Code of conduct content
Code of Conduct at ASJ Memorial High School and Saint-Patrick Elementary School
A positive school climate and a safe learning and teaching environment are essential if students are to succeed in school. A positive school climate means everyone feels they are safe, welcome and respected.
All students, parents, teachers and staff have the right to be safe, and feel safe, in their school community. With this right comes the responsibility for everyone to be accountable for their actions and contribute to a positive school climate.
Who is included in the code and where does it apply?
The code of conduct applies not only to students, but to everyone involved in the school, including parents or guardians, volunteers, teachers and other staff members. The code applies whether on school property, on school buses, at school-authorized events or activities, or in other circumstances that could have an impact on the school climate.
Fundamental beliefs
- Everyone has a responsibility to promote a safe environment.
- There is no such thing as “my students” and “your students”. Adults in our school share a collective responsibility to promote a positive school climate.
- All members of the school community are to be treated with respect and dignity at all times.
- Everyone has a responsibility to address and resolve conflicts in a way that is civil and respectful. Insults, hurtful acts and a lack of respect for others disrupt learning and teaching in a school community.
- Everyone is expected to resolve conflicts without using violence. Physical aggression is not a responsible way to deal with other people.
Standards of Behaviour
Respect, civility and responsible citizenship
All school members must:
- demonstrate honesty and integrity
- respect differences in people
- Demonstrate kindness
- treat one another with dignity and respect at all times, especially when there is disagreement
- respect and treat others fairly, regardless of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability
- respect the rights of others
- show care and respect for school property and the property of others
- take the proper steps to help those in need
- respect all members of the school community
- respect the need of others to work in an environment that encourages learning and teaching.
- seek help from school staff, if necessary, to resolve conflict peacefully
- use respectful language at all times,
Safety
School community members must not:
- engage in any form of bullying, whether it is in person or through technology, like email or cell phones
- commit sexual assault
- commit theft
- be in possession of a weapon, including pocketknives and firearms
- use language or any object to threaten or intimidate another person
- be in possession or under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, or give or sell them to anyone else
- inflict or encourage others to inflict bodily harm
- engage in hate propaganda or other types of behaviour caused by hate or bias
- commit an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property at the school or to property on the school premises.
Roles and Responsibilities
Principals, under the direction of their school board, take a leadership role in the daily operation of a school.
They provide this leadership by:
- Clarifying a collective vision, and ensuring coherent alignment of policy and practice with that vision
- demonstrating care for the school community and commitment to academic excellence in a safe teaching and learning environment
- holding everyone under their authority responsible 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, help 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
- empower students to be positive leaders in their classroom, school and community
- communicate regularly with parents on important issues
- maintain consistent standards of behaviour for all students
- show respect for all students, staff, parents, volunteers and 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 the community 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 put the safety of others at risk
- follows the established rules and takes responsibility for his/her own actions.
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 fulfill this responsibility when they:
- show an active interest in their child's school work and progress
- communicate regularly with the school
- make sure their child is neat, properly dressed and prepared for school
- ensure that their child attends school regularly and on time
- inform the school promptly about 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 help their child follow the rules of behaviour
- help school staff deal with disciplinary issues involving their child.
For more information, please consult the following documents: