This Code of Conduct applies to any student who is on school property, who is in attendance at school or at any school-sponsored activity, or whose conduct at any time or place, including to and from school and/or online behaviour, has an impact on the safe, caring, or orderly environment of the school and/or student learning.
Expectations:
Springvalley Middle School promotes the values expressed in the BC Human Rights Code respecting the rights of all individuals in accordance with the law – prohibiting discrimination based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, gender, gender identity and expression or sexual orientation – in respect of discriminatory publication and discrimination in accommodation, service and facility in the school environment. The school will treat seriously any behaviour that contravenes the grounds set out in the BC Human Rights Code.
At S.M.S. we value and agree to conduct ourselves in a manner consistent with our REACH mission statement:
Respect (showing consideration for self, others and property)
Excellence (striving to produce quality work)
Accountability (taking ownership of actions)
Cooperation (working together towards a common goal)
Honesty (acting and communicating truthfully)
Student Rights and Responsibilities:
1. Students have the right to learn. Students have the responsibility to actively participate and be responsible learners
2. Students have the right to be respected. Students have the responsibility to respect others (not to bully, tease, pick on, or harass others).
3. Students have the right to be safe. Students have the responsibility to behave in a safe manner and to protect the safety of others.
4. Students have the right to privacy and security of personal space. Students have the responsibility to respect the property and privacy of others (students, staff and community).
5. Students have the right to use school equipment and property. Students have the responsibility to use the equipment and property according to all applicable rules and with care and respect.
We recognize that most members of our school community conduct themselves in a positive and responsible manner. From time to time, violations of the Code of Conduct will occur, and when these infrequent violations occur, parents/guardians could be contacted. Violations of the Code of Conduct that are minor are dealt with in a variety of ways, including meetings with students, school staff and parents, detentions and community service, with a focus on consequences that are restorative in nature.
Special consideration may apply to students with special needs if they are unable to comply with our Code of Conduct.
More serious violations of the Code of Conduct are dealt with in the following ways:
MAJOR OFFENCES
Misbehaviour:
· repeat offender of minor offences
· willful disobedience
· entering into a power struggle with an adult
· inappropriate touching/language
· spitting/gleaking
· leaving campus without permission
· involvement as a witness or participating in a serious offence
· tampering with the property of others
· pain or injury to another person (bullying, teasing, tripping, intimidating, harassing, pushing, swearing, or kicking)
Consequences:
· attend a meeting with staff member(s) and in most cases, with parent(s) to discuss both a plan to improve behaviour and the consequence (parent will view a copy of ‘Action Plan’ form that was completed by the student)
· complete an assignment as per plan (including any related worksheets, classroom sessions, counselling or referral to outside agencies)
· accept the consequence as agreed upon
SERIOUS OFFENCES
The following serious offences may lead to a definite suspension, an indefinite suspension and/or a Restorative Justice referral:
· repeat offender of major offences, truancy, use or possession of weapons, defiance, uttering threats, smoking, sexual harassment, vandalism, assault, fighting, theft, use of alcohol, drugs
If there is sufficient evidence, in the opinion of the administrative officer that a student while under school supervision has violated a federal or provincial statute, the matter shall be reported to the R.C.M.P. and the student’s parents.
Responsible Student Use of Personal Technology Devices, School Technology, and District Networks
The purpose of using network services and digital technologies while in educational settings is to engage in responsible educational activities. Therefore, the use of personal technology devices, school technologies, and district network services requires students to abide by the school’s Code of Conduct and procedures, as well as Central Okanagan Public Schools Policy 486: Student Use of Network Services and Digital Technologies.
Some examples of responsible use with district and personal devices include the following:
Act responsibly when accessing technology and district networks, including the Internet in their school.
Use technology equipment and property according to all applicable rules and with care and respect.
Engage in appropriate use as directed by school staff.
Respect the safety and privacy of self and others and do not provide personal contact information about themselves or other students.
Treat others with respect and kindness when using digital devices and network services.
Respect resource limits of the network services and do not engage in activities that jeopardize the integrity, security or performance of the network.
Understand the importance of privacy and security and take all reasonable precautions when accessing network services and digital technologies.
The use of Personal Technology Devices, School Technology, and District Networks is a privilege and usage may be revoked at any time for inappropriate conduct. Schools will not be held responsible for any misplaced, lost, stolen, or broken items brought to school by students. Use of network services and digital technologies which violate the terms outlined in policy and/or the School's Code of Conduct may result in serious consequences including definite or indefinite suspensions and/or police intervention.
This document is regularly revised in consultation with staff, parents and students.
