Code of Conduct

  KSS CODE OF CONDUCT

 

This code of behaviour sets out the standards of behaviour which are expected of all members of the school community in order to provide a safe, effective learning environment in a positive school climate. Respect, responsibility, civility and academic excellence are promoted so that all members of the school community will feel safe, comfortable, and accepted.  The purpose of this code of behaviour is to:

  • ensure that all members of the school community are treated with respect and dignity; 
  • promote responsible citizenship by encouraging appropriate participation in the civic life of the school community; 
  • maintain an environment where conflict and difference can be addressed in a manner characterized by respect and civility; 
  • encourage the use of non-violent means to resolve conflict; 
  • promote the safety of people in school; and 
  • discourage the use of alcohol and drugs.

 

All members of the school community must comply with the behaviour expectations while on school property, at school-related activities, or in other circumstances where engaging in the activity will have an impact on the school climate.

 

Respect, Civility and Responsible Citizenship

Expectation for Behaviour

Reason

Consequences

1. Respect for Self and Others

You are responsible for:

  • respecting the opinions, ideas and work of others;
  • expressing yourself to all staff and students in a polite and considerate manner; and,
  • exercising self-discipline at all times with respect to language and conduct.

All staff and students have the right to learn and work in a friendly, supportive environment where they are trusted with responsibility and treated with respect.

If you choose to practice behaviour which disrupts the learning environment of yourself or others, you will be counselled by your teacher to make other choices. Continued infractions will lead to a meeting with the Administration and may result, where appropriate, in counselling, detentions and/or possible suspension.

2. Dress and Personal Appearance

The Limestone District School Board continues to update their Dress Code. The most recent version is available here.

You are responsible for:

  • dressing in clothes which are appropriate to the school setting, i.e. clothing that reflects respect for the public nature of the school environment. All members of the school community must dress in a manner that represents a respectful tone, reflects personal pride and regard for others. Members of the school community must not display in any way or wear clothing or accessories that:

Your appearance reflects your respect for yourself and for others. Wearing inappropriate clothing demonstrates insensitivity and lack of respect for others. Such behaviour interferes with the best interests of the school, which seeks to provide educational opportunities for all students in a positive, respectful and non-threatening environment.

If your clothing is considered by a teacher or the administration to be inappropriate to the school setting or offensive to others, you may be asked to change into something else and not to wear the offending article of clothing to school in the future.

3. Respect for the School Environment

You are responsible for:

  • keeping your school premises clean and free from litter;
  • using the recycle bins and waste receptacles provided under our recycling program;
  • taking proper care of your textbooks, locker, chromebooks and equipment which are the property of the Board;
  • refraining from engaging in any type of theft or vandalism;
  • not using tobacco products on school property;
  • not using skateboards, scooters, bikes or rollerblades in the school; and,
  • following the guidelines established for use of electronic devices.

Staff and students have the right to feel safe in a healthy environment which is neat, clean, safe, litter-free, smoke-free and free from crime.

If you litter, you will be directed to clean up the litter. If you lose or damage equipment, you may be expected to pay to replace the equipment. Serious vandalism or theft will result in police involvement and/or possible suspension. If you violate computer guidelines, you could lose access to the computers and could be suspended.

 

First time offences for smoking/vaping will automatically result in a one-day suspension and could result in a fine from the Tobacco Enforcement Officer. Repeated offences may result in longer suspensions.

4. Technology Use

You are responsible for:

  • being accountable for your behaviour during school hours, as well as off school property, such that your actions do not have a negative impact on the school environment;
  • ensuring the security of your Limestone account by not sharing your password with other users;
  • seek permission from the appropriate staff member to use recording devices (eg: cell phone, camera, video/DVD recorder, etc.) at school or a school event.

As technology continues to advance at an astounding rate, so have the implications related to your safety, privacy, and intrusion into your school and community. You are expected to use the network responsibly and follow “Net Etiquette” as it appears in the Limestone Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and in Administrative Procedure 351: The Use of Electronic Communication, Social Media and Mobile Devices by Students.

If you use technologies to threaten, harass or demean another member(s) of the school community, and where this action interferes with the member(s)’ safety or ability to function in the school, you will be subject to the school’s Code of Conduct, Board policies and procedures, as well as Provincial and Federal Acts or codes (eg. Criminal Code of Canada).

Individual cases involving this type of behaviour will be dealt with according to the school’s Code of Conduct, Board policies and procedures, and Ministry of Education Safe Schools protocols, as determined by school administration. Your access to school computers, networks and the Internet may be revoked until an appropriate time as determined by administration. You may be suspended and/or expelled under the above named policies. When necessary, police will be involved.








5. Cell Phones & Other Electronic Devices (any cell phone or device with communication capabilities):

No cell phone use in class unless permitted by the teacher.

Cell phones

  • must be turned off and not be seen/heard during class time and assemblies (leave in your locker or turned off and put away). Phones can be used in the halls, cafeteria, etc. only during scheduled breaks and at lunch,
  • are not permitted during examinations and/or other summative assessments,
  • and other electronic devices cannot be used in changerooms, washrooms, etc.

With the prevalence of cell phones, rules and guidelines are needed to encourage the courteous and responsible use of such devices and to ensure that their use does not disrupt the learning environment for students.

Next steps may include a phone call home and/or a referral to a vice-principal.

6. Attendance

613-544-4811 ext. 11120 [email protected]

When you feel sick and wish to go home, you may call your parent/guardian from attendance in the main office as the attendance clerk needs to speak to them as well to have you sign out of the school.

When you are leaving early, you need to sign out (parental permission must be given via phone call/note/text.)

Anytime you have arrived at school after 8:35 AM, or are more than 15 minutes late for any period, you need to sign in with the Attendance Secretary. Accurate attendance is important in the event of an emergency.

A parent/guardian may notify the school of a Parent/Guardian Approved Absence through SchoolMessenger or by phone number or email address listed above.

For planned extended absences, please contact the Principal in writing at least one month prior to the extended absences. Students are expected to complete the extended absence sheet, available in the Main Office, prior to departures.

Please note: Students are not permitted to sign themselves out or call in absences until they reach the age of 18.

As part of our ongoing focus on student success, you should expect your student’s teachers to contact you to discuss their progress when your student has unexplained absences or your student’s achievement is being impacted by poor attendance, even if the absences have been approved. Persistent attendance issues will be referred to the appropriate Vice-Principal for follow-up.

We have an automated attendance system that will make calls to all homes in the evening to notify parents of students who have missed a period, periods, or an entire day of school. We hope that this system will assist us with timely communication home with attendance information.

In the event of an emergency, it is imperative that the school has an accurate list of all occupants of the building. For this reason, students must sign in if they arrive at school late or are returning from an appointment. If a student signs out, they must leave the building.

Ontario provincial law requires that “a pupil shall attend class punctually and regularly and is excused from attendance ... if he or she is unable to attend by reason of sickness or other unavoidable cause.” Regular attendance offers you the opportunity to achieve your credits. It is expected that parents will notify the school in advance of any planned absence (doctor’s appointment, family vacation, etc.) and that students take on the responsibility for assignments and tests missed during their absence. Unexplained absences will be reported to parents using SchoolMessenger, an automated telephone messaging service. Students may be excused for extended vacations upon written request to the Principal, but this practice is not encouraged. Forms are available in the Main Office. If possible, work will be sent home in cases of serious illness.

Each day unexplained absences are reported to parents using SchoolMessenger, an automated telephone messaging service and e-mail. If truancy is discovered, you will be reported to the Vice-Principal.

 

Subject teachers regularly communicate with parents about student absenteeism. In most cases diminished progress and lower marks are the natural consequences of absence from classes.

 

If you skip classes, you may be given detentions and your parents will be notified. If the truancy continues, a number of things could happen: you may be given detentions; your parents may be invited in for an interview with you, the Vice-Principal and/or your teachers; a referral may be made to the Student Services Department; you may be placed on an attendance contract; you may be removed from the course; the Board’s attendance counsellor may become involved; or, as last resort, you may be suspended from school.

7. Safe Environment

Prohibited Items/Weapons

No student may be in possession of any item, whether “Prohibited” or “Non-Prohibited” under the Criminal Code, that could be classified as a weapon. A weapon is any other device or instrument used to intimidate, threaten or inflict harm.

Possessing or displaying weapons of any kind, including real, toy or replica, and all other objects that could inflict or threaten bodily harm, including all types of knives, are not permitted at the school, on any Limestone Board property, or at any school-related event or activity at any time.

You, along with other students and staff, have the right to a safe learning environment. Any conduct which threatens our safe learning environment and the mental, emotional or physical well-being of our staff and students will not be tolerated.

Individual cases involving this type of behaviour will be dealt with under the guidelines of the LDSB Safe Schools Policy. The use of force or threatened use of force is an assault and is a criminal offence. Intimidation for the purpose of compelling someone to do something they do not want to or should not do or preventing someone from doing something which they are entitled to do is also an offence under the criminal code. Disciplinary actions could include suspension, police involvement and expulsion from school.

Possession of a weapon(s) will result in suspension pending expulsion, as well as police involvement and possible criminal charges.

8. Tobacco Products, Vaping, Alcohol and Drugs

The school recognizes the benefits of a tobacco-free environment to all persons. By law, the use of smoking, vaping and e-cigarette products are not permitted at the school, on Board property, on school buses or while attending any school-related activity. School property includes cars that are on school grounds and all property to the edge of the street. Furthermore, the Smoke Free Ontario Act prohibits smoking within 20 metres of school property. Other tobacco products may not be used on school property. Providing tobacco products to anyone under 19 years of age is illegal. These expectations extend to vaping and e-cigarettes as well.

Alcohol and restricted drugs may be addictive and represent a health hazard. Possessing, using, trafficking in, or providing others with restricted drugs and/or alcohol is illegal and is unacceptable at the school, on Limestone property or at any school-related event or activity at any time. Lighters and drug-related paraphernalia that can be used for substance abuse are not permitted on school property.

A student under the influence of, or in possession of illicit drugs or alcohol negatively impacts the school environment.

Students found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be subject to the LDSB Drug and Alcohol policy and will be referred to Administration. Suspension and KAIROS referral will be considered for instances of possession/impairment/ consumption. Penalties increase with further infractions to include: increased duration of suspensions, police involvement, or expulsion.

 

Intruders/Trespassers on School Property

All visitors to the school are required to report to the Main Office.  The presence of unfamiliar/suspicious persons on school property poses a personal threat to students and staff.  Since the possible motives/responses of such persons are unknown, it is important that students report the location of the intruder to the first staff member available and not approach or try to communicate with intruders.  Following this procedure will help ensure the safety of all members of the KSS learning community.

 

SAFE SCHOOLS: In Diverse and Inclusive Communities

Ensuring the safety of all students and staff is of utmost concern.  A positive school climate is necessary to support an inclusive, responsive learning environment for all students and to maximize student success.  A positive school climate exists when all members of the school community feel safe, included, and accepted, and actively promote positive behaviours and interactions.  The Whole School Approach including parents, students, staff, and community partners is critical to promote a positive school climate and acceptance for all.  

 

Bullying Awareness, Prevention, and Intervention

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.

Staff are teaching students to identify bullying behaviour and giving them tools to respond and to stop it from happening as part of our awareness and prevention strategies.

Bullying is typically a form of repeated, persistent and aggressive behaviour directed at another person that is intended to cause (or should be known to cause) fear, distress and/or harm to that person's body, feelings, self-esteem or reputation.  Bullying occurs when there is a real or perceived imbalance of power.  Bullying can be physical, verbal, social, or occur through electronic (cyber) communication.

When someone experiences or observes bullying behaviour, he/she is expected to report it to a teacher, teaching assistant or school administrator immediately.  Bullying behaviour will be addressed using a progressive discipline approach with a range of interventions and consequences.

 

Progressive Discipline

The school encourages, supports and recognizes acceptable behaviour in our students through a variety of positive practices.  Progressive discipline is an approach that makes use of a continuum of interventions, supports and consequences, building upon strategies which promote positive behaviours.  

We encourage students to take responsibility for their behaviour and to accept the consequences of their actions.  A progressive discipline approach will be used to deal with inappropriate behaviour.  This may include one or more of the following:  oral reminders, warning, review of expectations, contact with parent(s)/guardians(s), written reflection, remedial assignment, detention, changing inappropriate clothing, formal interview with administrator, volunteer services in the school community, conflict mediation and resolution, peer mentoring, and/or referral for support services, meeting with school resource police officer, making restitution (including full payment for damage/vandalism), suspension, expulsion, referral to police.

We recognize that each student is a unique individual and that every situation that requires disciplinary action has its own set of extenuating circumstances.  All factors that may have affected the student's behaviour will be considered before progressive discipline is applied.  Students who behave inappropriately will receive an age and developmentally appropriate consequence.  For a student with special education or disability-related needs, all progressive discipline approaches will be consistent with his or her Individual Education Plan and their demonstrated abilities.

 

Suspension and Expulsion

As part of progressive discipline, the school may also use suspension and/or expulsion for serious incidents as outlined in the Limestone District School Board's Safe Schools Policy.  

Before considering whether to impose a suspension or make a recommendation for an expulsion, a principal must consider mitigating and other factors.

A principal or vice principal shall consider whether to suspend a pupil if he or she believes that the pupil has engaged in any of the following activities while at school, at a school-related activity or in other circumstances where engaging in the activity will have an impact on the school climate:

  • Uttering a threat to inflict serious bodily harm on another person
  • Possessing alcohol or illegal drugs
  • Being under the influence of alcohol
  • Being under the influence of drugs
  • Swearing at a teacher or at another person in a position of authority
  • Committing an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property at the pupil’s school or to property located on the premises of the pupil’s school
  • Engaging in another activity that, under a policy/procedure of the Board, is one for which a suspension may be considered
  • Discriminating against another person’s race, sexuality or religion
  • Persistent truancy
  • Opposition to authority
  • Habitual neglect of duty
  • The willful destruction of school property
  • Conduct injurious to the moral tone of the school or to the physical or mental well-being of others in the school
  • Smoking on school property
  • Bullying
  • Medical/immunization
  • Profanity/swearing
  • Fighting/violence
  • Any other activity that is an activity for which a principal may suspend a pupil under a policy of the Board 2007, c. 14, s.4

A principal shall suspend a pupil if he or she believes that the pupil has engaged in any of the following activities while at school, at a school-related activity, or in other circumstances where engaging in the activity will have an impact on the school climate.  For the following incidents the principal will suspend and will also consider recommending to the Board’s Discipline Committee that a student be expelled:

  • Possessing a weapon, including possessing a firearm
  • Using a weapon to cause or to threaten bodily harm to another person
  • Committing physical assault on another person that causes bodily harm requiring treatment by a medical practitioner
  • Committing sexual assault
  • Trafficking in weapons or in illegal drugs
  • Committing robbery
  • Bullying, if, the pupil has previously been suspended for engaging in bullying, AND the pupil’s continuing presence in the school creates an unacceptable risk to the safety of another person
  • Any activity listed in subsection 306(1) that is motivated by bias, prejudice or hate based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other similar factor
  • Giving alcohol to a minor
  • Giving drugs to a minor
  • Behaviour that is so refractory that the pupil’s presence is injurious to the effective learning and/or working environment of others
  • The student has engaged in activities that cause the student’s continuing presence in the school to be injurious to the physical or mental well-being of others in the school
  • The student has engaged in activities that cause extensive damage to Board property or to goods that are on school Board property
  • The student has demonstrated through a pattern of behaviour that he/she has not prospered by the instruction available to him/her and that he/she is persistently resistant to making the changes in behaviour which would enable him/her to prosper
  • Any other activity that under a policy of the Board, is an activity for which a principal must suspend a pupil and, therefore in accordance with this part, conduct an investigation to determine whether to recommend to the Board that the pupil be 2007, c. 14, s. 4; 2012, c. 5, s. 14