Statement of Purpose
Our code of conduct describes how we live and learn as a community. Our community includes students, staff, families, and visitors. At Sundance-Bank Elementary we strive to create a safe, inclusive, and culturally responsive learning and working environment, where each member of our community feels a sense of belonging and has daily opportunities to be curious and joyful.
As a community we need to strike an appropriate balance between individual and collective rights, freedoms, and responsibilities. The expectations we hold as a community apply to behaviour on school premises, behaviour off the school premises during activities that are organized or sponsored by the school, and online. The code of conduct guides each member of the community to make positive choices for their behaviour.
BC Human Rights Code
Our code of conduct is in line with the BC Human Rights Code which prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual or group’s race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, or age. We create a school climate of mutual respect and responsibility.
Expected Behaviours
We expect members of our community to act in a way that makes our school a safe, caring, and inclusive place. Together we learn how to act safely, choose responsible behaviours, solve conflicts peacefully, demonstrate kindness, and get along with others.
Throughout the year, we will clearly explain behaviour expectations and actively teach how to:
- Choose safe behaviours
- Take care of yourself
- Take care of others
- Take care of this place
There is a progression of rising expectations for community members based on age and maturity levels. We will not discriminate against a person who cannot meet a behavioural expectation because of a disability.
Unexpected Behaviours
Unexpected behaviours are those that interfere with safety and learning. Unexpected behaviours are not limited to the following list, but include:
- Disrespecting self or others
- Disrespecting or damaging property
- Bullying (a pattern of repeated aggressive behaviour with negative intent)
- Harassment (unwelcome acts or comments that are hurtful, degrading, offensive)
- Intimidation (trying to instill fear in someone as a means to control them)
- Creating unsafe conditions for self or others
- Leaving school grounds without permission
Responses to Unexpected Behaviours
Responses to unexpected behaviours will take into account the needs of the individual and be consistent and fair; the focus will be restorative rather than punitive. As often as possible, families will be encouraged to participate in the development of a meaningful response for a child who violates the code of conduct.
Responses include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Removal from the situation
- Conversations with staff about lessons learned
- Opportunities to repair relationships
School staff may have a responsibility to advise other parties (e.g. caregivers, school district officials, police) of serious breaches of the code of conduct.
The school district will take all reasonable steps to prevent retaliation against anyone who has made a complaint of a breach of the code of conduct.