Safe Schools Code of Conduct
Bill 212, known as The Education Amendment Act (Progressive Discipline and School Safety) 2007, is an update to the current “Safe Schools” section of the Education Act.
The amendments, related regulations, and policy and program memorandum protect students and provide schools and boards with provincial expectations on appropriate behaviour and discipline for students.
It also outlines the procedures and supports to put into place to correct and support students who go through the discipline process. The new changes provide schools with the tools, policies and funding needed to make their schools safer and better places for students to learn.
What are some of the changes to the Safe Schools Act?
A number of changes came into effect regarding how schools manage inappropriate behaviour. The following is a list of some of the highlights:
- Adding bullying to the list of behaviours that suspension must be considered;
- A school’s right to discipline extends to activities that have happened off school property and outside of school activities but have an impact on the school community;
- Consideration of all relevant and mitigating factors when investigating an incident including a student’s age, history, family situation, accommodations for students with special needs and other circumstances that surround the incident or impact the student’s education;
- Use of a progressive discipline approach that incorporates a range of appropriate interventions, supports, and consequences beginning at the classroom level
- A focus on learning opportunities for students in order to reinforce positive behaviours and help students make good choices;
- Students can be expelled from their own school or from all schools within the school board based upon the decision of the Student Discipline Committee composed of three trustees
- Programs will be offered to all students on long-term suspension and expulsion.
Code of Conduct
Grand Erie’s Code of Conduct reflects the Provincial Code of Conduct and recognizes that everyone has the right to be safe and to feel safe in their school community. As well, Grand Erie recognizes that it is the responsibility of all individuals to contribute to a positive school climate, and to maintain an environment where conflict and differences can be addressed in a matter characterized by respect and civility.
All members of the school community are expected to create a positive school climate in schools and at the school Board, in which responsibility, respect, and civility are modeled and promoted.
Related Policies and Procedures