With the Character Always initiative as its foundation, it is the policy of North Dundas District High School and the Upper Canada District School Board, to promote and support respect, civility, responsible citizenship and to provide the framework for policies related to student discipline, bullying prevention, student and staff safety, respectful working and learning environments, and workplace harassment
The North Dundas District High School Code of Conduct will apply to all school related activities and events and will be available to the public upon request
Purposes of the Code:
- To ensure that all members of the school community, especially people in positions of authority are treated with respect and dignity
- To promote responsible citizenship by encouraging appropriate participation in the civic life of the school community.
- To maintain an environment where conflict and difference can be addressed in a manner characterized by respect and civility.
- To encourage the use of non-violent means to resolve conflict.
- To promote the safety of people in the schools.
- To discourage the use of alcohol and illegal drugs
The North Dundas District High School Code of Conduct will be reviewed annually by the NDDHS Safe School team and presented to all partners of the NDDHS School Community
Standards of Behaviour
A. Respect, Civility, and Responsible Citizenship
Members of the school community must:
- Respect and comply with all applicable federal, provincial, and municipal laws
- Demonstrate honesty and integrity
- Respect differences in people, their ideas and their options
- Treat one another with dignity and respect at all times, and especially when there is disagreement
- Respect and treat others fairly, regardless of, for example, race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, 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
- Seek assistance from a member of the school staff, if necessary, to resolve conflict peacefully
- Respect all members of the school community, especially persons in positions of authority
- Respect the needs of others to work in an environment that is conducive to learning and teachin
- Not swear at a teacher or at another person in a position of authority
- Refrain from swearing and the use of profane language
B. Safety
Members of the school community must not:
- Engage in bullying behaviours
- Commit sexual assault
- Traffic weapons or illegal drugs
- Give alcohol to a minor
- Commit robbery
- Be in possession of any weapon, including firearms
- Use any object to threaten or intimidate another person
- Cause injury to any person with an object
- Be in possession of, or be under the influence of, or provide others with alcohol or illegal drugs
- Inflict or encourage others to inflict bodily harm on another person
- Engage in hate propaganda and other forms of behaviour motivated by hate or bias
- Commit an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property or to property located on the premises of a school
It is the policy of the Upper Canada District School Board that in support of a positive school climate, schools will, within the context of Character Always, include specific bullying prevention and intervention education and training for all students and staff.
A positive school climate is evident when:
- Students and staff feel safe and are safe
- Healthy and inclusive relationships are promoted
- Students are encouraged to be positive leaders in their school community\
- All partners are actively engaged
- Bullying prevention messages are reinforced through programs addressing discrimination based on such factors as age, race, sexual orientation, gender, faith, disability, ethnicity, and socio-economicdisadvantage
- Improvement of learning outcomes for all students is emphasized
Definition of Bullying
Bullying is typically a form of repeated, persistent, and aggressive behaviour directed at aninpidual or inpiduals that is intended to cause (or should be known to cause) fear and distressand/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 prevention and intervention is included as a component of thought and action in the Upper Canada District School Board, because Character Always is embedded in the organization and curriculum based delivery of all school related activities. Therefore, it is recognized that:
- Bullying adversely affects students' 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 activities, on school buses, or in any other circumstances (e.g. online) where engaging in bullying will have a negative impact on the school climate
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In order to help students follow the school's Code of Conduct and School Rules, a progressive approach to discipline will be used that may include the following strategies:
Prevention Strategies:
Anti-bullying and violence prevention programs, Student Success strategies, Character Always initiatives, citizenship development, student leadership, healthy lifestyles, program modifications and accommodations (IEPs), positive encouragement and reinforcement, inpidual, peer and group counselling, conflict resolution skills, mentorship groups, safety plans
Intervention Strategies:
Oral reminders, contact with pupil's parent/guardian, review of expectations, written work assignment with a learning component, volunteer service to school community, peer mentoring, referral to counselling, consultation, meeting with pupil's parent/guardian, teacher, pupil and principal, detentions, withdrawal of privileges, withdrawal from class, restitution for damages, suspension, expulsion
Note: The degree of corrective action employed will depend upon the severity and the ongoing nature of the problem. The principal will make a decision on an inpidual basis for each case. In all instances, the welfare of both the student involved and the school will be considered.
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The North Dundas District High School Code of Conduct is in accordance with Bill 212, The Education Amendment Act (Progressive Discipline and School Safety), that directed all school boards in the province of Ontario to revise and/or create new policies and procedures which align with the Ministry of Education.