Code of Conduct

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Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board is committed to making each and every one of its schools a caring place that is safe for learning.

Every student deserves to feel and be safe in school, on the school grounds, on the school bus and at school events and activities. At Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB), we know safety is essential to good learning. Students learn and teachers teach more successfully when schools are safe.

What is a Code of Conduct?

The Code of Conduct establishes standards of behaviour that are consistent with the Provincial Code of Conduct and applies to all members of the school community. The Code of Conduct promotes respect within the learning and teaching environment and sets clear Board and school standards of behaviour.

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board believes that all individuals attending on Board or school property, on school buses, or at school-related events or activities, should be treated with dignity and respect.

The Code of Conduct promotes a positive school climate which is a contributing factor to a safe and orderly environment. It also supports the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board’s commitment to all who work and engage in our schools feeling safe, supported and accepted.

The purposes of this Code of Conduct are as follows:

To ensure that all members of the school community, are treated with respect and dignity, regardless of, for example, race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, sex, disability, creed, family status, or socio‐economic status.
To promote responsible citizenship by encouraging appropriate participation in the civic life of the school community.
To maintain an environment where conflict and difference can be addressed in a manner characterized by respect and civility.
To encourage the use of non‐violent means to resolve conflict.
To promote the safety of people in the schools.
To prohibit the use of alcohol, illegal drugs, weapons and firearms.

Roles and Responsibilities

Principals will hold everyone to the highest standard of respectful/responsible behaviour and will take a daily leadership role in the school by:

Demonstrating care and commitment to academic excellence in a safe teaching and learning environment
Holding everyone, under their authority, accountable for their behaviour and actions
Empowering students to be positive leaders in their school and community
Communicating regularly and meaningfully with all members of their school community
Modelling respect, responsibility, and civility and ensuring these are taught as part of the curriculum
Maintaining consistent standards of behaviour for all students

Respect, Civility and Responsible Citizenship

All members of the school community, including Trustees, Board employees, students, parents, Home and School, School Council, visitors, volunteers, contractors, and community members on school premises, while on school buses, at school-related events or activities, or in any other circumstances that could have an impact on the climate of the school must:

Respect and comply with all applicable federal, provincial, and municipal laws
Demonstrate honesty and integrity
Respect differences in people, their ideas, and their opinions
Treat one another with dignity and respect at all times, and especially when there is disagreement
Respect and treat others fairly, regardless of, for example, race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or ability
Respect the rights of others
Show proper care and regard for school property and the property of others
Take appropriate measures to help those in need
Seek assistance from a member of the school staff, if necessary, to resolve conflict peacefully
Respect all members of the school community, especially persons in positions of authority
Respect the needs of others to work in an environment that is conducive to learning and teaching; and/or not swear at a teacher or at another person in a position of authority.

Safety

All members of the school community must not:

Engage in any bullying behaviours including cyberbullying
Commit sexual assault
Traffic weapons or illegal drugs
Give drugs or alcohol to a minor
Commit theft or robbery (theft with violence)
Be in possession of any weapon, including firearms
Utter a threat or use any object to threaten or intimidate another person
Cause injury to any person with an object
Be in possession of, or be under the influence of, or provide others with alcohol or illegal drugs
Inflict or encourage others to inflict mental or bodily harm on another person
Engage in propaganda and other forms of behaviour motivated by hate or bias
Commit an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property or to property located on the premises of the school.

References

Updated on Wednesday, January 10, 2024.