Guiding Principles

• Students, parents or guardians, volunteers, teachers and other staff members are included in the Code of Conduct whether they are on school property, on school buses or at school-authorized events or activities
• All members of the school community are to be treated with respect and dignity, especially persons in positions of authority
• Responsible citizenship involves appropriate participation in the civic life of the school community. Active and engaged citizens are aware of their rights, but more importantly, they accept responsibility for protecting their rights and the rights of others
• Members of the school community are expected to use non-violent means to resolve conflict. Physically aggressive behaviour is not a responsible way to interact with others
• The possession, use or threatened use of any object to injure another person endangers the safety of oneself and others
• Alcohol and illegal drugs are addictive and present a health hazard. Schools will work cooperatively with police, drug and alcohol agencies to promote prevention strategies and, where necessary, respond to school members who are in possession of or under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs
• Insults, disrespect and other hurtful acts disrupt learning and teaching in a school community. Members of the school community have a responsibility to maintain an environment where conflict and differences can be addressed in a manner characterized by respect and civility
• Each school has a responsibility to promote and maintain positive self-esteem in students through their programs and practices
• Each behavioural situation which requires disciplinary action has its own unique and varying set of extenuating circumstances and must be handled in a fair and dignified manner
• The Peel District School Board is committed to recruiting and retaining staff who are willing and able to operate within Board policy and within the authority of the Education Act. The purpose is to educate youth who will become responsible for and know the consequences of their actions
• The Board is committed to staff training to achieve the goals of this policy.

Standards of Behaviour

Respect, Civility and Responsible Citizenship

All school members must:

• Respect and comply with all applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws .Demonstrate honesty and integrity
• Respect differences in people, their ideas and opinions
• Treat one another with dignity and respect at all times, and especially when there is disagreement
• Respect and treat others fairly, regardless of their race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability
• 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
• Respect persons who are in a position of authority
• Respect the need of others to work in an environment of learning and teaching.

Physical Safety

Weapons

All school members must:

• not be in possession of any weapon, including but not limited to firearms .Not use any object to threaten or intimidate another person
• Not cause injury to any person with an object.

Alcohol and Drugs

All school members must:

• Not be in possession of, or under the influence of, or provide others with, alcohol or
  illegal drugs.

Physical Aggression

All school members must:

• Not inflict or encourage others to inflict bodily harm on another person
• Seek staff assistance, if necessary to resolve conflict peacefully.