Student Code of Conduct

The Division has an obligation to provide a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environment that respects diversity, nurtures a sense of belonging and a positive sense of self and that recognizes the unique gifts and inherent value of each student and staff member who is part of the school community. In this environment the goodness, dignity, and worth of all are recognized and all are held accountable for their actions.

Believing that all people are created in the image and likeness of God, the Division recognizes all are capable of good and therefore, inappropriate behaviour is challenged but the individual is affirmed. 

As members of a Christ-centered learning community, the actions all focus on service to one another with emphasis on growth and transformation rather than restitution and expediency.

The Division recognizes the need for a learning environment that is well ordered, safe, developmentally appropriate, and non-threatening. Students have the opportunity for growth and for choice with the understanding that there are logical consequences that follow their actions in order to ensure the welfare and security of the entire community.

Student Discipline Policy

Cardinal Léger’s student conduct policy complies with the Education Act and the Alberta Human Rights Act. We aim to create a welcoming, caring, safe, and respectful community. We celebrate our accomplishments, and we believe that each person brings gifts and talents to our school community to share with others. We are committed to living as people of God in the world.  This is achieved through an appropriate balance between individual and collective rights, freedoms and responsibilities in the school community and clear expectations for student behavior while in the school building, during the school day, at school-related activities or while engaging in an activity that may have an effect on others at the school including by electronic means.

It is the school’s expectation that students adhere to the student code of conduct that respects the rights of others in the school.  Students who do not adhere to the student code of conduct shall enter the discipline cycle outlined.  It is also important to note that consequences and events will take into consideration unique student attributes such as age, maturity and individual circumstances.

Student Expectations

1. Preparedness: 

Students will come prepared to all classes by having subject specific supplies, notebooks and completed assignments in place.

1. Attendance: 

Students must attend school regularly if they are to be academically successful.  They must also be punctual for all of their classes.  If your child will be absent, please notify the school using School Messenger (Safe Arrival), 780-475-6262 (8287web@ecsd.net ) and leave a message with the secretary or on the answering machine (the answering machine is on before and after the business day).  It is the responsibility of the student to catch up on all work missed during an absence. If a student becomes injured or ill at school a parent/guardian will be contacted and asked to pick up the child.  Students are to sign out at the office if they must leave the school during the regular school day and parental permission is required.  Students arriving at school late must sign in at the office immediately upon entering the school building. Students going on vacation are to pick up a vacation form from the office and parents must inform the teachers in advance of the vacation. 

1. Promptness: 

Students will change classes within the time allotted for transitions. Continual lates may result in consequences at the discretion of the teacher. 

1. Action-Interaction: 

Students will always act and interact appropriately with all members of the school community.

1. Lunchroom:         

Students will maintain a pleasant, clean, and respectful atmosphere in the lunch area.  Students will remain in the lunch area until the outdoor break begins, at which point students must proceed immediately outdoors. Students are expected to maintain respectful behavior during inclement weather situations.

1. Unsupervised Areas:      

During school hours, students are to be in areas supervised by staff.  Students should be on the Northside of the school ONLY during lunch recess. Students are not allowed to be on or past the hill on the Northside of the school field. At no times should students be at the St. Philip’s playground. After school hours, students are not permitted to loiter on school grounds.

1. Responsibility: 

Students will accept the responsibility for their actions.

1. Safety: 

Students are expected to always behave in a safe manner. Students will not throw any object, including snowballs, in respect of the inherent danger of serious injury. Students are to walk while in the school building and travel on the right side of the hallway to allow proper traffic flow.  Students will not engage in any physical contact (hands off) that could be interpreted as aggressive (i.e. play fighting, pushing, slapping, wrestling). 

1. Smoking: 

It is illegal for minors to smoke or to possess tobacco, cannabis, vaporizers or e-cigarettes. Possession of tobacco, vaporizers or e-cigarettes and/or smoking is therefore forbidden on school premises or within sight of the school.

1. Profanity:   

Students will contribute in word and action towards a positive Catholic learning environment which respects the dignity and self-worth of all members of our school community. Students who have received prior warnings for repeatedly using profane language or making offensive gestures will face an escalated consequence.

1. Offensive Language/Slang

Using offensive language or inappropriate slang is never allowed. Students who do not contribute positively to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment will face appropriate consequences.

1. Backpacks, Bags, Satchels & Purses: 

Students will leave ALL backpacks, bags, purses, satchels in their lockers during the school day. 

1. Rollerblades/Skateboards/Scooters/Longboards:

Use of rollerblades, scooters, longboards or skateboards are not permitted on school property at any time. Students who bring these items are responsible for storing them in their locker.  Items that cannot be stored in their locker, should not be brought to school. We do not have the space in the office to store these items.

1. Fighting: 

Fighting in school or on school grounds will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Consequences for fighting will include suspension and/or expulsion. Any student fighting may be dealt with by the Edmonton Police Service.

1. Illegal or inappropriate materials: 

Any student possessing, using or selling controlled substances may be dealt with by the Edmonton Police Service. Students may not have on them weapons of any kind or items that can be used as a weapon and/or replica (imitation) weapons.  Consequences for violations will include suspension and/or expulsion.

1. Responsible Use of Internet and Software

Students will follow the responsible use of technology agreement as outlined by the division at all times. This includes the appropriate use of the internet for online research purposes, artificial intelligence, editing software (Grammarly), etc. to complete assessments with regards to copyright laws and maintaining the integrity of students’ authentic, independently created work. Students who are suspected of having been inappropriately utilizing online software or programs to complete assignments for them will be considered cheating/plagiarism and treated as such.

1. Water Toys

Water toys of any kind are not permitted on school property. If these items are brought to school, they will be confiscated, and a parent will be able to pick up from the office. Any actions that further goes against our school policies will be dealt with accordingly. 

1. Bullying: 

Bullying is defined as “repeated and hostile or demeaning behavior by an individual in the school community where the behavior is intended to cause harm, fear or distress to one or more other individuals in the school community, including psychological harm or harm to an individual’s reputation.”

Bullying can take different forms: 

Physical – pushing, hitting 

Verbal – name calling, threats, put-downs 

Emotional/Social – exclusion, rumors, extortion of money or possessions, intimidation 

Cyber – using the computer or other technology to harass or threaten 

Students will:

• abstain from, report and refuse to tolerate bullying or bullying behavior, that occurs within the school, during the school day, at a school related activity or by electronic means. 
• inform an adult you trust in a timely manner of incidents of bullying, harassment, intimidation or other safety concerns in the school.

Any students found to be involved in bullying behavior will enter the discipline cycle. Threatening any member of the Cardinal Léger community (physical/mental harassment, indignity, defamation, cyber, injury or violence) will be treated as a criminal offence and may be referred to Edmonton Police Service for processing. 

1. Student Expectation: 

The Education Act outlines student responsibility to the adults put in charge of the delivery of their education program, including guest instructors, education students, and service personnel working in the school. Students shall comply with the authority given to all staff members (i.e. custodial, support, replacement staff, teachers, and administration).

1. Student Searches: 

When information has come forth that a student is in possession of items not permitted at school, a search will be conducted of their locker, their person and or personal belongings such as their backpack. 

 

Bullying Behaviour and School Protocol

Bullying in the school community is defined as the repeated and hostile or demeaning behavior by an individual where the behavior is intended to cause harm, fear or distress to one or more individuals in the school community, including psychological harm or harm to an individual’s reputation.

It is the school’s expectation that all bullying behavior (whether it occurs within the school building, during the school day or by electronic means) is reported to a responsible staff member at the school.  Such reports will be investigated thoroughly, and any students found to be involved in bullying behavior will enter the discipline cycle.   Incidents of bullying may also be reported to the appropriate authorities to be dealt with accordingly.

Student Consequences

The following consequences may be used in order to address inappropriate behaviour, whether or not it occurs within the school building, during the school day, at a school related activity or by electronic means, at the discretion of the administration, and will avoid a one size fits all approach.

• Low Level Intervention – this may include meeting with teacher to resolve issue, meeting with administration, contact of parents or guardians, completing conflict resolution process between students involved, etc
• Direct counseling – helpful support in developing a behaviour plan.
• Formal interview with student – a scheduled private meeting with an administrator.
• Verbal warning – a conversation with an administrator and agreed upon strategies.
• Verbal reprimand – a more serious conversation which would include possible consequences.
• Phone call home – ensure parents are informed of inappropriate behavior and possible strategies. 
• Relocation – removal from class; classwork to be completed in an alternative environment.
• Loss of School Privileges – this might include, but is not limited to, the loss of lunch and recess breaks, loss of computer and technology access, loss of locker usage and hallway privileges, loss of ability to participate on school teams; length of loss of privileges determined by the school.  
• Student contract – signed agreement regarding problematic academic/social behaviour that clearly names strategies and evaluation.
• Restitution – repairing relationships and/or damaged property caused by student behaviour.
• In-school Suspension – students will remain at school and will work in isolation under the supervision of school staff; this suspension may be for one half day up to 2 days. Upon the student’s return to classes, they will meet with the school administration, as well as the school’s FSLW  to discuss and plan for future success.  
• Out-of-School Suspension – students will not be permitted to attend school and are expected to continue their studies via Google Classroom; this suspension may be for 1 day up to 5 days. Students that receive an Out-of-School Suspension for major breaches of conduct, may be directed to attend the Alternative Suspension Program during their suspension, or other appropriate community programs relevant to the circumstances of the suspension.  Upon the student’s return to classes, they will meet with the school administration, as well as the school’s FSLW to discuss and plan for future success.  Students are not to be on school property while suspended.   
• Contact with parents – may occur at many stages to ensure helpful support.
• Expulsion – the principal may recommend expulsion of a student to the board as per Section 37 of the Education Act.  Notification of school board and parent/guardians required.  Student loses privilege of attending school but is eligible to attend an alternative education program provided by the board, subject to terms of re-enrollment between the student, parent and board.

Any consequences will take into consideration the uniqueness of each student and individual circumstances. Severe breaches of conduct will be suspended in accordance with section 36 of the Education Act.

Please note the following:

• The administration, at its discretion, may require students who enter the discipline cycle to meet with  Family School Liaison Worker (FSLW) assigned to Cardinal Léger School or other division personnel.
• In addition to the above consequences, students who enter the discipline cycle may be required to check in with administration for a period of time as determined by school administration.

Students affected by inappropriate behaviour will also have access to supports that may include, but are not limited to:

• Family School Liaison Worker (FSLW)
• School administration
• Police Services
• Children’s Services
• Alberta Health Services
• Behavioral Therapeutic Assistant 

Parent-School Conflict Policy

Parent-School Conflict Policy

The following principles shall act as guidelines for the resolution of parent-school conflicts in Edmonton Catholic Schools:

1. Edmonton Catholic Schools recognizes the freedom of all members of the school community (students, staff, parents and neighbours) to voice their concerns in an appropriate manner to the appropriate school personnel.
2. The school has a responsibility to facilitate communication and to provide procedural direction to parents who initiate complaints or concerns in accordance with the policy and regulations.
3. All parties in a conflict situation must recognize and respect the protocol, and more specifically the principle of “first contact”.  This means that the person(s) who have the concern, have a responsibility to begin addressing the concern directly with those persons with whom they have the concern before taking their concern elsewhere.
4. All parties in a conflict situation shall be treated with, and have the responsibility to treat each other with fairness, dignity, and respect.
5. All parties will deal with their concerns in a manner that is consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church.
6. Attempts will be made to deal with concerns that are brought to the attention of the school in an appropriate manner, in a timely fashion. 

Conflict resolution protocols shall respect the provisions of the Education Act, the Alberta Human Rights Act, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Code of Professional Conduct of the Alberta Teachers’ Association, and Edmonton Catholic School Division Administrative Procedures.

Development and Review of School Code of Conduct

The school conduct policy has been developed by the Cardinal Léger School Community.   Each year, the student code of conduct will be:

• reflective of the expectations of students as addressed in legislation and division policies;
• reviewed by staff and students during the first week of classes; 
• shared with parents at a School Council meeting 
• posted to the school’s website