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Code of Conduct

A – Statement of Purpose

At Don Ross, we view the pursuit of appropriate conduct as the shared activity of students, parents, staff members and the community. The primary objective of the Code of Conduct is to enable both staff and students to meet their needs in a way that not only works for them, but also respects the needs of others and addresses prohibited grounds of discrimination as set out in the B.C. Human Rights Code.

B – Conduct Expectations

The Code of Conduct outlines general expectations for behaviour. The following lists describe both acceptable and unacceptable behaviours. Any breach of the Code of Conduct will result in disciplinary action as per School & Board policy. Students may be disciplined for violations which occur going to and from school, off school property, such as, on school buses, field trips, during evenings and weekends, or any circumstances where engaging in the activity will have an impact on the school environment, such as cyber-bullying.

C – Acceptable Conduct includes (but is not limited to):

  • Treating and respecting self, others, and the school with dignity, kindness and consideration regardless of differences.
  • Acting in a positive, honest and safe manner. 
  • Promoting well-being in our school while also cultivating a positive image of our school.
  • Putting our personal best effort into our work and all other school activities.
  • Following classroom, school and district rules. 

 

D – Unacceptable Conduct includes (but is not limited to):

  • Abuse: physical, sexual, verbal, or psychological, including; fighting, bullying(as defined by ERASE BC), harassing, threatening, intimidating, extorting, or showing intolerance on the basis of an individual’s or a group’s race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, age, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, dress, or other perceived differences (prohibited grounds set out in the BC Human Rights Code). This includes whether or not the abuse occurs in person, via cell phone, the internet, or any other wireless communication.
  • Defiance of authority: use of profanity, confrontational behaviour, or lying to any school staff.
  • Plagiarism: engaging or assisting in any form of cheating on tests, assignments, or projects.
  • The publication, issuance, or display of any statement, publication, notice, sign, symbol, emblem or other representation that indicates discrimination or an intention to discriminate against a person or group or class of persons to hatred or contempt because of any of the grounds listed above. This includes the following examples: graffiti, student publications, notebooks, cyber-bullying, blogs, websites, texting or other communication methods.
  • Theft, the act of stealing; wrongful taking and carrying away of the personal goods or property of another.
  • Possession of weapons, including any object meant to simulate the appearance of a weapon. Firecrackers or other fireworks are included.
  • Possession of, use of, transfer of, and/or being under the influence of prohibited drugs, (including alcohol, tobacco and vapour products), on school property, or at a school activity. Possession of drug paraphernalia including matches and lighters.
  • Absenteeism or excessive lateness without acceptable explanation (i.e. parent excused absence)  
  • Vandalism: includes any willful damage to personal, school, or private property. 
  • Disruption of classroom learning or official school functions.
  • Intrusion into other schools: visiting during the school day without permission, disrupting the learning environment and/or the safety of others.
  • Reckless operation of vehicles including bicycles, rollerblades and skateboards, on school property.
  • Attire which is deemed inappropriate because it does not adhere to the dress code. This includes but is not limited to intolerant, sexually suggestive or drug/alcohol logos, imagery, and statements.

 

E – Consequences at Don Ross Middle School are primarily restorative in nature in most situations, however on occasion or where the actions are deemed very serious in nature there may be additional consequences including but not limited to the following:

  • Problem solving discussions (i.e. warnings)
  • Behaviour contracts
  • Restitution (cleaning up a mess, repairing relationships)
  • Restricted privileges
  • Parent conference
  • Payment or replacement of damaged items, community hours
  • Restorative Justice and Circle Process
  • RCMP notification
  • Suspension (in-school and out of school)
  • Board suspension

When determining appropriate consequences, administration will take into consideration a variety of factors including but not limited to students’ age, maturity, or special needs. Don Ross Middle School recognizes that this code of conduct cannot discriminate against a student who cannot meet a behavioral expectation because of a special need. 

F – Notification/Advisement of other parties:

School officials have a responsibility to advise other parties of serious breaches in codes of conduct. Individuals and/or agencies that may need to be informed include: a student’s parents, the parents of other students who were involved, school district officials, the police or other agencies where the law requires, or the parents of all students in the school when the school community needs to be reassured that a serious situation is being addressed.

G – Retaliation Prevention

Don Ross Middle School will take all reasonable steps to prevent retaliation against a student who has made a complaint of a breach of our code of conduct. Students and parents are encouraged to inform school authorities of safety concerns.

Note: The Don Ross Code of Conduct and the District Code of Conduct (Series 503 – sd48seatosky.org) are mutually complementary.

Additional DRM Policies and Procedures can be found here.