Code of Conduct

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Ontario Schools Code of Conduct) 

 In addition to school staff, students, parents, and other members of the public who interact with members of the school community while present in or on school property or premises, have a responsibility to respect others in the school and to conduct themselves accordingly.  

Principals, under the direction of their school board, take a leadership role in the daily operation of a school. They provide this leadership by: demonstrating care and commitment to academic excellence and a safe teaching and learning environment;  

· holding everyone, under their authority, accountable for their behaviour and actions;  

· empowering students to be positive leaders in their school community;  

· communicating regularly and meaningfully with all members of their school community 

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

· help students work to their full potential and develop their self-worth;  

· empower students to be positive leaders in their classroom, school, and community; 

· communicate regularly and meaningfully with parents;  

· maintain consistent standards of behaviour for all students;  

· demonstrate respect for all students, staff and parents; 

 · prepare students for the full responsibilities of citizenship 

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 behaviour. Respect and responsibility are demonstrated when a student:  

· comes to school prepared, on time and ready to learn;  

· shows respect for themselves, others and for those in authority;  

· refrains from bringing anything to school that may compromise the safety of others; 

 · follows the established rules and takes responsibility for his or her own action.  

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

· show an active interest in their child’s school work and progress;  

· communicate regularly with the school;  

· help their child be neat, appropriately dressed and prepared for school; 

 · ensure that their child attends school regularly and on time;  

· promptly report to the school their child’s absence or late arrival; 

 · become familiar with the Code of Conduct and school rules; 

 · encourage and assist their child in following the DDSB rules of behaviour;  

· assist school staff in dealing with discipline issues; 

Bully Prevention and Intervention 

All students, parents, teachers and staff have the right to be safe and feel safe, in their school community. The staff at David Bouchard are committed to working together with parents and community partners to establish a healthy and bully free environment. 

Definition of Bullying 

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying can be physical, verbal or emotional. 

Definition of Cyberbullying  

Cyberbullying is bullying or harassment through cyber-space (i.e. e-mail, instant messaging, text message, digital/video images, recordings, blogs, mobile phones, websites etc.). Cyber-bullying can disrupt the school community, create a poisonous learning environment, harm the moral tone of the school and/or affect the well being of others (DDSB) 

Examples of Bullying/Cyberbullying 

Bus Behaviour  

Safety is paramount on a school bus and it is where expectations for appropriate conduct are amongst the highest. The Durham District School Board’s aim is to provide student transportation, on time, and have students ready to learn. We request the co-operation of all concerned in observing the following guidelines:  

Arriving at the Pick-up Point  

• It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to see that students are safely on the bus 

• Students should be on time, avoiding running to catch the bus 

 • If students must walk along the road to the bus stop, walk on the left side, facing oncoming traffic 

• Wait on the shoulder of the road in an orderly manner 

Crossing the Road  

• Wait until the bus has stopped and the signals are flashing 

 • Look both ways to be certain all traffic has stopped  

• Cross the road at right angles 

 • Walk, do not run 

 • Always cross at least ten feet in front of the bus, never behind the bus 

Boarding the Bus  

• Line up in a single file with younger students at the front 

 • Keep off the travelled portion of the road until the bus has stopped 

 • Board the bus in an orderly manner 

• Proceed directly to your seat 

On the Bus  

• Remain seated while the bus is in motion 

 • Keep windows closed unless the driver gives permission to open them 

• Never put hands, arms, head, or legs out of the window 

 • Never throw anything inside the bus or out of the bus window 

• Do not distract the bus driver with loud or boisterous talking 

 • No smoking, eating or drinking is permitted on the bus 

• No skis, snowboards, golf clubs or other large recreation equipment are permitted on the bus 

 • Respectful behaviour to other students, the bus driver and other adults is expected at all times 

Lockers 

Student lockers are the property of the DDSB and not the property of the student, as per regulation 5147.  They are on loan for the school year and they need to be treated respectfully.  Lockers are to be used for the storage of school related materials and authorized personal items only such as clothing, footwear and lunches.  Students are solely responsible for the contents of their lockers and the contents must be secured.  A record of the student’s locker combination and serial number will be maintained by each homeroom teacher.   

Lunch Routines 

Only students who do not have a caregiver or parent at home during the lunch hour should be staying for lunch. Families are encouraged to make alternative arrangements over the lunch hour to provide their child a break from the school environment. Students who are going home should not be returning to school until 11:45 am. Students who are not going home for lunch are expected to remain on school property for the entire lunch period.  The plaza and other areas off school property are out of bounds.  All students not going home for lunch are required to remain in their designated yard and classroom. Those eating at school will eat lunch in their classrooms from 10:45-11:15 and then they will proceed outside for recess until 11:45 am.  All students are supervised by adult lunchroom supervisors and staff.  

The following expectations are for all students who are staying at school for lunch 

1. Students are expected to be courteous and respectful to all staff and supervisors 

2. Students are expected to remain at their designated seat for the entire eating period, unless permission has been given 

3. Students eating at school are expected to remain on school property for the entire lunch 

4. Students are responsible for their own clean-up and to bring a litterless lunch. All garbage will be placed back in the student’s lunchbox to be returned to home.  

5. Students are not to share any food items and they are not to take any food or drink outside. 

 What Not to Bring to School  

Remember the items that we bring to school should be necessary for supporting our learning.  The following guidelines will apply: 

1. In-line skates, skateboards and scooters are expected to be carried and/or folded once the student arrives on the school grounds.  The items are a privilege and a failure to respect the safety guidelines will result in them not being allowed at school 

2. It is strongly recommended that students keep their trading cards at home.  If deemed a detriment to the learning environment, cards may be taken from students and returned to either the student or the parent within a reasonable timeline. 

3. Baseball bats, baseballs, mini hockey sticks, laser pens and other equipment that could cause injury are to be left at home.  

Personal Electronics 

Technology continues to evolve, providing students with access to personal wireless technologies that are sophisticated and expensive such as cell phones, smart watches, tablets, gaming systems etc. In keeping with the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act, unauthorized video or audio recordings on school grounds for any purpose is prohibited.  Further, the taking of photos, filming or recording while at school or on a school related activity, is prohibited unless approved by DDSB staff for educational purposes.  The use of cameras for filming and/or recording is strictly prohibited in washrooms and changerooms.  

The use of personal electronic devices is prohibited during the school-day on school property, unless deemed appropriate for educational purposes.  If a student brings a personal electronic device, it should be off and out of sight unless permission is granted by school staff for an intended us (permission needs to be granted each time). The DDSB does cannot assume responsibility for lost or stolen personal electronic devices.  The privacy and personal dignity of others could be violated by the inappropriate use of personal electronic devices to text message, social networks and/or share digital media.  

If a student uses personal technology without staff permission, the following progressive discipline measures will be implemented: first offence: hand over device, when asked, and will be returned at the end of the day with a verbal warning and review of electronics policy; second offence- student to hand over device, when asked, and a call to parent or guardian and device returned at the end of the day; third offence; student to hand over device when asked, and returned when meeting with student and parent/guardian can occur.