Welcome to the Saugeen
District Senior School Code of Behaviour
The SDSS code is consistent with
Ministry and Board policies and is reviewed annually as a function of
our Safe Schools Committee, which includes representation from
students, parents/guardians, teachers, school administrators and the
community. The code will apply consistently to the behaviours of all
students, staff and visitors on school property, on buses and at
school sponsored functions.
At SDSS, we believe that students
have a responsibility for doing things right, and that it is the job
of parents/guardians as well all school staff members to help
students behave appropriately.
Students should note that what
constitutes acceptable behaviour at SDSS might be different from what
is acceptable elsewhere. Whether in the classroom, in the halls or
on the school grounds, students are expected to respect themselves,
respect others, and respect their environment. Ways that you can
demonstrate this through positive behaviour include:
-
Appreciating the opinions,
beliefs, customs and diversity of others regardless of race, creed,
ethnic background or individual ability
-
Acting in a kind, polite and
helpful manner to others (saying please and thank you, holding the
door for another individual, for example)
-
Using appropriate language
(avoiding swearing or hurtful comments, regulating your tone of
voice, body language and facial expressions)
-
Keeping your hands off other
people and their possessions
-
Cleaning up after yourself,
taking ownership for your materials including your garbage, and
putting waste in the appropriate places
-
Working hard at all times to
achieve your maximum potential
-
Cooperating with others to help
them succeed
-
Dressing modestly according to
the dress code, in all areas of the school
-
Taking responsibility for your
own actions (admitting when you have made a mistake and accepting
help, direction and/or consequences)
-
Acting with maturity and being a
positive role model
Students who experience
difficulty demonstrating these expectations will be taught how to do
better. If their actions have offended, injured or negatively
impacted another, they will be expected to make the situation right,
with or without the assistance of school staff. Learning how to
behave properly takes a lot of time and effort, and as such we at
SDSS believe that our grade 11 and 12 students should be the best
behaved. It is in accordance with this belief that some privileges,
like responsibilities, will increase with age and grade level. In
addition to the list
of positive behaviours on the previous page, students have specific
expectations of their behaviour in the following areas:
Classrooms: Students
are to arrive to class on time and be prepared to work. Within the
classroom, students are expected to follow the instructions of their
teachers and stay focused on assigned tasks. Students are expected
to stand for O’Canada, and sit quietly during morning
announcements. At the end of the class, students are dismissed by
their teacher and not the bell. Students are expected to leave all
exterior clothing, including hats, coats and backpacks in a
designated storage space or locker outside of the classroom. Food or
drink is not permitted in the classroom without the teacher’s
permission. Electronic devices are expected to be off and away,
unless a teacher gives permission to use them. Elementary students
are not allowed to have electronics in class or on the yard. They
are only allowed to have electronics in the classroom with their
teachers’ permission.
Hallways: Students
are expected to walk quietly and in an orderly fashion in the
hallways, keeping to the right. Students in the hallways during
morning announcements are expected to stop and stand at attention for
O’Canada. Students are not permitted to eat in the halls except in
the designated spaces. Designated spaces include the cafeteria,
common area and lower hallways up to the double doors outside the
library and science hallway. There is no food or drink permitted in
any other areas at SDSS in order to avoid undue mess, clutter and
disruption to classes. Students are expected not to loiter in the
hallways and should find an appropriate place to study, work quietly
or spend time with friends. Areas that are suggested at SDSS are the
library, cafeteria and common area.
School Grounds:
Play on the schoolyard should reflect the list of positive behaviours
on the previous page. No student should throw snowballs or use
sticks or stones in any capacity while at school.
Students who need support in
achieving the school expectations will be counseled by a staff
member, possibly a school administrator. When assigning sanctions or
consequences for student behaviour, a progressive discipline model
will be utilized, and mitigating circumstances will be taken into
consideration. Sanctions may include a discussion with a staff
member, an apology, a detention with tutorial supports, removal of
privileges, withdrawal from class, the implementation of a contract,
or a suspension in or out of school. A school behaviour incident form
may be sent home to be signed and returned by your parents and/or
guardians. For severe infractions, a student may be expelled.