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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: 

  1. 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.
  2. To promote responsible citizenship by encouraging appropriate participation in the civic life of the school community.
  3. To maintain an environment where conflict and difference can be addressed in a manner characterized by respect and civility.
  4. To encourage the use of non‐violent means to resolve conflict.
  5. To promote the safety of people in the schools.
  6. 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 Sunday, September 22, 2024.
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