Purpose:
The Hillview School Community is a positive, safe, caring place where we work together responsibly and respectfully in order to develop each child’s individual skills and abilities. Our Code of Conduct takes into account the rights, freedoms and responsibilities of both individuals and the school community and clarifies behaviours that are acceptable and unacceptable.
The Code of Conduct is established to maintain a safe, caring, and orderly environment that allows for purposeful learning to take place for all. Students, staff, and parents are responsible for respecting the rights and dignity of others in a learning environment free from discrimination as set out in the B.C. Human Rights’ Code.

Conduct Expectations:
Our Code of Conduct is designed to teach children to make choices with a focus on:
• Self-regulation and contributing to a safe, caring, and orderly school community.
• Demonstrating positive attitude and accountability towards themselves and others and putting forth their best efforts to engage in purposeful learning.
• Respecting and taking care of self, others, and the school.

It is understood that as students become older and more mature, expectations of responsibility and self-regulation will increase. This may also lead to increasing consequences for inappropriate behavior or choices.

Expectations apply to behavior at school, during school organized or sponsored activities, as well as behaviour beyond school hours (including on-line bullying that negatively impacts the safe, orderly environment of the school and/or student learning.)

Acceptable Conduct:
While going to and from the school and while attending any school function students are expected to:
• Respect themselves and the rights of others.
• Respect the property of others and the school.
• Attend school regularly and punctually.
• Inform an adult of any unsafe behavior.
• Work diligently and to the best of their ability; and
• Abide by school rules and expectations and act in a manner that positively represents the school.

Unacceptable Conduct:
Unacceptable behaviors are ones that interfere with the learning of others, (including the
emotional well-being of others), with an orderly environment, or behaviours that create unsafe conditions are considered unacceptable.

Unacceptable Acts such as: bullying (verbal, physical/on-line or cyber bullying), harassment or intimidation, physical violence or retribution against a person who has reported incidents are considered unacceptable conduct.

Unacceptable Illegal acts such as possession, use or distribution of illegal or restricted substances, possession or use of weapons, theft weapons, theft of or damage to property are considered unacceptable.

All behaviours are not listed below, but those cited are examples of unacceptable or discriminatory conduct:
* Vandalism * Theft
* Weapons * Insolence/defiance
* Illegal substances * Harassment/racism
* Lying/cheating * Violence
* Bullying (verbal/physical/on-line or cyber bullying)

We value and promote the values expressed in the BC Human Rights Code, respecting the rights of all individuals.

Discrimination of the following are unacceptable acts of conduct:
* Religion * Race, Ancestry
* Physical or mental disability * Sexual orientation
* Gender identity/expression * Age
* Family Status * Marital Status

Consequences:
When a student chooses actions detrimental to themselves or the school community, progressive discipline or consequences will apply. The severity, frequency, age, and maturity level of the student is taken into consideration when unacceptable conduct
occurs.

Staff responses to unacceptable student conduct is progressive in nature and is consistent and fair. Considerations may apply to students with a disability of an intellectual, physical, sensory, emotional, or behavioral nature when determining appropriate disciplinary action.

Disciplinary action, whenever possible, is preventative and restorative, rather than merely punitive and there is a focus on the learning opportunity. As often as possible, students are encouraged to participate in the development of meaningful consequences using:
• Problem solving and personal reflection forms
• Remediation and mediation between students
• Service opportunities throughout the school
• Counseling
• Suspension (in school/out of school)

The school will take all reasonable steps to prevent retaliation against a person who has made a complaint about a breach of conduct.

Notification and Communication:
At Hillview Elementary we share a responsibility to protect and preserve every teacher’s right to teach and every student’s right to learn in a safe and respectful environment.

The classroom teacher responds to most minor issues arising from classroom behaviour. Significant Code of Conduct offences or chronic behavior concerns are referred to the Principal or Vice-Principal.

In the event that there is a concern for the safety of a student or a staff member, school staff have a legal responsibility to inform other parties or outside agencies (E.g., District Officials, Police, Child Protection Ministry and/or other agencies.) of a serious breach of the Code of Conduct.