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Code of Conduct

Arriving on and Leaving School Property

All school members must:

• arrive to school punctually and attend regularly

All students must:

• walk bicycles to and from the street when arriving on or leaving school property;
• upon arrival, go directly to the assigned area, while waiting for the bell to ring;
• use the entrance designated for their classroom;
• leave the building promptly at lunch and after school by the designated entrance or report promptly to the activity permitted by the co-instructional program;
• move quickly and quietly to all classes in the time allotted
• have their parents/guardians contact the school before 8:30 a.m. (905-684-6589) if they are going to be late or absent (there is an answering machine available)
• report to the office to sign in if they are late (punctuality is important and it is the responsibility of our students to be on time)
• bring a note if they must leave the school premises early and sign out at the office before they leave

Lunch at School

Most students stay for lunch at school and are expected to follow the lunch rules. Students who do not follow lunchroom rules may lose their lunchroom privileges, and parents will be asked to find an alternate lunch location. It should be noted that staying for lunch at school is a privilege. Students are permitted to go home for lunch during the second nutrition break which will be 12:45 - 1:35 pm. If this is a regular routine, students do not need a note from their parents, however, they should notify their child's teacher. All other students who leave the school grounds at lunch time must have a signed and dated permission form stating where they will be going.

If you stay for lunch you must:

• sit quietly and eat your lunch in a mannerly fashion;
• ensure that food is eaten only in assigned areas and at appropriate times;
• clear your table and deposit garbage into the appropriate container(s);
• remain on school property during lunch unless picked up by parent/guardian or permission to leave has been requested in writing (with date and signature) by a parent/guardian and granted by the school office;
• consume food or drink brought from home or purchased at the school in the lunch area before going outside for outdoor play;
• refrain from bringing food products containing nut ingredients or peanut oil.

Cell Phones

Cell phones are to be powered off and stored in student backpacks during the school day from 8:30 until 3:15. They are not to be used anywhere within the school or on the school grounds within this time period.There is a telephone available for student use at the office if there is a need for communication to or from the school.

Field Trips

Throughout the year your teachers may take you on educational field trips approved by the Board. To ensure that parents are kept informed and approve of having you take part, consent forms are sent home prior to each field trip. In order to participate in a field trip the consent form MUST be returned signed by the parent/guardian.

Bicycle Safety

• It is important that students in grades 4-8 who ride their bikes to school observe the basic bicycle safety rules. The school cannot be responsible for bicycles brought to school. We strongly recommend that any bicycles brought to the school be securely attached to the bicycle racks with a chain and lock and that students wear helmets.
• Bicycles must be walked at the crosswalks and on school property.
• Students have been allowed to use skateboards, scooters and rollerblades going to and from school. Students are expected to put these items away safely in lockers upon arrival at school. Students are asked to remove rollerblades and to replace them with appropriate footwear and not to use their skateboards or scooters once on school property. The school cannot be responsible for skateboards, scooters or rollerblades brought to school.

Lockers

Some students will been assigned a locker for use during the year. It is the student's responsibility to keep his/her locker neat and clean. The school sells combination locks ($6.00), but combination locks purchased elsewhere may be used as long as the serial number and combination are given to us for our records. Locker numbers and combinations are kept on file in the office in case of emergencies. We advise students not to give their combinations to others.

Lost and Found and Personal Belongings

During the year, many articles of clothing and other personal belongings accumulate in our Lost and Found area. Watches, keys, jewellery, and other small articles are kept at the office. Students are expected to be responsible for their belongings and to check the Lost and Found or the office when something is lost. Any items that are not claimed at different times during the year will be donated to a local charity.

Students should NOT bring personal CD players or other valuables to school. The school will NOT be responsible for damage or loss of valuable items.

The Ravine

Unless being used for educational purposes under the supervision of a teacher, the ravine on the west and north sides of the school is out-of-bounds.

Care of School Property

It will be the student's responsibility to replace any lost or damaged school property . Students are expected to take care of school property such as books, gym equipment, furniture, the building and its grounds. If a school or community member observes any act of vandalism, there is a District School Board of Niagara answering service to report such suspicions at 905-682-8065 or 905-563-1293. Phone calls may be made anonymously. We have a beautiful school and it's up to each of us to keep it this way.

Each student will be provided with the required textbooks for his/her studies. The care and return of these books is the responsibility of each student. Books are to be returned in good condition. Students are not to write in any textbooks. Payment will be made for lost or damaged books. This policy also applies to library books.

Classroom Expectations

All students must:

• keep gym bags, purses and backpacks in their designated areas;
• not have gum in the school or during classes;
• not bring radios, disc players, electronic games, cell phones, hard balls, hockey sticks, baseball bats and racquets to school, except when permitted as part of a school program;
• not use skateboards, bicycles, roller blades, wheelie shoes and scooters on school property;
• behave in a manner that is conducive to the learning, safety and respect of self and others;
• be accountable for participation in learning and assessment activities.

Dress Code

We believe that student dress should be appropriate to an academic setting and contribute to an overall positive image of our school.

To create a consistent approach to school dress and to enhance an educational environment and tone conducive to the achievement of excellence, the following rules concerning student dress have been adopted and applied to both male and female attire. This dress code will have a minimum impact or influence on most students since the vast majority of students presently dress in a fashion that complies with these rules. The stated rules serve to answer questions and confirm decisions made by teachers, students and parents about appropriate school dress. Students will be asked to change clothes if, in the opinion of a staff member, clothing is questionable.

• Hats or head-coverings (bandanas, head bands, kerchiefs, wave caps, hoods, visors, etc) are to be removed before entering the school or participating in indoor field trips and/or indoor activities. Head dresses or head coverings worn for religious or medical purposes are exempt
• Metal spike studded collars, wrist bands etc. and "hardware" chains (used as wallet chains or jewellery) are not to be present in the school, on school sponsored field trips or during activities.
• Halter-tops, tube tops, tank tops (excluding school athletic team uniforms that are worn in a game and/or practice situations), muscle shirts, see-through or mesh tops (unless worn with an undershirt) are not to be worn at school. Blouses, shirts or tops that reveal bare backs, midriffs or undergarments or that have spaghetti straps or revealing necklines are not to be worn at school, in hallways, during class activities or on field trips.
• Shorts and skirts are to be of a length that is appropriate to a school environment and activity and that do not reveal undergarments in the normal range of movement. The length line of skirts and shorts should be at or below the outstretched fingers of the hand when arms are held at the sides.
• Low riding pants, shorts or skirts are to be worn above the hip points and in such a fashion that undergarments are not revealed. The bottom on the pant should rest on the top of the shoe and are not of a length that allows students to walk on them (for safety reasons).
• All clothes are to be clean and in good repair, free from holes and tears.
• Footwear appropriate to the subject area or activity must be worn at all times.
• Clothing which advertises or promotes alcoholic beverages, drugs, violence or racism or that displays obscene, distasteful or hurtful messages are not to be worn in school or in any of its activities or field trips.
• No "gang" associated clothing, symbol or paraphernalia is to be worn or displayed in the school, in school activities, on field trips or on school property.
• Students are expected to dress appropriately for the weather. All outdoor use coats and jackets are to be placed in designated areas until the student leaves the school.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Students are to be treated with respect and dignity. In return, they must demonstrate respect for themselves, for others and for the responsibilities of citizenship through acceptable behaviour. Respect and responsibility are demonstrated when a student:

• respects the right of others to work in an environment that promotes learning and teaching;
• demonstrates honesty and integrity;
• respects differences in people, their ideas and opinions;
• treats others with dignity and respect at all times, especially when there is disagreement;
• respects and treats others fairly, regardless of their race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability;
• respects the rights of others;
• shows proper care and regard for school property and the property of others;
• takes appropriate measures to help those in need;
• respects persons who are in a position of authority;

• equal learning opportunities;
• an appropriate and challenging program;
• freedom from physical and verbal harassment;
• help in making decisions regarding school program;
• a positive school atmosphere;
• assistance from teachers.

Standards of Behaviour

All school members must:

• show respect for themselves, for others and for those in authority, addressing people in a polite and courteous manner;
• show respect for themselves and others by avoiding inappropriate public displays of affection;
• show respect for themselves and others by using acceptable language, avoiding racist, profane or obscene comments;
• show respect for the property of others and of the school;
• refrain from bringing anything to school that may compromise the safety of others;
• follow the established rules and take responsibility for their own actions.

In addition, all students must:

• come to school prepared, having all the necessary supplies as well as all homework and assignments completed;
• come to school on time, being accountable for work or assignments missed due to absences or lateness;
• come to school ready to learn with a positive attitude, participate in activities, be industrious in all assignments and strive for excellence
• not inflict or encourage others to inflict bodily harm to another person;
• avoid rough play, bullying, fighting; physically and verbally abusive behaviour;
• refrain from throwing snowballs on or in the proximity of the school grounds;
• seek staff assistance, if necessary, to resolve conflicts peacefully;
• not be in possession of any weapon, including but not limited to firearms or explosive materials, including but not limited to firecrackers;
• not use any object to threaten or intimidate another person;
• not cause injury to any person with an object.

All students must NOT:

• be in possession of, or under the influence of, or provide others with, alcohol, cigarettes or illegal drugs; (mandatory suspension)
• be in possession of a weapon, including knives or firearms
• be in possession of matches or lighters;
• deface, damage or destroy any equipment or other property that is not their own

Responses to Behaviour

Responses to inappropriate behaviour will be determined by the nature and frequency of the behaviour. Communication between home and school will facilitate this process. Responses may take two forms:

1. Positive practices that reinforce appropriate behaviours:
   • program modification
   • program accommodation
   • positive feedback for desired behaviours
   • interview between teacher and student
   • involvement of resource personnel (ie youth counsellor, resource teacher, in-school team, Board/community agencies)
   • formal interview between student, teacher, principal, vice principal
2. Corrective practices that may require interventions:
   • withdrawal of privileges
   • classroom detention
   • exclusion from optional activities
   • restitution of damages
   • in-school suspension
   • suspension from school for major or repeated offenses ranging from 1 to 20 days
   • expulsion for extremely serious offenses (under Board authority)

Consequences could include the following

• conference or discussion with student
• specific tasks assigned to be done at school or at home
• community service
• withdrawal of privileges
• contacting parent(s)/guardian(s)
• detention (recess, lunch, after school)
• removal from classroom to another area of the school
• paying for lost or damaged property
• signing a behaviour contract
• referral to an in-school team of teachers for further action
• referral to outside agencies (e.g., police, F.A.C.S.)
• school suspension
• police intervention

Courtesy and Respect at Oakridge

• Students will use the exit and entrance doors designated by the Homeroom Teacher.
• Locker access occurs upon arrival and after recesses. Students do not use lockers during rotary.
• Homework Club: Students seeking assistance must arrive no later than 8:20 a.m. and must go directly to their designated room. All others in the hallway after 8:20 will be directed outside.
• Students arriving after the bell will obtain a late slip from the secretary. Homeroom Teachers will monitor students who continue to arrive late and will make contact with home to communicate this fact.
• Recess: Please use the washrooms before going outside. Permission is required to return inside during recess. The ravine is out of bounds. If a ball goes into the ravine, permission to retrieve it must be obtained from the yard duty supervisor. Respond to the bell and arrive at your door on time. Students are NOT allowed to remain inside and are NOT permitted in a room unsupervised.
• Hallway Travel: Respect two way traffic and keep to the right. Rotate from classes according to the bell times. Staff with classes rotating will be in the hallway to supervise orderly travel.
• Telephones: Student phone calls are for emergencies only. Obtain a telephone permission slip from your teacher BEFORE you request the use of the office telephone. Student secretaries do NOT have the authority to give permission to use the phone. You must present a telephone slip and seek permission from an adult.
• Cell Phones MUST be turned off and kept locked in the locker. Students may NOT use their cell phones during the instructional day. Students caught with their cell phone will have it taken away and it will be returned at the end of the day. If it happens again, parents will be contacted.
• The use and possession of electronic entertainment devices are restricted. Items such as iPods, MP3 Players, cameras, electronic game devices etc., are NOT allowed at school at any time.
• Bikes are to be walked on school property. A secure locking device is required. Skateboards and rollerblades are NOT to be used on school property.
• Hats are not to be worn in the school. NO chewing gum at school; either inside or outside.
• C.A.R.E. = Courtesy And Respect for Everyone and Everything. Practice C.A.R.E. !!!!!