The NCCSA believes that to foster a positive school climate that supports student achievement and well-being, a focus should be on prevention and early intervention strategies to address inappropriate behaviour.
These standards of behaviour apply whether on school property, on school busses, or other transportation means supplied by NCCSA, at school-related events or activities or in any other circumstance that could have an impact on the school climate.
The provincial Code of Conduct outlined in PPM 128, revised June 27th, 2024, sets clear provincial standards of behaviour.
The NCCSA Code of Conduct has been developed to align with the Provincial Code of Conduct.
To ensure that all members of the school community, especially people in positions of authority, are treated with respect and dignity
To promote responsible citizenship by encouraging appropriate participation in the civic life of the school community
To maintain an environment where conflict and difference can be addressed in a manner characterized by respect and civility
To encourage the use of non-violent means to resolve conflict
To promote the safety of people in the schools
To discourage the use of alcohol, illegal drugs and, except by a medical cannabis user, cannabis
To prevent bullying in schools
Respect, Civility, and Responsible Citizenship
All members of the school community must:
Respect and comply with all applicable federal, provincial, and municipal laws; and all Ministry of Education, School Board Policies
Demonstrate honesty and integrity
Respect differences in people, their ideas, and their opinions
Treat one another with dignity and respect at all times, and especially when there is disagreement
Respect and treat others fairly, regardless of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, or disability
Respect the rights of others
Show proper care and regard for school property and the property of others
Take appropriate measures to help those in need
Seek assistance from a member of the school staff, if necessary, to resolve conflict peacefully
Respect all members of the school community, especially persons in positions of authority
Respect the need of others to work in an environment that is conducive to learning and teaching
Refrain from using abusive language or swearing at another person
Not use personal mobile devices during instructional time except under the following circumstances:
for educational purposes, as directed by an educator
for health and medical purposes
to support special education needs, as documented in the student’s IEP
during breaks, lunch, and spares, if the student is in Grade 7 to 12
Safety
All members of the school community must not:
Engage in bullying behaviors
Commit sexual assault
Traffic in weapons or illegal drugs
Give alcohol or cannabis to a minor
Commit robbery
Be in possession of any weapon, including firearms
Use any object to threaten, intimidate, or cause injury to another person
Be in possession of, or be under the influence of alcohol, cannabis (unless the individual has been authorized to use cannabis for medical purposes), illegal drugs or related products
For students, this would also include being in possession of electronic cigarettes, tobacco and nicotine products
Provide others with alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, electronic cigarettes, or cannabis or related products
Inflict or encourage others to inflict bodily harm on another person
Engage in hate propaganda and other forms of behaviour motivated by hate or bias
Commit an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property or to property located on the premises of the school
Record, take or share non-consensual recordings or photos of members of the school community
According to PPM 128, the following responsibilities are outlined to support a collaborative ownership of the code of conduct.
School Principal
Under the direction of NCCSA, the school administrator takes a leadership role in the daily operation of a school. They provide this leadership by:
Demonstrating care for the school community and a commitment to student achievement and well-being in a safe, inclusive, and accepting learning environment
Holding everyone under their authority accountable for their own behaviour and actions. This may include engaging Public Health Units, such as Tobacco Enforcement Officers, to support education, prevention and enforcement when necessary
Empowering students to be positive leaders in their school and community
Communicating regularly and meaningfully with all members of their school community
Model the standards of respect, civility and responsible citizenship
Teachers and Other School Staff
Under the leadership of the principals, teachers and other school staff maintain a positive learning environment and are expected to hold everyone to the highest standard of respectful and responsible behaviour. As role models, teachers and other school staff uphold these high standards when they:
Help students work to their full potential and develop their sense of self-worth
Empower students to be positive leaders in their classroom, school, and community
Communicate regularly and meaningfully with parents
Maintain consistent and fair standards of behaviour for all students
Demonstrate respect for one another, all students, parents, volunteers, and other members of the school community
Prepare students for the full responsibilities of citizenship, in particular the skill of respectful communication, both in person and online
Model the standards of respect, civility, and responsible citizenship. This includes modeling appropriate use of personal mobile devices. Educators are not to use personal mobile devices during instructional time, unless explicitly for work-related purposes
Students
Students are to be treated with respect and dignity. In return, they must demonstrate respect for themselves, for others, and for the responsibilities of citizenship through acceptable behaviour. Respect and responsibility are demonstrated when students:
Come to school prepared, on time, and ready to learn
Show respect for themselves, and for others, and for those in positions of authority
Refrain from bringing anything to school that may compromise the safety of others
Follow the established rules and take responsibility for their own actions.
Parents/Guardians
Parents/Guardians play an important role in the education of their children and can support the efforts of school staff in maintaining a safe, inclusive, accepting, and respectful learning environment for all students. Parents/Guardians fulfil their role when they:
Are engaged in their child’s schoolwork and progress
Communicate regularly with the school
Help their child be appropriately dressed and prepared for school
Ensure that their child attends school regularly and on time
Promptly report to the school their child’s absence or late arrival
Become familiar with the provincial Code of Conduct and the NCCSA Code of Conduct
Encourage and assist their child in following the rules of behaviour
Collaborate and hold conversations at home about the school expectations surrounding cell phone use and/or vaping
Assist school staff in dealing with disciplinary issues involving their child
Community Partners
Through outreach, existing partnerships may be enhanced and new partnerships with community-based service providers and members of the community (e.g., Elders, Senators, Knowledge Keepers) may also be created. Community-based service providers and resources that boards can use to deliver prevention or intervention programs. Protocols are effective ways of establishing linkages between boards and community-based service providers and of formalizing the relationship between them. These partnerships must respect all applicable collective agreements.
Police
The police play an essential role in making our schools and communities safer. The police investigate incidents in accordance with the protocol developed with the NCCSA. These protocols are based on the Provincial Model for a Local Police/School Board Protocol, 2015, developed by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services and the Ministry of Education.