CE-P1 - Code of Conduct for School Staff

General Division Administration

Prairie Spirit School Division expects all staff members to act in such a manner that will be a credit to the Division and reflects the Division’s belief statement.

 In Prairie Spirit School Division we believe; 

• Everyone has the right to learn in a safe and caring environment. 

• Every learner has the right to be educated to the best of their ability/potential. 

• Learning is a life-long process. 

• Education is more than academics. 

• Education is a global learning opportunity. 

• Learning is everyone's responsibility. 

It is expected that staff members will cooperate with each other in the performance of their duties. Each staff member is expected to bring to the attention of his/her supervisor any conflicts with other staff members before approaching the Board.

See also CF-P1 - Behavioural Procedure

This code of conduct is intended to provide a guideline and reference for staff members in determining acceptable behaviour in our education environment. The Division supports a secure climate, conducive to teaching and learning, free from threat, harassment, and any type of bullying behaviour. Divisional Codes of Conduct must align with the Manitoba Provincial Code of Conduct: Behaviour Intervention and Response, The Standards for Appropriate Education Programming, The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and The Human Rights Code of Manitoba.

See also Policy #6 – Trustee Code of Conduct

School Staff

Staff members have the right to expect that:

• Parents/guardians/students will treat them with respect;

• Students will attend classes regularly and on time, with assignments completed, and with appropriate materials;

• Students’ behaviour will promote a positive learning environment;

• School administrators will provide leadership and support;

• They will have the support and cooperation of students, parents, and colleagues in the performance of their duties;

• Students will observe all school rules of conduct.

Staff members will be responsible for:

• Planning, teaching, and supervising assigned courses;

• Establishing and maintaining an orderly and respectful learning environment;

• Evaluating student achievement and explaining assessment procedures to be used in each course;

• Communicating information about student progress, attendance, behaviour, and learning  to students, parents, and administration;

• Providing an environment that will promote self-esteem;

• Respecting students as individuals;

• Maintaining open communication;

• Ongoing professional development;

• Reporting and acting on bullying or cyberbullying behaviour, regardless of where and when it takes place;

• Adhere to the Manitoba Teachers Society Code of Professional Practice.

In addition to the above responsibilities, all teachers must meet the following competence standards:

Teacher Competencies (Manitoba Regulation M.R. 69/2025)

SCHOOL PRINCIPALS 

Responsibilities 

School principals have the following responsibilities: 

• Treat students with care and concern; 

• Review and consult with the Parent Advisory Council, the division's Codes of Conduct, annually; 

• Ensure that a school’s procedures and practices align with Divisional Codes of Conduct and follow ministerial directives;

• Supervise or ensure supervision of buildings and grounds during school hours;

• Check for safety, repairs, and cleanliness; 

• Remove, or cause to be removed, persons from the school premises who are present for a purpose not reasonably associated with the normal functioning of the school; 

• Provide appropriate programming to the needs of each student; 

• Ensure that the interventions, responses, and consequences implemented in performing duties to maintain a safe and caring environment are appropriate; 

• Notify the parent(s)/caregiver(s), as soon as reasonably possible, if the school 

administration believes that a student has been harmed or injured;

• Inform the student’s parent(s)/caregiver(s), as soon as reasonably possible, of any suspension and the reasons for the suspension; 

• Within 24 hours of a student being suspended, the division suspension form must be completed in the student information system and sent to the parent(s)/guardian and the Superintendent’s Department;

• Ensure that educational programming is available to a student for the duration of the suspension; 

• Work collaboratively with the Superintendent’s Department if a managed move is required. 

SUPERINTENDENT’S DEPARTMENT 

Responsibilities 

Superintendents have the following responsibilities: 

• Inform the student’s parent(s)/caregiver(s) of a suspension beyond five days and up to six weeks, and the reasons for the suspension; 

• Provide the school board with a written suspension summary report;

• Engage in consultation with the school administration about the appropriateness of a managed move and advise the school board if and when a student is moved;

• Ensure that alternative programming is made available for students of compulsory school age who are expelled;

• Establish written procedures as directed by Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning (MEECL). 

SCHOOL BOARD 

Responsibilities 

School boards have the following responsibilities: 

• Review procedures written by the Superintendent’s Department in response to MEECL directives; 

• Allow a student and their parent(s)/caregiver(s) to make representations to the school board about a suspension of more than five days or to appeal a suspension or expulsion.