FRANK HOBBS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2024-2025
CODE OF CONDUCT
At Frank Hobbs Elementary School, we believe that all children have the right to learn in a safe, caring and orderly environment. Our expectations are that students will maintain an attitude that is cooperative, courteous and respectful.
WE BELIEVE IN PURPOSEFUL POSITIVE CONDUCT IN ORDER TO:
- Provide a supportive caring environment with high expectations where everyone is valued and respected including the adults in the building
- Provide a healthy environment for learning which must be safe, happy, supportive and secure
- Assist learners to become educated / independent citizens
- Provide students with opportunities to develop firm foundations in literacy, numeracy, and socially responsible life skills
THE BASIC CONDUCT EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS, STAFF, PARENTS, SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS, AND ADULTS WHO ENTER THE BUILDING ARE EXPECTED TO:
- Interact with each other in a caring, concerned manner (according to age – appropriate expectations)
- Interact respectfully at all times and in all settings, both on school property and at any school functions at any location
- Accept and value the unique qualities of others
GUIDELINES FOR STUDENT CONDUCT
Student behaviour is governed by various sections of the School Act, the prohibited grounds of discrimination set out in the BC Human Rights Code, the Policies and Regulations of the Greater Victoria School District and the Frank Hobbs Elementary rules and expectations that stem from our belief and mission statement. In accordance with the School Act, acceptable student behaviour is expected while at school, at a school-related activity or in other circumstances where engaging in the activity will have an impact on the school environment.
Behavioral guidelines are based on the principles that students and school personnel have the right to:
- Work and play in a safe environment
- Engage in the teaching/learning process without unnecessary disruptions from others
- Be treated with respect and dignity
- The protection and care of school property and environment
Accompanying these rights are the responsibilities of all persons to:
- Engage in behaviour that does not interfere with the teaching/learning program
- Move, play and work in a safe manner
- Respect and care for personal property whether it be one’s own, another person’s or the property of the school and playground environment
- Behave in a polite and courteous manner
- Play in a manner that is not disruptive to the play of others
These general guidelines are translated into the following specific expectations where students are expected to:
- Behave in a polite and courteous manner
- Move through the school in a quiet orderly manner
- Go directly outside for recesses and remain outside, where adult supervision is provided, until the bell rings
- Remain on the school grounds during regular school hours
WITS
Students will receive positive reinforcement from staff for acting right. “Acting right” includes students using their WITS:
W Walk away (to another area of the school grounds)
I Ignore
T Talk about it
S Seek help
The 3 – Rs at Frank Hobbs are:
Be Responsible
Be Respectful
Be Resourceful
The fourth R is to Report to an adult (parents and school) when help is needed.
FRANK HOBBS ELEMENTARY’S ENVIRONMENT IS FREE FROM ACTS OF
– Bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment and marginalization
– Threat and intimidation
– Violence in any form
– Abuse in any form
– Discrimination in any form including that against race, color, ancestry, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or place of origin
– Retribution against a person who has reported incidents. School District No. 61 will take all reasonable steps to prevent retaliation against a student who has made a complaint of a breach of the code of conduct.
FRANK HOBBS ELEMENTARY DOES NOT TOLERATE THE PRESENCE OF
– Theft and vandalism
– Intoxicating and banned substances
– Weapons or replica weapons and explosives
– Intruders or trespassers (All visitors to the school must first report to the office)
OR MISUSE OF
– Cyberspace/Cell phones/Electronic Devices/Computers – students are to be aware that they may be subject to discipline (or, if applicable, confiscation of personal property) for misuse of technology if it negatively impacts the school environment
Inappropriate behaviour
Inappropriate behaviour can consist of, but is not limited to:
– Rudeness, swearing
– Fighting (or play fighting)
– Lack of respect for others, including teasing or gossip
– Throwing objects (rocks, sticks, snowballs, etc.)
– Defiant behaviour, insolence
– Running in the halls
– Unauthorized leaving of school grounds
– Littering
– Whenever possible and appropriate, consequences for breaches of the code of conduct are restorative in nature rather than punitive
– Disciplinary actions, if any, will be based on the age and maturity levels of students and those with special needs
Inappropriate behaviour may include the following consequences:
– Review of expectations and a time out with staff members and / or administration
– Review of expectations, written assignment and/or loss of privileges
– Parents are informed
– Meeting with the parents
– Short-term (in school or at home) suspension up to 5 days
– Long-term suspension (over 5 days) or referral to a district program
– Serious breaches of the code of conduct may involve consultation with the police, fire department, school district officials, other provincial agencies, etc.
* Special consideration may apply to students who may be unable to comply with expectations due to having challenges of an Intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional or behavioral nature
POSITIVE STUDENT REINFORCEMENT
Includes, but is not limited to, the use of positive verbal reinforcement, which will be given to students by staff for specific demonstrations of exemplary behaviour in being resourceful, respectful and responsible citizens.
CELL PHONES AND PERSONAL DIGITAL DEVICES – Elementary Code of Conduct
A ‘personal digital device’ is a student owned device that can be used to communicate or access the internet, such as a cell phone, tablet, smart watch, gaming device, and/or electronic toy. Earbuds and headphones connected to personal digital devices may also be restricted.Equity must be considered when using and directing the use of personal digital devices in a manner that is culturally responsive and inclusive. Accommodations such as access to a computer or Chromebook can be made for students without personal digital devices who may need access to the internet to complete schoolwork. The use of personal digital devices may support students with disabilities, diverse abilities, or medical needs as outlined in the student’s support plan and Individual Education Plan and/or other agreed upon plans.
The use of personal digital devices is restricted during instructional hours to facilitate focused learning and promote online safety. It is expected that personal digital devices are always stored out of sight and on silent or airplane mode (this includes recess and lunch). Students are expected to follow protocols set by their school and/or teacher(s).
The use of personal digital devices during instructional hours is at the teacher’s discretion and direction for the purposes of instruction and promoting digital literacy. Instructional time includes classroom settings, assemblies, guest speakers, field trips, and other events organized by school district staff.
The use of personal digital devices outside of instructional hours is not permitted on school grounds, during field trips, or other school activities.
No photos, video, or audio recordings will be taken of students or staff without consent from the individual or the individual’s parent or caregiver for children under the age of 13.
The main office phone at the school may be used to make and receive calls if students and their parent(s) or caregiver(s) need to communicate during the school day.