SESS Code of Conduct

SESS Code of Conduct

A. EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENT BEHAVIOUR

We expect students to behave in a manner that promotes fun and engaging learning environment. We expect students to act in a safe and respectful manner to their peers, teachers, supervisors and administration. This begins with treating everyone in the building with the kind of respect that is expected in return. If we all do this we will have a building that is safe and provides students the ability to put their energy into learning and achievement.

Students also need to behave in a manner that supports their learning and the learning of others. This means arriving at school on time and well rested. This also means coming to school every day and doing ones best to concentrate on what is expected in each class. If students do this they will be successful at our school.

DISTRICT PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE POLICY:

We understand that all people will make mistakes, and on occasion students will not behave in a way that is respectful or supportive of learning. When this happens we deal with it through our District Discipline Policy, which is used in every school in our district. Essentially, this policy outlines the right of administration to administer consequences for each individual student and situation. A progression of discipline is the normal course of action; however, it must be noted that the administration has the right to be creative in their approach to consequences. A copy will be mailed to parents in the first mail out of the year, and may be discussed in detail at grade meetings early in the school year. This policy is designed to identify problems and come up with solutions before the problems get out of hand. When it is clear that this is not happening and a student’s behaviour exhibits a pattern of dysfunction, they will then be referred to the District Discipline Committee.

WEAPONS/VIOLENCE/INTIMIDATION:

Students are forbidden from bringing anything to school that could be construed as a weapon. This includes, but is not limited to: actual weapons, “look-alike” weapons, or any common object that is being used by the student as a weapon. Consequences may include confiscation of the object, detention, suspension, district discipline committee and/or removal of the student from attending school.

DISCRIMINATION

At SESS we adhere to the BC Human Rights Code in respect of discriminatory publication and discrimination in accommodation, service and facility in the school environment.

For more information regarding this please see:

District Discipline Policy F3: Student Conduct and Discipline - http://www.sd53.bc.ca/district/policies

BC Human Rights Code Website - http://www.bchrt.bc.ca/

ATTENDANCE

It is our responsibility to document student attendance at SESS. It is also very clear that effective student learning relies on students attending class every day; therefore, it is essential that we all take attendance as a serious responsibility.

Students have a responsibility to be in class every day unless there is a legitimate illness or a special appointment that cannot be accommodated after school hours. When this happens, parents must contact the school and confirm that the absence is legitimate. Teachers have a responsibility to ensure that the students absent from their class are not truant.

Student who are absent without parents contacting the school are marked as a “U”

on the attendance sheet. This means that parent contact has not been made and the absence will be considered unexcused. An unexcused absence is considered to be the same as Truancy (see definition below). Students will be issued consequences for unexcused absences. These consequences may include, but are not limited to detention and suspension.

All students participating in school events (sports, drama, fieldtrips, etc.) are required to attend school the day of the event - in order to participate.

Attendance will be taken every class period and justified in the office twice a day; first thing in the morning and first thing in the afternoon. Students who arrive late must sign in at the office, obtain a late slip and report to class immediately. Late students who do not get a late slip will be sent to the office by their teacher to get one. Lates will be dealt with as per our school policy on lates.

Student truancies will be dealt with as per the District Discipline Policy.

LATE POLICY

Students who are late for any class during the day - will report to the office for a late slip.

Students may receive consequences from teachers or the school office for single or excessive late attendance. The consequences for excessive late attendance may be progressive.

TRUANCY

Truancy refers to a student “skipping” or not attending an assigned class, this includes work experience. An unexcused absence is considered truancy. A student can be truant if they are in the school, but choosing to not attend class. In order for our school to focus on learning and achievement it is essential that students attend school every day prepared to give us their best effort.

If a student is truant, the office will assign consequences for this behaviour.

PROCESS FOR DEALING WITH UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR

The failure of a student to follow the school rules is unacceptable. If the incidents are of an ongoing nature, the following steps, supported by documentation, will apply.

STEP 1 The teacher will have a discussion with the student(s) involved.

Appropriate consequences will be assigned.

STEP 2 The teacher will contact the parents and work with them to change the student’s behaviour. A counsellor may be involved if it is deemed to be helpful at the time.

STEP 3 The teacher will arrange a meeting with the parents and student(s) to discuss the problem and to resolve the situation. Teachers will inform administration of this situation.

STEP 4 The student and his/her parents will have a meeting with an administrator and the student’s teachers. In exceptional cases, this meeting may take place without the parents. At this meeting, it will be made clear to the student exactly what steps must be taken to change the unacceptable behaviour.

STEP 5 Suspension in or out-of-school. The nature and time of the suspension will be decided by the administration in consultation with those teachers involved.

DETENTION AND IN-SCHOOL SUSPENSION PROCEDURES

DETENTION Students who are serving detention are to report to the designated room at 12:55 pm. They are to be quiet and attend to their own work. Walkmans or music of any kind is not permitted. Students will be removed from the detention room for poor behaviour and will be assigned an in-school suspension.

IN-SCHOOL This is where students use an alternate schedule away from their usual classes.

• Students report to the designated room at first bell (on time).

• Students are required to have sufficient work to enable them to use their time effectively.

• Students will have their lunch in the in school suspension room.

• Bathroom breaks must be authorized by the supervisor.

• Students who do not adhere to the rules will be removed and sent home for a formal out-of-school suspension.

TOBACCO USE

We strongly discourage any student from smoking or chewing. Therefore, smoking and chewing is not allowed on school property or in sight of the school.

Discipline will be progressive when addressing the use of Tobacco on school grounds.

STUDENT VISITORS

STUDENT VISITORS ARE GENERALLY NOT ALLOWED AT SESS.

Student visitors can visit if:

1. They are requested by a teacher to present in the teacher's class. In a situation where a student is presenting - they are required to check into the office a few minutes before the presentation and check-out and depart a few minutes after their presentation has concluded.

2. They are a part of an exchange program.

Administration reserves the right to make exceptions to visitations based on the needs of the school.

SESS SCHOOL DRESS CODE

Hats may be worn in the halls, but should be taken off when entering classrooms, the office, etc.
Sunglasses are not to be worn in school.
Bandanas are not permitted to be worn on school grounds in any form (on the head, leg, hanging from the pocket, etc.).
T-shirts must have appropriate slogans/images (no beer slogans or suggestive images). Students should not wear any clothing that appears intimidating, or that conveys a message of association with illegal or marginal activity.
Shorts or mini-skirts must be below your fingertips when your arms are straight down by your side.
No exposed midriffs, or undergarments. No cleavage showing.
Shirts must have straps. Strapless shirts are not permitted.
Shoes or sandals are acceptable; students are not permitted to be barefoot.

First Offence: A student will be asked to put on appropriate clothing, if they do not have

It they will be provided with the proper attire.

Second Offence: Student will be expected to cover and where appropriate clothing.

Detention assigned.

Third Offence: - Same as 1^st/2^nd offence plus 2 detentions

Fourth Offence: Same as 1^st/2^nd Offence and an in school Suspension

*For every Offence thereafter, an In School Suspension will be assigned.

Please note that if your son or daughter refuses to cover up or use the clothing we will provide we will contact you and they will be sent home to change.

ELECTRONICS POLICY

Electronic devices are disruptive in nature and should be turned off and put away during school hours of 8:30 am to 2:45 pm. If students need, they may use these devices during break and lunch time. These devices include, but are not limited to, the following: cellular phones, pagers/beepers, audio equipment (Walkmans, MP3 players, iPods, headphones, etc.), or electronic games and other devices that serve no reasonable educational value. Students who use these devices will be asked by any staff member to surrender them. These devices will be held in the office for pick-up by a parent or guardian. Students refusing to surrender their electronic devices will receive additional disciplinary action. SESS is not responsible for lost or stolen electronic items. If students are concerned about losing a valuable electronic item, they are encouraged to not bring it to school.

PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF AFFECTION

Public Displays of Affection (PDA) is any type of physical affectionate interaction between two individuals that makes others uncomfortable. As a general rule, the school will allow moderate levels of PDA such as holding hands, hugs, interlocking arms, etc. Demonstrations of affection that go beyond these examples may be considered to be PDA. The school administration, teachers and school staff may ask students to stop PDA and students will be expected to comply.

SESS LOCKER POLICY

Lockers and the distribution of locks are offered as a service to our students at SESS. Students are reminded that lockers are the property of the school district and assigned to the student while they attend school. The student’s use of the school locker does not diminish the schools ownership or control of the locker. Students are reminded that:

Students are responsible for their assigned locker. Other individuals should not use or be given access to their locker.
Students need to keep their locker clean and remove
The school is not responsible for theft or damage to items stored in a student’s locker.
Only school issued locks may be used on a school locker. Exceptions to this rule must be approved by administration.
No alcohol, drugs, stolen items, weapons, prohibited or offensive materials are to be placed in school lockers. Offensive materials include (but are not limited to) pornography, illegal drug pictures/symbols, pictures of alcohol products, vulgar or offensive statements, etc. Students are asked to use good judgement and decorate their lockers in a manner appropriate for a public institution.
Administration may conduct a search of a student’s assigned locker at any time without consent, if there is suspicion of a violation of the locker policy.

The Administration working in conjunction with staff members reserve the right to revise the school requirements and/or the Code of Conduct at any time.