Code of Conduct

Garibaldi Secondary School as Code of Conduct – Reviewed June 2024

Code of Conduct Statement of Purpose

Garibaldi Secondary School as Code of Conduct has been created to maintain a safe, caring and orderly school environment. The purposes of the Code of Conduct are:

1. To encourage the development of socially responsible behaviour resulting in a positive reputation for students and the school community.
2. To foster a safe, respectful and welcoming learning environment for all students, staff and parents.
3. To clearly communicate behavioural expectations to the school community.

The Code of Conduct applies to all members of the school community at school, at any school- related activity at any location, or any circumstance/activity that will have an impact on the school environment.

Additional Policies in support of the code of conduct are posted to the GSS IB website at: https://secondary.sd42.ca/gss/ib-policies/

 

Conduct Expectations

Respect for Each Other Statement of Purpose

• To foster a healthy school community where all members treat each other with courtesy and respect
• To foster a community which is kind, friendly, and inclusive
• To work together in developing a sense of community-mindedness and accountability
• To promote and maintain an environment where students and staff are safe to learn and achieve success

• To ensure that students and staff have the right to a learning environment free from bullying, harassment, intimidation and dishonesty. Inappropriate prejudicial behaviour, speech or attire towards a group of individuals is unacceptable
• To provide a safe environment to politely voice opinions without the fear or intimidation or unreasonable use of authority

Our Expectations

• All members of the school community will endeavor to be honest with one another
• Students and staff must be treated with respect and courtesy through display of appropriate behaviour and speech

• Members of the school community must display acceptance for all people, including, but not exclusive of, ethnicity, appearance, abilities and religion
• Bullying, intimidation (verbal, physical, mental etc), harassment and possession or use of weapons are all forms of violence. These actions, whether uttered as threats or acted upon, will not be tolerated
• Students inform a “tell-able” adult of any possible violence, including a fight Unacceptable Conduct
• Slanderous comments, sexual suggestions, profanity (swearing), or other discriminatory terms
• Name-calling, slurs, offensive slang remarks
• Disrespectful or threatening language or behavior (such as racist, discriminatory, or homophobic comments)
• On-going physical, mental or psychological harassment of any student or staff member
• Participating in fighting in any way including as fighter, spectator, or promoter (telling others that a fight will occur)

Respect for the Learning Environment Statement of Purpose

• To promote a caring and success-orientated environment. As learners we need to have a sense of respect for our common learning environment, our own learning needs and those of others. In general, a learner needs to be actively involved in the task at hand
• To ensure each student has access to a quiet, orderly, clean, well-equipped classroom
• To promote a learning environment where each learner can achieve the highest level possible. This can only be done when students are safe and have a clear understanding of learning expectations, assessment criteria and how to achieve high standards

Our Expectations

• To respect the rights of others to work and learn free of distractions
• To dress appropriately (see Dress Code)
• To complete assignments in a timely manner in order to demonstrate understanding of learning outcomes
• Students are expected to use their planner to record work assigned by teachers

Unacceptable Conduct

• Students under the influence or in possession of illegal drugs or alcohol at school or at school events will be disciplined. This may include suspension, referral to a counselor/assessment program or possibly a referral to the Keeping Kids in School Team. Students who are present when drugs or alcohol are consumed will also be disciplined in the same manner as those under the influence (for more information see âDrugs/Alcoholâ section of the Code of Conduct)
• Talking or socializing during class time when the teacher is talking or when students should be working independently
• Off task behavior such as not following directions, horseplay in class or in the hallways
• Not attending assigned detentions and/or tutorials

Respect of Facilities and Equipment Statement of Purpose

• To promote a safe environment through responsible use of facilities, equipment, and vehicles
• To ensure safety regulations are followed for the safety of all students and staff
• To care for the school and its property including textbooks, lockers, furniture, and school equipment

Our Expectations

• Facilities and Grounds- all members of our community are expected to keep the school facilities and grounds neat and tidy. Individuals are expected to clean up after themselves
• Lockers- remain the property of the school and are loaned to students. Students may store school-related items and supplies there. Disciplinary action will be taken if lockers are used to store stolen property, drugs or alcohol, and/or other materials, which jeopardize a safe and orderly learning environment. Graffiti is not permitted in lockers; students will be asked to remove graffiti that is found in lockers.
• Rollerblades, Bikes, and Skateboards- are not allowed to be used within the school or on school grounds. B
• Safety Rules in Classrooms- students are expected to know and abide by the safety rules for specific areas (eg cafeteria, gym, science, labs, shops etc)
• Textbooks and Library Books- Students are responsible for the textbooks and library books signed out to them. Textbooks are assigned using a bar code and students are responsible for the book with the barcode signed out them.
• Visitors- must report to the office and receive administrative permission to be in the school.

Unacceptable Conduct

• Intentional destruction of property, such as graffiti, vandalism, theft of personal and/or school property
• Careless use of other students or school materials
• Littering on or near the school grounds, and/or irresponsible behavior on school grounds

Respect for Human Rights Statement of Purpose

• In fostering a community of respect, inclusion, fairness and equity, we expect persons to not discriminate based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or age.

The Human Rights Codes [RSBC 1996, c210] will be respected:

         Excerpt from Section 7 Discriminatory publication

• 7 (1) A person must not publish, issue or display, or cause to be published, issued or displayed, any
• statement, publication, notice, sign, symbol, emblem, or other representation that
  • (a)indicates discrimination or an intention to discriminate against a person, a group, or class of persons, or
  • (b) is likely to expose a person or a group or class of persons to hatred or contempt

Excerpt from Section 8 Discrimination in accommodation, service, and facility          8 (1)    

A person must not, without a bona fide and reasonable justification,

• (a) deny to a person or class of persons any accommodation, service or facility customarily available to the public, or
• (b) discriminate against a person or class of persons regarding any accommodation, service or facility customarily available to the public.

Dress Code Statement – As Connected to Human Rights 

• The school district is committed to providing students with learning environments that are safe, responsive, and inclusive. The district recognizes that decisions about dress reflect individual expression of identity, socio-cultural norms, and that they are personal. Students may attend school and school-related functions in dress of their choice provided that their choices:
• Conform with established health and safety requirements for the intended activity;
• Do not represent or promote weapons, gang culture, alcohol or drugs;
• Use respectful language;
• Do not depict or promote violence, racism, sexism or discrimination; and
• Are not intimidating to others.

Ultimately, the school administration has the responsibility to apply the dress guidelines when necessary. If any person dresses in an inappropriate manner, the student should be advised personally and discretely and given an opportunity to meet school district guidelines.

Our Expectations

• Dress in clothing that is suitable for a working environment
• Students not dressed in appropriate school attire will be asked to remedy the situation. (eg turn a shirt inside out, wear alternative PE clothing) If unable to do so administration will intervene.
• Parents/guardians will work alongside school staff to ensure appropriate styles of clothing are worn at school

Unacceptable Conduct

• Clothing that promotes or advertises alcohol or drugs in any way is not permitted
• Clothing that does not meet the requirements of our Conduct Expectations

Students with Vehicles Statement of Purpose

• Students will recognize the importance of safe driving while on school grounds and while in our neighborhood
• Students will adhere to parking guidelines distributed by the school
• To provide students with clear guidelines about driving and parking on our property and in our neighborhood

Our Expectations

• All students will drive in a manner that is safe and respectful of our school community and safe and respectful of our neighbors
• All students will obey the driving parking/rules outlined in the signed agreement

 Unacceptable Conduct

• Driving in any manner that is deemed unsafe by a staff or community member
• Creating excessive noise (ie stereo is audible outside of the vehicle, horn is honked unnecessarily)
• Parking in an unmarked parking stall or parking in a restricted area

Drugs and Alcohol Statement of Purpose

• Students will recognize that using drugs and/or alcohol will have a negative effect on their education
• Students will recognize that the presence of drugs and/or alcohol in the building has a negative impact on school culture and on student learning
• Students will learn about the different counselors that are available to help with drug and alcohol issues

Our Expectations

• Students will not bring drugs or drug paraphernalia or alcohol to school
• Students will not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol while at school
• Students will not wear clothing that promotes, in any way, drugs or alcohol
• Students will not sell drugs or alcohol while at school

Unacceptable Conduct

• Being under the influence of any type of illegal drug or alcohol while involved in any school activity
• Being present while drugs and/or alcohol are used during the course of the school day
• Involvement in any type of drug or alcohol trafficking

Smoking / Vape Statement of Purpose

• To provide staff and students with an environment conducive to healthy living
• Students will adhere to rules about when and where they are allowed to smoke
• Students will learn about resources that are available to help them quit smoking

Our Expectations

• Students in grades 10, 11 and 12 may only leave the property to smoke / vape at lunch time (students are not permitted to smoke during instructional time or during class change)

Unacceptable Conduct

• Smoking at the Esso station or adjacent to the Esso station
• Any student selling any tobacco / vape product to another student
• Smoking on the property

Academic Honesty Statement of Purpose

• To encourage students to submit work that is their own and not copied from other sources
• To educate students on the various forms of plagiarism and cheating and why they are unacceptable
• To educate students about the different methods of citing and referencing information
• Additional IB – policies are: https://secondary.sd42.ca/gss/ib-policies

Our Expectations

• Students will submit work that is their own
• Students will provide citations or references when they borrow words, ideas or thoughts from any other source including the internet
• Students will not provide other students with the means to cheat
• Students will always provide a citation or source if they are unclear if they should or Should not  ( it is better to source when you shouldn’t than not source when you should)

Unacceptable Conduct

• copying homework from others or letting others copy homework
• using someone else’s thoughts or ideas in your work without providing a source or reference (plagiarism can occur with just a few words copied or when you take someone else’s idea and put it into your own words if you do not  indicate the source)
• copying someone else’s test, exam, or assignment
• bringing information into a test/exam (ie cheat sheets, writing on desks, clothing, body parts etc) that the teacher is not aware of
• using any electronic device during an exam without the permission of the teacher

Expectations for student conduct for younger students differ from those for older students as they do for students with special needs who are unable to meet expectations due to a disability. It is expected as students move through successive grades, become older and more mature that they will be more socially responsible.

 

Cell Phone Communication  / Policy Updated Sept 2024

As of September 2024 Garibaldi Students will only be permitted to access cell phones during class time if directed by teachers for educational purposes.  

This will include tutorial time. Students can freely access their phones before school, at lunch, class transition, and after school. If there is an emergency and parents need to connect to their student during school hours please contact the front office. The only exceptions to this rule will be students who need their devices to monitor their health. Examples include blood glucose level or other medical purposes. Please inform the school if student has a medical reason to use an electronic device.

The implementation of this systemic change was directed by the Premier in order to ensure student attention is focused on social connection, academic achievement, and building interpersonal skills. Teachers have always had the individual discretion to institute their own technology policy and many teachers already have cell phone bans / policy in place. However, the desire for this systemic change was universally expressed by the staff, and recently has been expressed by the Premier of BC.

Students, inevitably, will use computers and cell phones as part of their learning because teachers recognize the power of these tools. We will be seeking feedback from teachers, students, and parents later in the year to see how this policy influences classroom success and behaviour. We hope that all parents and caregivers will support our staff’s efforts to create a positive and productive learning environment. Please see a link to an article regarding a similar policy instituted by a school on the Sunshine Coast: https://www.vicnews.com/news/b-c-school-teens-showed-improved-grades-and-so cial-skills-after-a-ban-01-phones-114206

 

Search and Seizure at Garibaldi Secondary School

In some instances where school officials believe a violation of the code of conduct has occurred, searching a student or his/her belongings may be necessary. The following are examples of what may constitute reasonable grounds in this context:

• information believed to be credible received from a student
• a teacher’s or administrator’s observation
• any combination of sources of information that the principal or vice-principal considers to be credible.

Where the principal, vice-principal or designate has reasonable grounds to believe a school rule has been or is being violated and that a search will produce evidence of that violation and the principal, vice-principal or designate intends to conduct a search of a student or their possessions, the following guidelines will be observed:

• before the search begins, the student will be notified why the administrator believes a search is necessary
• the search will be conducted in a private area respecting the rights of the student to be treated fairly (except lockers which must be searched in hallways)
• a second adult will often be present for the search
• where reasonably possible a search will be conducted by a person of the same gender as the student and
• a reasonable attempt will be made to contact the parent(s) and/or legal guardian(s) prior to the search.

Attendance Policy

All students who attend GSS are expected to maintain regular attendance. For safety reasons, it is important that the school knows when a student will be away. The school must be notified by phone or email of any absence before 3 p.m. on the day of the absence. Students who are absent without a parent/guardian contacting the school will be given a consequence by an administrator upon returning to school. Further, parent/guardian contact must be made before a student may leave school during the day. This may be done by either a note or a parent phone call to the school. No student will be permitted to leave without contact from a parent/guardian as the school remains responsible for the student unless we have contacted a parent.

Vacations During School Time

At GSS, we are not in a position to grant or deny permission for any student to miss school for an extended holiday. However, we do not endorse students missing school time for vacation. These should be arranged during regular school vacation times. Teachers cannot duplicate valuable class time for students who are on extended vacations. It is not unusual for students to see a significant decline in marks following an extended absence. Please note, it is not required that teachers provide work for students before they leave on vacation. Arrangements must be made directly with the student’s individual teacher to make up any missed work.