[Insert name of school]

CASHMERE AVE. PUBLIC SCHOOL

CODE OF CONDUCT

OUR COMMITMENT

Cashmere Ave. PS recognizes that students achieve their b= est when they feel safe, nurtured, welcomed, respected and included. We are committed to providing a healthy learning and working environment to support student success by promoting responsibility, respect, civility, academic excellence and good citizenship. For learning to be successful, schools mus= t be free of negative factors such as bullying, discrimination, intimidation, hateful words and actions as well as physical violence in any form.

We believe that parents, the school and community must all work together= to help students learn to become responsible members of society being sensitiv= e to the diversity, cultural and special needs of individual students. We must clearly demonstrate respect for so= cial justice and human rights, and promote the values needed to develop responsi= ble members of a democratic society.

OUR CODE OF CONDUCT

The Cashmere School Code of Conduct applies to all members o= f the school community including students, parents and guardians, volunteers and school staff, whether they are on school property, on school buses, at school-authorized events or activities, or in any other situation that may impact the school climate.

All members of the school community have a responsibil= ity to respect and honour the school Code of Conduct, to behave appropriately and = to take responsibility for their own actions.

OUR RESPONSIBILITIES

All members of the school communi= ty are expected to:

· demonstrate honesty and integrity

· treat one another with dignity, respect and fairness, regardless of their race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnicity, citizenship, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientati= on, age, ability, socioeconomic status or any other attribute

· take appropriate action to help those in nee= d, seeking assistance to resolve conflict constructively and respectfully

· show proper care and regard for school prope= rty and the property of others

Parent and guardian responsibilities include:

·&nb= sp;       taking an active role in their child's educa= tion by ensuring their child is prepare= d for learning including attending school regularly and on time, promptly reporti= ng absences or late arrivals, and ongoing communication with the school

·&nb= sp;       reviewing the school Code of Conduct with th= eir child and helping him/her follow school rules

·&nb= sp;       helping their child understand that it is not appropriate to tease or bully others

·&nb= sp;       monitoring their child’s Internet use and ta= king responsibility for his/her behaviour when accessing electronic resources fr= om home

Student responsibilities include:

·        demonstrating a commitment to learning throu= gh punctual and regular attendance, being prepared and ready to learn

·        practicing honesty and integrity by not participating in or encouraging plagiarism and misrepresentation of original work

·        following school rules and taking responsibi= lity for his/her own actions

·&nb= sp;       not bringing anything to school or using anything inappropriately that may harm the student or others

·&nb= sp;       showing proper care and respect for school a= nd community property, as well as only visiting other schools for school-relat= ed and authorized activities

Staff responsibilities include:

·&nb= sp;       helping students achieve to the best of their ability, to develop self-worth and preparing them to become responsible citizens

·&nb= sp;       maintaining order in the school and holding everyone to the highest standard of respectful and responsible behaviour

·&nb= sp;       communicating regularly and meaningfully with parents/guardians

·&nb= sp;       establishing a range of clear, fair and developmentally appropriate interventions, supports, direct skill instructi= on and consequences for unacceptable behaviour

BULLYING PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION

We are teaching students to identify bullying behaviou= r and giving them strategies to deal with, and stop it from happening.

Bullying is typically a form of repeated, persistent a= nd aggressive behaviour directed at another person that is intended to cause (= or should be known to cause) fear, distress and/or harm to that person’s body,= feelings, self-esteem or reputation. Bullying occurs in a context where there is a re= al or perceived power imbalance.

When someone experiences or observes bullying behaviou= r, he/she is expected to report it to a teacher, teaching assistant or school administrator immediately. Bullying behaviour will be dealt with using a progressive discipline approach.

PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE

Cashmere Ave. PS encourages, supports and recognizes acceptable behaviour in our students through a variety of positive practices. Progressive discipline = is an approach that makes use of a continuum of interventions, supports and consequences, building upon strategies which promote positive behaviours.

We encourage students to take responsibility for their behaviour and to accept the consequences of their actions. A progressive discipline approach will be used to deal with inappropriate behaviour. This= may include: oral reminders, review of expectations, contact with parent(s)/gua= rdian(s), written reflection, volunteer services in the school community, conflict mediation and resolution, peer mentoring, and/or referral for support servi= ces.

We recognize that each student is a unique individual = and that every situation that requires disciplinary action has its own set of extenuating circumstances. All fac= tors that may have affected the student’s behaviour will be considered before progressive discipline is applied. Students who behave inappropriately will receive an age and developmentally appropriate consequence. For a student with special education or disability-related needs, all progressive discipline approaches will be consistent with his/her Individual Education Plan and his/her demonstrated abilities.

Suspension and expulsion

Cashmere Ave. PS also supports the use of suspension a= nd expulsion for serious incidents as outlined in the Peel District School Boa= rd's Safe Schools Policy.

Before considering whether to impose a suspension or m= ake a recommendation for an expulsion, a principal must consider mitigating and o= ther factors.

The behaviours for which a principal may consider suspending a stud= ent include:

·&nb= sp;       swearing (written or verbal) at a teacher or= at another person in a position of authority

·&nb= sp;       bullying

·&nb= sp;       uttering a threat to inflict serious bodily = harm on another person

·&nb= sp;       damaging or destroying school property

·&nb= sp;       possessing alcohol or restricted drugs

·&nb= sp;       being under the influence of alcohol

·&nb= sp;       committing any act considered by the princip= al to:

o      = have a negative impact on the moral tone of the school

o      = have a negative impact on the physical or mental well-being of one or more school community members

o      = be contrary to the school or Peel board Codes of Conduct

Incidents for which a principal will consider recommending to the b= oard's Discipline Committee that a student be expelled include:

·&nb= sp;       physically assaulting another person causing bodily harm that requires medical treatment

·&nb= sp;       possessing a weapon or using a weapon to threaten or frighten another person

·&nb= sp;       trafficking in restricted drugs or weapons

·&nb= sp;       giving alcohol to a minor

·&nb= sp;       committing robbery

·&nb= sp;       committing sexual assault

·&nb= sp;       behaviour that:

o      = is significantly detrimental to the school climate and/or to the physical or mental well being of others

o      = causes extensive damage to school property

o      = causes his/her continued presence at the school to pose an unacceptable risk to ot= her members of the school community

o      = a pattern of behaviour so inappropriate the student's continued presence is detrimental to the effective learning or working environment of others

o      = demonstrates a persistent resistance to changes in behaviour that would enable him/her t= o be successful

o      = is a serious violation of the school or Peel board Codes of Conduct

Students who are suspended or expelled will be given an opportunity to continue their education through educational programs offere= d by the school board.

DRUGS

The school recognizes the benefits of a smoke-free environment to all persons. By law, smoking is not permitted at Cas= hmere Ave. PS, or any other board property, on school buses or while attending any school-related event or activity. = School property includes cars that are on school grounds and all lands to the edge= of the street. The no smoking rule wil= l be enforced within these areas.

Possession of tobacco pr= oducts by students under the age of 16 and providing tobacco products to anyone un= der 16 years of age is illegal.

Alcohol and restricted d= rugs may be addictive and represent a health hazard. Possessing, using, trafficking = in, or providing others with restricted drugs and/or alcohol will not be condon= ed at Cashmere Ave. PS, on Peel board property or at any school-related event = or activity at any time. Lighters and drug-related paraphernalia that can be used for substance abuse are not permitted on school property.

WEAPONS

Possessing or displaying= weapons of any kind, including real, toy or replica, and all other objects that cou= ld inflict or threaten bodily harm will not be condoned at Cashmere Ave. PS, on any Peel board property or at any school-related event or activity at any t= ime.

DRESS CODE

The standards for school dress at Cashmere Ave. PS are= based on common sense and are intended to support the comfort, safety and modesty= of all students. There is a strong relationship between neat, clean and appropriate clothing and a positive learning environment.

USE OF TECHNOLOGY

Students will demonstrate appropriate online conduct and manners and refrain from improper/unethical = use of technology, including computer hacking and cyber-bullying. The Internet must not be used for any p= urpose that violates the Cashmere Ave. PS Code of Conduct. This applies to school, work and home internet use.

BUS TRAVEL

Students are expected to follow the standards of behav= iour outlined in the Code of Conduct while they are on the school bus.

Students are required to:

·&nb= sp;       be at their bus stop at least five minutes before their pick-up time

·&nb= sp;       go directly to their seats and stay seated
·&nb= sp;       follow the bus driver’s instructions and beh= ave appropriately at all times

Students may not:

·&nb= sp;       consume food and drinks on the bus

·&nb= sp;       fight, swear or cause excessive noise on the= bus

·&nb= sp;       engage in activities that may endanger the safety of themselves or others