Code of Conduct

St. Patrick’s School Code of Conduct

Mission Statement: Through a Christ-like approach to all that we do, the Northwest Catholic District School Board and St. Patrick’s School will strive to provide a challenging and enriching learning environment that allows each child to reach his or her full potential. We welcome and value the contributions of parents, church and community in helping us develop the spiritual, moral, emotional, physical, social and intellectual well-being of our students. Our goal is to encourage an active community to lifelong learning and service to others.

It is the goal of St. Patrick’s School:

To assist our children to learn a sense of self-discipline that comes from a healthy respect for themselves and others around them.
To teach students that reasonable obedience and conformity to rules and regulations leads to understanding, productive and harmonious interactions with others.
To show that we care deeply about our students and want them to feel comfortable learning in an environment which focuses on academic pursuits embedded with Gospel values.
To encourage the parents/guardians as primary educators of their children to assist the staff of the school in respecting the Code of Conduct.
To develop a Code of Conduct in accordance with Board policy B05, Code of Conduct formed by Catholic beliefs and traditions in our mission to educate students to their full potential by providing a safe and welcoming learning environment that is an example of Catholic community.

St. Patrick’s School Code of Conduct

The staff of St. Patrick’s School is committed to a “code of conduct.” The purpose of this policy is to provide St. Patrick’s School with guidelines for developing their procedures to implement the school’s code of conduct. These procedures shall be known as the school code of conduct.
The School Code shall encompass the following principles:

1. All pupils of the school have the right to an education. No one has the right or action to interfere with the safety, well-being, and learning environment of others. Individuals who require additional help with assuming responsibilities for their academic program or social development may access the assistance of school personnel, parents, councilors or community agencies.
2. The code shall be stabilized for the benefit of the school community.
3. There are finite consequences for those members of the school community who fail to comply with these guidelines and thereby fail to respect the rights of others. The consequences will be appropriate to the circumstances and shall be progressive in nature.

The School Code shall include the following components:

1.Roles and Responsibilities
2.St. Patrick’s School Code of Conduct recognizes that all members of the school community, including pupils, teachers, principals, parents, staff, board personnel and trustees have an obligation to comply with the standards of behaviour outlined in this policy. Each member of the school community including all people who come in contact with or have an impact on school life: co-op employees, crossing guards, permit holders, bus drivers, service providers, guests, volunteers, and delivery personnel have the following roles and responsibilities.

The Northwest Catholic District School Board

The Northwest Catholic District School Board will provide direction in the school that ensures opportunity, excellence, and accountability in the education system.

The Board is committed to the principles and standards established by the Violence in the Workplace policy. The Board will not tolerate behaviour that jeopardizes the emotional well-being or physical safety of members of the school community.

The Board acknowledges the rights and responsibilities for its students and staff including:

To be respected by all members of the school community.
To work and learn in a safe, orderly and positive environment.
To access facilities and to participate in programs offered by the school without fear of violence.
To respect all members of the school community.
To contribute positively to the Christian climate of the school.
To respect the property of the school and all members of the school community, and to respond positively to the educational environment provided by the school community

As part of its broader mandate, the Board will:

Develop policies that set out how its school will implement and enforce the Provincial Code of Conduct and all other rules developed as related to the provincial standards for respect, civility, responsible citizenship and physical safety.
Seek input from its Catholic School Council and review the policies regularly with students, staff, parents, or guardians, parish priest, volunteers and the community.
Establish a process that clearly communicates the Provincial Code of Conduct to all members of the school community, including parents, students, staff, board personnel and trustees, in a manner that ensures their commitment and support.
Ensure an effective preventative-intervention strategy and response to all infractions related to the standards for respect, civility, responsible citizenship and physical safety.
Provide opportunities for all staff to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to develop and maintain academic excellence and safe learning and teaching environments.

Principal
The principal, under the direction of the school board, takes a leadership role in the daily operation of the school. The principal provides 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 behaviour and actions.
Developing and enforcing the school code of conduct,
Communicating the contents and expectations contained in the school code of conduct regularly with all members of their school community.
Providing an example of respect and civility for all members of the school community.
Empowering students to be positive leaders in their schools and community.

The principal has a duty to maintain proper order and discipline within the school. The school code of conduct is a key component of that duty.

Under the provisions of the Education Act, Principals are responsible for suspending students and for referring expulsions to the school board in appropriate circumstances. Principals will conduct investigations in accordance with the administrative procedures of The Northwest Catholic District School Board.

Teachers and School Staff
Under the leadership of the Principal, teachers and staff shall maintain order in the school and are expected to hold everyone to the highest standard of respectful and responsible behaviour. As role models, staff uphold 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 behaviours for all students.
Demonstrate respect for all students, staff and parents,
Empower students to be positive leaders in the classroom, school and community
Prepare students for the full responsibilities of citizenship.

Teachers shall assist the principal in establishing and maintaining consistent disciplinary practices in the school.
Under the provisions of the Education Act teachers do not have the authority to suspend students. Teachers must continue to assist the Principal by reporting incidents and assisting the Principal in conducting inquiries.

Students
Students are to be treated with respect and dignity. In return, they must demonstrate respect for themselves, for others and for the responsibility 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 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, policies, and local codes of conduct and takes responsibility for his or her own action.

Students are also expected to fulfill the Ontario Graduate Expectations and live the Gospel message by:

Exercising self-discipline.
Accepting such discipline as would be exercised by a kind, firm and judicious parent,
Being courteous to fellow peers and obedient and courteous of teachers,
Showing respect for school property
Complying with all school expectations, procedures and code of behaviour,
Giving respect and co-operation to all people in positions of authority in the school.

Parents and Guardians
Parents and 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 and guardians fulfill this responsibly when they…

show an active interest in their child's schoolwork and progress.
Communicate regularly with the school.
Help their child be neat, appropriately dressed and prepared for school.
Ensure their child attends school regularly.
Promptly report to the school their child’s absence or late arrival.
Become familiar with both the provincial code of conduct and their local school code of conduct.
Encourage and assist their child in following the rules and behaviours;
Support school staff in dealing with disciplinary issues

Police and Community Members
Police and community members are essential partners in making our school and communities safer. Community members need to support and respect the rules of their local schools. Police will investigate and respond to incidents in accordance with the Police School Board Protocol.

Community agencies are resources that school boards can use to deliver prevention and intervention programs.

Standards and Behaviour

Respect 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.
Respect differences in people, their ideas and opinions.
Treat one another with dignity and respect always, and especially when there is a disagreement.
Respect for the rights of others,
Show proper care and regard for school property and the property of others within the school community.
Take appropriate measures to help others in need.
Respect all members of the school community, especially people who are in a position of authority.
Respect the need of others to work in an environment of learning and teaching.
Seek assistance from a member of the school staff, if necessary, to resolve conflicts peacefully.
Not swear at a teacher or at another person in a position of authority or any other person.

Appropriate Dress Regulations

All members of the school community should adhere to the following guidelines:

Clothes should be neat and clean.
Patches, symbols or sayings on clothing shall not be offensive to anyone who might read it.
There shall be no slogans involving drugs, alcohol, tobacco or sexually explicit materials.
Belly shirts should not be worn at school.
Halter tops, mesh shirts, and cut-off shirts are inappropriate for school.
Children should be able to participate in all areas of school without showing midriffs.
No undergarments should be shown.
Appropriate dress may be left to the discretion of Principal/Teaching-in-Charge

Safety

All members of the school community must not:
1. Engage in bullying behaviours,
2. Commit sexual assault,
3. Traffic weapons or illegal drugs,
4. Commit robbery,
5. Be in possession of any weapon, including firearms.

It is the policy of this school that no individual be permitted to remain in school while in possession of an article or replica designed as, used as, or intended for use as a weapon.
When a student uses or threatens to use a non-prohibited weapon on school property, the Police may be involved, and the student will be suspended. The student may be suspended for up to twenty days. The student may be expelled from school.
When a student is found in possession of a gun or a replica of a gun on school property, the police shall be informed, and students shall be suspended and expulsion proceedings will be initiated.

6. Use any object to threaten or intimidate another person,
7. Cause injury to any person with an object,
8. Inflict or encourage others to inflict bodily harm on another person,
9. Commit an act of vandalism that causes damage to school property or to property located on the school premises.

Electronics and media devices

All student-owned communication and media devices, such as cell phones and ipods, will be powered off and stored out of the view of instruction spaces unless approved by a teacher. Use of these devices in other areas of the school or on school trips will be determined by the principal following consultation with staff.

Proper Language

Students are expected to use language that is appropriate to their dignity as Catholics. Profane or vulgar language or taking God’s name in vain is unacceptable.

Smoking Policy

Smoking is banned within school buildings and on all Board property. Possession of tobacco products by students under nineteen years of age is illegal.

Classroom Procedures

Students are expected to:

be prepared for classes with the appropriate books, equipment and materials.
follow routines as assigned.
follow classroom and school behaviour expectations.
participate fully in all class activities.
ask for help when experiencing difficulties or when work and/or assignments are not fully understood.
complete all assignments on time.
prepare for tests.
keep notebooks and assignments neat and up to date.
participate fully in the physical education program and dress in appropriate clothing (as decided by the school)
Library books and textbooks are the student’s responsibility.

Fire and Emergency Evacuation

Emergency drills enable students to become familiar with evacuation procedures, resulting in the orderly evacuation with efficient use of exit facilities. It is of utmost importance that each student exits the school along with the class in a quiet and orderly manner.

Bicycle and Scooter Safety

The riding of bicycles and scooters on school property is prohibited during the school day. Students must walk their bicycle or scooter to the stands from the sidewalk. This is done to assure the safety of the school community. The school is not responsible for lost or damaged bicycles or scooters. The use of skateboards, roller blades/skates will not be permitted on school property.

Arrival and Dismissal

Supervision starts at 8:30 am in all areas of the school yard. Students arriving prior to this time will be unsupervised.
Dismissals are at 3:05 pm from all areas of the school. Bussed students in grades 1-8 are picked up at the Primary playground. Kindergarten students are picked up at the Front loop of the school.

Parents/Guardians of students who are not bussed are asked to pick up their child(ren) from the playground by 3:15 pm. If a child is not picked up by 3:15 pm, they will be taken to the office, and a call will be made home.

If there is any change in the routine for dismissal, please contact the school either by phone, text, or Email no later than 2:30 pm. A note to the teacher is another way of communicating any changes.

Bus Policy

Students must be aware that the bus is an extension of the school and as such students are bound by all the rules of St. Patrick's School while riding on it.

In order that the Board may provide the safest possible transportation in an efficient, economical and safe manner, students must observe the following rules:

The bus driver is in complete charge of the bus.
Students may be transported from designated bus stop to school and return only.
Students shall be at a pick-up point 10 minutes prior to the scheduled arrival of the bus.
Students shall board or leave the bus in an orderly fashion.
Students shall take a seat on the bus as directed by the driver and always remain seated.
Do not distract the driver and/or other students.
Keep feet and bags etc. out of the aisle.
Students may open windows only with the driver’s permission but not extend hands/arms or other parts of the body out of the window.
Students will maintain a clean bus by using the garbage containers located at the front of the bus.
Students must not tamper with the emergency door, windows or equipment.
Students must not throw anything inside, out of, or at the bus at any time.
Students will not bring annoying, dangerous or disturbing objects on school buses, which include but are not limited to firecrackers, water pistols, weapons, firearms, explosives, ammunition, etc.
Students will not fight or use inappropriate language or gestures on the bus.
No smoking or using non-prescribed drugs or alcohol on all school buses at any time.
Students will be held responsible for any willful damage to the bus.

In any instance where a student violates the Code of Behaviour, which is deemed to be an extension of the school Code of Behaviour at the school, which the student attends, it is the driver’s responsibility to issue a Student Behaviour Report and deliver it to the Principal. A copy will also be sent to the parents.

Bus privileges may be withdrawn for a fixed period as a result of misbehaviour on the bus. As the students are bound by the Code of Behaviour of the school while riding the bus, consequences will be given for misbehaviour on a Board bus in line with the school Code of Conduct.

Playground Guidelines

Students shall:

Remain in the designated areas.
Show respect for staff and students by refraining from using profane or impolite language.

Playground Safety Rules

General Rules:

1. No pushing
2. Take turns
3. No fighting
4. In case of injury- DO NOT MOVE THE PERSON. Report to supervisor immediately.
5. No throwing sticks, stones or other objects.
6. No eating while on playground equipment.
7. Playground equipment is off limits during rainy, snowy or icy weather.
8. There are set rules for specific pieces of play equipment – maximum number of students and age levels permitted.
9. Teachers, volunteer supervisors and the students must be taught about the playground rules and rules must be enforced.

Lunch Policy

The same general rules of school/classroom behaviour apply for those who stay for lunch. Students are not allowed to leave school property. Students who stay for lunch will be allowed to leave school only with written parental permission.

Microwaves are only used in the Senior End of the School, (Gades 5-8).

Access to Premises
All visitors are required to report their presence on school premises by reporting to the main office and signing in.
Any staff member can deny access to school premises to a person whose presence is detrimental to the safety and well-being of others, in their judgement.

Respect for the Property of Others

Academic Honesty
Students must not knowingly plagiarize, cheat or copy the language, thoughts or ideas of another as their own work. Consequences may include assessing a grade of zero on the assignment, test or exam.

Computers
Students must adhere to the guidelines provided in the Board’s Computer Acceptable Use Policy and consequences will follow guidelines set out by the school and recommendations put forth by the Management of Information Systems.

Littering
Students are expected to help keep the buildings, grounds and neighbourhoods clean. Students are expected to deposit all scrap paper, wrappers, etc. into waste baskets or recycling containers.

Theft
Theft will be treated as a serious offence since it violates the spirit of respect for the property of others and contravenes civil and divine law. Police may be called if deemed appropriate.

Vandalism/Willful Damage
Students who destroy, deface, or otherwise damage property belonging to the Board, another student, or staff member will be required to make restitution. The student may be suspended for up to ten days and police may be called and charges laid if warranted.

School Regulations
What happens when misbehaviour occurs?

Students, parents/guardians and teachers are encouraged to work together to come to a resolution of any difficult situation. Respect toward one another will resolve many different encounters. It is our goal to develop a sense of awareness of an individual’s personal responsibility in society.

Most discipline related issues will be dealt with informally.

However, the following procedures will take place when a student is asked to report to the Principal/Teacher-in-Charge.

The student and teacher and if need be, the non-teaching staff member, will present the situation.
Feedback will be provided to the teacher and if need be, the non-teaching staff member, as to discipline followed.
A record will be kept on file by the Principal for the follow-up and/or future referral.
Parents/guardians will be contacted when disruptive behaviour occurs on a continual basis. Parent/guardians may be invited to the school for a formal interview. Incidents of a serious nature would include putdowns of others, fighting, disrespect towards teachers and other staff members, insolence, graffiti, abuse of others’ property, etc.

The outcome may be:

Parental involvement
Establishment of counseling
Removal of the student from the classroom to an alternative setting within the school for a period under supervision
Removal of privileges to attend school related functions/extra-curricular activities
Utilization of a behaviour contract
Requiring the student to make restitution
Referral to outside agencies – Police, etc.
Suspension or expulsion from school

Suspension From School
Suspensions are usually a last resort after all other types of discipline have occurred.
In the case of a suspension:

The school attempts to contact the parent/guardian immediately.
There is also a letter provided outlining the reason(s) for the suspension and the length of the suspension.
The school is expected to provide work for the student during the suspension.
Students are responsible for the materials presented while the student was under suspension.
Any student under suspension will not be permitted on school property and will not attend any school sponsored events.
Any student under 18 years of age becomes the direct responsibility of the parent/guardian during the period of suspension.

Students With Special Needs

1. The process of student discipline shall reflect the principles of natural justice and defined process.
2. One essential element of this Code of Conduct is a clear outline of disciplinary procedures and realistic, effective and appropriate consequences.
3. Those responsible for ensuring the Code of Conduct is enforced must have sufficient latitude to meet the individual needs of students, while at the same time ensuring minimum consequences for each behaviour. This latitude is especially important when dealing with students having special needs and conditions.

Mitigating Factors and Other Factors
In considering whether to suspend a pupil or whether to recommend to the Board that a pupil be expelled, a principal will consider any mitigating factors or other factors described by the regulation.

Mitigating Factors
Pursuant to the suspension and expulsion of pupils’ regulations, the following mitigating factor should be considered:
1. The pupil does not have the ability to control his or her behaviour.
2. The pupil does not have the ability to understand the foreseeable consequences of his or her behaviour.
3. The pupil’s continuing presence in the school does not create an unacceptable risk to the safety of any person.

Other Factors
The following other factors should be considered if they mitigate the seriousness of the activity for which the pupil may be or is being suspended or expelled:

1. The pupil’s history
2. Whether a progressive discipline approach has been used with the pupil.
3. Whether the activity for which the pupil may be or is being suspended or expelled was related to any harassment of the pupil because of his or her race, origin, religious beliefs, gender, or sexual orientation.
4. The age of the pupil
5. How the suspension or expulsion would affect the pupils' ongoing education.
6. In the case of a pupil for whom an individual education plan has been developed.

- - whether the behaviour was manifested of a disability identified in the pupil’s individual education plan.
  - Whether appropriate individual accommodations have been put in place for the pupil.
  - Whether the suspension of expulsion is likely to result in aggravating or worsening of the pupil’s behaviour or conduct.

Progressive Discipline
Progressive discipline is an approach that makes use of a continuum of interventions, supports, and consequences, building upon strategies that promote positive behaviours. The range of interventions, supports, and consequences used must be clear and developmentally appropriate, and must include learning opportunities for pupils to reinforce positive behaviours and help pupils make good choices. For pupils with special education and disability related needs. Interventions, supports and consequences must be consistent with the expectations in the students’ IEP and of his/her demonstrated abilities.

General Guidelines for applying this code of conduct:

1. School staff should establish contact with parents early in the school year to help promote cooperation between home and school.
2. Staff should regularly review and refine their practices to promote consistency and effectiveness.
3. Teachers and staff should regularly utilize positive improvement strategies to promote desired behaviours as a complement to the consequences for inappropriate behaviours.
4. Parent teacher conferences are extremely important and building capacity with the home and school will build positiveness between all parties.
5. Every effort should be made to secure the support of the parents/guardians in solving the students’ behavioural problems.
6. Approaches that respect the dignity of the individual student should be practiced. Group-wide consequences should only be used when everyone in the group has demonstrated a behavioural problem.
7. In situations when a teacher must protect themselves or another, the use of physical restraint is appropriate.
8. Progressive discipline recognizes that persistent behavioural problems result in increasingly significant consequences.