Behavior Expectations

General Expectations

We are here to learn. We keep ourselves safe. We keep each other safe. We keep the school safe.

As written in the section on the rights and responsibilities of students, DGS students are expected to be safe, respectful, honest and kind in their words and actions at school:

Be Safe

DGS students are expected to...

• walk and not run in the building;

• assist in keeping all areas of the school, including lockers, sanitary and clean;

• refrain from roughhousing;

• practice healthy habits and refrain from substance (drug/alcohol) use;

• follow directions and remain calm during emergencies and emergency drills; and

• remain on campus during school hours and the hours of organized school activities.

Be Respectful

DGS students are expected to...

• understand the school’s Mission and and seek to support it through words and actions;

• know and abide by the expectations, procedures, and rules in classrooms, of programs, and those contained in this handbook;

• conduct themselves with integrity and dignity;

• use appropriate and positive language and behavior;

• treat all students, staff, faculty, parents and visitors with respect and friendliness;

• follow the directions of faculty, staff and designated leaders or co-curricular teachers

• arrive on time to school, to classes, and organized activities; and

• protect and cherish their property, the property of the school and others.

Be Honest

DGS students are expected to...

• share concerns and questions appropriately and with respect;

• respond to questions and concerns openly and fully;

• turn in lost items to the office;

• respect the property of others; and

• follow practices of academic honesty, avoiding plagiarism and cheating.

Be Kind

DGS students are expected to...

• be courteous and helpful to others;

• listen to and share ideas with others;

• assist and welcome newcomers to the school; and

• use positive and supportive comments.

Highlighted examples

We emphasize the following expectations and consequences as examples of our culture of

being responsible.

Appropriate language

Students should use appropriate language when at school and on the bus.

Arriving to class

Students should be aware of the time when on break or during activity time and should always arrive to class on time and prepared to learn.

Behavior off-campus and online

Our support, guidance, and concern for students developing into responsible citizens do not stop at the school gates. Students engaged in unlawful activity, acts of intimidation or physical violence, or cyberbullying and harassment, especially when other DGS students

are involved, may be held responsible under school behavior guidelines.

Dress Code

Please see the dress code section of this handbook.

Leaving Campus

Students are not allowed to leave campus early without permission from their parents and without first reporting to the main office.

Mobile phones, devices, accessories and gaming

Please see the responsible use of technology section in this handbook.

Ordering/Delivering Food

Students are not allowed to order food for delivery at school. In certain circumstances, students may arrange to have food delivered by their parents.

Use of the Dewey Building

DGS shares a building with Dewey and as such there are issues of safety and respect. Please be respectful of the fact that there are other people learning in the building: students should not speak loudly in the stairways, should not wander the halls of Dewey and should not disrupt Dewey classes. Students should also take care of their safety and be with a buddy or supervised by a staff member when in another part of the Dewey building (going to the nurse, for example). All Dewey rules should be followed when in outside spaces, the canteeen and library.

Dewey Cafe The cafe is not open to students except after 3:40 when grade 9 students are allowed to buy non-caffeinated drinks.

Using classrooms and meeting rooms

Students are not allowed to be in classrooms without a teacher presence. In addition, students should not be unsupervised in a closed room such as the cafeteria or DeltaLabX. Students are allowed to use the community room and DeltaLab at any time during the school day.

Bullying and Harassment

DGS believes that every child has the right to learn without fear in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect. Every student is expected to be responsible for his/her behavior, to exercise self-discipline and to refrain from behavior that interferes with other students’ right to learn or endangers the health or well-being of others. DGS will not tolerate harassment or bullying.

Harassment is improper behavior that is directed at and is offensive to another student or a member of the staff and that the student knows (or ought to know) would be unwelcome. It includes objectionable conduct, comment, or display that demeans, belittles, or causes humiliation or embarrassment. It includes harassment based on the grounds of discrimination - race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, physical appearance, or disability.

Bullying is a form of harassment. It is improper behavior by one or more students that is directed at another student and is offensive and interferes with their well-being. It includes teasing, name-calling, unwanted physical contact or violence, often on a repeated basis, which demeans, belittles, humiliates, or frightens the other student. It can take place in and out of the classroom and even outside of school.

Neither the school’s network nor the Internet (whether accessed on or off campus, during or after school hours) may be used for the purpose of harassment. All forms of harassment in cyberspace, or cyber bullying, are unacceptable. Cyber bullying includes, but is not limited to, the following misuses of technology: harassing, teasing, intimidating, threatening or terrorizing another person by sending or posting inappropriate and hurtful email messages, instant messages, text messages, digital pictures or images or website posting (including blogs).

Process for Not Meeting Expectations

Our mission and core values emphasize curiosity, courage, and kindness and integrity. While each of us will strive to meet these expectations, sometimes community members make decisions that may be in conflict with the community’s expectations and values. It is the intent of the school to educate students, so they make thoughtful decisions and consider the consequences of their actions to themselves and the community.

When behaviors are in conflict with our values, we will work with students to give

them an opportunity to take responsibility for their actions and to correct their behaviors.

We will follow a fair and open process to resolve conflicts with school expectations.

• Not meeting expectations will involve conversations with Teachers and/or Advisor.

• Repeated or serious behavior issues will involve conversations with the Delta Coordinator and/or Counselor, and a development of an action plan.

• Students who are unable or unwilling to follow the action plan will need to conference with the principal and/or parents.

• Actions that are a danger to others in the building and put others at risk may result in removal from the school until the student is able to demonstrate their willingness and ability to keep others safe.