Code of Conduct

Everyone has a right to be safe, and feel safe, in their school community. With this right comes the responsibility for everyone to be accountable for their actions and contribute to a positive school climate.

ACES CODE FOR LIVING AND LEARNING

Always respect yourself, others and the environment
Care, share and cooperate
Everyone is responsible
Safety in everything we do.

The Ontario Code of Conduct sets out standards of behavior for all students, parents/guardians, teachers, volunteers and staff in publicly funded schools. The code applies whether on school property, on school buses, at school-authorized events or activities that happen outside of school but might have an impact on the school (e.g. social media)

Bully Prevention
Our Safe and Caring assemblies promote a positive school climate and the development of character traits that develop healthy relationships. ACES staff teaches students about the types of bullying as well as strategies to deal with bullying situations as part of the health curricula. We have introduced the acronym W.I.T.S. to help students make safe and positive choices when faced with peer conflict.

Walk away
Ignore
Talk it out
Seek help

The Education Act defines bullying as: use of written, verbal, electronic or other form of expression, a physical act or gesture or any combination of them that is directed at an individual that is intended to cause (or should be known to cause)harm, fear or distress to another individual, including psychological harm or harm to the individual's reputation and the behavior occurs in a context where there is a real or perceived power imbalance based on factors such as size, strength, age, intelligence, peer group power, economic status, social status, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, family circumstances, gender, race, disability or the receipt of special education.

Communication is essential in dealing with issues of bullying. All reports are investigated and follow up is dependent on the outcome of the investigation. We work in partnership with parents/guardians of all students involved in bullying situations.

Progressive Discipline
Progressive discipline is an approach that promotes positive student behavior and enables the staff to choose the appropriate consequences to address inappropriate behaviour. It is a whole school approach that utilizes a continuum of interventions, supports and consequences and builds upon strategies to promote positive behaviours. As caring educators, we recognize that punishment alone seldom produces positive changes in behavior. Responsible behaviour is encouraged when children are given opportunities to take corrective action and/or experience consequences. Intervention may include:

  • Redirection (practice correct behavior)

  • Verbal reminder and review of the expectation

  • Restorative activity (e.g. peer mediation, apology letter)

  • Self-reflection activity

  • Behavior chart

  • Community service (work relating to improving the school property or climate)

  • Withdrawal of privileges, recess, special or extra-curricular activities

  • In-school sanction (withdrawal from class)

  • Suspension

  • Expulsion

Suspensions are considered if a student has engaged in any of the activities listed below. Mitigating factors (e.g. age, risk) will also be considered.

  • uttering a threat to inflict serious bodily harm on another person;

  • possessing alcohol or illegal drugs;

  • being under the influence of alcohol;

  • swearing at a teacher or another person in a position of authority;

  • committing an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property or to property located on the premises of the student's school;

  • bullying

  • any other activity under a policy of the Board (e.g. causing bodily harm requiring medical attention)

Please see PR.511.SCO and PR.660.SCO on the board website for further detail.

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