Code of Behaviour

      The Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board and St. Sofia Catholic School

are committed to a Student Code of Behaviour and Discipline which clearly reflects the need to provide a safe, effective learning environment for all students and staff ( Policy # 653.1)

      The purpose of this document is to outline standards of behaviour for our students. We encourage our students to behave in a manner that is helpful, courteous, respectful and caring. As such, we want to make it clear that negative, disruptive and aggressive behaviour is not tolerated. On behalf of the staff at St. Sofia Catholic School, you are invited to acquaint yourself with this Code of Student Behaviour. Recognizing that partnership between home and school is essential for successful implementation, you are encouraged to discuss this document with your child(ren).

       Should you develop concerns, at any time, please contact your child’s teacher, vice principal or principal. Situations are often best resolved to everyone’s satisfaction if acted upon promptly.

Discipline

Students are expected to comply with the rules of the school and the expectations of their teachers. These rules and expectations are based on respect for self and others. All students are expected to contribute to a positive Catholic school environment.

Rights of All St. Sofia Community Members:

Everyone at St. Sofia Catholic School has the right to:

•           be treated with respect and consideration

•           be free from all forms of prejudice

•           be free from physical and verbal aggression and harassment

•           have a safe learning environment

•           expect co-operation and support

•           be heard

Respect of Property

The school building contents (desk, texts, library books, gym equipment, etc.) and grounds deserve the same respect as one’s personal property. Students should not bring valuables or other forms of private property to school. If a student vandalizes school property or loses school materials, they will be subject to making restitution for the cost of repair or replacements.

Respect for Peers

Students are expected to show respect for the rights of others at all times. Physical and/or verbal harassment will not be tolerated. Each student has the right to an education free of fear and discrimination. Students who are being harassed/bullied are encouraged to seek assistance from a teacher, the Vice Principal or the Principal.

Responsibities and Expectations:

Good Citizens at St. Sofia Catholic School:

•      come to school everyday on time and prepared to work

•      have all the materials required for class and complete all school assignments

•      work in the classroom so as not to disturb others

•      dress appropriately, showing common sense, moderation and respect for personal grooming and cleanliness (refer to dress code)

•      are polite to all teachers, staff and other students

•      use appropriate language

•      follow the directions of any staff member or supervisor

•      obey the rules at school (in class, at lunch and in the yard), on the school bus and on school excursions

•      model appropriate behavior at all times whether on or off school property

•      show respect for and pride in school property and the property of others

•      co-operate with other students and play safely with others

•      support the school Code of Student Behaviour and Discipline

•      Do not use drugs, alcohol or tobacco

•      Do not bring any dangerous objects to school

General Rules:

·        skateboards, scooters and rollerblades are not permitted on school property

·        students are prohibited from bringing cell phones, pagers, radios, walkmans, discman, gameboys and other personal electronic equipment to school

·        other items of value must not be brought to school

·        food is to be eaten only in designated areas and waste disposed of properly

·        students are required to follow all playground, bus (if applicable) and classroom rules and procedures

·        students out of class with permission shall not linger in the halls

·        chewing gum is not permitted in school

Rules For Play Areas

To ensure that students are provided with a safe and enjoyable environment for play and socialization, the following expectations and strategies will be enforced:

Acceptable Behaviors:

·        playing in designated areas of the school yard

·        going directly outside to designated areas for recess

·        using appropriate language

·        stopping play immediately when the bell rings and lining up

·        sharing and using appropriate equipment (see below)

·        establishing fair, safe and acceptable rules for playing sports/games

·        disposing properly of all garbage and where possible, disposing of it prior to leaving the building

·        reporting to a teacher and not retrieving without permission any equipment that is lost out of school bounds

·        reporting any accidents or problems to the teacher supervising their area, or if the bell has rung, reporting problems to their classroom teacher

·        students enter the school building during recess, only after receiving a pass from a teacher/supervisor, barring emergency situations

·        upon receiving a pass to enter the school during recess, students shall only use assigned washrooms and water fountains, or report to the office

Unacceptable Behavior:

·        using inappropriate language

·        play fighting, rough play or wrestling

·        rough play/games (ie. murderball, any tackle games, red rover and games of this sort)

·        throwing snowballs / snow / rocks and items that can cause injury to others

·        sliding down on patches of ice, or on hills

Acceptable Recreational Equipment on School Grounds:

·        tennis balls (not to be thrown near windows, doorways or near other students)

·        utility nerf balls and mush balls

·        soccer balls in soccer fields

·        basketballs in designated basketball areas

·        skipping ropes

·        pavement games

Unacceptable Equipment on School Grounds:

·        hardballs such as baseballs or footballs

·        sports equipment such as hockey sticks

·        roller blades, skateboards, scooters, bicycles

·        radios, walkmans, discman,  MP3 players, gameboys, cell phones, pagers, and other   personal electronic equipment

Lunchroom Rules

It is expected that during lunch, a positive attitude is demonstrated by all.  Consideration and thoughtfulness, combined with a Christian atmosphere, should be evident.  The following are the lunchroom expectations:

Students must:

·        Eat in the appropriate and designated areas of the classroom or school.

·        Eat in a quiet orderly manner and remain seated during the entire lunch period.

·        Consume foods, snacks and beverages during  designated times.

·        Demonstrate good table manners, courtesy, respect and consideration for others.

·        Clean up spilled foods and eating accidents which are the responsibility of the student(s) involved.  (For safety reasons, students are not allowed to pick up any broken glass bottles or objects with sharp edges.  Students must inform the lunch supervisor of the accident). Students are strongly encouraged not to bring glass bottles to school.

·        Dispose of any litter in the garbage at the end of the lunch period.

·        Line up in single file and await dismissal by lunch supervisor or teacher on duty.

·        Leave the school building promptly by walking to  the assigned exit and remain on school grounds.

·        Do not re-enter the school during lunch recess unless you have a pass.

·        Remain on school property during the school day, including lunch unless signed out by a parent/guardian

Inclement Weather Rules

When the weather is inclement as determined by administration or through the Teacher-In-Charge, students will be expected to:

•      remain in their own classroom

•      remain appropriately seated at all times

•      work quietly on class assignments or enjoy quiet co-operative computer time, board games, cards, or pencil/paper games

•      ask permission from the teacher/supervisor on duty to use washrooms and use the classroom sign out system

•      use only designated washrooms and water fountains and not linger in the halls

Computers and the Internet

Computer and Internet guidelines have been developed by the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board. Parents and students will receive information on these guidelines and will be required to sign a form indicating they have read them and will adhere to them.

Students who violate the agreement will lose their computer privileges.

Rules for computer use:

·        The student must not try to obtain system privileges to which they are not entitled.

·        The student must not introduce disks or programs that contain viruses.

·        The student must not exploit any gaps in security.

·        The student must not seek or send images, sounds, or messages, which may be obscene, offensive, harassing or inappropriate.

·        The student will not assist others in breaking rules.

Consequences

Although expectations are made clear to everyone, some students may choose not to meet these expectations.  Everyone is to understand that consequences will follow misbehavior.  These will be enforced fairly and compassionately, always with the best interest of the student and school community in mind. 

The following describe the basic interventions and consequences that may be initiated by teachers and/or administrators.  This list is not all inclusive nor does it imply that each consequence must be exercised before moving to subsequent consequences.

If a student breaks a rule some of these consequences may follow:

·        Informal interview with the student

·        Formal interview with the student

·        Parental involvement, phone call, correspondence, interview

·        Classroom and/or office detention of a student

·        Removal of the student from the classroom to an alternate setting

·        Referral to the school Special Services Team

·        Removal of privileges to attend school related functions or extra-curricular/co-curricular programs

·        Utilization of a behavioral, attendance, or performance contract

·        Requiring the student to make restitution

·        Involvement of, or referral to, outside agencies. (ie. Children’s Aid officer, Peel Regional Police)

·        Voluntary withdrawal

·        Suspension as set out in the Education Act and Board Policy, Regulation and Procedure

·        Expulsion as set out in the Education Act and Board Policy, Regulation and Procedure