CODE OF CONDUCT

Purpose

The student, staff and parents at our school believe we can work together to provide a healthy, caring environment that will ensure the total growth of each child.

The Departure Bay school promotes the values expressed in the BC Human Rights Code respecting the rights of all individuals in accordance with the law – prohibiting discrimination based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex or sexual orientation – in respect of discriminatory publication and discrimination in accommodation, service and facility in the school environment.

Conduct Expectations

These expectations apply to behaviour at school, during school-organized or sponsored activities, and behaviour beyond these times (including on-line behaviour) that negatively impacts the safe, caring or orderly environment of the school, and/or student learning.

Acceptable Conduct

We believe everyone has:

1. the right to be safe at all times.
2. the right to learn and work in a supportive environment.
3. the right to be respected.
4. the right to be presented with a proactive program of processes which assist to resolve conflicts in social situations.
5. the responsibility to inform if the rights of individuals or groups are at risk.
6. the responsibility to inform DBS staff members of incidents which threaten the learning environment.
7. the responsibility to know and abide by school and district code of conduct.
8. the responsibility to know and understand the consequences of unacceptable behaviour.
9. the responsibility to participate in daily school routines to ensure the maintenance of a positive learning environment.

Unacceptable Conduct

The following are examples and are not an all-inclusive list   

1. Behaviours that:
2. Interfere with the learning of others
3. Interfere with an orderly environment

• Create unsafe conditions

1. Acts of:
2. Bullying, harassment, or intimidation
3. Physical violence

• Retribution against a person who has reported incidents

1. Illegal acts, such as:
2. Theft of or damage to property
3. Possession, use or distribution of illegal or restricted substances such as firecrackers or ‘stink bombs’ or alcohol or drugs

• Possession or use of weapons or replicas

1. Discriminatory Practices which:
   1. Publish, issues or display, or cause to be published, issued, or displayed, any statement, publication, notice, sign, symbol, emblem or other representation that:
      1. indicates discrimination or an intention to discriminate against a person or a group or class of persons, or
      2. is likely to expose a person or a group or class of persons to hatred or contempt because of the race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, or age of that person or that group or class of persons.
   2. Without a bona fide and reasonable justification:
      1. deny a person or class of persons any accommodation, service, or facility customarily available to the public, or
      2. discriminate against a person or class of persons regarding any accommodation service or facility customarily available to the public because of the race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex or sexual orientation of that person or class of persons.

Consequences

We believe it is essential to be proactive with regard to negative behaviours.  Whenever possible the focus on consequences will be restorative rather than punitive.

Think Programs, Behaviour Management Programs and Social Responsibility Training must be utilized and reflected upon to avoid negative consequences.  These skills are shared in the classroom, through school publications and at assemblies.

The school will treat seriously behaviour or communication that discriminates based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex or sexual orientation (prohibited grounds set out in the BC Human Rights Code),

Rising Expectations

As students become more mature expectations for behaviour reflecting these rights and responsibilities increase.  Consequences for poor behaviour choices or patterns of misconduct may increase in severity or frequency.  Consequences may include a student behaviour support program.  This program will outline predetermined positive and punitive consequences.  Special considerations may apply to students with special needs if these students are unable to comply with the code of conduct due to having a disability of an intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional, or behavioural nature.  Parents will be notified and encouraged to be part of such a plan.

Notification

If deemed necessary, conduct forms, letters home and newsletter announcements are used to advise parties of serious breaches of the Code of Conduct and follow up action.  School wide efforts to build ‘community’ fostering respect, inclusion and fairness are an important part of our notification process.  We believe it is essential to be proactive regarding negative behaviours.  Social Skill Development, Stop and Think Programs, and Social Responsibility Training must be utilized and reflected upon.