WINDREM ELEMENTARY
CODE OF CONDUCT
Windrem Elementary promotes the values expressed in the Human Rights Code of British Columbia. Students will not discriminate against others based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and age, or for any other reason set out in the Human Rights Code of British Columbia.
Neither will a student make gestures, publish, or display anything that would indicate an intention to discriminate against an individual or group, or expose them to contempt or ridicule based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and age, or for any other reason set out in the Human Rights Code of British Columbia.
We recognize that conduct is related to understanding, age and maturity, our consequences of unacceptable conduct reflect this through rising expectations. Also, special considerations may apply to identified students with special needs who are unable to comply with expectations due to having a disability of an intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional, or behavioural nature.
UNACCEPTABLE MINOR CONDUCT OFFENSES such as: inappropriate use of school equipment, disturbing other students, a poor attitude towards others, rough housing, and being out of designated areas will be dealt with as follows:
- Consistent reminders by staff
- Consistent consequences by staff involved
UNACCEPTABLE MAJOR CONDUCT OFFENSES such as: fighting, abusive or foul language, disrespect to staff, students, or other adults, leaving school grounds, vandalism, stealing, bullying, and other such dangerous conduct will involve the principal, staff involved, students and parents.
Major Offenses - Consequences:
- Fighting, disrespect, or continuous bullying may result in a 1 - 5-day suspension
- All out of school suspensions require missed work to be completed and a meeting with the principal as conditions of return
- Repetition of major offenses will involve progressively more serious consequences and will involve meetings with a school-based resource team
SMOKING (TOBACCO/VAPE PRODUCTS), DRINKING AND DRUG USE (INCLUDING MARIJUANA)
These are regarded as serious offenses and will be dealt with severely. The school community in cooperation with the RCMP has established a 2-block radius around each Chetwynd school as a Drug Free Zone. Violation of this will include parent contact, RCMP contact and School Board contact. Suspension as above with possible drug and alcohol counseling.
VANDALISM
Vandalism of any degree is viewed by the school and Board of Trustees as a very serious offense. Subject to the policy of the School Board, parents will be advised of the damage and bill for replacement or repair cost incurred.
The principal reserves the right to deal with major unacceptable conduct as district policies deem appropriate. Whenever possible, the appropriate consequences for breaches of a code are restorative in nature rather than punitive.
SPECIAL NOTES:
- Conduct applies to the time going to and from school as well as when students are taking part in any school event (field trip, sport event etc).
- The board will take all reasonable steps to prevent retaliation against a student who has made a complaint of a breach of code of conduct.
- School officials may have a responsibility to advise other parties of serious breaches of the code of conduct (parents, school district officials, police and/or other agencies).
SUSPENSIONS
In accordance with District Policy students may be dismissed for up to FIVE days and/or be required to appear before the Superintendent of Schools or delegate to re-enter school.
APPEAL PROCEDURES
Parents have the right to appeal suspension decisions, as per School District Policy. Please contact the School District Office in Dawson Creek for more information.
PARENT ADVOCACY SERVICE
This is a service for parents who are having any issues with the school system. The District Parent Advisory Council offers the assistance of a trained volunteer parent to help you with options. This is a free service for parents in School District #59. Call the Parent Advocacy line at 719-0440 or 1-866-719-0440 and leave a message.
PERSONAL ELECTRONIC USE
The Province of British Columbia requires that all elementary schools restrict the use of cell phones and other personal internet connected devices, for the duration of the school day, including breaks. Therefore, cell phone use by students at school is not permitted, unless required for medical reasons and arrangements have been made with the school administrator and/or learning services team. Students can contact parents by using the school phone and parents are welcome to leave messages for delivery to students at the end of each school day. Students who bring their personal devices to school will be required to hand them in at the beginning of the school day, where they will be securely stored in the office and returned at the end of the instructional day.
DRESS CODE
The general rule for dress code is for the students to dress in a manner appropriate to establish a positive learning atmosphere at the school. This means that clothes that may be appropriate in others settings that may not be appropriate at school.
- Footwear must safety reasons be worn at all times.
- Clothing must be of sufficient coverage so that undergarments are not showing.
- Clothing of any kind condoning violence, profanity, discrimination, or promoting illegal drug use or alcohol are not acceptable at school.
Windrem Elementary Bullying Prevention Policy
Everyone at Windrem Elementary is committed to making our school a safe and caring place for all students. We will treat each other with respect, and we will refuse to tolerate bullying in any form at our school.
Our school defines bullying as follows:
Bullying is unfair and one-sided. It happens when someone repeatedly hurts, frightens, threatens, or leaves someone out on purpose, which is different than conflict.
Examples of bullying include:
- Hurting someone physically by hitting, kicking, tripping or pushing.
- Stealing or damaging another person’s things.
- “Ganging up” on someone.
- Teasing someone in a hurtful way.
- Using put-downs, such as being insulting of someone’s race or making fun of someone for being a boy or a girl.
- Threatening someone, their friends, or possessions.
- Touching or showing private body parts.
- Spreading rumors about someone.
- Leaving someone out on purpose or trying to get other kids not to play with someone.
Staff at our school will do the following things to prevent bullying and help students feel safe at school:
- Closely supervise students in all areas of the school and playground.
- Encourage students to use supervisors when needed and know when it’s needed.
- Encourage students to deal with issues when they happen, not several days later.
- Watch for signs of bullying and stop it when it happens.
- Respond quickly and sensitively to bullying reports.
Students at our school will do the following things to prevent bullying:
- Refuse to bully others.
- Refuse to let others be bullied.
- Refuse to watch, laugh, or join in when someone is being bullied.
- Try to include everyone in play, especially those who are often left out.
- Report bullying to an adult.
