Code Of Conduct

Our Student Code of Conduct exists to ensure that each student and staff member has access to a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environment that respects diversity and fosters a sense of belonging. The Code of Conduct ensures that our school promotes a culture of wellness that:

• Establishes and maintains a welcoming, caring, respectful, and safe learning environment for all students, staff, families and the greater community;
• Establishes and maintains an appropriate balance between individual and collective rights, freedoms, and responsibilities in the school community;
• Establishes expectations for student behavior while at school, at a school-related activity, or while engaging in an activity that may have an impact on others in the school;
• Ensures that healthy environments exist in all schools that are free from fear, discrimination and harassment while promoting inclusive strategies to ensure that every student is treated with respect and dignity.

As members of the Duffield School Community, we are expected to:

• Engage in productive work 
• Maintain a safe and clean environment
• Share space effectively

In keeping with a commitment to the Alberta Human Rights Act, in Parkland School Division everyone is accepted and experiences a sense of belonging. Every student, no matter their ability, disability, language, cultural background, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity, has meaningful contributions to make. The Division supports the endeavours of staff, students, parents and the community to promote positive student behaviour and conduct throughout our community of schools.

All stakeholders, and especially the students themselves, will be encouraged to recognize their responsibilities in developing a culture of wellness and student self-discipline to work towards personal success and well-being in our school community.

• 1. Students are expected to:
  • 1.1. Use their abilities and talents to gain maximum learning benefits from their school experiences;
  • 1.2. Contribute to a climate of mutual trust and respect conducive to effective learning, personal development, and social living;
  • 1.3. Cooperate fully with everyone authorized by the Board to provide education programs and other services;
  • 1.4. Comply with the rules of the school; and
  • 1.4.1. Respect and comply with the rules of any school that the student is visiting;
  • 1.5. Account to the student’s teachers for the student’s conduct;
  • 1.6. Attend school regularly and punctually;
  • 1.7. Choose appropriate behaviours, with full understanding of the consequences that invariably follow their choices;
  • 1.8. Treat other students and staff with dignity, respect and fairness;
  • 1.9. Contribute to a learning environment that is free from physical, emotional, and social injustices and harm;
  • 1.10. Demonstrate, with increasing consistency, the School Code of Conduct;
  • 1.11. Positively contribute to the student’s school and community and, to the greatest extent possible, to a learning environment that is structured, peaceful, safe, non-threatening, and conducive to learning and optimal growth;
  • 1.12. Refrain from, report and not tolerate bullying or bullying behaviour directed toward others in the school, whether or not it occurs within the school building, during the school day or by electronic means (social media)
•  2. Students are accountable for:
  • 2.1. Demonstrating respect for authority;
  • 2.2. Demonstrating respect for others and their property;
  • 2.3. Demonstrating respect for school property, equipment and textbooks;
  • 2.4. Demonstrating respect for the diversity of all people. 
•  3. Students are prohibited from engaging in unacceptable behaviour within the school or on any school or Board-related trips or activities.

Alberta Government Ministerial Order: Cell Phone Policy

The staff of Duffield School, in conjunction with the Government of Alberta and Parkland School Division, have determined that eliminating cell phone use during instructional time improves focus and learning. At Duffield, cell phones, watches with WiFi capability, personal computers, tablets and earbuds, are to remain in secure cell phone towers during instructional time, with no access to social media platforms using school networks and devices. The ministerial order allows for the use of these devices for medical reasons or to support special learning needs at the discretion of the principal.

Students will place phones in a designated storage area at the beginning of each morning and they will collect phones at the end of the school day. We appreciate the value of socializing during breaks and therefore will have cell phones stay in a secure area during these outdoor recess breaks as well. We recognize that connection is important for all students and therefore we will offer a brief “check in” with cell phones while students are enjoying their lunches. Students will be given 5 minutes to check their phones before returning them to the cell phone tower. Please note that families may call the school in the event they need to speak to their child and students will have access to the office phone if necessary. Our secretaries will be happy to pass on any messages you may have.

Students who choose not to leave phones away will be asked to deposit their phones in the office “Cell Phone Hotel” where they will be stored until the end of the school day. If necessary, and with repeated non-compliance, we will contact parents to reinforce the cell phone policy and support us with this ministerial order.

In addition, students will show respect by adhering to our dress code, maintaining attire that would be appropriate in most work settings, as well as at school. We know that in the workplace, an employee would not be able to wear clothing with: Profanity, Sexual images and messaging (symbols like the Playboy bunny), Liquor/drug messaging, Gang Affiliated logos and weapons/violence.

In preparation for the world of work, we do not allow clothing with any of the above messaging in our school. If a student wears an item of clothing that does not adhere to these guidelines, we will ask the student to change or alternatively, there are t-shirts available here at the school. We also allow hats in our school and hoods are acceptable as long as students are able to hear instruction from our teachers.

Reluctant Zeroes Policy: In line with our mission to support academic excellence and
student success, we are introducing the "Reluctant Zeroes" policy. We believe that providing students with a reasonable timeframe to submit late assignments encourages
accountability, fosters a growth mindset and time management skills, and ensures
academic rigor. Under this policy, students will be granted a five-day grace period to
submit late assignments. Assignments not submitted by this date will result in a grade of
zero. Exceptions to this grace period will be considered if the student or parent(s) contact
the respective teacher(s) to discuss extenuating circumstances.

Positive Language Initiative Policy: To uphold our values of respect and resilience, we
are implementing a "Positive Language Initiative'' policy. By enforcing zero-tolerance for
swearing, we aim to promote a learning environment where individuals learn to express
emotions in an appropriate manner so that all students and staff feel safe, respected, and
valued. Any use of profanity or inappropriate language will result in the loss of privileges,
such as one-day exclusion in participation in a Career and Technology Foundations or
Physical Education class. In cases where swearing is directed at someone, suspension
may be considered by the administration.

Consequences

We know that from time to time students will make mistakes. When these mistakes happen it is important for students to:

1. Take responsibility for their actions;
2. Serve any consequences that may be given; Consequences may include any of the following: parental involvement, loss of privileges, short term removal from class, in-school/out of school suspension or other consequences as determined by administration and as defined in Parkland School Division’s Administrative Procedure 360;
3. Learn from the mistake;
4. Understand that we are here to support every student, and will do whatever we can to ensure school is a positive experience.

In Parkland School Division, all members of our school community are expected to promote and demonstrate respect, civility and responsible citizenship.

With these goals in mind, everyone must:

• Demonstrate honesty and integrity.
• Respect differences in people, their ideas and their opinions.
• Acknowledge the right of everyone to be treated with dignity, at all times.
• Take appropriate measures to help those in need.
• Use non-violent means to resolve conflict.
• Honour the role(s) of persons in positions of authority.
• Show care and regard for school property and the property of others.
• Comply with all applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws.

We are all models for the kinds of citizens we desire to be. We teach and learn by example.

The Division’s expectations for conduct are outlined in the following documents:

• Board Policy 18: Role of the Student
• Administrative Procedure 128: Culture of Wellness
• Administrative Procedure 360: Student Discipline