CODE OF CONDUCT FOR PITT MEADOWS ELEMENTARY

Be Respectful: some examples include

  • Use your manners
  • Treat others with respect
  • Always do your best
  • Take care of the school property and materials
  • Dress appropriately

Be Responsible: some examples include

  • Clean up after yourself
  • Use good listening skills
  • Be honest and tell the truth
  • Be on time and ready to work

Be Safe: some examples include

  • Walk calmly in the halls and classrooms
  • Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself
  • Stay in designated areas

At PME we believe that all students have the right to learn in a safe, caring and respectful environment. All children can be responsible and respectful. Home and school share this responsibility for teaching safety and respect.

The Code of Conduct applies to all members of the school community (at school, traveling to and from the school, at any school-related activity at any location, or any circumstance/activity that will have an impact on the school environment).

Inappropriate behavior:

Certain behaviours will be considered unacceptable, including but not limited to:

  • Threatening behavior towards others (i.e. swearing, hurtful remarks, gossiping, inappropriate gestures)
  • physical altercations of any kind
  • continuous repetitive disruptive behavior
  • defiance towards teaching staff
  • theft, vandalism, or mistreatment of school or others personal property
  • dressing in clothing which is inappropriate for an elementary school and learning(i.e.,no clothing referencing drugs, alcohol, sex or foul language, no tummies or underwear showing, no spaghetti straps)
  • teasing and/or bullying, on or off school grounds, including telephone, computer and e-mail messages
  • running in the halls

Responses to Conduct Issues

  • Responses to unacceptable conduct will be thoughtful, consistent and fair.
  • The focus of any intervention will be preventative and restorative in nature, rather than merely punitive.
  • Wherever possible, students will be encouraged to participate in the development of meaningful interventions through discussion and mediation.
  • Decisions will be made with respect to the individual. Responses to conduct issues will take into consideration the student’s age, maturity and past conduct. Interventions will not discriminate against a student who cannot meet an expectation because of a disability.
  • Reasonable steps will be taken to prevent retaliation against the person who reported a code of conduct issue.
  • Every effort will be made to support students. However, if there are ongoing conduct issues after having implemented interventions, progressive discipline may include, but is not limited to, referral to an intervention committee, suspension, change of program, change of school, or involvement of the police when behaviour includes a criminal code violation.
  • When responding to breaches in the Code of Conduct, school officials may inform a student’s parent(s), the parents of other students who were involved, school district officials, the police or other agencies or the parents of all students when the whole school community needs to be reassured that a serious situation is being addressed.

Inappropriate behavior typically has the following consequences:

  • Teacher intervention
  • Principal intervention
  • Contact with parents(by telephone or email)
  • Conferring with parents-teachers and/or principal
  • Short term or long term suspension
  • Consultation with police and or fire department

Safe & Caring School Environments:

Are Free From Acts Of:

  • Bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment and marginalization
  • Threat and intimidation
  • Violence in any form
  • Abuse in any form
  • Discrimination in any form including race, colour, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, ancestry or national origin.
  • Retribution against a person who has reported incidents

Or Misuse of

  • Cyberspace/cell phones/electronic devices/computers – students are to be aware that they may be subject to discipline (or, if applicable, confiscation of personal property) for misuse of technology if it negatively impacts on the school environment

Forms of Unacceptable conduct cited above are only examples and not an all-inclusive list.

Do not tolerate the presence of:

  • Theft and vandalism
  • Intoxicating or banned substances
  • Weapons or replica (toy) weapons and explosives
  • Intruders or trespassers – All visitors to the school must report to the office first.

STUDENT ABSENCES

Regular attendance and punctuality are critical factors in student achievement. In the event that students are going to be absent or late, please callthe school (604-465-5828) to inform us. When students are absent and we have not been informed, the school office will call home or the emergency contact to determine the cause of the absence. Students arriving late are required to report to the office and obtain a late slip. Please be advised that the call from the office does not eliminate the need for notes from parents to cover absences and incidents of lateness. These notes are still required by teachers for their records. A signed note will show that the parent or guardian is also aware of the lateness or absence, and the reason for it.

LUNCH TIME EXPECTATIONS

Staying for lunch is a privilege and we expect student cooperation to maintain a safe and respectful school during this time. As supervision of students is greatly reduced (one supervisor per 100 students), we expect safe, responsible behavior from students. The following rules apply to all students during the lunch break:

  • Students are to remain in their classrooms, seated at their desk for the last fifteen minutes of the lunch hour, to eat their lunch. Appropriate ‘eating etiquette’ is expected from students.
  • On ‘inside days’, students are expected to remain in their classrooms, calmly engaged in quiet activities. On most rainy days students will be sent outside, so please send outside clothing appropriate for the weather conditions.

During non-instructional times students are expected to:

  • enter and exit the school by assigned doors and refrain from loitering in hallways or washrooms
  • follow recess and lunch hour school rules and listen to supervisors

STUDENT ENTRY/EXIT

All students are assigned entry and exit doors. We expect students to use these doors and ask that if parents are coming to school to meet their children after school they use the assigned doors as waiting and meeting points.

STUDENTS LEAVING THE SCHOOL GROUNDS

Students are not permitted to leave the school grounds unless they are going home for lunch and the school has been notified. We do not allow students to leave without being signed out and a caregiver picking them up.

STUDENT USE OF TELEPHONE

Students are permitted to use the office telephone when they have a permission slip issued by their classroom teacher or have permission granted by school administration. Use of the phone will be restricted to emergency calls.

GUESTS/VISITORS TO SCHOOL

The safety of our students at PME is paramount; therefore, all guests, visitors and parent volunteers are required to enter the school at the main entrance, report to the office, identify themselves, sign the visitor book and receive a VISITOR identification pass.

CONTACTING PARENTS

Often, during the course of a school day, it is necessary to contact parents. We may need to do this if a student is ill or injured. The importance of providing the school with a phone number where parents can be contacted during the day is crucial. If a home phone number is not possible, please arrange a system whereby you can be contacted in case of emergency.

We also ask that parents provide us with the name and phone number of an EMERGENCY CONTACT person in the event that parents cannot be contacted. This information should be provided on each student’s registration form. Please ensure that the person you name as the emergency contact knows that you have done this and that they are prepared and capable to act on your behalf if you cannot be reached.