ELPHINSTONE SECONDARY SCHOOL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Code of Conduct)
Every person who contributes to the Elphinstone School community - students, teachers, administrators, teachers on call, classroom assistants, secretaries, custodians, cafeteria personnel, guest speakers, parents - is entitled to these rights and responsibilities.
1. I have the right to learn and / or help others to learn.
It is my responsibility to
•bring my materials, arrive on time, and be ready to work
•listen to instructions
•work quietly at my desk
•work cooperatively with others
•raise my hand if I have a question, concern, or need to leave class
•complete my assignments to the best of my ability and on time
2.I have the right to be respected.
It is my responsibility to
•respect everyone regardless of ability, race, color, religion or sexual orientation and not to do or say anything that might hurt their feelings
•speak up and / or take action when others are not being respected
•let others speak and not be inattentive, talk or cause disruptions
•use appropriate language
•dress in a manner that is considerate of others
3.I have the right to privacy and to my own personal space.
It is my responsibility to
•respect the personal property of others
•accept their right to privacy
•respect the property of my teachers and the school
4.I have the right to be safe.
It is my responsibility to
•ensure the safety of others and not bully, threaten or physically harm anyone else
•solve problems peacefully
5.I have the right to be included in my classroom, school and community.
I have the responsibility to
•give back and make a positive contribution to my school and community
ATTENDANCE: (see also Early Dismissal)
Regular school attendance is a major factor in contributing to student success in school. We expect that students enrolled at Elphinstone Secondary will attend school regularly by reporting on time for all scheduled classes. In the case of absence, parents are requested to phone the school office or send a note with the student upon return. In addition, students should inform teachers of an anticipated absence. Poor attendance and unexcused absences will result in a parent meeting and possibly an alternate school setting.
If a student's absence results in a missed examination/test/quiz/assignment, it will be the responsibility of the student to do the following in order to be allowed a chance to "make-up" the missed work:
1. Produce a valid excuse for the absence through a parent note, doctor's note, or phone call in advance of the morning of the absence.
2. Arrange a time and/or process for "make-up" with the teacher(s).
3. Complete the "make-up" exam or assignment.
LATES:
It is the responsibility of each student to be on time and to be prepared for class. If you are late to class you may be required by your subject teacher to make up the time and/or the work that has been missed.
GYM RULES:
1.Keep your food or beverages out of the gym.
2.Use the hallways to get to your classes and locker.
3.Leave valuables at home, including cash.
4.Behave in a safe and responsible manner.
LOCKERS & LOCKS:
School lockers are the property of the school, provided for the convenient storage, at a students own risk, of materials or items needed for school. Because of the possibility of misuse and the associated legal duty of care of school principals, it may be necessary to search student lockers whenever there is reasonable cause to do so. When it is determined that an immediate search is not necessary, a reasonable effort will be made to contact a parent prior to the search.
Students must have a school authorized "Dudley" lock on their locker door. Locks are available from the office at $5.00 each. Do not store valuables in your locker. DO NOT GIVE YOUR COMBINATION OUT TO ANYONE! The school cannot and will not accept liability for things stolen at school.
P.E. EXCUSES:
If you are unable to take part in P.E. classes because of sickness or injury, you must bring a note for each day you cannot take part. No note - no excuse. If you have a medical problem which prohibits you from taking part in P.E. for an extended period of time, you must bring a note from your doctor.
HALLWAY BEHAVIOUR:
Expected behaviours in hallways between classes, before and after school, and at recess and lunch are as follows:
- Purposeful behaviour such as studying, eating, or quiet socializing
- Safe conduct
- Appropriate use of language.
Students who display unsafe, rowdy, or boisterous behaviour or who are loud, obnoxious, or profane will be banned to the outdoors for a number of days during times when classes are not in session, or some other form of discipline.
SENT TO THE OFFICE:
If you have been sent to see the principal or the vice principal go there immediately and sign into the office and:
-Wait quietly until they are ready for you.
-Hats are to be removed in the office
-Laughing and fooling around tells them that you're not serious and it's all a big joke.
-If there are problems that they should know about, tell them.
-If you have done something wrong, be honest and let them know it was you.
DRESS REGULATIONS:
All students shall adhere to reasonable standards of taste in dress and grooming. The following are drawn to the particular attention of students and parents:
• shoes must be worn at all times inside the building for reasons of health as well as appropriate grooming.
• articles of clothing in poor taste will not be tolerated (bearing direct or indirect messages or graphics referring to illegal drugs, or of a racist, sexist or profane character). Students will be asked to cover up the offensive piece of clothing and not wear it to school again.
• wearing hats in class is with teacher permission only.
• hats are not to be worn during school assemblies.
In keeping with the business like environment of school students are also reminded to keep the 4 B’s: bottoms, breasts for girls - chests for the boys, bellies and backs, covered up.
TEASING AND HARASSMENT:
You will meet all kinds of kids in school. Some kids in high school can be cruel. It may seem to you that they spend all their lives making you miserable. There are some things you can do if someone is picking on you. First you should not put up with physical harassment. Pushing and shoving and fighting are not tolerated. The bully will depend on you not telling anyone. This will mean that he or she can keep on bugging you as long as no one knows. The best way to deal with these students is to see your Principal, Vice -Principal or counsellor right away. Bullying will not be tolerated and will be dealt with as a serious matter.
ALCOHOL AND DRUGS:
You'll no doubt notice some high school students smoking near the school. If you look carefully, you will also see that they are only a very small percentage of our students. By far, the majority of Elphinstone's students are healthy non-smokers. There is no smoking on school property.
Of course alcohol and drugs have no place in our school, and are strictly prohibited. (See: Suspension Guidlines)
BICYCLES AND SKATEBOARDS:
These items are not to be used on the school grounds because of safety concerns. Bicycles should be racked and locked in the courtyard. Skateboards are to be kept in your lockers. If you use them in an unsafe way on your way to or from school you will be asked not to bring them to school.
PAGERS AND CELL PHONES:
Acceptable use: Students may use their cell phone ONLY during NON-instructional time, in or out of the building. Cell phones must be turned off during class time even if they are on a free block. This means that students are NOT permitted to use their cell phone during instructional time, i.e., teaching time, in or out of classrooms, including hallways and washrooms.
Consequences of unacceptable use:
• If a student is found using their cell phone during instructional time anywhere in the building, a staff member may confiscate the cell phone.
• All confiscated cell phones will be turned into the office, and the student may retrieve the cell phone at the end of the school day.
• After the second confiscation of a student’s cell phone, a parent/guardian must meet with the administration to have the cell phone retrieved.
PORTABLE HEADSETS:
Portable headset stereos are not to be worn in class without teacher permission. The use of portable headsets must not interfere with the learning environment.
All students are expected to conduct themselves as responsible members of the neighborhood. This includes conduct in and around business outlets and schools adjacent to our school. All students must be courteous to the families living in the school neighborhood and respectful of their property. Students who engage in conduct that disturbs, disrupts, or damages the persons or property of the school neighborhood will be subject to discipline. See Guidelines for Suspension.
APPEAL OF DECISIONS:
Appeal by a student or parent of any decisions made in writing at the school may be made first to the school Principal. The Principal's decision may be further appealed by a student or parent under Administrative Regulation #1750 (Reviewing Decisions of the Principal or Designate).
APPEAL PROCEDURE FOR PROVINCIALLY EXAMINABLE COURSES:
Students should expect to see their school submitted mark at least 48 hours before the Provincial Exam. An appeal of that mark must be submitted to the Principal before the writing of the Provincial exam.
| 