Code of Conduct

For the Winnipeg School Division No. 1
Behaviour Expectations and Consequences
For Students, Staff, Parents/Guardians

while on school property or at school events

For the Student:

Attend school regularly. Be on time, bring all required supplies and completed home work. When finished for the day, leave school grounds promptly.
Show common courtesy and respect to all; defiance of authority, abusive language and aggressive behaviour are unacceptable at all times.
Behave respectfully to all regardless of race, religion, gender, age, or sexual orientation.
Solve conflicts peacefully through discussion or by seeking help.
Dress appropriately for classes and activities.
Respect school property and the property of others.
Follow this code of conduct and any code which the school may have.
Make the most of the time in school: strive for academic excellence through classroom participation.

For the Staff:

Provide the programs and services prescribed by the Winnipeg School Division and the Department of Education.
Establish a positive learning environment.
Evaluate students' achievement, and explain the evaluation procedures to be used in each course.
Keep students, parents/guardians and administration informed about student progress, attendance and behaviour.
Show common courtesy and respect to all: defiance of authority, abusive language and aggressive behaviour are unacceptable at all times.
Behave respectfully to all regardless of race, religion, gender, age, or sexual orientation.
Treat students and the staff members fairly and consistently.
Respect confidential information about students and staff.
Dress appropriately for the working environment.
Assist students in resolving conflicts peacefully and use the Code of Conduct to encourage appropriate behaviour.

For the Parent/Guardian:

Make sure your children attend classes regularly, arrive at school on time, and do their homework.
Attend school events, support the school and stay in contact with school staff.
Help your children develop positive attitudes to school and respect the staff and school property.
Show common courtesy and respect to all: abusive language and aggressive behaviour are unacceptable at all times.
Treat all individuals respectfully regardless of race, religion, gender, age, or sexual orientation.
Encourage the peaceful resolution of conflict. Discourage violent or aggressive behaviour to solve a problem.
Should there be a concern, try to solve it with your child's teacher. If unresolved, contact the principal. If the problem remains, then contact the superintendent. If the concern is not resolved at this level, then contact the Board of Trustees.
Talk about the Code of Conduct with your children and what it means.

Why a Code of Conduct?

The Winnipeg School Division supports a safe and positive learning environment for everyone within the schools and has developed a Code of Conduct to define expectations of behaviour for students, staff and parent/guardians.
Consequences for inappropriate behaviour should be based on individual needs, the degree of the problem and the ability of the person to understand and handle the consequences.

Consequences For Students

Effective discipline of students hinges on cooperation between the school and the parents/quadrants.
A phone call, home visit or formal conference at the school may be initiated with the parents/guardians to discuss the specific behaviour of the student and steps to be undertaken to correct it.
The following id a list of consequences that may be used:

A teacher or administrator talks with the student to reach and agreement regarding the student's behaviour.
A conference is held with the student, parents/guardians, teacher, administrator and/or support staff to develop a plan for changing the student's behaviour.
Where student behaviour affects the class, the student is withdrawn to a supervised alternate location to complete his/her assignment. Such withdrawal would normally be temporary, but when a prolonged withdrawal is recommended, the parents/guardians would be contacted.
Privileges in the mature of access to playground, cafeteria or lunch program, extracurricular activities and/or bus transportation are removed.
The students and parents are required to compensate for any damages.
Detentions. Parents will be advised of after-school detentions for early and middle years students.
In some instances, a contract may be used detailing specific behaviour required. The contract is developed and agreed upon by the school, the parents/guardians and the student.
At the discretion of the principal, students may be assigned to and in-school suspension.

Suspension

Students may be suspended from school for the following chemical abuse (tobacco, alcohol, controlled substances), physical assault, verbal assault, weapons on school property (weapons may include, but not restricted to: guns, pellet guns, starting pistols, model guns, knives, bats, sticks, pepper spray), and misconduct.
Principals have the authority to suspend students up to one week: superintendents may suspend up to six weeks and the Board of Trustees may suspend for more than six weeks.
Parents/guardians will be notified immediately of suspension.
The Superintendent may transfer a student to another school.
Principals may involve the police and /or Child and Family Services.

Expulsion

The Board of Trustees may expel a student from attending any school for the following: use of a weapon to threaten or inflict injury, physical assault, verbal threats, or unprovoked assault resulting in injury.

Consequences for Staff

The conduct of the Winnipeg School Division staff is governed by the policies of the Division, the codes of conduct of their individual organizations, and the provincial and federal legislation. Consequences for inappropriate behaviour may range from a verbal warning to termination of employment.

Consequences for Parents/Guardians

The conduct of parents/guardians in schools is governed by Board policies and provincial and federal legislation. Consequences for inappropriate behaviour may include verbal warning, restricted access to the school or other consequences as defined by law.

RESPECT ...
        COOPERATION ...
               COMMUNICATION ...
                        SUCCESS ...

NO "Ifs, BUTS or MAYBEs..."

Students caught bringing weapons to school will be suspended or expelled!

Harsh?

Maybe, but The Winnipeg School Division No. 1 believes there is never and excuse for bringing weapons to school.
Parents and students should know the Division will not tolerate weapons on its property or in its buildings - including lockers or elsewhere.
Weapons are defined as any object designed to be used in combat - such as guns or knives, or any other item a person may use or intend to use as a weapon that is not normally intended to be used for that purpose - such as a bat, club, stick, etc.

Students caught with weapons may be:

Expelled from the Division. They will not be allowed to enrol in any school in The Winnipeg School Division.
Suspended from their home school and placed in, or transferred to another school in the Division.
Suspended up to 6 weeks

Getting back into class may not be easy.

After expulsion, parents/guardians must request a special meeting with the Division. Then they, along with the expelled student, must appear before a committee of three school board trustees, the chief superintendent, the chief superintendent of schools and perhaps the principal of the school the student may be entering to set conditions for re-entry to classes.
Parents/guardians may also request attendance of others such as a legal representative.