO:

• respect and obey those in authority;

• respect themselves, others, and their property;

• treat school property with respect and care;

• obey the rules of order and safety which are reviewed in class, Code of Conduct and school newsletters;

• be accepting and considerate of the rights and feelings of others without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status or disability;

• dress in a suitable manner that does not distract or offend others and follows the Dress Code;

• resolve conflicts in a peaceful and constructive manner;

• report violations of the Code of Conduct to a staff member (i.e., teacher, administrator, support staff);

• follow the computer etiquette and safety routines outlined in our school Acceptable Use of Electronic Communication policy.

CONSEQUENCES

Students who live up to school expectations will help everyone enjoy the excitement of learning in a safe and supportive environment; however, if incidents do arise, the following range of consequences may be applied by teachers, support staff, school support counselor or school administration.  Our Code of Conduct will be maintained through a process of progressive discipline followed by natural consequences.  Progressive discipline is a whole school approach that uses a continuum of corrective and supportive interventions including, but not limited to the following:

Early and ongoing interventions may include:

• verbal reminders, with suggestions for improvement

• review of expectations

• yard shadow or missing recess

• relocation to a different classroom (e.g., resource room)

• calling parents or guardians at home or at work

• setting up an individual student/teacher contract

• conflict resolution

• removal or restricting certain school privileges

Further and ongoing intervention may include:

• an interview with an administrator or school support counselor

• meeting with parent/guardian

• referral to a Board-based behaviour program

• referral to a community agency and/or police involvement

• police involvement for serious violent or illegal activities at Wilfrid Jury

• restorative justice

• repair, restitution or community service

• formal suspension from school

• expulsion

Expectations for Student Behaviour

We would ask that as parents you assist us by reviewing these expectations with your children from time to time. By working together, we can endeavor to ensure that common sense, respect and courtesy prevail in the school.

Students are expected to:

• Come to school every day on time.   If students are unavoidably delayed, they must inform the office before going to class

• Attend all classes punctually. Have books, homework, or equipment ready. Do their best at all times.

• Enter school at 9:00 a.m. via the assigned doors. Help keep our building and playground neat and tidy. Care respectfully for books, supplies, equipment, technology, and school property.

• Use library/class resources with care and sign them out in the required way and be prompt in returning them.

• Be polite at all times to all people and show respect for the rights of others. Cooperate to their fullest with staff, bus drivers, crossing guards and other volunteers, and be especially respectful to occasional teachers.

• Refrain from using words which will offend others.

• Be neat and clean in appearance and habits. Refrain from engaging in any abusive behaviour. Complete and hand in all assignments.  If students have difficulty with an assignment, it is their responsibility to seek help from the teacher.

• Remain on school property in designated playground areas during school hours.

Students Riding on School Busses

Anytime your child is on a school bus, whether it is to be transported to and from school or while on a school field trip, your child must behave appropriately. The bus driver will notify the school of any concerns, and all situations will be dealt with accordingly.  Effective September 2010, the TVDSB has changed the walking distances to school so that anyone living more than 1.6 km from the school may be eligible for bus transportation; to check if you are eligible, contact the Southwestern Ontario Student Transportation Services at www.mybigyellowbus.ca 

Bicycles, Rollerblades, Skateboards and Scooters

Children may ride to school but do so at their own risk. Bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards and scooters may not be used on school property or inside the school.  Students should lock their bikes at the rack near the parking lot. Please keep an extra key at home. We cannot accept responsibility for the safekeeping of these items. Rollerblades must be removed before entering the schoolyard. Bikes and scooters must be walked and skateboards must be carried, not ridden, on school property.  Please remind your children to follow these simple rules to ensure safety on our playground and in the school.

Cell Phone Use and Other Electronic Devices Policy

• Understanding how to use technology in a courteous manner is part of growing up in today’s world. Students should be “school ready” when they enter the building. “School ready” means: hats off, hoodies down, cell phones off and out of sight and ear buds not used and put away.

• Cell phones should be off at all times (unless permission is given for use in class as a work tool). There are many phones and a number of phone lines at school. Parents can call the school if they need to speak to their child, and we will always relay messages. Should a call back home be required, we have no problem letting your child connect with you during the day. We also want your child to be gaining independence at school. Calling home over an issue in the classroom or on the school yard with another student does not encourage self-advocacy or conflict resolution skills. 

• Any student using a cell phone without staff permission during the school day will have the phone removed and sent to the office. It will be returned to the student at day’s end. A second incident will result in the same consequence as the first, along with the student’s parent being called. The third time will result in the student losing the privilege of carrying a cell phone on school property. If it is brought to school, it will be kept in the office each day and the student will drop it off and pick it up daily.

• Handheld audio and video devices (e.g., cameras, cell phones) shall not be used in the classroom and other designated areas of the school without the permission of the school staff.  Additionally, no one is to use his or her portable handheld device to audiotape or videotape other individuals (staff, student, parent or community members) without staff permission while on school property, or at any school events. 

• Over the course of the year, our goal is to educate our students in using any type of technology in a thoughtful and responsible manner.

Tobacco, Cannabis and Smoke-Free Environment

Students, staff and visitors are prohibited from smoking or vaping on school board property and within 20 metres from any point of the perimeter of any school board property. This includes the smoking or holding of lighted tobacco or cannabis (marijuana), and includes a ban on the use of e-cigarettes and electronic smoking devices. Students and staff that have a legal medical document authorizing them to use medical cannabis will be able to do so on school board property, but only in a non-smoking or non-vaping form (e.g., capsules, edibles and oils). Students, staff and visitors are also prohibited from using shisha, smokeless tobacco and/or cannabis products (unless medically prescribed) and all related accessories. This code of conduct is in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and on school buses, or during any part of an official school field trip, including athletic team trips and school club excursions.

Failure to comply with this code of conduct may result in internal student discipline (e.g., warning, notification to parents/guardians, withdrawal of privilege, suspension, etc.) and/or charges and fines issued by an Officer of a Provincial Enforcement Agency.

Internet Use

Several of the projects in which your child will be involved at school this year include the use of the Internet. The Internet is an electronic highway connecting thousands of computers all over the world and millions of individual subscribers. With access to computers and people all over the world also comes the availability of material that is not consistent with educational goals.   On a global network it is impossible to control all materials, and an industrious, determined student can uncover controversial information. We believe that the value of the information and interaction available on this worldwide network, when combined with supervision and student awareness, makes the Internet a benefit to a student's educational experience.

Students are expected to use the school's Internet access in support of educational goals.  The school's Code of Conduct outlines expectations for students, including behaviour with respect to use of computers.  Unacceptable  use includes, but is not limited to: (i) activities which may damage equipment, (ii) downloading, copying or transmitting any material which is in violation of any Federal or Provincial regulation such as copyrighted material; threatening or obscene material; hateful, racist, or discriminatory  material and, (iii) any breach of security on local and remote sites including use or attempted use of another user's account; unlawful entry or attempted entry into any network system; any attempt  to gain unauthorized access to view, alter, copy, share or destroy data and the creation and/or willful transmission of computer viruses or virus hoaxes.  Inappropriate use by your child could result in denial of computer privileges and/or legal action.

Religious Accommodation

The Thames Valley District School Board welcomes and values all students from all cultures, religions and faiths.  Our school communities celebrate and protect each student's right to follow or not follow religious and/or spiritual beliefs. If a parent/guardian or student feels that a school program or learning task may conflict with their religion or faith, a request may be made for a religious or faith-based accommodation.

Parents/Guardians or students (18 and older) may request accommodations for:

• school opening and closing ceremonies

• absence for religious holy days or faith-based observances

• prayer, smudging, dietary restrictions, fasting, religious dress

• modesty requirements for dress for physical activity (e.g., sports, dance)

• curriculum, classroom activities, or assessment

Parents/Guardians or students (18 and older) can:

• request an accommodation by contacting the school administration in person or by writing, emailing or calling

• ask the school administration for an interpreter, if needed

• help the school administration to understand the request

• attend a meeting with the school administration to discuss the request for accommodation

All students can:

• talk to a teacher, the Principal, or Vice Principal if there is a school or classroom activity that conflicts with their religion/faith

• talk to their parents about religious or faith-based needs

The school staff will work with parents/guardians/students to create a plan to meet religious needs.  Please know that school staff cannot be responsible for monitoring students in following religious or faith-based practices.  For more information, please see the TVDSB Religious and Faith-based Accommodation of Students Procedure at www.tvdsb.ca/equity.

We appreciate your support of our programs and policies at Wilfrid Jury Public School.