Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct

Changes to Rainbow District School Board’s safe schools policies and procedures came into effect on February 1st, 2008 with the passing of Bill 212, the Education Amendment Act (Progressive Discipline and School Safety). The policy and procedures for suspension and expulsion have been revised. Two new policies and procedures have been created for bullying and progressive discipline. RDSB also has a new Code of Conduct, which replaces the Discipline Policy. With these new policies and procedures, school staff will continue to work respectfully and collaboratively with students and parents/guardians, using a progressive approach to discipline with school safety first and foremost. The new policies and procedures are available here on the Board’s website.

A school is a place that promotes responsibility, respect, civility and academic excellence in a safe learning and teaching environment. All students, parents/guardians, and staff have the right to be safe and feel safe in their school community. With this right comes the responsibility to be law-abiding citizens and to be accountable for actions that put the safety of others or oneself at risk. We believe that every student has the right to an education without disruption, along with the equally important responsibility not to deny this right to any other student.

Larchwood Public School adheres to the Rainbow District School Board’s Code of Conduct that encourages positive student behaviour. A firm and fair application of this Code of Conduct shall prevail in all school activities and on school buses.

Standards of Behaviour

The standards of behaviour apply to students, staff, parents/guardians, volunteers, and visitors engaged in any school activity.In addition to the standards outlined in the Rainbow District School Board Code of Conduct, Larchwood Public School has developed a school Code of Conduct clarifying acceptable and non-acceptable behaviour for all members of the school community. These school Codes of Conduct are subject to review on a regular basis.

Members of the Larchwood P.S. school community will:

• Use appropriate school language (i.e. polite, respectful)
• Adhere to the school Dress Code
• Remove hats when entering the building
• Listen attentively to announcements
• Not chew gum
• Solve problems and/or conflict positively
• Seek assistance from a member of the school staff, if necessary, to resolve conflict peacefully

The following routines and expectations for students have been outlined to ensure adherence with Larchwood Public School’s standards of behaviour. These expectations and routines will be posted in classrooms and hallways:

1. Arrival

• Arrive on time with the necessary equipment prepared to learn
• Upon arrival, move to the designated playground area at the back of the school
• Students on buses will exit buses from front seats to back then walk single-file along side walk to back of school

2. Playground

• Remain within school yard boundaries
• Use appropriate school language (polite, respectful).
• Play cooperatively, using equipment properly and safely
• Try to solve problems positively. Ask an adult for help when needed.
• Personal electronics from home, trading cards, and food are not permitted on the school yard
• Dress appropriately for the weather
• Obtain permission to re-enter the school during recess from a supervisor on duty.
• Demonstrate respect for all supervising staff and follow instructions of all supervising staff.

3. Entering The Building

• Form class lines standing calmly and quietly and wait to be invited into the school.
• Respond when greeted.
• Hold sporting equipment in hands. Return all equipment borrowed from the bins (must not be kept in own lockers, backpacks or classrooms).
• Remove hats along with outdoor wear (if applicable) once inside and put on indoor shoes.
• Proceed straight to the classroom and receive teacher permission to use the washroom if necessary.

4. Walking in the Halls

• Walk in single file, quietly, on the right side of the hall.
• Keep hands and feet to yourself.
• Respond when greeted.
• Stop to allow an adult or younger child to pass through a class line or a doorway.
• Line up quietly in hallways and wait to be invited into other classrooms, gym, or library.

5. Washroom Use

• Learn and follow the classroom routine to monitor washroom use. Follow hall routine to and from washroom.
• Treat washroom with respect.

6. Lunch Routines

• All students who are not signed out for lunch by an adult must remain at school and cannot leave the property.
• In order to be signed out by an adult, students must have written permission from their parent/guardian. The adult signing the student(s) out must come into the school to sign the student(s) out.
• Students will eat in their own classrooms, at the seat assigned by the classroom teacher.
• Remain seated and use indoor voices talking only to others at your table or close by.
• Students are responsible for tidying up the classroom before being dismissed.
• Wait quietly to be dismissed.
• When dismissed, all garbage will be placed in the classroom garbage container Recyclable items will be placed in the classroom blue box.
• Students may not leave the classroom without permission from a supervisor, a teacher or the principal.

7. Assemblies

• Follow hall routines when proceeding to the gym.
• Sit in assigned rows with legs crossed and hands on lap. Grade 7/8 students will sit on benches. Talk quietly, watching for signal to be silent.
• During presentations, be attentive and show appreciation through applause only.
• Stay seated until your teacher signals the class to get up and leave.

8. Dismissal

• Follow hall routines to the door.
• Line up calmly in bus lines and remain there.
• Walkers and students being picked up exit through main doors.

Respect, civility and responsible citizenship

All school members must:

• respect and comply with all applicable federal, provincial, and municipal laws;
• demonstrate honesty and integrity in achieving academic excellence and in the appropriate use of technology;
• 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, financial status, 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.

Safety

Weapons

All members of the school community must:

• not be in possession of any weapon, including but not limited to firearms;
• not use any object to threaten or intimidate another person;
• not use any object to cause personal injury.

Alcohol and Drugs

• not be in possession of, or be under the influence of, or provide others with alcohol or illegal drugs;
• not traffic weapons or illegal drugs;
• not give alcohol to a minor

Physical Aggression

• not inflict or encourage others to inflict bodily harm on another person;
• seek staff assistance, if necessary, to resolve conflict peacefully.

Other

• not engage in bullying behaviours;
• not commit sexual assault;
• not commit robbery;
• not engage in hate propaganda and other forms of behaviour motivated by hate or bias;
• not commit an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property or to property located on the premises of the school.

Important Note:

Professional judgment will be employed regarding the application of consequences to ensure that consideration is given to mitigating factors such as the deliberateness of a student’s behaviour, repetitiveness, competence and the student’s history. Progressive discipline will be used in the application of interventions and consequences as appropriate.