Oxbow Public School – Code of Conduct

OUR MISSION STATEMENT:
At Oxbow Public School, we pride ourselves in demonstrating respect for self, others, school property, and the learning environment and culture of our school. Success is a collective effort at Oxbow P.S. that permits students to achieve their personal best at school and beyond. Through cooperation, all staff, students, parents/guardians and the Oxbow community will abide by the Code of Conduct. In accepting others, we promote individuality and celebrate differences. By taking ownership for the choices we make and the actions we take, we assume responsibility for ourselves.

All members of the school community including students, parents and guardians, volunteers and school staff, whether they are on school property, on school buses, at school-authorized events, online or in any other school related situation have a responsibility to behave appropriately, take responsibility for their own actions, and respect and honour the school Code of Conduct. (Summary from section 2.2 Safe Schools Procedure)

OUR RESPONSIBILITIES:
All members of the school community are expected to:
•Accept differences-treat one another with dignity, respect and fairness, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability or any other attribute
•Respect the rights of others
•Respect all members of the school community, especially those in a position of authority
•Use appropriate language (in-person/online)-no put downs
•Show proper care and regard for school property and the property of others
•Show honesty and integrity
•Take an active role in ensuring punctuality, regular attendance, reporting absences or late arrivals and ongoing communication with the school
•Be an Upstander-use good judgement and make wise choices while supporting others to do the same and resolve conflicts in a peaceful and constructive way
•Abide by school protocols (ie. Parking lot protocol, pick up and drop off procedures) and all applicable laws

Additional Student responsibilities include:
•Arrive at school on time, prepared to learn, and to work in a manner that is respectful of all learners
•Follow school rules and take responsibility for their own actions
•Complete homework as assigned; practicing honesty and integrity by not participating in or encouraging plagiarism and misrepresentation of original work
•Dress in a manner that follows the TVDSB Dress Guidelines
•Enter and exit the school at the designated time in a quiet, orderly manner to ensure their safety and that of others
•Be responsible for the proper care of all books, computer equipment, musical instruments, supplies, furniture, playground equipment and the building
•Ride the school bus in a safe and orderly manner
•Not to physically harm others (keep hands and feet off) or encourage others to inflict bodily harm
•Not to use any object to threaten, intimidate, or injure anyone
•Not to bring, give or use tobacco products, vapes, lighters, matches, alcohol, weapons, illegal substances on school property or on the school bus
•Ensure cell phones and other personal mobile devices are only used during instructional time for educational purposes (as directed by an educator), health and medical purposes and/or special education needs support
•Not to start or join in any form of bullying (in-person or online)
•Not to start or join in hate propaganda or other types of behaviour caused by hate or bias
•Demonstrate one's personal best at all times

PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE:
Progressive discipline is an approach that makes use of a continuum of prevention programs, interventions, supports and consequences, building upon strategies that build skills for healthy relationships and promote positive behaviours. When inappropriate behaviour occurs, disciplinary measures should be applied within a framework that shifts the focus from one that is solely punitive to one that is both corrective and supportive. Oxbow Public School utilizes a range of interventions, supports and consequences that are developmentally, socially and emotionally appropriate and include learning opportunities for reinforcing positive behaviour while helping students to make better choices. Depending on the severity of the infraction, suspensions and/or expulsions may be considered. For more information, visit: https://www.tvdsb.ca/en/resources/SafeSchools/Procedure---Safe-Schools.pdf

Violation of the Code of Conduct may result in but is not limited to:
•Reminders or warnings
•Detentions
•Special assignments
•Loss of privileges
•Parental involvement
•Suspension
•Restitution for damaged property
•Police involvement
•Expulsion

Suspension: Activities leading to possible suspension
The principal shall consider a suspension, subject to mitigating and other factors, if they believe that the student has engaged in any of the following activities while at school, at a school-related activity or in any other circumstances where engaging in the activity will have an impact on the school climate:
•uttering a threat to inflict serious bodily harm on another person;
•possessing alcohol, illegal drugs, or unless the pupil is a medical cannabis user, cannabis;
•being under the influence of alcohol or unless the pupil is a medical cannabis user, cannabis;
•swearing at a teacher or at another person in a position of authority;
•committing an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property at the student’s school or to property located on the premises of the student’s school;
•bullying;
•persistent opposition to authority;
•use of profane or improper language;
•engaging in any act considered by the principal to be injurious to the moral tone of the school;
•engaging in any act considered by the principal to be injurious to the physical or mental well-being of any member of the school community;
•engaging in any act considered by the principal to be contrary to the Board or school Code of Conduct or the Board’s Safe Schools Policies and Procedures

Suspension, Investigation and Possible Expulsion: Activities leading to suspension, pending expulsion

The principal shall consider an expulsion, subject to mitigating and other factors, if they believe that the student has engaged in any of the following activities while Safe Schools Procedure Page 27 of 35 at school, at a school-related activity or in any other circumstances where engaging in the activity will have an impact on the school climate:
•possessing a weapon, including possessing a firearm;
•using a weapon to cause or threaten bodily harm to another person;
•committing a physical assault on another person that causes bodily harm requiring treatment by a medical practitioner;
•committing sexual assault;
•trafficking in weapons or illegal drugs;
•committing robbery;
•giving alcohol or cannabis to a minor;
•bullying, if the student has previously been suspended for engaging in bullying, and the student’s continuing presence in the school creates an unacceptable risk to the safety of another person;
•engaging in any activity listed in subsection 311 of the Education Act that is motivated by bias, prejudice or hate based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or any other similar factor;
•engaging in any activity that cause the student’s presence in the school to be injurious to the physical or emotional well-being of other students or persons in the school;
•engaging in any activity that cause extensive damage to the property of the Board;
•engaging in any activity considered by the principal to be a serious violation of the Board or school Code of Conduct or the Board’s Safe Schools Policies and Procedures.

(revised and adopted by Oxbow’s School Community, April 2024)