Code of Conduct

Delta School District Code of Conduct

This District Code of Conduct framework guides school communities in the development of their own codes. It is expected that all members of the school community will uphold the underlying principles of the District and School codes which include respect for self, others, property, and the environment.

The Code of Conduct shall apply to all students during any school activity and may hold students responsible for their conduct on the way to and from school or at a school activity. Conduct by any student that adversely affects a school climate or operation, including disruption of the learning environment, shall be considered a breach of the Code of Conduct, warranting appropriate forms of intervention.

The Code of Conduct recognizes that as children grow and mature, they are more able to make appropriate decisions and to be responsible for their actions.

The District Code of Conduct is created to provide guiding principles of conduct for all students enrolled in the school district and is in accordance with Section 6 (1) (a) and (b) of the School Act which states:
6 (1) A student must comply 
(a) with the school rules authorized by the principal of the school or Provincial school attended by the student, and
(b) with the code of conduct and other rules and policies of the board or the Provincial school.

The Purpose of the Code of Conduct as referenced in Delta School District Policy #1131, Student Conduct and Discipline, is to:

  • Provide and maintain a safe, caring, and orderly environment for students to develop to their full potential;
  • Ensure that the rights and responsibilities of individuals are appropriately balanced to uphold the collective well-being of all;
  • Communicate the expectations of student behaviour to all members of the school community.
Conduct Expectations

Acceptable Conduct supports a positive learning environment. It is expected that students will:

  • Conduct themselves in an appropriate manner when going to and from school, within school, on school grounds, during extended school activities and on school buses
  • Apply themselves to the best of their ability in all aspects of their education
  • Attend school and classes regularly and punctually
  • Be respectful of the thoughts, feelings and heritage of others
  • Respect the rights and property of others
  • Dress in a manner which reflects purpose and propriety
  • Contribute positively to a safe, caring and orderly school
  • Behave in an ethical and lawful manner
  • Report to a responsible adult, incidents of threats, bullying, harassment, violence or intimidation

Unacceptable Conduct interferes with a positive learning environment. Some examples of unacceptable behaviours include:

  • Interference with the learning of others
  • Use of inappropriate or abusive language
  • Threatening, harassing, intimidating, assaulting or bullying, in any way, including “cyber-bullying,” any person within the school community
  • Possessing weapons or dangerous articles
  • Possession, use, or distribution of illegal or restricted substances
  • Theft of or damage to property
  • Any efforts to cause harm to another person based on, but not limited to race, religion, gender, physical or intellectual disability, sexual orientation or age.
  • Gang related behaviours
  • Acts of retribution toward a person who has reported incidents
Rising Expectations

The Code of Conduct recognizes that as children grow and mature, they are more able to make appropriate decisions and to be responsible for their actions. As students progress through school, they are expected to:

  • Acquire greater knowledge and understanding about their personal behaviour and its impact on others
  • Learn and utilize appropriate decision-making strategies
  • Demonstrate increasing self-discipline
  • Take increasing personal responsibility for their actions and learning
  • Be subject to increasing consequences for inappropriate behaviour
Consequences

When determining consequences, and in compliance with Delta School District Procedure #1131.1, consideration is given to the maturity as well as the intellectual, social and emotional capacity of the student along with the severity and frequency of the misbehaviour. Consequences should where appropriate, follow District procedures and will:

  • Be thoughtful, consistent and fair
  • Seek to prevent a recurrence of the offense
  • Teach acceptable social behaviour rather than be merely punitive And where appropriate
  • Provide means for restitution and restorative actions
  • Involve the offender in determining a corrective plan of action
Notification

It is understood that communication is essential to the home and school partnership. Notification will be given to the school’s community of the school’s Code of Conduct. As well, notice will be given to the parents and students within each school of the range of responses that schools may apply to breaches of the Code of Conduct including threat making behaviours.
Therefore, for breaches of the Code of Conduct, the following parties may be notified:

  • Parents of student in breach of the Code of Conduct
  • Parents of student victim(s)
  • School and District personnel – where appropriate
  • Police and/or other agencies – where deemed appropriate or where required by law
  • All parents of the school community – when deemed important to reassure members of the school community that school and district officials are aware of a serious situation or incident and are taking appropriate action to address it
  • When the breach of the Code of Conduct is criminal in nature, police will be consulted prior to public notification
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