Code of Conduct

The staff of Rosemary Heights Elementary School is committed to fostering positive, supportive relationships between students, parents and school personnel.  We work to establish and maintain a safe, caring and orderly environment for purposeful learning.

We believe all students have the right to learn in a safe, caring and orderly environment and will maintain an attitude that is cooperative, courteous and respectful.  We are a community of learners who are respectful and caring of each other and our community. 

Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities

I have a RIGHT to learn.

It is my RESPONSIBILITY to listen to instructions, to cooperate, to work quietly and to get help if I have a question or concern.

I have a RIGHT to be safe.

It is my RESPONSIBILITY to do things safely and to treat others as I like to be treated.

I have a RIGHT to be respected.

    It is my RESPONSIBILITY to learn about and respect differences in others.

I have a RIGHT to hear and be heard.

    It is my RESPONSIBILITY to listen when others are speaking.

I have a RIGHT to my own personal space and property.

    It is my RESPONSIBILITY to keep my hands and feet to myself and to respect the personal property of others.

BEHAVIOUR EXPECTATIONS

School rules and policies have been established for everyone’s protection, safety and well-being.  At Rosemary Heights, we expect all members of our community to assume responsibility for their behaviour.  The staff assists students in developing skills for resolving conflict, problem solving and decision making appropriate to their age for healthy learning and living.

Acceptable and unacceptable behaviour while at school, attending school related activities (both on and off school grounds) or in any other circumstances where engaging in the activity will have an impact on the school environment.  

Students are expected to follow the guidelines outlined in the Code of Conduct in classrooms, in the school building, on school grounds and at school functions, including field studies. When traveling to and from school, students are expected to respect public property, observe road safety regulations and display appropriate social conduct.

It is the student’s responsibility to report to persons in authority (teachers, supervisors, parents, office staff, principal etc.) about any incidents relating to harassment (verbal, physical or cyber), violence, weapons or other serious matters.

 There will be rising expectations of behaviour as students mature.

Be respectful of yourself, others and your school property and environment; work and play safe; be co-operative by listening and talking to find solutions, be supportive of others and learn to the best of your ability.  

SAFE & CARING SCHOOLS ARE –

FREE FROM ACTS OF:

• Bullying (including cyber-bullying) 
• Harassment, threat, intimidation and marginalization
• Violence in any form 
• Abuse in any form (verbal, physical, sexual, cyber)
• Intolerance and discrimination in any form, i.e. based on an individual or group’s race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, political belief, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, or age
• Retribution against a person who has reported incidents

DO NOT TOLERATE THE PRESENCE OF:

• Intoxicating or banned substances (including alcohol, cigarettes and drugs) 
• Theft and vandalism (or damage to personal property)
• Weapons or replica (toy) weapons (including laser pointers); explosives (including fireworks) and pepper or other obnoxious sprays
• Intruders or trespassers (all visitors must first report to the office)
• Inappropriate clothing or unacceptable slogans imprinted on clothing

MISUSE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES/COMPUTERS:

• School computers and other electronic devices are only to be used for school/education related activities.  They are not permitted for social networking, gaming, illegal, obscene or inappropriate purposes.  Inappropriate use includes, but is not limited to, attempts to vandalize, gain unauthorized access to data or another person’s account or resources, and sharing of data without personal or parental consent as appropriate.  Cell phones are not to be used during instructional time, at recess or at lunch and are subject to confiscation.
• Recording of visual images is not permissible at school unless permission has been received by the classroom teacher with respect to a classroom project.
• Students are to be aware that they may be subject to discipline (or, if applicable, confiscation of personal property) for misuse of any technology, if it negatively impacts the school environment.
• Misuse of district technology services will lead to suspension of user privileges and possible disciplinary or legal action.

CONSEQUENCES

We strive to develop socially responsible students and specifically teach, model and encourage caring and socially responsible behavior. Consequences will be applied in a fair and consistent manner, respecting and involving individual rights and responsibilities.

Consequences will take into account the age, maturity and special needs (e.g. intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional or behavioral disability), severity and frequency of actions.   Consequences will be progressive and will focus on being restorative rather than punitive in nature.  Depending upon these and other factors, one or more of the following actions may be taken: 

• Review of expectations, verbal reprimand and/or a timeout
• Review of expectations, written assignment and/or loss of privileges
• Problem solving and restitution
• Parents informed
• Meeting with parents
• Short-term (in-school or at home) suspensions up to 5 days
• Long-term suspension over 5 days or referral to a district program 
• Consultation with police and/or fire department
• Suspension/Expulsion

NOTIFICATION

School administration will advise parties as follows:

The Rosemary Heights staff view parents as valued partners and commit to regular, open communication regarding all areas of student conduct and development. 

Rosemary Heights Staff have an obligation to advise other parties of breaches of our school’s code of conduct… specifically… 

• Parents of student offender(s)/victim(s) will be advised. 
• Parent/guardian of student exhibiting major behavior problem will be advised.
• Parent/guardian of student on the receiving end of any major incident 
• Assistant Superintendent, Safe Schools Department and/or other District Staff
• Ministerial agencies and/or School Liaison Officer (RCMP)
• Police and/or other agencies will be advised as required by law.
• All parents – when it is deemed important to reassure members of the school community.

When students engage in a serious breach of our code of conduct, our response will always include communication with the parent and may also include district student services staff, the parents of the affected students as deemed necessary, and police and / or other agencies as deemed necessary by law. For more serious or repeated infractions, the following consequences could be applied: 

• The student may receive an in-school suspension where he/she works apart from the class, usually at the office and/or with the Childcare Worker. Suspensions range from a half day to five (5) days in duration. 
• The student may be suspended out of the school for a duration of one (1) to five (5) days. 
• The student may be required to participate in a counselling program. 
• Restitution may have to be made. 

Although unusual at the elementary school level, the following consequences may also be applied: 

• The matter could be referred to the District Student Conduct Committee as a result of an over five (5) day out-of-school suspension. 
• The student could be placed in an alternative learning situation. The student could be expelled. 

Rising Expectations –

As students at Rosemary Heights become older and more mature, it is expected that they: 

• Understand there are increased consequences for inappropriate behavior. 
• Increase their sense of personal responsibility and self-discipline. 

TRAFFIC SAFETY GUIDELINES

With over 500 students arriving and departing from school on a daily basis, it is important that students, parents and staff remember the following guidelines in order to ensure the safety of all students.

Scooter & Bicycle Guidelines 

• Scooters, bicycles, skateboard and inline skates are not to be ridden on school grounds at anytime during school hours (7:30 am – 3:30 pm).
• At school during the day, scooters, skateboards and bicycles must remain outside the classroom neatly, or in the designated bike racks not blocking sidewalks or doors. 

Parking and Traffic Flow Guidelines

• Please use the drop-off / pick-up bays quickly and efficiently.  This means you should remain in your vehicle and your child can quickly and safely embark/disembark from the curbside door.
• Use the parking lot for longer stays.  This is for those who are going to get out of the car and come to the classroom door to meet their child, or who have an appointment in the school.
• Use the crosswalk from the parking lot to the front entry to cross the “flow through” lane.  Take the few extra steps down to the corner where the crosswalk is.  It is very dangerous to have kids or adults come out from between parked cars into a lane when traffic is moving.  

Please, if you are coming to pick up your child at the end of the instructional day, go to the classroom door instead of coming in the front entry. The reason for this is to minimize the disruption at the school office where it is very busy during these peak times.  If you are picking up during instructional time, please report to the office and your child will be called down to meet you.

The expectation at Rosemary Heights is:

• Children use their classroom doors for all normal coming and going.
• Adults who have appointments or other business at the school use the front entry and report to the office.
• Parents wanting to drop things off, please leave items at the office to minimize disruptions in instructional time.

We thank you for your cooperation and hope to make everyone’s experience at Rosemary Heights Elementary a positive and safe one.

VOLUNTEER DRIVERS

The School Board provides one million dollars liability insurance for all volunteer drivers.  To ensure that coverage is provided, our School Board Policy insists that all volunteer drivers complete a Volunteer Driver Form before transporting any students to a school sponsored activity.  Volunteer driver forms will be kept on file in the office. BC Insurance papers and BC Driver’s Licenses also need to be checked prior to driving students.

LOST & FOUND

The "Lost and Found" is located in the main foyer across from the office.  When items are missing, please check the child's classroom first and then the "Lost and Found".  Very small found items are kept in a box at the secretary's desk.  Students may retrieve lost articles at recess, noon or after school.  Items unclaimed at the end of each term will be given to a charitable organization.  It is advisable to mark all articles brought to school with your child's name.

Please leave valuables such as iPods, cameras, electronic games and other expensive items at home.  The school does not take responsibility for any lost or damaged personal items.  

COMMUNICATION

The school endeavours to communicate to parents and staff at every opportune time by using the following:

• School Website
• Notices
• Weekly Bulletins
• Administration report at PAC meetings
• Communicating Student Learning reports and FreshGrade 
• Room Parent contact lists 

PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (PAC)

Rosemary Heights PAC has the following purpose:

1. To enhance the academic, social emotional and physical education of the students at Rosemary Heights Elementary.
2. To establish and promote a sense of community among the students, teachers and parents.
3. To link the school with the community as a whole.

To this end the PAC through its executive and associated committees sponsor a variety of parent education, fundraising, social and school development events.  In addition, parents provide support through their involvement in fundraising, the classroom, library, field trips as well as other school events and programs.

PAC Meetings occur once a month and are held in the Library.  (Exact dates TBA)