School Code of Conduct
2004-5
The Kitsilano student
agenda books contain the 'Code of Conduct'.
PAC recommends parents
read the agenda book as it contains lots of other helpful information.
Also see Special
Interest Group "Improving Awareness of Code of Conduct Among Parents"
at:
http://members.shaw.ca/QPAC/K-PAC-Improving-Awareness-of-Code-Conduct.html
'Code of Conduct' online on the Kits School web
site:
http://kitsilano.vsb.bc.ca/downloads/CodeofConduct.pdf
'Code of Conduct' from the Kitsilano Summer 2005
Newsletter:
KITSILANO
SECONDARY SCHOOL
CODE OF CONDUCT
Kitsilano Secondary School is a community comprised of students, staff,
and parents. We are proud of
our efforts to maintain a safe, caring, and orderly environment at
Kitsilano, where everyone can make a
contribution and be successful. The guiding principle in our Code of
Conduct is that everyone is expected
to behave in a way that shows courtesy, respect and consideration for
other people and their property and
in no way offends others.
We respect and celebrate the diverse cultures, customs, religions,
values, and view points that make up our
school community, welcoming the unique contributions that each person
can offer. We encourage
openness and understanding among all Kitsilano citizens. Our Code of
Conduct provides a set of
standards and a positive framework for our daily lives at Kitsilano.
These standards help us to maintain an
appropriate balance between individual and collective rights. The
standards also apply during extra
curricular activities, field trips, and whenever we represent Kitsilano
off campus. We believe that students
should learn to take responsibility for the decisions they make and
accept the consequences of their
actions. The Code of Conduct also included the expectation that it is
reasonable for staff and students to
encourage each other to adhere to the standards of the code.
At Kitsilano, students are expected to be serious about their studies
and show initiative in achieving their
goals. Teachers provide help, monitor progress, give encouragement, and
outline course requirements, and
students are in turn expected to contribute the effort necessary to
ensure progress and success.
We conduct ourselves in a manner that promotes achievement and
encourages learning. We adhere to the
Vancouver School Board policies for student behavior, including the
following:
No student may be in possession of or under the influence of illegal or
non-prescribed drugs or
alcohol, in the school, in the vicinity of the school, or at
school-sponsored events.
No one has to accept violence at any time at Kitsilano. Violence or
intimidation of any kind will not be tolerated.
Violence is defined as any action, or threat of action, that causes
physical or emotional injury,
discomfort, or fear. Students are not permitted to have weapons. A
weapon is defined as anything
that is used with the intent to hurt or frighten someone. Our school is
a community characterized b
cooperation and conflict resolution. Students are prohibited from
engaging in the bullying of any
form or harassment based on race, religion, culture, sexual
orientation, or sexism.
If you have been affected by (or know someone affected by) harassment,
bullying, violence, weapons,
drugs, or alcohol, it is important that you talk to a counselor,
teacher, administrator, school liaison
officer, or anyone else in the school that you trust, so that others
can help to solve the problem.
Clothing/Personal Accessories
At Kitsilano we dress in a manner that is appropriate for a learning
environment. Students who come
to school inappropriately dressed may be asked to go home and change.
The basic assumption is that
students dress for school as though they are going to work.
Electronic Devices
Use of cell phones or pagers is not allowed within the school from 8:30
am to 3:30 pm. Other
listening devices (cd players, mp3 players, etc.) are not permitted
during class time. If infractions
occur, these items will be confiscated and held until claimed by a
parent or guardian.
Kitsilano Secondary School, Summer Newsletter page 23
Other Banned Items
The use of fireworks, firecrackers, laser pointers/pens, water toys or
balloons, skateboards, and
snowballs is not permitted on school property. Skateboards must remain
in lockers during the school
day.
School Environment
We take ownership of our school and take pride in maintaining a clean
and safe environment. The
student and the student’s parents are jointly liable for any graffiti
or other vandalism that may
occur. Please obtain permission of the administration before posting or
distributing any advertising
or publicity material on school property. There is a Vancouver School
Board policy of no smoking
in the school building, on the school grounds, and at school functions.
Visitors
The school welcome visitors, including parents and guardians. Visitors
are asked to report to the
school office to obtain permission to remain in the building. Visitors
found to have no legitimate
business at the school will be treated as trespassers and asked to
leave.
Field Trips
From time to time throughout the year, field trips are conducted by
teachers as an integral part of
their courses. Any student going on a field trip must appreciate that
attendance is a privilege and
although we would hope that other teachers will allow students to
participate, circumstances may
require that a student will not be granted permission. Consent forms
for field trips must be signed by
the parent/guardian and teachers affected and returned to the sponsor
teacher no later than 24 hours
prior to the day of the field trip.
Lockers
One locker is provided for each student at Kitsilano. Each student is
responsible for maintaining his/
her locker. Students are expected to keep their designated locker for
the entire academic year.
Lockers or lock combinations should not be shared. Personal items of
value should not be left in
lockers. It is the student's responsibility to ensure both gym and
school lockers are secure
(locked).Locker break-ins should be reported to the office. The school
does not have insurance
coverage for items lost from lockers.
NOTE: School authorities retain the right to inspect lockers under
their control, and to
prevent their use in illicit ways or for illegal purposes.
Vehicle Regulations
Students bringing cars to school are required to comply with all
Vancouver City traffic and parking
by-laws. The Vancouver School Board does not permit student parking on
school property.
Offending cars will be towed away, without warning, at the owner's
expense.
Homework
It is recommended that Grades 8 and 9 students do approximately one
hour of homework daily and
grade 10 to 12 students approximately two hours daily.
Dishonesty
Theft and cheating are viewed as serious infractions of school rules
and in all instances will be
referred to the administration.
Public Assembly Expectations
We believe in the value of public assemblies, both for educational and
community-building
purposes. To that end we move quickly and quietly in and out of
assemblies and we are always
are a respectful and appreciative audience.
Student Discipline
At Kitsilano, we are accountable for our actions. Any student who
violates School Board or
school policy will be subject to disciplinary action, which may include:
- an interview with an administrator
- notification of parents/guardians
-in-school suspension
- community service
- referral to counselling or a treatment program
- suspension from school
- transfer to another school
- referral to the Vancouver School Board for action by the
Board of Trustees
- expulsion from the school district
- In some cases, violation of school or district policies
may also be a violation of the criminal code and
result in a police investigation and possible charges.
In all instances, the severity and frequency of unacceptable conduct,
as well as the age an maturity of
students, is considered in determining appropriate disciplinary action.
Also see School Policy and
Regulations
Also see Links
of General Interest to Parents
Kits PAC Special Interest Groups