ONTARIO SCHOOLS CODE OF CONDUCT

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

The Durham District School Board and Pine Ridge Secondary School support the provincial guiding principles and endorse recognition, acceptance and sensitivity toward ethno-cultural diversity.

• All participants involved in the publicly funded school system - students, parents or guardians, volunteers, teachers and other staff members - are included in the Ontario Schools Code of Conduct whether they are on school property, on school buses, or at school-authorized events or activities.
• All members of the school community are to be treated with respect and dignity, especially persons in positions of authority.
• Responsible citizenship involves appropriate participation in the civic life of the school community.  Active and engaged citizens are aware of their rights, but more importantly, they accept responsibility for protecting their rights and the rights of others.
• Members of the school community are expected to use non-violent means to resolve conflict. Physically aggressive behaviour is not a responsible way to interact with others.
• The possession, use or threatened use of any object to injure another person endangers the safety of oneself and others.
• Alcohol and illegal drugs are addictive and present a health hazard. Ontario schools will work cooperatively with police, drug and alcohol agencies to promote prevention strategies and, where necessary, respond to school members who are in possession of, or under the influence of, alcohol or illegal drugs.  (As well, smoking in school buildings and on school property is prohibited by law.)
• Insults, disrespect and other hurtful acts disrupt learning and teaching in a school community. Members of the school community have a responsibility to maintain an environment where conflict and difference can be addressed in a manner characterized by respect and civility.
• Recognition and acceptance of, and sensitivity toward, ethno-cultural diversity are expectations of and within the school community.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Durham District School Board and Pine Ridge Secondary School accept the provincial direction regarding individual roles and responsibilities. In addition to school staff, students and parents, other members of the public, who interact with members of the school community while present in or on school property or premises, have a responsibility to respect others in the school and to conduct themselves accordingly.

Principals, under the direction of their school board, take a leadership role in the daily operation of a school. They provide this leadership by:

• demonstrating care and commitment to academic excellence and a safe teaching and learning environment;
• holding everyone, under their authority, accountable for their behaviour and actions;
• empowering students to be positive leaders in their school community;
• communicating regularly and meaningfully with all members of their school community.

Teachers and School Staff, under the leadership of their principal, maintain order in the school and are expected to hold everyone to the highest standard of respectful and responsible behaviour. As role models, staff uphold these high standards when they:

• help students work to their full potential and develop their self-worth;
• communicate regularly and meaningfully with parents;
• empower students to be positive leaders in their classroom, school, and community;
• communicate regularly and meaningfully with parents;
• maintain consistent standards of behaviour for all students;
• demonstrate respect for all students, staff and parents; and
• prepare students for the full responsibilities of citizenship.

Students are to be treated with respect and dignity. In return, they must demonstrate respect for themselves, for others and for the responsibilities of citizenship through acceptable behaviour. Respect and responsibility are demonstrated when a student:

• comes to school prepared, on time and ready to learn;
• shows respect for themselves, others and for those in authority;
• refrains from bringing anything to school that may compromise the safety of others;
• follows the established rules and takes responsibility for his or her own action.

Parents play an important role in the education of their children and have a responsibility to support the efforts of school staff in maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment for all students. Parents fulfill this responsibility when they:

• show an active interest in their child's school work and progress;
• communicate regularly with the school;
• help their child be neat, appropriately dressed and prepared for school;
• ensure that their child attends school regularly and on time;
• promptly report to the school their child's absence or late arrival;
• become familiar with the Code of Conduct and school rules;
• encourage and assist their child in following the rules of behaviour;
• assist school staff in dealing with discipline issues;
• demonstrate respect for all students, staff and other parents.

Police and Community Members are essential partners in making our schools and communities safer. Community members need to support and respect the rules of their local schools. Police investigate incidents in accordance with the protocol developed with the local school board. These protocols are based on a provincial model developed by the Ministry of the Solicitor General and the Ministry of Education.

STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR

The Durham District School Board and Pine Ridge Secondary School support the provincial standards of behaviour which include respect, civility, responsible citizenship and physical safety.

Respect, Civility and Responsible Citizenship

All school members must:

• respect and comply with all applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws;
• 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 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 need of others to work in an environment that is conductive to learning and teaching;
• not swear at a teacher or at another person in a position of authority.
• 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.

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 engage in bullying behaviour;
• not commit sexual assaults;
• not inflict or encourage others to inflict bodily harm on another person;
• seek staff assistance, if necessary, to resolve conflict peacefully.

CONSEQUENCES

Students who do not comply with the standards of behaviour outlined in the Code of Conduct will be dealt with in a judicious and considerate manner. Actions will vary depending on the circumstances of each individual case. Mitigating factors are always considered before determining consequences. Consequences may include:

• caution by teacher, support staff, administrator or adult supervisor;
• temporary removal from class, activity or event;
• problem-solving exercise;
• parental contact;
• counselling;
• peer mediation and conflict resolution programs;
• community/school service;
• loss of privileges;
• detention;
• restorative practices; restitution
• behaviour contracts; support and responsibility agreements;
• restitution;
• suspension;
• expulsion;

SUSPENSIONS

Circumstances Leading To Possible Suspension

A 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:

1. uttering a threat to inflict serious bodily harm on another person*;
2. possessing alcohol or illegal drugs*;
3. being under the influence of alcohol;
4. swearing at a teacher or at another person in a position of authority;
5. 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*;
6. bullying; or,
7. any other activity that is an activity for which a principal may suspend a pupil under a policy of the Board. Other suspendable infractions including but not limited to:

a) possessing or dispensing controlled or intoxicating substances that are not prescribed for medical purposes;
b) being under the influence of illegal, controlled or intoxicating substances that are not prescribed for medical purposes;
c) smoking on school property;
d) committing vandalism, destruction, damage to school property or to the property of others located on or in school premises;
e) stealing property;
f) engaging in intimidation, extortion*, harassment*, or verbal aggression;
g) misusing or misappropriating school property or services, including computers and other technology systems;
h) engaging in hate motivated incidents*;
i) engaging in gang related activity*;
j) possessing dangerous objects or substances, including for example laser pointers; gloves with studs on knuckles; or any other item deemed by the principal to be unsafe or a hazard to persons or property in the school;
k) committing physical assault on another person*;
l) engaging in or encouraging a fight;
m) engaging in conduct that constitutes opposition to authority;
n) demonstrating poor attendance that warrants disciplinary action;
o) engaging in behaviour that is disruptive to the learning environment of the class or school;
p) engaging in conduct that is detrimental to the moral tone of the school;
q) wearing clothing/apparel that is inappropriate, offensive or violates the school Dress Code;
r) engaging in unauthorized gambling or games of chance;
s) engaging in another activity that, under the Code of Conduct of the school, is one for which a suspension is warranted.

* may require police involvement as outlined in the Police/School Board Protocol.

In considering whether to suspend a pupil for engaging in an activity described in 9.1.1., a Principal shall take into account the mitigating factors:

1. the student does not have the ability to control his or her behaviour;
2. the student does not have the ability to understand the foreseeable consequences of his or her behaviour;
3. the student's continuing presence in the school does not create an unacceptable risk

1. possessing a weapon, including possessing a firearm*;
2. using a weapon to cause or to threaten bodily harm to another person*;
3. committing physical assault on another person that causes bodily harm requiring treatment by a medical practitioner*;
4. committing sexual assault*;
5. trafficking in weapons or in illegal drugs*;.
6. committing robbery*;
7. giving alcohol to a minor*,
8. any other activity that, under a policy of a board, is an activity for which a Principal must suspend a pupil and conduct an investigation to determine whether to recommend to the board that the pupil be expelled. Other suspendable infractions including but not limited to:

a) hate motivated violence*;
b) gang related violence*;
c) trafficking in controlled or intoxicating substances not prescribed or dispensed for medical purposes*;
d) uttering threats or threatening conduct intended to intimidate*;
e) engaging in harassment*;
f) ongoing conduct that is so refractory (persistent) that the student's presence in the school or classroom is considered by the principal to effect a danger or possibility of harm, physical or emotional, to others in the school or to the reputation of the school.

(*require police involvement as outlined in the Police/School Board Protocol.)

Guidelines from the Ministry of Education direct us when to place suspension/expulsion documents in the O.S.R.

A pupil who is suspended under this section is suspended from his or her school and from engaging in all school related activities.

A Principal may suspend a pupil under 9.2 for up to 20 school days and, in considering how long the suspension should be, the Principal shall take into account the mitigating factors, as well as the other factors, set out in 9.04 above. When a Principal suspends a pupil under 9.2, the pupil shall be assigned to a program for suspended pupils, as established by the Board in accordance with any policies or guidelines issued by the Minister.

CONCLUSION

When staff, students, and families work together, a positive and productive learning environment is established at Pine Ridge Secondary School where goals are set and achieved. The Code of Conduct establishes the level of behaviour expected for all so that we have the best possible school where success and achievement are reached through co-operation, courtesy, and respect. Please review this Code of Conduct at the beginning of the school year and keep it in a safe place where it can be referenced if necessary.

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