RDHS
CODE OF CONDUCT
The Upper Canada District School Board Code of Conduct is based on the foundation of the Character Always initiative, and has been developed to promote and support respect, civility, responsible citizenship and to provide the framework for policies related to student discipline, bullying prevention, student and staff safety, respectful working and learning environments, and workplace harassment.
STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR
A. 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
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, 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
B. Safety
All members of the school community must not:
Engage in bullying behaviours
Commit sexual assault
Traffic weapons or illegal drugs
Give alcohol to a minor
Commit robbery
Be in possession of any weapon, including firearms
Use any object to threaten or intimidate another person
Cause injury to any person with an object
Be in possession of, or be under the influence of, or provide others with alcohol or illegal drugs
Inflict or encourage others to inflict bodily harm on another person
Engage in hate propaganda and other forms of behaviour motivated by hate or bias
Commit an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property or to property located on the premises of a school
Roles and Responsibilities
A. The Board
The Upper Canada District School Board will:
Develop policies to set out how schools will implement and enforce the provincial Code of Conduct and all other rules developed which are related to the provincial standards that promote and support respect, civility, responsible citizenship and safety;
Review those policies regularly with students, staff, parents, volunteers, and community
Seek input from school councils, Parent Involvement Committee, Special Education Advisory Committee, parents, students, staff members, and the school community;
Establish a process that clearly communicates the provincial and school board Codes of Conduct to all parents, students, staff members, and members of the school community in order to obtain their commitment and support;
Develop effective intervention strategies and respond to all infractions related to the standards for respect, civility, responsible citizenship and safety;
Provide opportunities for all staff to acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to develop and maintain academic excellence in a safe learning and teaching environment.
B. Principals
Principals provide leadership in the daily operation of a school by:
Demonstrating care for the school community and a commitment to academic excellence in a safe teaching and learning environment;
Holding everyone under their authority accountable for his or her behaviour and actions;
Empowering students to be positive leaders in the school and community;
Communicating regularly and meaningfully with all members of their school community.
C. Teachers and Other School Staff Members
Under the leadership of Principals, teachers and other school staff members 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 classrooms, school, and community;
Communicate regularly and meaningfully with parents;
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.
D. Students
Students are 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 or 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 at school and during out-of school activities.
E. Parents
Parents play an important role in the education of their children, and can support the efforts of school staff in maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment for all students. Parents fulfil their role when they:
Show an active interest in their child’s 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;
Show that they are 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.
F. Community Partners and the Police
The Upper Canada DSB is committed to enhancing and developing partnerships with community agencies and members of the community by establishing protocols which will establish clear linkages and formalize the relationship between the board and its partners. These partnerships will respect all applicable collective agreements.
The police play an essential role in making our schools and communities safe. The police investigate incidents in accordance with the protocol developed with the Upper Canada DSB. This protocol is based on a provincial model developed by the Ministry of the Solicitor General and the Ministry of Education.
The Upper Canada District School Board Code of Conduct and its Policy 124, Code of Conduct, will be reviewed annually by the Safe Schools Cabinet