Cape Horn Elementary Code of Conduct

(see the Code of Conduct in its entirety at https://www.sd43.bc.ca/school/capehorn/Pages/default.aspx )

Statement of Purpose:

The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to provide a clear statement of the safe and respectful behaviour required by all members of Cape Horn Elementary School.  

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:

• Be kind
• Be proud of yourself and your school   
• Be cooperative
• Be prepared and on time
• Do your best
• Behave safely at all times
• Report any bullying incidents to a staff member
• Follow the values in the school classroom charters

Unacceptable Conduct:

• Being unkind to others including bullying* behaviours
• Being uncooperative
• Arriving late for class and being unprepared
• Behaving unsafely
• Not taking responsibility or facing the consequences for your own actions and blaming others instead
• Not respecting yourself, the rights of others, or your school   
• Any unsafe or disrespectful internet activity towards any member of the Cape Horn School community

Acts of verbal or physical intimidation for any reason are considered both unsafe and disrespectful and therefore are unacceptable behaviours.
 Students shall not discriminate against others on the basis of the race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, family status, age, religion, set or sexual orientation, or physical or mental disability, or for any other reason set out in the Human Rights Code of British Columbia (Section 7 and 8), nor shall a student publish or display anything that would indicate an intention to discriminate against another, or expose them to contempt or ridicule, on the basis of any such grounds

Use of an object as a weapon, theft or damage to another’s property, possession of illegal or restricted substances or objects are all considered both unsafe and disrespectful and therefore are unacceptable behaviours.

Students may be subject to discipline under the school and/or 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 otherwise.

Rising Expectations
 As students become older, there are rising expectations corresponding to students increasing ability to be personally responsible for their actions and to restrain themselves with self-discipline.  

Consequences
The frequency and severity of the behaviour along with the age and maturity of the child are considered in determining appropriate consequences. We wish to help children learn how to demonstrate the self-control required to act in safe and respectful ways at school, on the way to and from school, and on the internet. Consequences are therefore aimed at being restorative, preventative rather than merely punitive. Students are frequently involved in determining meaningful consequences for unsafe and disrespectful conduct.

Notification
 Depending on the severity and frequency of the inappropriate behaviours, a teacher or the principal may:

• contact parents and inform them about their child’s inappropriate behaviour
• inform the parents of the students who have been victims of unacceptable behaviour
• inform Coquitlam School Board officials as required by school district policy
• inform police, or other agencies depending on severity of the behaviour as required by law
• inform school staff and school community as deemed appropriate by the school and/or district administration
• send home a newsletter to all parents if deemed to be important to reassure members of the school community that school officials are aware of a serious situation
• A search by school officials of a student under their authority or a search of student property may be undertaken if the school has reasonable grounds to believe a school rule has been or will be violated
• Students should also be aware that the schools may collect, use and disclose personal information about students for the purposes of investigating and addressing student misconduct, safety and maintaining order and discipline in school

School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) Policies and Administrative Procedures

Complete copies of the following policies and administrative procedures (APs) are available on the school district website: www.sd43.bc.ca  (under Board of Education)

1. District Code of Conduct – Policy 17

The Board believes it has a responsibility to establish expectations of students as part of its governance role for the District. The Board further believes that the responsibility for student discipline in school is shared among students, staff and parents. Students have a responsibility to respect the rights and dignity of others and to become actively and productively involved in their own academic learning and social growth. Educators are responsible for establishing a positive school climate in which structure, support and encouragement assist the students in developing a sense of self-discipline and responsibility. Parents are responsible for establishing a positive learning atmosphere in the home, knowing school policies and procedures, supporting the school in the enactment of these policies and procedures, and encouraging their children to understand and respect these policies and procedures. To support these aims, the Board has established a District Code of Conduct for Students, which shall be followed in all schools.

Specifically: The Board believes that appropriate student conduct, based on respect for oneself, respect for others, and respect for property is essential to the development of responsible citizens.  To this end students are expected to:

• be aware of and obey all school rules
• attend classes punctually and regularly
• work cooperatively and diligently at their studies and with home assignments
• respect the rights of all persons within the school including peers, staff and parents
• respect the legitimate authority of the school staff
• respect the school’s physical school facilities
• respect the ethnic diversity of our school community
• behave in a safe and responsible manner at all times
• not threaten, harass, bully, intimidate or assault, in any way, any person within the school community
• not be in possession or under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol

2.             Violence, Intimidation and Possession of Weapons – Policy 18

The Board believes that schools are purposeful places where students and staff must be able to work, learn and play without the threat of physical or psychological harm. Schools are characterized by sensitivity and respect for all individuals, an environment of non-violence, clear student behavioral expectations and disciplinary practices that are enforced consistently and fairly. The Board acknowledges its role in providing secure learning environments which are safe from threats, violence or intimidation.

Student Threat Assessment Protocol: A student threat assessment will be initiated by the school’s multi-disciplinary Violent Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA) team when behaviour includes, but is not limited to serious violence, or violence with intent to harm or kill, verbal/written threats to harm/kill others, internet/social media threats to harm/kill others, possession of weapons (including replicas), bomb threats and fire-setting.

3.             Closure of Schools for Extreme Weather Conditions – AP 132

In the case of extreme weather conditions, the Superintendent or designate has authority, on behalf of the Board, to temporarily close a school.

Procedures:  As a general expectation, parents are to be advised that schools are open. If parents believe the local conditions are unsafe, they may keep their child at home or arrange his/her early dismissal. If schools are to be closed before classes begin, an announcement will be made by 6:30 a.m. on the school district website and school websites. Announcements may also be made on School District 43 (Coquitlam) (SD43) social media and local radio stations. For more information visit: www.sd43.bc.ca/NewsEvents/Pages/EmergencyInformation.aspx.  

4.             Digital Responsibility for Students – AP 140-2              

 The District endorses the provision of district-wide network and Internet services to support student learning.  While there are many benefits, there is also potential for misuse.  Students are not permitted to create, distribute or access any material which is not suitable for classroom learning.  

When using technology, district electronic mail (email) services, social networking, collaboration, blogging, media sharing tools, in relation to their role, students and staff are expected to act as appropriate digital citizens as laid out in the procedures.

5.             Tobacco and Vapour Products Free Environment – AP 171

All school property is designated “tobacco and vapour product free”. Therefore, every person, including a student, employee or visitor, is prohibited from smoking, using tobacco or vapour products of any kind, or holding lighted tobacco on school property at any time, including non-school hours.

6.             Anti-Racism – AP 205

The District acknowledges the challenge of becoming responsive to the needs of a pluralistic society and affirms that the racial, ethno-cultural, linguistic and religious diversity of its students, staff, and community is a source of enrichment and strength for Canada.

As an educational institution, the District has a special responsibility to develop positive values, attitudes, knowledge and practices by developing a framework which will promote and support equity, justice and access to all.

7.             Formal Intervention and Suspension of Students – AP 355

The effective management of student discipline is a necessity in establishing safe, caring and orderly school environments that foster student learning needs. When student misconduct occurs, the school and district must respond fairly, quickly, and effectively, imposing a disciplinary consequence that is appropriate to the circumstances and that reinforces for the student involved and students generally, appropriate standards of student behavior.

The Principal has overall responsibility for the maintenance of student discipline and school rules. Under the general supervision of the Superintendent and subject to administrative procedures, a Principal and/or Vice Principal has the authority to suspend or remove a suspension imposed on a student.

8.             Personal, Discriminatory, and Sexual Harassment – AP 356

The District recognizes the right of all students and staff members to learn and work in an environment free from personal, discriminatory or sexual harassment. The District, all staff members, students and people within school communities shall have a responsibility to promote, monitor and maintain learning environments and workplaces that are free from harassment, fear and discrimination.

9.             Resolution of Student or Parent School Concerns – AP 380

The District encourages students and/or parents to discuss their questions or concerns regarding the education of their children with school personnel as early and as directly as possible.

Procedures:  Students or parents who disagree with or wish to question decisions or actions that are taken by teachers and/or administrators are expected to seek a resolution by pursuing the following steps:

A.    Teacher or Classroom Level Problem

1. Discuss the matter directly with the teacher whose judgement or decision is being questioned.
2. If not resolved, discuss your concern with the Principal.
3. If still unsatisfied with the outcome, discuss your concern with the Assistant Superintendent (contact the board office at   

            604-939-9201).

1. Unresolved matters may be referred to the Board as per Board Policy 13.

B.    Principal or School Level Problem

1. Discuss directly with the Principal the action, policy, procedure or practice being questioned.
2. If not resolved, refer to the Assistant Superintendent (see contact information above).
3. If not resolved, refer to the Board as per Board Policy 13.

It is expected that SD43 personnel will seek a resolution to the problem as quickly as possible.