Sheridan Park Public School Code Of Conduct

Sheridan Park is a place that promotes responsibility, respect and academic excellence in a safe learning and teaching environment.

All students, teachers and staff have the right to be safe and feel safe, in their school community. Every student has the right to an education without disruption and a corresponding responsibility not to deny any rights to any other student.  With this right also comes the responsibility to be law-abiding citizens and to be accountable for actions that put at risk the safety of others or oneself. All members of the school community are to be treated with respect and are expected to use nonviolent means to resolve conflicts.

The Sheridan Park Code of Conduct sets clear standards for behaviours in order to promote a positive educational atmosphere for all.

Roles, Responsibilities and Rights

“All participants involved in the publicly funded school system - students, parents or guardians, volunteers, teachers and other staff members are included in the Code Of Conduct whether they are on school property, on school buses or at school-authorized events and activities.”  Ministry of Education, Province of Ontario.

Teachers and school staff, under the leadership of their principals, maintain order in the school and are expected to hold everyone to the highest standard of respectful and responsible citizenship. As role models, staff uphold these high standards when they:

• help students work to their full potential and develop their self-worth, based on individual differences while maintaining consistent standards of behaviours for students by being fair, firm and positive;
• communicate regularly and meaningfully with administration and parents;
• plan, implement and evaluate an effective instructional program in their classroom and school.

In order to fulfill these responsibilities, the teachers and school staff have the right to:

• expect co-operation and reasonable behaviours through the school, in all educational settings;
• receive support from Principal and parents in the performance of their duties;
• exclude from class a student who is disruptive or endangering the safety of self and others.

Students are to be treated with respect and dignity. In return, they must demonstrate respect for themselves, for others and for the responsibilities of citizenship through acceptable behaviours.

Respect and responsibility are demonstrated when a student:

• respects the right of others to work in an environment that promotes learning and teaching and respects persons who are in a position of authority;
• demonstrates honesty and integrity and respects the rights of others, especially when there is a disagreement, regardless of their race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability;
• shows proper care and regard for school property and the property of others;
• takes appropriate measures to help those in need;
• shows respect for themselves, for others and for those in authority by addressing people in a polite and courteous manner and by being on time for class;
• shows respect for themselves, for others by avoiding inappropriate public displays of affection;
• shows respect for themselves, for others and for the school (e.g. littering and spitting);
• refrains from bringing anything to school that may compromise the safety of others;
• follows the established rules and takes responsibility for their own actions;
• comes to school prepared, having all the necessary supplies as well as all homework and assignments or lateness

• comes to school on time, being accountable for work or assignments missed due to absences or lateness;
• comes to school ready to learn with a positive attitude, participates in activities, is industrious in all assignments and strives for excellence;
• demonstrates self-discipline;
• is willing to volunteer information and co-operate with staff in disciplinary cases.
• show respect for our environment by being ECO conscious, litterless lunch, support natural growth of trees and our gardens
• In order to fulfil these responsibilities, students have the right to:
• equal learning opportunities in a positive, appropriate and challenging learning environment acquiring assistance from the teacher;
• help in making decisions regarding school programs;
• freedom from physical and verbal harassment.

Parents and Guardians play an important role in the education of their children and have a responsibility to support efforts of the school staff in maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment for all students. Parents fulfil this responsibility when they:

• show an active interest in their child’s school work and progress, ensuring that work is completed on time by providing assistance and an appropriate time and place for doing homework;
• communicate with the school ensuring that their child attends school regularly and punctually;
• promptly report to the school their child’s absence, late arrival or other concerns;
• become familiar with the School of Conduct and school rules;
• encourage and assist their child in following the rules;
• assist school staff in developing positive attitudes toward learning and dealing with disciplinary issues;
• encourage their children to participate in activities sponsored by the school;
• complete and return, on time, permission or other forms needed by the school (e.g., tracking books, portfolios, agendas).

In order to fulfill these responsibilities, parents have the right to:

• know that students are provided with a meaningful education program that follows the Ontario Curriculum guidelines in classes that are conducted in an orderly manner;
• expect teachers to act as “kind, but firm and judicious parents;”
• receive regular communication (newsletters, notes in agendas, phone calls, etc.), from the school and confer with the school regarding any concerns about their child;
• attend Sheridan School Council meetings.

Police and community members are essential partners in making our schools and communities safer. Community members fulfill this responsibility by:

• supporting and respecting the rules of their local school;
• communicating ideas and concerns with school personnel;
• providing support and resources when appropriate.

Physical Safety / Physical Aggression

All students must:

• not inflict or encourage others to inflict bodily harm to another person;
• avoid rough play, bullying, fighting, physically and verbally abusive behaviour;
• refrain from throwing snowballs on or in the proximity of the school grounds;
• seek staff assistance, if necessary, to resolve conflicts peacefully.
• refrain from making verbal threats of aggression.

Weapons

All students must not:

• be in possession of any weapons, including but not limited to firearms, explosive materials, firecrackers, or laser pointers;
• use any object to threaten or intimidate another person;
• cause injury to any person with an object.

Alcohol, Cigarettes and Drugs

All students must not:

• be in possession of, under the influence of, or provide others with alcohol, cigarettes or illegal drugs;
• be in possession of matches or lighters.

Destruction of Property

All students must not deface, damage or destroy any equipment or other property that is not their own.

Arrival and Departures

All students must:

• walk bicycles to and from the street when arriving on or leaving school property;
• not use skateboards, bicycles, roller blades, running shoes with wheels and scooters on school property;
• use the entrance designated for their classroom and go directly to the assigned area, while waiting for the bell to ring;
• leave the building promptly at Break #2 (with permission) and after school by the designated entrance or report promptly to the activity permitted by the co-instructional program;
• move quickly and quietly to all classes in the time allotted.

Nutrition Break

All students must:

• arrive promptly, sit quietly and eat their food in an orderly fashion and ensure their food is eaten only in assigned areas and at appropriate times;
• clear their desks or area and deposit garbage and recyclable materials in the appropriate container(s) respectively;
• remain on the school property during lunch unless a lunch note is signed or picked up by parents or permission to leave has been requested in writing (with date and signature) by parent/ guardian and granted by the school office or homeroom teacher;
• refrain from bringing food products containing nut ingredients or peanut oil.

Classroom Expectations

• All students must:
• keep gym bags, purses and backpacks in their designated areas or lockers;
• not have gum in the school or during classes;
• not bring hard balls, hockey sticks, baseball bats, rackets to school, except when permitted as part of a school program;
• store, in their locker, all electronic devices (ie. cell phones, CD/mp3 players, iPods, gameboys, psps).  These items are the responsibility of the student;
• use the assigned lockers specified by the homeroom teacher;
• give all codes / locker combinations to the homeroom teacher;
• use Dudley combination locks on locker (students can not share lockers or passwords);
• behave in a manner that is conducive to the learning, safety and respect of self and others;
• be accountable for participation, learning and assessment activities.

Hallway Expectations

• All students are expected to:
• walk quietly along the right-hand side of the hallway;
• visit their locker only during break times;
• refrain from touching fire alarms, posters and bulletin boards;
• follow the “Hands Off” rule. (no pushing or shoving of other students)

OUR 4+1 AGREEMENTS

• MUTUAL RESPECT
• ATTENTIVE LISTENING
• NO PUT DOWNS
• RIGHT TO PASS OR PARTICIPATE
• ECO AWARE

Assemblies

• When attending assemblies students must:
• Enter and leave the assembly area quietly;
• Sit down in an orderly fashion;
• Remain seated and be ready to listen immediately when the proceedings begin;
• Pay attention to the activities taking place during an assembly;
• Applaud respectfully and appropriately.

Off School Property Activities

• When participating in off school property activities, students must:
• Listen and obey the instructions of the supervisor in charge;
• Listen while others are talking;
• Demonstrate courtesy and respect to others;
• Be on their best behaviour;
• Follow the “Hands Off” rule;
• Stay with the class or the group;
• Request permission from a supervisor if needing to leave the group for any reason.

Playground

When on the playground, students must:

• Remain on the playground in the designated area;
• Remain outside unless permission is given by the playground supervisor or there is an emergency situation;
• Follow the rules on leaving sticks, stones, other objects, ice and snow on the ground;
• Place their garbage in the outside containers;
• Refrain from spitting;
• Use acceptable language at all times;
• Demonstrate respect for school and personal property;
• Follow the “Hands Off” rule;
• Report unsafe situations immediately to the duty supervisor.

Dress Code

• We believe that student dress code should be appropriate to an academic setting and contribute to an overall positive image of our school.

• Hats or head-coverings (bandanas, head bands, kerchiefs, caps, hoods, visors, etc.), are to be removed before entering the school or participating in indoor field trips and/or indoor activities.  Head dresses or head coverings worn for religious or medical purposes are exempt.

• Metal spike studded collars, wrist bands, etc. and “hardware” chains (used with wallets or as a jewellery item) are not to be present in the school, on school sponsored field trips or during activities.

• Halter tops, tube tops, spaghetti straps (less than three finger widths), muscle shirts and mesh tops are not to be worn.

• All clothing should be worn in such a manner so as not to reveal undergarments in the normal range of movements.

• Shirts, shorts and skirts must be an appropriate length for school.

• Shirts with inappropriate or offensive messages or any “gang” related paraphernalia are not permitted.

• Clothing which advertises or promotes alcoholic beverages, drugs, violence or racism or that displays obscene, distasteful or hurtful messages are not to be worn in school or at any school activity or field trip.   Running shoes with wheels are also not permitted.

• Students are expected to dress appropriately for the weather. All outdoor coats and jackets are to be placed in lockers or designated areas until students leave the school.

• Students dressed inappropriately will be asked to change or go home.

Responses to Behaviour

Responses to inappropriate behaviour will be determined by the nature and frequency of the behaviour;

Communication between home and school will facilitate the process.

Positive Practices include:

• program modification;
• program accommodations;
• positive feedback for desired behaviours;
• interview between teacher and student               
• involvement of resource personnel (i.e., youth counsellor, resource teacher, in-school team, Board/community agencies);
• formal interview between student, teacher, principal, vice-principal, parents.

Corrective Practices include:

• withdrawal of privileges;
• infraction sheet, P.M. Club;
• classroom detention;
• exclusion from optional activities;
• restitution of damages;
• alternative learning environment;
• suspension from school for major or repeated offenses ranging from one to twenty days;
• expulsion for extremely serious offences (under Board authority).

Corrective practices will not necessarily be imposed sequentially but will depend greatly on the severity of the behaviour. It is important to note that parent consultation will take place whenever the misbehaviour is of a serious nature.