Pierre Elliott Trudeau Elementary School provides equal learning opportunities for all students. The following Code of Conduct provides a framework so that all students, parents and staff feel safe within the school community. Students are expected to act responsibly and ethically within the rules and regulations adopted for the benefit of all. All partners, parents, students and staff are required to follow the code of conduct and support its underlying principles as detailed in the school mission statement, core values and the policies detailed in our Anti-Bullying / Anti-Violence Plan.
Rights, Responsibilities & Expectations
Students: Have the right to…
- Feel safe at school (including the bus and playground)
- Freedom from physical and verbal harassment
- Assistance from teachers to ensure individual success
- A school climate that encourages respect, caring, and support for others
Students: Have the responsibility/expectation to…
- Be punctual, attend regularly and complete assigned work
- Respect the rights of other students and staff members
- Engage in safe and responsible behaviour at all times (including when on the bus or outside)
- Wear appropriate clothing
Teachers: Have the right to….
- Expect appropriate behaviour in the classroom, throughout the school, and in all other educational settings (on the bus, school trips)
- Receive support from Administration and Parents in the performance of their duties
- Expect cooperation from all students to help create a positive learning environment
- A respectful and safe work environment
Teachers: Have the responsibility/expectation to….
- Be fair and consistent when interacting with students
- Inform students of expectations of acceptable behaviour
- Report progress and conduct to Administration and Parents
- State the learning objectives of each lesson
- Plan, implement and evaluate an effective program for all students
Parents: Have the right to…
- Expect that classes will be conducted in an orderly manner
- Receive regular communications from the school
- Discuss with the school any concerns regarding their child
- To expect a safe and supportive environment for their child
- Be treated in a respectful manner
Parents: Have the responsibility/expectation to…
- Encourage positive attitudes in their children towards school, learning and behaviour
- Ensure regular and punctual attendance
- Be their child’s advocate
- Be respectful when communicating with the school and other parents
Discipline Policy
At PETES, we always attempt to work with students and parent(s) to find the source of frustration causing troubling behaviour at school. Staff will deal with a student who does not meet the expectations of this Code of Conduct fairly and consistently. The rights of the individual as well as the collective rights of the school community will be considered. The following range of consequences is available to school personnel following a breach of the Code of Conduct:
- Discussion with the student by the Teacher, Behaviour Technician, or Principal / Vice-Principal
- Assignment of a specific task to help the student understand the expectations
- Detention to complete classroom assignments or make up for lost instructional time
- Consultation with parents regarding the student
- Intervention of, or referral to, Resource personnel or Behaviour Technician
- Withdrawal of privileges and participation in certain activities
- Suspension from school; whereby the student does not attend school according to the authority of the Education Act
- Involvement of, or referral to, outside agencies e.g., CLSC, Police
- Expulsion by the School Board from all schools under its jurisdiction
- Consequences will not necessarily be imposed in sequential order but will depend greatly on the severity, frequency and duration of the behavior.
School Rules and Regulations
School Access
Students will enter from the south and west entrances between 7:45 and 8:00am. At all other times, parents, students and visitors must enter the building through the main entrance ONLY. All visitors must report to the office and receive and wear a visitor’s pass before proceeding to any other area of the school. In addition, any parent that is volunteering in class or for a school trip must provide the administration with an up-to-date Security Background Check. Parents collecting students must wait in the foyer for their child(ren).
Attendance and Punctuality
Punctuality is important and it is the responsibility of our students to be on time for school. All students entering after 8am must report to the office to verify their attendance. Requests for early dismissal (i.e. medical appointment) require parent/guardian contact with the office. Any changes to pick-up must be called into the office at 819.777.8600 or emailed to the Secretary before 1pm petes@wqsb.qc.ca. Also, in accordance with Sections 14 and 17 of the Education Act, the Principal must report chronic absenteeism to Youth Protection.
Section 14: “Every child in Québec shall attend school from the first day of the school calendar in the school year following that in which he attains 6 years of age until the last day of the school calendar in the school year in which he attains 16 years of age or at the end of which he obtains a diploma awarded by the Minister, whichever occurs first.”
Article 17: “Parents must take the necessary measures to ensure that their child attends school as required”.
1988, c. 84, s. 14 & 17
Absences
Must be confirmed by phone or documented by parents/guardians in writing. If a parent/guardian is unable to speak directly to Staff, please leave a message on the answering machine.
Appropriate Dress
- Hats and head coverings (bandanas, hoods, etc.) are to be removed before entering the school. Head dresses or head coverings worn for religious or medical purposes are exempt
- Pants should fit so that they will not fall down; nor expose undergarments
- Clothing and/or jewelry that bear suggestive or objectionable printing such as those used in the advertisement of alcohol, drugs, sex, violence or those containing racist comments are not to be worn
- Tops which expose undergarments or midriff sections and/or “low cut” necklines are not to be worn
- Shorts and skirts should be of respectable length
- Students are expected to dress appropriately for the weather
- For safety reasons, students should have proper indoor and outdoor shoes
Behaviour
Students must show respect for self, others and property. It should be reflective of a safe school environment. Therefore, the following will apply:
- No weapons or weapon-like devices including toys
- Absolutely no fighting
- No rough play and/or physically or verbally abusive behaviour
- Follow the routines established by Staff
- Demonstrate socially acceptable manners
- Seek Staff assistance to resolve conflicts
Appropriate Language
Students are expected to demonstrate socially acceptable language. Therefore, the following will apply:
- No profanity
- No suggestive comments including sexist, racist or provocative comments
- No rude or challenging comments or gestures
Bullying and Acts of Violence
Please refer to our Anti-Bullying / Anti-Violence Plan.
Buses and Bus Behaviour
The behaviour of students on the school bus should be similar to behaviour expected during school. Students must adhere to the following requirements in the interest of safety for all passengers. Failure to do so may lead to the suspension of riding privileges.
- Remain in their seat at all times
- Use appropriate language
- Avoid distracting the driver by creating unnecessary noise or uncooperative behaviour
- No eating or drinking on the bus
- Demonstrate acceptable behaviour which respects rights of the driver and other passengers
The driver is at all times in complete charge of the bus and passengers. If any of the above outlined Code of Conduct rules are violated, the driver will report the problems to the Principal.
Cell Phone / Electronic Device Policy
- It is not encouraged; however, If cell phones / electronic devices are brought to school with parent permission, they must be kept in a locker at all times (locks on lockers are permitted)
- If a student is seen with a cell phone / electronic device during the school day, administration will be called to retrieve the device
- First offence: the device will be returned to the student at the end of the day
- Second offence: a parent must collect the device
- Cell phones / electronic devices are not required for learning and the school will not be responsible for lost, damaged or stolen items
Covid Health and Safety Protocols
Due to strict health and safety regulations imposed by Public Health and the Ministry of Education, any student who is unable to follow the new safety protocols will be subject to further action (which could be loss of bus privileges to out of school suspensions).
Transportation
- It is highly recommended that all students wear a mask on the bus
- Mandatory for all Cycle 3 students to wear a mask on the school bus
- Students must remain in their assigned seats
- Students must respect social distancing on the bus
At school
- All cycle 3 students must wear a mask when in common areas within the school building (hallways, stairwells, lockers, etc.)
- Students must remain within their class bubbles at all times
- Students must respect their outdoor recess zones and remain with their class bubble
- All students will disinfect their hands when entering and exiting the school / classroom
- All students will respect social distancing from other students in other classrooms
- All students will respect social distancing with their teachers and staff (2 meter distance)
Online, distance learning due to class quarantine or re-confinement
- Students will respect the guidelines provided by staff when using online platforms (teams, google classroom)
- All general rules of the school will apply to online learning
- Students will respect appropriate language and behavior while learning online
Summary and Conclusions
The Code of Conduct is required to ensure that Students, Parents and Staff all understand the standards we expect at Pierre Elliott Trudeau Elementary School. The discipline policy must be flexible enough so that we are positioned to be fair and sensible in our relationships with students and others. It is not our intent to have rules for everything; however, appropriate consequences are needed for inappropriate behaviour. We sincerely hope that these words help to communicate and to clarify our Code of Conduct.
Please take the time to discuss the expectations outlined in the Code of Conduct with your child and sign with your son/daughter. Thank you.