Consequences for Inappropriate Behaviour
Consequences for inappropriate actions may vary depending on the infraction and may include parental contact, counselling, peer mediation, police involvement, conferencing, temporary withdrawal, suspension and expulsion.
Progressive Discipline
Progressive Discipline Chart is a process of supporting positive behaviours and responding to resolving a wide range of infractions and conflicts with appropriate interventions and consequences. It helps to facilitate the renewal of relationships. When challenging behaviours occur, interventions are initiated to re-direct the student's behaviours and encourage him/her to make amends. Consequences to help the student appreciate the seriousness of his/her actions are part of this educative process, also with ongoing supports to ensure that negative behaviours are replaced with positive ones. At times, suspension or expulsion may be necessary as a just consequence and to protect the safety of others.
Community Service
Community service is assigned to students as a consequence for inappropriate actions. Students may be assigned community service during the day, or before or after school. During the assigned community service periods, students are assigned work in or around the school that would be of benefit to the school community as a whole.
Suspensions
Suspensions under Board Policy and Regulations and the authority of the Education and Safe Schools Act will carry with them the following understanding:
· the student will be provided with work to carry on during time missed while under suspension;
· the student will be fully responsible for material presented while he/she was under suspension;
· the period of suspension may include examination days and the school will not be responsible if the timing of the suspension jeopardizes the awarding of a credit;
· any student under the age of 18 years, becomes the direct responsibility of his / her parents / guardians during the period of suspension;
· students under suspension will not be permitted on school property and will not attend any school sponsored events;
· a copy of the suspension letter is filed in the Ontario Student Record (OSR).
Expulsion
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Expulsion is the removal of a student from all schools within Dufferin-Peel and/or all schools in the province of Ontario. Expulsion is a serious matter and an infrequent occurrence. A student may be expelled on the grounds that his/her conduct is so refractory that his/her presence is injurious to other students. Procedures for the expulsion of a student are initiated on the recommendation of the Principal. Where an expulsion is considered, the Principal will suspend the student for twenty (20) days.
Temporary Withdrawal
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Under some circumstances, it may be appropriate for the administrative staff and the parent/guardian (or adult student) to agree to a time out of the school for the student. Such a temporary withdrawal will point out the seriousness of the situation while providing a cooling off time and avoid a suspension. During this time further professional support may be sought. The temporary withdrawal may be for a period of up to four days on the condition that the parent / guardian (or adult student) agrees to such an action and wishes to become directly involved in resolving the problem. Failure to agree may result in a suspension for the student.
Trespassing
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Situations arise in which the mental and physical well being of students or staff is put in jeopardy by trespassers or visitors. In such situations, the Principal or any member of the staff will be supported by the Board in pursuing the courses of action available under the Trespass to Property Act.
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Problems arise when persons who are not pupils of the particular school enter school grounds without permission of the Principal. Students of one school must follow the guidelines for visitors when entering any other school and report to the office as requested on the posted signs.
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Students are to refrain from visiting other schools without prior permission being granted by the host school. Students trespassing at other schools may receive a suspension from their home school.
VIOLENT INCIDENT FORM
PEER MEDIATION
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The Peer Mediation Program offers students an opportunity to deal with conflict in a manner that promotes and supports the Code of Conduct. Conflict is a natural part of day to day life; however, it can escalate to a point where disputants behave in ways contrary to the Code of Conduct.
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Conflicts generally occur because of misunderstandings, rumours, broken promises etc. If any student is having a conflict, he / she may refer himself / herself to Peer Mediation. Teachers, administrators and other support personnel may also refer a student for peer mediation.
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Trained students meet with disputants to assist them in working out a reasonable solution that is agreeable to both disputants.
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All conversation that occurs between disputants and mediators while in mediation is confidential.
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Vice Principals will be aware that the students were referred to mediation, will be aware of the general conflict and the agreement but will not be part of the resolution dispute conversations.
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Some conflicts e.g. those involving harassment, intimidation, threats or violence will be directed immediately to administrators in the main office and not to the peer mediators.