Code of Conduct

MISSION STATEMENT – Our community works toward our students feeling safe, seen and supported.

Ecole Intermédiare Central Middle School is a community of learners that values respect, responsibility, diversity, and excellence. Our school is committed to creating a learning environment which values inclusiveness and is free from all forms of discrimination. All words and actions should be safe, kind and respectful of self and others. All students at Central have a right to feel SAFE, SEEN, and SUPPORTED.

Who do we want to be?!!!

Central Middle School is committed to a positive climate based on mutual respect. We encourage students to reflect on their needs and the needs of others, to not merely comply with school rules, but to go further… to demonstrate respect for themselves, others, and the environment because it’s the right thing to do. We address inappropriate behaviour, providing students with opportunities and encouragement to take ownership for their actions, fix their mistakes, and resolve issues in a positive manner. Of course, there is a bottom line, and we are committed to a safe environment, free from discrimination, harassment, drugs and violence.

Beyond the basic expectations discussed below, Central Middle School provides students with many great ways to have fun and further develop social responsibility. Through participation in regular classroom activities as well as numerous special events, fieldtrips, clubs, teams, and programs, students have the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of cooperative endeavours, contributing to the school and community-at-large.

All of these expectations and opportunities help Central Middle School to be a safe, purposeful, and positive place of learning.

Conduct Expectations

Acceptable Conduct

We expect Central Middle School students to conduct themselves appropriately at school, coming to and going from school, and at any school-sponsored activity including field trips.

Acceptable conduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • Arrival on time for the start of the school day
  • Respecting self, others and the school property.
  • Acting in ways that are safe for self and others.
  • Treating all people with respect and understanding, regardless of differences.
  • Demonstrating honesty at all times.
  • Putting forth best efforts for all academic, athletic, and artistic pursuits.
  • Taking responsibility for their own actions, and the impact they have on others.
  • Using “WITS” (Walk Away, Ignore, Talk it Out, Seek Help) when conflicts arises
  • ALWAYS seek adult help when a conflict gets out of hand. We are here to help.
  • Listening to and respecting the direction of all adults on staff.
  • Leaving personal electronic devices at home.
  • Dressing in a manner suitable for active engagement and participation in learning activities, including outings that take place during a school day – i.e. clothes for Physical Education or class walks, including running shoes; clothes that are safe to wear in Exploratories such as Technology Education or Home Economics, and a weather-appropriate jacket.

Unacceptable Conduct

We do not expect Central Middle School students to display any behaviours that discredit themselves, others, or the school. Unacceptable conduct includes, but is not limited to behaviours that:

  • Interfere with the learning of themselves or others
  • Create unsafe conditions
  • Are discriminatory in nature, including discrimination based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or age. Actions through verbal or nonverbal communication (including clothing) must demonstrate support for the BC Human Rights Code.
  • Are directly defiant or disrespectful
  • Are unkind, bullying, harassing or intimidating
  • Involve physical violence
  • Illegal acts, such as:
  • Possession, use or distribution of illegal or restricted substances
  • Possession or use of weapons
  • Theft of or damage to property

Rising Expectations

We expect that as students move through the grades expectations will increase. With age and awareness we expect:

  • Increasing personal responsibility and self-discipline
  • Increasing understanding of the Code of Conduct guidelines
  • Increasing understanding of the need for progressive consequences
  • Increasing understanding of what discrimination means and ‘looks like’
  • Increasing ownership of their own actions
  • Increasing ability to ask for and accept help when needed

Consequences

The severity and frequency of unacceptable conduct as well as the age and maturity of students is considered in determining appropriate disciplinary action. In that:

  • Responses to unacceptable conduct are pre-planned, consistent and fair
  • Disciplinary action, wherever possible, is preventative and restorative, rather than punitive
  • A support system and individual behavioural programs for students with unique or exceptional needs is developed.

Notification & Retaliation Prevention

  • Please be aware that school officials may have a responsibility to advise other parties of serious breaches of the code of conduct (i.e. parents, school district officials, police and/or other agencies).

Parent and Guardian Support and Involvement

At Central, we are very fortunate to have a supportive and friendly parent and guardian body.  Our parents and guardians recognize that educating children is a process that involves a partnership between them, teachers, school staff, and the school community. 

As a partnership, our parents and guardians understand the importance of a good working relationship. For these reasons, we continue to welcome and encourage them to participate fully in the life of the school. It is our hope that all parents and guardians of our school will support the Code of Conduct so we can continue to thrive, progress and achieve the best for your children. If you ever have concerns regarding a Code of Conduct matter, please contact the school. If a concern arises with a specific staff member, please follow the process as outlined in our school district complaint policy starting with a connection with a staff member.

A safe, caring and orderly school is the foundation for a successful learning environment, and parents and guardians are an integral part of this. We ask for your support in modeling and reinforcing our Code of Conduct at every opportunity.

Personal Electronic Devices (Cellphones, smart devices, iPhones, gaming devices, etc.)

Our school supports the use of technology through Chromebooks and iPads, however, will no longer permit personal electronic devices at school such as Smartphones, iPhones, or iPods. Our goal is to create a more focused, respectful, and safe learning environment and school community by removing what we have found to be a source of distraction and disconnection between students and their learning, as well as in interpersonal relationships. Please contact Ms. Braun with any questions or concerns about this policy at gbraun@sd61.bc.ca

Student Absences & Automated Call-back System

If a student is ill or will be missing school for the day or part of a day, we request that parents telephone the school at 250-386-3591 or email the office at central@sd61.bc.ca. As a safety measure, a telephone call will notify parents if a student has not arrived by the start of the day. You will receive an automated message if your child has been marked absent from school unless you call the school office in advance to inform the school. If and when you receive such a message, we ask that you contact the school to confirm the absence.

Lates

If your child does arrive after the start of the day, they will sign in at the office before heading off to class. There may be an occasion where you receive this message even though your child attended school. Such an event may occur if your child arrives late but fails to sign in at the office. If this occurs we request that you contact us so that we are able to make any corrections necessary.

The Role of Parents & Family

At Central, we are very fortunate to have a supportive and friendly parent and guardian body. Our parents and guardians recognize that educating children is a process that involves partnership between them, teachers, school staff, and the school community.
As a partnership, our parents and guardians understand the importance of a good working relationship. For these reasons we continue to welcome and encourage them to participate fully in the life of the school. It is our hope that all parents and guardians of our school will support the Code of Conduct so we can continue to thrive, progress and achieve the best for your children. If you ever have concerns regarding a Code of Conduct matter, please contact the school. If a concern arises with a specific staff member, please approach them directly in a respectful, calm, and questioning manner in order to get all of the pertinent information prior to proceeding.

A safe, caring and orderly school is the foundation for a successful learning environment, and parents and guardians are an integral part of this. We ask for your support in modeling and reinforcing our Code of Conduct at every opportunity.

Click here to download a printable copy of our Code of Conduct

 

Staff, students, and parents – do you have any feedback or thoughts about this Code of Conduct? We’d love to hear from you. Please click here to share any feedback with us.