Behavioral Expectations and Behavior for Learning - Secondary School

ISB nurtures and educates students to make thoughtful decisions and comprehend possible consequences for actions. Continual or deliberate patterns of inappropriate behavior or actions that endanger an individual or the greater student population will face serious consequences.

Instilling a sense of common values and respect for the dignity of others is one of the most effective ways to influence student attitudes. Behaving responsibly is more valued than behaving obediently; therefore, ISB strives to develop the intrinsic motivation in students to become self-disciplined and to take personal responsibility for their actions in lieu of extrinsic rewards and punishments. All members of a community benefit when expectations are understood and guidance is available for students needing support.

To this end, ISB expects all members to act in accordance with the school’s four core values: empathy; integrity; respect and responsibility. Incidents that are considered worthy of note but initially of low concern will elicit a reminder from staff to students to act more thoughtfully and appropriately. Examples of incidents in this category include dress code violations, running or shouting in the hall and standing in a moving bus. In most of these cases, the learning or reinforcement of good behavior takes place on the spot and students are asked to make verbal plans to avoid repeating the behavior.

Middle levels of concern include excessive tardiness and rude behavior (not directed at staff). These are referred to the counselor. Homeroom teachers will also be involved in supporting the student to develop appropriate strategies. Repeated concerns of this nature indicate that the student is unwilling to abide by the school’s support systems and expectations and thus will lead to disciplinary intervention.

Concerns which undermine the values of the school, such as acts of physical violence (irrespective of the instigator), stealing, being in possession of a weapon, drug or alcohol, digital technology hacking, vandalism, threatening or abusive behavior towards staff will result in automatic suspension. It should be emphasized that such incidents are very rare at ISB.

Secondary School Approach to Bullying

Definition of Bullying

Bullying is defined as “repetitive, willful, persistent, intentionally harmful behavior carried out by an individual or a group. Usually there is an imbalance of power, leaving the victim feeling defenseless.” (Gutman et al. (2013) The Impact of Non-cognitive Skills on Outcomes for Young Persons, found in Social and emotional learning- Teacher Support Material, IBO).

Bullying can take many forms:

• Physical (pushing, shoving, kicking, hitting)

• Verbal (name calling, teasing, laughing at, threatening)

• Indirect means (spreading rumors, excluding someone from a group)

• Electronic (Identity theft, posting insults on social media, spreading gossip on social media, posting unapproved photos on social media

• Property (taking or vandalizing property belonging to another person).

Bullying is:

• Systematic and on-going (not on-off meanness)

• Done by the more powerful over the less powerful rather than between equals

• Distressing and hurtful to the victim (not a joke or a prank to be good-natured fun)

• One way rather than an exchange.

Anti-Bullying Code

• ISB Secondary School students, parents, teachers and staff agree to join together to rid our campus of bullying.

• All students should feel happy and safe and be wholly accepted at the Secondary School campus.

• Bullying is not accepted at the Secondary School campus. It is not an acceptable part of growing up.

• Students should support each other by reporting all instances of bullying to a trusted adult at the school or report it to their parents who can contact the school.

• Reports of bullying will be taken seriously and investigated by the school and appropriate action taken.

The following disciplinary actions can be taken for those students who persist in bullying despite interventions taken:

• Detention

• Exclusion from activities

• Suspension (in-school and out-of-school)

• Expulsion

• Filing of harassment charges with the police.

All ISB guidelines apply to excursions and field trips.

Suspension periods are at the discretion of the Principal and are used to allow the appropriate time to reflect upon the transgression. Students on suspension are required to complete all work to avoid falling behind in their academic studies. Suspensions are applied with immediate effect with students not permitted to represent the school in any event, nor participate in after school activities.

Expulsion

Sometimes a recommendation for expulsion may become necessary in the case of a student who does not respond to the school’s support/ disciplinary measures, or who has committed a severe infraction of the school’s code of conduct. In these cases, the Principal and the Director will present the case to the Board of Directors. A student who has been expelled from ISB may never reapply for admission to the school.

Off-campus expectations

ISB’s support, guidance, and concern for the learning of students do not stop at the school gates. Students engaged in unlawful activity, or acts of intimidation or physical violence, especially when directed at other ISB students, will be held responsible under school disciplinary guidelines.

Academic probation and the Learning Contract

ISB is committed to facilitating the success of all students. In the rare event that a student is unable to make adequate progress in our program despite provisions of support, a student may be placed on a learning contract. The probation entails a plan of action indicating additional support for expectations concerning attitude and performance. If insufficient progress or unacceptable attitude is displayed during the probation period, the family may be asked to withdraw the student.

Student Records and Right to Privacy

Student records that include grade reports, test scores, teacher comments, counselor notes, and other related information shall be kept confidential and used only when deemed necessary to help the student with placement, references and relocation. Access to records is strictly controlled.