Code of Conduct

1. Goals

The Code of Behaviour has been established by The Duncan Academy to ensure:

1. that all members of this school community are treated with respect, courtesy and dignity.
2. that teachers will have the opportunity to teach and that students will have the opportunity to learn.
3. that all students will have the opportunity to participate fully and safely in school, whether it be in the classroom, the school yard, special events, sports, extracurricular activities or school trips.
4. that the expectations for appropriate behavior are identified and taught.
5. that the process for ensuring that these expectations are followed is consistent and familiar.
6. that everyone will develop an appreciation of the impact of their behavior, both positive and negative, on others.
7. that students learn that rules, policies and procedures provide guidelines for behaviour, but that control of behaviour will be internalized as self control.

2. TDA Core Values

TDA embraces the following core values, CLAIR, in an effort to build positive school students in our learning community. Students who represent the school in an activity are expected to serve as good role models to other students and to the members of the community.

• C Creativity
• L Leadership
• A Ambition
• I Integrity
• R Respect

3. Responsibilities

Everyone has responsibility for ensuring the success of TDA's Code of Conduct. The general expectations are outlined below:

Students:

1. Treat everyone with courtesy, respect and dignity.
2. Accept responsibility for their actions.
3. Attend school every school day unless they are legally excused and be in class, on time, and prepared to learn.
4. Complete assigned work.
5. Learn the rules.
6. Act in a safe manner.
7. Accept and follow the rules and regulations of the school.
8. Dress appropriately for school and school functions.
9. Use acceptable strategies to resolve conflict.
10. Seek help in solving problems that might lead to discipline.
11. React to direction given by teachers, administrators and other school personnel in a respectful, positive manner.

Staff:

1. Treat everyone with courtesy, respect and dignity.
2. Help students work to their full potential and develop their self-worth.
3. Communicate regularly and meaningfully with parents.
4. Prepare students for the full responsibilities of citizenship.
5. Ensure that students and parents are aware of the policies and expectations of the school.
6. Design strategies that focus on and acknowledge positive behaviours.
7. Ensure that they address inappropriate behaviours.
8. Maintain a consistent approach and expectations, acknowledging positive behaviours and addressing negative behaviours for all students.

Parent(s):

1. Treat everyone with courtesy, respect and dignity.
2. Show an active interest in school work and progress.
3. Communicate regularly with the school.
4. Help their children be neat, appropriately dressed and prepared for school.
5. Ensure that their child attends school regularly and on time.
6. Recognize that the education of their children is a joint responsibility of the parents and the school community.
7. Promptly report to the school their child's absence or late arrival.
8. Become familiar with the Code of Conduct and School rules.
9. Encourage and assist their child in following the rules of behaviour.
10. Assist school staff in dealing with disciplinary issues.
11. Ensure that students and parents are aware of the policies and expectations of the school.
12. Discuss and reinforce the expectations with their children.
13. Know school rules and help their children understand them.

4. Process

A key component in the success of a Code of Behaviour is a clearly defined process for dealing with inappropriate behaviour. The steps are outlined below:

1. Staff will be responsible for identifying and addressing inappropriate behaviour.
2. In a conflict situation: supervising staff will intervene and issue instructions designed to terminate the conflict; students are responsible for responding immediately to those instructions; staff will determine a time and location to provide an opportunity for resolution of the conflict or to deal with inappropriate behaviour.
3. The process for resolving the conflict is designed to: provide an opportunity for the students involved to present their viewpoints; assist students to identify the degree of their responsibility in the conflict situation, the positive and negative components of their actions; teach alternative behaviours with the clear expectations that students will accept responsibility for using the more appropriate behaviours in the future; give the students ownership of the problem, actively involve them in determining a solution, and through this process, teach self discipline; assist staff in assigning the most appropriate consequence.

5. Consequences

In general, a progression of possible consequences for persistent inappropriate behaviour is outlined below:

1. A consequence determined by student participation in the conflict resolution process.
2. Parental contact.
3. Contact with the Principal.
4. Removal of privileges.
5. Unable to participate in events off of school property.
6. In-School Suspension.
7. School Suspension.
8. School Expulsion.

The above list of consequences is not definitive, nor would the consequences necessarily follow the steps in the order that they appear. For example, a student who deliberately injures someone could be suspended without having proceeded through the various steps. While it is the goal of the school to teach appropriate behaviours, the safety of everyone must be given priority.

Mandatory Consequences

Police will be involved, as indicated by the police/school protocol, and the student will be immediately suspended and proceed to an expulsion hearing for the following:

1. possession of a weapon, including, but not limited to firearms;
2. trafficking in drugs or weapons;
3. robbery;
4. use of a weapon to cause bodily harm, or to threaten serious harm;
5. physical assault causing bodily harm requiring professional medical treatment;
6. sexual assault;
7. providing alcohol to minors.

For the following, immediate suspension will be the minimum penalty:

1. uttering a threat to inflict serious bodily harm;
2. possession of illegal drugs;
3. acts of vandalism causing extensive damage to school property or property located on school premises.

A student will be immediately suspended for:

1. swearing at a teacher, or other person in authority;
2. being in possession of alcohol;
3. being under the influence of alcohol.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE WILL BE AN AUTOMATIC SUSPENSION FOR BRINGING A WEAPON (GUN, KNIFE OR REPLICA OF A GUN/KNIFE) ON TO SCHOOL PROPERTY. LASER POINTERS ARE INCLUDED UNDER THIS POLICY. SCHOOL PROPERTY INCLUDES ANY LOCATION OR TIME WHERE STUDENTS ARE PARTICIPATING IN A SCHOOL SANCTIONED ACTIVITY.

6. Appeal Procedures

If the matter is not satisfactorily resolved by a licensed employee, the student may discuss the matter with the principal within 10 calendar days.

7. Prohibited Student Conduct

Disorderly Conduct

Includes, but is not limited to:

1. Staying and speaking loudly in hallways.
2. Speaking non-English in School will cause a 2 dollar penalty (except during lunch time).
3. Using language or gestures that are profane, lewd, vulgar or abusive.
4. Making unreasonable noise.
5. Engaging in any willful act which disrupts the normal operation of the school community.

Insubordinate Conduct

1. Failing to comply with the reasonable directions of teachers, school administrators or other school employees in charge of students or otherwise demonstrating disrespect.
2. Lateness for, missing or leaving school without permission.
3. Skipping detention.

Disruptive Conduct

1. Failing to comply with the reasonable directions of teachers, school administrators or other school personnel in charge of students.
2. Inappropriate public sexual contact.

Violent Conduct

1. Committing or attempting to commit an act of violence (such as hitting, kicking, punching, and scratching) upon a teacher, administrator or other school employee.
2. Committing or attempting to commit an act of violence upon another student or any other person lawfully on school property.
3. Possessing a weapon (such as gun, knife or replica): 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; displaying what appears to be a weapon.
4. Intentionally damaging or destroying the personal property of a student, teacher, administrator, other district employee or any person lawfully on school property, including graffiti or arson.
5. Intentionally damaging or destroying school district property.

Conduct Endangering Safety, Morals, Health or Welfare of Others

1. Recklessly engaging in conduct which creates a substantial risk of physical injury.
2. Stealing or attempting to steal the property of other students, school personnel or any other person lawfully on school property.
3. Defamation — making false or unprivileged statements that damage the reputation of a person or identifiable group.
4. Discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability.
5. Harassment — severe or persistent actions or statements that ridicule or demean an identifiable individual or group.
6. Intimidation — actions or statements that put an individual in fear of bodily harm.
7. Bullying — persistent inappropriate behavior including threats or intimidation, treating others cruelly, terrorizing, coercing, or habitual put-downs.
8. Hazing — intentional or reckless acts directed at another for the purpose of initiation into, affiliating with or maintaining membership in any school sponsored activity, organization, club or team.
9. Selling, using or possessing obscene material.
10. Using vulgar or abusive language, cursing or swearing.
11. Smoking a cigarette, cigar, pipe or using chewing or smokeless tobacco.
12. Possessing, consuming, selling, distributing or exchanging alcoholic beverages or illegal substances, or being under the influence of either. "Illegal Substances" include, but are not limited to, inhalants, marijuana, cocaine, LSD, PCP, amphetamines, heroin, steroids, look-alike drugs, and any other substances commonly referred to as "designer drugs."
13. Inappropriately using or sharing prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
14. Be in possession of, under the influence of, or provide others with, alcohol or illegal drugs.
15. Gambling.
16. Indecent exposure of the private parts of the body in a lewd or indecent manner.
17. Initiating a report warning of fire or other catastrophe without valid cause, misuse of 911, or discharging a fire extinguisher.

Academic Misconduct

1. Plagiarism.
2. Cheating.
3. Copying.
4. Altering records.
5. Assisting another student in any of the above actions.

Prohibited Clothing

The following clothing items will not be worn in school by students:

1. Any article that displays obscene words, pictures or designs; or that conveys a sexually suggestive remark, a pro-alcohol message, or a tobacco/drug related message.
2. Skirts, dresses, or shorts that do not extend beyond the fingertips fully extended and/or reach mid-thigh.
3. Tank, tube, or halter tops and strapless dresses and backless dresses.
4. Stretch lycra, spandex or nylon tights, leotards, biker pants, or underwear worn as outer garments.
5. Stretch pants or hose covered by jackets, shirts, or tops that do not extend beyond the fingertips/mid-thigh.
6. Head wear including, but not limited to, hats, hoods, wavecaps, sweatbands, bandannas, sunglasses, goggles, headsets, combs, picks, curlers, or rakes in the hair.
7. Apparel that exposes the mid-section or body below the armpits.
8. Pants or shorts worn below the intended waistline.
9. Cut-off shorts and pants with rips or holes.
10. Jewelry or accessories that may be used as a weapon, including but not limited to multi-finger rings joined together, fanged teeth, etc.
11. Flip flops, slippers, and/or bare feet at any time.
12. Any item that may be considered disruptive to the educational process.