Our Student Code of Conduct ensures 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 behaviour while at school, at a school-related activity, or while engaging in an activity that may have an impact on others in the school; and,
- 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; and,
- 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; and,
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 (e.g. 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; and,
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.
The staff of Duffield School have determined that a limit on cell phone use during class time improves focus and learning. At Duffield, cell phones are to remain in lockers during class time. We also appreciate the value of socializing during breaks and therefore will have cell phones stay in lockers/backpacks during these breaks. Teachers recognize that students want to check their phones and therefore give time before/after breaks to do so. Students who choose not to leave phones away will be asked to deposit their phones in the school “Cell Phone Hotel” (lockable location in the office) where they will be stored until the end of the school day.
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); or,
- Liquor/drug messaging.
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 there are t-shirts available here at the school. We also allow hats in our school but show respect by keeping hoods down. This ensures that students are hearing what adults and other students are saying to them.
Consequences
We know that from time to time students will make mistakes. When these mistakes happen, it is important for students to:
- Take responsibility for their actions.
- Serve any consequences that may be given, which may include any of the following:
- Parental involvement
- Loss of privileges
- Short-term removal from class
- In-school / out-of-school suspension
- Other consequences as determined by administration and as defined in Parkland School Division’s Administrative Procedure 360.
- Learn from the mistake.
- Understand that electronic equipment (cell phones, cameras, gaming devices, personal devices) will be confiscated when not used in compliance with school behavioural expectations and placed in the school office for safe storage for pickup at the end of the day.