Cataline Elementary Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct and the BC Human Rights Code

The contents of this Code of Conduct acknowledge that if there is a conflict between this Code and the Human Rights Code then the Human Rights Code shall prevail.

With respect to the Human Rights Code, this School Code of Conduct in no way intends to discriminate against a person or class of persons because of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex or sexual orientation of that person or class of persons.

School Mission Vision Values:

Our mission is to ensure all students have meaningful learning experiences fostered through a healthy and safe environment, which promotes respect for self and others, instills a sense of belonging for all, and empowers success and growth throughout the learning journey.

Statement of Purpose:

Code of Conduct: A set of rules or guidelines that everyone in the school is expected to follow to ensure an environment of fairness, respect, and safety.

The school recognizes that in order to create a positive, safe, caring and orderly school environment, it is essential that all members of the school community be aware of the expectations for student conduct while travelling to and from school including the bus, while attending school, and while attending school functions or activities at any location. This Code of Conduct outlines those expectations for student behaviour and the consequences for breaches of the Code of Conduct.

-The Code of Conduct applies to all students. Where appropriate, special considerations may apply to students with special needs who may not be able to fully comply with a Code of Conduct because of their disability.

- Where consequences for unacceptable behaviour are concerned, whenever possible and wherever appropriate, consequences shall be restorative rather than merely punitive in nature.

- The school and the Board of Education will take all reasonable steps to ensure no person affects retaliation on another for making a complaint resulting in a breach of the code of conduct.

- It is expected that while involved in school-related functions of any nature that students,

parents, coaches and involved members of the greater community follow the school code of conduct as they are in essence acting as ambassadors of the school.

- The School Code of Conduct is reviewed bi-annually with stakeholders in September and June to ensure it meets the ministry requirements and the needs of Cataline Elementary.

 Development and Regular Review

The School Code of Conduct and the school wide expectations were developed in collaboration with students, staff, and parents. The document is reviewed bi-annually with these groups in September and June to ensure it meets the ministry requirements and the needs of Cataline Elementary School.

The Code of Conduct is displayed in the entry for visitors and community members, emailed to members of our school community yearly and included in parent handbooks and staff handbooks for easy reference.

Should emergent situations occur that require a review or change to the Code of Conduct, time will be made available. Students, parents, coaches, and community members are expected to follow the Code of Conduct when acting as ambassadors of the school.

 Communicating Expectations

The Code of Conduct is to be communicated to staff, students and parents at the start of each school year. Staff members review the Code of Conduct and behavioural expectations with students; a copy of the Code of Conduct is posted in the classroom and in the main hallway. The Code of Conduct is reviewed with the Parent Advisory Council; a copy is posted on the school website. Copies are retained in the office for parents, temporary staff, school community members and visitors as required.

Promotion and Reinforcement of Expectations

The school will teach and promote behavioural expectations throughout the school year through positive recognition, classroom discussions, newsletter communications, and the school-wide discipline plan. Students will receive explicit instructions on expectations and appropriate behaviour. 

Personal Responsibility

Students have the responsibility to show respect for themselves, for others and for those in authority. They will follow the established rules and refrain from bringing anything to school that may compromise the safety of others. As it is impossible to anticipate every situation and establish rules and consequences for each, students are expected to use good judgment and common sense when faced with a new situation. Students will be expected to assume increasing personal responsibility and self-discipline as they become older, more mature, and move through successive grades. When unsure of whether an action or activity is appropriate at school, students should seek permission from a staff member. If students observe actions/incidents that may endanger others, it is their duty to seek adult assistance rather than to observe and encourage.

Consequences

Consequences for misbehaviour will vary depending upon the degree of seriousness, the age of the student, previous occurrences and the circumstances surrounding a particular incident. We will make every effort to have consequences for breaches of the Code of Conduct that are restorative in nature. Students, as often as possible, will be encouraged to participate in the development of meaningful consequences for violations of the established code of conduct. They will be explicitly taught the expected behaviours and reminded of them by their teachers. Teachers will give students who do not adhere to the expected behaviours warnings, with a classroom consequence. Should the teacher regard the behaviour as a significant concern he or she will personally contact a parent. After the parent has been contacted, should the behaviour persist, a meeting may be required in consultation with the student and an administrator. This is not a consequence, but rather a time to discuss a student’s behaviour. Special considerations may apply to students with special needs if these students are unable to comply with a code of conduct due to having a disability of an intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional, or behavioural nature.

In an instance of a serious breach of the code of conduct, students will be disciplined in a timely and fair manner and such discipline shall be in accordance with AP 320 – Student Suspensions. Further, school officials have the responsibility to and will advise other parties such as parents, school district officials, RCMP and/or outside agencies.

AP-320-Student-Suspensions

Willful Disobedience

Students are expected to comply with all reasonable requests by school staff. The School Act clearly indicates that, where a pupil is willfully disobedient to a teacher or any other employee of the Board, the pupil may be suspended from school in accordance with the School Act Regulations.

Work Expectations

Students are expected to put forth their best effort at all times. It is expected that students will complete all classroom and homework assignments to the best of their abilities. Students who consistently do not complete schoolwork or engage in learning should expect to meet with their parents and members of their learning team to address behaviour. Students who willingly choose to not participate in learning and may be a disruption to the learning environment may be sent home or suspended at the discretion of the office.

Violence and Intimidation/Bullying

School District #27 and Cataline Elementary have a formal policy in place to deal with incidents involving bullying and intimidation. The school considers any act of bullying, including cyber bullying or intimidation, to be a serious threat to the school environment and shall deal with any such act in accordance with Board Policy No. 320. See attached Code of Conduct below for appropriate definitions.

Vaping, Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs

Students will not bring, use, or be under the influence of tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs, including vapes, while on any school property (including the parking lot or in the vehicle in the parking lot), or school activity. All smoking, including tobacco and electronic cigarettes, and the use of smokeless tobacco or holding lighted tobacco are prohibited. See School District Policy No. 311.

Field Trips and Special Events

Students are expected to model excellent behaviour and to proudly represent Cataline when involved in activities away from the school. All school rules are in effect for students on field trips. Students can expect to have their attendance at field trips cancelled if they have had repeated disciplinary problems or if they have been suspended for a major incident. It is expected that while involved in school related functions of any nature that students, parents, coaches and involved members of the greater community observe the School Code of Conduct as they are acting as ambassadors for our school.

Digital Devices

Students will refrain from inappropriate computer usage and/or multi-media devices in accordance with Board AP 620 (cell phones, cameras, tablets, etc.). We believe that the appropriate use of multimedia devices, such as, but not limited to, cell phones and other digital devices, play an important role in communication and may well enhance students learning opportunities. These devices should, however, in no way interfere with the safety, security and privacy of students and/or staff, or with school operations. During supervision times (8:25am-3:15pm) students will be expected to always have their cell phone away.

Inappropriate or misuse of digital devises will be dealt with in a timely and fair manner and such discipline shall be in accordance with AP 320 – Student Suspensions. Students who fail to adhere to the school and classroom guidelines for digital devices may have their device confiscated; involve a parent/caregiver meeting; be prohibited from having a devise on school property; be suspended in accordance with AP 320 – Student Suspensions.

Students bringing devices from home will understand that the school is not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged devices.

Surreptitious Recording

The use of personal electronic devices to audio record, photograph, or video record others without their knowledge or consent is strictly prohibited. Surreptitious recording—including recording in classrooms, washrooms, change rooms, hallways, playgrounds, school buses, during instructional time, or at any school-related activity—is a serious breach of the School Code of Conduct and may also violate privacy legislation.

Unauthorized recording, sharing, or posting of images, audio, or video involving students, staff, or community members will be addressed in accordance with this Code of Conduct and may result in:

· Confiscation of the device

· Restorative and/or disciplinary consequences

· Notification of parents or guardians

· Further action in accordance with School District policy, FOIPPA, and, where appropriate, referral to outside agencies

Students who use cell phones as an accessory to an incident at school (for example, sharing video or pictures of a physical incident) will also be subject to the same rules as cell phone misuse.

For more information regarding the use of multimedia devices in school refer to Board AP 620 (cell phones, cameras, tablets, digital recording devices, etc.)

The school will take all reasonable steps to protect the privacy, dignity, and safety of all members of the school community.

Bus Students

All bus students must be registered on all bus routes they ride. Registrations are completed through the SD27 website using the online registration process (Home Page – School – Bus Information – Bus Registration) or using the QR code provided on the website. Students registered for the bus will receive a bus pass which is required for ridership. If a bus pass is lost, a replacement pass may be provided with an additional fee. Students who are NOT registered on the bus will not be permitted courtesy rides to any location other than their designated stop.

Students must abide by the Bus Conduct Rules as set down by the School District. Failure to do so will result in appropriate consequences. The rules and expectations on the bus are in place to ensure students safety. All students riding the school bus are expected to sit with their bottom on the seat, face in the forward direction with feet inside the seating area (not in the isle), remain seated while the bus is moving, refrain from putting any object or body part outside the windows and to be respectful of all other students around them. Student safety is the responsibility of the principal and behaviour expectations of students while on the bus will be communicated and supported at school. If students are not behaving safely and/or acting in a respectful manner the principal or vice principal will be notified, and the appropriate consequences will be issued. The consequence could result in the student being denied access to riding the bus. Riding the bus is a privilege, not a right.

In Day/Out Day Policy

In general, students are expected to be outside before school, during recess and lunch. On days when the weather is too cold, students are given the opportunity to stay inside. On days that the weather is too cold we will have an “Inside Day”. During an “Inside Day” students will be required to stay in the school and be involved in a quiet activity in their classroom or one of the organized activities in the school. All duty supervisors will be inside the school. Students are encouraged to wear layered clothing, coats, and proper footwear so that they are dressed appropriately for the weather and can be outside comfortably. The school recognizes that winter clothing items are expensive and will help families to provide proper winter apparel where possible. Students have access to and may borrow various items required for wet or cold weather including boots, jackets, toques, gloves, and socks.  Sending a ‘spare pair’ of clothes to school for your student will also assist on wet days.

Dress Code

Students are to wear comfortable clothing that is appropriate in a business-like environment. Students wearing clothing items that is too revealing will be asked by their classroom teacher or administrator to change. Students should not wear onesies or pajamas on days that are not designated as such. This type of clothing is prohibitive to our physical education program which students engage in at least three times a week. Clothing with suggestive language and/or drug or alcohol logos is not permitted. During inclement weather, students are also asked to remove all outdoor footwear when entering the school. All students are required to have a set of indoor shoes to wear. Outdoor shoes are to be left in class boot rooms. Indoor footwear must have non-marking soles.

Playground Expectations

Students are expected to play in a safe manner when on the playground in their designated area. This means that students are expected to refrain from any activity where there is a risk of injury to oneself or another student. Play fighting or other games involving rough play are not permitted. “No Hands On” should be observed at all times. Students are also reminded that there is no throwing of any items such as snow, rocks or dirt at anyone or school property. Several garbage cans have been provided around the school and students are expected to use them and keep the school yard clean. Littering on the school grounds will result in appropriate consequences.For students who are riding to and from school, we require that bicycles and scooters be walked when on the school grounds as well as through our parking lots. There is a bike rack located at the main entrance of the school. Helmets are required by BC Law.

Volunteers

Adults volunteering in the school or chaperoning school fieldtrips are asked to complete a criminal record check. This is REQUIRED for all adults who may be not directly supervised by school staff (i.e. running an activity center on a field trip). Volunteers are also required to review and sign the Volunteer Handbook. This is available in the office or on the "Newsletters and Forms" section of the website.

The criminal record checks can be completed through the online criminal record check at:

https://justice.gov.bc.ca/eCRC                                              Access Code: JUV5QFPLWC              

Communication Protocol

The school district has a communication protocol in place to assist in resolving conflicts when they arise (this can be found on the district website – Communicating Effectively. If a parent has a question or concern regarding their child, they are required to “start with the person whose action has given rise to the concern” to resolve the issue at the source. After this attempt, if a resolution cannot be reached make an appointment with the principal or vice principal for further assistance, or district senior management accordingly.

 Student Threat Assessment Protocol: Fair Notice 

All schools in SD #27 comply with the Safe School Initiative, which is a violence threat/risk assessment protocol. Please see the attachment at the end of this document for detailed information regarding the student threat assessment protocols.

INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR

While everyone in our school community behaves in a positive and responsible way most of the time, Code of Conduct violations will sometimes happen. Violations will be dealt with on a per-student basis and administration reserves the right to administer consequences they see fit within the behavior matrix while taking into considering each child and their circumstances.  When serious violations occur, parents/caregivers will be contacted. The personal & physical safety of students is always a priority. We expect student to behave in a responsible manner at all times.

Level One Behaviours:

These actions disturb the positive and orderly school environment and may include:

Level Two Behaviours

Repeated Level 1 behaviours will be treated as a Level 2 behaviour. These behaviours may include:

Level Three Behaviours

These behaviours are highly disruptive. Repeated level 2 behaviours will be dealt with as serious. These incidents include:

CONSEQUENCES

We will make every effort to have consequences for breaches of the Code of Conduct that are restorative in nature. Discipline is an opportunity for students to learn from every experience by apologizing, discussion an appropriate consequence and making a plan to make it better for him/myself and others. The supervising teacher/staff/principal will decide how to deal with students who choose to violate our school’s Code of Conduct.

Level One Consequences

Level Two Consequences

Level Three Consequences

Resources

• Code of Conduct 2025-2026 (Updated Jan 2026)

Updated October 06, 2025