SRHS Behaviour Code

2008-2009
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► CLICK HERE FOR THE FIVE SCHOOL RULES ◄
At Shelburne Regional High School, our ultimate aim is to promote quality learning in a safe and respectful school environment.
We expect high standards from our staff and students in terms of academic education and social character.

SCHOOL VISITORS- All visitors must report to the office upon arrival to school.

SCENT SENSITIVE SCHOOL - There are many factors that contribute to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and these factors can affect the health of students, staff and visitors to the school. To respect the health needs and concerns of the school community, staff, students and visitors of the school are to refrain from wearing scented products. The typical course of action when students violate this policy is to remove the student from the general population (usually to the office) and provide cleaning materials (towel/soap) in a private fashion and/or provide clean clothing. If the student does not accept these actions, then the student can go home with a parent/guardian. Repeated issues with the same student will result in disciplinary action (defiance of school rules).

DRESS CODE – (See TCRSB Policy 700.30) Students are expected to wear appropriate clothing. Clothing that offends others, has profanity, advertises beer, drugs or cigarettes, or clothing that is considered inappropriate is not acceptable (e.g. tank tops, short crops, belly shirts, short skirts/shorts (shorter than mid-thigh), muscle shirts or clothing that reveals underwear). Students will be asked to change into appropriate attire. Repeated infractions will result in disciplinary action in terms of defiance of school rules, etc. In addition to the TCRSB Policy, students may not wear hats, bandannas, etc. in the school building, except for medical reasons or during special events (i.e. “Hat day”). To ensure the health and safety of our students, backpacks and jackets are not permitted in classes and must be kept in lockers.

SCHOOL LOCKERS – Students receive a locker and lock from the school on the first day of attendance. Lockers are used to store necessary school related items (e.g. books, book bags, pencils/pens, jackets, gym clothes, etc.). It is the responsibility of the student to take care of his/her own locker and lock, and to ensure that security is maintained. The school is not responsible for replacement of personal items or locks which go missing as a result of student negligence. The school reserves the right to inspect lockers periodically during the year for cleanliness and wear, or when it is felt they are not being properly used.

FOOD- All food is to be consumed in the Cafeteria (exceptions- approved class parties, special events etc.) Bottled water is permitted in class. Other drink (or food) will be taken by the teacher and made available to the student during recess, lunch, or after school. Exceptions are made for medical conditions and special class events. SRHS is nut sensitive.

PERMISSION FORMS- Students will be required to have parental/guardian permission for various events, or privileges at the school (eg. leaving the campus, field trips, special events, etc.). Forms will be given to the students.

ATTENDANCE AND EXCUSE NOTES- If a student is ill, parents/guardians are asked to inform the school by phone. Upon returning to school, the student must bring a signed excuse note providing the reason for the absence and the date(s) of the absence. A note must be received within 3 school days to be valid, otherwise the absence is unexcused. All notes are passed in at the office and teacher records are updated via emails. If a student must leave school before the end of the instructional day (e.g. dentist appointment), a note from the parent/guardian must be shown to the classroom teacher and given to the office or parents/guardians may phone the office at with the details. Students needing to leave school early must contact their parent/guardian by phone and have an office administrator/secretary speak with the parent/guardian to confirm and record these arrange. Failure to notify administration of permission to leave will be considered “skipping” and dealt with appropriately.

NON MEDICAL EXTENDED ABSENCES- Students complete an ‘Extended Absence Plan Form’ (available at office) and submit plan to office with required signatures (student, teachers, parent/guardian) for approval. The form will be filed and a copy given to the student. Students are responsible for all missed work as in is part of the curriculum outcomes. Failure to submit a completed plan before the absence will result in student receiving zeros on missed assignments and tests.

LATE ARRIVALS- All students that arrive to school after the beginning of 1^st class are required to sign in at the office before going to class.

MISSED TESTS/ASSIGNMENTS - It is recognized that students may miss school for acceptable reasons (illness, dental appointments, etc). However, a note from the parent/guardian explaining the absence must be provided to the teacher whose test was missed. In addition the student must be prepared to write a makeup test the day they return to school. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange a convenient time to make up the test with the teacher.

FORGERY/ PLAGIARISM/ COPYING THE WORK OF OTHERS/ CHEATING- It is also important for students to realize that exams, tests and assignments must reflect their own thoughts, ideas and efforts. Plagiarism, copying the work of others, cheating (i.e. crib notes) and/or allowing others to copy will result in a mark of “0” with no opportunity for a rewrite.

INTERNET USAGE- Students must use appropriate sites for curricular purposes under supervision. Specifics of the policy are posted in each classroom. See Appendix D

PHONE USE - Phone calls may only be made from the payphones prior to class, during recess or lunch, except in emergency situations (such as illness requiring the student to go home.) Cell phone use is restricted during instructional times (TCRSB Policy # 805).

BUS TRANSFERS- Bus transfers must be issued to a student wishing to change buses or get dropped at another stop and require a signed permission slip or phone call (end of lunch) from the parent or legal guardian. The student must give the permission slip to the office by END OF LUNCH.

FURNITURE, EQUIPMENT AND TEXTBOOKS - Students are responsible for the books and materials issued to them as well as the furniture and equipment in the building. Each textbook is numbered and students are responsible for these books. Any book lost, defaced or destroyed must be paid for by the student.

SPORTS TEAMS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES - Membership and participation is governed by the SRHS Extracurricular Policy. Students who receive a Supervised Study or an out of school suspension cannot participate in a practice or competition during the time of suspension.

DANCES- Chaperoned dances take place periodically during the year. Each student may invite a guest (student from another school) and all guests must be approved by the office. Invitations must be received no later than one day prior to the dance. Students must accompany the invited guest and guest must have ID . A dance list is posted by noon on the day of the dance to inform students of their eligibility to attend. Students may not attend a dance if they had any of the following since the last dance: 3 visits to the Supervised Study Room, 3 noon detentions, a full day in Supervised Study, a suspension from school, or unsatisfactory attendance (including lates). Dance privileges may be revoked for illegal activity (eg. drugs, alcohol), chronic violation of TCRSB Smoking Policy, and disturbances at dances. All school rules are in effect (including Dress Code). Students must be in attendance during the day of the dance- unless on a school sanctioned trip, or have a verified medical appointment (note from parent). Student ID’s must be presented upon arrival for attendance (collected and returned at exit from dance- safety)

STUDENT PARKING – Students have a designated parking area. Parking privileges can be revoked if student does not drive appropriately. SRHS is not responsible for damage or theft; lock vehicles

WITHDRAWAL FROM SCHOOL-If circumstances warrant a student to withdraw from school, they must return the lock, textbooks and other educational materials assigned to them to the main office. Parents/guardians must contact administration to inform them of their child’s/ward’s withdrawal from school

STUDENT FREES (SENIORS ONLY)- Students that are not in class due to a ‘free’ must be in the cafeteria, library (if available), or out of the building. Violators will be sent to Supervised Study.

MINIMUM COURSE REQUIREMENTS (SENIORS ONLY)- Students must have a minimum course load of 3 courses per semester.

COURSE CHANGES (SENIORS ONLY)- Requests to the guidance department must be completed before September 19 (Semester 1) and February 16 (Semester 2).

DISCONTINUING COURSES (SENIORS ONLY) – Discontinuing attendance in a course after the course change deadlines is only possible in exceptional circumstances (eg. student failure). Details available through the guidance department.

Exams are typically 2hrs in length and senior students may leave the exam room after 1 hour (except NS exams). When students exit the exam room, they must exit the building or report to Supervised Study. Parents/guardians are responsible for finding transportation for their child/ward if students wish to leave school upon finishing an exam. Students are expected to arrive on time for exams. Extra time will not be given for late arrivals. Exams must be written on the scheduled day. A valid medical excuse signed by a doctor is required prior to exam make up day in the event of absence. In the event of school being cancelled due to inclement weather, the exams that would have occurred on the “storm day” will occur on the next school day. Cheating or disruptive behavior during an exam will result in a mark of zero.

ACCREDITATION (exemptions)-

Senior students are not exempt from exams offered for unsemestered courses during January exams. Junior students only write exams in June. All exams for Grade 12 courses are mandatory (no exemptions).

Students have the option of not writing a final exam in a course (accredited) if:

Excused absences include: student illness, health appointments, death in the immediate family, observance of a religious holiday, family emergency, personal safety issues, and others approved by principal. Unexcused absences include: holidays, work, non school sanctioned events, failure to substantiate absence within 3 days, at school but not in class, others not meeting excused criteria.

Positive and Effective Behaviour Supports (PEBS) is a team-based approach to emphasize the positive behaviors in our school community. Appropriate behaviors will be recognized in a variety of ways including: verbal praise, ‘Doing It Right’ tickets, and prize draws. Students will be encouraged to respect themselves, others, the environment and learning.

Appropriate behaviours are modeled by staff and students, and examples are provided (see Appendix B). Inappropriate behaviour has been categorized (see Appendix C) and appropriately addressed to urge correction.

Students may be placed in the Supervised Study room by the administration for infractions of the Behavior Code. The length of time and date will be appropriate for the infraction. Supervised Study is supervised by teachers. Students are expected to complete academic work assigned to them by their teachers during Supervised Study. Recess, lunch and washroom breaks are provided.

A supervised room is used for noon detentions issued by the administration for behaviours warranting a ‘time out’ for reflection and loss of free time.

The ten point merit system will be implemented at SRHS to help develop student responsibility for their conduct Each student will begin the school year with 10 points which can qualify them to receive a reward. When a student has broken a school rule that results in office involvement, merit points will be deducted (amount dependent upon the severity of the infraction). Students may also receive additional consequences such as detentions, or removal of privileges. Counseling services will also be used to help correct chronic problems and other concerns needing assistance.

When a student reaches "0" points they may be placed in Supervised Study (In School Suspension [ISS]) or suspended. The length of time will be determined by the school administration. Upon arrival back to school following an ISS or suspension, the student will be placed at the 5 point level.

To encourage positive behaviour, students can also earn points to return to 10. Two points will be added to a student’s discipline file for any period of 5 consecutive days (in attendance) without disciplinary issues requiring office involvement. It is hoped that the ability to earn back merit points will act as an incentive for students to increase their opportunity to receive rewards, improve their behaviour and avoid suspension from school.

PUNCTUALITY, UNPREPARED FOR CLASS/LOITERING/LEAVING CLASS WITHOUT PERMISSION

CONSEQUENCE - lose 2 merit points, noon detention. Chronic offenses may result in multiple noon detentions.

NOT ATTENDING DETENTION/SUPERVISED STUDY

Students who skip a teacher’s detention will serve three noon detentions in the Supervised Study room.

Failure to attend a noon detention assigned by an administrator will result in 2 merit points lost as a result of defiance in addition to Supervised Study. Failure to attend Supervised Study will result in an out of school suspension.

MISSING CLASS, ASSEMBLIES, CLASS TRIPS, SPECIAL EVENTS WITHOUT PRIOR PARENTAL/GUARDIAN PERMISSION

CONSEQUENCE - lose 3 merit points, assigned to Supervised Study. Chronic offenders are subject to an out of school suspension and daily student progress reports.

CONSEQUENCES- lose 3 merit points and loss of computer privileges (except for curricular purposes)

NON COMPLIANCE, DEFIANCE

CONSEQUENCE - lose 2 merit points. Extreme and direct insubordination (defiance) will result in loss of 10 merit points and school suspension will occur.* This only refers to incidences that the teachers sends the student to the office for discipline after they have exhausted their own classroom management plan.

DISRUPTING THE LEARNING OF OTHERS, DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOUR

CONSEQUENCE – lose 2 merit points, immediate placement (by administration) in Supervised Study for Seniors on frees..

DISRESPECTFUL BEHAVIOUR, SWEARING, OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE, RUDE GESTURES

CONSEQUENCE - lose 3 merit points. Extreme disrespectful behaviour- lose 10 merit points, out of school suspension

DISRESPECT OF PROPERTY, VANDALISM

CONSEQUENCE FOR VANDALISM – lose 10 merit points, cleanup and/or pay for cost of repair, out of school suspension.

CONSEQUENCES- lose 2 merit points per Discipline Report and consequences determined by TCRSB Policy 500.01

OFF CAMPUS WITHOUT PERMISSION

CONSEQUENCE – lose 2 merit points, noon detention for 3 days. Repeat offences will increase detention time

CONSEQUENCE- lose 3 merit points, for offenses that pose a threat to others or self (snow ball throwing, smoking within the building, intent to injure, fireworks, other dangerous activity)- lose 10 merit points, out of school suspension

CONSEQUENCES (school based)- lose 3 merit points for 1^st offense, 5 merit points for 2^nd offense, 10 merit points in addition to TCRSB Policy

CONSEQUENCE - lose 5 merit points and consequences issued in accordance with TCRSB Policy

SEXUAL HARASSMENT (see TCRSB Policy 804.3)

CONSEQUENCE - lose 10 merit points and consequences issued in accordance with TCRSB Policy

RACIAL MISCONDUCT (see TCRSB Policy 804.3)

CONSEQUENCE - lose 10 merit points and consequences issued in accordance with TCRSB Policy

PHYSICAL VIOLENCE/ASSAULT

CONSEQUENCE – lose 10 merit points, out of school suspension, RCMP may be contacted. Multiple offences may result in a minimum of a five day suspension. Incidences that are considered to be of a discriminatory nature, an incident report will be sent to the RCH (race relations, cross-cultural understanding and human rights) advisor and coordinator.

ILLEGAL ACTIVITY (eg. Possession/distribution of stolen property or controlled substances, under influence of controlled substances, gambling, etc.)

CONSEQUENCE – lose 10 merit points, out of school suspension, RCMP may be notified, may request suspension greater than 5 days

Investigation of controlled substance use/distribution governed by TCRSB Policy 203.02. SRHS is investigating the implementation of alcohol detection devices (TCRSB Policy 703.17) to assist with detection.

CONSEQUENCE - lose 10 merit points, out of school suspension for five days or more RCMP may be notified.

Chronic minor behaviours could result in a referral to the school administration

Chronic middle behaviours will result in a referral to the school administration

ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY - INTERNET ACCESS

SHELBURNE REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Use of access terminals to the Internet in Shelburne Regional High School is restricted to students and staff who follow both the Public School Programs' Acceptable Use Policy.

PUBLIC SCHOOL PROGRAMS' ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY:

Students will use school-provided Internet access with teacher permission:

- under supervision of a teacher in a classroom setting, or library.

Students are not to be using chat rooms or chat lines under any circumstances.

Students' personal information such as their pictures, addresses, telephone numbers, parents'/guardians' names and home or work addresses/telephone numbers will not be published by students or the school. (Note that this includes email.)

Students who receive information or messages that make them uncomfortable will immediately report the occurrence to the supervising teacher.

Students will never agree to meet with someone they correspond, or corresponded with online without prior permission of their parents or guardians.

Students will not attempt to access private or personal materials, information, or files of others without their prior authorization. Students may view published web pages and cite information obtained from them appropriately.

Students will not vandalize, damage, or disable the work of another individual or organization.

Students will not access, manipulate, alter, or attempt to damage, disable, or destroy technology or computer files.

Students can copy only material for which they have permission.

Students will not access, create, or distribute harassing, pornographic, obscene, racist, sexually explicit, or threatening material, imagery, or language.

Students will not use school-provided Internet access for illegal purposes or for non-approved commercial purposes.

Violations of school or provincial acceptable use policies may result in a loss of access to electronic resources, specifically as indicated by the school regulations that follow. Such a loss may harmfully affect the education of the student.

When appropriate, law enforcement agencies may be involved.

DISCLAIMER: Use of any information obtained via the Internet is at the user's own risk.

To ensure student compliance, teachers will make periodic checks of browsing ‘History’ and view student screens and printed material without student permission. Student e-mail accounts are monitored. Students that violate this policy will have their nonessential computer privileges removed and be subject to disciplinary action according to the Behaviour Code (1^st offence -2 weeks; 2^nd offence - 1 month; 3^rd offence - 12 months). Computer and Internet use must be approved by supervising teacher.