Code of Conduct

Linwood School Code of Conduct

In alignment with the Manitoba Education Provincial Code of Conduct and the St. James-Assiniboia School Division’s Student Conduct policy (JK), Linwood School’s goal is to provide a safe, secure and caring learning environment, which fosters students’ personal growth, self-respect, and a sense of belonging and prepares them to be responsible citizens.

Linwood School recognizes that disciplinary measures may be necessary when other approaches to challenging behaviour have not been successful. In these situations interventions and disciplinary consequences may have to be implemented. Interventions and consequences are consistent with the Provincial Code of Conduct and take into consideration the frequency and severity of the unacceptable behaviour as well as the student’s age and stage of development. Reasonable accommodations for students who have exceptional learning needs are considered. These accommodations take into account the student’s ability to comply and the amount of support required.

ProvincialRegulation: Appropriate Disciplinary Consequences in Schools states that the principal has disciplinary authority:

·        over the conduct of students while they are at school

·        over students in terms of their conduct towards one another on their way to and from school, and while being transported via school bus

·        to ensure appropriate use of social media and to address unacceptable student conduct including bullying, cyber bullying and abuse of a student by another

·        to determine which consequence is appropriate in a given situation

Principals will administer such discipline as might be exercised by a kind, firm and judicious parent. Discipline is administered with dignity and professional judgment in order to promote and maintain student self-respect and self-discipline while holding students accountable for unacceptable behaviour.

Working to develop a safe and positive school climate is a shared responsibility that involves cooperation between the school and parents. Linwood School will notify parents/guardians of situations involving their child in disciplinary situations. Parents are encouraged to contact the school any time they have a concern regarding a disciplinary matter.

Students/parents/guardians may choose to follow the appeal process. This involves an appeal to the staff member who made the disciplinary decision, then to the school principal if not resolved, then to the superintendent of schools if not resolved, and finally to the Board of Trustees. In cases of suspensions in excess of five days and expulsions, the appeal goes directly to the Board of Trustees.

All people on school property and/or engaged in school business must behave in a respectful manner and comply with the code of conduct.

Unacceptable behaviours include, but are not limited to the following:

·        Bullying/cyber-bullying

·        Social, physical, sexual, psychological, verbal or written abuse or aggression

·        Harassment/discrimination

·        Possession of or being under the influence of  an illicit drug or alcohol

·        Threats to self and others

·        Gang involvement

·        Possession of a weapon

·        Inappropriate use of the internet and electronic devices/communication

At Linwood School, our belief fits with that of Diane Gossen’s Restitution theory (self-discipline). We believe that mistakes are opportunities to learn and our goal is to assist children to become the people they want to be. Restitution is a growth process for everyone involved, adults as well as children.

Restitution (self-discipline) is learning about oneself, learning to be a moral person, and learning to repair mistakes to heal hurt for oneself and others. A successful outcome identifies the needs of both the victim and the offender and the solution is one that helps both parties. Restitution allows a child to return to the group feeling strengthened.

Interventions and consequences may be applied as appropriate to the context, but they need not be applied in the order they appear in this document.

·        Informal Discussion

·        Parental Involvement

·        School Counsellor/Resource Teacher

·        Formal Interview

·        Withdrawal from Classroom Setting

·        Removal of Privileges

·        Detention

·        Compensation for Damages

·        Behavioural/Performance Contract

·        Student Services Involvement

·        Outside Agency/Community Involvement

·        Violence/Risk/Threat Assessment

·        Police Notification

·        Student Suspension

·        Student Expulsion

The content of this Code of Conduct is reflective of the following sources:

·        St. James-Assiniboia School Division Policy JK

·        Manitoba Education:Safe and Caring Schools Provincial Code of Conduct – Appropriate Interventionsand Disciplinary Consequences