CODE OF CONDUCT
"At RVE we Respect and Value Everyone"
PURPOSE
- to clarify and publish expectations for student behavior
- to establish and maintain a safe, caring and orderly environment for purposeful learning
- to establish and maintain appropriate balances among individual and collective rights, freedoms and responsibilities
- to promote a climate of understanding and mutual respect where all people in our school, students, parents, teachers, staff or visitors, are treated equally in dignity and rights, and without discrimination based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or age of that person or class of persons, as set out in the BC Human Rights Code
CONDUCT
At RVE we Respect and Value Everyone. Students are expected to take responsibility for their learning and responsibility for their behavior. The expectations outlined in this code of conduct apply to student behavior:
- at school and while going to and from school
- on school buses
- during school organized activities at any location
- during times off school property and outside of regular school hours (including online behavior) if it negatively impacts the safe, caring or orderly environment of the school or negatively impacts student learning
ACCEPTABLE CONDUCT
Respect Yourself
As a student at Rose Valley Elementary, I will…
- Attend school regularly
- Try my best and aim for academic success
- Be on time and prepared for learning
- Be organized and attentive
- Reflect a positive attitude about school
- Dress appropriately
- Take care of myself
- Be honest and tell the truth
- Accept responsibility for my mistakes
- Make healthy choices
- Stay away from tobacco, alcohol, and drugs
- Report hurtful incidents to a teacher or administrator
Respect Others
As a student at Rose Valley Elementary, I will…
- Treat others the way I would like to be treated
- Treat others with kindness and courtesy
- Keep my hands and feet to myself
- Respect other's personal space
- Use good manners and appropriate language
- Show cooperation in class so that others can learn
- Play fairly and safely and include others
- Make apologies when I hurt someone
- Forgive others for their mistakes
- Avoid violence and harassment
- Avoid gossip and backbiting about others
- Act in a manner that brings credit to the school
- Report incidents of hurtful behavior towards others to a teacher or administrator
Respect Property
As a student at Rose Valley Elementary, I will…
- Respect the school property
- Respect the property of others
- Use materials and equipment appropriately
- Keep my classroom, school and school grounds clean
- Report incidents of vandalism or property damage to a teacher or administrator
UNACCEPTABLE CONDUCT
Unacceptable conduct, especially repeated unacceptable conduct, may lead to a suspension.
As a student at Rose Valley Elementary, I will not…
- Interfere with the learning of others
- Defy reasonable requests made by teachers, administrators or other adult supervisors
- Be rude to others or use rude language
- Fight or play fight
- Push, grab, tackle, kick or trip others
- Throw things such as rocks, sticks, pinecones, snowballs or objects that could harm a person or property
- Vandalize school property
- Make bomb threats, false fire alarms or other false claims of danger
- Spread gossip about others
- Bully, harass, or intimidate others (verbally or physically)
- Seek retribution against a person who has reported incidents
- Be a bystander while others bully, harass, intimidate or vandalize
- Discriminate in any form including race, color, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, ancestry, socioeconomic status or national origin
- Create unsafe conditions for others
- Bring dangerous items such as lighters, knives, fireworks, weapons or toy weapons to school
- Bring items that are illegal for elementary students such as tobacco, alcohol and other drugs to school
NOTE: The unacceptable conduct cited above is only a sampling of such behaviors and not an all-inclusive list
USE OF TECHNOLOGY
Rose Valley Elementary recognizes the potential benefits of using personal electronic devices such as iPods, cell phones, laptops and tablets; however, we also are aware of the risks involved. These devices, when used appropriately and under the direction of a teacher, can enhance a student's learning.
As a student at Rose Valley Elementary, I will…
- Leave personal electronic devices such as iPods, cell phones, laptops, tablets and electronic games at home unless instructed to do otherwise by a teacher
- Use my personal electronic devices only as intended for learning and follow all instructions and expectations of the teacher
- Not hold the school responsible if I bring my electronic device to school and it is misplaced, lost, stolen or damaged
- Follow the RVE Code of Conduct and the Student Network Account and Internet Agreement
DRESS CODE
· Students should dress appropriately for the weather. During warm weather, beach wear is not considered acceptable. During cold weather, students are expected to dress in appropriate outer wear
· Students wearing clothing which could be considered offensive may be asked to change.
· Students may be asked to remove jewelery items if they are considered a safety risk (i.e. during PE) or if they are distracting the learning of self or others
· All students must wear appropriate footwear, especially during PE and outdoor activities
· Intermediate students must have a complete change of appropriate and clean clothes for PE
DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES
Rose Valley Elementary is a place of learning and we recognize that students will make mistakes. In the event of a violation of our Code of Conduct, staff will do their best to communicate with the individuals involved, determine all the facts and treat students with fairness and respect. Staff will use the mistake as a learning opportunity for the students involved so that they can improve themselves. Consequences, whenever possible, will be applied in a fair and consistent manner, respecting individual rights, responsibilities, age and maturity. Consequences will be oriented toward learning and will be restorative rather than punitive.
As students become older, more mature and move through successive grades, expectations for personal responsibility and self-discipline increase as do consequences for inappropriate behavior. When appropriate, students will be encouraged to participate in the development of meaningful consequences.
Special considerations may apply to students with special needs if these students are unable to comply with the code of conduct due to having a disability of an intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional or behavioral nature.
MINOR MISBEHAVIOUR
The classroom teacher, CEA or student supervisor will generally deal with students involved in minor misbehaviours. Minor misbehaviours are those actions which detract from a positive atmosphere and occur on a first time or infrequent basis. If behaviour continues or increases, the supervisory staff may take the incident to the classroom teacher or administration.
Consequences may involve:
- Problem solving conversation
- Review of expectations and a time out with written reflection
- Detention or other loss of privileges (i.e. loss of recess or lunchtime in the classroom)
- Assignment
- Verbal or written apology
- Communication with parent or guardian
REPEATED MINOR MISBEHAVIOUR
A repeated offence of a similar type of misbehavior demonstrates that the student is unable or unwilling to solve the problem without increased intervention. When this happens, the student will be referred to administration and parents or guardians will be contacted.
In addition to those already listed, consequences may also involve:
- Consultation with parents to determine appropriate consequences
- Behavior contract
- Extended detention or loss of privileges
- Service to the school community
- Definite suspension
MAJOR MISBEHAVIOUR
Major infractions are those behaviors which occur repeatedly; may be dangerous to the safety of students, teachers and staff; may cause health hazards or may constitute criminal acts. Parents will be contacted immediately to be informed of the incident and the disciplinary procedures. The RCMP will be contacted if the incident is against the law.
The principal has the right under the School Act to discharge discipline as necessary. This includes the right to suspend a student. A suspension may be in-school or out of school. It may be definite (up to 10 days, readmission determined by the principal) or indefinite (in excess of 10 days, readmission determined by the School Board's District Suspension Review Committee).
Responsible Student Use of Personal Technology Devices, School Technology, and District Networks
The purpose of using network services and digital technologies while in educational settings is to engage in responsible educational activities. Therefore, the use of personal technology devices, school technologies, and district network services requires students to abide by the school’s Code of Conduct and procedures, as well as Central Okanagan Public Schools Policy 486: Student Use of Network Services and Digital Technologies.
Some examples of responsible use with district and personal devices include the following:
Act responsibly when accessing technology and district networks, including the Internet in their school.
Use technology equipment and property according to all applicable rules and with care and respect.
Engage in appropriate use as directed by school staff.
Respect the safety and privacy of self and others and do not provide personal contact information about themselves or other students.
Treat others with respect and kindness when using digital devices and network services.
Respect resource limits of the network services and do not engage in activities that jeopardize the integrity, security or performance of the network.
Understand the importance of privacy and security and take all reasonable precautions when accessing network services and digital technologies.
The use of Personal Technology Devices, School Technology, and District Networks is a privilege and usage may be revoked at any time for inappropriate conduct. Schools will not be held responsible for any misplaced, lost, stolen, or broken items brought to school by students. Use of network services and digital technologies which violate the terms outlined in policy and/or the School's Code of Conduct may result in serious consequences including definite or indefinite suspensions and/or police intervention.
This Code of Conduct aligns with and adheres to the standards outlined in:
- BC School Act, Sections 85 (1.1) and 168 (2) (s.1)
- Ministerial Order 276/07 (October 17, 2007): Provincial Standards for Codes of Conduct Order
- BC Ministry of Education's Safe, Caring and Orderly Schools: A Guide (November 2008)
- Central Okanagan SD Policy 455—Discipline
- Central Okanagan Policy 455R—Discipline (Regulations)
- Central Okanagan Policy 486—Student Use of Electronic and Social Media Communication
