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Viscount Montgomery School Code Of Conduct, 2005-2006

Rationale
Mission Statement
Philosophy
Code of Conduct
Rights and Responsibilities
Students' Right and Responsibilities
Teachers' Rights and Responsibilities
Parents' Rights and Responsibilities
Board Policies
Harassment, Race Relations & Ethnocultural Equity
Safe Schools Policy... Statement of Zero Tolerance of Violence
Expulsion Policy Statement
Middle School Behaviour Tracking System

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The Hamilton Wentworth District School Board has created and approved a document entitled Safe Schools. Creating a Safe Place to Learn and Work. The primary goal of this document is to "develop and maintain a safe, welcoming, violent free school environment" In compliance with this document and the Violence Free School Policy from the Ministry of Education and Training. Viscount Montgomery School has written and approved its own "Code of Conduct" which outlines the rights and responsibilities of all members of our school community and identifies strategies to ensure that these are realized.

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Individuals in our multi-cultured educational setting will experience a positive and safe learning and working environment. We will strive to have a school atmosphere free from violence, fear, harassment and any form of prejudice. Self fulfillment will be promoted through the development of self worth, and social, academic and problem solving skills.

Philosophy

At Viscount Montgomery School, we believe it is imperative that:

• expectations regarding behaviour are clear
• methods of dealing with behavioural concerns are consistent
• behaviour management strategies are taught 
• exemplary behaviour management programs is self discipline
• the value of each unique individual is respected

1. Keep your feet and hands to yourself 
2. Use polite language
3. Show respect to everyone
4. Respect people's property, privacy, dignity, and right to learn.
5. Ensures your conduct contributes to the safety of all and contributes to the safety of all and contributes to a positive environment for all students

-if there is a problem, get help

-use problem solving techniques

-pause and relax

-think about your choices, i.e. leave comprise, get help, ignore

-pick the best idea

-evaluate how you did

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Students who consistently display appropriate conduct will be recognized within the school environment. Students will be taught and encouraged to practice appropriate decision making and social skills. Should intervention be required to help students follow the Code of Conduct, the following actions may be taken:

• reminder/informal discussion
• use of problem solving techniques
• separation from others
• detentions
• creation of a behaviour contract or plan
• withdrawal or suspension of school privileges
• counselling
• communication with parents
• interview with student, teacher, administrator and/or parent
• referral to in school resources. Board personnel and outside agencies
• therapeutic withdrawal/suspension (in and out of school) expulsion, subject  to the Education Act.
• in some cases police charges may be laid, in addition to the consequences laid out by the school

Rights and Responsibilities

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Students' Right and Responsibilities

• a clean, safe and pleasant learning environment
• receive the best education program to meet their needs
• feel secure from physical, verbal and written harassment
• be treated in a fair, consistent and respectful manner
• receive instruction and assistance for social emotional and academic concerns
• Students have a responsibility to:
• attend school regularly and on time
• act safety in everyone's interest
• accept responsibility for their actions
• practise good health habits
• be honest and polite
• not interfere with the teaching and learning of others
• show respect for the rights, feeling and property of fellow students, regular and supply teachers, caretaking staff, volunteers and school visitors
• come to school dressed appropriately. Hats must removed upon entry. Clothing may not contain slogans/sayings/pictures/drugs or alcohol symbols which are not appropriate for the school setting. Bare midriffs, spaghetti strap T-Shirts, clothing which reveals underclothing. Halter tops and muscle shirts are not suitable school attire. Shorts that are an appropriate length are permitted.
• bring required equipment to school. Students may be expected to provide their own equipment (pens, pencils, pencil crayons, some notebooks and paper, i.e. duotangs) Equipment that is provided for students, such as: textbooks and notebooks, are the responsibility of the student and full or partial payment for their loss can be expected.
• participate in all learning experiences to the best of their abilities
• regularly review classroom topics and complete all missed or incomplete work at home
• seek help for social, emotional and academic concerns
• adhere to school and community rules during any school or community related activities
• work through a decision making process with staff to explore alternative behaviours which are acceptable and more appropriate
• respect ethnic, racial, religious, gender, intellectual and physical diversities of all people.

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Teachers have the right to:

• expect students to relate to all staff in a cooperative, respectful and attentive manner
• expect students to be rested, punctual and prepared for class and learning
• receive support from parents, administration and officials in performing their duties
• feel secure from physical, verbal, and written harassment
• experience a clean, safe, and pleasant working environment

Teachers have the responsibility to:

• carry out duties as assigned by the principal
• plan and provide programs which follow the Ministry of Education's guidelines and expectations
• plan and modify programs to meet the special needs of students in their classes
• set good examples of behaviour, dress, respect and conduct
• treat all students with fairness, consistency, and respect
• keep parents informed regarding the observed behaviour and academic progress of their child throughout the year
• encourage acceptance of ethnic, racial, religious, gender and physical differences of others
• understand, possess and demonstrate a knowledge of the characteristics of the Viscount Montgomery learner
• use a variety of strategies to provide effective educational experiences for students

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Parents have the right to:

• expect the best educational program for their child in a positive, safe and clean learning environment
• expect the school to be conducted in an orderly and productive manner
• be informed of their child's progress and development throughout the year
• approach staff and/or administration regarding school curriculum and activities
• request an interview and/or classroom visit
• be given opportunities to participate in the Parent Council and Home and School

Parents have the responsibilities to:

• be partners with the school to ensure the best opportunity for their child's learning and success at school
• call the school if they have questions or concerns. This stops small problems from becoming larger ones and ensures good lines of communication between home and school
• send the child to school regularly, punctually, in good health and properly prepared with respect to nutrition, rest, clothing, supplies and personal hygiene
• keep staff informed about situations that may affect their child's learning and/or behaviour
• encourage a positive attitude towards other students and learning
• make every effort to attend parent teacher conferences and events
• plan a quiet time and place homework to be completed/reviewed
• provide ongoing review of work covered at school
• discuss this Code of Conduct with their child

Board Policies

Viscount Montgomery School strictly adheres to these policies.

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The Board of Education for the City of Hamilton is dedicated to education that promotes positive race relations and ethnocultural equity.

In adherence with the Ontario Human Rights Code, it is the policy of this Board that employee, volunteer, and student have the right to freedom from harassment in the workplace and school system because of sex, sexual orientation, race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, age, record of offences, marital status, family status, employment status, or disability.

Harassment is behaviour that is not welcomed and makes you feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, offended or scared. 'Bullying' is probably the most common form of harassment that children experience. They need to know that help is available and they do not have to tolerate these unacceptable behaviours at school or anywhere. The following guidelines are given to students to help them deal with harassment:

Pay attention to your feelings! Harassment is not funny. It's harmful. It is not allowed. It is the person doing the harassment who is wrong.

Take action! If you feel you are being harassed, don't accept it. Speak up. Go get help.

Who can help? Seek help from someone with whom you feel comfortable taking

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It is the policy of the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board to respond with zero tolerance to all known acts of violence or any behaviour that has the potential to result in violence. The Board is committed to restoring a safe and secure learning/working environment. This environment will be achieved through proactive prevention and intervention strategies within each school where all students and staff understand value and respect the diversity of others and the importance of self worth.

Zero Tolerance means that every act of physical contact, aggression, violence will be addressed. 
The method of addressing the act will depend on the age of the child and the nature and severity of the incident. 
Zero Tolerance does not mean automatic suspension.

Clear and consistent disciplinary action will be applied in response to the following acts of violence:

• threat of serious physical injury
• assault causing bodily harm
• sexual assault
• hate-motivated violence
• robbery and extortion
• the use of and/or possession of weapons
• extensive vandalism

Depending on the nature and severity of the incident and the age of the student, one or more of the following consequences may be employed:

• counselling, detentions, removal of privileges
• contact of the parent(s) or guardian
• contact of the police
• suspension of the student
• completion of Violence Incident Form for inclusion in the student's official record card
• recommendation for expulsion

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The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board is committed to a safe learning and working environment. Such and environment protect the safety and self esteem of each person and promotes mutual respect of one person for another. The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board is prepared to exercise its authority to expel students as necessary in order to ensure this safe learning and working environment.

The Expulsion Policy and Procedures define unacceptable behaviour and provide a systematic method of response. Fair, firm, and consistent application of the policy is expected.  The case of every student referred to expulsion will be thoroughly investigated and decisions will be based on the individual circumstances of the case. The intent of the policy is to protect and balance the rights of all people in the educational system.

Expulsion may be the result of a single serious occurrence or a series of occurrences.

A student who is expelled will be directed to both therapeutic support and alternate forms of education to allow the student to pursue a new direction in his/her life.

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Purpose

The purpose of our Middle School Behaviour Tracking System is to promote positive behaviours, academic organization and regular communication between the home and school. The student agenda is central to this system. All middle school students are required to have an agenda, bring it to school every day and have it with them for every class.

Procedure

At the end of each day advisors will review the information recorded on the class clipboard. Academic (test and assignment due dates, lesson summaries) and behaviour information specific to each student is recorded in their school agenda during school time. Students who have demonstrated positive social skills and who have no problems indicated will receive a stamp in their agenda. Students who have exhibited problem behaviours - incomplete work, inappropriate behaviour - during the day will record the incident(s) in their agenda. The advisor will then sign the agenda.

Parents, as partners with us in your child's education, we are asking you to review the information recorded in the agenda daily with your son/daughter and initial the appropriate space. Join with us in holding your child accountable for completed school work, neat and meaningful agenda entries, and good citizenship.

Pages are not to be removed from the agenda. Students must close the covers to protect the pages and take care of them.

Students who collect the required number of stamps per month (80% of the total number of school days in the month) will be invited to participate in a reward activity at the end of the month. Some reward activities are held within the school, others will involve special out-of-school privileges, permissions and costs. Our teaching staff are taking care to make this system fair and helpful for all, and are planning special activities that are interesting, healthy and fun. Students who aren't involved in a reward activity will be assigned to alternate activities that help them improve their learning skills.

Students who persistently demonstrate inappropriate behaviour in the classrooms or hallways and/or do not complete their academic requirements will be subject to the following system of consequences. This system will be carried out on a monthly basis with each student receiving a fresh start each month:

It is hoped that through this system, students will monitor their behaviour, know what is expected of them and strive towards maintaining and/or improving their social and academic skills. The Behaviour Tracking System is not designed for serious incidents which need to be dealt with outside  the realm of this system and accordance with the school behaviour code.