The School Act, Part 2, Section 6 states:
(1) A student must comply with the school rules authorized by the principal of the school or Provincial school attended by the student, and with the code of conduct and other rules and policies of the board or the Provincial school.
(2) A student attending a school or a Provincial school must participate in an educational program as directed by the board or by the principal of the Provincial school.
All students have the right to be respected. It is each person's responsibility to: • respect everyone regardless of ability, race, color, religion, gender expression, gender identity, or sexual orientation and not to do or say anything that might hurt their feelings • speak up and / or take action when others are not being respected • let others speak and not be inattentive, talk or cause disruptions • use appropriate language • dress in a manner that is considerate of others Discipline is the act of teaching acceptable social behaviour. It is not just the elimination of inappropriate behaviour; it is the teaching of select behaviours that will enhance and empower a child to co-exist in culturally adaptive and healthy ways.
Bullying and Harassment Students and staff have the right to be in a school community that is free of bullying, intimidation, harassment, racism, sexism and homophobia. We will not tolerate any discrimination on the basis of gender expression, gender identity or sexual orientation (Bill 27, Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2016) There is no place for these practices at Pender. Our goal is to build a community that fosters respect, inclusion, fairness and equity.
When a student does not meet clearly defined expectations of behaviour within the classroom or school he/she should expect to face consequences devised by a teacher and/or administrator. Effective consequences should:
(1) Be a learning experience for the student involved. He/she should clearly understand why the behaviour was objectionable and why the consequences were assigned. He/she should also be taught alternative appropriate behaviour to the situation.
(2) Have a positive influence on the learning environment in the classroom and the school. Consequences should be directed at the misbehaviour, not at the individual. Discipline should not involve retaliation, confrontation, or humiliation. All parties involved should feel that inappropriate behaviour has been promptly and justly dealt with.
(3) Act as a deterrent for similar behaviour by impressionable students.
The inherent themes of both teacher and administration based discipline should be action, sensitivity, and constant evaluation of discipline as a learning process.
Teacher-Based Discipline
Given that the classroom teacher is usually the most effective designer of discipline, it is assumed that the following will be part of a consistent discipline structure within the school:
(1) Behavioural expectations for the classroom will be clearly outlined in a manner that is sensitive to the age and maturity levels of the students involved.
(2 Potential consequences for inappropriate behaviour will be discussed in a similar manner.
Administration-based Discipline
Referrals to administration will be judged individually according to the frequency and seriousness of the misbehaviour. Administrative discretion in assigning consequences is vital. Administration will exercise the following procedure (unless emergent circumstances dictate a different course of action) for referrals:
(1) A discussion with the objective of having the student clearly define and accept responsibility for his/her problem and why the consequences designed by the teacher have not resulted in a change in behaviour; (2) The assignment of an appropriate sequence of consequences, i.e.: (3) Administrative warning and consequences such as in-school suspension, (4) One to five day suspension, parent/administration interview (5) Escalating suspensions (6) Referral to Superintendent
Referrals for serious offenses will result in immediate suspensions.
Exams Students are expected to follow all rules specified by their teacher during an exam. Students who are caught cheating (copying work, using books when not allowed, cheat sheets, talking during exams) may receive a zero on that exam. Students who are absent without being excused in advance by their parents (due to illness or family emergency only), will be considered as skipping an exam and may receive a zero for that exam.
Dress and Grooming All members of the school community shall respect reasonable standards of appropriateness in dress. Clothing is not appropriate if it becomes distracting in the learning and working situation. Clothing bearing direct or indirect messages or graphics referring to drugs, including alcohol or cigarettes, or of a discriminatory, sexual, or violent nature, cannot be worn to school. The Principal is given the authority to ask any member of the school community not respecting these guidelines to change into suitable clothing.
Tobacco No one may use tobacco at any time in the school building or on the school grounds.
Lockers The school provides students with lockers to store their possessions and materials that may be required for educational or school purposes. Students may not use lockers to store items which are not required for educational or school purposes. Lockers are school property, and as such school administration and others authorized by the school administrator will have the right to search student lockers at any time. If possible the student will be present during the locker search. Students should not leave valuables in their lockers or deface the lockers. Students are solely responsible forall items which they bring to school.
Telephone Because it is important that you be in class during class time, it is expected that you will use cell phones only before and after school, recess and lunch time. The office phones are not for student use, unless a student wishes to sign out, when they should use the office phone so that we can verify permission to leave. If there is an emergency, you should contact the secretary.
Hallway Behaviour Expected behaviours in hallways: (1) Students are expected to be in classrooms during class time. Going to the washroom, getting drinks, fetching books and materials must be kept to an absolute minimum during class time. (2) Safe conduct (3) Appropriate use of language. (4) Purposeful behaviour such as studying, eating, or quiet socializing
Students who display unsafe, rowdy, or boisterous behaviour or who are loud, obnoxious, or profane, will be given one warning and their name noted. A second incident of unacceptable behaviour will result in some form of discipline. Continued unacceptable behaviour will be referred to the administration. Public displays of affection are not appropriate in a public school setting. Offenders will be warned and parents notified in cases of non-compliance.
Computer Lab Lab may only be used outside of class time under supervision and with the permission of a teacher or the principal. Computer games are not permitted unless they have been authorized by the supervisor for their educational merit. Network space is provided for student use. Students must ensure that the space is used strictly for storing classroom assignments and password security is maintained.
Transportation to and from School (1) Students are expected to travel to and from school in the school bus, or in a vehicle authorized by their parents or the principal.
(2) Grade 7 students may not leave the school grounds at lunch or break times unless they have the written permission of their parents. (3) Grade 8 and 9 students are not permitted to go beyond the PetroCan station at the corner of Hwy 101 and Garden Bay Road unless they have the written permission of their parents.
(4) Grade 7 to 9 students are not permitted to go to or leave school in a vehicle driven by another student or anyone else unless authorized by written parental permission or by the principal.
(5) For field trips and extracurricular trips, the preferred modes of transportation are first, school buses; second, buses operated by transit companies; third, vehicles rented from a commercial operator and driven by an appropriately licensed driver; fourth, privately owned vehicles.
(6) Students who drive their own vehicle to school must operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Unsafe driving practices will result in a parent meeting.
Students may not transport other students to events organized by the school.
Regulation for Student Council Dances
Guests: Guests may be invited to the dance. Their names must be submitted to the principal in advance of the dance for approval. The host student is responsible for the behaviour of the guest. If a guest is required to leave he/she may be barred from future dances and the host will also be required to leave and may be barred from future dances.
Intoxicants: Any student who comes to the dance having consumed alcohol or under the influence of illegal drugs will be sent home and subject to suspension. In addition, he/she may be barred from future dances for one calendar year. If a guest is under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, he/she must leave immediately and will be barred from future dances.
Door:No one will be allowed to enter later than 30 mins after the beginning of the dance except by special arrangement with the principal. Anyone leaving the dance will not be readmitted. A supervised smoking area will be provided. Students who are absent on the day of the dance will not be permitted to attend unless prior arrangements have been made with the sponsor teacher or the principal.
Suspensions
Drug or alcohol involvement: Involvement is defined as possessing, using, smelling of, or being with someone while they were using drugs or alcohol. The consequence will be RCMP notification and up to 5 days for the first incidence, up to10 day suspension for second incidence and possible expulsion depending on the age of the student. A student found selling drugs or alcohol will immediately be referred to the Superintendent. Students found drinking or using drugs may also be suspended from extracurricular travel for one year.
It is the suspended student's responsibility to complete assignments during the suspension and to make up tests upon his/her return.
Violence: For the first incidence, a 1-5 days suspension, 5-10 days suspension and referral to the Superintendent for subsequent incidents, as per School Board policy. Violence is defined as threatening or intimidating behaviour in addition to physical acts of violence.
Major insubordination: Any student not adhering to a reasonable request by any staff member will be sent home immediately and not permitted re-entry until she/he has explained the refusal to act to the teacher involved, in the presence of a parent and administrator. In addition to discipline referrals by teachers, administration will also contribute to a positive tone in the school by implementing rewards for positive behaviours.
|