Code of Conduct - Updated June 2024

Lord Byng Code of Conduct

RACISM WILL NOT BE TOLERATED IN OUR SCHOOL. 

Statement of Purpose 

• To establish and maintain a safe, caring and orderly environment for purposeful learning.
• To establish and maintain appropriate balances among individual and collective rights, freedoms and responsibilities
• To clarify and publish expectations for student behaviour while at school, while going to and from school, while attending any school function or activity and/or in any circumstance which may impact on the school community

Conduct Expectations    

Acceptable Conduct 

Lord Byng Secondary 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, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex or sexual orientation – in respect of discriminatory publication and discrimination in accommodation, service and facility in the school environment.

Lord Byng Secondary is organized and operated on the assumption that students in a Grade 8-12 school are on the verge of adulthood and thus are attending with the desire to participate and learn.  This means that students at Lord Byng must accept personal responsibility for learning, for attending classes, and for completing work or assignments.  In pursuing their education, students are expected to respect the rights of others.  Students who have chosen to come to Lord Byng should understand that certain specific regulations must be enforced so the school can operate in the best interests of all.

School Expectations 

• respect yourself, interact with others in positive, supportive ways
• respect the property and rights of others
• help to make the school a safe, caring and orderly place
• inform a ‘tellable’ adult in a timely manner (in advance, if possible) of incidents of bullying, harassment, intimidation or other safety concerns
• engage in learning activities in a purposeful and timely manner
• spend free time effectively and constructively, making use of tutorial assistance, study areas,>span class="ms-rteThemeFontFace-2">    
• act in a manner that brings credit to yourself and the school
• keep the school building, grounds, adjacent areas and school community clean and free of litter
• refrain from smoking on school premises and grounds
• keep cafeteria clean by returning trays to proper place and leaving tables clean
• refrain from any form of gambling at school
• park automobiles properly and drive carefully on and around school property
• inform teachers of any absences, in advance if possible
• respond to requests for assistance in returning texts and library books
• arrive to class on time, prepared and ready to learn
• use appropriate language in the school and the school community
• keep personal property in school lockers or otherwise secure
• comply immediately when given a direction by an adult in the school and or the school  community

Byng Cares!  

Lord Byng’s pro-active behaviour plan, as outlined on the next page is the responsibility of each student.  It is our expectation that students at Lord Byng will demonstrate positive, school-wide behaviour as outlined in BYNG “CARES”. The core values reflect what is important in our community.  These core values determine expectations for our actions as outlined in the Byng C.A.R.E.S. acronym.

Community

We strive through our actions to have a positive effect on all members of our community

Accountability

We acknowledge the expectations of our roles as students, parents and teachers and we are dedicated to fulfilling these responsibilities.

Respect

We will create an accepting environment and endeavour to understand individual differences. We care for ourselves and all members of our community equally.

Effort

We motivate ourselves to pursue excellence in all areas while maintaining personal balance.

Safety

We strive to establish a physically and emotionally safe environment

Unacceptable Conduct 

• Behaviours that:
  • Interfere with the learning of others
  • Interfere with an orderly environment
  • Create unsafe conditions
• Acts of:
  • Bullying, harassment or intimidation
  • Discrimination (as defined by the BC Human Rights Code – on the basis of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, political belief, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, age and unrelated criminal or summary convictions)
  • Physical violence
  • Retribution against a person who has reported incidents
• Illegal acts, such as:
  • Possession, use or distribution of illegal or restricted substances
  • Possession or use of weapons
  • Theft of or damage to property

 
Note: Behaviours (both acceptable and unacceptable) cited in the code of conduct are examples only and not an all-inclusive list. Special considerations may apply if a student is unable to comply with the expectations due to having a disability of an intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional or behavioural nature.

Rising Expectations 

As students become older, more mature, and move through successive grades:

• they are expected to develop increasing personal responsibility and self-discipline.
• there are increasing consequences for inappropriate behaviour/ unacceptable conduct. 

Consequences

The severity and frequency of unacceptable conduct as well as the age and maturity of students are considered  in determining appropriate disciplinary action:

• responses to unacceptable conduct are consistent and fair.
• disciplinary action, wherever possible, is preventative and restorative, rather than punitive
• students, as often as possible, are encouraged to participate in the development of meaningful consequences for violations of the established code of conduct

Suspensions

In accordance with the School Act, Sec. 85(2)(ii) and (d), the Board authorizes the Principal or designate of any school in the district to suspend a student from attendance at school for up to five days. 

 Suspensions may be for the following reasons:

 a. because a student is willfully and repeatedly disrespectful to a teacher or to any other employee of the Board carrying out responsibilities approved by the Board. 

b. because the behaviour of the student breaches the District Code of Conduct or policy and/or has a harmful effect on others or the learning environment of the school. 

c. because the student has failed to comply with the School Code of Conduct. 

 Suspensions over five days are made in consultation with the appropriate Director of Instruction as per the District Student Code of Conduct, AP 350. As per AP 350 6.7.1 an educational program must be provided. 

Notification

The school staff may have a responsibility to advise other parties of serious breaches of the code of conduct.  For example:

•  Parents of the student offender(s)
•  Parents of the student victim(s)
•  School district officials – as required by school district policy
•  Police and/or other agencies – as required by law
•  All parents – when deemed to be important to reassure all members of the school community   that school officials are aware of a serious situation or incident and are taking appropriate action to address it