Code of Conduct

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 28 (QUESNEL)

P O L I C Y

NO.: 305 - STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT

Education Committee Ref: School Act S. BC Human Rights Code; Sch. Reg. 4(1) & 5(7); Policy 307; By-Law No. 1

RATIONALE:

The Board of Education has a responsibility to establish expectations of student conduct in schools as part of its governance role for the District. The Board believes that schools should be places where students are free from harm; where clear expectations of acceptable behaviour are held and met, and where people feel they belong; schools should be safe, caring and orderly environments in which to work and learn.

The Board of Education is committed to the principles set out in the Charter of Rights and the British Columbia Human Rights Code. In particular, the Board is committed to providing a working and learning environment free from discrimination regarding any accommodation, service or facility customarily available to the public and also free from discriminatory publications on the basis of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, or age of that person or class of persons.

POLICY:

The Board of Education believes that the responsibility for student behaviour and conduct in school is shared among students, staff and parents.

The District Code of Conduct provides a framework with respect to expectations for student behaviour while at school, during school related activities whether on or off school property, or engaging in an activity that has an impact on or connection with the school environment.

Individual school codes of conduct are to be developed within this framework by the principal in a collaborative process which includes representatives of staff, students, and parents. Codes of Conduct should include a clearly worded statement of purpose. Principals are required to ensure that the School Code of Conduct is reviewed annually with representatives of staff, parents and students to assess the effectiveness of the Code of Conduct in terms of addressing school safety issues. 

Students have the responsibility for conducting themselves in accordance with the codes of conduct established by the School District and by their school. Failure to comply with District expectations will result in appropriate consequences.

Whenever possible and where appropriate, consequences for unacceptable conduct shall focus on those that are restorative in nature. Restorative and other measures, including student suspension and exclusion from school may be necessary for those occasions when efforts fail to result in a student complying with the expected conduct standards. Students will be disciplined in a timely and fair manner.