Twin Rivers Elementary School Respect Ourselves, Respect Others, Respect Our Environment 649 7 th Avenue, Castlegar, B.C. V1N 1R6 Phone: TR: (250) 365-8465 CP:(250) 365-5744 tr.sd20.bc.ca CODE OF CONDUCT ABSTRACT PURPOSE The Twin Rivers Elementary School Code of Conduct is designed to support the school as being a safe, caring, and orderly environment for learning and working. This would include behavior both on school premises and during activities that are off school premises and are organized and/or sponsored by the school and behaviour beyond these times (including on-line behaviour) when it affects the safe, caring, or orderly environment of the school and/or student learning. The school will not allow the publishing, issuing or displaying any statement, publication, notice, sign, symbol, emblem or other representation that indicates discrimination or an intention to discriminate against a person or a group or class of persons, or is likely to expose a person or group or class of persons to hatred or contempt because of their race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation or age. The school prohibits denying a person a service customarily available to the public or to discriminate against a person or class of persons regarding a service customarily available to the public because of their race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation or age. The school will treat seriously and promote 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, colour, 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. ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOURS * respecting self, others, learning and the school * helping to make the school a safe, caring and orderly place * Informing a tellable adult, in a timely manner (in advance, if possible) of incidents of bullying, harassment or intimidation * engaging in purposeful learning activities in a timely manner * acting in a manner that brings credit to the school UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOURS The following are examples of unacceptable behaviours and are not to be viewed as an exhaustive list. Behaviours that: Ø interfere with the learning of others, including their emotional well-being Ø interfere with an orderly environment Ø create unsafe conditions inside and outside of the school, including the bus Acts, such as: Ø bullying, discrimination, harassment or intimidation Ø physical violence Ø retribution against a person who has reported incidents Illegal acts, such as: Ø possession, use or distribution of illegal or restricted substances Ø possession or use of weapons Ø theft or damage to property
-2- CONSEQUENCES Appropriate disciplinary action will take into consideration the severity and frequency of the unacceptable conduct as well as the age and maturity of the student. Wherever, possible and appropriate restorative and preventative rather than punitive consequences will be the focus. Special considerations may apply to students with special needs, if they are unable to comply with the school s Code of Conduct due to having a disability of an intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional or behavioural nature. RISING EXPECTATIONS As students become older and progress through the grades, expectations in regards to their behaviour and level of responsibility also grows as does the expectations that they will make more mature decisions regarding their own rights and responsibilities as well as those of others. Therefore, the consequences for inappropriate or disrespectful behaviour may vary according to each student s age, cognitive development and special needs and will be considered a factor when providing consequences/learning opportunities for students to learn from their mistakes and make more appropriate decisions and demonstrate appropriate behaviours. It is understood that as students become older, more mature and move through successive grades, the school has rising student expectations regarding personal responsibility and selfdiscipline, as well as, increasing consequences for unacceptable conduct. NOTIFICATION The school will advise other parties (parents, school district officials, police, other agencies, all parents) as appropriate of breaches of the code of conduct in response to the escalating impact and seriousness of any unacceptable conduct. School District No. 20 (Kootenay-Columbia) AND Twin Rivers Elementary School will take all reasonable steps to prevent retaliation by a person against a student who has made a complaint of a breach of the school s Code of Conduct.
TWIN RIVERS ELEMENTARY CODE OF CONDUCT At Twin Rivers Elementary School the conduct of students should at all times contribute to a safe, orderly, positive and productive learning environment. Students are expected to know, understand and follow the School s Code of Conduct. Students have both rights and responsibilities. At Twin Rivers Elementary School, students: Have the right to attend school. It is the responsibility of each student to be on-time, and attend school each day. Have the right to learn. Every student has the responsibility to complete assigned work, to come prepared for school each day and to participate fully in educational programs. Have the right to be treated with respect. It is the responsibility of every student to respect the rights of others, to understand and respect individual differences, and to help create a positive school environment. Have the right to a safe, secure and discrimination free environment. Every student has the responsibility to be considerate, to respect personal and school property, to respect the personal space and privacy of others and to avoid activities that could jeopardize the safety of themselves and others. As students become older and progress through the grades, expectations in regards to their behaviour and level of responsibility also grows as does the expectation that they will make more mature decisions regarding their own rights and responsibilities as well as those of others. These responsibilities apply to conduct at school, while going to and from school, and while attending any school function at any location. The school will take reasonable steps to protect anyone from retaliation for coming forward with information about a student who breaches the school code of conduct. Any student who chooses not to accept these responsibilities can lose the right to attend Twin Rivers Elementary School. In the classroom, a Code of Conduct will be developed by the individual teachers and their students in line with expectations set out in the school s.
-2- DISCIPLINE PLAN The discipline plan outlines the procedures that will be followed when students have problems meeting the responsibilities as outlined in the Code of Conduct. A firm, fair and effective discipline plan allows us to: Provide positive reinforcement for appropriate behavior. Help students to find alternatives to inappropriate behavior. Provide opportunities for children to learn appropriate behaviors and to learn from their mistakes. Provide consequences to inappropriate behavior. As students become older and progress through the grades, expectations in regards to their behaviour and level of responsibility also grows as does the expectation that they will make more mature decisions regarding their own rights and responsibilities as well as those of others. In accordance with this, the consequences for inappropriate or disrespectful behaviour may vary according to each child s individual age, cognitive development and special needs and will be considered a factor when providing consequences/learning opportunities for children to learn from their mistakes and make more appropriate decisions and demonstrate appropriate behaviours. Twin Rivers Elementary School s Guiding Principles Respect Ourselves Respect Others Respect Our Environment All of our expectations for students fit within these guidelines. From time to time during a school year concerns may arise that need to be addressed. These issues may be resolved in a variety of ways depending upon the nature of the concern. In general the following procedures will be followed in addressing a concern.
Step 1: The classroom teacher will attempt to deal with the behavioral concern. -3- The classroom teacher will offer some of: a. Counseling and re-teaching by the teacher/c.c.w. b. Behavior modification strategies c. Appropriate consequences d. Phone calls to parents e. Documented evidence of the inappropriate behavior, the action taken, and the results of such actions. f. A meeting with the parents before the child is moved to Step 2. After Step 1 interventions, if the classroom teacher feels that the concerns have not been resolved then the teacher will refer the student to the principal and the student will be placed on STEP 2. Step 2: Referral to the Office of the Principal. The Principal or teacher will offer some of: a. Counseling by the Principal/C.C.W./Elementary Counselor. b. Contact with the parents by phone and parent interviews. c. Meeting with the classroom teacher and parents to develop a behavior plan with strategies to address the problem. Behavior Plan to include: a. Letter to parents pc d to student file - outlining problem and action taken b. Possibilities of: i. counseling/referrals to outside agencies. ii. student to remain in class under strict observation. iii. restricted access to playground. iv. behavior contract. v. student removed from class for an in-school suspension. vi. reinforcement and teaching plan for appropriate behavior. vii. consequences, which may include loss of privileges - e.g. special class activities, cultural events, field trips, school sports, skiing. c. Length of time and review date.
-4- Students will remain on STEP 2 for two weeks; a review will be done at the end of this period. At that time the student may remain on STEP 2 or go back to STEP 1. Step 3: Following Steps 1 and 2, if the Principal and the teacher feel that the problem has not been resolved, then the Principal may recommend: a. Meeting between parents, principal, teacher and C.C.W. and any other member of the School Based Team. b. Removal of student from class for an: i. In-school suspension, if appropriate ii. Out-of-school suspension (up to 5 days) c. Consequences, including loss of privileges - e.g. special class activities, cultural events, field trips school sports, skiing, etc. may be extended for the remainder of the year. Review of students on step 3 will be done after an interval of 2 weeks. Step 4: If the problem persists after Step 3, then the school will refer the student and parents to the Board of School Trustees. The student will be removed from class until such time as the Superintendent of Schools or designate meets with the parents and student. Parents should, however, be aware that major offenses such as possession of weapons, drugs or alcohol as well as offenses to persons or property are covered under District Administrative Guidelines and will move directly to STEP 3. Other situations may warrant missing or repeating STEPS 1, 2, or 3. This will depend on the seriousness of the problem and time between inappropriate behaviors. The school will make every effort to contact the parent in the event that the student has been disciplined. In the case of suspensions, parents will be notified by phone and in writing. Suspension letters are also sent to the Superintendent of schools or designate and are kept on file at the School Board Office. Revised August 2017