CC Carrothers Code of Conduct

CC Carrothers P.S. promotes responsibility, respect, civility and academic excellence in a safe learning environment.  A positive school climate exists when all members of the school community feel safe, comfortable, and are accepted.  All students, parents/guardians, and staff members have the right to be safe in their school community.  With this right comes the responsibility to contribute to a positive school climate.  

The purpose of the Code of Conduct is to ensure the rights and responsibilities of all members of the school community.  It is based on the premise that everyone in the school is responsible for their own behaviour and that progressive discipline is a shared responsibility of school staff as well as parents and guardians.  The CC Carrothers Code of Conduct includes the provincial standards of behaviour.  It specifies mandatory consequences for student actions that do not comply with these standards.  The standards of behaviour apply not only to students, but also to all school members, i.e., individuals involved in the school system staff, parents/guardians, volunteers, community members, etc.  whether they are on school property, on school buses or at school-authorized events or activities, or in other circumstances that could have an impact on the school climate.

WE BELIEVE ALL INDIVIDUALS HAVE A RIGHT TO:

• a quality education;

• have themselves and their property treated with respect and care;

• learn in an environment free from undue interruption;

• work, learn, and play in an atmosphere supportive of quality learning and safety;

• be helped when in need;

• have their differences respected and celebrated;

• express their opinions, needs, and concerns in a respectful and non-violent way;

• a clean school environment;

• be free from racial, ethnic, verbal, online, physical, and sexual harassment, and bullying.

WE BELIEVE ALL INDIVIDUALS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO:

• respect and obey those in authority;

• respect themselves, others, and their property;

• treat school property with respect and care;

• obey the rules as outlined in class, the Code of Conduct, and throughout the school

• be accepting and considerate of the rights and feelings of others without discrimination because of citizenship, race, place of origin, ethnic origin, colour, ancestry, disability, age, creed, sex/pregnancy, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression;

• resolve conflicts in a peaceful and constructive manner;

• report violations of the Code of Conduct to a staff member (e.g., teacher, administrator, support staff);

• follow online etiquette and safety routines outlined in our school Acceptable Use of Electronic Communication policy.

CONSEQUENCES

Practices will focus on prevention and will foster dignity and respect while ensuring the safety of all through firm, fair, and progressive strategies designed to promote self-respect and respect for others.  Guidance that is age and developmentally appropriate will always be provided to students.  When necessary, consequences may be applied by teachers, support staff, school administration and school staff in a position of authority. A continuum of corrective and supportive interventions include:

Early and ongoing interventions:

• verbal reminders, with guidance for improvement

• review of expectations

• opportunity for reflection & debrief during non-instructional times

• relocation to a different classroom (e.g., resource room)

• calling parents or guardians at home or at work

• setting up an individual student/teacher contract

• conflict resolution

• restorative justice approaches

Further and ongoing intervention may include:

• an interview with an administrator

• meeting with parent/guardian

• referral to a Board-level or community supports

• police involvement for serious violent or illegal activities

• suspension

• expulsion

Expectations for Student Behaviour

Parents and caregivers should review these expectations with their children.  By working together, we can ensure that respect and courtesy prevail in the school.

Students are expected to:

• Come to school every day on time.   If students are unavoidably delayed, they must inform the office before going to class

• Attend all classes punctually with necessary materials

• Enter school at 9:00 a.m. via the assigned doors. 

• Help keep our building and playground neat and tidy. Care respectfully for books, supplies, equipment, technology, and school property.

• Use library/class resources with care and sign them out in the required way and be prompt in returning them.

• Always be polite; to all people and show respect for the rights of others. Cooperate to their fullest with staff, bus drivers, crossing guards and other volunteers, and be especially respectful to occasional teachers.

• Refrain from using words which will offend or hurt others.

• Remain on school property in designated playground areas during school hours.

Students Riding on School Busses

Time on the school bus is considered an extension of the school day. The Code of Conduct applies equally anytime students ride the bus. The bus driver will notify the school of any concerns, and all situations will be dealt with accordingly.  

Bicycles, Rollerblades, Skateboards and Scooters

Children may ride to school but do so at their own risk. Bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards, and scooters may not be used on school property or inside the school.  Students should lock their bikes at the rack. Please keep an extra key at home. We cannot accept responsibility for the safekeeping of these items. Rollerblades must be removed before entering the schoolyard. Bikes and scooters must be walked and skateboards must be carried, not ridden, on school property.  Please remind your children to follow these rules to ensure safety on our playground and in the school.

Cell Phone Use and Other Electronic Devices Policy

• Details on acceptable use of technology are outlined in the CC Carrothers Bring Your Own Device Code of Conduct

• Cell phones must be off at all times unless permission is given for use in class

• Lost, stolen or damaged personal devices are solely the responsibility of students, parents, and caregivers

• Cellphones must be left in backpacks, pockets, on desks, or as directed by teacher and administration. 

• There are many phones and several phone lines at school. Parents can call the school if they need to speak to their child, and we will always relay messages. Should a call back home be required, your child can connect with you during the day. 

• Any student using a cell phone without staff permission during the school day will be directed to submit their phone to the office. It will be returned to the student at the end of the day. A second incident will result in the same consequence as the first, along with the student’s parent being called. The third time will result in the student losing the privilege of carrying a cell phone on school property. If it is brought to school, it will be kept in the office each day and the student will drop it off and pick it up daily.

• Handheld audio and video devices (e.g., cameras, cell phones, smart watches) shall not be used in the classroom and other designated areas of the school without the permission of the school staff.  Additionally, no one is to use their portable handheld device to audiotape or videotape other individuals (staff, student, parent or community members) without staff permission while on school property, or at any school events. 

• Over the course of the year, our goal is to educate our students in using any type of technology in a thoughtful and responsible manner.

Tobacco, Cannabis and Smoke-Free Environment

Students, staff, and visitors are prohibited from smoking or vaping on school board property and within 20 metres from any point of the perimeter of any school board property. This includes the smoking or holding of lighted tobacco or cannabis (marijuana), and includes a ban on the use and possession of e-cigarettes and electronic smoking devices. Students and staff that have a legal medical document authorizing them to use medical cannabis will be able to do so on school board property, but only in a non-smoking or non-vaping form (e.g., capsules, edibles and oils). Students, staff, and visitors are also prohibited from using shisha, smokeless tobacco and/or cannabis products (unless medically prescribed) and all related accessories. This code of conduct is in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and on school buses, or during any part of an official school field trip, including athletic team trips and school club excursions.

Failure to comply with this code of conduct may result in internal student discipline (e.g., warning, notification to parents/guardians, withdrawal of privilege, suspension, etc.) and/or charges and fines issued by an Officer of a Provincial Enforcement Agency.

Internet Use

Students are expected to use the school's Internet access in support of educational goals.  The school's Code of Conduct outlines expectations for students, including behaviour with respect to use of computers.  Unacceptable  use includes, but is not limited to: (i) activities which may damage equipment, (ii) downloading, copying or transmitting any material which is in violation 

of any Federal or Provincial regulation such as copyrighted material; threatening or obscene material; hateful, racist, or discriminatory  material and, (iii) any breach of security on local and remote sites including use or attempted use of another user's account; unlawful entry or attempted entry into any network system; any attempt  to gain unauthorized access to view, alter, copy, share or destroy data and the creation and/or willful transmission of computer viruses or virus hoaxes.  Inappropriate use by your child could result in denial of computer privileges and/or legal action.