Canyon Falls Middle School
Learner Code of Conduct
Revised July, 2024
At Canyon Falls Middle School, we recognize that each learner and situation is unique and we will always strive to ensure that our school is a safe, caring and orderly environment in which to learn and work. As learners age and mature, the expectations for acceptable behaviour will increase accordingly. The code of conduct at CMS is based on the following balance of rights and responsibilities.
Rights | Responsibilities |
Learners have the right to learn.
| Learners have the responsibility to actively participate and to be responsible learners. Some examples include:
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Learners have the right to be respected.
| Learners have the responsibility to respect others (not to bully, tease, pick on, or harass others). Some examples include:
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Learners have the right to be safe.
| Learners have the responsibility to behave in a safe manner and to protect the safety of others. Some examples include:
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Learners have the right to privacy and security of personal space.
| Learners have the responsibility to respect the property and privacy of others (learners, staff and community). Some examples include:
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Learners have the right to use learner equipment and property.
| Learners have the responsibility to use the equipment and property according to all applicable rules, and with care and respect. Some examples include:
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WHO DOES THIS CODE OF CONDUCT APPLY TO?
In reference to Board Policies 455 and 455R the purpose of the Canyon Falls Code of Conduct is to maintain a safe, caring and orderly environment for learners and their learning. The code of conduct applies to any learner:
- On school property or the environs of the school
- In attendance at school or any school-sponsored activity
- Whose behaviour at any time or place, including to and from school as well as online, has a negative effect on the school environment and/or learning
BC HUMAN RIGHTS CODE
Canyon Falls Middle School promotes the values expressed in the BC Human Rights Code respecting the rights of all individuals in accordance with the law. All participants in school business, activities or events shall conduct themselves in a manner that does not contravene the BC Human Rights Code and its basic principles of respect and fairness. No person shall discriminate against another based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, physical and mental disability, gender, gender identity and expression or sexual orientation within the school environment or through the school system and its related function through publication, or in accommodation, service or facility. The school will treat seriously any behavior that contravenes the grounds set out in the BC Human Rights Code.
VIOLATIONS OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT
We recognize that most members of our school community conduct themselves in a positive and responsible manner. Violations of the Code of Conduct will occur, and when these infrequent violations occur, parent/guardians will be contacted. Violations of the Code of Conduct that are minor are dealt with in a variety of ways alongside learners, school staff and parents.
DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES
In the event of a violation of our Code of Conduct, the staff will endeavour to act consistently by:
- communicating with all individuals involved;
- determining all of the facts; and
- treating learners with fairness and respect.
The staff recognizes that each incident must be dealt with on an individual basis, dependent upon severity, circumstance and history. Every effort will be made to match the situation and the consequence to the learner through the use of a progressive disciplinary model. As learners mature in middle school there is a higher expectation of responsibility, therefore consequences for violations of the code of conduct may vary from grades 6 to 8. Whenever possible, the learner, with the assistance of the administrator, teacher, behaviour intervention teacher, counselor, and/or parent/guardian, will be involved in solving the problem.
Where appropriate, special consideration may apply to Canyon Falls learners with exceptional educational needs who violate the Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct (including consequences) will be applied to them in a manner that reflects their intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional or behavioural abilities.
OFFENCES AND POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES
Minor violations of the Code of Conduct are dealt with in a variety of ways (including collaborative problem solving, meetings with learners, staff, and parents, detentions, school service and other consequences that are intended to be restorative in nature) leading to the development of more positive behaviour, and allowing learners to make amends for their misbehaviour.
More serious violations of the Code of Conduct (detailed below) may lead to a definite/indefinite in/out of school suspension, a Restorative Justice referral and/or RCMP involvement. The following are examples of major and serious violations of the Code of Conduct and do not constitute a complete list of possible offences:
Examples of Major Offences | Possible Consequences |
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Examples of Serious Offences | Possible Consequences |
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CLOSED CAMPUS
All middle schools in Central Okanagan Public Schools are closed campuses. Once learners have arrived at CMS they are expected to remain on campus for the remainder of the day. Learners are not permitted to go to surrounding properties, stores, etc. under any circumstance.
Learners who go home for lunch (ie. who live within a reasonable walking distance to the school) are required to have a signed parent/guardian permission form completed, on file, with our clerical staff in the Welcome Centre each year, and are required to sign in and out of the school each day during the lunch break. It is expected that learners signed out for lunch go home and back only.
SCHOOL VISITORS
All visitors to the school must report to the Welcome Centre and state their reason for visiting the school. Visitors should not be in the halls unsupervised without express permission from the school administration for safety reasons. Learners are asked to make prior arrangements to meet their friends who do not attend CMS off the school property after school hours; learners from other schools are not permitted to be on CMS property, just as CMS learners are not to be on other school properties.
We do not allow for friends or family (ie. siblings or cousins) of learners to "visit for the day" and attend classes with learners. This practice can very disruptive to learning environments and can become a serious supervision issue.
RESPONSIBLE USE OF TECHNOLOGY DEVICES, SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY, AND DISTRICT NETWORKS (revised July 1, 2024)
Student use of personal digital devices (any device used to communicate and/or access the internet), school technology, and district networks at school is for educational purposes.
Students must abide by the school’s Code of Conduct and procedures, as well as Central Okanagan Public Schools Policy 486: Student Use of Network Services and Digital Technologies.
Students will:
- Put away their personal digital devices when they arrive at school;
- Secure, power off and store personal digital devices during instructional (i.e. class time) and non-instructional time (i.e. breaks/lunch) at Middle schools unless instructed by the Principal or school staff;
- Use personal digital devices during instructional time for instructional purposes and digital literacy skills as instructed by the Principal or school staff;
- Ensure personal digital devices are not used in areas where privacy is expected, such as restrooms and change rooms;
- Be permitted to use personal digital devices to support accessibility, accommodations, medical and health needs;
- Always take precautions to ensure online safety, privacy, and security;
- Treat others with respect and kindness when using digital devices and district network services;
- Always use digital devices and district network services responsibly and with academic integrity.
Schools will ensure that all students have equitable and developmentally appropriate access to technology to meet curricular requirements. Students are not required to have their own personal digital device or cellphone at school.
The use of personal digital devices, school technology, and district networks is a privilege. Staff may revoke a student’s access to devices because of inappropriate student conduct.
Violations of the school code of conduct could result in appropriate restorative processes or disciplinary actions including suspension and police intervention.
DRESS CODE
The way we dress can communicate the respect we show to others and to the school as a place for working and learning. The purpose of the CMS dress code is to clarify what clothing is reasonable for learners and staff to provide a positive school climate. Learners are asked to avoid styles which promote, imitate or celebrate violence, intimidation, racism, sexism, hatred towards others, gang association, sex or alcohol/drug use. Hats can be worn in the school, and by teacher discretion, may or may not be worn during class time. If clothing is determined by staff to be inappropriate, families will be contacted and learners may be asked to change. This expectation applies to all learners. Footwear must be worn at all times for health and safety reasons.
PERSONAL PROPERTY/LOCKERS
At the beginning of the year, each learner will be assigned a school lock and locker. Personal locks are not to be used. Learner locks and lockers remain the property of the school and the school retains access to lockers throughout the year; administration and staff may open and search when necessary. A replacement fee of $5.00 will be charged to learners who have lost their locks. In order to ensure learners' belongings are safe, lock combinations and lockers must not be shared between learners.
Learners should not bring unnecessary items, valuables, or large amounts of money to school. The school cannot be responsible for lost or stolen items. Learners are urged to safeguard their valuables/backpacks/property by storing items in their lockers. Items of value should never be left unlocked in the gym change rooms.
BIKES/SCOOTERS/SKATEBOARDS
Learners are not to be on their skateboards, scooters, or bikes on CMS property; continued issues that arise because of improper use may result in a learner being asked to not bring their skateboard, scooter, or bike to school permanently. While travelling to and from school, we recommend the use of appropriate protective equipment including a helmet. We ask that parents/guardians to support us in having ongoing discussions with your child about traffic safety.
Scooters and bikes should be secured with a good lock in the racks located at the front of the school (any bike locks do, and a simple padlock for scooters). Skateboards should be stored securely in lockers. We do not have alternative storage inside the building for bikes, scooters, or skateboards (not in classrooms, not in storage rooms, not carried from room to room throughout the day). These places are not necessarily secure, and we know that these items are costly for families to replace ‐ as stated in the previous section on personal property, the school cannot be responsible for lost, misplaced, or stolen property stored in various unsecured areas around the school.
APPEAL POLICY 460
Parents and guardians of a learner who is entitled to an educational program in Central Okanagan Public Schools may appeal the decision of an employee of the school board which significantly affects the education, health or safety of the learner.
STEP 1: Parent meets with employee (ie. teacher)
STEP 2: Parent meets with principal
STEP 3: Parent meets with the Superintendent or designate (ie. Zonal Assistant Superintendent)
If at this point the issue remains unsolved and the parent/guardian is not satisfied, the parent/guardian has a right to a final appeal to the Board. This district policy is in place to help ensure that effective communication is part of the problem-solving process. Details of this process are available at the school and on the district website (Policy 460) or are linked here.
FAIR NOTICE: STUDENT SAFETY
As per district protocol, "all students, staff, and parents/guardians should be informed about the protocol and procedures, ensuring fair notice that violence and threats of violence will not be tolerated." Please read below for more information.
Fair Notice: Student Safety
What is a threat?
A threat is an expression of intent to do harm or act out violently against someone or something. Threats may be verbal, written, drawn, posted on the internet, or made by gesture. Threats must be taken seriously, investigated, and responded to.
What is a site-specific Threat Assessment Team?
Each school has a site-specific Threat Assessment Team that includes the principal, counsellor(s), teachers, and a member of the police agency.
Duty To Report
To keep school communities safe and caring, staff, parents/ guardians, students, and community members must report all threat-related behaviours.
The purposes of a threat assessment are:
• To ensure the safety of students, staff, parents/guardians and others;
• To ensure a full understanding of the context of the threat;
• To understand factors contributing to the behaviour of the person of concern;
• To be proactive in developing an intervention plan that addresses the emotional and physical safety of the person of concern;
• To promote the emotional and physical safety of all.
What behaviours initiate a threat assessment?
A student threat assessment will be initiated when behaviours include, but are not limited to, serious violence or violence with intent to harm or kill, verbal/written threats to harm/kill others, online threats to harm/kill others, possession of weapons (including replicas), bomb threats and fire settings.
Can I refuse to participate in a threat assessment process?
It is important for all parties to engage in the process. However, if for some reason there is reluctance to participate in the process by the person of concern or parent/guardian, the threat assessment process will continue to promote a safe and caring learning environment.
What happens in a student threat assessment process?
All threat-making behaviour by the student shall be reported to the principal, who will activate the protocol for the initial response. Once the team has been activated, interviews may be held with students, the person of concern, parents/guardians, and staff to determine the level of risk and develop an appropriate response to the incident. Intervention plans will be developed and shared with parents/guardians, staff, and students as required.
COLLECTION NOTICE
The school district is subject to personal information privacy laws and will undertake the collection of this information in compliance with the requirements of such laws, including by limiting collection to information that is relevant and necessary to address a risk or threat and by ensuring that information is collected from publicly available open-source social media sites. The school district will not collect information as part of a threat assessment unless there is reason to believe that a risk exists. Information collected as part of a threat assessment may be provided to law enforcement authorities in appropriate circumstances.