Philosophy 

A school is a place that promotes responsibility, respect and academic excellence in a safe learning and teaching environment. 

SOAR = Success * Optimism * Acceptance * Responsibility 

Mission Statement 

We believe that all students, parents, teachers and staff have the right to be safe and feel safe in their school community. We want to create an atmosphere that encourages school members to strive for personal excellence and to take pride in achievement. 

Roles and Responsibilities 

Students 

Students are to be treated with respect and dignity. In return, they must demonstrate respect for themselves, for others and for the responsibilities of citizenship through acceptable behaviour. Respect and responsibility are demonstrated when a student: 

• comes to school prepared, on time and ready to learn; 
• respect for themselves, for others and for those in authority; 
• refrains from bringing anything to school that may compromise the safety of others; 
• follows the established rules and takes responsibility for his or her own action. 

Parents/Guardians 

Parents/guardians play an important role in the education of their children, and can support the efforts of school staff in maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment for all students. Parents/guardians fulfill their role when they: 

• show an active interest in their child's school work and progress; 
• communicate regularly with the school; 
• help their child be neat, appropriately dressed and prepared for school; 
• ensure that their child attends school regularly and on time; encourage and assist their child in following the rules of behaviour; 
• assist school staff in dealing with disciplinary issues involving their child. 

Teachers and Other School Staff Members 

Teachers and school staff, under the leadership of their principal, maintain order in the school and are expected to hold everyone to the highest standard of respectful and responsible behaviour. As role models, staff uphold these high standards when they: 

• empower students to be positive leaders in their classroom, school and community; 

• communicate regularly and meaningfully with parents/guardians; 
• maintain consistent standards of behaviour for all students; 

• demonstrate respect for all students, staff, parents/guardians, volunteers and the members of the school community; 

Principals 

Principals, under the direction of their school board, take a leadership role in the daily operation of a school. They provide this leadership by: 

• holding everyone, under their authority, accountable for their behaviour and actions; 

• empowering students to be positive leaders in their school and community; 

• communicating regularly and meaningfully with all members of their school community. 

Standards of Behaviour 

Respect, civility and responsible citizenship 

All members of the school community must: 

• respect and comply with all applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws; 
• demonstrate honesty and integrity; 
• treat one another with dignity and respect at all times, and especially when there is disagreement; 
• respect and treat others fairly, regardless of, for example, their race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability; 
• show proper care and regard for school property and the property of others; 
• respect the need of others to work in an environment that is conducive to learning and teaching; 
• seek assistance from a member of the school staff, if necessary, to resolve conflict peacefully; 
• not swear at a teacher or at another person in a position of authority. 

Safety 

All members of the school community must not: 

• use any object to threaten or intimidate another person; 
• cause injury to any person with an object; 
• be in possession of, or under the influence of, or provide others with, alcohol or illegal drugs; 
• inflict or encourage others to inflict bodily harm on another person; 
• engage in bullying behaviours; 
• commit sexual assault; 
• commit theft; 
• engage in hate propaganda and other forms of behaviour motivated by hate or bias; 
• commit an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property or to property located on the premises of the school. 

Consequences 

Our Code of Conduct will be maintained through a process of progressive discipline followed by natural consequences. Actions taken by staff may include: 

• Reminders with suggestions for improvement 
• Calling parents or guardians to discuss the situation 
• Relocation within the classroom or to a different location 
• Yard shadow or time outs on the yard 
• Detentions 
• Removal or restrictions of certain privileges 
• An interview with the principal 
• Setting up an individual student/teacher contract 
• Restorative justice 
• Repair, restitution or community service 
• Removal from the classroom for a period of time 
• Suspension 
• Police involvement for serious violent, threatening or illegal activities 
• Expulsion