Procedures

The division expects students to conduct themselves in a manner that demonstrates good citizenship and which encourages appropriate citizenship in others in both the classroom and school settings so that effective learning is made possible. Student discipline is not judgmental, arbitrary, confusing or coercive. Rather, it shows individuals what they have done wrong; it gives them ownership of the problem; it provides a process for solving the issue they have created, and it leaves their dignity intact. The goal should be to instruct, teach, guide and help children develop self-discipline so that learning can be maximized for all students.

1. The principal is responsible for administering the general discipline of the school. He/she shall ensure that the school has developed a school discipline policy, incorporating provisions of Appendix 351A – Safe School Action Plan as part of the school’s discipline policy. School handbooks shall publish the expectations for behaviour and the discipline procedures established for use within the school.
2. For the purposes of this administrative procedure:
   1. The suspension is the removal of a student from the classroom, school property, school activities or bus for a period of up to five (5) school days.
   2. Expulsion is the Board-approved removal of a student from the classroom or bus for a period of time longer than five (5) school days.
   3. Exceptions – Extracurricular activities such as team sports, club membership and field trips outside of school hours are considered a student privilege. A student's failure to conform to the rules may result in the removal of the privilege. This loss of privilege is not considered a suspension under this administrative procedure. If the breach of rules is also a matter for which suspension or expulsion would otherwise be considered, these measures may also be applied.
   4. The suspension shall be considered when a student:
      1. Exhibits conduct, whether or not the conduct occurs within the school building or during the school day, is injurious to the physical or mental well-being of others in the school;
      2. Distributes an intimate image of another person
      3. Exhibits open opposition to authority;
      4. Exhibits willful disobedience;
      5. Habitually neglects duty;
      6. Uses improper or profane language;
      7. Willfully damages school property;
      8. Exhibits behaviour that interferes with school- or division-approved activities;
      9. Exhibits behaviour prohibited by other Board policies, administrative procedures, the Education Act or the Criminal Code of Canada; or
      10. Exhibits behaviour inconsistent with Section 31 of the Education Act – responsibilities of students.

 Disciplinary Actions – School

1. Each teacher is responsible for maintaining discipline in the classroom and school. In some cases, the principal may provide assistance. The following provisions shall apply with regard to disciplinary actions of teachers:
   1. The attitude towards the maintenance of discipline must be positive rather than negative.
   2. Punishment must be meaningful when punishment is deemed necessary.
   3. Mass punishment of a whole class for the misdemeanor of a few students is to be avoided.
   4. Acceptable forms of punishment for the school shall be formulated by the staff and principal.
   5. The use of corporal punishment by system staff is not permitted.
   6. Good discipline often depends upon the ability to check unacceptable behaviour in its early stages before it becomes a serious problem.
   7. Disciplinary problems should be dealt with in an objective, professional manner that considers the needs of the individual child, and each infraction should be considered a learning situation to be handled intelligently and patiently.
   8. The child should be treated in a kindly, just manner. Teachers should be guided by a spirit of charity and understanding. Verbal attacks upon students, including name-calling, use of sarcasm, unfavourable personal references, attempts to belittle the students, or threatening to send students to the principal do nothing to raise the self-worth of all parties involved and, therefore, shall not be employed.
   9. The teacher or school should not act as the disciplinary agent for the home.
   10. Sufficient force is justified to restrain a student who is determined to carry out some destructive act or to prevent a student from attacking another individual.
   11. Removal from the classroom of a student where conduct continues to be detrimental to the work of the class (after the student has been given reasonable warning that the behaviour is unacceptable) is justified.
   12. Any disciplinary measure involving the automatic imposition of certain penalties or punishment without considering the nature of the act and the individual(s) involved does not have its basis in the basic principles of modifying behaviour.
   13. Though the dignity and authority of the teacher must be upheld, it must be remembered that recognizing the dignity of students is equally important. The teachers will find that a quietly worded statement to a student is likely to be more effective than strongly voiced commands in securing his/her compliance.
   14. The right to detain students for disciplinary purposes is not questioned. However, the exercise of that right in an arbitrary or inflexible fashion that prevents a student from meeting other legitimate and important commitments cannot be supported.
2. A teacher may suspend a student from one (1) class period and shall report the suspension to the principal.
3. A principal may suspend a student from:
   1. One (1) or more class periods;
   2. One (1) or more courses or school programs;
   3. School;
   4. Riding in a school bus; and/or
   5. Activities sponsored or approved by the Board.
      Note: A form suspension letter shall be used by principals when advising parents/guardians of student suspensions.
4. A student suspended by the principal or by a teacher may be reinstated at any time by the principal.
5. When a principal suspends a student, the principal shall:
   1. Telephone the student’s parents as soon as possible to inform them of the suspension.
   2. In the case of an out-of-school suspension, report, in writing, to the student's parents all the circumstances of the suspension.
   3. In the case of an out-of-school suspension, upon the student’s return to school, facilitate with the student and his/her parents a plan to promote the student’s adherence to the student discipline procedures and confirm the circumstances in writing.
   4. If requested, provide an opportunity to meet with the student’s parents/guardians, and the student if the student is sixteen (16) years of age or older, to discuss the reasonableness of the suspension. The student may be present at this meeting if that is considered in the student’s best interest by the principal or the parents/guardians.
6. If the principal is recommending expulsion, the principal shall refer the recommendation to the Superintendent, accompanied by a report of the measures taken to address the unacceptable behavior(s) of the student and notification of the parents/guardians of same.
7. If the Superintendent supports the recommendation for expulsion, the Superintendent shall provide the parents/guardians a copy of Policy 8 – Appeals and Hearings Regarding Student Matters and the principal’s report, and convene a meeting of the Board Appeal Committee to hear evidence in an in-camera hearing within 10 days of the start of the suspension.

Reference:                            Section 31,36,37 Education Act                       

Cross Reference:           Policy 8 – Appeals and Hearings Regarding Student Matters

Forms:                                   Out of School Suspension or Expulsion Form Letter Template

Updated: December 2019