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Code of Conduct

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​​​Davidson Road Elementary

CODE OF CONDUCT

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PURPOSE

At Davidson Road Elementary School we maintain a safe, orderly, learning environment where pupils become responsible, considerate, caring and productive citizens.  To help accomplish this we have developed a Code of Conduct that students are expected to follow while at school, while going to and from school, and while attending any school function or activity, at any location that will have an impact on the school environment. These expectations also apply to student use of electronic and social mediaThe purpose of this Code of Conduct is to establish and maintain a safe, caring and orderly environment where students can learn, thrive and feel that they belong.  Such an environment will allow maximum opportunity for learning, working, and succeeding.  


We believe that everyone should feel valued, enabling them to develop self-confidence to attain their highest potential. The  school atmosphere needs to be positive and must support the ideals of human respect, understanding and caring. Parents and school  need to work together so that the child’s time at school is an enjoyable experience, which promotes the idea that education is a  life-long process. 


Our Davidson Road Vision is that “when leaving DRE, learners will feel inspired to lead in a way that enriches communities.  Our purpose is to “prepare learners with the life-long skills needed to succeed.


To promote a climate of mutual respect where everyone in our community is treated with dignity, Davidson Road Elementary School promotes the values expressed in the BC Human Rights Code respecting the rights of all individuals in accordance with the law- prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex or sexual orientation- in respect of discriminatory publication and discrimination in accommodation, service and facility in the school environment.



STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

At Davidson Road Elementary School, we recognize that each child and situation is unique and we will always strive to ensure that our school is a safe, caring and orderly environment in which to learn and work. The code of conduct at Davidson Road Elementary School is based on the following balance of rights and responsibilities. Please reference the school district's student “Role of the Student” policy by clicking here

Rights

Responsibilities

Students have the right to learn.

Students have the responsibility to actively participate and be responsible learners.

Some examples include:

  • Always trying their best

  • Arriving on time, prepared and ready to learn

  • Staying focussed and not distracting or disturbing the learning of others

Students have the right to be respected.

Students have the responsibility to respect others (not to bully, tease, pick on, or harass others).

Some examples include:

  • Using kind, respectful words

  • Being polite and waiting your turn

  • Listening

  • Being honest and telling the truth

Students have the right to be safe.

Students have the responsibility to behave in a safe manner and to protect the safety of others.

Some examples include:

  • Moving safely, calmly and in control

  • Staying in designated areas

  • Keep hands and feet to yourself

  • Playing games safely

  • Reporting dangerous situations to staff

Students have the right to privacy and security of personal space.

Students have the responsibility to respect the property and privacy of others (students, staff and community).

Some examples include:

  • Not touching other people’s property without permission

  • Respecting personal boundaries

  • Asking someone before photographing/recording someone

Students have the right to use student equipment and property.

Students have the responsibility to use the equipment and property according to all applicable rules and with care and respect.

Some examples include:

  • Cleaning up after yourself

  • Using equipment as it is intended

  • Returning materials promptly and neatly

  • Leaving property as good as, or better, than how you found it.


 


BEHAVIOUR EXPECTATIONS

At Davidson Road, School-Wide Expectations are set out so that everyone  knows what expected behavior looks like, sounds like and feels like. Our  School-Wide Expectations “Matrix” is included in this Code of Conduct  document. We believe that behaviour is learned, and therefore must be  taught. Our behaviour matrix is taught to all students at the beginning of  the year and incorporates expected conduct in all areas of the school  environment.  These expected behaviours are explicitly taught and reinforced throughout the year.

Positive (expected) behaviours will be recognized, reinforced and  rewarded. Inappropriate (unexpected) behavior will be resolved through  teaching, restitution and, if necessary, consequences.  

 






DRESS CODE

Davidson Road school and students take pride in their school and the community they work, learn, play and live in. Consistent with this perspective, and our Code of Conduct, the dress code is based on the following principles: 

Respect for learning, human rights and dignity of others 

Safety of persons and property 

Promotion of a drug and alcohol-free environment 

Parents to play an active role in helping to promote appropriate dressing practices for their children 

To maintain a safe learning environment, students are expected to: 

Wear footwear while in and around the school (note: roller blades, roller skates and shoes with built-in roller(s) are not appropriate within the school site) 

Wear appropriate clothing for physical activities, like dance, running, jumping 

Wear closed toed shoes for outside play 

There is an expectation that individuals dress in a comfortable manner appropriate for learning and playing. 

Some examples of inappropriate items of dress include

Clothing items with words or graphics that are racist, sexist, profane, or demeaning to another person; advocate violence; and/or  promote or depict use of alcohol or illegal drugs 


PERSONAL BELONGINGS/TOYS

Students should not bring unnecessary items, toys, valuables, or large amounts of money to school. The school cannot be responsible for damaged, lost or stolen items.



Responsible Student Use of Personal Technology Devices, School Technology, and District Networks

The purpose of using network services and digital technologies while in  educational settings is to engage in responsible educational  activities. Therefore, the use of personal technology devices, school  technologies, and district network services requires students to abide by  the school’s Code of Conduct and procedures, as well as Central  Okanagan Public Schools Policy 486: Student Use of Network Services and  Digital Technologies. 

Some examples of responsible use with district and personal devices  include the following: 

Act responsibly when accessing technology and district networks,  including the Internet in their school. 

Use technology equipment and property according to all  applicable rules and with care and respect

Engage in appropriate use as directed by school staff. 

Respect the safety and privacy of self and others and do  not provide personal contact information about themselves or other students. 

Treat others with respect and kindness when using digital devices  and network services.

Respect resource limits of the network services and do not  engage in activities that jeopardize the integrity, security or  performance of the network. 

Understand the importance of privacy and security and take  all reasonable precautions when accessing network services  and digital technologies. 

The use of Personal Technology Devices, School Technology, and  District Networks is a privilege and usage may be revoked at any  time for inappropriate conduct. Schools will not be held responsible  for any misplaced, lost, stolen, or broken items brought to school by  students. Use of network services and digital technologies which  violate the terms outlined in policy and/or the School's Code of  Conduct may result in serious consequences including definite or  indefinite suspensions and/or police intervention. 



Behaviour Response Plan 


Davidson Road is a child-centred learning community. We are committed to developing life-long learners who contribute, collaborate, think critically and who innovate. We are committed to developing students who learn through and from their mistakes in both academic and social learning. Living and learning together all day creates many opportunities for students to grow in the skills necessary to play together, and to work through conflict.

 

We are committed to a respectful problem solving process with students that builds their capacity and innovation for dealing with conflict in life. If consequences are necessary following a problem solving process they will be logical and fair, involve the student and respect their individual rights, responsibilities, age and maturity. Parents will be informed and involved.

 

Responses to behaviours take into account the development stage and ability of the child, number of infractions and intent. A positive approach,  favouring restitution over punishment will be used. Homeroom teachers  are asked to use a proactive approach by teaching the Code of  Conduct and Behaviour Matrix to their students during the first two weeks  in September, and reviewing the Code/Matrix throughout the year. As students move through the grades from K-6 the expectations for personal responsibility, self-discipline and respect for others increase, as do the expectations for appropriate behavior. 

 

Any necessary consequences will be relative to age-appropriate behavior expectations. Of course, special consideration may apply to a student with special learning needs who may not be able to comply with the Code of Conduct due to an intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional or behavioural disability.

 

MINOR INCIDENTS OF INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR

Such incidents are typically dealt with at the playground or classroom level by a supervisor, CEA or teacher. If the behavior continues or increases the child may be referred to the vice-principal or principal.

 

Problem solving conversations will occur with the child/children involved.  A written problem solving process, loss of privilege, or apology may follow.  Parents will be contacted.

 

Should a minor offence continue, intervention by a principal will occur and parents/guardians will be involved.  Restitution, extended loss of privileges or suspension may occur.

  

 

MAJOR INCIDENTS OF INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR

Major infractions are behaviours which occur repeatedly and may be dangerous or hazardous for students, teachers and staff. Parents/guardians will be contacted and involved immediately and if necessary the RCMP will be contacted if the incident is against the law. These may include attendance, truancy, smoking/vaping, alcohol, language, student dress, wilful disobedience, repeated violations, threats, vandalism, violent behaviour, harassment, intimidation, bullying, weapons, student use of electronic communication/social media, discrimination, as outlined in the school district’s policy 455R for discipline here.

 

The Code of Behaviour and the School Act outline that students may be disciplined for violations of the Code of Conduct while on school property, off school property, going to and from school, or outside school hours if such violations adversely affect students or operation of the school.

 

The principal has the right under the School Act to discharge discipline as necessary. This includes the right to suspend a student. A suspension may be in-school or out of school.  It may be DEFINITE (up to 10 days, readmission determined by the principal) or INDEFINITE (in excess of 10 days, readmission to school determined by the School Board's District Suspension Review Committee).  You can find the school district’s policy for discipline here.t

 

The school will treat seriously behavior or communication that discriminates based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, gender, gender identity and expression​, ​marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex or sexual orientation – all prohibited grounds set out in the BC Human Rights Code.


Any behavior that interferes with learning, or creates unsafe conditions is considered unacceptable and contravenes the school Code of Conduct.  All students are expected to be responsible for their learning and their behavior.  Reported violations of the Code of Conduct will be dealt with by an adult.


Consequences:

Disciplinary action is intended to be consistent, preventative and restorative rather than punitive. Our goal is to teach students why their behaviour is inappropriate and how it affects others.  The range of consequences can vary from problem solving discussions, to formal action plans, to a suspension, depending on the severity and frequency of the behaviour, and the age and maturity of the student.  The school will also inform other agencies, for example the RCMP or Ministry of Children and Families, as necessary.  Special considerations may apply to students with special needs.  Students may be disciplined for violations which occur going to and from school, off school property (and outside of regular school hours), if such violations adversely affect students or the operation of any school.


Notification:

We feel the school and home can work together in teaching students appropriate behaviour at school.  Our goal as a staff is to work with parents to teach students why their behaviour is inappropriate and how it affects others.  Thus parents are often notified of misbehaviour at school.  A conversation (phone call or face-to-face) is the preferred method of communication.  Serious or repeated infractions of the Code of Conduct may lead to a parent conference with the teacher and/or principal, or vice-principal.



COMMUNICATION WITH FAMILIES


Depending on the severity, frequency and intent of unexpected  behaviours, parents/guardians of students involved may be notified.  

Primary communication for minor and most moderate behaviours will be through the classroom teacher. Serious violations to the code of conduct will usually  involve administration or other members of our Student Support Team  (Learning Assistance Teacher, Resource Teacher, Counsellor, Indigenous  Advocate, etc). 

The school will also inform other parties as necessary. For example, in case  of illegal activity, the RCMP will be notified or if the safety or well-being of  a child is in question, the Ministry of Children and Families will be notified. 


Feedback

If you have feedback on our school Code of Conduct, please contact  the school at 250-870-5117 or dre@sd23.bc.ca. We review and modify our code as needed and welcome input from all  partners (parents, students, staff, community) in its development.