Code of Conduct
It is the goal of the District School Board of Niagara that the discipline policy in each school assist students in developing a sense of self-worth and self-control. Niagara District Secondary School’s Code of Conduct supports this worthy goal by encouraging every student to act in a socially responsible manner and by ensuring a safe and secure learning environment for all students. The code of conduct is developed and reviewed annually in consultation with students, parents, teachers and members of the community.
Parents and students acknowledge that the right to direct the students is shared with the administration, teachers and other staff of the school. Parents must recognize the necessity for staff members to enforce the rules of the school in order to maintain a safe and positive learning environment and to promote the well-being and common good of the school community.
The expectations for student behaviour outlined in this Code of Conduct are based on such fundamental values as self-esteem, individual and social responsibility, and respect for the property, rights and values of others. If unacceptable behaviour occurs, the student can expect appropriate consequence(s) depending on the circumstances and on the nature of the incident.
Focus on Respect
Academic Honesty
Expected behaviour: Every student is expected to be the author of and producer of their own work.
Unacceptable behaviour: Cheating on tests, exams or assignments; copying chunks of homework from a friend; purchasing or copying essays; copying passages from books, articles or internet material without proper identification; inappropriate use of resources including the Internet.
Consequences may include: Parental notification; mandatory grade of “0”; departmental review; suspension.
Dress Code
Expected behaviour: Every student is expected to dress in a manner appropriate to the school environment. Students are to remove all headgear (hats, toques, bandanas, hoods, etc.) prior to entering the school building unless it is worn for religious reasons. Outdoor coats and backpacks (book bags, gym bags, etc.) are to be stored in students’ lockers.
Unacceptable behaviour: Students wearing clothing of an offensive nature (Example: profanity, drug use related, sexist, provocative, racist patches, monograms and decals, ripped and torn clothing, muscle shirts, tops that are revealing, tops that expose the midriff/back); strapless (tube) tops, fashions that may pose a safety risk such as studded clothing or accessories, chains and weapons-related paraphernalia; wearing headgear in the school. The administration of NDSS retains the authority to make the final determination of appropriate attire.
Consequences may include: interview with Admin; request to change; confiscation of inappropriate item by school staff (return at mid-term and semester end) letter to the home; sent home; parental involvement; detention; In-school suspension.
Alcohol and Drugs
Expected behaviour: Every student is expected to come to school, including any school-authorized functions, free from the influence or possession of alcohol or illicit drugs.
Unacceptable behaviour: possession of alcohol or illicit drugs; consumption of alcohol or illicit drugs.
Consequences may include: parental involvement; temporary removal from classes; sent home; removal of privileges; suspension; police involvement; expulsion. A student suspected of being in possession of alcohol or drugs or being under the influence can expect to be reported to the office and questioned by administration.
Attendance and Punctuality
Expected behaviour: Every student is expected to attend all classes regularly and punctually.
After an absence (1 or more periods): The parent/guardian must contact the school (phone or note) to provide a reason for an absence for students under the age of 18 years. Students 18 years and older must contact the school on the day of the absence to explain the reason for absence. A student MUST report to the office for an admit slip to class in these cases.
Extended absence (beyond 3 days):
Medical reason – Parents are advised to obtain a doctor’s note and submit to school administration.
Personal – Parents must provide the school with at least 1 week advance written notification.
Students will be provided with packages of instruction materials to be completed during absence.
Arriving Late / Leaving School Early: Students arriving to class more than 10 minutes late must report to the attendance secretary for an admit slip. All students leaving the school during class time, regardless of age, must report to the attendance secretary to sign out and to confirm reason for leaving (note or call from parent / guardian if under 18 years)
Unacceptable behaviour: truancy from class or school related activities; lateness; returning to school after an absence without a parental note, or where a call has not yet been received from a parent regarding the absence.
Consequences may include: report to office for admit slip; detention; parental contact; referral to Vice-principal; in-school suspension; or suspension.
Buses
Expected behaviour: Bus transportation is a privilege. Every student is expected to conduct him or herself in a respectful manner while riding the buses and to obey the instructions of the driver. All school rules are in effect on the bus.
Students will not be permitted to ride an alternative bus to get to work, go to a friends, go shopping etc. The Board, School and bus company reserve the right and responsibility to refuse alternative arrangements.
Unacceptable behaviour: smoking; vandalism; disrespect; abusive or offensive language; disrespectful conduct or fighting; or unsafe behaviour .
Consequences may include: referral to Vice-Principal by bus driver; lunch detention; parental notification; suspension of bus privileges; removal from the bus: or suspension.
Cafeteria / Halls
Expected behaviour: Every student is expected to eat only in the cafeteria, meeting rooms approved by a teacher or weather permitting, on the lawns. Any of these areas must be kept clean and tidy with refuse deposited in the containers provided. Food and beverages are not to be consumed in the halls.
Unacceptable behaviour: eating or drinking in un-designated areas; leaving litter; throwing food or garbage; initiating or participating in a food fight.
Consequences may include: direction from staff member to go to cafeteria, outside or throw food or beverage item in the nearest garbage receptacle; referral to the VP, clean-up duty; detention or suspension.
Computer Abuse
Expected behaviour: Student use of network services provided by the Board and NDSS is governed by the directions contained in the “Netiquette” document and other guidelines as established by school staff. The use of computers is a privilege. Appropriate use applies to all computers in the school as well as computers used outside the school when the name, photograph, video image and/or accomplishments of any student, teacher or support staff are being used.
Unacceptable behaviour: writing or sending abusive messages to others; use or transmission of obscene, profane, violent, sexist, racist or otherwise objectionable language; transmission of commercial software, pornographic materials, hate literature or copyright protected material over the network; use of another user's password to log in; any attempt to circumvent security to gain unauthorized access to protected areas on the local computers; vandalism or destruction of equipment; manipulation of computer files; uploading and/or creation of computer viruses.
Consequences may include: immediate cancellation of user privileges; restitution; parental involvement; suspension; police involvement; expulsion.
Electronic Devices
Expected behaviour: Cell phones and pagers must be turned off and be out of sight while in class. Walkmans, discmans with private earphones are allowed, however, use is restricted to a student’s personal time (before or after classes and at lunch). Security of these items is the student’s responsibility. Use within the classroom is at the teacher’s discretion. Larger units with speakers are not to be brought to school. Laser pointers are not to be brought to school.
Unacceptable behaviour: use of walkmans, discmans in the classroom or office area; use of cell phones within instructional area; possession/ use of a laser pointer within the school; or bringing a portable stereo unit to school.
Consequences may include: direction from staff to place item into a locker (first warning); confiscation of item to the office (return at end of the day); parental contact or suspension.
Out of Bounds
Expected behaviour: Students must comply with areas designated as out of bounds. This includes: 2nd floor during the lunch period from 11:15-11:45. All hallways during the lunch period are to be used to travel to and from the cafeteria, library or outdoors.
Unacceptable behaviour: presence in or use of out-of-bounds areas; loitering in hallways, washrooms or school main entrance.
Consequences may include: referral to VP; parental contact; lunch detention; in-school suspension, or suspension.
Physical Assault
Expected behaviour: Every student is expected to be courteous, considerate and to refrain from inflicting physical and bodily harm on others.
Unacceptable behaviour: boisterous physical contact, fighting or any form of inappropriate physical contact.
Consequences may include: parental involvement; immediate suspension; police involvement; retirement or expulsion.
Weapons
Expected behaviour: It is illegal for any student to be in the possession of any weapon on school property or at a school function.
Unacceptable behaviour: possession or use of weapons, weapon related paraphernalia, explosive materials, including firecrackers.
Consequences may include: parental contact; police involvement; immediate suspension; retirement; or expulsion.
Respect for Self and Others
Expected behaviour: Every student is expected to comply promptly and courteously with requests made by all staff. Every student is expected to be courteous and considerate of the emotional well being of others at all times.
Unacceptable behaviour: opposition to authority; procrastination in complying with requests; use of inappropriate language; verbal or written abuse; behaviour which causes distress to others; sexual, verbal or physical harassment; name calling, bullying, initiating activities; unacceptable fan behaviour at school events.
Consequences may include: disciplinary action by teacher; referral to VP; parental involvement; lunch detention; referral to conflict resolution team; in-school suspension, or suspension.
School Property and Parking
Expected behaviour: Parking on school property is a privilege. The school board and NDSS are under no obligation to provide student parking. Every student is expected to exit and enter the parking lot with caution, obey parking lot signs and behave responsibly with due consideration for the safety of themselves, others and school property.
Unacceptable behaviour: reckless operation of vehicles on school property; disruptive use of car radios/tape/CD players during school hours; using the parking area as a playground; sitting in/on cars during school day; use of skateboards, frisbees, snowballs or other projectiles; or parking in prohibited areas or areas designated for staff use only.
Consequences may include: removal of privileges (1 week,1 month, remainder of semester); parental involvement; detention; restitution; suspension; or police involvement.
Theft/ Vandalism
Expected behaviour: Every student and guest is expected to respect the property of the school, other students and the community. Items that are found must be handed in at the front office. Any student witnessing a theft or vandalism is encouraged to inform a teacher or the office immediately. Confidentiality is assured.
Unacceptable behaviour: any contravention of the Criminal Code of Canada as it relates to theft; defacement, damage or destruction of property of the school or others.
Consequences may include: Parental contact, immediate suspension, restitution, police involvement, expulsion.
Tobacco Products
Expected behaviour: Everyone is expected, at all times to refrain from the use of any tobacco product while on school property. A location on East/West line (roadside) is designated as the only permissible location to use tobacco products around the school perimeter.
Section 9 of the Tobacco Control Act prohibits smoking on school property at any time.
Unacceptable behaviour: use of any tobacco product on school property or in an undesignated area in the perimeter of the school.
Consequences: upon first incident, immediate referral to the Niagara Regional Health Tobacco Enforcement Unit for issuance of a fine of $305.00; parental contact; written assignment; or suspension.