Our
Lady of Fatima
Catholic School
CODE OF
CONDUCT
To develop a school community of love, learning, and
respect, by living Christian values and nurturing student growth.
Rationale
A school is a place that
promotes responsibility, respect, civility and academic excellence in a safe
learning and teaching environment.
The ALCDSB acknowledges the
rights and responsibilities for its students and staff, including:
·
to be respected
by all members of the school community;
·
to work and learn
in a safe, orderly and positive environment;
·
to access
facilities and to participate in programs offered by the school without fear of
violence;
·
to respect all
members of the school community;
·
to contribute
positively to the Christian climate of the school;
·
to respect the
property of the school and of all members of the school community;
·
to respond
positively to the educational environment provided by the school community.
The ALCDSB will not tolerate
behaviour that jeopardizes the emotional well-being or physical safety of
members of the school community.
It is a basic tenet of our Catholic faith that all people
are created in the image of God. As
members of God’s family, we are all deserving of respect and love. We should be secure in the knowledge that we
work and live in a community which fosters love and abhors violence directed at
any member. We accept the Gospel’s
challenge to foster healing, offer forgiveness and work toward the restoration
of relationships whenever any member of the body of Christ is hurting
Roles and Responsibilities
Students share with school
staff, parents, and parish the
responsibility of maintaining the special spirit and character of the Catholic
school within our community. This
environment depends upon the cooperation and commitment of all involved.
Students have the right:
·
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 a student:
·
comes to school
prepared, on time and ready to learn;
·
shows respect for
self, for others and for those in authority;
·
refrains from
bringing anything to school that may compromise the safety of others;
·
follows the
established rules, policies and local codes of conduct and takes responsibility
for his or her own action.
Students have the responsibility to fulfill the
·
exercising
self-discipline
·
accepting such
discipline as would be exercised by a kind, firm and judicious parent
·
being courteous
to fellow pupils;
·
showing respect
for school property;
·
complying with
all school expectations, procedures and codes of behaviour, and
·
giving respect
and co-operation to all persons in positions of authority.
Respect
·
Of Self – students should show respect for themselves as
creations of God, appreciate their special gifts, and make an effort to
contribute to their school.
·
For Others – students are expected to treat all members of the
school community in a polite and cooperative manner. Playground equipment is to be shared with a
particular concern to safety and courtesy.
All games are to be non-contact. We encourage all children to be inclusive of
one another in their play.
·
For
Authority – students are to
be respectful and honest when dealing with school staff and to follow rules of
the school and the expectations of the staff.
Students should inform school staff of problems in a controlled manner.
·
For
Property – students are
expected to treat their own property, school property and the property of
others respectfully. Supplies, equipment
and textbooks should be handled with respect, keeping conservation in
mind. Students have a responsibility to
maintain the school yard, desks and washrooms, in a neat and tidy manner. Damaged property must be replaced by the
student.
Storage and Dispensing of Medication
School personnel are not
authorized to dispense non-prescribed medication,. Any student bringing medication to school
must report it to the principal and it must be stored to ensure safety.
On occasion we have been
asked by a parent to ensure their child received a prescribed
medication. Please be aware that in
order to do so, we require the completion of a Medical Information and
Consent Form signed by the parent and the physician prescribing the
medication. All such medication should
be clearly labeled, dated, and stored in the office.
Recognition
for
Appropriate
Behaviour / Consequences
The recognition for
appropriate behaviour is varied. First
and foremost, however, is self-satisfaction and a sense of contribution.
The school’s pleasant, safe
and orderly atmosphere results from everyone accepting responsibilities and
acting accordingly. Young people have a
need for positive reinforcement. For
example:
·
trust;
·
private / public
recognition (verbal and written eg. newsletter);
·
alternate
desirable activity;
·
certificates and
awards;
·
classroom
incentives;
·
parental
encouragement;
·
student
announcements;
·
reinforcement for
academic, artistic/athletic achievement i.e. medallions, ribbons;
·
school activities
and field trips;
·
leadership
opportunities.
Progressive Discipline
Progressive discipline is a
whole-school approach that utilizes a continuum of interventions, supports, and
consequences to address inappropriate student behaviour and to build upon
strategies that promote positive attitudes and behaviours. When inappropriate behaviour occurs,
disciplinary measures should be applied within a framework that shifts the
focus from one that is solely punitive to a focus that is corrective,
supportive and restorative.
The progressive discipline
continuum is a stepped approach to support a positive change in behaviour. However, as indicated above, if an incident
is serious in nature and after a full consideration of circumstances affecting
a student’s behaviour, it is recognized that a step, such as a suspension or
expulsion, which is further along in the progressive discipline continuum, may
be necessary.
Bullying
“a form of repeated, persistent and aggressive behaviour that is
directed at an individual or individuals that is intended to cause (or should
be known to cause) fear and distress and/or harm to another person’s body,
feelings, self-esteem, or reputation.
Bullying occurs in a context where there is a real or perceived power
imbalance.”
Bullying will not be accepted
on school property, at school-related activities, on school buses, or in any
other circumstances (e.g. online) where engaging in bullying will have a
negative impact on the school climate.
A student’s role is to treat
others with dignity, respect, equity, forgiveness and compassion. They are entrusted to report bullying
incidents witnessed. Victims are highly
encouraged to report bullying incidents to an adult.
Students should
·
help another
student in need;
·
include others
who are left out;
·
challenge
“by-stander” behaviour;
·
express concern and
caring when someone appears to be hurting;
·
recognize
feelings and perspectives of others.
Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School
community is dedicated to working with home, school and parish to meet the
needs of all students. We provide each
student with the opportunity to develop to his/her full potential within the
Catholic community. Children have unique
strengths and needs. Our goal is to
celebrate the strengths of the students and to nurture their needs in an
empowering Catholic environment.
The complete School Code of Conduct is
available at
the school office or online at
http://schools.alcdsb.on.ca/ofat/default.aspx