Code at a Glance
- General rights, responsibilities and expectations
- Attendance and late policies
- Parking/Driving
- Suspensions
- District policies – bullying, violence, weapons, alcohol/drugs and tobacco
- Threat assessment practice
- Dress code
- Appropriate use of technology
- Communication technology policy
- Video security
Student Rights and Responsibilities
It is the personal responsibility of each student at Ballenas Secondary School to be aware of, to support, and to abide by the School Code of Conduct and applicable Qualicum School District policies.
These rights and responsibilities apply to all students while under the jurisdiction of the school. This includes student behaviour at school, while on school activities and when traveling to and from school.
Students who contravene the Code of Conduct will be subject to a program of progressive discipline, which seeks to clarify expectations, provide support for behavioural change, and assign appropriate and timely consequences for breaches of school rules and/or district policies.
Members of our school community support the values expressed in the BC Human Rights Code respecting the rights of all individuals in accordance with the law – prohibiting discrimination based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, physical and mental disability, sex or sexual orientation.
Prevention of Retaliation
All reasonable steps will be taken to prevent retaliation against a student, parent, or community member who has made a complaint alleging a breach of the Code of Conduct.
Special Consideration
Application of the school’s Code of Conduct may require special consideration for students with Special Needs who are unable to comply as a result of a documented disability or deficit of an intellectual, physical, sensory, or behavioural nature.
General Rights and Responsibilities
· Each student and teacher has the right to be treated, at all times, with dignity and in a respectful manner.
· Each student has the right, unless removed following due process, to attend classes and participate in a full range of class and non-class activities.
· Each student has the responsibility to attend classes regularly and to be punctual.
· Each student has the responsibility to behave in a manner, which does not distract, disrupt, offend or endanger self/others or cause damage to school property or equipment.
Classroom Expectations
The teachers at Ballenas believe that every student is able to be a successful learner. In order to bring about this success, each teacher develops an appropriate learning climate according to his or her subject, discipline and teaching practices.
The teachers’ expectations, regulations and evaluation procedures will normally be communicated to the students in the first few days of classes through course outlines and expectations documents.
School Expectations
Ballenas Secondary School is a learning community of approximately 900 young adults and staff. As in any community, we must work toward our common purpose in a spirit of cooperation. The hallmark of all interactions in our school community should be that our actions and words demonstrate a respect for self and others.
Student Parking/Driving
Students are permitted to park only in the student lot at the front of the school, NOT in the areas that are reserved for staff, on the walkways, or in any fire access, handicapped, or visitor areas. Students who disregard parking rules may have their cars towed at their expense and/or may be restricted from parking on the school grounds. For security reasons, students are not to be loitering in the parking lot during instructional times. Driving offences will be reported to the RCMP.
Video Security
Students, parents and staff should be aware that Ballenas Secondary makes use of a video security system. This system is in use to ensure the safety of students and staff, as well as, the security of school district property.
Suspensions
Suspensions are issued when students fail to respond to other disciplinary measures, or when more severe consequences are warranted and it becomes necessary to temporarily remove a student from the school. Parents will be notified of any suspensions.
While the administration has the authority to suspend for up to five days, the length of the suspension depends upon the circumstances. For more serious offences, students may be suspended to the school board (over 5 days). Students are not to be on the school grounds, nor can they participate in any school-sponsored activities during the period of their suspension. Suspended students are responsible for keeping up with all schoolwork while suspended and must meet with the Principal or Vice-Principal prior to their return to classes. Students under suspension during exam periods will be provided with alternate arrangements to write exams.
Violence, Weapons and Bullying
Our school district has very clear and prescriptive policies covering expectations in these areas. Violent and threatening behaviour will not be tolerated. Students who are violent or who cause others to feel threatened at school will meet consequences as outlined in Board policy (7030, 7163, 7164). Risk/threat assessment will be carried-out when threats or acts of violence take place.
Alcohol/Drugs/Drug Free Zone
Alcohol or drug use/possession will never be acceptable at Ballenas Secondary School. Students who use, distribute or possess alcohol or drugs will be dealt with under the provisions of policy 7165. Students who breach this policy will be placed on an immediate three day In-School Suspension. They will complete a Substance Use Workbook and appear (with a parent) before the District Drug and Alcohol Review Committee which will seek to understand the students’ use patterns, offer support and set expectations.
Ballenas Secondary lies within a Drug Free Zone. As such, police and crown counsel agree to pursue maximum penalties for possession and trafficking. Ballenas Secondary is fortunate enough to have a drug and alcohol counsellor (from VIHA) available at the school one day a week. Students may access his services free of charge by making an appointment.
Smoking
Board policy dictates that smoking is not permitted anywhere on School District 69 property. There are no exceptions to this policy. Ballenas students are not permitted to smoke within one block of the school. Breaches of this policy are considered serious because of the health and safety implications. Consequences for offences will reflect this concern.
Inappropriate Clothing
Ballenas Secondary has had a dress code in effect for a number of years. That code stated simply that students needed to wear appropriate clothing. Changing times, community values and fashion trends have sometimes blurred
our working definition of appropriateness. For the purpose of clarification, we require that students wear clothing that is appropriate to a work place environment.
The following clothing choices would be considered breaches of the appropriateness guideline:
· Clothing (including hats and bandanas) which promotes alcohol, drugs, violence, racism or sexism
· Clothing which exposes undergarments or is unduly revealing (exposed midriffs, skirts/shorts shorter than mid-thigh, low cut or strapless, backless or spaghetti strap tops, bathing suit tops, muscle shirts). (see attached poster for Dress Code Alert)
This list is not intended to be exhaustive, but rather representative of our shared values in these areas.
Students who are found to be outside of these guidelines will be warned, or asked to cover-up or change clothing. Repeat offences will put students on a progressive discipline track with escalating consequences including suspension for cases where there is a clear pattern of defiance/non-compliance.
Computer Use
Students are expected to abide by the Board policy 5056 – ‘Internet Access and Network Citizenship’ when using school computers.
SCHOOL DISTRICT No. 69 (QUALICUM)
BOARD POLICY 5056
INTERNET ACCESS AND NETWORK CITIZENSHIP
Policy
The Board believes that the Internet is a valuable resource for students, teachers and employees; and that understanding and being able to make effective uses of the Internet is a key skill in our technological society. Therefore the Board has provided access to the Internet through the district computer network to meet learning, program and department goals. Furthermore, the Board believes that appropriate use of computer networks by students is the shared responsibility of students, parents, and teachers.
Regulations
Internet access is provided at each school and worksite under the following conditions. The:
1. Development and implementations of site-specific Acceptable use Policy and Procedures, that is consistent with this policy and accompanying regulations. Site-specific policies will include:
a. Communication to users of the level of access and any restrictions that may apply,
b. Acceptance of full responsibility by users for the use of their accounts and the agreement not to share account passwords with other users.
c. Provision for signed informed consent by parents as a condition for student internet access.
d. Reasonable expectation of privacy for users in their e-mail and other documents, save and except when teachers or administrators may need to gain access to those files.
e. Communication to users that impersonation and anonymity are not permitted on School District 69 computer networks.
f. Communication to users of prohibited use of the internet, including those outlined by the internet service provider, Provincial Learning Network (PLNet) in their Acceptable Use Standards. (attached) In addition, users will not:
i. Access, upload, download, or distribute pornographic, obscene, sexually explicit or racist material;
ii. Violate any local, provincial, or federal legislation;
iii. Violate copyright or otherwise use the intellectual property of another individual, or organization without permission;
iv. Vandalize, damage, or disable the property of another individual or organization;
v. Access another individual’s materials, information, or files without permission.
vi. Publish personal information about oneself or others without prior consultation and approval by a teacher, or without prior approval from individuals cited.
g. Communication to users of the consequences for inappropriate use.
2. Provision of Internet training to users that is appropriate to their level of access. Users will be provided with strategies for searching and communicating, as well as responding to unsolicited on-line contact and safeguarding personal information. Training may be integrated into a course, or offered as separate sessions.
Students may have their network privileges removed for breaches of this policy. Serious infractions will be handled in the context of this school’s progressive discipline model.