Student Code of Conduct
The Division endorses a set of desirable personal and interpersonal character traits that incorporate universal values common to all religions and ethnic-cultural groups, including respect, integrity, empathy, compassion, independence, cooperation, responsibility and self-control.
Students are expected to learn, practice and develop such personal and interpersonal character traits and to contribute to the development of welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environments. Students are further expected to respect diversity and refrain from demonstrating any form of discrimination as set out in the Alberta Human Rights Act, including gender identity and gender expression as set out in the Alberta Bill of Rights. Students are to foster a sense of belonging amongst all students.
Within the aforementioned context, students are expected to pursue academic and cultural studies to maximize their individual potential in becoming self-reliant, responsive and contributing members of society.
- In displaying acceptable behaviour, students are expected to:
- be diligent in pursuing the student’s studies;
- attend school regularly and punctually;
- co-operate fully with everyone authorized by the board to provide education programs and other services;
- comply with the rules of the school;
- account to the student’s teachers for the student’s conduct;
- respect the rights of others;
- ensure that the student’s conduct contributes to a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environment that respects diversity and fosters a sense of belonging;
- 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; and
- positively contribute to the student’s school and community.
- Students are accountable for demonstrating respect for:
- Others and their property;
- School property, equipment and textbooks; and
- Differences in ethnicity, race, religion, gender and sexual orientation.
- Students are prohibited from engaging in unacceptable behaviour, whether or not it occurs within the school building, during the school day, during school related activities or by electronic means. Examples of such behaviours include, but are not limited to:
- use, possession of, sale, distribution of or active contact with, a weapon on a student’s person, in a student’s locker or desk, on Board property, or in a vehicle on Division property used by a student or occupied by a student as a passenger;
- conduct which endangers others;
- encouraging conduct which endangers or may endanger others;
- encouraging unacceptable conduct;
- use or display of improper, obscene or abusive language;
- distribution or display of offensive messages or pictures;
- theft, including identity theft;
- willful damage to school or others’ property;
- use, possession of, distribution of, or active contact with, or collection of money for illicit drugs, alcohol, or inhalants in school, on Division property or in the context of any school-related activity;
- attending school or any school-related activity under the influence of illicit drugs, alcohol or inhalants;
- personal or sexual harassment;
- hazing, initiation activities; the formation or the operation of sororities, fraternities, gangs and secret organizations;
- disruptive behaviour, willful disobedience or defiance of authority;
- interfering with the orderly conduct of classes or the school;
- tampering with fire alarms and safety equipment;
- criminal activity;
- contravention of the school’s code of conduct;
- workplace violence;
- bullying, including cyber-bullying; and
- inappropriate use of information technology.
- Unacceptable student behaviour:
- may be grounds for disciplinary action; and
- provides an opportunity for critical learning in the areas of:
- personal accountability and responsibility;
- the development of empathy;
- conflict resolution;
- communication; and
- social skills development.
- When responding to unacceptable student behaviour, the following are to be considered:
- the effect of the student’s behaviour upon other students, the staff, the school, and the community;
- the nature of the action or incident that calls for disciplinary or alternative measures;
- the student’s previous conduct and previous interventions;
- the student’s age, maturity and individual circumstances;
- the impact of proposed action on the student’s future behaviour;
- the student’s learning needs; and
- any other information considered appropriate or relevant.
- The consequences of unacceptable behaviour may be:
- assignment of a student whose behaviour is unacceptable, disruptive or destructive to an alternate supervised location;
- short term removal of privileges;
- use of reasonable force as required by way of correction to restrain a student from carrying out a violent or destructive act that could harm the student or others;
- alternative interventions such as community conferencing or other forms of restorative justice;
- corrective student transfer;
- suspension; and
- recommendation for expulsion.
- Students will contribute, to the greatest extent possible, to a learning environment that is well-ordered, peaceful, safe, non-threatening, and conducive to learning and optimal growth.
- While this code of conduct addresses consequences for inappropriate behaviour, support shall be provided to students impacted by inappropriate behaviour and to those students who engage in inappropriate behaviour.
Section 12, 16.1, 18, 20, 24, 25, 45, 45.1, 50, 60, 61, 105, 113 School Act
Alberta Bill of Rights
Alberta Human Rights Act
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Reviewed August 2018