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Code of Conduct

The Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board is dedicated to providing and enhancing a Catholic community of learning in which students will be afforded equal opportunities to achieve their potential in spiritual, moral, intellectual, physical and social development. It is the expectation of Nicholson Catholic College that students will respond positively to this policy and act accordingly.

Within this context, Nicholson Catholic College, therefore, acknowledges the requirements for pupils as outlined in the Ministry of Education Regulation 298, Sec. 23 as well as the following rights and responsibilities based on our Catholic values:

A. RIGHTS

• To be respected in both person and conscience as a child of God;
• To learn in a safe, orderly and stimulating environment;
• To have appropriate access to the facilities and equipment of the school;
• To participate in appropriate programs offered by the school;
• To be conscientiously instructed by the teaching staff.

B. RESPONSIBILITIES

• To participate fully in the religious life of the school, including the celebration of liturgy, Religious Education courses, and related activities;
• To develop personal skills and talents to serve God, and thereby his/her neighbour;
• To contribute positively to the Catholic climate of the school;
• To respect the person and rights of all members of the school community;
• To respect, obey and co-operate with all adults in positions of responsibility in the school community;
• To comply with all school expectations and regulations regarding student behaviour;
• To use language that is appropriate to their dignity as Catholics;
• To adhere to the school dress code;
• To respect the property of the school at all times: building, grounds, equipment and materials;
• To be in attendance and punctual at all classes and scheduled activities, with the materials required for full participation
• To maintain a sense of responsibility toward all academic expectations including attendance, homework, study assignments, and test/examination preparation.

Students must report to the office when directed by staff members or risk further consequences and/or suspension.

RANGE OF CONSEQUENCES:
The development of the Student Code of Conduct includes a clear outline of realistic and effective consequences for failure to meet school expectations. Interventions to assist students in developing self-discipline will be administered to meet individual needs. 

Parents, students, school staff and administrators are strongly encouraged to partake in collaborative approaches to the resolution of behaviour concerns.  

The following are basic interventions that may be initiated by a teacher and/or administrator. This list is not inclusive nor does it imply that each consequence must be exercised before moving to subsequent consequences:

• Verbal or written explanation of behaviour by the student;
• Formal and/or informal interview with the student;
• Parental involvement: phone call, correspondence, interview;
• Involvement of school support staff;
• Peer counselling;
• Detention of student;
• Removal of the student from the classroom to an alternate setting within the school with supervision;
• Referral to Student Services;
• Withholding or deferral of a course credit because of non-attendance;
• Removal of privileges to attend school related activities or programs;
• Removal of bussing privileges;
• Utilization of a behavioural, attendance or performance contract;
• Expectation that the student make restitution;
• Involvement of, or referral to, outside agencies (e.g. Children’s Aid Society)
• Suspension in accordance with the Education Act and Board Policy;
• Expulsion in accordance with the Education Act and Board Policy.

Notwithstanding the above, the principal will take immediate and appropriate action in any situation involving the welfare of students and staff.

HARASSMENT
Harassment is systematic or persistent actions in person or by any other means of communication such as taunts, insults, annoyances, demands, etc., which are known or ought to be known to be unwelcome, uninvited, or offensive. Harassment is illegal and the law is concerned with the impact of the behaviour, not the intent of the behaviour.

SAFE SCHOOLS POLICY
Serious violent incidents which pose a challenge to the safety and the positive learning/working climate promoted by the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board fall under the provisions of the Safe Schools Policy. The following breeches of school discipline involving Nicholson Catholic College students on school property or at school sponsored events shall not be tolerated:  intimidation, harassment (verbal, non-verbal, sexual), threats, extortion, arson, theft/robbery, public mischief, disturbances, trespass, vandalism, assault (verbal, physical, sexual), weapons (possession, threats, use), substance abuse, alcohol possession and use.

SAFE SCHOOLS AND CODE OF CONDUCT
Learning best takes place in a safe, positive and nurturing environment. Conduct within our schools must reflect Gospel values and the Board’s Mission Statement which commits to “excellence in Catholic education and to lifelong learning, so that those with whom we journey may become caring and contributing citizens in a world of constant change.”                
The Safe School Policy and the Ontario Code of Conduct apply to parents or guardians, volunteers, teachers and other staff members, whether they are on school property, on school buses or at school-authorized events or activities.

Principals, under the direction of the Board, demonstrate care and commitment to academic excellence and safe teaching and learning environments, and hold everyone, under their authority, accountable for their behaviour and actions.

Teachers and school staff, under the leadership of principals, assist in maintaining order in the school and are expected to hold everyone to high standards of respectful and responsible behaviours.

Parents, have a responsibility to support the efforts of school staff in maintaining a safe and respectful learning environment for all students.

Police and community members are essential community partners and respect the rules of their local schools. Police investigate incidents in accordance with the protocol developed with the local school board. This protocol is based on a provincial model developed by the Ministry of the Solicitor General and the Ministry of Education.

The Safe Schools Code of Conduct outlines a range of consequences for failure to meet expectations. These include but are not limited to the following:

• Contact the parent/guardian if the student is under 18 years of age;
• Record incidents in The Ontario Student Record;
• Suspension from 1-20 days;
• Contact police;
• Contact the Children’s Aid Society;
• Recommend counselling;
• Recommend an alternative placement;
• Limited or full expulsions.

MANDATORY SUSPENSION CIRCUMSTANCES
It is mandatory that a student be suspended for committing any of the following infractions while at school or engaged in a school related activity:

• Uttering a threat to inflict serious bodily harm on another person;
• Possessing alcohol or illegal drugs;
• Being under the influence of alcohol;
• Swearing at a teacher or at another person in a position of authority;
• Committing an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property at the student’s school or to property located on the premises of the student’s school;
• Possession of a replica of a prohibited weapon.

MANDATORY SUSPENSION PROCEEDING TO AN EXPULSION HEARING
The following infractions committed by a student shall result in a mandatory suspension proceeding to an Expulsion Hearing. Only the principal shall suspend for:

• Possessing weapon, including possessing a firearm;
• Using a weapon to cause or to threaten bodily harm to another person;
• Committing physical assault on another person that causes bodily harm requiring treatment by a medical practitioner;
• Committing sexual assault;
• Trafficking in weapons or in illegal drugs;
• Committing robbery;
• Giving alcohol to a minor;
• Threatening with a replica of a prohibited weapon.

DISCRETIONARY SUSPENSION
The infractions, which may result in a discretionary suspension, include but are not limited to:
Infractions where the student’s conduct off school property adversely affects the moral tone of the school and has a nexus to the school;

• Persistent truancy;
• Persistent opposition to authority;
• Habitual neglect of duty;
• The wilful destruction of school property;
• The use of profane or improper language;
• Conduct injurious to the moral tone of the school including but not limited to:  theft, academic dishonesty, inappropriate use of school property including electronic and/or voice mail systems;
• Conduct injurious to the physical or mental well-being of others in the school including but not limited to:  fire setting, bullying or intimidation, hazing activities, harassment, verbal abuse, extortion, possession of an explosive substance;
• Distribution of hate material;
• Smoking on school property.

STAFF-STUDENT RELATIONS

Teachers, secretaries, custodians, cafeteria staff and school bus drivers provide a variety of valuable services for students. Students are expected to be courteous to and respectful of all staff and to follow their directions.