Code of Conduct
Changes to Rainbow District School Board’s safe schools policies and procedures came into effect on February 1, 2008 with the passing of Bill 212, the Education Amendment Act, (Progressive Discipline and School Safety). The policy and procedures for suspension and expulsion have been revised. Two new policies and procedures have been created for bullying and progressive discipline. Rainbow District School Board also has a new Code of Conduct, which replaces the Discipline Policy. With these new policies and procedures, school staff will continue to work respectfully and collaboratively with students and parents/guardians, using a progressive approach to discipline with school safety first and foremost.
A school community promotes responsibility, respect, civility and academic excellence in a safe learning and teaching environment. A school community includes school board trustees and school board personnel.
All students, parents/guardians, and staff have the right to be safe and feel safe in their school community. With this right comes the responsibility to be law-abiding citizens and to be accountable for actions that put the safety of others or oneself at risk.
Rainbow District School Board believes that every student has the right to an education without disruption, along with the equally important responsibility not to deny this right to any other student.
Rainbow District School Board’s Code of Conduct encourages positive student behaviour. A firm and fair application of this Code of Conduct shall prevail in all matters related to Rainbow District School Board, including school activities, school board business and school buses.
Positive Attitudes
Rainbow District School Board strives to create positive attitudes towards punctuality, regular attendance, completion of classroom assignments, and interest in learning through classroom participation.Parental Support
Parents/guardians support Rainbow District School Board staff by encouraging students to fulfill their responsibilities towards their school, other students, and themselves. The Board recognizes that an important factor in success at school is the regular completion of homework and regular attendance which requires the cooperation of the home.Guiding Principles
Rainbow District School Board’s Code of Conduct is shaped by the Ontario Schools Code of Conduct.All participants in the publicly funded school system – students, parents/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 must be treated with respect and dignity, especially persons in positions of authority.
Responsible citizenship involves appropriate participation in the life of the school community. Active and engaged citizens are aware of their rights, and 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 behaviour is not a responsible means for interacting with others.
The possessions, 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. Schools will work cooperatively with police as well as drug and alcohol agencies to promote prevention strategies and, when 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 the teaching, learning and business in a school community. Members of the school community have a responsibility to maintain an environment where conflict and differences can be addressed in a manner characterized by respect and civility.
Roles and Responsibilities of the School Community
School members include principals, teachers, staff, students, parents and/or guardians, school councils, trustees, volunteers and visitors.Principals, under the direction of the School Board, take a leadership role in the daily operation of schools. They provide this leadership by:
• Demonstrating care and commitment to academic excellence and safe teaching and learning environments;
• Holding everyone under their authority accountable for their behaviour and actions;
• Empowering students to be positive leaders in their school and community;
• 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 behaviour. As role models, teachers and school staff uphold these high standards when they:
• help students work to their full potential and develop their sense of self-worth;
• empower students to be positive leaders in their classroom, school, and community;
• communicate regularly and meaningfully with parents/guardians;
• maintain consistent standards of behaviour for all students;
• demonstrate respect for all students, staff, parents, volunteers, and the members of the school community;
• 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 behaviour. Respect and responsibility are demonstrated when a student:
• comes to school prepared, on time, and ready to learn;
• shows respect for himself/herself, 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 actions.
• dresses in accordance with the school dress code.
Parents/guardians 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/guardians fulfill their responsibility when they:
• show an active interest in their child's homework, school work and progress;
• communicate regularly with the school;
• help their child be neat, appropriately 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 provincial Code of Conduct, the Board's Code of Conduct, and school rules;
• encourage and assist their child in following the rules of behaviour;
• assist school staff in dealing with disciplinary issues involving their child.
School council members act as a valuable support mechanism to their local schools when they:
• act as a liaison group on school-related issues;
• act in an advisory capacity to principals on specified school policies.
Police and community members are essential partners in making our schools and communities safe. Community members need to support and respect the rules of their local schools.
Community agencies deliver prevention or intervention programs that may be used by the school community. Protocols are effective ways of establishing linkages between boards and community agencies and of formalizing the relationship between them. These partnerships must respect all applicable collective agreements.
The police play an essential role in making our schools and communities safer. The police investigate incidents in accordance with the protocol developed with the local school board. These protocols are based on a provincial model that was developed by the Ministry of the Solicitor General and the Ministry of Education.
Standards of Behaviour
The standards of behaviour apply to students, staff, parents/guardians, volunteers, School Council members, trustees and visitors engaged in any school activity. In addition, principals will, in conjunction with members of the School Council, develop a school Code of Conduct clarifying acceptable and non-acceptable behaviour for all members of their school community. These school Codes of Conduct are subject to review on a regular basis.Respect, civility and responsible citizenship
All members of the school community must:• respect and comply with all applicable federal, provincial, and municipal laws;
• demonstrate honesty and integrity in achieving academic excellence and in the appropriate use of technology;
• respect differences in people, their ideas, and their opinions;
• treat one another with dignity and respect at all times, and especially when there is disagreement;
• respect and treat others fairly, regardless of, for example, race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, financial status, 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;
• seek assistance from a member of the school staff, if necessary, to resolve conflict peacefully;
• respect all members of the school community, especially persons in positions of authority;
• respect the need of others to work in an environment that is conducive to learning and teaching;
• not swear at a teacher or at another person in a position of authority.
Safety
All members of the school community must:Weapons
• not be in possession of any weapon, including but not limited to firearms;
• not use any object to threaten or intimidate another person;
• not use any object to cause personal injury.
Alcohol and Drugs
• not be in possession of, or be under the influence of, or provide others with alcohol or illegal drugs;
• not traffic weapons or illegal drugs;
• not give alcohol to a minor;
Physical Aggression
• not inflict or encourage others to inflict bodily harm on another person;
• seek staff assistance, if necessary, to resolve conflict peacefully.
Other
• not engage in bullying behaviours;
• not commit sexual assault;
• not commit robbery;
• not engage in hate propaganda and other forms of behaviour motivated by hate or bias;
• not commit an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property or to property located on the premises of the school;
• not use the Internet and electronic devices in a manner that violates the privacy or dignity of others.
Note: Bullying is typically a form of repeated, persistent, and aggressive behaviour directed at an individual or individuals that is intended to cause (or should be known to cause) fear and distress and/or harm to another person’s body, feelings, self-esteem, or reputation. Bullying occurs in a context where there is a real or perceived power imbalance.
Suspension
The purpose of a suspension is to caution students and deter them from continuing with or repeating unacceptable behaviours; prevent other students from being exposed to or involved in dangerous and damaging activities; discipline students who have transgressed the rules of the school; and to warn parents or guardians of serious discipline problems with their children. The primary purpose underlying the implementation of a suspension is to result in a change in behaviour for the student.Activities Leading to Possible Suspension
Suspension shall be considered when a principal’s investigation of an incident, which should include consultation with the pupil’s parent/guardian and pupil or the adult pupil, determines that the pupil has committed one or more of the infractions outlined below on school property, during a school-related activity or event, and/or in circumstance where the infraction has an impact on school climate.
A student may be suspended for a minimum of one (1) school day and a maximum of twenty (20) school days. The infractions include:
a) Uttering a threat to or inflicting serious bodily harm on another person.
b) Possessing alcohol or illegal drugs.
c) Being under the influence of alcohol.
d) Swearing at a teacher or at another person in a position of authority
e) Committing an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property
f) Bullying.
g) Use of profane or improper language.
h) Smoking on school board property.
i) Academic dishonesty.
j) Inappropriate use of technology.
k) Inappropriate dress.
l) Any act considered by the principal to be injurious to the moral tone of the school.
m) Any act considered by the principal to be injurious to the physical or mental well-being of members of the school community.
n) Any act considered by the principal to be contrary to the Board or school Code of Conduct.
Suspension Reviews
The parent/guardian or the adult pupil may request a review of a decision to suspend where a suspension has been issued.
A written request setting out the reasons for a review must be made within three (3) days of receipt of notice of the suspension. The time for requesting the review may be extended at the discretion of the Superintendent of the school where circumstances precluded a request within the requisite time frame.
The review shall take place upon receipt by the Superintendent of the school of a request for a review.
Suspension Appeals
Where a suspension review has occurred, the pupil’s parent/guardian or the adult pupil may appeal the suspension imposed by the Principal. In accordance with the Board’s administrative procedures, the appeal must be made in writing and delivered to the Director of Education within ten (10) days of the commencement of the suspension.
Expulsion
Expulsion shall be considered when a principal’s investigation of an incident, which should include consultation with the pupil’s parent/guardian and pupil or the adult pupil, determines that the pupil has committed one or more of the infractions outlined below on school property, on a school bus, and/or during a school-related activity or event, and/or in circumstance where the infraction has an impact on school climate.Activities Leading to Possible Expulsion
The infractions for which a principal may consider recommending to the Discipline Committee of the Board that a pupil be expelled from the pupil’s school or from all schools of the Board include:
a) Possessing a weapon, including possessing a firearm.
b) Using a weapon or object to cause or to threaten bodily harm to another person.
c) Committing physical assault on another person that causes bodily harm requiring treatment by a medical practitioner.
d) Committing sexual assault.
e) Trafficking in weapons and/or in illegal drugs and/or possession of weapons and/or illegal drugs for the purpose of trafficking
f) Committing robbery.
g) Giving alcohol to a minor.
h) An act, including opposition to authority, considered by the principal to be significantly injurious to the moral tone of the school and/or to the physical or mental well-being of others
i) A pattern of behaviour that is so inappropriate that the pupil's continued presence is injurious to the effective learning and/or working environment of others.
j) Activities engaged in by the pupil on or off school property that cause the pupil's continuing presence in the school to create an unacceptable risk to the physical or mental well-being of other person(s) in the school or Board.
k) Activities engaged in by the pupil on or off school property that have caused extensive damage to the property of the Board or to goods that are/were on Board property.
l) The pupil has demonstrated through a pattern of behaviour that s/he has not prospered by the instruction available to him or her and that s/he is persistently resistant to making changes in behaviour which would enable him or her to prosper.
m) Any act considered by the principal to be a serious violation of the Board or school Code of Conduct.
Expulsion Appeals
A pupil’s parent/guardian or adult pupil may appeal a Board's decision to expel a pupil to the Child & Family Services Review Board in accordance with the procedures set out by the Ministry of Education.
Rainbow District School Board is committed to the promotion of respect, responsibility, and civility in its elementary and secondary schools.
