Rationale:
In order to promote better understanding by all members of the school community, the staff, parents, and students of Eardley Elementary School, we have adopted the following statement of educational and safety responsibilities and rights as the basis of our Code of Conduct.
A school is a place that provides equal learning opportunity for all students. In addition to the regular curriculum, good citizenship must be taught and demonstrated. Students are expected to learn responsibility for rules and regulations adopted for the benefit of all, and to demonstrate appreciation and respect for the rights of others.
The Code of Conduct ensures that all students, parents/guardians, teachers, and staff have the right to feel safe in their school community. The support of parents/guardians for this Code of Conduct is essential to its success, as we work in partnership with our school community and share the same values and expectations. Therefore, the standards of behaviour in the Code of Conduct apply not only to students, but also to all individuals involved in the school system (parents/guardians, volunteers, teachers, and other staff members) while on school property, on school buses, or at school authorized events or activities.
Below are listed the rights and responsibilities/expectations involved in a positive, cooperative school and the consequences for unacceptable behaviour.
Students have the right to…
- An equal learning opportunity
- An appropriate and challenging program
- Feel safe at school
- Freedom from physical and verbal harassment
- A pleasant school atmosphere
- Assistance from teachers and school staff
- Discipline in a fair, firm, and consistent manner
Students have the responsibility/expectation to…
- Be punctual and attend regularly
- Demonstrate a positive attitude and good work habits
- Respect the rights, feelings and belongings of other students and all school personnel
- Follow the anti violence/anti bullying rules
- To respect ethnic, racial, religious, gender, sexual orientation, intellectual and physical differences in others
- Complete all assigned work punctually
- Be aware of opportunities to participate in activities offered
- Exhibit self-discipline by following school rules, both in and out of the classroom and during any school sponsored activity
- Be honest and trustworthy
- Report bullying and violent incidents to an adult at school and at home
- Be courteous, use respectful language and good manners
- Treat with respect the environment, lockers, equipment and materials belonging to the school, staff and other students
- Wear appropriate clothing that aligns with the code of conduct
- Follow the code of conduct when representing Eardley on and off school property
- To communicate and work with all school community members in a courteous, fair, and respectful manner
Teachers have the right to…
- Expect appropriate behaviour in the classroom, throughout the school, and in all other educational settings (e.g., on the bus, school trips)
- Receive support from the principal and parents/guardians in the performance of their duties
- Expect support from administration to help students reach their full potential
- Expect cooperation from all students in the carrying out of student responsibilities during all school functions
- A safe work environment free from harm
Teachers have the responsibility to…
- Be fair, firm and friendly in dealing with students, providing an effective role model
- Inform students of expectations of acceptable behaviour
- Communicate and work collaboratively with students, parents/guardians and other school personnel on issues related to students’ social, emotional, and academic progress
- Report progress and conduct to administration and parents/guardians
- Take responsibility for all students in the school, when required
- Encourage good effort, improvement and citizenship
- Support students in the development of self-confidence and sense of self-worth
- Plan, implement and evaluate an effective program ensuring a variety of instructional practices to support improved student performance
- Encourage excellence in all academic endeavours based on individual differences
- Be respectful of ethnic, religious, gender, sexual orientation, intellectual and physical differences in others
- Provide a safe and positive learning environment while providing high expectations for success
- Report incidents of concern to appropriate authorities
- To communicate and work with all school community members in a courteous, fair, and respectful manner
Parents/Guardians have the right to…
- Know that students will be provided with an excellent educational experience that adheres to the Basic School Regulation
- Expect that classes will be conducted in an orderly manner
- Expect teachers to act in a kind but firm and judicious manner
- Receive regular communications from the school
- Confer with the school regarding any concerns for their child
Parents/Guardians have the responsibility to…
- Encourage positive attitudes in their children towards school, learning and behaviour
- Ensure regular attendance and promptness
- Provide or seek support in ensuring the overall physical, social and emotional wellbeing of your child
- Show an active interest in your child’s academics and progress and encourage a positive attitude towards learning. This can be done by providing appropriate support, extra time and location for the reinforcement of academic content at home
- Cooperate with the school to develop appropriate student behaviour
- Communicate appropriately with staff concerning your child’s progress
- Contact the school regarding concerns
- Encourage children to become involved in activities sponsored by the school
- Be your child’s advocate
- Respect ethnic, racial, religious, gender, sexual orientation, intellectual and physical differences in others
- Support the Code of Conduct in establishing school expectations for behaviour and communication
- To communicate and work with all school community members in a courteous, fair, and respectful manner
Discipline Policy
At Eardley Elementary our first approach is always to work with the student and parent(s) to find the source of the frustration that is causing the troubling behaviour. However, depending on the behaviour, a range of consequences are available to school personnel which should provide the flexibility necessary to meet the wide range of situations and individuals that may be encountered.
A student who does not meet the expectations of this code of conduct will be dealt with fairly and consistently by the staff. Our aim is to help the student deal with frustration and teach them to improve their behaviour. The school will prioritize an educational lens as an initial approach when addressing concerning behaviour. The rights of the individual as well as the collective rights of school and community will be considered. The following consequences are possible after a breach of the code of conduct:
- Discussion between the student and staff member to talk about the problem in order to avoid another incident. This discussion may result in strategies developed that would be effective should the source of frustration re-occur.
- Assignment of a specific task to help the student understand the expectations.
- Consultation with parents/guardians regarding the student to gain home support.
- Intervention of or referral to Resource personnel (e.g., Resource teacher, Special Education Technician, Transition Agent etc.).
- Detention of the student, usually to do classroom assignments to make up for lost or wasted instructional time or to further discuss the behaviour with an adult.
- Withdrawal of privileges where the student loses the opportunity to participate in activities where appropriate behaviour is essential or the requirement of an adult to attend the event with the child.
- Restitution or community service where the student loses freedom at recesses and/or lunch time and performs tasks to enhance the school environment, or to repair or replace damaged or lost property.
- Withdrawal of the student from the class setting to another workplace within the school for a specific length of time.
- Suspension from school where the student does not attend school according to the authority of the Education Act.
- Involvement of or referral to outside agencies e.g., CLSC, CISSSO, Police, Youth Protection.
- Expulsion by the School Board from all schools under its jurisdiction.
Consequences will not necessarily be imposed in sequential order but will depend greatly on the severity, frequency and duration of the behaviour and at the discretion of the administration or designate.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT PARENT/GUARDIAN CONSULTATION WILL TAKE PLACE WHENEVER THE MISBEHAVIOUR IS OF A SERIOUS NATURE.
School Rules and Regulations
School Access:
The playground is supervised 15 minutes before the commencement of the school day (7:45am). Adults will be there to monitor students at this time only. Students are not to arrive prior to that time unless registered for our daycare services. In the case of inclement weather, supervisors will permit the students to enter the school building at 7:45am. Additionally, school ends at 2:40pm. After this, your child will be sent to daycare and charged the appropriate rate. *In the case your child is attending an extra-curricular activity outside of normal school hours and has a designated pick-up time; a grace period of 10 minutes will be given and after this your child will be sent to daycare and charged the appropriate rate.
All parents/guardians of students and visitors to the school must enter the building through the main entrance ONLY. All visitors must report to the office and receive and wear a visitor’s pass before proceeding to any other area of the school. Parents collecting students must wait in the lobby for their children.
Attendance and Punctuality:
Punctuality is important and it is the responsibility of our students and their parent/guardian to be on time for school. All students entering after 8:00am must report to the office with a guardian to verify their attendance. Requests for early dismissal (i.e. medical appointment) require parent/guardian contact with the office. Any changes to end of day routine must be called into the office before 2:00pm or they may not be received by the staff in time.
Absences:
Absences must be confirmed by phone or documented by parents/guardians in writing to the following email address eardleyattendance@wqsb.qc.ca. If a parent/guardian is unable to speak directly to a staff member, please leave a message on the answering machine. Please copy the homeroom teacher and the secretary in any email communication regarding absences.
Appropriate Dress:
- Students, staff, and parents/guardians when volunteering at school, will not wear clothing that promotes the following: inappropriate language, vulgarities, discrimination.
- All students, staff, and parents/guardians volunteering at the school, have the right to dress in a manner consistent with their gender identity or gender expression.
- While hats and hoods are permitted at school, they must not interfere or distract with either the learning or safety of the individual or other students in class (ex. hood pulled shut or large, costume-style hat).
- Clothing should be comfortable and appropriate for active engagement in the classroom, recess, and physical education keeping in mind the weather conditions (including footwear).
- Clothing and/or jewellery that bear suggestive or objectionable printing such as those used in the advertisement of alcohol, drugs, sex, violence, or those containing racist/hateful comments are not to be worn.
- For safety and cleanliness, students should have proper indoor footwear at school for inside the building and separate footwear for outside the building
- Extreme modes of dress or clothing normally considered undergarments are not acceptable (bra tops as tops, boxers as shorts, etc.)
Failure to comply with the dress code will result in a request to change. Continued failure to comply with the dress code will result in a request for parents/guardians to meet with the principal to discuss the problem. All dress code violations are at the discretion of the administration and/or designate.
Behaviour:
Behaviour should show respect for self, others and property. It should be reflective of a safe school environment. Therefore, the following will apply:
- No weapons or weapon-like devices including toys
- Absolutely no fighting
- No physically or verbally abusive behaviour
- Follow the routines established by the staff
- Demonstrate socially acceptable manners
- Seek staff assistance to resolve conflicts
Appropriate Language:
Students are expected to demonstrate socially acceptable language. Therefore, the following will apply:
- No profanity
- No suggestive comments including sexist, racist, bigoted, or provocative comments
- No rude, challenging, or discriminatory comments or gestures toward students or members of the staff
Electronics/Toys:
Electronics are not permitted on school property or buses. When approved by the principal teachers can request students bring a device to school for pedagogical purposes to support learning activities. In this case, students will drop their devices at the beginning of the day with the teacher and pick them up once classes are dismissed. An exception may be granted for special education purposes. These exceptions are determined by the needs of individual students and with approval from the principal.
If a student is caught using an electronic device for personal use:
- First Offence – If a student is caught with their electronic device outside of pedagogical use, the device will be confiscated and returned to the student at the end of the day.
- Second Offence – If a student is caught with their electronic device outside of pedagogical use, the device will be confiscated and a parent/guardian will have to pick the device up from the office.
- Repeated Offence – possibility of a range of consequences at the discretion of the administration or designate.
Toys are not to be brought to school. Teaches will inform you if this becomes a concern for your child. If a student brings a toy to school, it will be confiscated and returned at the end of the day.
Bullying and Harassment:
We believe that all students, staff members, and parents/guardians have the right to freedom from harassment and/or bullying at school. We understand the detrimental and serious effects which may result from derogatory comments or conduct based on race, gender, orientation, disability, cognitive differences, family status, ethnic origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, etc. These behaviours undermine our school environment as a whole.
There is a difference between conflict and bullying. It is important that parents/guardians and the school staff use the same terminology to identify incidents. The majority of incidents that take place at school fall within the category of conflict but are often described as bullying. Conflict is a disagreement in which both sides express opinions/view and contribute to an incident. Conflict can sometimes escalate to a physical conflict. Below is the Olweus definition of bullying:
Olweus definition of bullying includes three important components:
- Bullying is aggressive behaviour that involves unwanted, negative actions.
- Bullying involves a pattern of behaviour repeated over time.
- Bullying involves an imbalance of power or strength.
Types of Bullying:
This may include but not limited to:
- Verbal bullying including derogatory comments and name calling;
- Bullying through social exclusion or isolation;
- Physical bullying such as hitting, kicking, shoving, and spitting;
- Bullying through lies and false rumours;
- Having money or other things personal property/belongings/possessions taken or damaged by students who bully;
- Being threatened or being forced to do things by students who bully;
- Racial bullying;
- Identity bullying;
- Sexual bullying, harassment, unwanted advances, inappropriate touching; and
- Cyber-bullying (bullying behavior via cell-phone, Internet, etc…).
**Please see the Anti-Violence/Anti-Bullying Plan for further information**
Buses and Bus Behaviour
Transportation Services are a privilege and not a right. The safety of the students on the school bus is the primary concern of the bus drivers and the school. The behaviour expectations on the school bus are consistent with the behaviour expectations while at school. Students must adhere to the following requirements in the interest of safety for all passengers. Failure to do so may lead to the suspension or removal of riding privileges.
- Remain in their seat at all times
- Follow the driver’s instructions
- Use polite language
- Avoid distracting the driver by creating unnecessary noise or uncooperative behaviour
- Refrain from eating and drinking on the bus
- Demonstrate acceptable behaviour which respects the rights of other passengers and the driver
- Ensure that all personal belongings fit within their backpack (lunch bag may be carried separately)
The driver is at all times in complete charge of the bus and passengers. If any of the above outlined code of conduct rules are violated, the driver will report the problems to the principal.
If a parent/guardian has an issue with an incident that has happened on the bus or with the driver, they are to speak directly to the administration or designate.
Field Trips
The Code of Conduct expectations extend to field trip.
Summary and Conclusions
The Code of Conduct is required to ensure that students, parents/guardians and staff all understand the standards we expect at Eardley Elementary School. The discipline policy, however, must be flexible enough so that we are positioned to be fair and sensible in our relationships with students and others. It is not our intent to have rules for everything. Appropriate consequences are needed for inappropriate behaviour. We all want our students to become all that they are capable of becoming: to be successful and happy in their lives, to make correct and acceptable choices, and to live productive and fulfilling lives.
Every student has a role in helping to make our school a safe and happy place for all. Please discuss the expectations outlined in the Code of Conduct with your child(ren).
Thank you.
Eardley Elementary Staff and Governing Board
(Updated: May, 2025)