Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School
 Home | About ND | Administration | Staff | Guidance | Academics | Athletics | Activities & Clubs | Newsletters | Photos | Links | SIS
Up
AER Guidelines
Bus Information
Code of Conduct
Electronic Devices
Medical Health & Safety

 STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT

Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School and the Halton Catholic District School Board are 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 the school and of the Board that students and parents will respond positively to this policy and act accordingly.

STUDENT 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 teaching staff.

STUDENT 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 the 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 respecting student behaviour;
  • To use language that is appropriate to his/her dignity as a Catholic;
  • To adhere to the school dress code;
  • To respect the property of the school at all times: building, grounds, equipment, materials;
  • To be in attendance and punctual at all classes and scheduled activities, with the materials required for full participation.

It is expected that students will accept the direction of all staff in matters of behaviour in the school, on school property, and during school activities, such as assemblies, field trips and athletic events. Students must report to the office when directed by staff members or risk further consequences and/or suspensions.

RANGE OF CONSEQUENCES

The Student Code of Conduct includes a clear outline of realistic and effective consequences for failure to meet the expectations. Interventions to help students develop self-discipline will be administered to meet individual needs. Parents, students, school staff and administrators are strongly encouraged to invest themselves in collaborative approaches to the resolution of the behaviour concerns.

The following are basic interventions and strategies 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:

  • Informal interview with the student;
  • Verbal or written explanation of behaviour by the student;
  • Formal interview with the student;
  • Parental involvement: phone call, correspondence, interview;
  • Involvement of school support staff;
  • Peer counselling;
  • Detention of student;
  • Removal of 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 busing 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; Police);
  • Suspension in accordance with the Education Act and Board Policy and Procedure;
  • Expulsion in accordance with the Education Act and Board Policy and Procedure.

Notwithstanding the above, the Principal and/or Vice-Principals will take immediate and appropriate action in any situation involving the welfare of students and staff.

SAFE SCHOOLS POLICY

Serious violent incidents which pose a challenge to safety and the positive learning and working climate promoted by the Halton Catholic District School Board fall under the provisions of the Safe Schools policy.

The following breeches of school discipline involving Notre Dame students on Board/school property and at Board/school sponsored events shall not be tolerated:

  • Intimidation - Harassment - verbal and/or sexual
  • Threatening - Extortion
  • Arson - Theft/Robbery
  • Public mischief - Disturbances
  • Trespass - Vandalism
  • Assault - verbal, physical, sexual
  • Weapons - possession, threatening with, use
  • Substance abuse, alcohol - possession, use

SAFE SCHOOLS & CODE OF CONDUCT

The 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 or illegal drugs;
  • 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 located on the premises of 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 a 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.

In addition to the above circumstances warranting Mandatory Suspension and Expulsions, the Safe Schools Act, 2000 provides for other circumstances where discretionary suspensions and/or expulsions may be warranted. These are outlined in the Code of Conduct for Halton Catholic Schools and are available through your local school.