Code of Conduct

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Quesnel Junior School promotes the values expressed in the BC Human Rights Code respecting the rights of all individuals in accordance with the law – prohibiting discrimination based on race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, family status, physical or mental disability, sex or sexual orientation. The school will treat seriously any behaviour that contravenes the grounds set out in the BE Human Rights Code.

A safe, caring and orderly school is the foundation for a successful learning environment. This Code of Conduct supports socially responsible behaviour and allows members of the school community to be fully informed of common expectations for student behaviour.

These expectations apply to behaviour at school, during school organized or sponsored activities, and behaviour beyond these times (including on-line behaviour) that negatively impacts the safe, caring or orderly environment of the school, and/or student learning.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

We are guided by the following four aspects of Social Responsibility for B.C. Schools as identified by the Ministry of Education:

  • Contributing to the classroom and school community
  • Solving problems in peaceful ways
  • Valuing diversity and defending human rights
  • Exercising democratic rights and responsibilities

BEHAVIOUR EXPECTATIONS

There is an expectation that Quesnel Junior School students will behave according to our school motto:

RESPECT      -         RESPONSIBILITY      -            COOPERATION        -         KINDNESS

It is expected that students will:

  • Arrive for class on time and complete assignments;
  • Accept responsibility for their own actions
  • Demonstrate honesty and integrity;
  • Problem solve, or participate in problem solving processes in peaceful ways
  • Respect differences in people, their ideas and opinions;
  • Respect and treat others fairly, regardless of:
    • race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability;
  • Respect and cooperate with persons who are in a position of authority;
  • Respect the need of others to work in an environment of learning and teaching
  • Show proper care and regard for school property and the property of others;
  • Take appropriate measures to help those in need;
  • Treat one another with dignity and respect at all times, and especially when there is disagreement;
  • Use socially appropriate language.

​QJS is a closed campus. 

​Students are expected to stay on the grounds from the time they arrive at school until they are picked up to go home, which includes lunch. Students are not permitted to go to surrounding properties, stores, etc. under any circumstances. Students who go home for lunch  (i.e. who live within a reasonable walking distance to the school) are required to have a signed parent/guardian permission letter on file, and are required to sign in and out of the school each day during the lunch break.

Electronics: It is NOT a requirement that learners have cellphones at QJS.

School District 28 Policy #704 states that student use of electronics is for educational purposes only and at the discretion of the teacher.  If at any point, student use of technology interferes with or distracts from the learning of others or the safety and well-being of others, staff may intervene and issue consequences in relation to the Code of Conduct  and School District Policy.
The school can not be responsible or liable for lost, stolen, or missing electronic devices.

UNACCEPTABLE CONDUCT
Smoking, Vaping, Drugs or Alcohol

No cigarettes, vapes, alcohol or drugs should be brought to school; students should not indulge in these prior to coming to school or attending a school event. At our school, the use or possession of vapes, cigarettes, drugs or alcohol at school or at any school function will result in a suspension from school. Students who remain at the scene while others participate in the use of alcohol or drugs may also be subject to school disciplinary action. 

Vandalism 

Students are expected to respect the property of school, others and the environment. Students may be required to restore/repair/repay as part of any consequences for acts of vandalism. 

Weapons

No student should be in possession of any weapon, including but not limited to firearms; students will not use any object to threaten or intimidate another person; students will not use any object to cause personal injury.

Bullying, Intimidation, Harassment and Violence

All students and staff have the right to feel safe at school. Any acts of harassment, intimidation or threats of any types (physical, emotional, verbal or sexual, including bullying, physical violence, or retribution against a person who has reported an incident) are unacceptable. Bullying is a conscious, willful, deliberate, hostile and repeated behaviour by one or more people, which is intended to harm others. Bullying takes many forms, and can include many different behaviours, such as:

  • physical violence and attacks

  • verbal taunts, name-calling and put-downs

  • threats and intimidation

  • extortion or stealing of money and possessions

  • exclusion from the peer group

Bullying can take place in a classroom, on school grounds, or on the internet (cyber bullying). Regardless of form or location, bullying will not be tolerated and will be seriously dealt with by the school and possibly police.

Acts that compromise safety of others in the building

CONSEQUENCES

Range of Interventions/Consequences – some examples:
Verbal reminders, parent contact, loss of privileges, noon hour study hall problem solving session(s), counselor mediation, work restitution, financial restitution, and referral to school based team or counselor, RCMP involvement
Some more specific examples:

  • Electronics violations- staff will take electronics from students who are using electronics during instructional time.  Repeat offences will be referred to the office. Parents may be asked to pick up the devices. 
  • Students who leaving school property without  – parent contacted, lunch time study hall

SERIOUS OFFENCES

  • Assault- RCMP involvement; can lead to indefinite suspension;
  • Bullying behaviours can lead to a suspension; can lead to RCMP involvement;
  • Drug and alcohol violations- up to 6 day suspension;
  • Fighting- 3 day suspension;
  • Making threats- suspension, can lead to RCMP involvement;
  •  Students can also be suspended for encouraging a fight and bystander behaviour;

Some offences may be subjected to the District Code of Conduct procedures to determine if the student will be capable of successfully returning to the school.
The purpose of a suspension is to provide time for interventions and problem solving; to prevent other students from being exposed to or involved in dangerous and damaging activities; to caution students and deter them from continuing with or repeating unacceptable behaviours; and to inform parents or guardians of seriousness of the concerns. 

Rising Expectations - As students move through their years in secondary school, they are expected to assume increasing responsibility and greater ability for self-control. Students will be given opportunities to participate in making decisions and to work on committees and in groups to improve the school community.  Students are expected to take on more of a leadership role and to serve as role models as they move on to Correlieu Secondary School and into their graduation years. As such, there will be increasing consequences for inappropriate behaviour. Students with Special Needs will be accommodated according to the information included in the Individual Education Plan. 

Notification of Parents - The school has the responsibility to advise parents of unacceptable behaviour demonstrated by the student. We expect that parents and the school staff will work together to bring about a change of behaviour and that efforts will be made in this regard. In some cases, parents of a second party (eg. a victim) will also be contacted and informed of an investigation into another student’s conduct.