Code of Conduct - Updated June 2024

Reviewed April 30, 2021

Introduction: šxʷwəq̓ʷəθət (Shwa'kwa-set) Crosstown Elementary is a caring community of learners. Our school community is actively working to establish a safe, inclusive, unified and supportive learning environment for all. We are committed to recognizing and addressing all forms of discrimination. Racism will not be tolerated in our school.

Having been given the Indigenous name šxʷwəq̓ʷəθət (Shwa'kwa-set) which means ‘The place from which one can catch the tide’, we have a shared responsibility to honour and care for this place. We do this by empowering students to be C.R.O.W.S. when at school and in the greater community.

Statement of Purpose: 

Our Code of Conduct guides the behaviour of our school community. It is an agreement between staff, students, and families of šxʷwəq̓ʷəθət Crosstown Elementary. The Code of Conduct is expected to be followed during school, during  all school related activities, while going to and from school, and while engaging in an activity that will have an impact on the school environment.

Acceptable Conduct

Students of šxʷwəq̓ʷəθət Crosstown Elementary are expected to be Caring, Responsible, Optimistic, Wise, and Safe (CROWS) in all school-related contexts.  Please refer to the CROWS Matrix above for further description of Acceptable Conduct.

Unacceptable Conduct

Unacceptable Conduct might include, but is not limited to behaviors such as verbal bullying, physical intimidation, sexist comments, vandalism, and destruction of property. The behaviors cited are examples only and not an all-inclusive list. Furthermore, at šxʷwəq̓ʷəθət Crosstown Elementary racism will not be tolerated in our school. Acts of racism and/or other forms of discrimination will be dealt with seriously.

We aspire to develop a learning community where students are the driving force for socially responsible behaviour by modelling the code of conduct and supporting CROWS values.   As students move through successive grades at šxʷwəq̓ʷəθət Crosstown Elementary, they are expected to conduct themselves as role models for younger students.  Older and more mature students can be the driving force of instilling CROWS in the school community.   As a result, breaches of the Code of Conduct by intermediate students may be handled differently, and perhaps more seriously, than similar behaviours exhibited by a primary-aged student.

Consequences:

At šxʷwəq̓ʷəθət Crosstown Elementary we employ consequences that are restorative rather than punitive wherever possible and appropriate. Students are involved in the reconciliation process by having input as to how they are going to take responsibility for their behaviour, naming who was impacted by their actions and how. Restorative justice acknowledges that those who do wrong need healing as well. Each situation will be looked at on an individual basis.  In severe cases immediate consequences may follow.

*Levels are considered for repeated unacceptable behaviour and the severity. 

We strive to have students who can independently resolve disagreements amongst peers but if further action is needed we will follow the guidelines below:

*The severity and frequency of misconduct as well as the age and maturity of students are taken into consideration when determining disciplinary action.  Special considerations may apply to students with special needs if they are unable to comply with the Code of Conduct due to having a disability of an intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional, or behavioural nature.

**N.B. School officials may have a responsibility to advise other parties of serious breaches of the code of conduct.

šxʷwəq̓ʷəθət Crosstown Elementary School promotes the values expressed in the BC Human Rights Code respecting the rights of all individuals in accordance with the law. Students shall not discriminate against others on the basis of the race, religion, colour, ancestry, place of origin, marital status, family status, age, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity, or physical or mental disability, or for any other reason set out in the Human Rights Code of British Columbia, nor shall a student publish or display anything that would indicate an intention to discriminate against another, or expose them to contempt or ridicule, on the basis of any such grounds. Racism will not be tolerated in our school. The school will treat racist and any behaviour or communication that discriminates based on any of the above (prohibited grounds set out in the BC Human Rights Code). In some cases, school officials may have a responsibility to advise other parties (Counsellor, District Staff, etc.) of the serious breaches of the Code of Conduct.

How Parents and Cargivers can help:

• Talk to your child about šxʷwəq̓ʷəθət Crosstown Code of Conduct
• Talk to your child’s teacher right away if a problem arises
• Encourage your child to talk about problems and issues
• Encourage your child to take responsibility for his or her belongings, work, and behaviour
• Help your child to solve problems peacefully