Principal - Jill Jensen
email - jill.jensen@sd6.bc.ca

Vice-Principal - Stacy DeCosse
email - stacy.decosse@sd6.bc.ca

General School Email
laird@sd6.bc.ca

Secretary - Roxann Rad

Phone - 250-342-6232

Fax -250-342-2127

Code of Conduct

The purpose of our code of conduct is to establish and maintain a safe, caring, and orderly environment for purposeful learning, and to direct students toward responsible, respectful behaviour.

At J. Alfred Laird Elementary School we promote a climate of understanding and mutual respect where all students are equal in dignity and rights and free from discrimination. Our goal is to be a school where students are free from harm, where clear expectations of acceptable behavior are held and met, and where all students feel they belong. (This is in accordance with the BC Human Rights Code.)

At J. Alfred Laird Elementary School we expect all members of our school community to:
• take care of self, others, and this place
• attend school regularly and punctually
• always be your best and do your best
• comply with school and classroom rules
These expectations of acceptable and socially responsible conduct are to be followed at school, while going to and from school, and while attending any school function at any location.

Unacceptable conduct is any conduct that contravenes our school expectations as listed above.
For example:
• behaviours that:
- interfere with the learning of others
- interfere with an orderly environment
- create unsafe conditions

• acts of:
- bullying, harassment, or intimidation
- physical violence
- retribution against a person who has reported incidents
We recognize that special considerations may apply to students with special needs who are unable to comply with expectations due to having a disability of an intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional or behavioural nature.

As students become older, more mature, and move through successive grades, we expect increasing personal responsibility and self-discipline. Consequently, there will also be increasing consequences for inappropriate behaviour.

When determining appropriate disciplinary action, there are a number of factors that will be taken into account, including the severity of the incident, frequency, and the age and maturity of the student. Students, as often as possible, are encouraged to participate in the development of meaningful consequences for violations of our code of conduct. It is our goal to be restorative, rather than punitive in our disciplinary consequences.

Teachers are expected to deal with students who breach the code of conduct in a fair and consistent manner within their classroom before referring a student to the principal. Parents will be made aware of any unacceptable or inappropriate behavior. If the situation is not effectively resolved within the classroom and the inappropriate behaviour continues, the student will be referred to the principal.

School administration has a responsibility to advise other parties of serious breaches in the code of conduct. These parties may include:
• Parents of the student offender – in every instance
• Parents of the victim – in every instance
• School district officials – as required by district policy
• Police and other agencies – as required by law

Our school and school board will take all reasonable steps to prevent retaliation against a student who has made a complaint of a breach of our code of conduct.

We encourage students and parents to inform us of any safety concerns. This can be done by talking personally with staff, calling the school, putting notes in student planners, etc.

Students should not have personal electronic devices or cell phones at school.

Our code of conduct is reviewed and updated annually with staff, students, and parents.

Dress Code

The following are guidelines for the J.A. Laird Elementary School Dress Code. (Adopted from the DTSS Dress Code for consistency)

J.A. Laird students and their parents are expected to support a learning environment where attire is appropriate and not distracting or offensive to others. The school will determine if a student’s dress is appropriate.

• Clothing that reveals a person's midriff (front or back), underwear garments, is
see through, or has a neckline that drops more than a palm width below the
collarbone is unacceptable.

• Skirts and dresses, including their slits, must not reach
higher than the student's extended fingertips.

• Short shorts, spaghetti strap tops and bathing suits are unacceptable.

• Clothing with offensive language, pictures, designs or slogans including alcohol or drugs, racist or discriminating wording are not acceptable.

• Students are not to wear hats or wheeled shoes in school.

• Footwear is to be worn in the school.

• Make up is not to be worn at school.

Students are to maintain the above standard of dress while on school property during regular school hours or while representing J.A. Laird Elementary School at any school sponsored function. Students will be directed to change to appropriate attire or cover the unacceptable area of attire immediately.