Irwin Park Elementary School Code of Conduct

Statement of Purpose

Irwin Park Elementary is committed to fostering a safe, caring, and orderly learning environment. Our school’s foundational values, (Panther P.R.I.D.E.) guide our choices both in the classroom and in the community. Our Code of Conduct more establishes expectations for behaviour, supports a culture of inclusion and respect, and promotes balance between individual rights and collective responsibilities. It also outlines behavioural expectations at school, school-related activities (district athletic events, field trips, etc), and in circumstances where student actions may affect the school community.

Please note that special considerations may apply to specific students if they are unable to comply with a Code of Conduct expectation due to having an identified disability of an intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional, or behavioural nature

Prohibited Grounds of Discrimination

The school promotes and works to protect the values expressed in the BC Human Rights Code, prohibiting discrimination based on (but not limited to): appearance, Indigenous identity, race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, political belief, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and age.

Acceptable Behaviour

At Irwin Park, we expect students to:

Demonstrate respect for themselves, others, and the learning environment

Actively promote a safe and caring school based on our P.R.I.D.E. values

Follow district, school and classroom rules and expectations

Care for personal, public, and natural environments

Move safely and responsibly around school grounds, with respect to self and others

Demonstrate kindness, respect, integrity, and inclusivity

Attend school daily and punctually

Maintain appropriate hygiene, dress, and language standards

Take safe learning risks and show open-mindedness to difference

Unacceptable Behaviour

At Irwin Park, students are expected not to:

Interfere with the learning of others

Make others feel unsafe

Use offensive or disrespectful language

Engage in bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, intimidation, threats, or violence while at school, at school-related events, or in any context affecting the school environment

Engage in acts of discrimination or retaliation against anyone reporting incidents

Use Personal Digital Devices inappropriately or without permission during instructional time.

Weapons

Weapons, replica weapons, and imitation weapons (including toys) are strictly prohibited.

Consequences of Unacceptable Behaviour

Whenever possible and appropriate, consequences shall be progressive, fair, and restorative rather than punitive wherever possible

The nature and severity of the behaviour, along with the relationship history among those involved, will be considered when determining an appropriate response, with the goal of restoring safety, trust and integrity.

Age, maturity, and unique needs of the student will be considered.

All reasonable steps will be taken to prevent retaliation

Special considerations and advocacy may apply to students with unique learning needs and/or learning differences if these students are unable to comply with the Code of Conduct due to having a disability of an intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional, or behavioural in nature

Students and families of Indigenous ancestry will be supported in ways mindful of historical context and indigenous ways of knowing and perspectives

Behaviour plans, personal contracts and re-entry meetings will be implemented where necessary

Dress Code

Irwin Park Elementary is committed to providing students with learning environments that are safe, responsive, and inclusive. Our dress code recognizes that decisions about dress reflect individual expressions of identity, socio-cultural norms, and that such decisions are personal.

To help create a positive learning environment for Irwin Park Elementary learners, the following standards for dress are expected:

Dress for the activity and the weather; learners should wear comfortable clothing which allows them to participate fully and safely in the range of school activities throughout the day including time spent outside.

Learners have the right to dress in a manner consistent with their gender identity or gender expression. This includes dressing in a manner that is not consistent with the societal expectations of gender.

Students may attend school and school-related functions in dress of their choice provided that their choices:

Do not represent or promote alcohol or drugs

Use respectful language

Do not depict or promote violence, racism, sexism, or discrimination, and are not intimidating to others

Conform with established health and safety requirement for the intended activity

Personal Digital Devices (PDD)

Personal Digital Devices means any personal electronic device that can be used to communicate or to access the internet, such as cell phones, phones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, and any other portable technology device. 

Personal Digital Devices are to be appropriately used during the school day including before school, after school and break times in accordance with the District Admin Procedure 370 and in accordance with the School Code of Conduct and the Irwin Park Acceptable Use off PDDs Agreement. This document specifies the expectations of PDD use and is signed by both the parent/guardian and the student at the start of each school year (Gr 4-7). Digital citizenship is a life skill and is taken seriously at Irwin Park Elementary.   

At Irwin Park students that bring PDDs to school are expected to:

Understand that the owner/user is solely responsible for the security and storage of PDDs. The district assumes no responsibility for safety, loss, repair, or replacement of devices

Follow the expectations and guidelines laid out in the PDD Acceptable Use Policy Contract and follow the Irwin Park Code of Conduct when using PDDs

If a personal digital device is required for instructional purposes, or to support a student’s medical and health or accessibility and accommodation needs, teachers/staff will provide clear guidelines and expectations around their use for these purposes and ensure that use is adequately supervised.   

Considerations for personal digital device use will also be made to ensure equity to support learning outcomes for any student who may be disproportionately impacted by the lack of access.    