Each school has developed a School Code of Conduct based on the Ministry of Education's Code of Conduct. As per our Board's policy and the Ontario Safe School Act, a school's Code of Conduct is developed in consultation with parents, educators and the Catholic School Advisory Council. All members of our school community are responsible for adhering to the expectations as outlined in this Code of Conduct.
We focus on prevention, early intervention and progressive discipline (i.e. a continuum of supports and disciplinary measures) as the key to maintaining a positive school environment. When inappropriate behaviour occurs, our schools are required to utilize a range of interventions, supports and consequences that are developmentally appropriate and provide opportunities for students to learn from their mistakes.
Parents/guardians and students are asked to review our Code of Conduct. If you have any questions, please contact us to discuss.
Provincial Code of Conduct |
About the provincial Code of Conduct
Our provincial Code of Conduct policy sets clear standards of behaviour for school communities. School boards use it to develop their own local codes of conduct. School boards' codes of conduct must be consistent with the provincial Code of Conduct.
The code aims to help schools:
|
Purposes of the Provincial Code of Conduct and School Code of Conduct |
Subsection 301(2) of Part XIII of the Education Act sets out the purposes of the Provincial Code of Conduct, as follows:
|
Who and Where Does the Provincial Code of Conduct and School Code of Conduct Apply |
The Provincial Code of Conduct and School Code of Conduct applies to the entire school community, including:
Within the publicly funded school system, the Provincial Code of Conduct and School Code of Conduct applies to all individuals:
|
Standards of Acceptable Behaviour |
Respect, civility, and responsible citizenship All members of the school community must:
Safety All members of the school community must not:
|
Safe and Accepting Schools |
As members of the Durham Catholic learning community, we recognize that school should be a place that promotes a caring, safe, inclusive and accepting learning environment that supports student learning and success within a culture of high expectations for all. The school community is comprised of students, parents/guardians/caregivers, educators, other staff members, trustees, volunteers and visitors. It is the responsibility of all members of the school community to work together to create a positive learning environment where all members feel supported. All members of the school community have a responsibility to maintain an environment where conflicts are addressed with restorative practices in a manner characterized by respect and civility.
Guiding Principles The Guiding Principles of the School Code of Conduct are as follows:
Roles and Responsibilities We all have a role to play in ensuring our schools are safe and inclusive learning and working environments. Members of our Catholic learning community include:
To learn more about the roles and responsibilities for each of the above, please see Student Code of Conduct Administrative Procedure (AP610-1). |
Access to Premises |
During the school day, parents/guardians/caregivers, visitors and volunteers are to access the building through the main entrance. In all secondary schools, access to the school is only to be granted through the Safe Welcome video surveillance system. Upon entering the school, all parents/guardians/caregivers, visitors and volunteers are to report immediately to the main office. All parents/guardians/caregivers, visitors and volunteers, who have permission to gain entry to the school beyond the office are to sign the visitors’ logbook, that is kept in the main office, indicating the purpose and location of their visit. They are to sign-out using the visitors’ logbook at the completion of their visit. This applies to all persons during the school day, including at lunch time and recess. If a parent/guardian needs to pick up their child during the school day, this must be facilitated through the office. If parents/guardians send a friend/relative/designate to pick up their child, please advise the school in advance and ask the designate to provide photo identification at the office. The DCDSB’s Access to School Premises Policy (PO604) and Administrative Procedure (AP604-1), and the Education Act, Section 305 and Regulation 471/07, s.2 outline specific conduct requirements for parents/guardians/caregivers to follow who wish to access the school premises. |
Safe Arrival/Report a Student Absence |
The Durham Catholic District School Board uses an automated attendance system called Safe Arrival to report a student absence. Safe Arrival makes it easy for you to report your child’s absence, allows staff to quickly verify student attendance, which in turn allows staff to respond to unexplained student absences. Report your child absent If your child is going to be absent, notify the school by:
All three methods are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Future absences, like doctor’s appointments can be reported ahead of time. Contact the school if you are planning on taking your child out of school for more than five days as some absences require the permission of the school principal. |
Restorative Practices in Schools |
Restorative Practice is a way of thinking and being that cultivates community, supporting well-being and achievement. Restorative Practices foster the conditions that promote a positive sense of self, spirit and belonging. Restorative Practices provides a framework to maintain community when challenges and conflicts arise and to restore community when needed.
For more information, please visit our Restorative Practice webpage. |
Consequences for Inappropriate Student Conduct |
Commensurate with the Durham Catholic District School Board’s Progressive Discipline Policy, when inappropriate behaviour occurs, schools are required to utilize a range of interventions, supports, and consequences that are developmentally appropriate, provide opportunities for students to learn from mistakes, and focus on improving behaviour. In some circumstances, short-term suspension may be the appropriate consequence, while in more serious incidents, long-term suspension, expulsion and/or involvement of community partners may be the response that is required. The Education Act gives the principal the sole responsibility to suspend or expel a student in Grades 4-12 based on the list of infractions for which a principal must consider suspension or expulsion (see Student Discipline Administrative Procedure AP611-1). Suspension
A student may be suspended for a minimum of one (1) school day and a maximum of twenty (20) school days. For more information please see the Student Discipline Policy (PO 611), Code of Conduct Policy (PO 610) and related Administrative Procedures. Expulsion
For more information please see the Student Discipline Policy (PO 611), Code of Conduct Policy (PO 610) and related Administrative Procedures. Mitigating Factors
Other Factors The following other factors shall be taken into account if they would mitigate the seriousness of the activity for which the pupil may be or is being suspended or expelled:
|
Student Dress Code |
All school dress codes, which may include uniform and non-uniform dress, shall comply with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Education Act – Regulation 298, and the Ontario Human Rights Code. School uniform dress shall also comply with the Board’s Purchasing of Goods and Services Policy (PO102) and Apparel Purchases and Fair Labour Practices Policy (PO422) and its attendant administrative procedure (AP422-1). The Board respects cultural diversity and recognizes that clothing may hold different meanings across cultures. Staff members should exercise cultural sensitivity and consider individual circumstances. Religious and cultural clothing that should be reasonably accommodated in schools include, but are not limited to, head coverings, religious symbols, and items of ceremonial dress. It is expected that every student in the school will comply with the dress code. Clothing and footwear should be suitable for the educational setting and activities, considering safety, comfort, and functionality. The following types of clothing are not permitted: a) Clothing that displays profanity; b) Clothing that promotes violence, discrimination, or illegal activities (e.g., alcohol and/or drug use); c) Clothing that contains or is suggestive of sexual content (i.e., text and/or images); d) Clothing that promotes/displays discriminatory or hate-motivated references to any of the protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code (e.g., race, creed, gender, disability, etc.); and e) Clothing that poses a safety hazard or interferes with participation in educational activities. Students found in violation of the dress code will be reminded of the expectations and given an opportunity to comply. Persistent violations may result in disciplinary action, which could include parent/guardian notification, temporary exclusion from certain activities, or other appropriate measures. |
School Code of Conduct on School Buses |
Students who are eligible to travel to school on a bus may continue to do so as long as they abide by the Student Code of Conduct administered by the Board of Education. The bus is an extension of the classroom. Students must demonstrate and maintain appropriate and safe behavior aboard the vehicle. Students who do not behave in an appropriate and safe manner will be subject to discipline in accordance with the Board’s Safe Schools Policy and the School’s Code of Conduct and may lose their school bus privileges. School Bus Safety:
School Bus Guidelines and Conduct:
For more information on DSTS policies and safety information, please visit https://www.dsts.on.ca/. |
Reporting Incidents Involving Non-Emergency Safety Concerns |
Parents and students are encouraged to report incidents of bullying or other school safety incidents as soon as they happen by contacting their teacher and/or school administration to provide information about the situation. We recognize that bullying or reporting safety concerns may affect a student’s sense of safety and security, and some people may not feel comfortable reporting bullying or other school safety incidents. To help ease this worry, students and parents are welcome to use the Report It form to report incidents of bullying or school safety incidents your school. The information provided will be forwarded to the appropriate school administrator for action. Keep in mind that the more information that you provide, the more likely we will be able to intervene effectively. You do not need to give your name, but keep in mind that if you do not give your name, we will not be able to get back to you or get more information if needed. The Report It form is a tool for parents and students to advise staff of non-emergency incidents of bullying and other school safety issues (for example vandalism). It is not monitored on a 24/7 basis. In case of an emergency, call 911. If a student needs immediate emotional support, please call the Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or York Support Services Network: 1-855-310-2673 or 1-866-323-7785 (TTY – teletypewriter). York Support Services Network offers the Community Crisis Response Service for persons who are having a mental health crisis. Our top priority is the safety and well-being of all students. All students deserve to learn in a place where they feel safe. We want to know about incidents of bullying and other safety concerns so that we can take action and prevent further incidents from happening. |
Community Threat Assessment and Intervention Protocol – Fair Notice |
The Durham Catholic District School Board is committed to providing safe learning environments for all students, staff, school visitors and community members. When student behaviours pose a potential threat to safety or serious harm to self or others, all schools in the Durham Catholic District School Board follow the Community Threat Assessment and Intervention Protocol (C-TAIP).
(C-TAIP) outlines how schools respond immediately to threatening behaviour. This protocol involves supports from various partners, including community agencies, hospitals and police services. Personal information shared throughout this process will always respect and balance each individual’s right to privacy while ensuring the safety of all. For more information, please contact your school principal.
|
Search and Seizure |
At DCDSB, we strive to provide environments that ensure all students have a safe and caring school where their learning is maximized. From time to time, personal searches, as well as searches of lockers and electronics are necessary for safety reasons. A search must be related to and undertaken in accordance with the statutory duties and responsibilities of an administrator or teacher as defined by the Education Act (Sections 264 and 265) "to maintain proper order and discipline" and a high "duty of care" of students and property. A teacher, principal or vice-principal does not require a search warrant in order to conduct a student search. For more information, please see the following guide: Conducting Student Misconduct Investigations: Administrator’s Guide to Gathering Evidence and Conducting Searches |
Permission for Photo and Video Sharing at School |
While taking photos or videos at various school events, please be mindful that it is illegal to post/upload/share photos or videos of anyone other than yourself or your child on the internet or anywhere without the expressed consent of the person or their guardian. Sharing photos or videos of others without their consent is a privacy violation.
|
Cell Phone and Personal Mobile Device Usage |
DCDSB has created a new administrative procedure, Personal Mobile Device Use in School (AP610-3), to establish clear guidelines regarding personal mobile device usage in schools in compliance with PPM 128: The Provincial Code of Conduct and School Boards Codes of Conduct. The goal is to minimize distractions, promote face-to-face interactions, ensure equity and inclusivity, enhance school safety, and encourage a positive school culture. Below is a summary of the requirements for cell phone/personal mobile device usage in schools, effective September 1, 2024. Secondary Schools (Grade 9 - Grade 12 Students) If the educator sees a personal mobile device that is not stored out of view, they will ask that the device be handed in for the instructional period and the device must be placed, by the student, in a storage area in a location in the classroom designated by the educator. If the student does not hand in their device when requested, they will be sent to the principal's office. Students are responsible for their cell phones, appropriate use, and the consequences of not following board/school policies and procedures. Students are responsible for their cell phones and for any loss or damage, just as they are for other personal items brought to school. All washrooms are cell phone-free zones. We ask for your cooperation in ensuring no cell phones are brought into school washrooms to ensure the privacy and protection of dignity of all in the school community. Social Media Sites on Board Networks and Devices Social media platforms can only be used by students at school for educational purposes, directed by an educator. DCDSB has determined exception protocols for the use of social media for pedagogical or work-related purposes. For more information please see the School rules: provincial Code of Conduct on the Government of Ontario website. |
Smoke, Drug and Vape-Free Schools |
DCDSB has a newly revised Smoke and Tobacco Free Environment Administrative Procedure (PO407-1), which complies with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, Policy/Program Memorandum 128: The Provincial Code of Conduct and School Board Codes of Conduct (PPM128), Smoke, Tobacco and Vape Free Environment Policy (PO407) and the Smoke-Free Schools Enforcement Protocol. The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 prohibits smoking (tobacco and cannabis) and the use of electronic cigarettes (vaping) at schools, on school grounds, and all public areas within 20 metres of these grounds. Anyone smoking or vaping on school property is guilty of an offence and if convicted may result in a fine under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017. The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 also prohibits the sale and supply of tobacco or e-cigarettes to anyone under 19 years of age. Anyone who sells or supplies tobacco or an e-cigarette to a student under 19 years of age is guilty of an offence and if convicted may result in a fine under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017. The DCDSB policies and administrative procedures outlines enforcement mechanisms to address the possession, use and provision of tobacco, electronic cigarettes, nicotine products, recreational cannabis, alcohol and illegal drugs. In the case of these substances being found in the possession of students, parents/guardians/caregivers must be notified, and the student must surrender the item(s) to the educator or administrator. Students would also be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in board policies and administrative procedures. Students involved in these incidents will receive support to learn from inappropriate behaviours and make choices that support continuing their learning. |
Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement |
Please click here to view the Durham Catholic District School Board’s Acceptable Use of Information and Communications Technology Policy (PO431). All students, families and community members must abide by the Board’s Acceptable Use of Information and Communications Technology Policy (PO431) and acknowledge that unacceptable use of Information Technology and its attendant administrative procedures (AP431-1, AP431-2) per the Code of Conduct Policy (PO610) and Student Discipline Policy (PO611) can result in formal discipline. All members of the Durham Catholic learning community should review these policies and administrative procedures so they are aware of the behaviour expected of students, and that the use of the Internet in Durham Catholic District School Board sites is strictly for educational purposes. |