Code of Conduct / Student Expectations

Code of Conduct

PURPOSE

The opportunity to attend school is provided as part of contemporary Canadian society, but this opportunity carries responsibilities.  Mount Doug Secondary’s School Code of Conduct is aligned with the BC Human Rights Code.  The purpose is to

  • establish and maintain safe, caring, and orderly environments for purposeful learning.
  • establish and maintain appropriate balances among individual and collective rights, freedoms, and responsibilities.
  • protect against discrimination on the following grounds:  race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, and, age.
  • clarify and publish expectations for student behaviour while at school, while going to and from school, and while attending any school function or activity at any location.

ACCEPTABLE CONDUCT

A student who attends Mount Doug Secondary School will:

  • be cooperative, courteous, and respectful in dealings with school staff, other students, and school guests.
  • attend school each day, arrive on time, and be prepared for all classes.
  • attend all classes and complete the assigned work.
  • carry out all reasonable directions given by school staff.
  • take care of the books, equipment, and learning materials provided for use.
  • treat the school building, grounds, and equipment with care.
  • respect the rights of others.
  • demonstrate the highest standards of conduct, personal responsibility, and good judgment when involved in school sponsored events.
  • act as responsible members of the school neighbourhood by being courteous to people in the area, refraining from disturbing their daily activities, and respecting their property.
  • adhere to this Code of Conduct while traveling to and from school and while off the school premises during the lunch hour and at other times during the school day.

UNACCEPTABLE CONDUCT

A student who attends Mount Doug Secondary School will not:

  • interfere with learning or the learning environment.
  • interfere with an orderly environment (e.g., arriving late to class).
  • create unsafe conditions (e.g.: rough housing and skateboarding on school property).
  • bully, harass, intimidate, or be racially, ethnically, or sexually prejudiced.
  • be physically aggressive.
  • seek retribution against a person who has reported incidents.
  • be in possession of, be under the influence of, smell of, be in the presence of, or distribute illegal or restricted substances while at school, on the school grounds, or in attendance at any school sponsored event in the community.
  • steal or knowingly receive stolen property.
  • smoke (includes e-cigs and vapes) on school property.
  • be in possession of or use weapons or replica weapons (e.g., knives, slingshots, mace, pellet or other guns).
  • damage property (e.g., graffiti).
  • plagiarize (copy) electronic or print media or other students’ work or be academically dishonest in any way.

RISING EXPECTATIONS

  • As students get older, more mature, and progress through the grades, our expectations regarding their conduct increases.
  • We expect an increase in personal responsibility, self-discipline and acceptance of diversity.
  • There may be greater consequences when inappropriate behaviours are repeated.

CONSEQUENCES

  • The severity and frequency of unacceptable conduct as well as the age and maturity of students is considered in determining appropriate disciplinary action.
  • Responses to unacceptable conduct are fair, and consistent, while reflective of the particular circumstances of each individual case.
  • Disciplinary action, wherever possible, is preventative and restorative, rather than merely punitive.
  • Students are encouraged to participate in the development of meaningful consequences.
  • Special considerations may apply to students to students with special needs if these students are unable to comply with the “Code of Conduct” due to having disability of an intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional or behavior nature.

NOTIFICATION

School administrators and counsellors may have a responsibility to advise other parties of serious breaches of the Code of Conduct.  For example:

  • parents/guardians of student offender(s) – in every instance
  • parents/guardians of student victim(s) – in every instance
  • school district officials – as required by school district policy
  • police and/or other agencies – as required by law
  • all parents/guardians – when deemed to be important to reassure members of the school community that school officials are aware of a serious situation or incident and are taking appropriate actions

CELL PHONES & PERSONAL DIGITAL DEVICES

 A ‘personal digital device’ is a student owned device that can be used to communicate or access the internet, such as a cell phone, tablet, smart watch, gaming device, and/or electronic toy.

Equity must be considered when using and directing the use of personal digital devices in a manner that is culturally responsive and inclusive. Accommodations such as access to a computer or Chromebook can be made for students without personal digital devices who may need access to the internet to complete schoolwork. The use of personal digital devices may support students with disabilities, diverse abilities, or medical needs as outlined in the student’s support plan and Individual Education Plan and/or other agreed upon plans.

The use of personal digital devices is restricted during instructional hours to facilitate focused learning and promote online safety. It is expected that personal digital devices are always stored out of sight and on silent or airplane mode to limit in-class distractions and interruptions. Students are expected to follow protocols set by their school and/or teacher(s).

The use of personal digital devices during instructional hours is at the teacher’s discretion and direction for the purposes of instruction and promoting digital literacy. Use during class time is under the supervision of a teacher who may incorporate critical dialogue regarding responsible and appropriate use of devices.

The use of personal digital devices outside of instructional hours is permitted provided the use does not result in a privacy breach, bullying/harassment, or illegal activity.

No photos, video, or audio recordings will be taken of students or staff without consent from the individual.

The main office phone at the school may be used to make and receive calls if students and their parent(s) or caregiver(s) need to communicate during instructional time.

Student Consequences from misuse:

Students who choose not to abide by this rule can expect the following series of consequences to be enforced:
1. The first time a student uses his/her cell phone/electronic device during class time, the teacher will contact the parents
with a reminder of the school’s policy and a request that they discuss with their child the importance of keeping his/her
phone/device off and away.
2. The second time a student uses his/her cell phone/electronic device during class time, the teacher will confiscate the
device and the student will collect it from the office at the end of the day.
3. The third time a student uses his/her cell phone/electronic device during class time, the student and his/her parents
will be asked to contact an administrator/counselor to work out a solution for the continued misuse.

ATTENDANCE

  • Regular and punctual attendance is important for academic success.
  • The responsibility for attendance lies with the student and parent/guardian.
  • Absences due to illness or other extenuating circumstances must be confirmed by the parent/guardian by telephone or email prior to or on the student’s return.
  • It is expected that, where possible, personal appointments will be made outside school hours.
  • A student requiring an early dismissal due to illness or in exceptional circumstances for appointments during school hours must provide written or telephone approval by a parent/guardian through the office.
  • When an extended period of absence is anticipated, the school administration or counselor should be advised and home study materials requested. Please note that time is needed to collect homework.
  • Family vacations are not considered “excused absences”. Missed work, quizzes, and exams due to family vacations during the school year will not be omitted; students are responsible to meet the outcomes of their courses.
  • If a student is sick they should not attend school and we require an email from a parent/guardian to mtdougattendance@sd61.bc.caor phone 250-477-5329 verifying the illness.

 

LOCKERS

  • Lockers are provided to most students; often grade 9 and 10 students may be required to share lockers.
  • It is important for students to know lockers are the property of the school, and the school may, on occasion, open or search lockers under special circumstances.
  • Combination locks, provided by the school, must be used.
  • Missing locks and damage to lockers may be charged to the students.

PARKING

The student parking lot is located at the back of the school closest to the playing fields. Space is at a premium as many students drive to school.

We request drivers use extra caution when driving in the school’s perimeter because there are many young children in the community.

Parking privileges will be revoked from students who do not follow the rules.

  • Parking illegally (in fire lanes, numbered staff parking spots, spots reserved for visitors or without a valid permit) is subject to tow away at owner’s expense.
  • Students are asked to be respectful of the needs of Gordon Head Community residents who live adjacent to the school.
  • Students who have study periods are not to loiter in the parking lot during that block.

PLAGIARISM & ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Plagiarism is a form of cheating; it is theft. At Mount Doug the working definition of plagiarism is presenting another person’s work as your own. This could be in the form of written, visual, audio, internet, or other media.

Plagiarism occurs when a student

  • submits or presents the oral or written work of another person as his or her own.
  • does not give credit to the author or creator of a work that is incorporated into the student’s work.
  • submits the same, or substantially the same, essay or assignment more than once.
  • shares information or answers when doing take-home assignments.
  • cuts and pastes ideas/sentences/paragraphs from the internet and presents it as original work.
  • It is considered “cheating on an exam” when a student
  • is in the possession of or has secure examination materials prior to an exam session.
  • communicates with other another student during an examination.
  • receives assistance of any kind (including from a teacher) in answering a question during an exam, including allowing one’s paper to be viewed by others or copying answers from another student’s paper.
  • possesses any book, paper (cheat notes) or items that might assist in writing an exam, including a dictionary, a piece of electronic equipment, or notes written on any body part.
  • removes any piece of the exam from the exam room, including work pages.

Please Note:  Incidents of plagiarism or cheating behaviors are violations of academic integrity and will be dealt with in a serious manner.

SMOKING

Students, staff, and visitors may not smoke (this includes e-cigs and vapes) on Mount Doug Secondary Property; smoking is prohibited on the premises of all Greater Victoria #61 schools at all times of the day.

Mount Doug students will be actively discouraged from smoking.

STUDY PERIODS

  • Grade 12 students are eligible for study periods if graduation requirements have been met.
  • Grade 9-11 students are not permitted to take study periods.
  • Grade 12 students who have study periods must work in the Library, Career Centre, a free classroom, or at home with parents’ knowledge.
  • Students must not loiter in halls or on the grounds during study periods.
  • The fields are deemed “PE classrooms” and are off limits during class time.

VISITORS

  • Visitors at Mount Doug Secondary on legitimate school business are required to report to the office upon arrival to receive authorization for their presence.
  • NO other visitors are permitted at the school between the normal operating hours 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except on legitimate school business).
  • Mount Doug Secondary students must not visit other schools. MDS students found at other schools, unless involved in official school activities, are subject to disciplinary action.

WHEELS ON CAMPUS

  • Skateboards, roller blades, scooters, and bicycles are not allowed to be used on school grounds during school hours.
  • Skateboards, blades and scooters  can be kept in lockers during school hours. Likewise, bicycles may be locked outside.
  • Students who use these items on school grounds may be subject to disciplinary consequences.