Dorothea Walker
Code of Conduct
Within the school community of Dorothea Walker elementary, students are expected to exhibit a commitment to learning and achieving success. Guidelines for appropriate student behaviour reflect the school’s philosophy of openness and mutual respect. Conduct guidelines focus on the expectation that students will take personal responsibility for their behaviour. This responsibility applies not only to academic studies, but also to the treatment of other people and the use and care of school facilities, equipment, textbooks, and supplies and to situations on and off school property during instructional and non instructional hours, if the students actions adversely affect students or the operation of any school.
Dorothea Walker promotes the values expressed in the BC Human Rights Code respecting the rights of all individuals in accordance with the law – prohibiting descrimination based or race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, family status, physical or mental disability, sex or sexual orientation.
Each responsible student contributes to the well being and success of everyone at Dorothea Walker Elementary.
Our school guidelines are: Courtesy Cooperation Consideration
In the classroom students are expected to;
Be diligent in their studies
Respect the learning time of self and others
Be punctual and attend school on a regular basis
Be accountable to the teacher
Perform to the best of their abilities
Throughout the school students are expected to;Be polite and cooperative toward all staff, parents, fellow students, and school neighbours
Use appropriate language
Be truthful and honest
On the school grounds students are expected to;Demonstrate the type of play that ensures the safety and well-being of fellow studentsDemonstrate respect toward all staff
Remain on the school grounds at recess and lunch (unless going home for lunch under parental supervision)
Comply with established playground rules
Traveling to and from school students are expected to;Conduct themselves in a safe and responsible manner by following school and community safety guidelines
Act as responsible ambassadors and citizens of our school
Respect the school / community property
Behave in a manner that would not adversely affect the students or the operation of any school or school activity.
Specific Guidelines
1. Hallways - Please move calmly and quietly in the hallways. Running or loud behavior may cause disturbances or injuries.
2. Entry – If you have scheduled appointments or practices or wish to use the washrooms please enter through the main doors. You may enter the library or computer lab between 8:05 and 8:20. We ask that students not enter to put their books in their lockers until the bell rings. Entry at that time should be through their assigned entrance doors.
Students who are arriving late should enter through the main doors and report their arrival to the office.
3. Dismissal – Students should use their assigned doors to exit the building. All students must exit the building during recess and lunch unless they have scheduled activities with teacher supervision, attend house games or visit the library or computer lab.
Washroom – Students are encouraged to use the washrooms prior to leaving the building at recess and lunch. If they need to use the washrooms during lunch they should enter through the front doors and use the washrooms across from the staffroom.
4. Telephone – Students are to request their teachers permission to use the telephone prior to coming to the office.
5. Lunch – Students are to remain quietly seated in their own desks to eat their lunches. Students are requested to display courtesy and appropriate manners while eating their lunches. When dismissed by the Noon Hour Supervisors, students are to clean up their desk area and exit the classroom.
6. Assemblies – Students are enter the gym in a orderly manner and to be attentive and courteous during assemblies and to recognize performers/ presenters with handclapping only.
7. Playground Behavior – We encourage students to be involved in game activities. Each classroom has playground equipment for student use during recess and lunch. Note : The student who takes out the equipment must return it to the classroom following the lunch or recess break.Throwing rocks, pine cones or snowballs etc. is not acceptable on our playground.
Students are to follow the schedules set out for the use of the playground equipment and to refrain from playing in the areas specified as out of bounds.
Students must not leave the school grounds without permission.
8. School Equipment – Student are encouraged to take care of all school equipment and treat it with respect.
If students fail to exhibit their best behaviour in these areas, a sequential, discipline process based on the age and maturity of the students will be put into effect. This discipline process will focus on restorative consequences when deemed appropriate by the school staff. Consequences applied for inappropriate conduct will be communicated parents/guardians when deemed to be appropriate by the teacher or administrator.
Special considerations may apply to students with special needs if they are unable to comply with due to a physical, intellectual, sensory, emotional or behavioral disability.
The school will treat seriously behavior or communication that discriminates based on race colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, family status, physical or mental disability, sex or sexual orientation.
In addition to our school based guidelines and expectations, students at Dorothea Walker are expected to be aware that more serious violations of the Code of Conduct will be dealt with in accordance with S.D. #23 discipline regulations (Policy/Regulation 455/455R) and may involve the police, district officials or other agencies. A serious violation of School Board Policy could lead to a Definite Suspension (1-10 days) or an Indefinite Suspension (longer than 10 days).
Four: Students 455R – DISCIPLINE
(REGULATIONS)
Attendance
Every student shall be required to attend school on each prescribed school day and shall not leave school without authorization (as determined by the school's code of conduct).
Truancy
A student who is truant on a frequent basis may be definitely suspended.
Smoking
By provincial law, smoking is not allowed in any school buildings, on school property, except as directed under unique circumstances. A student found smoking may be definitely suspended. A condition of return to school will be a conference between the parents/guardians, the student and the principal. See also Policy 640: Smoke-Free Environment.
Alcohol
A student consuming or possessing intoxicating liquor on the school premises or at a school function on/off school premises may be definitely suspended.
Failure of a Student to Apply Him/Herself to Their Studies
Where a student 16 years of age or older repeatedly fails to apply him/herself to their studies, as set out in the School Act Section 85(3), that student may be indefinitely suspended.
Language
A student who uses inappropriate language may be definitely suspended.
Wilful Disobedience
A student who is wilfully disobedient to a teacher or any other employee of the Board carrying out responsibilities approved by the Board may be definitely suspended.
Repeated Violations of Smoking, Alcohol Abuse, Truancy or Inappropriate Language
A student may be indefinitely suspended.
Bomb Threat
A student involved in a bomb threat may be indefinitely suspended.
Drugs
The possession or exchange of drugs is illegal and is known to have harmful effects on health. No student may come to school having consumed drugs, consume drugs at school, exchange or possess drugs while attending school or a school-sponsored activity. A student involved in the possession, exchange or use of drugs other than those medically prescribed for the student's use, on school premises or at a school function on or off school premises, may be indefinitely suspended.
Vandalism, Violent Behaviour, Assault or Intimidation (Bullying)
A student involved in vandalism, violent behaviour, assault or intimidation may be indefinitely suspended.
Possession of Weapons Use of a weapon or any implement used as a weapon is prohibited.
A student in the possession of a weapon may be indefinitely suspended.
Use of Cellular Phones or Communication/Wireless Devices In School/On School Property
Use of these devices is strictly prohibited:
- in the classroom for any use during instructional time;
- in locker rooms and washrooms. A student using a cellular phone or communication/wireless device in school or on school property may be indefinitely suspended.
Serious Violations are those which:
a. occur repeatedly;
b. may be dangerous to the safety of students, teachers and staff; c. may cause health hazards; d. may constitute criminal acts; e. may lead to indefinite suspensions.
2.3 The following circumstances will be reported to the RCMP, as well as the student’s parents, if there is sufficient evidence that a student while under school supervision:
• is in possession of or is trafficking an illicit drug, or
• has violated a federal or provincial statute.
Dress Code
Students are expected to :
-dress in a manner that promotes a positive image of self an the school
-refrain from wearing clothing that promotes the use of drugs, alcohol, or inappropriate language
- Wear clothing that covers the body from the shoulders to the knees and refrain from wearing clothing that is designed for “beach” wear (tops with spaghetti straps, bra straps showing, bare midriffs etc.)
-refrain from wearing clothing and accessories that could contribute to personnal injury
-limit the wearing of make up as it is not appropriate for the daily classroom environment.-Wear appropriate footwear.
-Hats and sunglasses are to be removed prior to entering the building and stored safely in the lockers.
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