• Supports
  • Alternative Education
  • Healthy Schools
  • Indigenous Education
  • Mental Health and Well-Being
  • SafeArrival
  • Safe Schools
  • School Cash Online
  • Secondary Learning Resources
  • Secure Schools
  • Special Education
  • Student Accident Insurance
  • Student Services
  • Tips for Secondary School
• Plan for High School
• Programs
• Get Involved
• Graduate
• Athletics
• List of Secondary Schools

Safety is essential to good learning. Every student deserves to feel and be supported in school, on the school grounds, in school buses and at school events and activities. Everyone from all walks of life in communities across Ontario share this common goal.

HWDSB is committed to building and sustaining a positive school climate for all students in order to support their education so that all students can reach their full potential. The Education Act requires school boards to ensure that measures are in place that consequence inappropriate behaviours and at the same time provide support for students to change those behaviours.

Seek help if you are concerned about your child’s mental health. For more information and access to resources, visit the Mental Health and Well-Being page. 

Bullying Prevention

Bullying is a form of repeated, persistent, and aggressive behaviour directed at an individual or individuals that is intended to cause fear and distress and/or harm to another person’s body, feelings, self esteem, or reputation. Bullying happens wherever children gather, taking various forms at different ages, but typically involves power, aggression, intimidation, and shame. 

To ensure that children have healthy relationships, HWDSB is dedicated to implementing effective bullying prevention programs for all students, emphasizing support for those being bullied, witnessing bullying, or involved in bullying. Click here to find more tips and information on our Bullying Prevention page.

Students and families should never feel alone or suffer the consequences of bullying in silence. Please tell a teacher, vice-principal or principal at your child’s school immediately if you have a concern. Resources like PREVNet and CyberTip also offer valuable information for families and students, empowering them to understand and effectively address bullying. 

Reporting Bullying

Please tell your child’s teacher, vice-principal or principal immediately. If reporting bullying to staff is uncomfortable, students can use the free and anonymous HWDSB Helps service to share a tip about bullying, mental health, substance use and more. Tips are sent to school staff. This is not a crisis line or counselling service. Click here to learn more.

• Text 905-963-0066. Standard rates apply.
• Download the HWDSB Helps app for iOS and Android.
• Web chat at bit.ly/HWDSBhelpswebchat

Code of Conduct

The HWDSB 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. It sets clear Board and school standards of behaviour for Principals, Staff Members, Students, Parents, School Councils and Volunteers. Click here for the HWDSB Code of Conduct.

Purpose of the HWDSB Code of Conduct: 

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.

Progressive Discipline and Restorative Justice

Progressive Discipline involves a series of steps taken by school Principals and staff to address student misbehaviour while allowing the student to continue attending school. Misbehaviour occurs when a student’s actions are harmful to themselves, others, or the safe and caring environment expected in our schools. Progressive discipline can range from detentions to expulsions, depending on the infraction. There is a requirement for schools and school boards to consider all and any mitigating circumstances before issuing a consequence for inappropriate behaviours.

Restorative Justice offers one way to respond to harm by giving those who have been harmed the opportunity to be heard while having a voice in resolution, holding wrongdoers accountable, and focusing on repairing relationships.

Click here to learn more about Progressive Discipline and Restorative Justice.

Suspensions

Some inappropriate behaviours are of such a serious or repetitive nature that an immediate suspension is required, or a 20 day suspension pending expulsion may be issued. A suspension means that a student is prohibited from entering school premises and participating in any school-related activities, both on and off school grounds. A suspension can range from one day up to a maximum of 20 school days. HWDSB has an appeal 

• The school will contact you the day your child is suspended, providing details about the suspension. 
• A suspension letter will be sent home, outlining the reason(s), duration and supports available (e.g., homework). 
• A meeting with you, your child and the school will be arranged before their return. 

If you feel your child has been unfairly suspended, you can request a meeting with your school Superintendent. Click here for more information about suspensions.

Expulsions

An expulsion is a response to a serious misbehaviour by a student, occurring when a serious infraction of the Code of Conduct or other Board/school policies takes place. A student may be expelled from the school they are attending, or from all the schools in the Board.

When a Principal believes a student has engaged in a serious misbehaviour, a suspension will occur while a thorough investigation takes place. This involves speaking to witnesses, interviewing staff and gathering information that might be relevant to the investigation. The Principal will also speak with both you and your child. Based on the outcome of the investigation the Principal may recommend to the Board that a student be expelled. 

Parents have the right to appeal the Board’s decision to expel your child in writing within 30 days of the Discipline Committee’s decision to the Child and Family Services Review Board (CFSRB). Click here for more information about expulsions.

Safe Schools Resources