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STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
We all want Parkside to be a great place to learn. Negative actions hurt all of us. We have to work together and support each other. We need to keep Parkside a safe and great place to be. Let us all have Positive Parkside Pride because this is OUR school. At Parkside, we foster respect for others, respect for the responsibilities of others, and respect for property.
School rules have been developed by school council, administration, students, and staff. Students and staff must have an environment that is safe and promotes learning. Mutual respect is fundamental for the achievement of these goals. As such hallways, cafeteria, school grounds, and busing areas require appropriate conduct. The following expectations describe general conduct expectations.
ABSENCES
If you are absent, you should do one of the following:
- Have your parent or guardian call the school and notify the attendance secretary (ext. 254) giving the date(s) and reason for absence.
- If you are going to be absent for a number of days due to illness, notify the secretary in the Guidance Office (ext. 227) to request work to be sent home.
- If you need to sign out during the school day, please come to the Main Office. If it is a known appointment, please sign out before the morning break. Medical and other appointments may be verified by the office.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Students who cheat or plagiarize during the academic process will be subject to the appropriate disciplinary action.
AFTER SCHOOL HOURS
All students are expected to leave the building in a timely fashion at the end of the school day unless they are directly supervised by a teacher who is coaching, tutoring, or supervising the student.
ATTENDANCE
Responsibility for attending class lies with the student. Student success in school is directly tied to attendance.
BULLYING (HARASSMENT ETC)
Bullying or harassment in any form will not be tolerated. If violations occur, appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken. Any discrimination or bullying on the basis of gender, race, religion, national origin, age, or handicap will not be allowed.
DRESS CODE
Clothing must be appropriate for a learning environment while meeting community and school standards. Inappropriate attire will not be tolerated. For example, attire that promotes drug use, alcohol use, or violence will result in the request for the student to change the garment or in some cases be sent home. Headgear (hat, bandannas, toques, sweatbands etc.) except for health or religious reasons are not to be worn by either male or female students while in the classroom, Library, Guidance, Learning Resource, Main Office or during an assembly.
DRUGS, ALCOHOL, TOBACCO
Smoking on school grounds is prohibited by law (Smoke-Free Ontario Act). It can result in suspension or if the appropriate by-law officer observes anyone smoking on school property, a minimum fine of $120 will be issued. Further, the possession and/or usage of drugs, alcohol, or controlled substance are strictly prohibited. Failure to comply with the provincial guidelines and school rules will result in disciplinary action according to guidelines outlined by the Board of Education and Safe Schools Act.
ELEVATOR
The elevator is not to be used by students, unless there are special circumstances. In the case where a student needs to use the elevator, a key will be provided for a $5.00 refundable fee. The key is to be turned in to the office each night.
EXAMINATIONS
Formal examinations take place in January and June. Students are required to write all of their exams, unless there is a significant medical reason for why this cannot happen. In such a case, the student (or parent/guardian) should contact the Vice Principal and explain the nature of the medical reason. In each case, a medical certificate must be provided or a mark of zero may be assessed.
FIGHTING
Students involved in violence of any kind-either before, during, or after school and either on school property or in an area that will reflect negatively on the school-will be suspended and a parent conference held before readmission to school.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (MFIPPA) AND PUBLIC HEALTH
In keeping with the Health Promotion and Protection Act, the Social and Public Health Services Division has a mandate to provide health promotion and disease prevention service to the citizens of this community. Public Health staff collaborate with the community to address health issues for children and their families in their neighbourhoods. This includes service within the schools. The school-based service may include one-on-one counseling and education for children and/or their parents about health concerns. In the course of providing this service, information may be collected and recorded by Public Health staff. This information remains confidential in keeping with MFIPPA. If you would like further information about the records of Public Health Services, please contact the Social and Public Health Department Services Division at 905-546-3550.
LATES
It is the legal duty and responsibility for students to be on time for Homeroom and each class. Lateness is disruptive behaviour. It causes unnecessary attendance updates for the office and staff. It also causes disruptions to classes. Persistent lateness is dealt with by administration.
PARKING
There is no student parking on school property. Students MUST find parking elsewhere.
PASSES (LIBRARY/RESOURCE)
Students should receive a library or resource pass from their classroom teacher before proceeding to either of these locations.
PROHIBITED ITEMS
Students may not possess the following items in the classroom without the express permission of the classroom teacher. These items include:
- CD players, MP3 players, IPods, cell phones, beepers, cameras, or any other electronic devices of a distracting nature.
- Gambling, dice, and gambling devices are prohibited.
- Drugs, alcoholic beverages, narcotics, restricted/illegal substances are prohibited.
- Explosive devices, including firecrackers, stink bombs, noxious substances, cherry bombs etc. are prohibited.
- Weapons, look-a-likes, guns, knives or items that could be used as weapons, designed or easily used to cause physical harm are prohibited.
- Any such items as designated by law, Board policy or school policy.
SCHOOL COMPUTER USE
Access to computers and the internet at school is a privilege. Inappropriate usage or the vandalizing of equipment will not be tolerated. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.
SCHOOL DANCES
Student cards are necessary for Parkside students and guests. Sponsoring students are responsible for their guests. Admittance is restricted after 9:00 p.m. No one is allowed out or back in. Students found using alcohol/drugs or under the influence of alcohol/drugs will be suspended and/or parental/guardian contact will be made.
SENIOR STUDENTS
Under the Education Act of the Province of Ontario , when students reach the age of 18, they attain the legal age of majority. They have the right to request that the school deal directly with them. They may also sign all documents and notes previously requiring parent/guardian signatures. However, age of majority students may only miss classes for valid reasons. Illness, injury, family emergency, or medical/dental appointments are examples of legitimate reasons for absence. Abuse of signing privileges will be subject to disciplinary action.
STUDENT CARDS
All students are expected to purchase a student card that funds programs and school activities. Student cards and yearbooks are available for purchase at the beginning of the school year from your homeroom teacher or the office.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION
If a student violates school rules, the administration may impose appropriate disciplinary actions for an infraction. Actions taken may include parent/guardian contact, detention, community service, behavioural contracts, suspension of student privileges, in-school suspensions, out of school suspension, or expulsion from school.
SAFE SCHOOLS ACT
The Safe Schools Act identifies areas of mandatory and discretionary suspension, as well as mandatory and discretionary expulsion. In the case of a possible mandatory or discretionary expulsion, the school is required to suspend the student for twenty days while a Principal's Inquiry is held.
Mandatory Suspension
- Uttering a threat to inflict serious bodily harm on another person
- Possession of alcohol
- Possession of illegal drugs
- Being under the influence of alcohol
- Swearing at a teacher or another person in a position of authority
- Committing an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property at the student's school or to property located on the premises of the student's school
Discretionary Suspension
- Persistent truancy
- Opposition to authority
- Habitual neglect of duty
- Willful destruction of school property
- Use of profane language
- Conduct injurious to the moral tone of the school
- Conduct injurious to the physical or mental well-being of others in the school
Mandatory Expulsion
- Possessing a weapon, including possessing a firearm
- Using a weapon to cause or to threaten bodily harm to another person
- Committing physical assault on another person that causes bodily harm requiring treatment by a medical practitioner
- Committing sexual assault
- Trafficking in weapons
- Trafficking in illegal drugs
- Committing robbery
- Giving alcohol to a minor
Discretionary Expulsion
- The student's pattern of behaviour is so refractory that the pupil's presence is injurious to the effective learning and/or working environment of others
- The student has engaged in activities that cause the student's continuing presence in the school to be injurious to the physical or mental well-being of other students
- The student has engaged in activities that cause extensive damage to the property of the board or to goods that are on school board property
- The student has demonstrated through a pattern of behaviour (e.g. neglect of duty, truancy or opposition to authority) that he/she has not prospered by the instruction available to him/her and that he/she is persistently resistant to making the changes in behaviour which would enable him/her to prosper
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