Qualicum School District

CODE OF CONDUCT

Statement of Purpose

The Qualicum School District Schools Code of Conduct have been developed in collaboration with staff, students, and parents and guardians to maintain a safe, caring, and orderly school environment, as per the Ministry of Education and Childcare guidelines, and in support of Qualicum School District policy, and the laws of BC and Canada. As well, it reflects Sections 7 and 8 of the BC Human Rights Code, which protects the rights of all individuals from discrimination based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and age.

We are a community that celebrates and values the diversity of our members.

Safe Reporting:

The Board of Education for the Qualicum School District will take reasonable steps to prevent retaliation by a person against a student who has made a complaint of a breach of the Code of Conduct.

Responsibility to Inform Other Parties:

School officials may have the responsibility to advise other parties/agencies of serious breaches of the Code of Conduct, including parents, school district officials, RCMP, and MCFD.

Range of Responses to Unacceptable Behaviour:

Supporting students' academic, social-emotional and physical development. Whenever possible, we strive to focus on responses that are restorative rather than punitive. Responses will take into consideration the student's age, maturity, and special needs. Special considerations may apply to students with special needs who are unable to comply with a code of conduct due to having a disability of an intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional, or behavioural nature.

Suspension:

In accordance with the School Act, Section 85(2)(ii) and (d), the Board authorizes the Principal or designate of any school in the district to suspend a student from attendance at school for up to five (5) days. Suspensions may be for the following reasons:

Because a student is willfully and repeatedly disrespectful to a teacher or to any other employee of the Board carrying out responsibilities approved by the Board.

Because the behaviour of the student beaches the District Code of Conduct or Policy and/or has a harmful effect on others or the learning environment of the school.

Because the student has failed to comply with the School Code of Conduct.

Suspensions over five (5) days are made in consultation with the appropriate Director of Instruction as per the District's AP'S 700 Safe, Caring, and Inclusive School Communities and 701 Student Discipline. As per the AP 350 6.7.1, an educational program must be provided.

Date reviewed: June, 2023

School District Policy

Ministry of Education and Childcare Guidelines

Section 7 of the BC Human Rights Code

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 or a group or class of persons, or

(b) is likely to expose a person or group or class of persons to hatred or contempt

because of the Indigenous identity, race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or age of that person or that group or class of persons.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a private communication, a communication intended to be private or a communication related to an activity otherwise permitted by this Code.

Section 8 of the BC Human Rights Code

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

(2) A person does not contravene this section by discriminating

(a) on the basis of sex, if the discrimination relates to the maintenance of public decency or to the determination of premiums or benefits under contracts of life or health insurance, or

(b) on the basis of physical or mental disability or age, if the discrimination relates to the determination of premiums or benefits under contracts of life or health insurance.

​​Qualicum School District