Code of Conduct - Updated June 2024

Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith School’s Code of Conduct

Updated Fall 2022

The Code of Conduct exists to develop positive, safe and caring school culture and implement school-wide efforts to foster respect, inclusion, fairness and equity and to increasing student connectedness to school, as well as to developing students’ social and emotional competencies and skills.

Our Code of Conduct is:

·       Take Care of Yourself

·       Take Care of Others

·       Take Care of This Place

Take Care of Yourself

·       show respect for ourselves

·       try our best and use good manners

·       report unsafe or mean behaviour to staff immediately and act safely at all times

·       take responsibility for your own actions and be honest

·       express emotions appropriately

·       leave personal devices (phones, tablets and handheld video games) turned off and in backpacks unless invited by the teacher to use in class

Take Care of Others

·       listen, act and speak respectfully to and about staff and other students at school and on social media

·       ask to use items that don’t belong to you and treat borrowed items as your own, return them when finished

·       solve problems by talking about it together; physical violence is an unacceptable way to solve problems

·       respect the learning of others

·       walk in hallways

·       accept and celebrate differences, all students should be proud of their unique heritage and identity

Take Care of this Place

·       leave school areas tidier than you found them

·       put away equipment and supplies after use

·       respect the public and shared spaces; for example, washrooms and open areas

·       put garbage, compost, and recyclables in the appropriate containers

·       pickup garbage and clean it up – even if it isn’t yours

·       participate in classroom, school, parent, and community activities

The above behaviours are examples only and not an all-inclusive list.

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/expression, 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 and discrimination will not be tolerated in our school.

Our School Code of Conduct applies at school, during school-organized or sponsored activities, on school buses, and any behaviour even if outside of school or school hours, (including on-line behaviour), that negatively impacts the safe, caring, or orderly environment of the school, and/or student learning.

Students Who Do Not Exhibit Socially Responsible Behaviour

At Kingsford-Smith we reflect upon our choices, take responsibility for our actions, and make amends through a restorative action plan with consideration of the developmental levels, age, maturity and unique intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional, and/or behavioural needs of students. Whenever possible, consequences will be preventative and restorative (such as writing a letter of apology for hurting someone’s feelings, cleaning up when littering, etc.).

Disciplinary action, wherever possible, is restorative rather than merely punitive. The school will treat seriously any behaviour that discriminates based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, sex, or sexual orientation.

Repetitive or severe unacceptable behaviour may result in increased severity of subsequent disciplinary action. The age and maturity of students are considered when determining appropriate consequences. Special considerations may apply to students with special/diverse needs if these students are unable to comply with a code of conduct due to having a disability/challenge of an intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional, or behavioural nature.

The following guidelines are used for dealing with students who are not being socially responsible, or whose behaviour interferes with learning or safety.

Initial, Minor Incidents: 

Sometimes kids make mistakes -- it’s a natural part of the learning process.  At these times, we aim to take responsibility and learn from these mistakes through:

·       A discussion with an adult

·       A referral to classroom teacher, which may involve small group or class meeting

·       Time for reflection, review of the Code of Conduct, appropriate restorative action (apology, act that gives back to the individual/school). 

Repeated Behaviour:

·            Incident recorded on behaviour form (which has reflective questions) to be sent home for parent information and signature

·            Loss of privileges (e.g. re-gaining playground privileges through the Playground Level System)

·            Staff and parents informed, potential meeting requested, possible Behaviour Agreement established

Serious Problems/Refusal to change:

·            Completion of form (as above)

·            Discussion with administration

·            Parents informed-behaviour plan developed

·            Possible in school/out of school suspension

Serious Breaches of the Code of Conduct – Suspensions

In accordance with the School Act, Sec. 85 (2) (ii) and (d), the Board authorizes the principal or designate of any school in the district to suspend a student from attendance at school for up to five days.

Suspensions may be for the following reasons:

a) because a student is willfully and repeatedly disrespectful to a teacher or to any other employee of the Board carrying out responsibilities approved by the Board;  

b) because the behaviour of the student breaches the District Code of Conduct or other policy and/or has a harmful effect on others or the learning environment of the school; 

c) because the student has failed to comply with the School Code of Conduct.

Suspensions over five days are made in consultation with the appropriate Director of Instruction as per District Student Code of Conduct, AP 350. As per AP 350 7.7 an educational program must be provided.

Please Note:  The principal or designate has a responsibility to inform other parties of serious breaches of the code of conduct. These parties may include: staff, parent(s) of student offender(s), parent(s) of student victim(s), school district officials, police and/or other agencies, as required by law and/or all parents.

All reasonable steps will be taken to prevent retaliation against a student who has made a complaint of a breach of a code of conduct.

Family Involvement

Kingsford-Smith’s Code of Conduct was established to ensure each child and staff member’s safety.  We ask for student and families support in honouring our commitment to ensuring the safest learning environment for all.  Families can help in the following ways:

1.    Discuss the Code of Conduct with your child.

2.   Be in close contact with your child’s teacher -- e-mail or phone them with any concerns. 

3.   Questions? Please email kingsford-smith@vsb.bc.ca or phone 604-713-4746.

Also, we ask parents to:

·       Value school start time and end time

·       Report your child’s absence by phoning or emailing the school

·       Send healthy lunches and snacks

·       Encourage your child to be physically active

·       Support your child with obtaining adequate sleep each day

·       Support your child’s learning