Code of Behaviour 

CODE OF BEHAVIOUR 

GUIDING PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES 

• Dr. T. L Sullivan School is dedicated to promoting a positive learning environment through responsible interaction among/between staff, students, and parents where teachers are committed to teaching and students are committed to learning. 

•  The school's climate is characterized by openness, cooperation, approachability and fairness. 

•  Misbehaviour will carry logical and responsible consequences. 

•  A safe and supportive learning environment will be provided for all students and staff. 

• The ultimate aim of the code is to develop responsibility for one's actions and to promote a positive personal development in each student. 

• A change in behaviour can only be facilitated through a cooperative approach among staff, students, and home. 

APPROPRIATE BEHAVIORS WHICH ARE ENCOURAGED 

• Those which increase the potential for students to achieve in school (attendance, preparedness, use of effective learning skills, positive work habits, etc.) 

• Those which promote good will, cooperation, and harmony among all members of the school community (tolerance, acceptance, respect, fairness, etc.) 

• Those which promote student responsibility and civic involvement (participation in civic and social events and co-curricular activities) 

• Appropriate behavior should be recognized in various ways at differing levels-classroom, school and home. 

APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOURS/CONSEQUENCES WITHIN THE CLASSROOM 

Certain types of misbehaviour which occurs in the classroom will be handled by the classroom teacher.  However, if these behaviors persist, administration will readily intervene. 

Such misconduct could include, but are not exclusive to: 

•   Minor disturbances in and out of classroom 

•   Off-task behaviours in the classroom 

•   Homework infractions 

•   Tardiness 

•   Disrespect for another's property, including theft 

•   Minor instances of refusal to comply with reasonable request(s) 

Misconduct handled by teacher may include the following: 

•   Late arrival for class 

•   Failure to bring required books, materials and assignments to class 

•   Minor defacement of school property 

•   Minor disruptions (unnecessary talking, joking, etc) 

•   Sarcastic, angry or inappropriate language 

•   Lack of responsiveness, apathy 

•   Occasional class truancy 

•   Obscenity in oral, written or pictorial forms 

•   Consequences for such conduct will include such things as: 

•   Informal interview with the student 

•   Parental contact 

•   Involvement of guidance personnel 

•   Peer counseling 

•   Peer mediation 

•   Detention of student 

It is to be understood that when such inappropriate misbehaviours occur, they will be addressed immediately. Consistency and fairness will be two of the leading principles when dealing with such misbehaviors. When referring a student to administration for further action, appropriate documentation would accompany the student. 

INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOURS   

Disruptive behaviour means behaviour that is infrequent or serious enough to significantly interrupt the learning climate of the school, endanger the well-being of others or damage school property. 

Inappropriate behaviour includes, but may not be exclusive to, the following: 

•   Chronic minor offences 

•   Disrespect or insubordination 

•   Failure to obey instructions 

•   Forging notes or excuses 

•   Non-attendance or poor attendance in school or specific classes 

•   Loitering in school areas when asked not to 

•   Petty stealing 

•   Fighting (shoving, pushing, or scuffling) 

•   Others acts of misconduct that are disruptive or which may create a potential safety hazard 

•   Necking/petting 

•   Gambling 

•   Smoking 

•   Hands On 

CONSEQUENCES 

The disruptive behaviours noted above must not be ignored. Appropriate action will be taken, designed to stop the behaviour in order to create an avenue for a positive behavioural change. 

The consequences could include one, or a combination, of the following actions: 

•   Informal interview/conference with the student 

•   Formal interview with the student 

•   Involvement of guidance personnel 

•   Peer mediation 

•   Detention of student either at noon or after school 

•   Withdrawal of student from the classroom setting and assignment to an in-school suspension room 

•   Requiring student to make restitution where appropriate 

•   Implementation of a behavioral or performance contract 

•   Referral to outside agencies 

•   Out of school suspension 

•   Review of classroom discipline rules 

•   Review of building wide discipline rules 

SEVERLY DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR 

Behavior that is frequent or serious enough to significantly disrupt the school learning climate, endangers the well being of others or damages school property is classified as severely disruptive. These types of behaviors impact negatively on the school community. Severely disruptive behaviors, therefore, are not tolerated and must be dealt with as soon as they occur. The following chart indicates the Department of Education, the CB-VRCE, and our School Policy on these types of behaviors and their consequences. 

Category 

Inappropriate Behavior 

Consequences 

Compulsory 

Optional 

Disruptions of the Operation of the School 

Committing acts or inciting others to commit acts that are seriously disruptive, or create a safety hazard to students, staff, or school property; such as, but not limited to, making bomb threats, setting fires, pulling fire alarms. 

Immediate school suspension in accordance with the procedures set out in the Education Act.

Scheduled conference with parent/guardian and student 

Police action where a criminal act has occurred

Payment of costs to rectify disruption

School based community service 

Illegal Activity 

Committing any act or inciting others to commit any act involving a serious civil wrong or such crimes as, but not limited to, possessing or selling stolen property, possessing or selling a controlled substance, stealing expensive items 

Immediate school suspension in accordance with the procedures set out in the Education Act

Scheduled conference with parent/guardian and student

Police action where a criminal act has occurred 

Physical Violence 

Using force to injure a member of the school community while on school property or attending a school related activity 

Immediate school suspension in accordance with the procedures set out in the Education Act

Scheduled conference with parent/guardian and student 

Police action where a criminal act has occurred 

Racial Misconduct 

Using racial slurs, displaying racist behaviors, engaging in racial/ethnic name calling or inciting others to use racial slurs, display racist behavior or engage in racial/ethnic name calling 

Immediate school suspension in accordance with the procedures set out in the Education Act

Scheduled conference with parent/guardian and student

Counseling 

Police action if there is a chance of riot or serious disturbance 

Sexual Assault 

Touching a sexual part of the body, either directly or indirectly, without consent. For it to be sexual assault, direct or indirect physical touching must occur 

Police action where a criminal act has occurred 

Sexual Misconduct or Abuse or Physical Abuse 

Committing or inciting others to commit physical or sexual abuse, harassment 

Immediate school suspension in accordance with the procedures set out in the Education Act

Reporting according to the Children and Family Services Act

Scheduled conference with parent/guardian and student

Counseling 

Depending on the situation: 

● Police action where a criminal act has occurred 

● Reporting according to the Children and Family Services Act 

Sexual Harassment 

This is a sexual touch or comment that is unwanted by the receiver 

Immediate school suspension in accordance with the procedures set out in the Education Act 

Scheduled conference with parent/guardian and student

Counseling 

Vandalism 

Committing or inciting others to commit malicious damage to the personal property of a member of the school community 

Immediate school suspension in accordance with the procedures set out in the Education Act 

Scheduled conference with parent/guardian and student

Payment of costs to repair damages 

School based community services 

Police action where a criminal act has occurred 

Withdrawal from extra-curricular activities 

Placement of school probation 

Meetings with school counselor 

Verbal Abuse 

Using or inciting others to use language intentionally to threaten or intimidate students and teachers 

Immediate school suspension in accordance with the procedures set out in the Education Act

Scheduled conference with parent/guardian and student 

Police action where a criminal act has occurred 

Withdrawal from extra-curricular activities 

Placement of school probation 

Meetings with school counselor 

Weapons 

Using any weapon or possessing or inciting others to possess while on school property or while attending a school related activity, any prohibited or restricted weapon as defined by the Criminal Code of Canada. 

Any object which could be used to inflict harm or be used for illegal activities or intimidation 

Immediate school suspension in accordance with the procedures set out in the Education Act

Scheduled conference with parent/guardian and student 

Police action where a criminal act has occurred 

Withdrawal from extra-curricular activities 

Placement of school probation 

Meetings with school counselor