Links to CBE Administrative Regulations
All of Robert Thirsk High School behavior policies have been developed in accordance with the School Act and Calgary Board of Education Administrative Regulations.
Student Rights and Responsibilities:
- Students shall be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness by other students and staff.
- Students shall be provided with a learning environment that is free from any type of abuse such as: physical, emotional, and social abuse.
- Students and parents shall be informed of the board’s and school’s expectations for student behaviour within the school, the school grounds, and during school activities.
In the event of student misbehaviour, students and parents shall have the right to offer an explanation, and to be informed about consequences of misbehaviour.
Students shall exercise their responsibilities to:
- use their abilities and talents to gain maximum learning benefits from their school experiences, and participate in their learning;
- contribute to a climate of mutual trust and respect conducive to effective learning, personal development, and school community
- report threat or risk related behaviours to school staff
- attend school regularly and punctually; and
- dress appropriately
Students shall be responsible and accountable for their behaviour and conduct:
- while involved in school-sponsored or related activities;
- while on school property;
- during any recess or lunch periods on or off school property;
- while travelling to and from school;
- on vehicles used for the transportation of students to and from school and school activities;
- while engaging in electronic communication both on and off school property; and
- beyond the hours of school operation if the behaviour or conduct detrimentally affects the welfare of individual students or the governance, climate, or efficiency of the school(s).
Parents play a vital role in developing student behaviour and conduct. It is the district’s expectation that parents:
- review the school’s expectations for student behaviour and conduct with their child(ren); and
- work with the school to resolve student behavioural issues when they affect their child(ren).
Students are responsible for:
- school attendance and punctuality;
- their work habits, assignments and homework;
- textbooks and equipment; and
- complying with school’s code of student behaviour and conduct
Students must respect:
- school authority
- differences in ethnicity, race, religion, gender and sexual orientation;
- school board property, community property and property of other persons;
- fire alarms and safety equipment.
Grounds for disciplinary action that could lead to suspension or expulsion exist where a student has demonstrated unacceptable behaviour which includes but are not limited to:
- interfering with the orderly conduct of classes or the school; encouraging unacceptable conduct and engaging in conduct which endangers others;
- use, display or distribution of improper, obscene or abusive language, messages or pictures
- bullying which includes cyber-bullying, threats, extortion, personal or sexual harassment and assault
- use of technology such as computers, cameras, cell phones, and other digital equipment for purposes that are illegal, unethical, immoral, or inappropriate.
- theft, including identity theft;
- use, possession of, distribution of, or active contact with, or collection of money for illicit drugs, alcohol, or inhalants in school, on school board property or in the context of any school-related activity;
- hazing and initiation activities
- the formation of gangs or other inappropriate groups
- use, possession of, sale, distribution of or active contact with a weapon on a student’s person, in a student’s locker or desk, on school board property, or in a vehicle on school board property used by a student or occupied by a student as a passenger; and
- criminal activity
- Electronic cigarettes, vaping devices and assorted paraphernalia
One of the most challenging aspects of working with adolescent learners and young people as they transition to adulthood is providing direction and support in their decision making. Currently, the culture of young people is highly supportive of the widespread use of electronic cigarettes, vapes and the associated paraphernalia (things such as vape juice, nicotine strips, coils, batteries, the delivery systems, et al). These items are considered to be smoking materials by the Calgary Board of Education and City of Calgary. Our attempts as a school and as adults providing support for our students and your children to be educated about restrictions on these items – especially for minors yet as well as for students who are legal adults – have not been particularly successful. We are seeking your support as parents as well as that of students in addressing this issue. As such, we are providing the following clear direction for all students and adults, regardless of age:
The use, sharing and/or display of electronic cigarettes, associated materials and liquids is NOT permitted on school property – which encompasses the parking lot, walkways and areas outside of the school doors. Students who use or display vapes, vape juice, filters, coils et al are subject to disciplinary actions, which include yet not limited to confiscation of said materials to the School Resource Officer or District Police for disposal, in school or out of school suspension and further actions as determined by the situation and frequency of such interactions with individuals. Students who do possess such materials and display them within the school or on school property – regardless of intention, ownership of the materials or specific action – are subject to the aforementioned disciplinary actions.
For further information, please see the following regrading smoke free environments (an Administrative Regulation that applies to all staff and students) , city bylaws and health effects of the use of nicotine, vaping and young adults:
AR #4024 Smoke Free Environment
City of Calgary Smoking Bylaws
Electronic Cigarettes MyHealth.Alberta.ca
We thank you for your support of this endeavour and of your child(ren)’s learning as well as our school community. Should you have questions or seek clarification, please contact one of the following at your convenience.
Failure to meet the expectations for behaviour and conduct shall result in the following consequences:
- problem solving, monitoring or reviewing behaviour expectation with student and parent/guardian;
- behaviour contract with student;
- restitution for property damage to an individual or board;
- temporary removal of privileges;
- temporary exclusion of student from class;
- detention of student;
- referral to attendance board;
- in-school suspension;
- out-of-school suspension;
- expulsion from a school and/or involvement of police.
