Purpose:
The Board of Education (the “Board”) of the Chilliwack School District (the “District”) believes that students should act in a way that makes school a safe, caring, and inclusive place where everyone can learn. In alignment with the District’s Strategic Plan, the goal is for students to grow into responsible, educated citizens.
This means every student will:
• respect what belongs to other people and their rights;
• respect themselves and their own belongings; and
• follow all the rules, including Board Policy and Procedures, and the School Code of Conduct (the “School Code”).
General Expectations of Students:
Each student must meet the expectations in the B.C. Human Rights Code. There must be no discrimination or intent to discriminate against a person, or a group or class of persons, based on the prohibited grounds. This means you cannot treat anyone unfairly or try to hurt someone based on their Indigenous identity, race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital or family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or age. Making sure everyone acts appropriately is the responsibility of students, their parents/guardians/caregivers, and the District.
Social media (such as Instagram, TikTok, SnapChat, etc.) is a way to use technology for information sharing, discussion and communication, and is an extension of the classroom. This means that if something is not appropriate to do or say at school, it is also not appropriate to do or say online.
The Board will take all reasonable steps to prevent retaliation by a person against a student who has made a complaint of a breach of a School Code. This means the Board will do everything it can to protect students who make complaints in alignment with this Policy.
School Code of Conduct:
Every school is required to have a School Code, which must be submitted to the Superintendent’s office by October 31st of each year.
The School Code will be developed and maintained by the school’s committee of staff, parents/guardians/caregivers and students, which must comply with the Ministry of Education's Safe, Caring and Orderly Schools and written Board policies. The same committee will review the School Code annually.
The School Code will be communicated to students and parents/guardians/caregivers annually.
Except as otherwise provided, the Board's policies and regulations about student behaviour will apply to students while:
1. attending school;
2. travelling to and from school;
3. attending a function and/or program organized or sponsored by a school; or
4. on any District property.
If students break the law and it affects the school or the community, District officials will cooperate with law enforcement.
Student Discipline
The standard of discipline applied to students shall be kind, firm and reasonable. Consequences should teach students to be responsible citizens and help them grow personally and socially. Whenever possible and appropriate, discipline will be restorative in nature.
When deciding on discipline, the school will consider all relevant circumstances and the developmental and individual needs of students. The school will not discriminate.
Considerations may apply to students with disabilities or diverse abilities if these students are unable to comply with a School Code due to having an intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional or behavioural disability.
The Board recognizes that the principal of a school is responsible for administering and supervising the school. This includes the general conduct of students, both at school and during school-related activities.
Even if something happens outside of school, if it could have a potential impact on the school environment, students may still face disciplinary action from the school.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
The Board believes that students have certain rights and responsibilities. These come from the B.C. School Act, the B.C. Human Rights Code, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Board bylaws, policies and regulations.
Students have the right to:
• a place to learn, feel welcome and be treated fairly (i.e. a discrimination-free environment as reflected in Policy 313: Safe Schools).
• express themselves and advocate for their interests.
• suitable learning in a safe environment.
• talk with teachers and administrators about the learning environment and how they learn best.
• be informed of the expectations of how to act and the consequences of misbehaviour.
• a fair discipline process.
• an appeal procedure to challenge decisions made by the District that impact your learning, health or safety.
• privacy and confidentiality of student records.
Students have the responsibility to:
• uphold Policy 313: Safe Schools.
• attend school regularly.
• follow school rules and codes of student conduct.
• respect the legitimate authority of the school staff.
• respect and support the rights of others and their belongings.
• respect and support the health and safety of others and of themselves.
• respect and support the learning environment and how others learn.
• demonstrate self-discipline and self-regulation according to their abilities.
• respect school and District property.
• not threaten, harass, intimidate, or assault, in any way, any member of the school community.
• not be in possession of controlled and regulated substances, including drugs, alcohol, and cannabis.
• not use controlled and regulated substances, including drugs, alcohol, cannabis, tobacco products, vaping devices and e-cigarettes, on school property or during school-authorized trips or activities.
Appeals Regarding Disciplinary Action:
The Board believes that when a parent/guardian/caregiver has a concern about the action or decision of any employee, the following steps should be followed, as per Policy 390 – Resolving Concerns:
1. discuss the concern with the employee directly.
2. if not resolved, discuss the concern with the school principal.
3. if not resolved at the school level, discuss the concern with the appropriate Assistant Superintendent.
4. If not resolved, forward the concern to the Superintendent for consideration.
A student and/or the student's parent/guardian/caregiver may appeal disciplinary action taken by the District that they believe impacts the learning, health or safety of the student, once the above steps have been considered. This appeal procedure is in alignment with Section 11 of the B.C. School Act and Board Bylaw 4: Appeal Procedure.