General Expectations

Be courteous and follow all school and classroom procedures.

• Conduct yourself during all activities in such a way that the rights of all are respected.
• Treat all public and private property with respect (return borrowed property and no vandalism or defacing of property).
• Follow directions to the best of your ability, the first time they are given.
• Use proper language.
• Personal items of value are the responsibility of the student. They are to be left at home due to safety and theft concerns.

 Respect for Authority, Self, Others, and Property

Introduction

Computer and Internet Access

Several of the projects in which your child will be involved at school this year include the use of the Internet. The Internet is an electronic highway connecting thousands of computers all over the world and millions of individual subscribers. With access to computers and people all over the world also comes the availability of material that is not consistent with educational goals. The Thames Valley District School Board does not actively screen Internet content with a view to block sites that may be inappropriate but rather relies on supervision and student awareness. On a global network it is impossible to control all materials, and an industrious, determined student can uncover controversial information. We believe that the value of the information and interaction available on this worldwide network, when combined with supervision and student awareness, makes the Internet a benefit to a student's educational experience.

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 ascopyrighted 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, suspension and/or legal action.

Consequences of Inappropriate Behaviour

• reminders of appropriate behaviour by staff member(s) involved, with suggestions for improvements
• removal from classroom setting for a “cooling off” period
• letter to parents and/or call to parents at home or at work
• an interview with the Principal, Vice Principal or other support staff
• alternate location for learning (removal from class for remainder of the day)
• withdrawal of opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities
• loss of field trip privileges
• detention
• written apology
• repair or restitution of damaged property (personal or school), community service
• school suspension and/or police involvement

Bullying Statement

Standards of Behaviour

Respect, civility and responsible citizenship all School members must:

• respect and comply with all applicable federal, provincial and municipal law;
• demonstrate honesty and integrity;
• respect differences in people, their ideas and opinions;
• treat one another with dignity and respect at all times, and especially when there is disagreement;
• respect and treat others fairly, regardless of their race, ancestry, place of origin, color, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability;
• respect the rights of others;
• show proper care and regard for school property and the property of others;
• take appropriate measures to help those in need;
• respect persons who are in a position of authority;
• respect the need of others to work in an environment of learning and teaching.

(Students will participate in opening and closing exercises in accordance with school procedures based on Ministry policy)

Physical safety

Weapons

All school members must not be in possession of any weapon, including but not limited to firearms:

• not use any object to threaten or intimidate another person;
• not cause injury to any person with an object.

Alcohol and Drugs

All school members must:

• not be in possession of, or under the influence of, or provide others with, alcohol or illegal drugs.

Physical Aggression

All school members must:

• not inflict or encourage others to inflict bodily harm on another person;
• seek staff assistance, if necessary, to resolve conflict peacefully.

Bullying

It is the policy of the Thames Valley Board of Education that both the system and its schools provide students with an opportunity to learn in a safe and respectful school community.

Bullying is typically defined as a form of repeated, persistent and aggressive behaviour directed at an individual(s) that intends to cause fear and distress and/or harm to another person’s body, feelings, self-esteem or reputation. Bullying occurs in a context where there is a real or perceived power imbalance.

Bullying is a serious matter with wide-ranging ramifications for both individuals and schools in that:

• Bullying adversely affects a student’s ability to learn.
• Bullying adversely affects healthy relationships and the school climate.
• Bullying adversely affects a school’s ability to educate its students

 Bullying will not be accepted on school property, at school-related events, on school buses, or while off school property when the bullying is likely to have a negative impact on the school climate (ie: online). Bullying is one of the infractions for which suspension must be considered.

Routines

• Desks in schools are considered to be school property. A search of these and similar areas by the school administration is permissible at any time.
• After a stop at the washroom, students must go straight outside when they are dismissed. At play times, students should ask for permission to go into the school to use washrooms, and return outside quickly. Teachers may choose to send children to the washroom in pairs for safety reasons.
• Students are to keep books etc. outside the school before the morning bell. They should be carried in a waterproof bag.
• If it is stormy when students arrive, students will be allowed to go to the front hallway beside the school office at 8:45 a.m. when teaching and support staff are on duty. During indoor recess, students remain in their classrooms. Students will be outside at all break times unless the office calls an indoor break or they have been kept in by a teacher.
• Students are to enter and exit the school through the appropriate doors. For safety purposes, only those students who are being directly picked up by an adult will be allowed to exit through the front doors of the school.
• Stockroom, staffroom, gym, gym store room, photocopy rooms and custodial rooms are out of bounds to students except when accompanied by staff members.

• Students should not arrive until 15 minutes before the bell when teachers are on duty.

• Bicycles must be walked on school grounds at all times and locked while students are inside. If students bring rollerblades, skateboards or scooters, they are to be removed / discussed before coming onto school property.

• Students are NOT allowed to have knives, lighters, matches, firecrackers, laser pointers or any dangerous item at school.  If a student finds these, they are to hand them over to a staff member or take them to the office immediately.

• Food and drinks are not to be taken outside as they can attract bees and create litter.

• Fighting, throwing snowballs, stones, sticks or other similar items, rough language, rough play or play fighting are not allowed and will result in consequences that may include suspension.