Code of Conduct

The purpose of our Code of Conduct is to provide a safe, caring, and orderly environment.  At LDSS, we respect the diversity of our school community and the Human Rights Code which prohibits discrimination on the grounds of ancestry, race, colour, family or marital status, physical or mental challenges, place of origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and age.

It is expected that students* will: 

• Respect the rights of others within the school community including peers, staff, parents, and guests.
• Strive to improve by working to the best of their abilities while maintaining academic honesty.  
• Follow the directions of school staff. Speak to the Principal or Vice-Principal if you have concerns or questions about directions from staff. 
• Respect the school building, equipment, and the property, including property of others. Students (or their parents) may be held financially responsible for repairs or replacement of property purposely damaged. 
• Respect the diversity of our school community and the BC Human Rights Code which prevents discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, gender identification/expression, sexual orientation or sexual orientation as perceived by others.
• Conduct themselves in a safe and responsible manner at all times. 
• Not threaten, harass, bully, intimidate or assault, in any way, any person within the school community. This includes cyber bullying.
• Not be in possession of any object that, in the opinion of the Principal or Vice Principal, is potentially dangerous. This includes any weapons, legal or illegal, including replicas/imitations. 
• Not be in possession or under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or other banned items. 
• Not be in possession of or use tobacco, drugs or vape type products in school buildings, on school trips or on school property.
• Follow specific rules for travelling on school buses as outlined by the bus driver.  

PERSONAL DIGITAL DEVICE POLICY

For students in secondary schools, personal digital devices (all internet connected devices) must be powered off and safely stored away during instructional time, unless being used for instructional purposes or to promote digital literacy; this may be done with the permission and under the direct supervision of a teacher or other staff member. Secondary school students may use personal digital devices during the school day outside of instructional time, for example, before school begins, between classes, or during lunch break. 

When a student fails to comply with the Personal Digital Device Policy the following steps will be taken:

1st infraction: the phone will be turned in and kept in the office for the remainder of that day. The                         student can pick the phone up at the end of the day. 

2nd infraction: the phone will be turned in and kept in the office for the remainder of the day. Parents will be contacted, and the phone will be returned directly to the parents. 

3rd infraction: the phone will be turned in and kept in the office for the remainder of the day. A parent meeting will be held to collaboratively make a plan for managing the device.   

All Students K-12 

Any use of personal digital device during instructional hours will be appropriate to a student’s age and developmental stage.  

All students are responsible for safe storage of any personal digital device(s) brought to school. The school will not assume responsibility for lost or damaged devices. The safest option is to keep your devices at home.  

Exemptions for Individual Students 

Individual students (and their caregivers) at any grade level with documented and verified needs, such as accessibility, medical, health, or learning needs may work with the School Based Team to develop an exemption plan that requires the use of a personal digital device for full inclusion. 

Use of a personal digital device during the school day or instructional hours will be considered in matters of equity, such as a lack of internet access at home.  

Final approval of any exemption must be given by the School Principal, and the approved plan will be shared as necessary and appropriate with staff members. 

*Special considerations apply to students who are unable to comply with the School Code of Conduct due to having a disability/condition of an intellectual, physical, medical, sensory, emotional, or behavioural nature.

UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOURS

*These are examples and not a comprehensive list.

Behaviours that interfere with the learning of oneself or others; interfere with an orderly environment; create unsafe conditions, breach of privacy, threats, violence, profanity.

Acts of bullying, harassment, or intimidation; physical violence which includes consensual fights, boxing, etc.; retribution (punishment) against a person who has reported incidents.

Illegal acts, such as possession, use or distribution of illegal or restricted substances;  possession or use of weapons;  theft or damage to property.

CONSEQUENCES

At our school there is the expectation that students will become more personally responsible and self-disciplined as they mature.  Many factors are considered when determining consequences for unacceptable behaviours; including but not limited to, age of student, maturity and intellectual development, physical, sensory, social, emotional or behavioural needs as well as severity and frequency of unacceptable conduct. When possible, disciplinary action will be preventative and restorative rather than punitive. 

In most cases, infractions are minor and can be resolved with classroom level behavioural interventions. If the teacher and student can’t resolve the problem, the following progressive disciplinary actions will be taken until the problem is resolved:

1. Teacher contacts the parent to communicate the problem and the classroom level interventions that have been tried.
2. Teacher and student meet with the parent (meeting may include administrators and/or SBT)
3. The teacher, student, parent, and administrator work collaboratively to outline the behaviours necessary for the student to stay at school. 
4. The student is suspended. A meeting with the parent, student, and administrator is required before the student can return to school. 

STUDENT ABSENCE AND HOMEWORK

Teaching and learning today are interactive and experiential in nature much of the time.  Participation in discussion and activities, whether face-to-face or online, are part of the learning and assessment.  For learners to fully engage in the instruction, they need to participate. 

School policies for homework for missed classes are as follows:

1. Students must see the teacher outside of class time upon return and arrange a time to go over missed learning and assignments.

2. Students are expected to use Collaboration Time on Friday mornings from 8:45 – 9:30 and their own time to complete missed work.

3. Alternatively students may be required to attend homework club at lunch to complete missed assignments. 

3. Many teachers have websites, TEAMS, or email set up to assist students with missed classes.

4. For an extended absence an alternate project may be assigned. 

5. Except in rare circumstances, assignments will not be provided ahead of time.

6. Homework will not be provided on a day-to-day basis for absences.

7. For complex or extended absence, parents are encouraged to contact one of our school counsellors.

8. Parents must report student absence to the office (it is not sufficient to tell the teacher).