Code of Conduct

Students and staff are expected to exhibit a commitment to learning and to achieving success. They are expected to be courteous and respectful at all times. Students and staff need to demonstrate the importance of respect for themselves, others and property.

Students must:

• behave responsibly and in a respectful manner
• show concern and tolerance for others
• comply with the Code of Conduct.

All actions must be safe not only for themselves but they may not put others at risk.

Any student who is asked to leave a class due to disruptive behaviour must report directly to the administration.

Students who feel that they have been treated unfairly by a staff member should take the time to speak privately to that person to discuss the matter. If there are still concerns after the discussion, the student should see the administration or the guidance counsellor.

Respect and cooperation are important in any social setting. To this end, all of the rules at General Vanier School are designed with emphasis on the following:

• respect for self
• respect for others
• respect for authority
• respect for property

Respect for Self implies that each student will both engage in activities that will ensure personal safety and put forward their best effort academically. It means they will always be ready for class, on time, with all the necessary materials to be a productive and meaningful contributor in class. Learning to organize is an important step in everyone’s education and as such students are responsible for keeping a neat and complete set of notes for each subject.

Homework should be completed and submitted by deadlines set by the teacher. This includes:

• completion of work not completed in class
• completion of any assignments or work missed due to any absence from class
• completion of long-term assignments. To ensure quality work, these should be worked on regularly; not left until the night before they are due.
• review of work taken each day. Research shows that 70% of new material is forgotten within three days if there has been no review.
• study for quizzes and tests. With daily review, this is easy!

Students must learn the importance of meeting deadlines. Assignments must be handed in on or before the due date. Assignments handed in after that time must still be submitted but may not receive a mark. Students can expect to dedicate the following guidelines regarding the amount of time to expect for homework assignments:

• Grade 3 & 4 - 30 to 40 minutes per evening
• Grade 5 & 6 - 40 to 50 minutes per evening
• Grade 7 & 8 - 60 to 90 minutes per evening

In all classrooms, within the school or on school property, students should always:

• arrive on time
• follow directions
• be on task
• do their best
• be responsible for their own work, behaviour and decisions
• be honest

Respect for Others implies that each student ensures that he or she behaves in a manner that does not cause others to be hurt physically or emotionally. This includes ensuring that each student’s right to a learning environment free from disruptions is honoured.

Generally, students are expected to:

• adhere to school policies respecting appropriate use of electronic mail and the Internet, including the prohibition of materials that the school has determined to be objectionable
• move quietly throughout the school, keeping their hands and feet to themselves (this means no pushing, running or playing with equipment that is not assigned to them)
• not loiter in classrooms, washrooms or hallways
• not playfight, hit, kick, push or engage in physical activity that could result in injury to themselves or others
• not play contact sports on the playground
• not engage in physically or verbally aggressive behaviours
• use appropriate language
• not put down or tease others
• share equipment
• include others in play
• use appropriate language
• stop activity and line up when the bell rings on the playground

Within the classroom, students are expected to:

• raise their hand and patiently wait their turn to speak
• follow directions the first time
• help others

Respect for Property implies that each person in the school shows pride in themselves, the school and the property of others. They should look after their own property and not damage the property of other students or the school. This includes:

• not writing on books, desks, walls, windows, doors, etc.
• using all personal and school equipment with care and in the manner intended for that equipment
• maintaining a clean school climate (classrooms, hallways, school yard, neighbouring property)
• caring for library materials and returning them on time
• asking before borrowing items
• not defacing artwork in the hallways
• paying for materials damaged whether accidentally or intentionally

Respect for Authority implies that students should recognize that certain individuals have the right and responsibility to request or require that they follow their directions and/or leadership. This would include teachers, instructional assistants, secretaries, custodians, volunteers, safety patrols, student leaders and adult guests. It means that students should:

• follow instructions the first time
• not talk back or speak to the person in a tone of voice or manner that is impolite (use appropriate language and/or gestures)

Minor Behaviour Infractions:

Failure to comply with the following will be viewed as minor behaviour issues:

• following directions
• coming to class on time and prepared to work
• doing assigned work
• respecting the student’s own space and that of others

The interventions for these types of infractions will be:

• handled on the spot by the supervising staff member
• dealt with as major behaviour infractions should they become repeated

Major Behaviour Infractions:

Failure to comply with the following will be viewed as major behaviour issues:

• open opposition to authority
• willful disobedience
• fighting
• physical, emotional or verbal abuse
• willful destruction of property
• stealing
• possession of a weapon or any object which is used to threaten another person
• possession or use of drugs or alcohol
• disrespectful language or gestures, repetitive teasing and/or name calling
• throwing objects such as rocks or snowballs at others in a manner that could injure
• excessive rough housing or hitting

The following must be noted as stipulations that will result in immediate referral to the administration, as outlined in the Public Schools Act:

• Bullying, or abusing physically, sexually or psychologically (orally, in writing or otherwise) any person is unacceptable
• Discriminating unreasonably on the basis of any characteristic set out in subsection 9(2) of The Human Rights Code is unacceptable
• Using, possessing or being under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs at school is unacceptable
• Gang involvement will not be tolerated on school sites
• Possessing a weapon, as “weapon” is defined in section 2 of the Criminal Code (Canada), will not be tolerated on school sites