Code of Conduct 2022-2023

Purpose

Sayward School’s Code of Conduct is established to ensure that purposeful learning takes place in a safe, caring, and positive environment. It is also intended to clarify and publish expectations for student behavior while at school or attending any function sponsored by the school. Students are also accountable for action outside of school (for example, travelling to and from school, cyber-bullying, and inappropriate communications online).

Our Code of Conduct links directly to our Core Values and Beliefs. The beliefs are understood and shared by the students, parents, and staff of our school community. They are reflected in our mission statement.

The Sayward School community promotes in its students a desire to learn in a safe, caring, and positive environment.

We strive to build a learning community that is an excellent place to learn each day. We talk with students about the values of the following behaviors: kindness, love, respect, and generosity.

We believe that learning these behaviors is an ongoing, active, and inclusive process and that as we focus on these positive actions, it becomes our reality.

Guidelines for Implementing Sayward School’s Code of Conduct

Conduct Expectations:

Acceptable Conduct:

How students are expected to conduct themselves at school, while going to and from school, and while attending any school function at any location. (Not all expected behaviors can be listed).

Respecting self, others, and the school
Helping to make the school a safe, caring, and orderly place
Complying with staff directions in a reasonable manner
Informing a ‘comfortable’ adult of incidents of bullying, harassment, or intimidation
Engaging in purposeful learning activities in a timely manner
Acting in a manner that brings credit to our School District 72

Unacceptable Conduct:

These are examples of unacceptable behaviors. Please note that this is not an all-inclusive list.

Behaviors that:

Interfere with the learning of others
Interfere with the orderly environment
Are recklessly dangerous or uncontrolled, creating unsafe conditions. Examples include:

throwing objects, kicking objects, bolting or defiance.

Contravene the Human Rights Code. Examples of discrimination include, but are not limited to; race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Any activity which violates a local, provincial, or federal law is prohibited.

Acts of:

Bullying, harassment or intimidation
Aggression towards another person (ex; spitting, hitting, kicking, throwing objects)
Retribution (getting back at) against a person who has reported incidents
Inappropriate use of the school computers or Wi-Fi

Illegal Acts, such as:

Possession, use or distribution of illegal or restricted substances
Possession or use of weapons
Theft of, or damage to property

Rising Expectations:

At Sayward Elementary, we believe that as our students become older, more mature, and move through successive grades, we expect:

Increased personal responsibility and self-regulation
Escalating consequences for inappropriate behavior
These expectations are based to varying degrees on individual student needs and abilities. These modifications are often preplanned and consistent

Consequences:

The severity and frequency of unacceptable conduct are carefully considered, consistent and fair
Disciplinary action, wherever possible, is preventable and restorative, rather than merely punitive
Inappropriate behavior may result in suspension from school when circumstances warrant
Students, as often as possible, are encouraged to participate in the development of meaningful consequences for violations of the established Code of Conduct

Notification:

At Sayward Elementary, we strive to ensure that we have open and positive communication with our students and parents/guardians. Our school personnel will advise other parties of serious breaches of the Code of Conduct. For example:

Parents of student offender(s) and student victim(s)
School district officials: as required by school district policy
Police and/or other agencies as required by law
All parents when deemed to be important to reassure members of the school community that school officials are aware of a serious situation or incident and are taking appropriate action to address it

This Code of Conduct for Sayward Elementary has been revised for the school year 2022-2023

Rob Hatfield, Principal