Blewett Elementary School

Code of Conduct

(Revised November, 2008)

Purpose:

The purpose of this code of conduct is to ensure that all students of Blewett Elementary School learn and grow in a positive, safe, caring and orderly school environment. 

Values and Beliefs

Blewett Elementary School promotes cultural diversity and the values expressed in the BC Human Rights Code respecting the rights of all individuals in accordance with the law, and prohibiting discrimination based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental abilities, sex or sexual orientation – in respect of discriminatory publication and discrimination in accommodation, service and facility in the school environment.

In addition, and as part of our restitution focus at Blewett Elementary School, we believe that students should be learning to take responsibility and be accountable for their own behaviour and learning.

Program:

To guide staff in maintaining positive conduct and a focus on learning in our school, the school community is working with the Restitution model.  Our goal is to create conditions for the person to fix his or her mistake and to return to the group strengthened, with self esteem intact.

Procedures:

Each school year classrooms establish common values based on needs that guide behavior. The school values go hand in hand with our individual needs for power, belonging, fun and freedom.  Our school values include:

• respect
• learning
• honesty
• safety

Our beliefs also support our school mission:   

At Blewett Elementary School, we aim to enable children to grow in a nurturing environment that :

• empowers children with life-long learning skills.
• enables children to become caring and sensitive individuals who appreciate and respect themselves and others.
• develops children’s awareness of and responsibility towards their local and global community.
• encourages a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
• makes learning safe, meaningful and enjoyable.

Acceptable & Unacceptable Behaviour:

The following expectations apply to behaviour at school, during school-organized or sponsored activities, and behaviour beyond these times (including On-line/Internet behaviour) that impacts the positive, safe, caring and orderly environment of the school, and/or student learning.

Acceptable Behaviour

Everyone at Blewett Elementary School has the responsibility to behave in a manner that allows others to work and learn in a safe, caring and orderly school environment.  We aim to meet our needs for belonging, fun, freedom and power in “clean” ways rather than in “mean” ways.

For example:

Learning:

• I encourage and help others to be the best they can be.
• I participate cooperatively in all learning activities at school.
• I behave in a way that allows others to participate in all learning activities at school.
• I take responsibility for my own learning.
• I strive to be the best person I can be.

Respect:

• I treat others the way I want to be treated.

• I show deep respect for the earth.

• I show respect for the school.
• I respect myself by being honest, working hard and looking after myself.

• I respect others by being polite, cooperative and using kind words.
• I value others by listening to their ideas, acknowledging their feelings and respecting their space.
• I ask for permission before using things that belong to others and I treat their things with respect.

• I treat all property with care. This includes all equipment and materials, whether they belong to the school, to me or to other members of the school community.

Honesty:

• When I find something that does not belong to me, I give it to school staff so it can be returned to the owner.
• I take responsibility for my actions.

Safety:

• I let the school staff know when I have a concern.
• I take care of the school building and the yard.
• I make sure I have thought about safety concerns before taking part in any activity.
• I will make decisions that will keep me and other students safe.

Unacceptable Behaviour

The school will treat seriously, behaviour or communication that discriminates based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental abilities, sex or sexual orientation (prohibited grounds set out in the BC Human Rights Code). 

In addition, the following behaviours will be treated seriously and dealt with accordingly:

• Habitual interference with teaching or learning
• Defiance of authority of school staff and volunteers
• Bullying, harassment or intimidation including: threats, verbal abuse, name calling acts of revenge and physical violence
• Unsafe play or behaviour
• Vandalism or theft
• Possession of: drugs, alcohol, tobacco, matches or lighters, weapons or any other articles with potential to cause harm.  Severity of consequences will depend upon on intention or threat to cause harm.

The behaviours cited are examples only. This is not an all-inclusive list.

The principal may be required to report breaches of the Code of Conduct to the superintendent or to other agencies.

Consequences / Solutions

Note: special considerations may apply to students with special needs if they are unable to comply with the Code of Conduct due to having limited abilities of an intellectual,   physical, sensory, emotional or behavioural nature.  Teachers, caregivers, support workers and parents or guardians will be encouraged to teach appropriate behaviour, consequences and/or restitution to these students.

Note: All steps include fair process and restitution.

Note: Rising expectations: the severity and frequency of unacceptable behaviour, as well as the age and maturity and special needs of students will be considered in determining appropriate conduct, consequences and restitution.

Step 1:

The student(s) will be removed from the class or playground and a discussion will be held with the supervising staff member (teacher, teacher assistant, noon-hour supervisor) and the principal or teacher-in-charge.  The purpose of this discussion will be to help the child(ren) calm down, if necessary, and take control of his/her/their behaviour.  In a minor incident, the adult(s) will work with the students to try to resolve the situation, helping the student(s) take responsibility for his/her/their role in the conflict, eventually coming to a restitution-based solution.  If appropriate, a “Restitution Reminder” will be completed regarding the incident and resolution.  PARENTS OF ALL INVOLVED STUDENTS MAY BE CONTACTED, DEPENDING ON THE NATURE OF THE INCIDENT.

Step 2

If the behaviour is repeated, or the behaviour warrants it, restitution will be developed by the student(s) or a consequence/solution will be given. Restitution can be an action undertaken by the student(s) to repair the damage caused by the behaviour.  A consequence can be a time out or an in-school or out-of-school suspension.  The record of the behaviour (Restitution Reminder) will form the basis for discussion with the teacher or principal. PARENTS OF ALL INVOLVED STUDENTS WILL BE CONTACTED.

Step 3

If the student continues to display the same behaviour, if the behaviour warrants it or if the student refuses to make restitution for his or her behaviour, the student will be removed from the class or playground until the teacher and principal see that the student(s) is/are able and willing to make a change in the behaviour or make restitution.  A BEHAVIOUR PLAN WILL BE SENT HOME FOR PARENTS to discuss with the student(s) and give support for a change in behaviour.  At this point the student(s) may be placed on in-school or out of school suspension. PARENTS OF ALL INVOLVED STUDENTS WILL BE CONTACTED.  Parents may be required to meet with school staff.

Step 4

If the behaviour continues to be disruptive or unsafe, or is seen to be severe, the final step in the process is for the student(s) to be suspended until the School Board has a chance to meet and make a decision about the student’s future. PARENTS OF ALL INVOLVED STUDENTS WILL BE CONTACTED.

For further information on school district policy regarding student conduct please use the following links to the school district website :

http://www.sd8.bc.ca/policy/pol300.htm                     STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCILPLINE

http://www.sd8.bc.ca/policy/bylaw1.htm                    STUDENT / PARENT APPEALS