Code of Conduct

Edgewater Elementary Code of Conduct
The staff, students, and parents of Edgewater Elementary School believe that we should
RESPECT Ourselves,
RESPECT Others &,
RESPECT Our Surroundings.

Guiding Principles

In order to advance our shared vision of a quality school we will:
*Encourage continuous, self reflective, positive decision making and acceptance of consequences.
*Promote quality learning and healthy lifestyles through: varied stimulating learning experiences that meet individual needs, high standards, laughter and fun, personal and school goals, and clearly defined expectations.
*Develop an accepting, safe and caring learning community, where individual self-worth is fostered and responsible risk-taking is encouraged.
*Demonstrate respect for ourselves, for our surroundings and for the uniqueness of individuals.

Behaviour Expectations

Our school expectations are based on treating each other respectfully. The students and staff have developed these expectations and we continually review them. We celebrate commendable behaviour.
Student safety is taken seriously. Students at Edgewater are taught personal safety strategies in the following programs.
-W.I.T.S. program ( K – Gr. 3.)
-Lion’s Quest Skills for Growing (K-Gr.7)
-D.A.R.E.(Drug & Alcohol Resistance) (Gr.4-5)
-Restitution (K – Gr. 7)
-Be Cool Program – (K – Gr. 7)

We believe that our actions and their effect on others and ourselves should be self-evaluated and a plan for the future, including restitution, should be part of the discipline procedure. When your child is involved in an incident, s/he will fill out an action plan.
Students are given every opportunity to be successful and learn from mistakes. If their plan for the future doesn’t work, parents will be notified. We recognize the unique needs of individual students; as a result, plans and consequences are developed on an individual basis whenever possible. Home-school partnership is very important when we are working on changing negative behaviour.

Rights and Responsibilities

1. I have a Right to learn in a Safe Environment
It is my responsibility to listen, work quietly at my desk and to ask for help in an appropriate manner. I will participate and complete my work. Have a positive attitude towards classmates and staff. I have the responsibility to behave in a non-threatening manner; to not hurt myself or others.

2. I have a Right to be Respected at School
I have the responsibility to treat all people the way I expect to be treated. I will accept the individuality and uniqueness of each person, not criticizing those ideas different from mine.
It is my responsibility to avoid humiliating or belittling others, even if my intent is humour.

3. I have a Right to a Clean and Healthy Environment
I have a responsibility to respect school property and the property of others. I will keep the school environment tidy and free from vandalism.

4. I have a Right to Privacy and to my Own Personal Space
It is my responsibility to respect the personal property of others and to accept their right to privacy.

5. I have a Right to play.
I have a responsibility to make good choices about when, how and with whom I play.
These are Rules for Life and should be followed by everyone.

Attendance, Safe Arrivals and Lates

Research had shown that attendance is an important determining factor of success in school. When you miss school, you miss out.
It is appreciated when medical and dental and other appointments are scheduled outside of school time. If students are ill or planning to be absent from school, please phone and leave a message with the school secretary. For your convenience, the answering machine is on during the evening and early morning. If we don’t hear from you, we will attempt to contact you to make sure your child isn’t lost between home and school.
Lates – Children who arrive late must report to the office so that the secretary can record them as present. Teachers may require students who are late to make up time after school, at noon or recess. Repeated tardiness, unexplained or consistent absences will be referred to the principal for action.

Dress Code

Because our primary business at school is education, students are responsible for dressing in a way that promotes learning and does not distract from the learning of others.
Cleanliness and good taste should be the basis of clothing decisions. Specifically, students are required to ensure that their dress exhibits appropriate language, logos, and that the ‘basics’ are covered - bellies, breasts, bottoms and underwear – both sexes. Students are also welcome to wear hats before and after school and outside at recess and lunch, but not during class time.
Consequences for inappropriate dress will be consistent with school discipline. Students will be asked to change into appropriate attire or be provided with alternative clothing.

Students are not to wear make up to school unless it is required for specific purposes such as drama presentations or authorized fun days.

Cell Phones

Cell phones are a distraction in a learning environment. They are to be turned off and not used during school time. Students may have phones confiscated if they are found using them during school time.

Bicycles, Scooters, Skateboards and ‘Heelies’

Student safety is our primary concern. We discourage students from using skateboards, rollerblades, scooters and ‘heelies’ as transportation. These items are not to be used on the school grounds. Students who have permission to ride bicycles to school must wear an approved helmet.

Bullying

By Jenna

Bullying is bad.
It makes people sad
So you should
Stand up and not
Stand down,
Watching them get hurt.
So stand up!
Help,
And not be a bystander!


E.E.S. Strategy against
Bullies!

Don’t forget to use your W.I.T.S.!

W =Walk away and tell an adult.
I = Ignore it and tell an adult.
T = Talk it out and tell an adult.
S =Stay calm, seek help and
don’t forget to tell and adult.

Unacceptable behaviour

If a student is unable to live up to behaviour expectations at school, this will considered unacceptable behaviour.
Some examples of unacceptable behaviour can be defined as
-any illegal activity.
-outright defiance of a staff member.
-conduct that interferes with the learning of
others, or interferes with an orderly
environment.
-playfighting, as this may unintentionally
cause bodily harm.
-bullying, swearing, name calling, fighting or
threats of any kind.

Restitution…Solving Problems Ourselves

Our staff has adopted a Restitution Philosophy for dealing with student behaviour. In most cases the school administration and staff will attempt to follow a Restitution model for dealing with student behaviour.
“Restitution helps to CREATE the conditions for the person to FIX their mistake and RETURN to the group strengthened.”
1. Restitution is not about payback or just saying “I’m sorry” but about healing.
2. Restitution is an invitation to fix mistakes.
3. Restitution is about looking at the need behind the problem. (Is it Belonging? Power? Freedom? Fun? or Survival?)
4. Restitution teaches students self discipline. It is about self-restitution – being the person you want to be.
5. Restitution helps students
-understand bottom line behaviour.
-establish common beliefs and values
-understand bottom lines
-know our 5 basic needs (Power, Belonging, Freedom, Fun
and Survival)
-to learn self discipline
-make a plan for restitution; restoring the child
You get to be your own referee!!
Bottom Line
In case of bottom line issues, consequences will depend on the severity of the behaviour and the number of incidents. Consequences may include the following:
-removal from the classroom/playground for a period of time
-discussion with teacher and administrator regarding inappropriateness of behaviour and the incident is recorded
-notification of parents by phone or letter
-involving parents with teacher, students and administrator in drawing up a behavior contract
-in-school or out-of-school suspension for a determined period of time.