Code of Conduct

At Davie Jones our commitment as a school community is to foster a lifelong love of learning, the pursuit of excellence and a responsible caring attitude for self and the global community.

CODE OF CONDUCT

Statement of Purpose

Davie Jones’s Code of Conduct has been created to maintain a safe, caring and orderly school environment.  Our expectations are that students will maintain an attitude that is cooperative, courteous and respectful.

We do not tolerate discrimination towards others that prevent them from having their needs met.  We do not allow any publication or display of signs, symbols, or other representations that discriminate against others because of their race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, or age.

The purposes of the Code of Conduct are:

1. To encourage the development of socially responsible behaviour resulting in a positive reputation for students and the school community.
2. To foster a safe, respectful and welcoming learning environment for all students, staff and parents.
3. To clearly communicate behavioural expectations to the school   community.

The Code of Conduct applies to all members of the school community at school, traveling to and from the school, at any school-related activity at any location, or any circumstance/activity that will have an impact on the school environment.

Conduct Expectations

At Davie Jones our commitment, as a school community, is to foster a lifelong love of learning, the pursuit of excellence, and a responsible caring attitude for self and the global community. Here, we expect all students and adults to show that we understand the following guidelines:

• Respect for self and others
• Respect for property
• Safety for self and others

At Davie Jones we:

• Complete school work to the best of our ability
• Use our planners and complete our homework
• Attend school on time and ready to work
• Play without fighting and follow a school wide “hands off” policy where everyone can work and play safely
• Are quiet and respectful of others’ learning when in the school hallways or when using common spaces within the school
• Keep our school clean; we recycle and use the garbage cans
• Stay on the playground unless going home for lunch or picked up by a care giver
• Refrain from throwing objects that could cause injury or damage to property (rocks, sticks, snowballs)
• Walk bicycles, skateboards, scooters, and roller blades while on the school grounds
• Take off hats when entering the school
• Follow School District #42 policy regarding weapons, replica weapons, explosives, fireworks, matches, lighters, laser pointers, cigarettes, violence, alcohol, and drugs
• Report dangerous situations to staff
• Eating respectfully during lunch break
• Using washrooms appropriately
• Walking on the right side of the hall
• Solving problems using words
• Respecting hallway artwork and displays
• No loitering (hanging around the halls) at recess, lunch or before school

Certain behaviours will be considered unacceptable, including but not limited to:

Failure to respect

1. A) Persons

Arguing, defying, disobeying, lying, misleading, taunting, teasing, swearing, bullying, treating others disrespectfully

1. B) Physical Space

Grabbing, pushing, tripping, wrestling, fighting, throwing objects (rocks, sticks, snowballs, etc)

1. C) Property

Misusing the building and equipment, littering, spitting, stealing

1. D) Law

Engaging in any illegal activities

1. E) Unacceptable behaviours
   • All forms of bullying (Physical, verbal, emotional, social or cyber bullying, includes comments, actions or visual displays that are intentional, hurtful and repetitive).
   • Harassment, including behaviour that degrades, demeans, humiliates or embarrasses someone that a reasonable person would know is unwelcome.
   • All forms of abuse (sexual, physical or psychological), including verbally, in writing or otherwise.
   • Any language (oral or written) or behaviour that deliberately degrades, denigrates, labels, stereotypes or incites hatred, prejudice, discrimination or harassment towards students or employees on the basis of their real and or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, appearance, capacity, disability, colour, ethnicity, or religion.
   • Actions that put another person at risk of harm, including violent physical acts (with or without a weapon) and threatening someone.

Expectations for student conduct for younger students differ from those for older students as they do for students with special needs who are unable to meet expectations due to a disability. It is expected as students move through successive grades, become older and more mature that they will be more socially responsible.

Responses to Conduct Issues

• Responses to unacceptable conduct will be thoughtful, consistent and fair.  The focus of any intervention will be preventative and restorative in nature, rather than merely punitive.
• Wherever possible, students will be encouraged to participate in the development of meaningful interventions through discussion and mediation.  Decisions will be made with respect to the individual. Responses to conduct issues will take into consideration the student’s age, maturity and past conduct.  Interventions will not discriminate against a student who cannot meet an expectation because of a disability.
• Reasonable steps will be taken to prevent retaliation against the person who reported a code of conduct issue.
• Every effort will be made to support students.  However, if there are ongoing conduct issues after having implemented interventions, progressive discipline may include, but is not limited to, suspension, change of program, change of school, referral to an intervention committee, or involvement of the police when behaviour includes a criminal code violation.
• When responding to breaches in the Code of Conduct, school officials may inform a student’s parent(s), the parents of other students who were involved, school district officials, the police or other agencies or the parents of all students when the whole school community needs to be reassured that a serious situation is being addressed.

Attendance, tardiness, prolonged absenteeism, appointments during school hours etc.

Regular school attendance is a major factor contributing to student success in school. We expect that Davie Jones students will attend school regularly unless ill and will be punctual every day. If your child will be absent, please call the school before 8:30 a.m. and leave a message. Please advise your child’s teacher ahead of time if your child will be absent for an extended period of time. If students are required to leave school early, written permission from a parent or guardian is required. Students must never leave the school grounds without first notifying their teacher or the school office. Even when parents or guardians pick up their children during the day, they must sign out at the office.

Gym strip

Intermediate students are expected to have a change of clothes for gym. Shorts, t-shirts and running shoes are required. Children should be reminded to take them home occasionally for cleaning.

Student Phone Use

Students are NOT to use their personal electronics (smart phones, gaming devices, etc.) during the school day from 8:30am to 2:20pm. Students can get permission to use the office phone from a staff member and must bring a phone permission slip to the office. Students who wish to make after school arrangements need to do that from home BEFORE they come to school. Students will not be given permission to make lunch and after school social arrangements as miscommunication often occurs which can compromise student safety.

Dress Code

Students are expected to dress in a manner appropriate for an elementary school.  In the interest of good manners and a focus on learning, the following are Davie Jones’s guidelines:

• Clothing, badges, slogans, etc., that in some way advertise or condone alcohol, drugs, sexual activity, illegal activity, violence, or gang related paraphernalia are not permitted.
• Hats or toques may not be worn inside the building without special permission of the administration (e.g., Hat Day).
• Half tops, skimpy shorts and muscle shirts are not permitted.  Tank tops must have wide bands with a non-revealing neckline (e.g., no cleavage, and no exposed undergarments).

Staff may use their discretion if they believe an article of clothing is causing a distraction in the learning environment.