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Student Code of Conduct

Howe Sound Secondary School Code of Conduct 

The HSS Code of Conduct is designed to provide guidelines for appropriate student behaviour while under the jurisdiction of the school, while at any school-sponsored function or when engaging in the activity will have an impact on a Safe, Caring, and Orderly School environment.

Students have a responsibility to respect the rights and dignity of others and to become actively involved in their own academic learning and social growth.

Our full code of conduct can be viewed in the HSS Student Handbook by clicking on the link below. 

Conduct Expectations

Acceptable conduct is demonstrated by:

  • respecting oneself, others and the school’s facility, resources and grounds
  • engaging in responsible behaviour in all learning and school activities (attend all classes regularly, be seated in your seat by the second bell, be prepared for class, complete all assignments, and use good manners and good common sense – to the best of one’s abilities)
  • modelling respectful and responsible behaviour to their peers and younger students, in the community and while acting as school ambassadors
  • conducting oneself in a manner which in no way compromises the safety or well-being of others

Safe & Caring School Environments:

Are Free From Acts Of:

  • bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment and marginalization
  • threat and intimidation
  • violence in any form
  • abuse in any form
  • discrimination in any form based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, age, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity and expression (prohibited grounds set out in the BC Human Rights Code)
  • retribution against a person who has reported incidents
 

Do Not Tolerate the Presence Of:

  • plagiarism
  • theft and vandalism
  • intoxicating or banned substances
  • weapons or replica weapons and explosives
  • intruders or trespassers (All visitors to the school must first report to the office)
 

Or Misuse Of:

  • Cyberspace/Cell Phones/Electronic Devices/Computers – students are to be aware that they may be subject to discipline (or, if applicable, confiscation of personal property) for misuse of technology if it negatively impacts on the school environment

 

Forms of unacceptable conduct cited above are only some examples and not an all-inclusive list.

Consequences

Consequences will be applied to unacceptable conduct in accordance with the School District Safe & Caring Schools Disciplinary Guide. Progressive discipline methods based on the severity and the frequency of the behaviour as well as age of the student will be implemented to alter the inappropriate and/or unsafe behaviour. Consequences will focus on being restorative rather than punitive in nature.

Notification

As circumstances warrant, administrators have a responsibility to advise other parties following an incident:

  • parents/guardians of the student offender(s)
  • parents/guardians of the student victim(s)
  • School Board officials will be contacted as required by School District Policy, (i.e. Level I, II and III suspensions)
  • police and other agencies as required by law
  • school staff and school community as deemed appropriate by the school administrator and/or District administration
 

The HSS Code of Conduct has been structured to align with and adhere to the standards outlined in:

  • The School Act 85(1.1) 168 (2) (s.1) Provincial Standards Ministerial Order 276/07, effective October 17, 2007
  • B.C. Human Rights Code, (SD 48 Policy No. 502.1, 502.2 and Regulation No. 502.2)
  • B.C. Ministry of Education: Safe, Caring and Orderly Schools: A Guide (Nov. 2008) and Developing and Reviewing Codes of Conduct: A Companion (Aug. 2007), both found at http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/sco/

 

Attendance Policy

At Howe Sound Secondary, we believe that regular attendance and punctuality are fundamentally important. To increase the probability that students will succeed, we expect you to:

  • attend 100% of the time except for illness or emergency. An absence can only be excused by a parent or guardian.
  • arrive at classes on-time, prepared to learn. Students should not request permission to leave classes except for illness, or in an emergency situation. Where possible, appointments should be scheduled outside of school hours.
  • remain in their classes for the first 15 minutes and last 15 minutes of each block.
  • have parents/guardians inform the school in advance by telephone, 892-5261, or in writing, when late, or when absent.
  • discuss any absence with teachers. Missed work and assignments are the responsibility of the student. Make-up opportunities may be provided at the teacher’s discretion. Students may receive a Fail if they miss classes and do not make arrangements with their teachers for missed time and/or work.
  • sign out at the office if required to leave during the school day. We expect the parent/guardian’s written permission for early dismissal. In cases where written permission is not provided the office staff will phone to obtain verbal permission from the parent/guardian.

If lates or absences become habitual, a parent/guardian will be notified in writing and should this behaviour continue removal from the class and/or school may result.

During breaks, students are expected to remain on campus due to short transition times. There is not enough time to get coffee off-campus.

During Instructional time, students are expected to be engaged in classroom learning. Students are asked not to loiter in the MPR or in the hallways.