Students are expected to treat others with consideration and respect. No one has the right to hurt another physically or emotionally. We strive to provide a safe and caring environment where each student can benefit from the programs and activities offered both in and out of the classroom. This means that our school does not permit fighting, bullying, or intimidating behaviour. Students are expected to work with each other in a courteous manner.
Students are expected to use sound judgment in their choice of activities. This includes behaviours such as play fighting or throwing of objects in and around the school. We expect that students will treat the school and grounds with respect. Students are expected to recognize that some activities may lead to injury and thus are not acceptable.
Students are expected to remain on the school grounds at all times. Leaving school grounds during school hours is not permitted unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. All students leaving before the end of the school day must be signed out at the office by a parent or guardian.
CLASSROOM CONDUCT
Students are expected to actively participate in classroom lessons by listening carefully, following directions, completing assignments, and cooperating with the other students and adults who may be part of that classroom environment.
Students are to treat the physical classroom with respect and maintain furniture, textbooks, and other school materials in proper and undamaged condition.
We expect that students will respect the right of others in the classroom to keep their materials and belongings in a personal place, without fear of loss or damage.
FIELD TRIPS / SPORTING EVENTS
Students on Field Trips or Sporting Events are representatives of the school and as such will exhibit appropriate behaviour. Classes leaving the school grounds on field trips place an increased demand on the school to ensure the safety of our participants. Students traveling on field trips or sporting excursions are expected to listen carefully at all times to staff members and/or designated supervisors.
BUS CONDUCT
Students are expected to remain seated while on the bus, keep their voices low and hands inside the bus at all times. Students are to remove all garbage from the bus at the end of the trip.
LUNCH EATING PERIOD
It is expected that all students will bring a lunch to school. The lunch period should be a pleasant and relaxing time for all students. To ensure this, all students are to exhibit appropriate eating behaviour and to speak to each other using “inside voices”. Students, while eating and waiting for dismissal by the noon hour supervisors, should stay in their seats. Before going out to play students should leave a clean desk and floor area and dispose of garbage.
RAINY DAY RECESS
On rainy days students should stay in their classrooms and engage in appropriate and quiet activities. During the recess period Intermediate students may also participate in regularly scheduled activities: Choir, Computer Club, French Club, Library Club, Intra-Murals, etc.
PLAYGROUNDS
Students are encouraged to develop “open” games that include all interested players. Games should not involve actions that include hitting or rough physical contact. Climbing bars and adventure apparatus are provided on the grounds. Students are required to use caution on the apparatus at all times. Games of tag through or in the vicinity of the apparatus are not permitted. Students need to be dressed appropriately (outside shoes/boots, coats, etc.) and prepared to play outside in inclement weather. Parents are asked to remember that when staff members are on supervision, this is not the time to be discussing a child’s progress.
SAFE ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES
· Students that arrive at school prior to 8:25 a.m. are to be supervised by a parent or guardian. Supervision by school staff begins at 8:25 a.m.
· Students being picked up should walk directly to their car using the pedestrian crosswalk.
· Students whose rides have not arrived by 3:20 p.m. must wait inside the school in the foyer area.
· Students are not to play on the playground equipment after 3:20 p.m. unless accompanied by a parent.
· There will be no direct supervision of students by school staff after 3:30 p.m.
· A parent or guardian must sign out any students leaving the school prior to regular dismissal time.
· Students wishing to play on the new playground equipment on the playing field after 3:00 p.m. are required to be accompanied by their parent.
· Students are not to enter the school prior to 8:40 a.m. unless accompanied by an adult.
CONSEQUENCES RELATED TO UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR
All of us, children and adults, make choices about how to react to any set of circumstances. Children make positive and negative choices as they interact with others. This is a “normal” part of growing and learning. Negative choices can be opportunities to learn and grow in social skills.
The first line of discipline is to have the students identify the unacceptable behaviour, discuss why the behaviour was not acceptable and what choices are open to them the next time they find themselves in similar circumstances. We want children to be clearly aware of these expectations.
Classroom teachers begin the year by sharing classroom and school expectations with students. These expectations are reviewed throughout the year both in the classroom and at assemblies.
In each classroom teachers design a system that establishes consequences for students who make inappropriate choices in behaviour. These consequences are designed to help students realize that they are choosing behaviours that do not meet our school’s expectations with regard to the learning environment, safety, or consideration of feelings. Examples of consequences may include a written reflection exercise, serving detentions, exclusion from extra curricular activities, or completing missed work at recess or lunch hour.
Students are given a limited number of opportunities to begin the process of learning to make acceptable choices. When there are indications that poor behaviour or work habits are limiting student progress, parents will be informed. No predetermined number of chances will exist before moving to the next level of discipline. Instead the nature of the behaviour, and the student’s attitude will be taken into consideration at the time.
When regular classroom consequences and teacher – parent discussions do not seem to be effective in curbing inappropriate behaviour, the principal or vice principal will conference directly with the student. At this stage parents may be informed at the discretion of the administration. Frequently a Plan of Action will be created involving the student, parents, teachers, and administration, which will be documented by the principal or vice principal.
When the actions of a student demonstrate a serious disregard of the expectations of our school, even though the student has been afforded opportunities to make appropriate choices the student may receive an “in school” suspension. The length of suspension will vary according to the nature of the inappropriate behaviour. Longer suspensions or “out of school” suspensions may be considered in situations where other students’ safety is a concern. For incidents involving serious, aggressive or inappropriate behaviour, counseling may be required before consideration of the student returning to school.
If a student repeatedly chooses to disregard St. Patrick’s Code of Respectful Behaviour, he or she may be asked to withdraw from the school permanently. (CISDV Policy and Regulations Manual, Policy #507).
BEHAVIOURAL EXPECTATIONS
Inside the school building, students are expected to
- Follow the directions of teacher supervisors
- Show respect for others and their belongings.
- Move quietly between classes.
- Walk in classrooms, hallways, and on stairways.
- Be responsible for cleaning up.
- Use washroom facilities in a timely manner.
- Keep to the right hand side when walking in hallways or using stairs.
- Line up in single file.
Outside the school building, students are expected to
- Remain within sight of the duty supervisor
- Remain on school property and in designated areas.
- Participate only in safe and non-contact activities.
- Restrict Play to areas where there is no danger of injury or damage to property.
- Line up promptly and quietly after buzzer in preparation to enter the school building.
UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOURS
The following behaviours are unacceptable at St. Patrick’s School and will generally be handled by teachers and/or school administration. Parents may or may not be contacted depending upon the frequency and severity of the offence.
- Running in hallways, classrooms, or on walkways.
- Throwing objects (rocks, pine cones, snowballs).
- Climbing trees, fences, school building.
- Chewing Gum
- Out of uniform
- Defiance of authority.
- Defacing personal or school property
- Swearing and inappropriate language.
- Play fighting and rough play.
- Bullying through intimidating actions or harassment of others.
- Inappropriate reading material or pictures.
The following behaviours are unacceptable at St. Patrick’s school and will involve school administration. Parents will be contacted and suspension from school or expulsion for the student may result, depending upon the frequency and severity of the offence.
- Fighting causing injury
- Theft
- Possession and /or use of any weapon (a weapon is defined as any instrument designed or used to injure or intimidate another person).
- Possession and/or use of alcohol and restricted or illicit drugs.
GRIEVANCE STEPS FOR PARENTS
In the event that a concern or issue should arise, parents are asked to follow the following procedures:
- The parent should consult initially with the teacher or staff member.
- If further action is felt necessary, the parents should take the matter to the Principal.
- If the matter has still not been resolved, the complaint should be put into writing and addressed to the Principal requesting further action. A copy should be sent to the Local School council Chairperson.
- The Council Chairperson will satisfy himself/herself that the problem ahs been resolved and report to the Local School Council.
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