School Code of Conduct
INTRODUCTION
The Ministry of Education requires all schools to implement a code of behaviour that provides clear expectations concerning acceptable and non-acceptable behaviours. The WDSS code of consistent with Ministry and Board policies and is reviewed annually in consultation with students, staff, parents and the community.
CITIZENSHIP
Students of WDSS are citizens of our school community who take responsibility for themselves and for others and who work co-operatively with other students in order to achieve their maximum potential. It is expected that this philosophy underlie the behaviour of everyone at the school.
SCHOOL POLICIES
The following set of policies includes all those items identified by the Bluewater District School Board as necessary elements of Codes of Conduct as well as other issues considered important at WDSS. The articles in the Code of Behaviour apply to behaviours on school property, buses and at school sponsored functions.
RANGE OF CONSEQUENCES
Where appropriate, failure to meet this code’s standard will result in one or more of the following consequences:
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interview by appropriate school personnel |
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parental involvement |
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denial or restriction of the privilege of use the school facilities or equipment |
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removal of academic and/or extracurricular programs |
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detention |
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payment (restitution) for loss or damage |
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temporary withdrawal from class or school |
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suspension |
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behavioural or attendance contracts |
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counselling |
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police involvement |
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recommendations for expulsion |
WDSS Bullying Prevention Policy and Procedures
Policy
Everyone at Walkerton District Secondary School is committed to making our school a safe, supportive and productive environment. We will treat each other with respect, and we will deal with bullying to prevent it from continuing.
Definition
Bullying is a conscious, willful and deliberate act of aggression or manipulation by one or more people against another person or people. It may be premeditated or opportunistic and can last for a short period of time or go on for years. Bullying is an abuse of power by those who carry it out.
There are three kinds of bullying: physical, verbal, and relational:
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Physical bullying involves people who hurt their targets and/or steal or damage their belongings. They may extort money or things from their targets or blackmail them. |
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Verbal bullying involves people who speak badly of their targets and may spread rumors seeking to hurt and humiliate. |
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Relational bullying involves the shunning or excluding of their targets, and attempts to damage the target's social networks. |
Cyber bullying involves the use of information and communication technology such as electronic mail, cell phones, page text messages, and online personal polling web sites to harass, ridicule and torment others in cyberspace.
Homophobic bullying is any hostile or offensive action, including verbal taunts against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transsexuals, transgendered and two spirited individuals or those perceived to be
any of the above.
Sexual bullying involves unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other unwanted verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
Students will:
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Treat everyone with respect and not bully. |
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Understand the rights and responsibilities of all members of the WDSS community. |
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Take responsibility for their own behaviour. |
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Treat people the way they want to be treated |
Advice for Targets of Bullying:
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Remember that being bullied is not your fault, and there’s nothing wrong with you - no one deserves to be bullied. |
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Tell an adult you trust if you are being bullied, or someone else is. Keep telling until you get help. |
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Call the Kids Help Line 1-800-668-6868 for support-it’s free and confidential. |
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Don’t bully the bully. Using insults or fighting back will make the problem worst. |
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Use humour - say something funny to take the sting out of teasing; try not to take it personally, get upset or show hurt feelings. |
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If the bullying is making you afraid or very upset, have a teacher or an adult help you with a safety plan. You may have to change your route home, or avoid being where the bully is, until the problem is solved. Don’t think of it as acting scared - think of it as acting smart. |
Advice for the Bystander:
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Treat people the way you want to be treated. |
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Refuse to go along with bullying-bystanders who laugh, agree or cheer only encourage the bully’s bad behaviour. Instead, take the target’s side; if you feel safe doing so, tell the bully to stop. Report what you see and hear to an adult. |
(advice above is adapted from redcross.ca/RespectED)
ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY
Attendance is an important pupil requirement. Important activities and lessons are learned through active participation in classroom and other school activities. A direct correlation between attendance and academic achievement has been documented in several studies.
Valid Reasons to be Absent
1. Personal illness.
2. Illness in the family.
3. Compassionate leave (Death of a relative)
4. School team/field trip.
5. No busses running.
6. Designated holiday.
7. Prior approval - by the principal/vice-principal for any other unusual circumstance.
Please Note: Family vacations are not school authorized absences.
Serious Absenteeism
Absences of 10 cumulative days per semester, or 20 days per school year are considered serious absenteeism.
Serious absenteeism can affect academic achievement and “have a direct negative effect on a student’s emotional/social development and subsequent adjustment in future years.” (School Attendance Handbook, BWDSB, 2002). For this reason any student with unexplained absences, regardless of age, will be counselled. Students will be expected to provide the necessary documentation indicating valid reasons to be absent, and/or improve their attendance habits in future.
Attendance Procedures for Students Under 18
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Parents are encouraged to call the school and leave a message with the attendance secretary or voicemail (ext. 523) on the day of the absence prior to 9 AM, if possible. |
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Students will be marked absent until a note or phone call is provided from home stating a valid reason for missing school. |
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Once a student provides a note signed by an appropriate guardian or parent, or the attendance secretary receives a phone call from the appropriate parent/guardian, (both of which must include a valid reason as listed above) the reason for the absence will be officially entered into the system attendance records. |
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Upon returning to school after an absence, students will report to the attendance secretary in the office. Students will be given an admit slip that will indicate the date(s) and period(s) from which the student was absent and that the student… |
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a) has forgotten a note from home, and that the absence will be considered a truancy if a note is not received |
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b) was absent for a valid reason (as provided by the note or phone call placed by a parent/guardian) |
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c) was truant |
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Until a note or phone call is received from home, students will not be eligible for make-up tests, nor will students be eligible to submit any missed assignments, projects, etc.. |
Attendance Procedures for Students 18 And Over
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Students are expected to continue to attend classes unless they need to be away for a valid reason as stated above. |
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Students are responsible to make arrangements with their teacher in advance when missing tests, etc. due to appointments and field trips. |
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Extended absences or absences which result in missing tests, presentation dates, and/or assignment due-dates must be substantiated by a note from a professional (doctor, dentist, lawyer, etc.) |
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Adult students are expected to arrange personal business so that it does not interfere with their attendance in class. |
Truant means that the student missed class for a non-valid reason. Absences not supported by a note or phone call will be considered truancies.
Other Attendance Issues
Being on Time
Students who arrive late to class disrupt the flow of classroom instruction and impact negatively on the time usage of every student in the class. As well, learning to be on time is an important life skill. Therefore, students at WDSS are expected to be in class on time. Students who arrive in the classroom after the bell rings are considered late. Students who arrive late will be counselled and encouraged to develop strategies to help them arrive on time.
Field Trips and Extra Curricular Absences
WDSS is proud of its active extra-curricular program. Students should inform teachers of their upcoming absence ahead of time, especially if the absence will affect assessment and evaluation processes.
Homework Request for Students
Parents may request homework for students who are absent for three or more days. Please contact the guidance office and arrange to pick up the assignments. Please give us one school day to contact the teachers and collect the work
Make-Up Work for Valid Absences
Students are responsible to ask for missed work, complete the missed assignments, and seek clarification when necessary.
Signing In and Out – Excuse Slips
Students who arrive late to school must sign in at the office before proceeding to class. Students under 18 years, must arrive with a note signed by a parent/guardian indicating the reason for arriving late. Office professionals will attempt to contact a parent/guardian by phone if a student arrives without a note. If parental/guardian contact is unsuccessful via the phone, students arriving without a note will be expected to bring a note to the office the following day indicating that their parents are aware of their late entry the previous day.
Students needing to leave school early are also required to bring a note from home if they are under 18. Students are asked to obtain their blue excuse slip from the office before 9:15 AM or during classroom breaks. Students need to show the office-generated excuse slip to the teacher before leaving class. The classroom teacher should initial the excuse slip and return the sheet to the student. When returning to school later on the same day, students must show the office-generated excuse slip to the office attendance staff so that the office knows the student is back in the school. When returning to school the following day to being excused, students should show the excuse slip to each of their teachers affected by their absence the day before.
Late Assignment Policy
Importance of Due Dates
The purpose of assignment due dates is for teachers to evaluate students’ learning skills and to assess their understanding of curriculum expectations. Responsibility, commitment, dependability, self-discipline, and integrity are important traits students will learn when meeting assignment due dates. Development of these character traits will aid students in the post-secondary life.
Late Contracts
Each student will be given a maximum of 3 late assignment contracts per semester per class. Late contracts can be used for assignments; however, they cannot be used for tests, presentations or practical applications. Late contracts are handed in to your teacher, and your teacher will provide the revised due date; however, failure to meet this deadline may result in no mark given. Once the teacher has redistributed marked assignments no mark will be given for assignments submitted after that point. Students can submit the assignment for feedback only.
Completing the late contract is the responsibility of the student and they must initiate this process. The contract must be handed in on the assignment due date. If the student does not submit a contract on the date the task is due – no credit for the task will be granted.
Special Circumstances
Teachers are aware that there are special circumstances in student’s lives which may affect them from getting their assignments done on time. See Valid Reasons To Absent in the attendance section.
Truancy
If a student is truant for presentations, tests, practical applications, and assignment due dates, credit will not be granted for this specific task. Students are still allowed to complete the task; however, it will be for feedback only.
Incomplete Assignments
Incomplete marks may jeopardize the granting of a course credit if the teacher and the administration feel the student has not demonstrated sufficient knowledge of curriculum expectations.
IMPORTANT SCHOOL POLICIES/ROUTINES
Announcements and Opening Exercises
The morning exercises begin at 9:15 AM. During our anthem, everyone is expected to stand quietly with hats removed. Announcements will follow. Announcements should be clearly written on the forms provided in the main office.
Cafeteria
Food and beverages may be purchased in the cafeteria. Please deposit your garbage in the containers provided, and keep the cafeteria neat and clean. Please use the recycle bins for pop cans and bottles.
Cell Phones/Pay Phones
Cell phones are to be off and away, secured out of sight, during class time while in the school building or while on school property. Pay phones are available near the staff room and gym A/B.
Classroom Activities
Students must bring required materials to class, participate actively and positively in class activities and complete all assignments.
Computer/Internet Use Policy
Students must abide by the computer use policy. Students will respect the computer equipment and will not copy, change or use files of others without permission. They will also not access system programs without permission.
Conduct on Bus
The school bus is an extension of your school. Smoking, foul language and misbehaviour are not allowed on busses. Students are responsible to the bus driver and ultimately to the principal for their behaviour on the school busses.
Dress Code
A school is a place of learning and business. Everyone is expected to wear clothing that appears clean, neat and presentable. Any clothing that is not consistent with the moral tone of the school is prohibited. This includes beachwear (such as, but not limited to any clothing that reveals a student’s underwear or midriff, bra or halter tops. short shorts) and any clothing advertising alcohol/drugs or inappropriate, profane, or vulgar slogans on it.
Driver’s Education
There are usually two sessions of Driver’s Education advertised in the Bluewater District School Board guide entitled A Night Out. The fee is approx. $650.00.
Examinations
End-of-semester evaluations/examinations are compulsory. The examination dates for the school year are set in advance and are noted on the school year calendar. It is expected that vacations and other appointments will be avoided during the examination periods. Deferral or possible excusal from writing an examination is given only for a valid medical reason substantiated by a medical doctor.
Excursions/Field Trips
Students must have signed permission from a parent or guardian before they can participate on a school-sanctioned trip. Students are responsible for all work missed. Arrangements with teachers should be made well in advance of the activity. Students are not permitted to drive their own vehicles to or from any excursion or sport’s event.
Extra-curricular Programs
Students who work to their individual academic potential are eligible to participate in extra-curricular activities. Failure to do so will result in denial of these privileges.
Fire Alarm/Drill
The fire alarm/drill is a continuous loud sounding of the buzzers, which are located in the corridors. When the buzzer sounds all students and staff are to leave the building immediately, moving quietly and quickly in an orderly fashion. Anyone who willfully, without reasonable cause, pulls a fire alarm will be charged under the Criminal Code.
Fireworks
Any form of fireworks is not to be brought onto school property at any time.
Full Disclosure
Students enrolled in grade 11 and 12 courses who have not dropped a course by the fifth (5) day after the first report card has been distributed (mid-November and mid-April) will have that course and grade reported on their Ontario Student Transcript (OST). Students wishing to delete a course from their timetable must make a guidance appointment. Students are to continue in regular attendance in the course until a completed drop sheet is returned to the guidance counsellor and is approved by the principal.
Students in grade 9 and 10 are expected to continue in all four courses each semester.
Immunization of Pupils
The Immunization of School Pupils Act (1990) requires that all students be immunized against diphtheria, measles, mumps, poliomyelitis, rubella, and tetanus, unless exempted by a statement of medical exemption or a statement of religious belief. Failure to immunize will result in suspension from school.
Language
Students are expected to use acceptable language at all times. Swearing and other abusive language is unacceptable.
Laser Pointers
Laser pointers are considered dangerous weapons and are not permitted at school.
Lockers
Lockers are the property of the Bluewater District School Board and are assigned at the beginning of the school year on loan to students. The lock used must be a Dudley combination lock purchased from the school office for $6.00. A lock that is not registered with the office will be removed. Students are entitled to one locker only. Do not share your locker, share your combination, mark or deface your locker, leave your locker unlocked OR store money, jewelry or other valuables in your locker. The school does not assume responsibility for the loss of articles from your locker. DO keep your locker neat and tidy. The school administration has the authority to examine any locker at any time it is deemed necessary to protect the health and safety of the school community.
Lost and Found
Please bring any misplaced or lost material or equipment found on school property to the main office. Report any stolen items to the main office immediately. Do not bring valuables to school. Students in Healthy Active Living classes should take extra care to secure their valuables. This school cannot assume responsibility for lost or stolen items.
Parking
Please park in the south parking lot. The small area immediately south of the greenhouse is reserved for staff parking. Please do not block any laneways. Please do not park in the front circular drive and the bus loading areas. The speed limit is 10 km/hr.
Personal Belongings (Hats, Coats, Walkmans)
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Hats and coats (outerwear) should be stored in the student lockers. Hats and coats are not to be worn in any classroom or shop for hygienic reasons. |
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For safety reasons, skateboards, bicycles, and roller blades are not permitted to be used in school. |
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Walkmans, MP3’s or ipods are not permitted to be used in class, unless their use is condoned by that classroom teacher. |
Personal Business
Students are expected to arrange personal business so that it does not interfere with their attendance in classes.
Safety Dress
All students are expected to wear the safety clothing specified for a given class, such as protective eyewear, when required.
School Property and Equipment
Students are responsible for the prompt return, in good condition of library books, uniforms and other school equipment used during the school year. Damage to, theft of, or misuse of school or other peoples’ personal property is unacceptable behaviour. Students are responsible for the cost of equipment not returned.
Sickness
If a student is at school, becomes ill and is unable to attend class as a result, the student must report to the main office. Parents/guardians will be notified and alternate arrangements will be made if possible.
Sk8 Park Rules
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The Park is open from 8 AM to dusk, weather permitting. Skate park is not to be used during school hours. |
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The area is unsupervised but periodically monitored. |
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Only skateboards, in-line skates, and BMX bikes with max 20” wheels (without pegs) are permitted. NO mountain bikes. |
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CSA approved helmets, knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards are strongly recommended. |
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Stay safe by not using the skateboard park during wet conditions. |
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Spectators must watch from outside the skateboard area. |
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The municipality of Brockton or the Bluewater School Board are not responsible for any loss, damages or injuries resulting from the use of the Sk8 Park. |
Snowballs
Throwing snowballs is a safety issue and will result in a suspension from school.
Snowmobiles
Snowmobiles may not be brought onto school property at any time.
Student Accident Insurance
Every student at WDSS may purchase Accident Insurance for a nominal sum. This plan does not cover costs covered by OHIP. Application forms are given to each student during the first week of school. Students playing on school teams or involved in other athletic activities should take this insurance plan.
Student Dance Attendance and Guests
Each WDSS student may sign in only one guest.
All guests must enter with their WDSS sponsor.
All guests must bring their school ID or photo ID in order to be admitted.
All guests must be signed in at the main office prior to the dance.
Care providers will be admitted free of charge.
Student Dance Conduct
All conduct at dances is governed by the WDSS values’ statement and Code of Behaviour.
Guest conduct at dances is the direct responsibility of their WDSS sponsor.
No locker visits are permitted during dances.
Food and drink are not permitted in the gym.
Backpacks/coats must be checked into the supervised coat room.
Student Dance Hours
Dances run from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
Doors open at 8:00 PM - students are not admitted into the school prior to doors opening except in an emergency. Doors close to admission at 9:30 PM. Admission after 9:30 PM is by prior permission only.
Students leaving the dance will not be re-admitted.
Study Periods
While classes are in progress, students who do not have a timetabled class are expected to be in the cafeteria or the library. All halls are out of bounds while classes are in progress.
Substance Abuse - Alcohol and Drug
Alcohol or illegal drugs are not to be brought onto, or consumed on, school property during any school activity. Police will be involved and suspensions may be issued should these substances be identified in connection with any student. Students requiring assistance with drug or alcohol dependency should consult a guidance counsellor, the public health nurse or an appropriate community agency.
Substance Abuse - Smoking
The Smoke Free Ontario Act states that it is illegal for anyone to sell, buy for, or give cigarettes to anyone under the age of 19. If you are caught supplying you will be charged and the fine is $365.00! It is also against the law to smoke anywhere on school property and the fine is $305.00! To report someone supplying tobacco to anyone under 19 years of age, call the Grey Bruce Health Unit at 376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456.
Textbook/Supplies/Equipment
Students are responsible for textbooks, library books, supplies and equipment loaned to them and will be charged for loss or damage.
Trespassers
All visitors with legitimate business in the school are required to report first to the office and sign in. All other casual visitors are trespassing. Trespassers will be reported immediately to the nearest member of the staff or to the office. Students found in the company of trespassers will be held responsible. Non-student friends must meet students after school off the school property.
Valuables
Students are advised not to bring valuables or large sums of money to school.
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