The South Park School Code of Conduct has been adapted from the Delta School District Code of Conduct.

As a part of the Delta School District, the South Park School community has the responsibility to provide and ensure a safe and positive climate for learning. It is expected that all members of the school community will uphold the underlying principles of the Code of Conduct which include respect for self, others, property, and the environment.

This Code of Conduct shall apply to all students during any school activity and may hold students responsible for their conduct on the way to and from school, at a school activity or in other circumstances where engaging in the activity will have an impact that adversely affects a school climate or operation, including disruption of the learning environment. Such behaviour or actions shall be considered a breach of the Code of Conduct, warranting appropriate forms of intervention. The Code of Conduct recognizes that as children grow and mature, they are more able to make appropriate decisions and to be responsible for their actions.

Statement of Purpose

This Code of Conduct is created to provide guiding principles of conduct for all students and is in accordance with Section 6 (1) (a) and (b) of the School Act which states:

6 (1) A student must comply

(a) with the school rules authorized by the principal of the school or Provincial school attended by the student, and

(b) with the code of conduct and other rules and policies of the board or the Provincial school.

The Purpose of the Code of Conduct is to:

• Provide and maintain a safe, caring, and orderly environment for students to develop to their full potential
• Ensure that the rights and responsibilities of individuals are appropriately balanced to uphold the collective well-being of all
• Communicate the expectations of student behaviour to all members of the school community.Conduct Expectations It is expected that students will:

Acceptable Conduct supports a positive learning environment.

• Conduct themselves in an appropriate manner when going to and from school, within school, on school grounds, during extended school activities and on school buses
• Apply themselves to the best of their ability
• Attend school and classes regularly and punctually
• Be respectful of the thoughts, feelings and heritage of others
• Respect the rights and property of others
• Dress in accordance with the school dress code
• Contribute positively to a safe, caring and orderly school
• Behave in an ethical and lawful manner

Report to a responsible adult, incidents of threats, bullying, harassment, violence or intimidation

Unacceptable Conduct interferes with a learning environment.

Some examples of unacceptable behaviours include:

• Interference with the learning of others
• Use of inappropriate or abusive language
• Threatening, harassing, intimidating, assaulting or bullying, in any way, any person within the school community
• Theft of or damage to property
• Any efforts to cause harm or discriminate against another person based on, but not limited to race, religion, gender, disability, marital or family status, sexual orientation or age.
• Acts of retribution toward a person who has reported incidents

Rising Expectations

The Code of Conduct recognizes that as children grow and mature, they are more able to make appropriate decisions and to be responsible for their actions. As students progress through school, they are expected to:

• Acquire greater knowledge and understanding about their personal behaviour and its impact on others
• Learn and utilize appropriate decision-making strategies
• Demonstrate increasing self-discipline
• Take increasing responsibility for their actions and learning
• Be subject to increasing consequences for problem behavior

Consequences

When determining consequences, consideration is given to the maturity as well as the intellectual, social and emotional capacity of the student along with the severity and frequency of the misbehaviour. Consequences should where appropriate, follow District procedures and will: 

• Be thoughtful, consistent and fair
• Seek to prevent a recurrence of the offense
• Teach acceptable social behaviour rather than be merely punitive

And where appropriate

• Provide means for restitution and restorative actions
• Involve the offender in determining a corrective plan of action

Notification

It is understood that communication is essential to the home and school partnership. Notification will be given to the school’s community of the school’s Code of Conduct as necessary.