School Bus Expectations

School rules and discipline consequences apply on the bus in addition to the following considerations:

• The driver is in charge of the bus; his/her directions must be obeyed at all times.
• Drivers are required to report misconducts the school administration for resolution.
• Students are expected to remain seated, not extend arms or heard out of the bus.
• Students responsible for any damage or vandalism will be required to pay for repair costs or cleaning that is a result of vandalism. 

Respect for Property

Students are expected to do their part in helping to keep our school and community neat and tidy. This includes picking up after themselves at all times and using the garbage cans that are located in the school and on the school grounds.

Students are expected to participate in the school's recycling program. Recycling bins will be placed both in the hallways and in the lunchroom area. It is expected that students will follow the protocols for recycling in all areas of the school including the playground. 

General School Behavioural Expectations

Behaviour Consequences

Students who are observed not behaving appropriately will be held accountable. If a change in behavior does not occur, after redirection, students will be sent to the office. Time will provided for the student to reflect on the incident and to speak with an administrator or resource teacher. School administration, in consultation with the teacher, will decide on the next appropriate action - ie. detention; removal from class for 5 minutes;  written correspondence from the student sent home for a parent/guardian signature; a phone call to parents; community service;  suspension from class for a period, in-school suspension (1-5 days); out of school suspension (1-5 days); suspension to the System Suspension Desk (Greater than 5 days).

Bullying

What is bullying?

Bullying is defined as the repeated, persistent, hostile or demeaning behaviour by an individual or group in the school community where the behaviour is intended to cause harm, fear or distress to one or more other individuals. This may include psychological harm (feelings or self-esteem) or harm to an individual’s body or reputation.

Bullying involves a real or perceived power imbalance based on factors such as size, strength, social power, economic status, religious beliefs, ethnic/cultural origin, race, family circumstances, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or disability.

An individual engaged in bullying is not in compliance with the Education Act if they spread hate or discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, family status or disability.

Bullying can take different forms:

• Physical – pushing, grabbing, hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, spitting, choking, making obscene gestures, hazing, stealing or damaging property
• Verbal – name-calling, threatening remarks, hurtful teasing and taunting racist/sexist/homophobic comments, telling jokes that shame or humiliate someone, harassing using derogatory language
• Social/Relational – gossiping or spreading rumours, isolating someone from friends or peers, ganging up, excluding from a group based on appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, culture, race, religious beliefs, disability
• Cyber/Digital – intentional defamatory, demeaning, harassing, threatening or intimidating communication directed toward another individual, including but not limited to electronic devices and any other media or means capable of transmitting communication (e.g., email, text/instant messaging, social networks, online polls). This also includes taking embarrassing pictures of someone and sharing them online or using someone else’s account to send hurtful content while pretending to be them.

The Canadian Criminal Code has made some forms of cyberbullying illegal. The police may lay charges if: 

• Intimate images are sent without permission
• Hate speech is used (racial and/or homophobic slurs) to cause fear and distress
• Threats of harm and violence are repeatedly made against an individual 

What Is and Isn't Bullying